Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Women on the Australian Home Front


Women on the Australian Home Front                                                                                          

August 23, 1914
It’s been 3 months since dad left to fight in the war. He sends letters but they are always half cut out which mum is worried about. Yesterday we sought to be more involved in the war by signing up to help as weapons workers but the government refused our participation. Ever since dad left we’ve nearly had no income as all we can do is volunteer work with the Red Cross. We spend each day sewing clothes for the soldiers and putting together first aid packs for the nurses. It is not much but it’s something we know will help our soldiers fighting for us.
Today I will try to join the printing company as that is where dad worked. I won’t be paid as much as he was for the job, but hopefully there will be enough to support my family.
Sarah.

October 4, 1918
The printing industry has been good experience and I always know what is happening in the war through all the papers. Mum also joined the printing, along with many other women, but the income is still too low for this to be our only job. We have been sewing clothes for the soldiers every day, sending them through the Australian Comforts Fund. Ever since we found out that dad had died from a foot infection we have been sewing more socks as we hope the other soldiers will not experience the same infection as he did.
Everyone expects an end to the war soon. We hope this will be as we have already lost many men. We need the rest to come home.
Sarah.

Bibliography
Websites
Betty Archdale library Guides (2012). Retrieved September 5, 2012 from http://abbotsleigh.libguides.com/content.php?pid=370310&sid=3033422
Women’s Role and Place (2009). Retrieved September 5, 2012 from http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww1/homefront/women.html
Women in Wartime (2009). Retrieved September 5, 2012 from http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/women-in-wartime 
Vera Deakin (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from  http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/redcross/vera_deakin/
Women (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww2/homefront/women.html
First World War 1914-1918 (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww1.asp
About Us (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.redcross.org.au/aboutus_history_australia_default.htm
Australian Women’s Nationals League (2009). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0269b.htm
Australian Comforts Fund (2009). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0988b.htm
Australian Women’s Land Army (2012). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0393b.htm
Women’s Peace Army (2009). Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0542b.htm

Newspaper Articles
Bartley, K. Women sitting in a Sydney park, waiting. Dubbo Daily Liberal. (2011, February 10) Retrieved September 13, 2012 from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=e3412324-141c-41db-88fe-291cdfac88e4%40sessionmgr112&vid=1&hid=104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=anh&AN=SYD-5YAQXBFN0U8FFG57KIT
Online Encyclopaedias

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