No. 42 -- 3 August 1932

As the financial burden at the Melbourne YMCA worsens, the filter drops a bit in this letter and we get some strong emotion from George about the board, calling them "a lot of whipped puppies". We also learn that George has placed his job on the line, telling the board that he would be willing to “drop out”.  This letter is different because he hand-wrote it instead of dictating it to a YMCA typist. I’ve done my best to do an accurate transcription, but part of the writing is lost in the book’s binding, so I’ve had to make a few minor guesses in places. The letter is short and sweet and full of love and longing for his son.


My dear Noel,

This is just a brief line to say Hello! There is a mail leaving today. I feel I must drop you a line even if it is very short. Dorrie Yates is away this week (rationed) and so I am writing by hand.

All at home are well — Mother’s cold is much better but it has left her very weak. My own cold has affected me similarly and I am feeling pretty punk. Still we must “carry on” with the job.

We haven’t much to add to last letter. Keith is still unemployed and so is Ruth. It’s questionable if she will return to the Homeopathic — the work is far too strenuous. We must seek another opening for her. At the association we are still faltering along. How long we can last with our bank position steadily rising is a moot point. It is probable that Charlie Jutsum will receive the appointment of General Secretary to Broken Hill. The National Committee has recommended him for the job and he is willing to accept it. We may be compelled to make other changes in the staff before long. We cannot go on losing £200 a month.

"I suggested to the Board that
I drop out but so far they
have not agreed to the proposal.
It looks to me as if it will
have to be faced soon. I am
getting really fed up with the
Board’s inertia in the direction
of raising revenue. They are
like a lot of whipped puppies —
without any strength to do
financial work."

I suggested to the Board that I drop out but so far they have not agreed to the proposal. It looks to me as if it will have to be faced soon. I am getting really fed up with the Board’s inertia in the direction of raising revenue. They are like a lot of whipped puppies — without any strength to do financial work.

In the long run I guess I will have to let programme matters go and give almost my entire time to financial solicitation.

I have had you much in my thoughts these days. No letter came again this mail and we are naturally wondering why. Your last letter was dated June 5 nearly two months ago! Let’s hear soon!

We are full of curiosity to hear about your work with Dean Ames and your doings since leaving college. Did he tell you about my letter to him?

The kiddies are both well and as usual, full of beans! We are all having a pretty anxious time but we still manage to keep smiling! We are praying for you, my boy, and expect big things for you in your college work.

With our united love,
Yours affectionately,
Dad

No. 41 -- 29 July 1932

The Great Depression, finances and the welfare of his loved ones continue to weigh heavily on George in this letter. The grim news concerning the Melbourne YMCA's finances continues, along with news about the Bendigo YMCA's troubles. While his three oldest children struggle to make ends meet and build careers, and news from his foster son, Rex Baker is scarce, the bright spots in George's life are so clearly his two youngest daughters -- Joyce and Edith.

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

One or two American mails have come in recently, but we have not had any letters from yourself. The next mail to arrive here is due on Monday, and as this mail closes today, I am afraid we shall not be able to await the arrival of your letter.

All the folk at home are reasonably well. Mother has had a very heavy influenza cold, but she is on the mend again. It left her particularly weak. Ruth is also picking up quickly now that she is on holiday. We expect her to be ready to return to work in about a fortnight’s time. Keith has not yet found anything to do, though he is trying hard in interviews with business houses and by replies to advertisements.

"The two kiddies are growing
 splendidly, and it is wonderful
to see the change in them.
You would hardly know Edith —
she is growing almost
while you look at her."

The two kiddies are growing splendidly, and it is wonderful to see the change in them. You would hardly know Edith — she is growing almost while you look at her. She was very tickled the other day when she got her certificate for passing her musical examination. This, of course, will have to be framed and ready for exhibition to her friends!

The Harrisons have moved in again to their house and Phil and Edith are tearing around like a pair of lunatics. They are as happy as they can be now that they are united. George Harrison is travelling in the country and only gets home once every few weeks. However, he is happy that he has got a job. His mother and sister are also living next door, so that it is quite a family affair.

We have not heard anything fresh from Rex Baker.

You will be surprised to hear that June Carr is married. Keith came home with the story the other day. You will be more surprised to learn that she married young Russell, who was for a time a friend of Keiths. I do not know much about the marriage, but I think it occurred just within the last week or two.

I suppose you had the opportunity of seeing the Australians play cricket at Chicago. According to the cables they were there for a match or two during the past week. You may have been some distance from the City and may not have been able to make the trip. I thought that if it were possible you would strain every effort to do so.

"Conditions in America, according
to the cables in our papers,
are not improving at all.
They seem to be more
bewildering than ever. I think
 there is a better spirit abroad
in business circles in Melbourne,
but we are still a long way
from solving our difficulties.
... the time back to prosperity
will be a very long, drawnout struggle,
and changes for the better
cannot come quickly." 

Conditions in America, according to the cables in our papers, are not improving at all. They seem to be more bewildering than ever. I think there is a better spirit abroad in business circles in Melbourne, but we are still a long way from solving our difficulties. Very earnest attempts are being made to deal with the problem of unemployment and all kinds of committees of citizens, backed by the Government Departments, are doing their best to find work for folk.

The distress is very serious, especially in the Industrial suburbs. The amount of fraud in connection with sustenance orders must be tremendous, judging from the large number of folk who are being proceeded against for fraudulent dealing with sustenance orders, etc. However, the time back to prosperity will be a very long, drawnout struggle, and changes for the better cannot come quickly.

"Here in the Association we are
right up against our bank position,
and were it not for the fact
that some of our Directors
have stood by us, we would
not be able to pay current
accounts this month."

Here in the Association we are right up against our bank position, and were it not for the fact that some of our Directors have stood by us, we would not be able to pay current accounts this month. It looks as if we shall have to face the position of very drastic economies in staff and expenditure, and I imagine that within the next week or two, the Board will have to take very decided action in these respects.

The Industrial work has been kept going in a very fine way by the firms concerned, but a week or two ago we received advice from Messrs. Lloyd Bros & Maginnis that they were making changes in their relationships with the Association, and from the end of this month their Hut will drop out from the Y.M.C.A. Industrial Scheme. Fortunately they are retaining Joe Norman, the Secretary, and making him a kind of Superintendent of Works, although he will still have the responsibility of conducting the Welfare Work, Diningroom, etc. We are glad that the change will not affect him, and can understand that the firm must economise in every way open to them.

Frank Wilkinson is doing a good job with the Billiard Room. It is splendid to notice the revival of interest among the men and the way in which they are supporting Frank’s plans. He has taken hold of the job in an excellent way and has shown definite ability in promoting tournaments and increasing trade. He has a plan for monthly exhibition games by leading amateurs. We have had two of these demonstration evenings, and they have brought together a fine crowd of men, and the games have been of a high order.

"The members of the National
Committee will be visiting Bendigo
over the weekend, to see
 if they can find a way out of
Bendigo’s troubles, specially
in connection with the disposal
of the Association building."

I have not much news to pass on to you concerning the other Associations. All of them are having a rather hard run, with perhaps the exception of Ballerat, where they have been able to raise money sufficient to meet their immediate needs. The members of the National Committee will be visiting Bendigo over the weekend, to see if they can find a way out of Bendigo’s troubles, specially in connection with the disposal of the Association building. As you know, the Bendigo Association owes the National Committee about £2,000, an advance made to them years ago, and the National Committee holds a mortgage for that amount over the Bendigo building. The solvency of the National Committee is bound up in the Bendigo building, and some plan must be evolved to solve the problem both for Bendigo and the National work.

For more about Camp Manyung see the post: 

Camps Manyung and Buxton (Shoreham)

You will be pleased to hear that Miss Edith Shaw, sister of Mrs. Thomas Baker, recently sent Ivor Burge a cheque for £20 towards the completion of the second bunk house at Manyung Camp. The fellows are going down over the week end and on subsequent occasions, and hope to complete the structure within the next few weeks. This will be a great help, specially during the week end camps which Ivor is organising each month.

I had a letter the other day from Harry White. He mentioned that he had been in conversation with Dean Ames concerning yourself. Harry is going to Indianapolis as General Secretary, so that you will not have him available to visit at Chicago. Also another letter from John Cook, who is now at Bailey Island for the summer holidays.

May Glover also mentioned in a letter to the girls, that there would be a re-arrangement for married students employed at the College, in that they would be expected to live in at the College in future. This may save expense to the College and for the students.

You will receive this letter towards the end of August. By that time you will have spent about six weeks with Dean Ames. I can only express the hope that you have had a very happy time and have found the contacts you have made of very definite value to you. I know you will regard the arrangements you have made as an opportunity to demonstrate your appreciation, and I am sure you will show the Dean every gratitude for his kindly interest in you. No doubt you will also be working at your highschool subjects so as to enter school with all arrears made up, and in regular standing as a student.

"I sincerely hope you will
 be able to carry on despite
 your present difficulties. The tide
will turn a little later on,
 but one needs to be sure
of one’s ability to hang on
until that occurs. We are praying
 for you, and we believe our
Heavenly Father will help us
 to see daylight through
 the present problems."

I must close now. We all unite, my boy, in affectionate regards. I sincerely hope you will be able to carry on despite your present difficulties. The tide will turn a little later on, but one needs to be sure of one’s ability to hang on until that occurs. We are praying for you, and we believe our Heavenly Father will help us to see daylight through the present problems.

With warm love,
Yours affectionately,
Dad.

No. 40 -- 18 July 1932

This letter contains another example of how frustrating it is to have only one side of the conversation, as we hear second-hand about Noel almost being involved in an apparent auto hold up, and other motor-car incidents. The Great Depression is ever-present in this letter. George is still worried about Noel's ability to get a job and make money during his summer break from college. And he continues to worry about the YMCA's finances, saying they are "hard up against it". George's young daughters Joyce and Edith seem to be the bright spots, surrounded by his concern for his older children and his own health.

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

"It looks as if there was some
attempt possible in the
direction of a “hold up”.
In any case you were
wise to consider “Discretion
the better part of valor”. "

Your letter of June 5th came to hand on Saturday, written just prior to the closing of your school year, and did not give us any information concerning your examination results. We were rather interested in the events you described, especially that relating to the college dance and your experience on the road. I think you were wise in turning your car and going in the opposite direction. It looks as if there was some attempt possible in the direction of a “hold up”. In any case you were wise to consider “Discretion the better part of valor”. Evidently it doesn't pay to hand over a motor-car to your care, as you seem to be everlastingly in difficulties. The three incidents referred to in your letter all had to do with a car. If I were you I would be careful whose car I borrowed in the future.

I am continuing your old address as you suggest, and until I hear to the contrary, letters will be sent care of the College as heretofore.

I am glad that you were able to meet all your obligations at the college and that you are not in any debt in that direction. Before this you will have received the small amount I sent on to you, and I hope that also helped to liquidate some of your indebtedness.

Dean Ames was Dr. John Q. Ames, who was
dean of the Chicago YMCA College,
aka George Williams College, from 1919-32.
According to his obituary, he retired to a farm in
Brooklyn, Wisc., near the city of Madison.
This may have been where Noel would have
helped Dean Ames.

I sincerely hope it will be possible for you to get some odd jobs during the time you are with Dean Ames, and thus help to meet your immediate needs. We were hoping that your letter would have been a little fuller that it was, but perhaps another will reach us shortly giving us additional information.

At the Association, things are going on much the same as before. We have had several board meetings to consider any changes in our programme and policy that the times may demand. Suggestions that were made at a conference we held with representatives of the various committees have been under discussion, and certain changes are likely to be made possibly in the direction of an inclusive tariff for residents, but that has not yet been definitely decided.

We have a membership campaign on at present, but it doesn't seem to have much “kick” in it, and I am wondering what the result is likely to be. We are trying to raise the membership by 300 by the 27th July. It will be hard going and the indications at present are not too hopeful. The Y’s Men’s Club is doing quite well and so are the Vikings.

Hubert Opperman was a famous Australia
bicyclist, competing in the Tour de France
in 1928 and 1931.
See Wikipedia: Hubert Opperman

His home trainer may have looked like the
one featured in this photo.

The Boys’ Department held a “Get Together” social for the Suburban Clubs on Saturday night and we had about 400 present. Hubert Opperman, the racing cyclist, gave an excellent talk and a demonstration on “A home trainer” for cyclists. It was a good show and went off with fine enthusiasm.

Frank Wilkinson is doing very well in the Billiard Room. He has trebled the takings inside a month. We have the Victorian Amateur Billiard Championships taking place in the Social Hall just now. This is bringing a considerable number of the prominent billiardists into the building.

The Viking Discussion on Wednesdays and also on Sundays are going quite well, and so are the meetings of the Fellowship Club. Most of the activities in the building are shaping up quite well, and our educational groups on the whole are in a very healthy condition.

We are still having serious difficulties with finance and I cannot see much change for the better for some time to come. Frankly, we are really getting to the position where we are hard up against it. It looks as if we shall have to get further accommodation from our Bank to enable us to carry on.

"Both the kiddies are well and
as full of beans as ever. Joyce has
been particularly elated because she
has been leading the line in some
of the work of the senior girls
at the Guild. Edith also has
been quite pleased with herself
because, as Prefect of her class,
she has the chance of
“bossing the kids” occasionally!
This suits her down to the ground."

Conditions at home are, on the whole, O.K. Mother has had a very bad cold and I also have been feeling out of sorts. This intensely cold weather does not suit me after my illness of two years ago. Both the kiddies are well and as full of beans as ever. Joyce has been particularly elated because she has been leading the line in some of the work of the senior girls at the Guild. Edith also has been quite pleased with herself because, as Prefect of her class, she has the chance of “bossing the kids” occasionally! This suits her down to the ground.

We are expecting Ruth home this week for a spell. She has now completed a year of her hospital work. No doubt she will be writing you herself before long.

Keith has not found anything in the direction of steady work though he is answering quite a lot of advertisements and interviewing firms in the hope of getting something to do. The occasional jobs with the Texas company help to keep the pot boiling but they do little more than give him sufficient money to meet his incidental needs and pay for his land. His school Accountancy fees, insurances and so on all come out of the balance of his small savings account which is now down to a pretty low ebb.

You mention in your letter that you expected to be with Dean Ames about the 15th June. You will have been with him for over a month if that plan carried out. I suppose by this time you will have a clearer perception of the possibilities of work before your school year commences. All our overtures in connection with the sale of the amplifier have, so far, come to naught. I wish to goodness we could find some means of disposing of it. We seem to draw a blank every time.

We have not heard from Rex. Baker for the past two or three weeks. When last he wrote he suggested the possibility of returning to Melbourne at a comparatively early date.

Most of the old brigade on the Board are still going strong, although some of them are beginning to show signs of age. Mr. Hooke is not quite as mentally alert as he was a year or two ago.

We get many enquiries concerning yourself. Gus Froelich and a number of others have made enquiry just recently. They all seem anxious to hear how you are getting on.

"In your letters, we hope you will not
think any piece of information too
trivial, or that it has no news value to it.
We naturally want to know how
things are going in every way."

In your letters, we hope you will not think any piece of information too trivial, or that it has no news value to it. We naturally want to know how things are going in every way. It will do us a good deal to help us appreciate your position. Tell us something about the closing up of the school year. What took place at the various functions?

Your last letter was written just before commencement — perhaps your next letter will tell us something about that event. The quarterly examinations were to be held on June 9 and 10 according to the calendar. If it is possible to send me another copy of the handbook for next year, I shall be delighted, as it gives me details concerning the school which I find exceedingly interesting and help met to know when the various quarters ended, and something about the school life generally.

I must close now. We shall look forward with keen pleasure to your subsequent letters. You know we all unite in warm love.

Yours affectionately,
Dad