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SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION.
On Saturday evening, 8th inst., at the East Essendon Methodist Church, Albion street, a social was held to say good-bye to Mr. Robert Skinner, of Tennyson street, Essendon, who is proceeding to England to undertake work in an ammunition factory for the Defence Department. The Rev. G. S. Lloyd* occupied the chair and explained the cause of the gathering, stating that Mr. Skinner was going to serve in the ammunition factories and make the shells, which were essential to the winning of battles in the fighting-line. The people in England were doing good work as regards the war, and were doing their best to help the Empire in its time of need. Mr. Skinner was going to make munitions and would sail on Tuesday next. The congregation were meeting now to express their good wishes, and trusted that he would be home soon before the year was out and that the war would be over soon.
They were pleased to have Corporal Drew with them that evening, and they hoped he would be right again soon, and that he would be able to return to the fighting line.
The Methodists had responded splendidly in the matter of the war, both here and at home, and a great number of their ministers had sons in the trenches, while some of the ministers themselves had enlisted. Mr. Allingham also had sons at the front. Mr. J. Allingham, in speaking about Mr. Skinner, spoke in eulogistic terms of Miss Nicholls, who had arranged the social and presentation, said that none of the others had the energy to arrange the function, and it fell to Miss Nicholls to see the thing through. They were present to do honour to their friend, Mr. Skinner, who had filled a most important part in church work at East Essendon. One of his functions was to take the door and welcome new-comers, which he did by a good, hand-shake, the welcome always being a very warm one. Methodists always gave a good welcome. They were all sorry Mr. Skinner was going away, and trusted he would be back soon. He (the speaker) had one son at the front and another was going in a week or so. Mr. Skinner was going to make shells, which would be instruments of death for women's husbands and sons. He was a splendid worker in the church, and the congregation all had a warm corner in their hearts for him.
Mr. S. A. Mott* spoke to the same effect, and alluded to the good service done by Mr. Skinner as a trustee and as a general worker. While they would be very sorry to lose him from their midst, they had to congratulate him on his patriotism in going to serve in the cause of the Empire. Mrs. Skinner had, as well as her husband, always been a tower of strength to the church, and her helpmate would be much missed. It was to be hoped that the war would soon be over and that Mr. Skinner's services would not be required long by the authorities.
Mr. F. H. Ploog followed suit and alluded to the valuable assistance always rendered by the guest. All spoke highly of him and his excellent qualities. It was to be hoped the war was over before he got there, and they wished him a good voyage and a safe return.
Mr. H. E. Neal said it gave him extreme pleasure to say a few words in praise of Mr. Skinner, and to wish him God-speed. He had known him for seven years, and they could ill afford to lose such a good worker, but they had to spare him for the path of duty and they honoured him for the sacrifice he was making. He was leaving his wife and family to go and make shells, and they wished him success in his new sphere of labour, knowing that he would do the best he could. Mrs. Skinner would be separated from him for some time, and she was deserving of great praise for giving up her husband and letting him go. He would find the conditions a little different from what they were in Victoria, but his knowledge would stand him in good stead. He would be a credit to us, and his fine cheery manner would be always in his favour. They wished him God speed and God's richest blessings and a safe return.
The chairman said they were deeply indebted to Mr. Skinner for the great interest he had always taken in the church. He regretted that longer notice of his departure had not been given, as lots of other people would have liked to have been present to say good-bye to one they loved so much. He was a man, every inch of him. While congratulating Mr. Skinner on the step he was taking to help his country, they appreciated the sacrifice his wife was making in letting him go, and their sympathy went out to her. Mr. Skinner was then presented by the congregation with a beautiful travelling rug, contained in a kit bag, and with a testament by Mr. Lloyd.
Mr. Skinner, in accepting the gifts, said that he had intended to go quietly away, but Mr. Lloyd signed his passport and so the news got out. On first coming to East Essendon, he was a Presbyterian, but he received such a hearty welcome from the Methodists that it touched his heart and he threw in his lot with them. He received a good hand-shake from them, and he always passed it on. He thanked Miss Nicholls for her kindness in arranging the send-off. She always did a large amount of hard work, and he and, in fact, all the congregation, deeply appreciated the interest she always took in the church. In accepting the rug, he would think of East Essendon while he was sailing across the sea, and had the rug wrapped round him. He would have liked to go into the trenches as he had served four years in the infantry and was fond of soldiering. The call came to him, and he decided to go and make munitions. Seeing wounded comrades appealed to him, and he thought he would like to help them and stand up for right. He was leaving many dear friends behind him, and he returned thanks for the kind way in which his wife had been spoken of. She realised the position of the Empire and consented that he should go and help. He would miss his wife and family very much and would think of them all the time he was away. He thanked Mr. Lloyd for the testament, and fully appreciated the gift. It was a terrible war, and he hoped by the time be got to the other side that it would be over. The trip would mean more experience to him; he would see different things, and would be able to relate them all when he got back. Out here, we did not realise what was going on, and that the Zeppelins were flying, over England. In conclusion he would say that he appreciated the gifts and would always treasure them. (Applause.) During the evening an appropriate programme of musical items was rendered by Mrs. Ploog, Miss Nicholls*, and Corporal Drew. Mrs. Neal kindly supplied coffee, and other ladies provided the other refreshments. A pleasant evening was concluded with a verse of "God Be With You."
SOCIAL. (1916, January 13). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 1. Retrieved February 8, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74591507
* Rev G S Lloyd was the father of Lloyd G F Sgt 11821
* A S Motte was the father of Mott R S Pte discharged
* Sister of Sister Florence Annie Nicholls of the AANS.
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