WELCOME HOME
RETURNED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.
On Thursday evening last an official welcome home was tendered to the soldiers of the City of Essendon who have returned from active service. The Moonee Ponds Town Hall was the rendezvous, and the affair was held under the auspices of the Essendon Citizens' Committee, assisted by the Mayoress and an executive of ladies. The hall was crowded, and among the guests, the majority of whom donned khaki, there was a fair muster of Anzacs. The welcome took the form of a smoke social, but, owing to the attendance of ladies, who waited on the soldiers, and the delightful feminine touches in the table and other decorations, the hall suggested an entertainment of the conversazione or at home type. The display of choice flowers has seldom been surpassed locally, and the stage was very effectively arranged. The ladies also provided a supper embellished with a dainty menu seldom in evidence at smoke nights, and a liberal supply of tobacco and cigarettes of such excellent quality that it suggested a discrimination not usually credited to members of the fair sex.
The Mayor (Cr. A. Fenton) presided, supported by his colleagues in the Council. Sergeant-Major Mullins and Mr. E. Turnbull (vice-president of the Returned Soldiers' Imperial League). The committee had wisely decided to give the soldiers as many songs as possible and as few speeches, and the formal portion of the proceedings merely consisted of a Mayoral welcome and replies of thanks on behalf of the guests. The Mayor said it was with pride and pleasure that he greeted the return to Essendon of the boys present that evening. He had regretted Australia's rejection of the conscription proposals, but it gave him particular satisfaction that evening to realise that those he was welcoming back home had not been sent to the front by compulsion, but joined the colours of their own free will. (Cheers.) In addition, he felt that he would much prefer to address such men than waste his time talking to people who had never been guilty of doing anything to assist the Empire. (Hear, hear.) He, speaking for the citizens generally could say, "I am proud of each of you, and especially proud to note that so many of you have gained military Honours and returned with decorations that you will wear with pardonable pride in the future." Many had missed gaining distinctive honours, but they had all proved themselves brave soldiers, and the majority of them had come back as veterans. (Applause.)
The New Zealand soldiers had done wonderful deeds within the past few days, and momentous but welcome news which was now filtering through was made possible by the magnificent work accomplished by Australians for Australia. (Cheers.) Peace was mighty near, the end was in sight, and he felt that those present had done their share and would not again be called on to enter the firing line Cheers.) He was doubly pleased to notice that despite what they had gone through, so many present had apparently escaped injury. It was their welcome, and the citizens were very anxious to show what they thought of our returned boys. The form that this welcome took was due to the efforts of a committee of ladies. In conclusion, he desired to remind every soldier present that it was the wish of the citizens to look after the returned soldier and his dependents and that there were local organisations in existence in these interests to whom appeals should be made in the event of assistance being required. Again welcoming them home, he would add that in the larger welcome to be given to the Anzacs he would be pleased to see again present as many of the guests of the evening as possible.
Sergeant-Major Mullins said he was gratified at the opportunity given him to say a few words to the returned boys present, and to express their gratitude to the ladies and gentlemen who were instrumental in organising this splendid welcome home. While expressing their appreciation in this direction, he felt sure that every "dinkum" soldier-present had in his mind memories of the many Essendon boys who had died on the battlefield and unfortunately could not be present that evening. The Mayor had stated that there were local organisations whose duty it was to look after the returned soldiers and dependents of deceased soldiers. In this connection he felt sure that all present would be shocked to hear of the pitiable circumstances in which he found the widow and children of a deceased soldier, and that within a stones throw of the hall in which he was speaking. It was for the returned soldier, present to see that they were bound together and prepared to resist the principle of doling out charity to the dependents of soldiers who had died while fighting for their country. (Loud cheers.) To secure this end they should be careful not to allow themselves to be split up into small bodies. (Hear, hear.) He had been a fellow corporal with Brigadier-General Elliott in South Africa, and the bonds between Essendon and the latter had been strengthened into bonds of blood. (Cheers.) There was a branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association established in Essendon, and he hoped every returned soldier present would prove a live man and see that while working with local patriotic movements, soldiers and their dependents secured what was justly due to them, and were not treated as objects of charity. (Cheers.) Essendon had established a great record it the war, and the citizens desired that when asking for assistance soldiers should approach the right people. (Applause.) Above all, he asked them not to allow themselves to be separated, and if they preserved their unity the country they fought for would be theirs for the asking. (Cheers.)
Mr. E. Turnbull (vice-president of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Imperial League) also returned thanks. He asked all returned met to continue and preserve the brotherhood established while on active service, and so ensure for every soldier and his dependents the privileges they were entitled to. The Society he represented was non-political and non-sectarian, and he advised every qualified man present to join its ranks. Sergeant-Major Mullins was a colleague of the speaker, and with that gentleman's assistance it was hoped that Essendon would soon possess a sub branch of the League. (Cheers.) The new institute, which would cost about £37,000, was about to be erected, and for the returned soldier this was one of the greatest movements yet launched. He again asked all qualified to join the League and so preserve the interests of maimed and blinded soldiers and the dependents of the men who had made the supreme sacrifice. (Cheers.)
Cr. W. J. Mountain said he agreed with Sergeant Mullins that returned soldiers should stand shoulder to shoulder, and if they failed to get proper consideration he invited them to bring their grievances under the Sailors and Soldiers' Fathers Association, an organisation which he advised all qualified to join. (Applause.) With 100,000 Australians representing Victoria, and their relatives at their back, returned soldiers should have this country virtually in their hands.
Cr. J. Goldsworthy, who acted as musical director, presented a programme which was much enjoyed by all present. In the first part Lieutenant Roth Gordon, who has gained the Military Cross, gave very creditable renderings of "The Trumpeter" and "The Floral Dance," and Mr. Stephen McDonald was heard to advantage in "Have You Seen Him in France?" A tribute to Brigadier-General Elliott from the pen of Mr. J. F. Henderson was recited by Mr. J. Geo. McNichol and well received, and later on Mr McNichol added his clever and up-to-date ventriloquial entertainment, while Mr. Sandow contributed a comic song. The "exquisite fooling" of the millionaire Hoboes was much enjoyed. Their entertainment is fresh and original, and their burlesque on a Christie minstrel entertainment introduced a capable imitation of two negro delineators who, for several years, enjoyed a charmed existence at Melbourne music halls.
The second part of the programme was provided by the Courtiers' Costume Comedy Company. The entertainment, which was of the Pierrot order, served to introduce Miss Jessie Smith, a very pleasing vocalist, who sings daintily and shows remarkable versatility. In Haydyn Wood's tuneful song, "Roses of Picardy," she was very successful, and her singing of "Joan of Arc" secured an ovation. As encores Miss Smith added well selected serio items, which pleased the "boys" immensely. Miss Doris Plummer, the possessor of an excellent soprano voice, was not heard to advantage in "Come Back to Dreamland," as a result of uncertainty of pitch, but in the duet with Mr McDonald, "The Garden of My Heart," she did much better, and incidentally showed possession of a useful high register. Mr McDonald was perfectly at home in "Just Come Up from Devonshire," and also in the Hawiian "rag" at present so popular, and Mr. Jack Bell pleased the audience in a couple of humorous ditties.
The arrangements for the welcome were capably carried out by Miss Jenman and Mr John Woods (joint hon. secretaries) and the Mayoress Mrs. Goldsworthy were prominent in the catering and decorating departments. Mrs. Bamford made an efficient treasurer. During the evening many of the soldiers present who had been present at the first send-off, dinner, concert and presentations given over four years ago, stated how they appreciated those splendid functions, in addition to the present welcome. For the magnificent display of flowers on the tables and stage, Mr. J. Oliver, curator of Queen's Park, was responsible.
WELCOME HOME. (1918, November 14). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 1 Edition: Morning. Retrieved September 3, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74607626
|
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.