The Daily News Newspaper And A History Of The Orphans' Christmas Cheer Fund (1932).
In 1932 the Daily News newspaper published an article titled 'A Paper With A History. The 'Daily News' Links Beginnings With State' to celebrate the jubilee. The article discusses the history of the ownership of the newspaper and it's role in recording the history in Western Australia though the early settlement of the colony, the gold rush, the Great War until the present. Included in this article is a paragraph on the newspaper's appeals for charity.
The article provides how much money was raised for the Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fund, hospitals and other charitable organisations initially started by 'Uncle Tom' of the Children's Column. Money..."was raised and distributed among orphans and various charitable , organisations, the guiding principle, being a Christmas treat bringing the festive season to the hearts of those who others wise would miss the visit of Father Christmas..." The early years of the Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fund has been discussed on a number of previous blog posts.
The first article discusses two other initiatives that were created to help raise money including a Charity Carnival and a Golden Apple appeal during the Depression. "...Owing to the depression the Carnival was discontinued temporarily but a Golden Apple appeal made in 1931 to help apple-growers in marketing their fruit was so well organised that in addition to helping the growers material £3291 was available as profit to distribute amongst deserving institutions..."
The article does not discuss where the money donated came from. A lot the money raised came from activities of children supported by their families through the children's pages. An example is provided in another article titled 'Christmas Cheer. Children Help Orphans' about four children under eight years of age who organised a bazaar to help raise funds for the appeal.
The photograph was used in an article in 1930 to open the Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fund (Daily News, 8 November, 1930).
The article is from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended No copyright infringement intended.
Daily News, 1 September 1932.
APPEALS FOR CHARITY , Also complete record of the results of appeals made by 'The Daily News' for hospitals and other beneficent funds has been kept, but figures are available for the major efforts made in the last eight years. These show a total of -£23,297 raised in cash and given wide distribution throughout the State. One of the main appeals made every year is that of the Orphans' Christmas Cheer Fund. This developed out of the manual picnic conducted by 'Uncle Tom' writer at the time of the Children's Column. The appeal grew in favor. In 1923 the sum of £683 was raised and distributed among orphans and various charitable , organisations, the guiding principle, being a Christmas treat bringing the festive season to the hearts of those who others wise would miss the visit of Father Christmas. In 1929 the total had grown to £1318, but owing to depression fell to £850 in 1930 to rise again in 1931 to £999. In the eight years the amount of Orphans' Christmas Cheer raised and distributed totaled £S450.
A Charity Carnival launched in 1929 to help public charitable institutions (as distinct from and additional to the Orphans' Cheer effort) raised £127G in the first year and the splendid total of £10,160 in 1930. Owing to the depression the carnival was discontinued temporarily but a Golden Apple appeal made in 1931 to help apple-growers in marketing their fruit was so well organised that in addition to helping the growers material £3291 was available as profit to distribute amongst deserving institutions..."Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950), Friday 1 December 1933, page 7
Daily News, 29 November 1932.
"CHRISTMAS CHEER.
Children Help Orphans
There is a breath of human kindness in the touching effort of four little children of Maylands to assist the cause that 'The Daily News' Orphans' Christmas Cheer Fund is championing. Gerda, Win, Don and Len are four kiddies, none of whom is over nine years of age, who wanted to do their bit for other boys and girls to whom the fates have been unkind.
They thought they would try to help the orphans' fund and organised a bazaar among their playmates. In that way they raised £2 10s and have sent it along to the fund, hoping that it will help to provide a joyful Christmas for other children. In these times of financial stringency there is inexhaustible scope for practical help.
Our institutions are crowded with orphaned children and aged and injured people. So that something may be done to relieve them of their weight of suffering and sense of loneliness 'The Daily News' has called for the co-operation of the community each year for 25 years past. The call has always met & splendid response, and it is imperative that the public shall help on this occasion. The gift of the four little Australians of Maylands is an inspiration that should quickly make itself felt. All donations are acknowledged in our columns.."
