The Sunshine League, Arbor Day And The Children's Hospital...(1909).
In 1909, over one hundred and twelve years ago, children from the Sunshine League and the Perth metropolitan area planted over 100 trees and shrubs at the Children's Hospital in Subiaco.
The event was attended by the Lieutenant Governor. Sir Edward Stone and Lady Stone, Uncle Tom, the founder of the Sunshine League, members of the Sunshine League and their families and children and their families. The children selected to plant trees and trees was based on their contributions made to raising money for the Children's Hospital.
Uncle Tom, wrote a review in the Children's Pages in The Daily News newspaper. Uncle Tom describes the role that three of Sunshine League members Etta Hollis, Rona Murray and Vera Cantor played in assisting Lady Stone, to plant trees and shrubs. A list of all the children who participated was published after the article.
The photograph of the Sunshine League children at the Children's Hospital on Arbor Day in 1909 was published in the Mirror newspaper.
The article and photographs are from Trove, the database of National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Daily News, 5 June 1909;
OUR CHILDREN'S PAGE
Conducted by 'UNCLE TOM.'
WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED 'THE SUNSHINE LEAGUE' FOUNDED BY 'UNCLE TOM' (OF 'THE DAILY NEWS'), MAY 18, 1907. THE EMBLEM OF MEMBERSHIP IS A BRIGHT RED ROSETTE.
ARBOR DAY, MAY 29, 1909. The trees and shrubs planted.
Last Saturday afternoon the great arbor function to which we had all looked forward to with so much interest, passed off successfully. It was a great pity that the rain fell up to within half an hour of the planting, and spoiled the enthusiasm by keeping many away. Fortunately, however, the rain held off during the afternoon, the trees were planted, and at the time of writing (Friday morning) they are all looking well.
The programme outlined last Saturday, was successfully carried out. On Saturday morning I wrote to His Excellency the Lieutenant- Governor (Sir Ed. Stone) as follows: — 'Your Excellency, — I am sending you a copy of today's programme for your guidance. You will notice that the committee will meet you at 3 o'clock at the Hay-street entrance. I will introduce to you Miss Etta Hollis, one of my Fremantle nieces, who has always been foremost in helping the Sunshine League In Its efforts for charities. Miss Hollis will present you with a spade, with an inscribed plate and decorated by the League's colour— bright red. I will introduce to Lady Stone Miss Rona Murray (aged 6), who has performed at all our big charity concerts. The children will assist Your Excellency and Lady Stone with the planting of the first two trees. Miss Vera Cantor will present Lady Stone with a bouquet. She is a foremost Sunshine League worker, and is the daughter of Mr. A. J. Cantor, J.P., and Mrs. Cantor, who have been among the mainstays of the Children's Hospital movement. After the ceremony, Your Excellency and Lady Stone will be entertained at afternoon tea in the ante-room of the surgical ward. - I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant, Uncle Tom.'
The applause which followed when I introduced the matron (Miss Annie Anderson) to the gathering indicated that the choice of the committee is a popular one. Personally I am of opinion that we could not have secured a better matron for the position, and the kindly way in which she addressed the children at once endeared her to them, and I hope her splendid advice to children - to love their fellow creatures, encourage perseverance, and to possess sympathy for all those who are in want of it - will be takes to heart by all my nieces and nephews. The official list of the names of those selected to plant the trees is as follows: 
NAMES OF TREE-PLANTERS
Mirror, 4 June 1909.
The Children's Hospital
1. View of the Medical Ward.
2. Arbor Day. The Lieut.-Governor and Miss Etta Hollis planting the first tree. General view of the Hospital.
Sunshine League children in the foreground.
F. E. Murphy, photo.
