ORGANISATIONS
The City of Ballarat and the surrounding districts played a leading role in the social, economic and political arena in Victoria in the early years of the twentieth century.
The political contributions came from both the conservative and labour sides of the political spectrum. In addition to State politics, local government also played a vital role in formation of a district's response to the war.
This may have included the organisation of enlistment processes, the establishment of avenues for voluntary work along with the collection of the money donated to numerous welfare funds that supported both the enlisted people in local camps, and those elsewhere in Australia or overseas.
There is also evidence of funds set up to support the families of enlisted people. Sporting organisations also lent their support to these funds. Lawn bowling is one sport mentioned that showed widespread support in the establishment of the Avenue of Honour.
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AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS' CORRESPONDENCE LEAGUE
Miss Jeannie Jobson, a senior member of the staff at Ballarat Agricultural High School (now Ballarat High School), formed the League in November 1915. Her objective was to send letters to various units of the Australian Imperial Force and to War Hospitals. Membership was described as 'very large' and 'embracing every state' in Australia. Jeannie Jobson was President. Other office bearers were Tre ...
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AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S NATIONAL LEAGUE
The AWNL formed in about 1904, was a 500 branch strong organisation across Victoria and the Riverina. The formation of the Ballarat branch at the City Hall was reported in the Ballarat Star on 12 Apr ...
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AVENUE OF HONOUR
Permanent recognition of enlistment for military service was unrecognised prior to July 1915, when Robert Ludbrook sought recognition of volunteers and not solely the well-known. There was no permane ...
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AVOCA LADY MAYORESS'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE
By the end of the Great War, membership had remained steady in the mid 50s for 1917-18. Over the course of the conflict in excess of 6500 items had been dispatched and £1037 had been raised. Inspecti ...
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BALLAN LADY MAYORESS'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE
This branch commenced in 1915-16. During the war its members made 6209 items and raised over £639. Membership had risen to 35 in 1916-17, only to decline to around 20 in the final year of the war.
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BALLARAT AND DISTRICT RED CROSS
The Ballarat and District branch was governed by a council of 50 subscriber members. The branch reported a membership of 2000. These members and donors made 286,195 articles during the war. A total o ...
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BALLARAT EAST RED CROSS
Membership of the Ballarat East branch came from the Town of Ballarat East and some small towns to the east. The thriving commercial Bridge Street business houses supported the branch. Some 70 member ...
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BALLARAT SNAPSHOTS FROM HOME LEAGUE
The Young Christian Men's Association established the Ballarat branch of the Snapshots from Home League. The object was to 'obtain home photographs for sending to our men in camp and hospitals in the ...
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BALLARAT WOOLLEN AND WORSTED MILL
Khaki cloth was noted in February 1914. Blankets were being supplied to the armed forces in various States. In September 1914 the Mill was advised of the prospect of orders for the Expeditionary Forc ...
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BEAUFORT LADY MAYORESS'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE
This branch reported a membership of 35 in 1916-17, when £229 had been raised, and some 2250 items had been despatched. A year later membership had risen to 61, and this was reflected in the fact tha ...