For the Sake of the Soldier: Voluntary Work of Brisbane Women — John Shaqi
For the Sake of the Soldier: Voluntary Work of Brisbane WomenMacleod, Rita
History
For the Sake of the Soldier: Voluntary Work of Brisbane Women
Macleod, Rita
World War, 1914-1918 -- Medical care -- Australia; World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Australia
In a quiet obscure street leading from the main thoroughfares of the
city, there is a sign hung out from the building of an old church,
“Anzac Club.” A rest home is here provided for returned soldiers in
particular, but all soldiers, whether recruits or men who have come
through action, are welcome. It is the outcome of the efforts of the
women of the Church of England Help Society, but no questions of
religion are asked, and the club is open to men of all denominations
and creeds.
The management is in the hands of men, and personal attention is given
to individual soldiers in an open, broadminded way. For instance, if an
intoxicated man comes into the club, he is not turned out, but taken to
the rest room upstairs and given a couch to sleep off his intemperance.
Everything possible is done to encourage the men to use the club. There
are three rooms for their occupation. A large reading and lounge hall
in the basement with a piano, gramaphone, easy chairs, small tables and
a restaurant. The stage of this hall has been turned into a billiard
room, and at all times of the day there are men using the privileges
of the club. Upstairs there is a reading, writing and rest room, where
notepaper, envelopes and a library are provided free of charge. No
entrance fee or subscription is asked, and the only time a soldier has
to put his hand in his pocket is when he requires refreshments. These
are provided at the lowest cost possible, and it is obvious that some
return is necessary to keep the restaurant in financial order. Letters
are received and remain in the care of the manager until called for,
the manager being in attendance every day and night, and the club open
from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Different societies, and Protestant churches in and around Brisbane,
provide a fortnightly social, and no offer is ever refused to entertain
the men. The members of the Church of England Help Society hold a “tea”
every Sunday and provide all provisions. This function is extremely
popular, and the attendance averages 270 soldiers. These forms of
entertaining returned men have had a wonderful influence among men
of previous uncertain character. They have wandered in, in the first
instance, out of curiosity, but the kindness of the girls and women and
the happy atmosphere of the club have attracted them again and again.
Seeing that a certain respectability is expected of them, they have
taken care to come sober and remain sober. The numbers of men who were
apparently “lost” characters and who have reformed under the influence
of the club is amazing. The women who worked up this movement, and who
continue to give strenuous attention to the welfare of the club, are
the source of more influence for good than they are yet aware. But the
Anzac Club was not instituted as a house of reformation, nor is it run
on any such lines. It is a rest home for the men who have done “their
bit,” or who are going forth to fight for their country.
Remember the Men in the Trenches.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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