Ruby Hutchison House...(to be continued)
This house is heritage listed for its association with Ruby Florence Hutchison (MLC)and as the original headquarters of the Western Australian Association (1965 until 2002)...the house is at 139 Coghlan Street Subiaco. 
Ruby Hutchison House, 139 Coghlan Street, Subiaco (From Google)
Ruby Hutchison (from Wikipedia)
'Co-operation Of Women For A Better Perth' By Edith Cowan (1916).
A wonderful article about the history of women's work in Perth by Edith Cowan. Many of the women and their work are mentioned in previous posts about Subiaco on this blog.
From Wikipedia about Edith Cowan... "Edith Dircksey Cowan OBE (née Brown; 2 August 1861 – 9 June 1932) was an Australian social reformer who worked for the rights and welfare of women and children. She is best known as the first Australian woman to serve as a member of parliament..."
The article is from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
The photograph of Edith Cowan in from the Museum of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Western Women, 1 January 1916.
Co-operation of Women For A Better Perth.
I take it that in asking me to come here today and speak on the subject of "Women's Co-operation for a Better Perth," that you desire me to give you a brief resume of what has been done by women in the way of organising, and assisting in work done for the betterment of this community since its earliest days.
Women's work in Western Australia was bounded for many years entirely by their own homes, and the perhaps best called "neighbourly" interest taken by them in the homes and affairs of others. However, mainly during the last thirty years our women have learned it is their duty to find time to help in that larger home, known as the community, as well as in the lesser circle of their own families and friends, and they are daily showing their realisation of the truth foreshadowed to them many years ago by one of West Australia's leaders, that best and most lovable of women - Lady Onslow - when she said, "That a mother's duties extend far beyond the boundaries of nursery or parish."
It is good that we should sometimes look back on the path in order that we may note the steady advance made by the women of this State in so many directions, for instead of resting satisfied with an eternal round of frivolous amusement, and social duties, that filled their spare hours neither pleasurably or profitably, we now find them helping good causes on every side, and assisting to better the conditions of life for all. In addition to this their efforts to ameliorate the horrors of this most awful war show how truly women now perceive that "absence of occupation is not rest, that a mind quite vacant is a mind distressed."
So long ago as the year 1862, the then Governor's wife (Mrs. Hampton) founded the first benevolent society to help poor women with warm clothing and blankets ; it was known as the Dorcas Society, members paid £l per year, and once a month received a parcel for a deserving woman, containing material for one dress, three yards flannel, six yards of calico, one pair stockings, and every second year one pair blankets. This Society has now dissolved, but there are others following in its footsteps, notably the Subiaco Benevolent Society, and the Women's Church Guilds, which do much of this kind of work. The late Mrs. Antony O'Grady Lefroy was, among her other activities, treasurer of the Dorcas Society for many years.
The Girls' Friendly Society was begun in 1888 to provide a place where young girls could meet and obtain recreation in the evening. Mrs. Alfred Burt, as its Diocesan Secretary, has given years of time and heartfelt interest to this good work, and Mrs. Stanway Tapp has also been one of its most helpful workers. Thanks to the keen interest and efforts of Lady Barron, the G.F.S. has now opened a lodge of its own in Adelaide Terrace. We have also the "Time and Talent Club" and the "Young Women's Association," doing equally admirable work; this last is in the fifth year of its service, and by means of the luncheon and rest room, under the aegis of Trinity Church, is giving business girls tea for Id. per cup, and a place where they may rest, chat, or read, in the middle of the day. It is indeed good to know that the needs of these young women are being met in this and other ways, and Mrs. Burnett and her helpers are to be congratulated on the fine work achieved despite the opposition of carping critics in the past.
The "Lady Smith Lodge" was founded by the wife of Sir Gerald Smith in the nineties, and had similar objects in view, but was obliged owing to want of financial support to close its doors. The need for such a home was however shown, and it proved to be the forerunner of St. George's Lodge, the G.F.S. Lodge, and the present efforts to cope with what was then a crying, but unmet need.
The House of Mercy was inaugurated in November 1891. It's committee has always been composed of women, with a small advisory board of men. The first building soon had to be enlarged, and finally the present House was erected in Lincoln street on the valuable piece of ground given by the Government. The number of girls availing themselves of the privileges of this excellent Home has never been very large, but in a quiet way it has done much good in re-establishing the self-respect of those who have been led astray for the first time, and the results have been more than encouraging. Its upkeep is maintained by laundry work, and subscriptions from the public.
The W.C.T.U. was the outcome of a visit to this State by Miss Ackerman, the well-known Convention lady lecturer, who possessed the power of attracting people to a cause, which, in 1892, was but little known and not popular in W.A. Mrs. John Ferguson, who was for so long their respected President, said of Perth in those day: "It might have been the scene of one of Mrs. Gaskell's novels; anything new was regarded with suspicion, and a lady who declined wine at a party, and did not offer it to her guests." I can myself vouch for the fact that afternoon tea was an institution unheard of, and wine and cake the only thing offered to callers in my own early married days. It is with amusement that one now looks back on the remarks made about the "unwomanliness" of a woman who dared to speak in public, and yet with their usual want of consistency, both men and women flocked to listen to this capable pleader in the temperance cause. It is interesting to note that Miss Ackerman was the second woman speaker to appear on a platform in this State, Miss Von Finklestein, a Biblical lecturer, having been the first. A good record has been established by this organisation, composed entirely of women who are always to the fore in doing good work. The W.C.T.U. and the Karrakatta Club did much to obtain the franchise here for women, which mainly owing to the efforts of these two bodies, and certain individuals, was granted in the year 1899.
I must not omit here to mention how much also was done in this direction by the Women's Franchise Council, a separate body composed of women from both organisations, which also did yeoman service for this cause. The Ministering Children's League which is a branch of the same league founded in London by the Countess of Meath, was begun in Perth by Mrs. H. D. Holmes in the year 1891. Its objects are to inculcate the principles of self-sacrifice and unselfishness among children, teaching them to work for others, and its motto is "No day without a deed to crown it." The erection of the M.C.L. Convalescent Home at Cottesloe Beach is the outcome, and evidences .of what can be accomplished the small beginnings, by steady, consistent efforts well directed and sustained. Both Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have given time and money to the work, and to them and those who helped them this community owes a debt of gratitude.
The Lady Lawley Cottage by the Sea is also another effort made by women to benefit children, filling, as it does a much needed want, as it takes in children- under fourteen which the M.C.L. does not, being mainly for grown up people.
The Karrakatta Club for Women was founded on November 1st, 1914, by Dr. Emily Brainert Ryder, and an abiding tribute to her memory. She came to this State to lecture on behalf of the "Hindoo Child Wives," and when these lectures drew around her the thinking women of Perth, she, seeing the need of a rallying centre for them, suggested the formation of the Club, and showed the benefits which would accrue were they to band together for mutual improvement and aid. At the first meeting about forty people handed in their names, and a committee consisting of Lady Onslow, Lady Forrest, Mesdames Hensman, O'Grady Lefroy, Rowley, J. Cowan, and the Misses Ferguson, Best and Nisbet were appointed to draw up a constitution, and thus was the body launched which has been for so many years a centre of light and leading in Perth.
Under the wise guidance of its first President (Lady Onslow) most admirable work wag done, and the community was helped in many ways; notably, in gaining the franchise, in improving the sanitary condition of Perth, an interesting fact also is that the study and promotion of Kindergarten education in our midst was taken up by Club's educational department in 1897, and we have seen the spread of Frobel's theories begun there by Mrs. George Leake and myself bear fruit in the Government schools and in the establishment of our present Free Kindergartens.
At the time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee a bed for women at the Convalescent Home was collected for, the idea being Miss Best's. The endowment of this free bed is due to the Karrakatta Club, as it is through its efforts that twenty-eight women in each year can benefit by this achievement. The membership of the Club is now close on 150, and the subscription is2s. per annum, with an entrance fee of one guinea. You will be interested to know that our first meetings were held in the Congregational Hall, to whose leaders we have always felt a debt of gratitude for their kindly assistance at a time when it was difficult to make a beginning. The Home of the Good Shepherd (nothing to do with the present R.C. Sisterhood) was opened on December 1, 1896, and was the forerunner of the present Home for Incurables, one of the finest and most beautifully unselfish works ever undertaken by this community.
The Home of the Good 'Shepherd was begun by Miss Dyson, known as Sister Charlotte, who got the idea from an institution known as the "Friedenheim" in Hampstead, London. She began with six beds only, three for women, and three for men. Sister Charlotte was assisted by one nurse, and the Home was maintained largely by herself, though a few seeing her self abnegation, did what they could to assist, and the Anglican Sunday School children supplied the funds for one bed, and a neighbouring parish for another. But the end was that the present Home for Incurables ultimately came into being, and thus those suffering incurably are enabled to pass their remaining days in restful and beautiful surroundings where the end comes in all possible peace and comfort.
And this is through the work begun by a woman in our midst. The S.P.C.A. of W.A. owes its origin to the ladies who in those days formed the "St. George's Society" afterwards merged in to the Karrakatta Club. Many of them, having witnessed acts of cruelty to animals in different parts of Perth, were roused to the need for some action. On August 2, 1892, a committee of four were elected, consisting of Lady Onslow, Mrs. J. Cowan, Mrs. A. Burt and Miss Wigglesworth, now Mrs. Heyworth Watson. These ladies, with Miss May Moore as secretary, formulated and had printed a set of rules. In the following year Mr. Rowley undertook the treasurership, and both he and Miss May Moore discharged their duties with such zeal and ability as to ensure the success of the Society, Mr. Titus Lander being the first Inspector. The Government helped with a subsidy, and the work was encouraged by all the churches with one exception, the then Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church refusing to aid it in any way. The Society has grown greatly since those early times, and does efficient work throughout the State as far as its funds will allow. Financial support being always needed.
The C.E. Mothers' Union was established many years ago, and has been a quiet but powerful force for good in. W.A. It and the Women's Guilds of the various denominations, have helped in the upliftment of the city by their high standards on moral questions, and their prayerful influence is everywhere felt, and ; accentuated by the monthly meetings of the different branches, which also provide addresses and papers furnished by leading men and women among us.
The preceding Associations are what one may term the pioneers in co-operation for a better Perth. They have been followed by many other in later years, notably the Children's Protection Society, whose committee, composed of leading men and women, were able to influence many reforms for the betterment of child life, notably the bringing about of the boarding out system, and children's courts under the State Children's Act, and the Free Kindergartens, etc.
Then we have the Women's Service Guild, which has done good service for all sections of the city and State up to the present. There are also the Nursing Associations, such as the Silver Chain, the Claremont District Nurses' Society, to say nothing of the W.A. Branch of the A.T.N. A, and the West Australian Nurses' Association, established by the late Dr. Haynes.
Women's Leagues are a strong factor in political life now, where once women were ignored, but Liberal, Labor and Country Parties now seek their support and aid, which is freely given.
We have the Braille Society, with its inimitable work of writing books for the blind, and the Australian Freedom League, in which numbers of women are along with men watching over the interests of the State's children on matters relating to compulsory military service.
The Girl Guides is a fine movement, which owes its inception to Miss Wells, the Editor of "Western Women." The British Immigration League has been kept going almost entirely by the self-sacrificing effort of Mrs. Juleff, its secretary.
About four years ago, in order to strengthen their positions, the majority of the women's societies, guided by Lady Edeline Strickland, joined themselves into a National Council of Women, which being affiliated to the International Council of Women, links them with all other such Councils throughout the world, thus adding to their prestige and value as a great moral force, and we may also hope a spiritual one a well. There is hardly anything going on here now in which women do not cooperate and find their aid sought by men for the community's betterment.
Women are on the University Senate, the Hospital Boards, they sit in the Children's Courts, visit the prisons and the Lunatic Asylum officially, and from having been 30 years ago a negligible quantity find their opinions sought and listened to on almost every question, and they fulfil in an astonishing manner duties that would have been considered quite outside their province and beyond their capacity in those old conservative days. Now, as it is evident the responsibilities of sharing in public life will be thrown more and more on our shoulders, it behoves us one and all to fit ourselves and our children for that time io come when men and women shall meet in all things (whether inside or outside the home) as fellow workers and equals, "Not like to like, but like in difference," for then only will this city and State be governed as the Great Master meant it should be. Surely it is ours to see that "the ideal shall become the real." What grander task can we set before us than to see that we continue to do, as we have in the. past, our work of "Cooperation for a Better Perth."
EDITH D. COWAN.
Peggy Bolster, Subiaco Sunshiner, Age 11 Years (1929).
One of the most interesting subjects to research and write about Subiaco is the daily lives of children in the early years of the Western Australian colony. Their lives where recorded through letters published in the children's pages of local newspapers. One of those was the Daily News newspaper in Western Australia. The Sunshine League, their aims and the children who belonged have been published in previous blog posts. This blog post is continuation of those blog posts.
Peggy Bolster was a child who lived with her family through the late 1920's and 1930's at 229 Park Street, Subiaco. Peggy regularly entered competitions, wrote letters sharing the daily events of her life and donated stamps for the Cot Fund for the Perth Children's Hospital which were published the Daily News newspaper. She also wrote to Aunt Betsy at the W.A. Record, a Catholic newspaper. She does not mention her father or any brothers and sisters.
During the late 1920's and 1930's Australia entered the Great Depression. The last letter from Peggy Bolster was in December 1931. By the end of 1931 the much loved Auntie Nell (Margaret Main) had to retire due to illness. The concept of the children's pages changed. Boronia Giles took over. A lot of the content from the children was replaced with content from adults aimed at children.
The articles are from Trove the database for the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. The photographs are from the State Library of Western Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Peggy first wrote to Auntie Nell at the Daily News newspaper to ask to join the Sunshine League in 1928. In 1928 she was eleven years old. "...Please excuse my writing, as I have been in bed for over three years owing to sickness, and am now on crutches and getting better..." (Daily News, 15 December 1928).
During 1929 Peggy wrote six letters that were published in the newspaper. In early January 1929 Peggy wrote to Auntie Nell to thank her for the prizes she had won in the competitions and donated some stamps to the Cot Fund. She wrote about some of the books she had received at Christmas time, presents from her friends that were popular with young girls. "I received your prize for the competition and it is a very nice book. I received 'The Lucky Girls' Budget', 'Just Peggy' and 'Blackie's Girls' Annual' as Christmas presents from my friends..." (Daily News, 5 January 1929).
In February 1929 Peggy wrote about her holiday with her mother to Cottesloe "...Mum and I went to Cottesloe and have already stayed two weeks at the Hostel Manly, and as I had no writing materials I could not write to you. We intended staying six weeks, but as you see by the above address we came home for today, as Mum had a few things to do, and we are going back tomorrow (Tuesday). I had some lovely shells given to me..." (Daily News, 2 February 1929).
During the 1920's and 1930's Cottesloe Beach was a popular tourist place to visit. In March 1929 wrote to Auntie Nell about her visit to Cottesloe and Luna Park. She had to come back to Subiaco because she was not well. "Since I wrote to you last I have been to Cottesloe, but had to come back as I was not too well. It was very nice down there. Have you been to Luna Park, Auntie ? Mum and I went nearly every night. There are a lot funny things there, such as 'hit the nigger in the eye,' 'knock his teeth out,' and wring the the duck's neck' there was also the dart, which I tried a few times and won a box of handkerchiefs, a candlestick with a kangaroo at the side and two boxes of chocolates..." Auntie Nell did respond and raised the point of arcade games and violence "When you talk of hitting the nigger and wringing the duck's neck, one feels that it is much safer to be away from such a spot..."(Daily News, 28 March 1929).
In 1929 Peggy shares some interesting news about what families did not on the weekend. "Since I last wrote to you, Auntie I have been for two lovely car drives. One was to Fremantle to see one of the mail boats off, and the other was to Queen's Gardens, Perth and around Mount's Bay-road, and the view of the Swan River was beautiful. I enjoyed myself very much..." (Daily News 18 May 1929).
By November 1929 Peggy had recovered enough from her illness to be enrolled at Subiaco State School. "...I suppose you will be surprised when I tell you that I am going to school now. I like it very much. The teachers and children are very nice to me. I have been going for about two or three months. I was very much surprised when the headmaster (Mr. Lewellyn), after asking me a few necessary questions, put me in the fifth class. My teacher's name is Miss Dunstan. She is very nice. The weather is very unpleasant isn't it? Well dear Auntie Nell, I will close with best wishes to yourself and your Sunshiners..." (Daily News, 9 November 1929).
During December 1929 Peggy writes about what is happening in the Subiaco State School. She is 12 years old..."I have been very busy at school lately, as we have parents' night every year before the holidays. We have to get all we have done during the year - drawings, paintings, compositions, show writing, and sewing together and fix them up on the wall. I only put my sewing up, as my drawings ect., were not very good, as I have not been there very long, My sewing consisted of seven d'oyleys (most of which I made when I was sick), a doll's pinafore, petticoat, and skirts and a little lavender bag. I really think that our room looked the best decorated room in the school. I was decorated with fern and different kinds of flowers. I am closing with best love. My age is 13 on February 20." (Daily News, 28 December 1929)
Peggy informs Auntie Nell and the readers that she been writing to Aunt Betsy at the Record a Catholic newspaper although none of her letters seem to be published. Peggy wrote about her birthday and entered a competition and sent a photograph of herself. "It is ages since I have written to you, but I have been writing to Aunt Betsay of the "Record", so I forgot to write to you until I picked up the children's page in "The Daily News", so I decided to write to you to show you that I had not forgotten you. Since I last wrote to you I have had a birthday party, I was thirteen on February 20. I invited fourteen girls, but only eleven came, as one had her tonsils out, another a cold and the other had a very sore throat. We had ice creams, fruit cakes ect and I had a lovely birthday cake with 13 candles on it. I had some lovely presents..."(Daily News, February 1930).
In May 1930 Peggy wrote about what she had been doing including going to the theatre with her mother..."Last week mother and I went to see 'Rio Rita' at the Capital. Have you seen it ? It was most dancing and singing. Although we like every part of it that was colored host of all. Bebe Daniels is a very clever and pretty actress isn't she ?" (Daily News, 17 May 1930).
During June 1930 Peggy again wrote to Auntie Nell thanking her for the prize and donating some stamps for Cot Fund. She had been to see a movie at the theatre called Black Watch "...Have you seen the 'The Black Watch' ? Mother and I went to see it a West's Picture Theatre last week and although we liked it very much I think it was too sad. Do you like sad pictures? I don't..." (Daily News, 21 June 1930).
In June 1931 Peg wrote to Auntie Nell to thank her for book she had received and to inform her she was confined to bed..."Please excuse my writing as I am writing in bed, as I am not too well, and find enclosed a twopenny stamp for the Cot Fund..." (Daily News 6 June 1931).
By the end of 1931 most of the Sunshiners had read about the retirement of Auntie Nell and the column was now being taken over by Boronia Giles or Peg Peggotty. This knowledge was reflected in this letter by Peggy. She had become extremely sick and confined to bed. "...During the last five or six months I have spent in bed as I hurt my leg somehow, but the doctor said I would be alright after a slight operation which might be performed in a few weeks' time. So you must excuse my writing as I find it rather difficult to write in bed. I was sorry to hear that Auntie Nell had to retire, owing to illness, and if you see her would you please give her my very best wishes and I hope she will soon be enjoying the very best of health..." (Daily News, 5 December 1931).
Peggy writes about going for a drive..."...One was to Fremantle to see one of the mail boats off, and the other was to Queen's Gardens, Perth and around Mount's Bay-road, and the view of the Swan River was beautiful..." State Library of Western Australia, Mounts Bay Road, 16 January 1935. 
In March 1929 Peggy wrote to Auntie Nell about her visit to Cottesloe and Luna Park. Sandbagging around Luna Park, Cottesloe Beach in 1929. State Library of Western Australia.
Boronia Lucy Giles (1909 - 1978) Part Two (Poems And Drawings).
This blog post is a continuation of the blog post "Boronia Giles, Journalist" published on the 20 March, 2020 and Boronia Lucy Giles (1909 - 1978) Part One. This post contains wonderful poems she wrote and drawings that were published in the children's pages in the Daily News newspapers from 1930 to 1940.
From the previous post "Boronia Lucy Giles (1909 -1978). Part One... "Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) Giles was born on 25 August 1909 at Collie in Western Australia. Boronia and her family moved around due to her father's employment. As a consequence she was educated at various state schools including Subiaco State School. In 1922 Boronia won a scholarship to Perth Modern School where studied for four years.
In 1927 Boronia enrolled part time at the University of Western Australia while working for a motorcar company. The following year she obtained a cadetship at the Daily News newspaper and began at Diploma of Journalism in 1929. On the 30 December 1932 she married Robert Giles, also a journalist. Together they had five children. Due to family commitments and work she failed to complete her diploma.
Boronia used several pseudonyms while working at the Daily News newspaper. These included 'Peg Peggoty' and 'Mary Ferber'. She wrote a range of regular columns on various subjects. During the 1930s Boronia edited the children's section and included her own poems, short stories and drawings in the column. They were on topics all children could relate too.
During her life Boronia worked for a number charitable causes. These included being appointed to the State's Health Education Council and for ten years she edited 'Our Children' the magazine of the Slow Learning Children's Group. She was also a member of the Investigating Committee on Left-School Youth which considered the problems and future of young people. She addressed women's clubs on a range of topics.
Boronia Giles retired from journalism in 1969. She died on 2 May 1978. "
References
Ryan, J. 1996, Giles, Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) (1908 - 1978) Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
The Australian Women's Register Giles, Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) (1909 - 1978).
The poems and drawings are from Trove the database of the National Library Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Daily News, 5 September 1931.
Daily News, 22 August 1931.
Daily News, 27 November 1935.
Daily News, 13 March 1937.
Boronia Lucy Giles (1909 - 1978) (Titania's Palace At Bon Marche 1935).
This blog post is a continuation of the blog post "Boronia Giles (1909 - 1978) Part One". This continues on about her love of fairies and the fairy world.
This blog post is about a column published by Boronia Giles as Peg Peggotty in the Daily News newspaper about an exhibition called Titania's Palace that was on view at Bon Marche during the schools holidays. She wrote a wonderful description of the exhibition and included a photograph which are copied below.
Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) Giles was born on 25 August 1909 at Collie in Western Australia. Boronia and her family moved around due to her father's employment. As a consequence she was educated at various state schools including Subiaco State School. In 1922 Boronia won a scholarship to Perth Modern School where studied for four years.
In 1927 Boronia enrolled part time at the University of Western Australia while working for a motorcar company. The following year she obtained a cadetship at the Daily News newspaper and began at Diploma of Journalism in 1929. On the 30 December 1932 she married Robert Giles, also a journalist. Together they had five children. Due to family commitments and work she failed to complete her diploma.
Boronia used several pseudonyms while working at the Daily News newspaper. These included 'Peg Peggotty' and 'Mary Ferber'. She wrote a range of regular columns on various subjects. During the 1930s Boronia edited the children's section and included her own poems, short stories and drawings in the column.
During her life Boronia worked for a number charitable causes. These included being appointed to the State's Health Education Council and for ten years she edited 'Our Children' the magazine of the Slow Learning Children's Group. She was also a member of the Investigating Committee on Left-School Youth which considered the problems and future of young people. She addressed women's clubs on a range of topics.
Boronia Giles retired from journalism in 1969. She died on 2 May 1978.
References
Ryan, J. 1996, Giles, Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) (1908 - 1978) Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
The Australian Women's Register Giles, Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) (1909 - 1978).
Daily News, 20 April 1935.
PEG'S LETTER
TITANIA'S PALACE IN PERTH
Dear Boys and Girls, — Have you been to see the famous Titania's Palace on view at Bon Marche's yet?
None of you should miss it, because it is the most wonderful fairy palace ever made. I am sure Queen Titania could not wish for a more beautiful home.
Do you all know how it came to be built? Sir Neville Wilkinson's daughter Guendolen, when she was three years old, was watching her father painting near their home in Dublin. Suddenly she said that she had seen a fairy disappear into the mossy roots of an old sycamore tree close by.
Her father agreed with her that it was very disappointing that all the fairy treasures should be hidden beneath the roots of an old sycamore tree, so they decided that if a fitting palace could be made, the fairy queen might be induced to transfer her affections and belongings to the new abode.
This all happened a long time before any, of you were born, but in 1907 Sir Neville started to build the Palace which was to house the fairy queen and her court. In 1922, still before quite a lot of you were born, it was finished at last, and opened by Queen Mary.
Since then it has travelled over quite a lot of the world, and has been the means of raising a lot of money to help poor little crippled children. The Palace is 27 inches high, and contains 16 rooms, including a Chapel, and a State Hall for important State functions — you know even fairy queens have State duties to perform — and, of course the Royal Bedchamber, which is the most charming and inviting bedchamber that even a fairy queen could wish for, and many other wonderful rooms.
The Throne Room contains two diamond peacocks, one of which was originally made for the Empress Eugene in 1856. Every piece of workmanship is copied from some famous work of art. Each room is beautifully furnished and fitted, and the Palace is lighted and heated throughout by electricity.
Whatever you do, kiddies, don't miss seeing this wonderful Palace. And I'll tell you what I'll do. I will give a special prize for the best essay on the Palace. Entries will close a fortnight from today.
So those of you who have not seen it already had better run along as soon as possible, and those who have seen it had better have another look so that they will miss nothing. Till next week, 'Shiners. Cheerio Peg Peggotty.
Subiaco Weddings... (1920 - 1940).
One of the most interesting subjects to research and write about is the ordinary lives of women who lived in Subiaco. This includes their family lives, children, employment and community work they carried out throughout the years.
Many women in Subiaco did not get married. While many stayed in the family home caring for their elderly parents other women were educated and employed, maintained their own houses, did community work and lived successful lives.
Other women got married, raised families and contributed to the local community. Beautiful stories and photographs of their engagement and marriage were recorded in the social pages of local newspapers at the time. Many of the weddings contained elaborate descriptions of the wedding party what they wore, the decorations, the ceremony, the honeymoon destination, who attended and the gifts they received.
Many elaborate descriptions and beautiful photographs of weddings can be found on the social pages of local newspapers on Trove, the database of National Library of Australia from all communities including Subiaco. For example in 1925 two sisters from Subiaco decided to get married together. The story of that wedding is copied below. In 1940 a woman from Subiaco was getting married and her father died at the ceremony. Despite her father collapsing and being taken to hospital the couple still got married. The story is copied below.
The photographs and articles are from Trove the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Wedding 1
Western Mail, 24 November 1927.
Recent Weddings. The bridal party at the Marriage of Miss Kathleen Skehan, of Subiaco, to Mr. John Hamilton, of Perth. 
Wedding 2
Sunday Times, 14 October 1923.
THE WEBSTER - DIPROSE WEDDING.
Solemnised recently at St Andrew's Church, Subiaco. The bride (Mrs. C. J. Webster) was Miss Ruby May Diprose, of Subiaco. (Bardwell Clark studios)
Wedding 3
Western Mail, 13 June 1929.
Recently. Wed.
MRS. R. DAVIES, of Daglish, formerly Miss G. Owens, of Subiaco.
Wedding 4
Mirror, 27 May 1933.
A SUBIACO WEDDING
MR. AND MRS. TOM BOMFORD Junior, whose marriage was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, Subiaco, on April 15. Mrs. Bomford was Miss Nancy Griffen of 86 Olive-street, Subiaco.
Call, 19 June 1925.
Subiaco Double Wedding.
Subiaco Double Wedding. St. Andrew's Church, Subiaco was the scene of a very pretty and unusual double wedding on the eveining of June 6th, when the Rev. Greatrix performed the ceremony of marriage between Arthur Denning (Bunbury), second son of Mrs. Swain and the John Denning, of Kelmscott, and Margaret (Daisy) Babb, fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs, A. Babb (Subiaco); also Frank Thomas (Belmont), and the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Babb. Mrs and Mrs. Arthur Benning's future home will be in Bunbury, while Mr and Mrs Thomas are to live at Belmont.
Sunday Times, 3 November 1940.
Subiaco Wedding Tragedy
BRIDE'S FATHER DIES
As 65-year-old Mr. Lloyd Rowlands, of Heytesbury-road, Subiaco, was escorting his daughter, Miss Alice Rowlands, into the Subiaco Methodist Church for her wedding yesterday afternoon he collapsed.
When examined shortly afterwards by a Subiaco doctor he was dead.
Mr. Rowlands had been receiving medical attention for some considerable time. As a result, no great seriousness was attached to his sudden collapse at the church entrance, and it was decided that the wedding should proceed.
The bride was given away by a close friend of the Rowlands family, and the couple left the church bound for a city photographers, unaware of the fact that Mr. Rowland's collapse had been fatal. Bridegroom was Mr. Edward Crawford, of Gloster-street, Subiaco.
Florence Rose White (1875-1933).
Pastor Doug Nicholls...(Subiaco 1935).
Today Sir Doug Nicholls, an Aboriginal Australian preacher appeared on an Australia Post postage stamp 50 years after being knighted by the Queen.
"Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, a Yorta Yorta man, born at the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Mission, began his footballing career with the Fitzroy Football Club in the VFL and was the only Aboriginal player in the league. He played with Fitzroy until a knee injury ended his football career in 1937.
Following the death of his mother, he re-embraced Christianity, was ordained as a preacher in 1945 and became the inaugural pastor of the first Aboriginal Church of Christ in Australia. He and his wife, Lady Gladys, would go on to become passionate advocates for Aboriginal rights and welfare, and in 1972 Sir Doug was the first Indigenous Australian to receive a knighthood..." (Courtney Howe, 2022)
Over 85 years ago in 1935 Doug Nicholls played in a football match between Western Australia and Victoria. He then spoke to large congregations in the Subiaco Church of Christ and the Fremantle Church of Christ. Doug's speeches were recorded in detail and published in the West Australian newspaper.
The article and photograph is from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia.
West Australian, 25 June 1935.
WITNESSING FOR CHRIST.
Aboriginal Footballer's Sermon.
After having played a splendid game for his side in the football match between Victoria and Western Australia on Saturday. D. Nicholls the full-blooded aboriginal member of the Victorian team on Sunday stood before large congregations in the Subiaco Church of Christ in the morning and in the Fremantle Church of Christ in the evening and testified in slow, deliberate style, and with the use of only a few notes, to his faith in the Christian Gospel Nicholls intends ultimately to become a missionary to his own people. He has been and still is in great demand as a preacher in and around Melbourne.
The speaker chose as the text for his sermon at Subiaco St. Luke 9: 1 and 2, "He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of Godd and to heal the sick.'"He began by stat ing that he was only a "baby" in Christ. "It is not very long ago," he went on, "that I reversed the course of my life to follow Christ. I was fortunate enough to have done well in sport in Victoria, and the result was that, being well-known and popular, I was carried away by the sporting public of Victoria, wandering about everywhere in sin, until one night I was brought to know that if my life was to count for anything worth while, Christ should be governing it. I often think how different my life would have been if my heart had been closed that night. I would still have been a condemned sinner and would not have known the fulness of joy in Christ. He has given me power to witness for Him in the sport that I have chosen. Last, but not least, He has given me a passion to be of service for Him amongst my own people
"Although Christ was not on earth to day, he proceeded, His power was still given to His disciples to whom the call came to go into all the world and preach the Gospel." The progress of the early disciples was triumphant and victorious and nothing should be too difficult for those to whom Christ's authority and power were vouchsafed today. Here ferred to those who had laid down their lives in foreign fields for the sake of the Gospel, instancing amongst others, Mr. W. Waterman, formerly of Western Australia, who died in China, and Studd, the famous English cricketer, who "laid down his bat to serve Christ in Africa."
Jesus had said, "Ye shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth," and this was a command for modern Christians no less than for those amongst whom Christ moved. "We must be witnesses first at Jerusalem, which means at home," he explained. "We are to preach Him at home by living right and beautiful lives. We will do more by practising than by preaching. Nevertheless, we must speak a word for Christ as opportunity offers and if our words are backed up by a right life they will produce excellent results. It is a pity that we keep to our selves the good news of Jesus when thou sands need the news of such an One."
"We are also to witness in Judaea, our own community. It should be the aim of every church to reach every home in the community, personally and not by sending hirelings with tracts to put under doors. We are to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. Our labour is not in vain in Christ, and it has its sure reward. Even those who labour in the harvest fields have their work in vain. Many a man has sown his seed and passed away before the time of harvest. Many a man has planted a crop, but after all his labour that crop has failed and he has received no return for his toil. But in the service of Christ the return of labour is certain, and although we may never see the harvest ourselves, there will be a harvest." Mr. Nicholls was given a dinner last night by the Churches of Christ Conference.
"Sir Doug Nicholls recognised with postage stamp on 50th anniversary of his knighthood
ABC Shepparton By Courtney Howe" 6 July 2022.
"After years of waiting, Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls has been recognised for his significant contribution to Australian society with Australia Post releasing a stamp in his honour
The stamp commemorates the 50th anniversary of the knighting of Sir Doug, the first Aboriginal Australian to be knighted, and coincides with NAIDOC Week.
Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, a Yorta Yorta man, born at the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Mission, began his footballing career with the Fitzroy Football Club in the VFL and was the only Aboriginal player in the league.
He played with Fitzroy until a knee injury ended his football career in 1937.
He was also appointed Governor of South Australia before he resigned due to poor health in April 1977.
Following the death of his mother, he re-embraced Christianity, was ordained as a preacher in 1945 and became the inaugural pastor of the first Aboriginal Church of Christ in Australia.
He and his wife, Lady Gladys, would go on to become passionate advocates for Aboriginal rights and welfare, and in 1972 Sir Doug was the first Indigenous Australian to receive a knighthood.
Australia Post's executive general manager of retail Catriona Noble said it was special to be able to mark the occasion in this way.
"It's about celebrating Indigenous culture but it's for all of us to celebrate and be really proud of," she said.
The daughter of Sir Doug and Lady Gladys, Aunty Pam Pederson, said the family had been waiting for years to have the stamp after her niece, Bev Murray, wrote to Australia Post requesting it.
"I feel so emotional and it's wonderful," Ms Pederson said.
"She was writing letters to Australia Post enquiring about a stamp being launched for Dad.
"Now it has happened after so many years and we're so grateful."
Ms Pederson said her dad would have been humbled by the honour, and she hoped the story of her father would be spread right across Australia.
"I do hope the teachers in some of the schools have that stamp to show the children," she said.
"Then the education starts with the teachers telling the students about who my father was and what he did for our people."
The photo on the stamp is of Sir Doug at Government House, and Ms Pederson said it was the perfect photo of a day she would never forget.
"I look at that photo and every time I look at it I think how hot it was that particular day," she said.
"I remember some of the people were fainting because they had to stand up so straight and it was the hottest day, so I will never forget that."
Who Was Tommy Dower ?...(1936).
When I was going to school in Perth, Western Australia we learned about John Forrest, the explorer who lead expeditions through the interior of Western Australia. He became the first Premier of Western Australia. Beyond that I don't remember much about this explorer's contribution to early colonial Western Australia.
It was not until I was studying at Edith Cowan University that I learned about the contribution of Indigenous Australians to the early exploration by John Forrest of Western Australia. This information came from the oral history of the decedent's of the early Indigenous Australian guides.
While this blog post is not about Subiaco, the discussion about Indigenous Australians contribution John Forrest's expeditions is challenged by E. J. Costello (Eugene Joseph) from Subiaco in an article published in 1936.
It is difficult to know how E. J. Costello, a career public servant came across this information that was shared via the Sunday Times in 1936. E. J. Costello lived with his mother, Sarah Jane Costello and sisters Milly and Daisy at 110 Rupert Street, Subiaco. Eugene went to WW1. He died in December 1949.
The article and photographs are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Sunday Times, 19 April 1936.
WHO WAS TOMMY DOWER ?
SOME MORE SIDESIGHTS
On Lord Forrest's Natives
E. J. Costello (Subiaco) writes:
A contribution in your issue of March 29, 1936, credits the aboriginal. "King" Tommy Dower, an erstwhile Fremantle identity with having been a member of the late Lord Forrest's expeditions to Adelaide in 1869 and 1871.
I carefully scrutinised your following issue of April 5 for a protest from the Historical Society or other authority but was disappointed to find the statements unquestioned.
In default of an abler scribe will you permit me to challenge the following statements:
"He was a member of the late Lord Forrest's expedition to Adelaide in 1869 and 1871* and Tommy Dower with the above were erected by the late Lord Forrest as a mark of appreciation to the natives for their services during his many trips to the interior.
Another native named Windage was a close guide and companion of the late Lord Forrest on his overlandings and he earned a place in the latter's regard 'exceeded by few.' "
In the first place Forrest did not conduct expeditions to Adelaide in 1869 br 1871. His expeditions to the neighboring capital were made in 1870 and 1874. Secondly, Tommy Dower-under that name-was not a member of any of these expeditions nor was he with the party that searched for Leichhardt's remains in 1869. (I am open to conviction that he was a member of the 1874 expedition under the name of "Tommy Pierre.")
John Forrest made three classical trips; the first to the Interior in search of Leichhardt's remains in 1869; he named Mounts Ida, Leonora, Malcolm and Margaret on this occasion. The aboriginal members of the party were Tommy Windich and Jemmy Muncaro, "who had had considerable experience under former explorers" (vide Surveyor-General Roe).
The second trip was made to Adelaide along the south coast in 1870. The aboriginal members were Tommy Windich and Billy Koongale.
The third trip was across central Western Australia to the overland telegraph line, thence to Adelaide, in 1874. The aboriginals on this occasion were Tommy Windich and Tommy Pierre.
TOMMY WINDICH.
Tour contributor disposes of Tommy Windich as "a native named Windage," but of all Forrest's companions it would be safe to say that none did his job better than this modest, faithful servant, and no native was held in such high regard by Forrest.
After the 1874 trip Forrest testified: "To Tommy Windich I am much indebted for his services as a bushman and his experience generally. Accompanying me on many occasions, often in circumstances of difficulty and privation I ever found him a good honest companion." John Forrest and Tommy Windich were the only two men black or white, who made the three trips.
Tommy was born in the York district in 1840 and died at Esperance in 1876. He was presented by the Government with a single-barrelled gun with his name inscribed, after the Leichhardt trip, and a gratuity of £12/10/ after one of the overland trips.
His remains lie under the shadow of Granite Hill, Esperance, and the grave is marked by a headstone erected at the request of John and Alexander Forrest.
BILLY NOONGALE.
Billy Noongale was a native of the Beverley district born in 1852. He was referred to by Forrest as a very intelligent young fellow, and rendered valuable service on the coastal expedition. He died in 1904 and is buried in the cemetery at his birthplace. A fine tombstone erected by Lord Forrest is a token of the regard in which the famous explorer held this faithful servant.
JEMMY MUNGARO.
Forrest's search for the remains of Leichhardt was doomend to failure. lt was organised as the result of stories told by natives, of the remains of horses and men far inland. Before reaching the objective Forrest turned back, convinced that the stories were woven round the skeletons of a few horses lost by an earlier explorer, Austin. Jemmy was one of the story-tellers. Forrest praised his worth as a bushman and water finder but said that no tale lost anything in the re-telling by Jemmy.
TOMMY PIERRE.
Tommy Pierre was Tommy Windich's mate on the central overland trip. The party had a bad time through scarcity of water, and tragedy may well have followed but for the skill of the natives. This Tommy was somewhat of an orator and whilst both Windich and he were called upon to make speeches in South Australia and on return-modest faithful Windich could not muster courage to speak, but Pierre was not at all abashed.
At Salisbury, South Australia, he said, inter alia, "I am very glad I got through. We got a capital gaffer that leaded us through, but it wasn't him that got us through, it wasn't ourselves but God who brought us through." At the reception on return to Perth Tommy said "Many a time I go into camp in the morning going through desert place, and swear and curse, and say "Master, where the deuce are you going to take us?" I say to him "I'll give you a pound to take us back." (Cheers and laughter.)
Perhaps some old resident could decide whether Tommy Pierre and Tommy Dower were identical, it would also be interesting to have recorded the burial places of Jemmy Mungaro and Tommy Pierre, and it would be a gracious act for the Historical Society to erect a memorial on the graves to the memory of these faithful servants.
From Wikipedia on Tommy Windich and John Forrest.
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