Ok the time has come for a little more about working life in Australia during the 1890’s. Remember way back then there was no state welfare so the strike caused a lot of heartache and poverty among the workers and their families.

The only “dole” was from the unions funds but that ran out pretty quick, this meant people were evicted due to non payment of rent. Also of course no money meant that they couldn’t purchase food and then there was skyrocketing prices of goods.

Families of the unemployed approached charities such as the Melbourne Ladies Benevolent Society but their resources were limited and the strikers families were often seen as undeserving. It wasn’t uncommon for the wives of the striking men to fine their request for help refused.

It is part of the legend of the 1890’s that the strikes were the catalyst through which the Australian Labour Party emerged. However, there was already some representation of workers in parliament. In March 1891 the Sydney Trades and Labour Council planned the platform and rules of the Labour Electoral Leagues Candidates were endorsed with 45 standing for election in NSW Legislative Assembly in June. Out of which 36 were returned and Labour held the balance of power for the first time in Australian politics.

Social problems continued, however, in Melbourne with great numbers of people unemployed. The Melbourne Ladies Benevolent Society minutes of July 1892 recorded the problems of a Walsh family from Collingwood in Melbourne. The father a labourer lost his job and the family was supported by their son a plaster and daughter who was a tailoress but when they also lost their jobs and any savings gone the sort help from the Benevolent Society. At such times those in work loathed to complain of difficult conditions.

Things in Victoria was so bad the Government organised some relief work for the unemployed. Work on the draining of the Kooweerup Swamp for example began in the 1890’s depression. People from the city were not really equipped for farm work were sent to farm settlements. These moves provided little benefit, some fortunate people managed to escape to the Goldfield in Western Australia.

Well that’s all for this week

Time for some Aussie Slang,

Pigs Arse: I don’t agree with you, you’re exaggerating or bullshiting me

Pozzy: A place to sit

Prezzy: A present or gift

Rack off: Get lost

Ratbag: A mild insult meaning you’re a fool or idiot

Good morning all this Tuesday I am telling you a bit about the Giant Prickly Stick Insect, this creature is covered in thorns with the female being intimidating 20cm long it is twice the size of the male.

When faced with a predator it sprays an odour to scare off the predators. The males do this as well but they are more likely to fly away from danger, as they don’t have the same spiny body armour as females. Also the females wings are too small and her body to heavy for flight.

These insects live in eucalypti forests in north-eastern Australia and can be found in a variety of colours, which help them blend in with the trees.

Though, not poisonous to humans– if a human did happen to eat a Black Beauty walking stick, they would probably just feel a bit nauseous and throw it up. In fact, walking sticks may just be the perfect starter insect for people with a bit of entomophobia.

Stick bugs very rarely cause damage to the landscape and foliage. They do not bite, sting, or attack humans. If you happen to come across a singular stick bug, don’t worry – while they look a little strange, they are not harmful to you, your family, or your pets.

Now the time has come for a little bit about women in the NSW Police Force.

In 1915 the New South Wales Police Department advertised two positions for female police. Nearly 500 women applied for the position. Two applicants, Lillian Armfield and Maude Rhodes were chosen and subsequently sworn in as Probationary Special Constables. Maude Rhodes resigned in 1920 and Lillian Armfield retired after 33 years service in 1949. The women were required to sign an indemnity releasing the Police Department of any responsibility for their safety and wore civilian clothes, as they were not issued a uniform. Their service was recorded on a separate seniority list until 1965. They were the first women employed for police duties in the Commonwealth.

By 1929 the number of women in the force increased to eight and by 1941 and as a result of wartime difficulties in recruiting men, there was a further increase in strength from eight to fourteen women police.

Over 500 women responded to advertisements for policewomen. Six women were selected: Rita Collins, Coralie Lucas, Catherine McRae, Nancy Morgan, Ita Taylor and Joan Weaver (who would later become Officer in Charge of the Women Police Office). Two Policewomen: Rita Collins and Eva Rosser transferred to Newcastle.

In 1943 Six women temporarily recruited to aid the Health Department locate people suffering from venereal disease. Then in 1945, Special Constables were introduced to regulate parking in Sydney. The Parking Police (also known firstly as “Brown Bombers” and later “Grey Ghosts” from their various uniforms) positions were originally reserved for disabled ex-servicemen.

In 1965 8 women of various ranks sworn into the New South Wales Police Force as regular officers (under the Police Regulation Women Police Amendment Act No. 64 or 1964) with full police powers, other employment conditions and entitlements. Women police given separate registered numbers to male police, establishing a separate seniority system for women police. Alice Elizabeth Hanley given the registered number 3. Women police now known as Policewoman in place of Special. This came about on the 18th March, 1965.

50 Years of women being employed in the New South Wales Police Force undertaking policing duties.

In 1971 Del Fricker and Gwen Martin accepted into the Detectives Training Course, later to become the first women detectives. Policewomen lobby the NSW Police Association for more direct representation to improve their position within the Police Force through the establishment of a Women’s Branch but are rejected. Lillian Armfield dies aged 87 years.

The following year the First female Commissioned Officer at the Women Police Office, Inspector Alice Elizabeth (Beth) Hanley, at 29 years service. Beth Hanley is awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Policewoman’.

Now days Policewomen represent 26.9% of sworn personnel. Women make up 35% of the Force. 13 policewomen are Superintendents & 2 are SES. NSW Police Force celebrates 100 years of Women in Policing and 50 years since women were officially ‘sworn in’ as Constables and given the full powers of a police officer.

Another day suppose to be a nice day. Found a note about Jess quilt being in the washing machine, I had to turn it on to wash at 8am.

I spent most of the day working on the calendars only to discover I had stuffed up by using the wrong template and had to start again. Which I have done but will work it more tomorrow.

The start of another school week, suppose to be a warm day. No book this morning I forgot to download another one, I will have to do that today.

Another busy morning working on the calendars and sorting our medications.

It is another very warm too hot day but Tim said he didn’t think it was that hot.

Took most of the day but I managed to get the calendars done.

DAVID’S BIRTHDAY HE IS 45 TODAY

A warmer start to the day I have the door open to let the breeze in.

Sandy has decided to keep Landon for a bit longer and not give up on him so quick. She also has car trouble looks like it is the alternator told it could cost around $850, money she doesn’t have.

Sue came over and brought me 3 cans of cider it was nice to see her.

Tim has an appointment this afternoon, so I will go meet Sam. Speaking of Sam his new mattress arrived now he just needs the bed frame.

In for a much cooler day which will be nice.

Tasha drove me to my Dr’s appointment but she was in a right mood feeling rushed off her feet and complaining I hadn’t reminded her about they i appointment till this morning. Anyway the appointment went well I managed on my own even managed to go to the chemist and walk back to the car to wait for Tasha.

Tim didn’t get up till after 11am, I told Tim I want to try to get back to a more normal bedtime some days I end up in bed as early as 3pm usually it is around 4pm but I would like to go back to a later bedtime, Tim didn’t seem keen he said he thought it would be a good idea but would I be ok with watching his TV shows as when I go to bed the TV is his.

I slept straight through to 4.25am this was a surprised I got up at 4.48am.

Tasha came down she is feeling pretty sick and asked me to check her tonsils they looked red and a little white in parts so she is off to the doctors.

Tim didn’t get up till after 10am as is now usual for Tim, when I mentioned that he will need to go and get my script he seemed a little annoyed but he went.

Tasha’s Dr’s appointment didn’t go as she hoped was told she didn’t need antibiotics as her body is fighting off the infection nicely. This wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

By 3pm I was so tied I was falling asleep.

Slept all night again, I ended up going to bed by 3.30pm and slept straight through till 4.40am.

I was a tad annoyed to find that Tim hadn’t put the dishwasher on last night.

Sandy just called in to say hi and give me a hug.

Tim took me down to renew my photo ID it took 20 minutes from the moment we walked in till when we walked out cost was $61 for 5 years.

Tasha rang and asked if I could loan her money to pay for the service on her car, the fella who had the car hasn’t had it done even though he has been saying he would get it done. I have told her that now she has her car back not loan it out again I have no idea if she will do as I said or not.

This afternoon Tim rang to see about me applying for my seniors card. This was easy as I didn’t need any other ID other than my Medicare Card.

Tasha has sworn she will never lend her car to anyone ever again.

A new day and again I slept well, Tim and I are going over to Kathy’s house for lunch.

Tim and I went over to Kathy’s for lunch, it was really nice, Michael made the best hamburgers. I would like to do it more often. Like every couple of months would be nice.

At first I said every 6 weeks but that will be around Christmas. At this stage I don’t even know what we are doing Christmas Day.

Hello everyone, here we are at another Friday and I am going to share some of my thoughts this Friday morning.

Why or why does it have a habit of raining on days when I wish to go out, tomorrow Tim an I along with Tasha are suppose to go over to Kathy’s for a BBQ and it is suppose to rain again, why……..

I feel the same thing often happens when I arrange to have someone to take me shopping it either rains or something else happens and my plans get shoved aside. I so miss being able to drive myself around. There are times I feel like those around me just think it is too much effort to take me out, I want Tim to take me shopping using my motorised scooter but he says he can’t lift it as yet due the damage to his right hand/arm. He says he will take me if we hire a scooter from the shopping centre, this is ok except those scooters are a lot bigger then mine making it far more difficult to manoeuvre but I will give it a try.

At least I am more able to do stuff at the computer each day but there are of course days when I find it impossible to sit anywhere without pain and discomfort.

I have started to order things for Christmas during the next couple of weeks I want to make a start on the Christmas cards, first thing I need to do is find where I have put them, I think I know where they are.

Also Tim isn’t and early riser like me which is ok except when I want to go shopping then I would like him to get up between 8 &9 get ready and go so I get in and get done quickly. I do not like going in the middle of the day or the afternoon if it can be avoided.

I just went with Sam up to meet their driver, Sam has told his mum he prefers me to take her(him)up and also meet her, yes Sam wishes to be referred to as a girl, which is something I am having trouble doing and I have explained to Sam that it isn’t easy for me to get my head around.

Ok this has been a rambling mess, my head is all over the place.

The first major conflict in the industrial disputes of the 1890’s was the so called Maritime Strike that began in August 1890. This had its origins in an agreement in May 1890 between Australian Labour Federation in Queensland. It had to do with some deal between the shearers and pastoralists’ unions that no non-union labour would be employed to shear sheep. In August this agreement was broken when pastoralists and they sent wool sheared by non-union labour to the Brisbane waterfront.

Meanwhile members of the Maritime Officers Association were trying to negotiate higher pay, this was somewhat unusual at the time for a larger “white collar” or middle-class profession to form a union, but some marine officers were receiving less then the seamen to whom they gave orders. Shipowners refused to negotiate because the Maritime Officers Association had thrown in with the Melbourne Trades Hall and some thought there was a collusion between shipowners and pastoralists.

On the 16^th August the shit hit the fan when the Marine Officers walk off the job in protest, the strike spread to NSW, Vic, SA and New Zealand. In Australia there was around 50,000 people on strike.

The ramifications were extensive with Coal Miners in New South Wales and the Melbourne gasworkers called a strike. Then workers at Broken Hill walked out and this caused a company lock-out.

Some of these on strike would be out for two weeks and others for over two months. By mid September unionists were clashing with non-union labour at the Sydney docks when attempts to load wool shorn by non-union labour onto ships.

The Riot Act was read on 19 September at Circular Quay, the strike dragged on till November.

More to follow…………….

Middle of the week and time for some Aussie slang and today we have the following.

No Drama/Worries: As in not a problem or expression of forgiveness, yeah I can do that

Postie: Postman/woman mail delivery person

Plonk: Cheap wine

Polly: Politician

Pokies: Poker machine, or slot machine used for gambling

 Another Tuesday, another creature and this week we have the tree kangaroo, have you heard of it, I have.

Now this kangaroo unlike their ground dwelling cousins have long muscular arms and short legs. They also have curved nails and spongy pads that help with gripping while a long tail helps with balance.

They are graceful climbers, they wrap their arms around tree trunks and hop upwards using their hind legs. They are also expert jumpers leaping from tree to tree and down to the ground.

The species live in the steamy rainforests of New Guinea and north eastern Australia, they keep cool by licking their arms and letting the moisture evaporate.

In Australia, there are now just two species: Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, and Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus bennettianus. Both are found only in the Wet Tropics of far north-east Queensland, one species on each side of the Daintree River.

Tree kangaroos are very difficult to study in the wild so their average lifespan is unknown, but it is likely 15-20 years. However, in captivity they can live for more than 20 years! The oldest known tree kangaroo is 27 years old.

Here we are at another Monday and here is a little more about the NSW Police force.

It was in 1894 after a number of officers were injured while attempting to arrest safe breakers that legalisation was passed to allow all members to carry firearms and they still do so today.

In 1895 the police band was formed to preform and entertain around the state.

In 1903, the Fingerprint Section was formed. It became the Central Fingerprint Bureau of Australia in 1941, maintaining a nationwide manual collection of fingerprints and criminal records until 1986 when it reverted to a state-based role. It now forms part of the Forensic Services Group.

In 1911 the first police prosecutors were appointed and appeared in the courts.

In 1912 the first motor vehicle was acquired by the NSW Police Force. It was a Sunbeam roadster and was for the exclusive use of the Inspector General. In 1913, a Douglas motorcycle commenced special traffic duties, and in 1915 a Renault was modified for use as a motorised patrol van.

In 1915, Lillian Armfield and Maude Rhodes were appointed as Special Constables and become the first women in the NSW Police Force. They were not allowed to wear uniform or to carry firearms. It was 1948 before women were allowed to wear uniform, 1965 before they were sworn in as Constables like male officers, and 1979 before they were routinely allowed to carry firearms.

The use of wireless with morse code as the means of communication was introduced into a number of police vehicles in 1924. The main base wireless station in Sydney became known by the call-sign VKG in 1927, and by 1928 all police stations were linked to the telephone network.

In 1925, the Public Safety Bureau was formed within the Traffic Branch. This later became the Highway Patrol (HWP) and had responsibility for all traffic law enforcement.

In 1929 the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) was formed from the existing Detective Branch. Today it is known as the State Crime Command.

Policing was declared a reserved occupation during the Second World War. As a result, not many serving Police were released for military duties in Australia and overseas. Those who did serve in the military were commemorated on the Honour Rolls at the Sydney Police Centre and on the Wall of Remembrance at the Police Chapel in Goulburn.

With the threats of invasion from the Japanese, Police undertook many internal security roles in the community and trained with rifles and bayonets

More to come…………