North Sydney job opportunities were hard to find after The Depression
By the mid-1930s, Sydney was starting to emerge from the worst of the Great Depression, but unemployment remained high. North Sydney Council’s archives give us an insight into everyday life 90 years ago.
The North Shore Gas Company informed the council in July 1936 that, at the request of the minister of works and local government, they would supply three tons of coke – a cheap, coal-based fuel – for unemployed relief workers in North Sydney. The council’s relief office reported that more than 150 local people benefited from this provision. Initiatives like this supported council’s extensive relief work scheme, which gave employment to as many as 1,400 men at one time on public works including roads, footpaths and park improvements.
Sometimes, the cause of the unemployed was championed by people of means in society. The artist Portia Geach lived with her family at a harbourfront mansion in Cremorne Point in the 1920s and 1930s and was well known for her socially progressive views. Portia founded the NSW Housewives Association in 1917, later known as the Housewives Progressive Association, to educate and advocate for women in the home.
Portia’s interests also extended to the ongoing employment of her garbage man. In September and October 1936, Portia wrote to council in relation to a proposed new sanitary contractor for the municipality, to enquire if it would be possible to have their local garbage man kept on.
Her father, theatre entrepreneur Edwin Geach, also wrote imploringly to the town clerk: “As a very old, if not one of the first ratepayers in this district, I wish to appeal to you on behalf of Joe, the Cremorne dustman. I unhesitatingly say that he is one of the finest and most capable employees in this department that you have.
“His popularity is undoubted, and he is noted for his cheerfulness and willingness to go out of his way to please your ratepayers. I understand that it is the old story of the machine replacing horsepower, and in doing so this man might lose his job.
“Might I respectfully suggest that you keep him at least for a few years longer, not only in your own interests, but in the interests of ratepayers, as an assistant to the motor driver,” Edwin wrote.
Shortly afterwards, the new contractor, E Coleman, assured the council, “We shall be happy to absorb as many as possible of existing staff, subject to such men being well recommended by your health inspector.”
So, we can be hopeful that Joe the Cremorne dustman was able to keep up the good work.