Woman's History Month...2023. Post 31. Thomas Street State School Soup Centre...A Story In Photographs (1941).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 31.  Thomas Street State School Soup Centre...A Story In Photographs (1941). 

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

This final post is my favourite. I love this collection of photographs of ordinary women of Subiaco and surrounding suburbs doing amazing things and coming together to feed their children during war time.

Thomas Street State School Soup Centre...A Story In Photographs (1941). 

This post is a continuation of the post 'Agnes Robertson And The Free Milk Council (Part 2).' published 9 October 2020 about the work of Agnes Roberston, a teacher at the Thomas Street State School in Subiaco and the soup centre the school established to feed children during the 1930's and 1940's. The post is copied below. 

Recently while researching photographs for a story I found a wonderful collection of 20 photographs of the Thomas Street State School soup centre taken 1941. The photographs are from the West Australian.  

The photographs are from the State Library of Western Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

Agnes Robertson And The Free Milk Council (Part 2). October 9, 2020.

This post is a continuation of the previous post ‘Agnes Robertson A School Teacher, Community Worker And Politician (Part 1)’ and the story of her involvement in the Free Milk Council getting free milk for children whose parents earned less than the basic wage at Thomas Street State School where she worked but also for all children throughout the state.

As child growing up and going to school in Perth in the late sixties and early seventies I remember getting free milk at school for morning tea that was available to all school children regardless of how much their parent’s earned. Reading the story of the soup kitchen at Thomas Street State School in the Daily News newspaper in 1941 broke my heart but full of admiration for the children spending their lunch time helping. Today the relationship between children not being hungry and successful learning are well documented.

While Agnes Robertson was a teacher at the Thomas Street School she started a Free Milk Campaign to give children free milk at the school. By 1941 the children were also receiving soup for lunch.

In 1938 the head teacher Mr. A.R. Morrison at Subiaco State School said that the physical benefits of milk to education were well known. He conducted an experiment on the benefit of the mental development of giving children free milk at morning tea. From the West Australian in July, 1938 “...Mr. A. R. Morrison, head teacher of the Subiaco State school, said that for 10 years the physical value of milk to education had been known, but last year he had carried out a test for the year at his school with two groups of children chosen for exact similarity in age, size and measurement, to observe the physical benefits, if any, and also to try to estimate any gain in mental development. Although it was difficult to measure the psychological results, the attitude of the child towards his work was so marked that a material benefit was indicated in his standard of attainment, particularly in cold weather. In every case it was found that the child whose diet was supplemented with milk gained more throughout the year than the child who was not getting milk. In winter the benefit of the milk was most marked on the children's attitude and mental brightness for even poorly clad children, after absorbing the warmth which the morning bottle of milk supplied, improved in their application to work, and their progress was outstanding...”

Trove the database for the National Library of Australia contains many articles on the campaign and letters by Agnes Robertson in Western Australian newspapers.

West Australian, 15 July 1938.

FREE MILK. Plea for under-nourished children.

The Claremont Municipal Council will consider in the next few days assisting the Free Milk Council in providing milk for indigent children in the municipality, in accordance with a request made on Monday night by a deputation from the latter body.

Introducing the deputation, Mrs. Cardell Oliver, M.L.A., said that a number of children in the district were undernourished because their parents could not afford to get milk for them and 45 were being supplied by the Free Milk Council, which paid £1 a year to dairymen for each child supplied. On learning that 58 children at South Perth had to be supplied by the milk council, the local road board had taken over the responsibility. Apart from those activities with which the milk council was affiliated, it gave milk to indigent children in 27 schools and throughout the State 1,200 people were being helped. If the council could help her organisation, the contribution would not result in any interruption of the present benefactions, but would enable it to help children not now receiving milk. The milk council investigated each case, and when it found that the domestic conditions justified it, free milk was supplied as far as funds permitted. Mr. A. R. Morrison, head teacher of the Subiaco State school, said that for 10 years the physical value of milk to education had been known, but last year he had carried out a test for the year at his school with two groups of children chosen for exact similarity in age, size and measurement, to observe the physical benefits, if any, and also to try to estimate any gain in mental development. Although it was difficult to measure the psychological results, the attitude of the child towards his work was so marked that a material benefit was indicated in his standard of attainment, particularly in cold weather. In every case it was found that the child whose diet was supplemented with milk gained more throughout the year than the child who was not getting milk. In winter the benefit of the milk was most marked on the children's attitude and mental brightness for even poorly clad children, after absorbing the warmth which the morning bottle of milk supplied, improved in their application to work, and their progress was outstanding. Throughout the State, 28 per cent of the children seen by the Health Department's medical officer were under-nourished. The expenses of the milk council were nil. This was a national problem, but until the Government took it in hand it was necessary to appeal to local authorities and private citizens to find the money.

Mrs. Robertson, of the staff of the Thomas-street State school, said that under-nourishment was found after, rather than during a depression. Children were now revealing that they lacked stamina. As a result of the lead of the Auckland Municipal Council supplying milk to under-nourished children, now all children in every school at Auckland received milk, supplied by the Government. This was to help not only the child, but also the dairy farmer.

Answering questions by the Mayor and councillors, members of the deputation said that the Free Milk Council obtained the milk at a concession price. For these special cases, the normal charge of 6d. a week for an Soz. bottle on school days was reduced to 5d. No opportunity was missed to impress on the Government its responsibilities in the matter. About 5,000 children in the metropolitan area should be receiving the free milk because of under-nourishment. It had been found that families on sustenance had no milk in the home. This was considered shocking in a country where, milk was plentiful. It was the hungry child who gave trouble leading to the Children's Court. Cr. A .W. Crooks: There is any amount of milk available.

Daily News, 30 May 1941.

CHILDREN HAVE A SOUP KITCHEN

(By Gadabout Girl)

The midday bell rang at the Thomas-street State School just as I arrived there. Immediately a stream of children, clutching mugs, poured from the rooms out into the school ground. The only child left was one small girl, worriedly searching through her desk ‘Whats the matter Judith? asked teacher Mrs. A. R. Robertson . “Please, I've lost my penny for my soup.' Teacher supplied a penny on loan; and Judith grabbed her mug and set off hot-foot after her. class-mates.

I followed more leisurely, and was greeted by a glad cry from a group of small girls: “It’s got chicken in it today!”

320 Cups A Day

It's just over a week since the Free Milk Council, of which Mrs. Robertson is the secretary, started a soup kitchen in a pavilion in the grounds of the Thomas-street school. Already they serve about 320 cups of soup a day, and the number increases daily. It's good soup. I had a bowl while waiting for the busy organiser, Mrs. E. F. Martin, to get over the first rush.

“We serve different soup every day of the week,” Mrs. Martin said, unwrapping a pile of ham bones for today's pea-soup. “Five Perth butchers give us enough bones, the shops give us hambones, we get vegetables from, the markets. Perth trades-people are wonderful.” There's no crowding ground, the windows of the soup-kitchen. The children line up. Any who stray are pushed back by prefects who take duties seriously.

One helper takes the money - a penny for a big bowl of soup, and a substantial slice of wholemeal bread.

“Don’t give me five pennies change please,.” Said one youngster, proffering sixpence. Another hands out the bread. Two pour out the soup. Two give it out. Two wash up the returned bowls, which the children rinse first under the tap before handing back.

Necessitous cases, get free soup. They hand in a little wooden slip instead of a penny.

Mrs. Martin is assisted by Mrs. W. Ferstat and Mrs. W. J. McGuire, of the Free Milk Council, and parents of the children. But more helpers among the parents are needed, because it's a big job.

Mrs. Martin comes down on the 8 o'clock train from Darlington each day, catches the 5.30 p.m. train home.

After the soup has been dished out at lunchtime, the stock for the next day's soup is put on to boil. In the morning the stock is made up into the soup for that day.

The kitchen urgently needs two more coppers. If these could be provided, the organisers could make enough soup to deliver to five other schools in the district. Could any kind persons supply the coppers?

Dawn, 18 June 1941.

“...FOR CHILDREN

The W.A. Free Milk Council has extended its activities by the organisation of a soup kitchen at the Thomas-street State School. Voluntary helpers with the assistance of parents, pupils and teachers, are cooperating to serve hot, nourishing soup daily, at Id. per cup with slice of bread, to about 300 children. Some £692 was spent last year by the council on milk for undernourished children in the metropolitan area. When child endowment comes into operation the council will adjust its lists in accordance with its principle that only those children whose parents receive less than the basic wage, inclusive of child endowment will receive free milk, but whereas in the past finances would permit provision for those in infant classes only, it is now hoped to extend the scheme to all school children...”

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 30. Daglish Granny (Noongar Elder)

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 30. Daglish Granny (Noongar Elder)

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Daglish Granny (Noongar Elder)

I went looking for information on a Noongar Elder Daglish Granny after seeing her name in a document called 'City of Subiaco Thematic History and Framework', prepared for the City of Subiaco by Kristy Bizzaca in 2014.

From the document...

"...The history has been divided eight sections with each chapter/section marking an important stage in the progress of Subiaco. In addition to providing a summary of local events and activities during these years, key factors, stories, themes and characteristics have been determined for each context.

The first section identifies Aboriginal Histories of the area such as the water ways, gathering places of pre-history throughout dispossession, assimilation, institutionalisation and, most recently, reconciliation of the Post European History Period..."

Under the heading of 'Aboriginal Histories Prep and Post European History Period and People' included three People Nyungar, Yellagonga and Granny Daglish.

"...At Jolimont Swamp (Mabel Talbot Park), freshwater spring located to the south-west lake was the permanent camp of Mrs Clara Layland, known to the Nyungars as 'Daglish Granny', a Nyungar Elder and custodian of the knowledge. Up until the mid twentieth century, other Aboriginal people also stayed in this area because of the close proximity to water and food supply, and perhaps to listen to the stories of Daglish Granny...'

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 29. Kathleen Yeates. A Highly Decorated Nurse (1951).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 29. Kathleen Yeates. A Highly Decorated Nurse (1951).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Kathleen Yeates, A Highly Decorated Nurse (1951).

The blog post is a continuation of the previous post about Charles Samuel Sparks Yeates who was an astronomer at the Perth Observatory and his daughter Mary Kathleen (Kath) Yeates who went on to be a highly decorated nurse.  Miss Kathleen Yeates was the first Australian trained sister to be made an honorary member of the Australian College of Nursing in 1951. 

Charles married Catherine Janet Hinckley in 1889. They had two children Mary Kathleen (Kath) Yeates (1900), and Horatio Thomas Yeates (1898). The family lived at 441 Rokeby Road, Subiaco.  

Throughout the years Kathleen was a nurse at King Edward Memorial Hospital, in charge of the infant health center at Shenton Park, honorary secretary of the Australian Trained Nurses Association, involved in the foundation of the Florence Nightingale Club and was a qualified lecturer for postgraduate studies in nursing. She was also involved in creating a union for nurses.  

The 1931 the Mirror newspaper wrote the following article about Charles and his daughter Kathleen who trained to be a nurse...

"Charles Yeates, who has been on the staff of the Perth Observatory since 1897, is one of the best know of our citizens. He reads the stars and their courses and is regarded as one of Australia's foremost astronomers. He first saw the light in England in 1881, and after experience in S.A. and Vic. came West and joined our Observatory. Charles Yeates has given much of his private time to those interested in the mysteries of the heavens and many a party can thank him for conducting them.

Charles Yeates has given much of his private time to those interested in the mysteries of the heavens and many a party can thank for conducting them. The Observatory to him has been something more than a bread-winning establishment and over a long association he has given his knowledge freely with the hope of making the Western Australian Observatory a model in the Commonwealth. Mr. Yeates is proud man these days in his daughter Kathleen, a native of the West, recently topped the State in her maternity course at the King Edward Hospital, Subiaco.

She is fully qualified, having taken out A.T.N.A. certificate at Perth Hospital where she underwent her training. She is at present finishing a child welfare course prior to commencing active practice of her profession. The possessor of a charming personality this young lady is a real chip of the old block and a credit to her Dad to whom she is more a pal than a daughter. Incidentally when Kathleen qualified as a trained nurse she gained fifth place in the State and as she followed up this performance with a first in maternity nursing can be seen that is going to be a star in her particular sphere." (Mirror, 14 Saturday, 1931). 

In 1951 Kathleen Yeates was the first Australian trained sister to be made an honorary member of the Australian College of Nursing. The West Australian wrote the following article about her achievements. 

"Honour For W.A. Nurse ...A West Australian nurse, Miss Kathleen Yeates, of Gooseberry Hill, is the first Australian trained sister to be made an honorary member of the Australian College of Nursing. This honour was conferred on her on Tuesday in recognition of her honorary work for nurses over a number of years. 

Miss Yeates, who is now retired. began her training at the Perth Hospital in 1927, and after a period at the King Edward Memorial Hospital was in charge of the infant health centre at Shenton Park for some years. During that time she was appointed honorary secretary of the Australian Trained Nurses' Association, and saw that body established in a permanent office in the city. 

With the foundation of the Florence Nightingale Club, of which she was also honorary secretary a permanent centre was established for nursing activity. In association with the club, the A.T.N.A. began a series of postgraduate lectures each year. "These were most valuable to nurses," Miss Yeates said, "and were greatly appreciated." 

More progress was made in 1936 when the Florence Nightingale Memorial Committee was formed to provide scholarships for nurses. With this work Miss Yeates is still actively interested. The Society for the Care of Aged and Incapacitated Nurses, which was followed by the founding of Eleanor Harvey House, and the "Journal of W.A. Nurses," of which she was the first editor, were among her other interests. 

Miss Yeates says that she feels greatly honoured to have been made an honorary member of the Australian College of Nursing, adding that she was present when the first discussions about its foundation on a national basis took place in Melbourne. Mrs. S. Wheatley, of Bridgetown, who is on a short visit to Perth, is staying at the Adelphi Hotel. Red Cross Society: The Quanmby club branch of the Red Cross Society will conduct a bridge party. at the club rooms. London Court, at 2 p.m. today." (West Australian, 25 January 1951.)

Mary Kathleen Yeates, Mirror, 14 February 1931.





BA3491/65: Left-right standing: Unknown, C.S.S. Yeates; sitting: Mary Kathleen 'Kath' Yeates, Catherine Janet 'Kate' Yeates, Horatio Thomas Yeates, ca.1906.

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 28...Subiaco Stories...Noel White (Oxford Scholarship) (1954).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 28...Subiaco Stories...Noel White (Oxford Scholarship) (1954).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Subiaco Stories...Noel White (Oxford Scholarship) (1954).

The article is from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

West Australian, 22 December 1954.

A Young Physicist Wins Studentship For Oxford 

A young physicist who was told that she was the first woman to gain first-class honours in physics at the University of Western Australia, was among the five students granted a Hackett studentship by the Senate on Monday.

She is Miss Noel White, the daughter of Mrs. I. C. White, of Subiaco, and for the last two years she has been doing research work with Professor C. J. B. Clews in X-ray crystallography. 

Miss White will leave towards the end of next year to study for two years at Oxford University. Before she leaves she hopes to complete a doctor's degree. Her branch of science was introduced to the university by Professor Clews only two years ago, she said, and be hoped to develop it here. Last year she received a grant from the Medical Research Council to undertake her research into the molecular structure of organic chemicals. 

The purpose behind the research, she said, was to understand more of the function and composition of substances which, for example, appear naturally in the human body. Many of the chemicals were used in medicine and once the structure was known much of the practical use was left to the chemists..

Miss Noel White.

Recently in America, said Miss White, considerable experiment had been made into the composition of penicillin, and now that its structure was known its uses could be extended. Haemoglobin, the component of blood which caused clotting, had also been given study recently, so far without success. 

The woman doctor at Oxford, said Miss White, under whom she would work, was studying, among other elements, vitamin B. Miss Miss White, who has been at the university for six years, received a Government exhibition from Perth Modern School to attend the university. 

She received a degree of bachelor of science and in her honours year made a study of ultra-violet spectrosophy. For the past two years she has been a physics demonstrator. The only woman among the four students who received Hackett scholarships worth £200 was Miss Jocelyn Howieson, of Northam, the daughter of Mr. Jack Howieson, headmaster of the Northam High School. She is an honours graduate in English literature and the grant will enable her to study for her master's degree. 

Miss Howieson is also a student at the Teachers' Training College. War Brides Seven women who first met each other on board ship nine years ago when they came to this State as war brides met for luncheon yesterday for their annual Christmas reunion. They were Mesdames W. Cryer and L. Solomon. formerly of Edinburgh, E. Mills and S. Dalton. of Glasgow, N. Arthur. of London, L. Mellor. of Doncaster. and F. Roberts, of Dundee. They were all married in Britain to West Australian members of the Royal Australian Air Force and now live in various parts of the metropolitan area.

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 27...Agnes Robertson - A School Teacher, Community Worker And Politician (Part 1).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 27...Agnes Robertson - A School Teacher, Community Worker And Politician (Part 1).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Agnes Robertson - A School Teacher, Community Worker And Politician (Part 1).

Agnes Robertson was an inspiring woman, teacher and community worker who served as a Senator for Western Australia from 1950 to 1962 representing the Liberal Party (1950 - 1955) and the Country Party (1955 - 1962).

Agnes Robertson (née Keay) was born in Stepney, South Australia on 31 July, 1882. Her father, a stone mason who migrated to Australia from Scotland and together with his wife Mary had eight children including seven boys. Agnes and her family moved to Western Australia when she was 14 years old in 1895.

Agnes trained and qualified as a teacher through the monitoring system. In 1903, she married Robert Robertson, a journalist and editor at the Western Mail newspaper. Together they had three children (John, Jessie and Christie) and adopted a forth child, her God-child after she became orphaned (Beryl). They lived in a house built by her father called ‘Braken’ in West Perth.

When Agnes’ husband died of tuberculosis in 1912 she returned to teaching to support her family. She obtained a job with the Education Department and taught at the Thomas Street State School until 1943. In 1949 Agnes was elected to the Western Australian State parliament and remained there until her retirement in 1962 (Wikipedia, 2020).

There are a number of biographies on Agnes Robertson on Wikipedia, the Australian Dictionary of Biography and the Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate Online that describe her life as a family woman, her career as a teacher, her involvement in community work and entry into politics.

From the Biographical Dictionary of the Senate....

“...With a commanding presence, always well dressed and a good speaker with a certain wit, Agnes Robertson was the consummate committee woman. She lent her name to innumerable social activities, particularly those benefiting women and children. She was an active worker for the Women’s Council of the Liberal and Country League, the Little Citizens’ League, Pan-Pacific and South-East Asia Women’s Association, Silver Chain Homes for the Aged, Silver Chain District and Bush Nursing Association and the Women Writers’ Club. She was on the councils of the Presbyterian Ladies College and the Presbyterian Home for the Aged, co-founder of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union and a member of the Lay Preachers’ Association. She supported the State Progressive Education League, State Nutrition Committee and, as secretary of the Free Milk Council, she instigated the free milk in schools scheme in Western Australia. Her interests extended to the influential Women’s Service Guild and she was a patron of the Fremantle Ladies Highland Pipe Band, the Lady Mitchell Memorial Children’s Library, the Aldersyde Historical Association, Australian Maltese Association and several sporting clubs. After her retirement from teaching, she was part-time secretary of the Presbyterian Children’s Homes. In the early 1960s, the Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs established, in her honour, the Agnes R. Robertson Education Fund....

From the Agnes Robertson biography on Peoplepill.com...

“...She was elected at the 1949 federal election, the second Liberal woman to be elected to the Senate. In 1955, Robertson was dropped from the Liberal Senate ticket for that year's election, with opponents citing her age; she was 73 at that election, and would be 79 at the conclusion of that term. She resigned from the Liberal Party, joined their coalition partner the Country Party, and headed their two-member Senate ticket at the election. She was re-elected after a "vigorous" campaign, making speeches across rural South Australia and on radio, and ultimately defeating the third Liberal candidate on preferences. She retired at the conclusion of that term in 1962...” (peoplepill.com).

Copied below is a report from speech after being elected to the Senate in 1950. No copyrighted intended

The photograph of Agnes R. Robertson is from the State Library of Western Australia taken in 1955. No copyright infringement intended.

References
Australian Women’s Archives Project ‘Robertson, Agnes Robertson’ (1882 -1968). The Australian Women’s Project. http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE4155b.htm

Birman, Wendy (1996). "A Woman of Some Importance: Senator Agnes Robertson 1882–1968". Early Days: Journal of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society. 11 (2): 155–165.

Birman, W. 2002, Robertson, Agnes Robertson (1882 - 1963) Australian Dictionary of 

Biography at http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/robertson-agnes-robertson-11540
Birman, Wendy, ‘Agnes Robertson (1882 - 1968)’. Biographical Dictionary of the Australian 

Senate Online. https://biography.senate.gov.au/robertson-agnes-robertson/

State Library of Western Australia Agnes R. Robertson Image

Wikipedia, 2020, ‘Agnes Robertson. Senator for Western Australia.

Townsville Daily Bulletin, 15 March 1950.

SENATOR AGNES ROBERTSON WOMAN OF MANY ACTIVITIES CANBERRA, March 14—

Last week we listened to the maIden speech of Senator Agnes R. Robertson of Western Australia. She is a remarkable woman. Now in her 68th year she has touched life at many points and this has enabled her, as she says, to learn about the needs of all classes in the community. Like Senator Dorothy Tangney, of the Labour Party, she is a certificated teacher of the Western Australian Education Department, but she was born In Adelaide. She married Robert Robertson, editor of the 'Western Mail’, but at the age of 28 she was left a widow and became the breadwinner for her family, one son and two daughters. As she also adopted an orphan girl her claim that she 'knows something of the problems of earning an income and spending it’ will hardly be disputed. Despite all this, it is doubtful whether then is any woman in Australia whose activities in life have been so manifold. Here is a list of them:— Executive member of the Liberal and Country League (Western Division) and president of the Women’s State Council of the League; past-president of the Women Writers' Club and contributor to the 'West Australian'; executive member of the State Progressive Education League; council member of Presbyterian Ladles College and one of the founders of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Unions member of Lay Preachers' Association; member of State Nutrition Committee; hon. secretary of Silver Chain Homes for Old People, of the Free Milk and Nutritional Council (which dispenses milk daily to children whose parents receive less than the basic wage) and the Little Citizens League: assisted in establishing the first Children's Library in W.A., and has conducted many educational tours of country children to the city; delegate to various interstate conferences and well known as a broadcaster over the A.B.C. and commercial stations; has also been a judge of women's industries for many years at metropolitan and country shows.
Senator Robertson mentioned some of these things, but not all by any means, in her speech. She is grey-haired now, but her mind is as active as ever and it is stored with rich knowledge. One realised at once that the Senate was going to be richer for her coming. She has, too, the gift of humour, end the grave and reverend senators smiled when, in discussing the need for national development, she said that there was a disposition in the eastern States to forget that there was such a place as Western Australia— that “everything seemed to stop when one got to Adelaide and beyond was nothing but sin, sweat and sorrow and sore eyes.' Yet Western Australia comprised one-third of the whole area of Australia, though It only had one-fourteenth of the total population. The most important thing about it, however, was that the North-west of the State was 'No. 1 danger point of Australia.' Let us get on, then, with our national development and give attention to the North— in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

“MIGHTY BIG THORNS”

Senator Robertson said at the outset that she hoped to occupy her seat in the Senate with dignity and honour and 'impartiality towards all'— and she immediately showed her impartiality by congratulating Senator Collings (who at the age of 84 is retiring from the Senate at the end of June) on a very fine speech he hed made on the present state of world affairs and the need for peace and understanding among the nations.
If the views of women could prevail, she said, there would be peace. Women were now taking their place in all avenues, though their basic influence was In the home. She paid a tribute to those who had pioneered the way for women in the Senate and she thanked Senators Tangney - and Rankin for the kindly words with which they had welcomed her. To Senator Ivy Wedgwood, from Victoria, she offered her congratulations. She went on to refer to the Asian situation and said that a tremendous task confronted Australia if it was to assume leadership in the South-west Pacific. Mr. Spender, however, as Minister for External Affairs, had very ably played a leading part at the Colombo Conference In planning assistance for the countries of South-east Asia.
Addressing herself to the domestic affairs of the nation, Senator Robertson advocated the raising of a special loan of £100,000,000 for education purposes. She considered it necessary that the Commonwealth should assist the States in this way, for the need was so great as to be beyond the means at the disposal of the States. There was also a great dearth of libraries throughout the Commonwealth.”
“We have some very fine roses in Australia,” she said, “but there are also some mighty big thorns. At a time when there was a great shortage of houses and a need for more production all round we were handicapped by the shortage of working hours in industry. The introduction of the 40-hour week was premature; it was no doubt a desirable thing, but unless it could be made universal it must rebound on us with disastrous effect there was no 40-hour week for the housewife.
In addition to the slowing down of production by the shorter working week, progress was being retarded by the disruptive influences of the Communists who were preventing decent unionists from ''getting on with the job.” It was no wonder that the cost of building a house was beyond the reach of the ordinary man. There was no better way to combat the disruptive influences that were at work than by helping to build decent homes for the people at a reasonable price.
“This Is my home, end this is my ground-and my name's MacGregor!' That was the type of men who would make short work of the dlsruptionists, said Mrs. Robertson. And talking of prices, she made some comments on the “shocking price of fruit in Canberra.” A single peach had cost her 7d. How could people afford to buy fruit for their children at such prices? It was clear that there was something wrong with the marketing arrangements in the national capital as well as in other cities.
“Yet we talk about 'orderly marketing’. Forget the fruit and look at the “orderly marketing of eggs! Very rarely am I able to buy a fresh egg— they are always a month old.”
The Senate found her speech, with its bright and crisp delivery, very exhilarating.
Mrs. Wedgwood also made her maiden speech on the same evening, and there is little doubt that the four women are going to be a force in the Senate.

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 26...Florence Rose White (1875-1933).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 26...Florence Rose White (1875-1933). 

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Florence Rose White (1875-1933).

Unfortunately it is not until after the death of many women in Subiaco do we learn about their kind acts and good works in the local community while being married to prominent men and raising families. One of these women was Florence Rose White. Florence was married to Thomas Harold Shirley White known as Shirley White.

Florence was born in 1875. Florence married Shirley White in 1896 in Coolgardie. Together they had four children Harold, Shirley, Bill, and Rose. She was also step mother to Leslie, Eileen and Alice. The Whites lived at 118 Subiaco Road, Subiaco. Shirley White was an active plumbing and building contractor in Western Australia. 

Shirley White was a member of the Subiaco Municipal Council from 1905 to 1908 and Mayor from 1908 to 1910. The house where the Whites lived is heritage listed on the inherit database. The inherit database wrote about Shirley White..."Shirley White worked in the Western Australian Goldfields (mid-1890s) and then South Africa (c.1902-1903), before settling in Subiaco by c.1904. He established a partnership with William Sherlaw and, from c.1904, the firm of Sherlaw and White became established as contractors in Western Australia. The firm specialised in sewerage and reticulation projects, but also undertook a range of construction projects..." Shirley White spent a lot of his life making contributions to the local communities in which he worked and lived including Coolgardie and Subiaco. 

Shirley White died on 9 October 1928. After her husband's death Florence moved to Mount Hawthorn. Florence was fare welled at a party in Subiaco at the King's Hall. The Mayor of Perth, Mr J. T. Franklin talked about the contribution made by Florence and her husband Shirley to the Subiaco community. She was presented with a gold watch and rhinestone evening bag.  

The Daily News newspaper described her farewell party... "MRS. SHIRLEY WHITE Farewell Subiaco Party. About three hundred people assembled in King's Hall, Subiaco, last night to bid farewell to Mrs. Shirley White, who has been a resident of Subiaco for many years, and during portion of that time, when the late Mr. Shirley White was Mayor of Subiaco, she filled the position of Mayoress. 

The Mayor of Perth (Mr. J. T. Franklin) eulogised the public life of the late Mr. White, whom he had known on the Coolgardie goldfields in the early days. There is one consolation in the loss of Mrs. White, said Mr. Franklin, and that is that we can never undo the great work which she has performed in the past, work among the sick and suffering. Subiaco's loss is the city's gain, as I understand that, she is only moving: a short distance to Mt. Hawthorn. Mayor Roydhouse of Subiaco expressed the opinion that Mrs. White would be a great loss to Subiaco, and wished her a long life and happiness. 

Monsignor Verling said that Mrs. White has the esteem and honor of every citizen of this suburb of Subiaco. Cr. W. Richardson, M.L.A., also added a few words of appreciation of the many services Mrs. White had rendered to Subiaco. Mrs. Roydhouse (Mayoress of Subiaco) presented Mrs. White with a gold wristlet watch suitably inscribed, and Mrs. Wardrop presented Miss White with a rhinestone evening handbag. In the course of a short response Mrs. White said she knew every hole and corner of Subiaco, and had many, many regrets at leaving a district she loved so well and which held so many of her friends..." (Daily News, 39 May 1929).

Florence died on the 16 June 1933. She was 58 years old. She was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

  

The Daily New newspaper wrote the following obituary about her on 26 June 1933. 

"OBITUARY Late Mrs. F. R. White The funeral of the late Mrs. Florence Rose White, widow of the late Shirley White, of 118 Subiaco-road, Subiaco, took place in the Church of England Cemetery, Karrakatta, on Saturday, June 17, in the presence of a large and representative gathering. For 30 years or so the deceased was prominently associated with the activities of charitable institutions in the city and at Subiaco in which municipality she lived for upwards of 30 years.

 

Mrs. White was a leader in all movements of a community helping character, and she organised many functions, having for its object the benefit of institutions and bodies formed for the alleviation of distress. She was a popular Mayoress of Subiaco, and enjoyed a very wide circle of friends. The chief mourners were: Shirley and William (sons) Rose (daughter), Mrs. C. L. Lenegan and Mrs. T. Leach (step-daughters), and Mr. Les White (step-son)... and many others, including representatives of the Silver Chain Nursing League and Children's Protection Society. Many wreaths and floral tributes were received. The Rev. F. Oliver, rector of Subiaco, conducted the service at the graveside. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Donald J. Chipper and Son." (Daily News, 26 June 1933).

Call News, 30 March 1928.

Western Mail, 6 June 1929.

Daily News, 22 December 1928.

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 25. Maryann Lloyd...Subiaco Business Woman (1909)

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 25...Maryann Lloyd...Subiaco Business Woman (1909)  

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Maryann Lloyd...Subiaco Business Woman (1909)  

Maryann (known as Minnie) and her husband William Lloyd bought land in Catherine Street, Subiaco and constructed terrace houses from 1902 to 1906. Minnie Lloyd also established a private maternity hospital. Today the terrace houses and house used as a private maternity hospital are of significant heritage value in Subiaco. 

Mary Ann Lloyd (Britten) was born on 3 September, 1859 in Bega, New South Wales to William and Elizabeth Ann (Haigh) Britten and  was one of thirteen children. She trained as a nurse. William John Lloyd was born in 1853 in Kent England to William and Bridget Lloyd. He trained as a builder. Minnie and  William met and were married in 1878 in Sydney, New South Wales. 

The couple then moved to Subiaco, Western Australia where they had six children. They bought land and constructed terrace houses which were rented out to a range of working class people and widows. The story of their building developments are contained in the Heritage Council of WA database and the City of Subiaco Local Government Inventory Place Record. 

Minnie trained as a nurse and was a registered midwife. She established one of the first private (lying in) maternity homes in Subiaco in 1909 at 23 Coolgardie Street, Subiaco and played an important role in providing local maternity services. Louise Elizabeth Reid took over the hospital in 1925. The story of this residence is from the City of Subiaco Local Government Inventory Place Record. 

Minnie died on 21 July, 1924 aged 64 years at 23 Coolgardie Street, Subiaco due to natural causes. She was buried at Karrakatta in Western Australia. William died on 9 June, 1919 in Subiaco aged 66 years. 

This information comes from the Heritage Council of WA - Places database...

"History

Building lots along Catherine Street had been laid out by 1891, but initial development was slow and there were no buildings along the eastern side of the street until 1904. In February of that year a block on the corner of Catherine and Gibney (later York) Streets (Lot 23 and Part Lot 22) was purchased by Minnie Lloyd. 

Minnie’s husband, William Lloyd, commenced work almost immediately on the construction of the first group of four terrace houses, advertising for bricklayers for the site in March of that year. By May 1904 he was advertising a house on the corner of Catherine and Gibney (now York) Streets for rent: A FIVE-roomed HOUSE, bath, copper, troughs, splendid position, one minute from tram or train, only £1 weekly to good tenant. W. LLOYD, Gibney and Catherine sts., Subiaco

In April 1904 Minnie Lloyd purchased the adjacent block along Catherine Street (Lot 24 and part 22) and building work continued with the construction of a second group of four houses, creating the current terrace of eight.

Newspaper advertisements calling for experienced tradesmen, and advertising rental properties, confirm that the Lloyd family were particularly active as builder-developers in Subiaco in the period 1902-1906. However, it appears that they over-extended themselves financially as, in December 1906, “32 new, well-built, and finished Villas and Houses, situate the best localities of the popular suburb of Subiaco” (valued at a total of £20,765), were offered for sale under the Bankruptcy Act, as means of clearing Minnie Lloyds debts. These related to residential lots in PSL 196, 213, 254, 276, 278 and 284.

This debtor’s sale valued the eight terraces on Lots 22, 23 & 24 at £4,100 (approx. £512 each). This was similar to the Lloyd’s second row of four terraces at 2-8 Catherine Street, which were built in 1905 (approx. £625 each), but considerably less than their much larger and more favourably located terraced houses at 15-27 Hay Street, which were built in 1904-05 (approx. £923 each). Interestingly, the value of the Catherine Street terraces was similar to the value placed on some of the Lloyd’s freestanding residential developments, such as a ‘double fronted brick dwelling’ at 80 Heytesbury Road (£550).

In early 1907 the terrace houses at 18-32 Catherine Street were more specifically described as:Lots 23, 24, and part of 22, Catherine-street ….. 132ft. and a good depth to a r.o.w. Improvements consist of a terrace of eight two-storey brick houses, each containing four rooms, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry.

It seems that neither these, nor the terrace houses at 2-8 Catherine Street, sold quickly as, in February 1908, they both advertised again – this time as part of a foreclosure on mortgages taken out by Minnie Lloyd.

Subsequent changes of ownership have not been researched for this report, but the pattern of occupation through to the mid-twentieth century indicates that they were primarily used as rental accommodation for the working classes, including tradesmen (such as a butcher, baker, bootmaker, plasterer, painter, barman, wicker worker, furnace man, and fitters and turners), as well as general labourers. 

The occupants also included a number of widows. Generally there was a relatively high turn-over of occupants (with most staying less than 10 years), but longer term occupants included the families of a butcher, Richard Kyrwood (no 18, c.1925 to 1939), a mental hospital attendant, John Maddigan (No 20, c.1917 to 1954) and a flour miller, Frederick Davis (No 32, c. 1924 to 1963).

From the late 1970s renewed interest in the Subiaco lead to the conservation/ refurbishment of many of its early twentieth century houses. By this time 18-32 Catherine Street had been purchased by Thomas Malone and Elizabeth Clarke, who undertook considerable restoration works with the assistance of Brian Klopper, architect. Works believed to have been completed at that time included two-storey rear extensions, internal upgrades, fabrication of cast iron panels to replace missing elements (based on surviving examples), a new iron palisade fence, replacement of some of the external joinery (with closely matching details), new verandah tiles and new stained glass to the entrances. The tuck-pointed face-brick walls may have been painted at that time or as part of an earlier refurbishment.

Subdivision approval was granted in 1982 and the houses were subsequently sold to individual owners. Since that time owners have undertaken further alterations, which are primarily visible in the public arena through varied colour schemes. The major alterations to the principal façade have been to No. 28, where the French doors and windows have been replaced in a slightly different style.

This information is from the City of Subiaco Local Government Inventory Place Record... 

Nurse Lloyd's Private Maternity Hospital (fmr) 23 Coolgardie Street....

"...Minnie Lloyd officially applied to establish a registered lying in hospital at 23 Coolgardie street in October of 1909. The business was obviously successful, with rapid enlargement of the original residence as a purpose designed hospital, and by 1915 it was described as having 16 rooms available, and being licenced to take 12 patients at once – which at that time was a relatively large maternity hospital. 

Louise Elizabeth Reid took over ownership of both 19 and 23 Coolgardie Street in August 1928, and she continued to be known professionally as ‘Nurse Reid’ after her marriage to Arthur Colin Victor Kildahl (a motor mechanic) in c.1930. 

During this time newspaper notices suggest that, while 23 Coolgardie Street was primarily a maternity hospital, it also took in general patients. 19 Coolgardie Street was used as the Kildahl family home..."

The photographs are from the Geni heritage websites. No copyright infringement intended.

Women's History Month 2023...Post 24. Olga Abrahams...Subiaco City Council Mayoress (1949 to 1974).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 24...Olga Abrahams...Subiaco City Council Mayoress (1949 to 1974).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Olga Abrahams...Subiaco City Council Mayoress (1949 to 1974).

Olga Place is a street in Daglish named after Olga Abrahams, 'to 'commemorate the long and valuable service of Mr Olga Abrahams, wife of former Mayor J.H. Abrahams to Subiaco.' (Street Names of Subiaco, 2016).

The Abrahams lived at 94 Heytesbury road,  Subiaco. The house is identified as having special historical and cultural significance and is registered on the inherit database of the State Heritage Office. "...Joseph Abrahams, who settled there at about the time of his marriage to Olga Constance Browne in September 1928...Joseph was initially described as a student and later worked as a teacher. He was the honorary secretary of the West Australian State School Amateur Athletics Association from c.1931-1941, a Subiaco councillor from November 1945 and was elected Mayor of Subiaco in 1950. Joseph went on to be Subiaco’s longest serving Mayor, resigning due to ill health in late 1974." (inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au).

There is little information about Olga Abrahams on the Internet. 

West Australian, 25 May 1936.

Mrs. J. H. Abrahams christening the new eight at the Swan River Rowing Club on Saturday. The captain of the club (E. Bishop) held the bottle.

From Google

The Abrahams lived at 94 Heytesbury road Subiaco. 

World History Month 2023...Post 23....Giles, Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) (1909-1978 ).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 23...Giles, Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) (1909-1978).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Giles, Boronia Lucy (Bonnie) (1909-1978 ) 'Auntie Nell' (Daily News) Newspaper.

Throughout the early part of the 20 th Century 'Our Children's Pages' in the local Perth newspaper 'The Daily News' were run by 'Auntie Nell' and 'Uncle Tom'. They encouraged their young readers to engage with the newspaper through writing letters on all kinds to subjects and share their experiences in their daily lives. Some were rewarded prizes and published on a weekly basis. They also encouraged children to engage in community and charity work they were involved in. Children applied to be known as their nieces and nephews. There were various 'Auntie Nells' and 'Uncle Toms' over the years.

One person who took on the role was Boronia Lucy Giles who for a time went to school at Subiaco Primary where she won a scholarship to Perth Modern School in 1922 and then went into journalism.

She was known for working as a journalist and print journalist. She used a number of alternative names including 'Auntie Nell', 'Mary Fever', 'Peg Peggoty' and Sanderson, Boronia Lucy (The Australian Women's Register).

Boronia Lucy Giles was born in the Western Australian town of Collie on 25 August 1909 to Arthur Sanderson an engine driver from England, and her Australian Queensland born mother, Jessie Mary née Cosham. She married Robert Giles in 1932 and together they had five children (Ryan, Jan 1996, Australian Dictionary of Biography). She died on 2 May 1978.

"...Bonnie was educated at various primary schools. From Subiaco State she won a scholarship in 1922 to Perth Modern School where she spent four and a half years..." (Ryan, J. 1996, Australian Dictionary of Biography).

"....Bonnie Giles studied journalism in Western Australia in the 1920's but struggled to balance study, work and family and failed to complete her diploma. This did not, however, stop her from establishing an enduring career. She wrote under a variety of pseudonyms for the Perth Daily News newspaper...." (The Australian Women's Register).

"...Under the pseudonyms of 'Peg Peggotty' and 'Auntie Nell' she showed her flair for creative writing in the children's section of the Daily News and used her own drawings to complement her poems and short stories...

...Working tirelessly for for disadvantaged people, Giles used her public standing and her articles to foster charitable causes. She sought a home for a blind, slow learning Aboriginal boy from the country who had to be taken to the School of the Blind; she appealed for layette for poor and unmarried mothers; and she requested radios for old aged pensioners. Administrative opportunities helped her to achieve her philanthropic goals. In March 1959 she was appointed to the State's Health Education Council. For 10 years she edited Our Children, the magazine of the Slow Learning Children's Group. The minister of education made her a member of the Investigating Committee on Left-School Youth, a committee formed to consider the problems and further education of young people. She also addressed women's groups on a number of topics..." (Ryan, J. 1996, Australian Dictionary of Biography).

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 a 1978)

Women's History Month...2023. Post 22. Evelyn Parker (First Woman Mayor in Western Australia and Mayor of the City of Subiaco).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 22...Helen Pretty...A Life of Service (1939).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Evelyn Parker (First Woman Mayor in Western Australia and Mayor of the City of Subiaco).

Evelyn Helena Parker was born on 12 October 1907 in Hangkow, China to missionaries from Belfast. When Evelyn was 13 she moved to England with her mother and brothers. After the death of her father in 1920, the family migrated to Australia, first living in Sydney and then to Perth where she went to school at Perth College. After leaving school Evelyn obtained a position as a school monitor at Brookton.

In 1928/1929 Evelyn completed a one year teaching diploma at Claremont Teacher's Training College. Between 1930 and 1951 she taught at various Western Australian primary schools including Strathern, Jacketup, Marradong, Byford, Carlisle and Cottesloe.

Between 1951 and 1967 she was employed as a teacher and then appointed 'first mistress' in charge of all female students at Subiaco Primary School (Spillman, 2006, p.21).

In 1954 Evelyn was elected as a Councillor for the Central Ward on the Subiaco Council and then elected in 1975 as the first woman Mayor in Western Australia for the Subiaco Council where she remained before resigning until 1975.

From Spillman's book on Subiaco 'Tales of a singular city, Subiaco since the 1970's' and the chapter on Evelyn Parker 'The public life of Miss Parker'.

"...For most of the 20th century, the careers of women in Western Australia were seriously hindered by institutionalised discrimination on the basis of gender - and Parker encountered and registered her objection to this on numerous occasions...

In 1954... Evelyn Parker was Subiaco's third woman Councillor and, like her predecessors Rose Fuhrmann and Eileen Kerman took a special interest in community services. Kerman was the prime mover on the 1951 establishment of the Subiaco Children's Free Library, while Fuhrmann worked hard to improve infant health services and was a strong advocate of building senior citizens facilities. Parker took up the seniors' cause, was foundation secretary of the manage,England committee when the Subiaco Senior Citizens' Centre opened in 1967, and continued her association with the centre for a further ten years...

In 1974, Parker was one of Subiaco's longest serving councillors...Parker was asked by several fellow councillors to stand as mayor in the by-election of January 1975...Her timing was impeccable: she took office at the beginning of International Women's Year 1975 as Western Australia's first woman mayor...

Beyond this achievement and her long Council service, Parker was involved in the Red Cross and supporter of volunteer and fundraising activities for hospitals and Sister Kate's Home...she retired as Subiaco's mayor when she turned seventy in 1977..."

Other achievements include in 1975 being named Western Australian Citizen of the Year, in 1977 receiving an Officer of the British Empire and 1986 was named Freeman of the City of Subiaco. In 1990 the Evelyn H Parker Library in Subiaco named after her in her honour. She died at the age of 86 in 1993.

As part of the '200 Voices from the Oral History Rescue Group Project', Evelyn Parker talked about her time as a councillor and mayor on the City of Subiaco Council and some of her successes during that time. Downloads are available on the Australian Women's Register and a transcript is available at the Battye Library and Evelyn H. Parker library in Subiaco.

References

The Australian Women's Register

The Encyclopaedia of Women's Leadership in Twentieth - Century

Hunt, Lynn, Trotman, Jann & Edith Cowan University, 2002, 'Claremont Cameos: Women Teachers and the Building of Social Capital in Australia.' Edith Cowan University, W.A.

Spillman, K. 2006, 'Tales of a singular city : Subiaco since the 1970's.' City of Subiaco : Subiaco.

Women's Museum of Australia Links to an oral history interview with Evelyn Helena Parker, Mayor of Subiaco / by Gail O' Hanlon www.moa.com.au at the State Library of Western Australia.

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 21...Helen Pretty...A Life of Service (1939).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 21...Helen Pretty...A Life of Service (1939).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Helen Pretty...A Life of Service (1939).

Helen Pretty lived in Subiaco in the later part of her life and devoted much of her time to helping others in the area including raising funds for the Children's Hospital. She shared her memories with the the West Australian newspaper in 1939 just after her 91st birthday. The article is copied below. 

Helen Pretty's husband, Edward Pretty was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1850. He married Helen who was born in Australia and settled in Queensland in 1884. Together the couple had five sons and a daughter. By 1895 they had moved to Western Australia when Edward obtained a position as manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company. After Edward retired the couple settled in Mundaring.

"...around c1926, Helen Pretty left the house (at 6825 Great Eastern Hwy, Mundaring) and settled in Subiaco following the death of her daughter. Edward and Helen Pretty were active in the Mundaring community. Edward was a Justice of the Peace in the district and he was a member of the committee which former the Mundaring Horticultural Society in December 1909 which was a break-away group from the Darling Range Horticultural society (formed in 1906). Helen Pretty continued her charity work in Mundaring following her central role in fund raising for Perth’s Hospital for Children in the late 1890s. She contributed to the local school and Anglican Church, most notably through the donation of an organ for the Anglican Church of the Epiphany..." (inherit state heritage database). 

In 1938 Helen Pretty celebrated her 90th birthday. The West Australian published the following article and published a photograph... "A Ninetieth Birthday. There will be a happy luncheon party at 166 Townshend-road, Subiaco, today, when relatives and friends of Mrs. Helen Pretty will gather to wish her many happy returns of the day on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

Mrs. Pretty, who is the widow of the late Mr. Edward Pretty is a well-known Perth identity and a familiar figure with her snowy head surmounted by a graceful mantilla, which she has for many years preferred to hats. She has also a reputation for being a great conversationalist, fund of stories and her remarkably retentive memory making her an asset to any gathering at which she happens to be present. 

Notwithstanding her great age, there are few incidents in her eventful life which she cannot recall, one of her earliest memories being the finishing touches to her father's home in Camden, New South Wales, when workmen had to be brought from Sydney to complete the construction at the rate of £I a day a man, those who had commenced the job having downed tools to participate in the gold rush. That was when Mrs. Pretty was five years of age, three years after her arrival in Australia. 

Her father, Dr. Walker, had come out as surgeon and chaplain on an immigrant ship five years before, his journey taking eight months. His wife and children (Mrs. Pretty was the youngest of seven) came 18 months later on a ship that accomplished the journey in six months. Mrs. Pretty returned to England at the age of 22 and there married her cousin, Mr. Edward Pretty, with whom she returned to Australia. About 43 years ago they settled in Western Australia. 

Those who have been invited to her luncheon party today will partake of a repast prepared under her own supervision as she spent all yesterday morning in her kitchen helping with the cooking. She will also cut a cake, ornamented with 90 candles, presented to her by two former servants" (The West Australian 10 June 1938).

In 1938, The Daily News published a story article titled 'Jewels from a 90-year-old' where Helen provided some cooking advice..."Mrs. Helen Jane Pretty, of Townshend-road, Subiaco, 90 years old, has a marvellous memory, in which many pieces of housewifely knowledge are neatly stored. And she still supervises the cooking for special occasions. Points of housewifery tried and retried during a life-time of 90 years have a rare value. Most women who live to that age have either ceased interest in the domestic side of life, or their memory has failed them. 

Here are some gems from from her treasure house: — "Put some pieces of finely cut chilli in the before-dinner sherry. It makes an excellent appetiser, and is better for you than a cocktail." "Always use bacon bones for stock for tomato soup. And make it with cream. It's more nourishing and appetising." "To make tripe go further and taste better, put the tripe through a mincer with a large onion. Make the mixture into balls, dip them in batter made from one egg and three-quarters of a cup of flour, and fry them in boiling fat. Try it, and give the family a treat." "Put all salads possible, especially beetroot, in jelly. It saves accidents to table cloths." "Press the streaky part of bacon and use it instead of ham. More economical and just as tasty." "Rub fresh meat with vinegar. It will keep for a week." (The Daily News, 14 June 1938). 

Helen died in April, 1945, aged 97. Edward died in November, 1913 aged 65. They were both buried together in the Anglican section of the Karrakatta Cemetery. 

The articles and photographs are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

West Australian, 9 June 1939.

LIFE OF SERVICE. 

Mrs. Helen Pretty's 91st Birthday Tomorrow. 

ENJOYING good health and surprising vigour for her age, Mrs. Helen Pretty, who resides at 166 Townshend-road, Subiaco, will be 91 tomorrow. Interviewed recently she opened up a remarkable vista of memories back along the years. 

She spoke of the Children's Hospital which she worked hard to establish in the nineties, and she recalled the happy days of service to the people of the Mundaring district, where the late Archbishop Riley called her "the mother of Mundaring." Service to others has been the prevailing motive of her life, frugality in her girlhood and life in rural districts having taught her how pressing can be the calls of grim necessity. 

Mrs. Pretty was born in London, and arrived in Australia when two years old. Her father, Dr. Walker, had been surgeon and chaplain on an immigrant ship which had taken eight months to bring a large party of women to Australia to be married to earlier arrivals. Her trip to this country occupied six months, but her earliest recollection is of the erection of her father's home at Camden, in the Macarthur country of sheep fame in New South Wales. At that time there was an acute shortage of labour, owing to a gold rush, and her father had to pay men £1 a day to finish building the home when the carpenters had left in quest of gold.

Adventurous Voyage. 

Barter prevailed in those days, money being scarce in her district, and often the clients of her father—the local doctor—paid their debts to him in produce or meat. The family had the plainest of food, and was content with it—an experience which taught her useful phil-osophy in later years. Every member of the family was trained to relieve the needs of others, and she was noted for the manner in which she helped mothers, washing and tending their babies, and scrubbing their floors. In her early twenties, Mrs. Pretty escorted her three young nieces to England. The voyage proved adventurous, for the ship was practically wrecked by a hurricane off Cape Horn, and limped about the high seas in a sinking condition, with almost the whole complement, including many passengers, in mutiny. 

Her relief at landing her charges safely in England was so intense that she was overcome, and temporarily lost her memory. Eventually, the children's grandparents found her and took the four young travellers to their home. Restored to health, she went to stay with other relatives in Bedford, and there met and married the late Mr. Edward Pretty. He secured a position with the New Zealand Insurance Company in Queensland, Children's Hospital Founded. In 1895 Mr. Pretty was transferred to the Perth branch of the company, and the couple lived in a house on the site of the present office of the company in St. George's-terrace. 

While there, Mrs. Pretty was struck with the deplorable conditions among the sick poor of Perth, particularly the children. Many families were camped under unhealthy conditions alongside the Causeway, and disease was rife. With considerable persistence, raising money by penny collections and fairs, with the aid of the late Mr. Charles Moore she secured the present site for the Children's Hospital. Another institution had sought to possess the land, but she formed one of a party who one Sunday morning went to the spot and started to erect a fence round it. 

The hospital was started as a result of a fete which she organised and which raised £166. Her services for the hospital were recognised by the presentation of an illuminated address which she still treasures, signed by the late Mr. Charles Moore (founder of the movement), Rabbi D. I. Freedman (chairman), Messrs. H. Hocking and J. S. Battye (trustees) and Mr. W. Watson (honorary secretary). Mr. and Mrs. Pretty then went to England for a couple of years, and on their return erected a home at Mundaring, where for 20 years she carried on her philanthropic work. 

She took a leading part in the establishment of the Anglican Church there, and among her many voluntary services in the district she was organist in the church, carrying on her work long after the death of her husband about 25 years ago. For the past 11 years she has lived at her present home. 

All of Mrs. Pretty's five sons have served in the Empire's wars. Capt. Edward Percival Pretty and Lieut. Gerald Pretty served in the South African War, and, in the Great War, Capt. F. C. Pretty, M.C., was in the Royal Navy, Lieut. Norman Pretty in the 32nd Battalion, A.I.F., and Mr. Hardy Pretty in the Australian Field Artillery.

West Australian, 14 June 1938.

 

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 20...Greetings From Subiaco: Mrs C. B. Gorman's Garden at 123 Townshend Road, Subiaco.

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 20...Mrs C. B. Gorman's Garden at 123 Townshend Road, Subiaco.

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Mrs C. B. Gorman's Garden at 123 Townshend Road, Subiaco.

These beautiful photographs are from a collection of 14 photographs at the State Library of Western Australia taken around 1930. 

I am still trying to find out who Mrs C. B. Gorman was and where exactly this house and garden were in Subiaco. 

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 19... Rev. Mother Cecilia...Mother Superior Of The St. John Of God Hospital, Subiaco (1925).

Woman's History Month...2023. Post 19... Rev. Mother Cecilia...Mother Superior Of The St. John Of God Hospital, Subiaco (1925).

This month is Women's History Month. I have decided to repost the stories of many of the wonderful women from Subiaco I have come across.

Rev. Mother Cecilia...Mother Superior Of The St. John Of God Hospital, Subiaco (1925).

Religious orders and nuns from those variety of orders played an essential role in the establishment of early Western Australia and Subiaco assisting the sick, needy and poor in the community under extremely difficult circumstances.  

One of those early nuns from the Order of St. John's was Mother M. Cecilia. Sister Cecilia was one of a group of early pioneers nuns who arrived in the colony in 1885 on the ship Orizara. The nuns lived in a house in Adelaide-terrace until the hospital site was chosen in Subiaco. She worked around the State in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie helping to establish hospitals and schools. 

During her time Sister M. Cecilia rose to the position of Mother Superior in Subiaco and was mistress of novices. Mother M. Cecilia died in December, 1935 shorty after attending a mass for the golden jubilee for her profession in the State. 

The articles are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. The photograph of the group of nuns including Sister Cecilia at their house in Adelaide Terrace in 1886 is from the official Congregation of the Sisters of St. John of God Order webpage. No copyright infringement intended. 

West Australian, 7 December 1935.

A PIONEER NUN.

Jubilee Celebrated.

Mother M. Cecilia, the only surviving pioneer Sister of St. John of God in Western Australia, last week celebrated the golden Jubilee of her profession. She attended pontifical high mass on the anniversary day, the Archbishop of Perth (Dr. Prendiville) being the celebrant, assisted by the Rev. Father Winston, as deacon, and the Rev. Father Lyne as subdeacon. The Rev. Father MacDermott was assistant priest and the Rev. Dr. Sullivan was master of ceremonies. 

Mother Cecilia, who is over 80 years of age, arrived in Western Australia 40 years ago with the pioneer group of Sisters of St. John of God. The party lived in a hired house in Adelaide-terrace until the site of the future foundation was chosen at Subiaco. 

In due course the Sisters opened their hospital and since then the order has extended to other parts of the State and Commonwealth. In Western Australia there are over 200 trained nursing sisters with centres at Perth, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Belmont and Geraldton. In the early nineties Mother Cecilia went to the goldflelds when a hospital was established there. Since then she has served both at Coolgardie and at Perth. 

Mother M. Cecilia was superior of the head house at Subiaco and she also served as mistress of novices for a long period. 

Advocate, 26 December 1935.

LAST SURVIVING PIONEER

St. John of God Nun Honoured

On Friday, 29th in the convent chapel of St. John of God, Perth, Grace the Archbishop of Perth, Rev. Dr. Prendiville, celebrated Pontifical High Mass on the occasion of the golden jubilee of profession of the only surviving pioneer Sister of the institition in W.A. - Mother M. Cecilia. 

Exactly forty years ago, Mother Cecilia arrived in Western Australia, one of the first group of pioneer Sisters to establish their institute in Australia. At that time Perth was but its infancy. The Sisters lived in hired house in Adelaide Terrace for a while - until the site of their future, foundation was chosen at Subiaco. Part of the wood and iron building which they first occupied there is still standing  and at that time it was one of the few buildings in the district. 

The Sisters opened their hospital in course, and the need for their service was great. That necessity has increased so much that their progress through the years has been marked by extensions, not only in Perth and Western Australia, but throughout the Commonwealth. 

HER MEMORY REVERED. In W.A. alone there are over 200 trained nursing Sisters, with centres at Perth, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Belmont and Geraldton. It is a remarkable history of progress in forty years, and the jubilarian had played an important part in that development. Mother Cecilia went to the goldfields in the early nineties, as soon as they could satisfy the demands of that newly-founded centre for a hospital and school. Between Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie and Perth, Mother Cecilia's work was cast, and in each place her memory is revered. She was many times Superioress of the head House at Subiaco, and was also Mistress of Novices for a long period. In all that time she endeared herself to all. 

The jubilarian is now over eighty years of age, and until recently enjoyed good health. She was, however, sufficiently recovered from her recent illness to be able to attend the Pontifical High Mass. At the conclusion of the Mass, Archbishop Prendiville extended his congratulations to the jubilarian, to whom he had previously tendered the blessing received from the Cardinal Secretary of State on behalf of the Holy Father, and spoke in terms of high eulogy of the Order.