I remember years ago mum saying to me that she felt that although war widows and their families were very well looked after, civilian widows were not and here it explains just what was done to ease the burden they and their families often suffered.
Except from 'THE CLOCK OF TIME' by Gertrude Ruston. (pp 179-180)
"Two sub-committees were formed by the Council of Social Services, namely the Family Welfare Committee and the Child and Youth Committee, and both of which I was an ex-officio member.
I was elected to be Chairman of the Family Welfare Committee and we were very active dealing with any subject at all concerned with the welfare of the family. Many subjects were brought forward to this committee arose from our work in the Citizens Advice Bureau, and it was the members of this committee who supported me in my endeavours to form the Perth Emergency Housekeeper Service.
Although were was an Association of Civilian Widows we found that, the CAB being within a few doors of the Department of Social Services (now Centrelink) in Murray Street, many women who had been widowed, and were simply handed forms by this government department, came to the C.A.B., sometimes in tears, because they needed help to complete the forms and had no idea how to handle their problems. In many cases they had little or no money, their husbands had handled everything and sudden death had left them entirely bereft.
Our committee decided to prepare a Guide to Widows, going through the procedures of everything from the moment of death. The questions of wills, next of kin, funerals, insurances and compensation were all dealt with and exhaustive enquiries were made to ensure that the information given was accurate. The book was obtainable from headquarters, and in great demand. At abut the same time we heard that the Rotary Club had also become aware of the disabilities suffered by women whose husbands had kept them apart from the business side of the family and were starting a campaign called "Teaching your Wife to be a Widow".
We also took action regarding the Door to Door Sales act, and were delighted when the seven day cooling off period became law.
Wine saloons also came into our line of fire. There was a saloon near our CAB office and, at night, there were also numerous intoxicated people nearby, including aborigines.
Noise abatement was also a matter of concern, as it is now. Hotel gardens with their bands and entertainments make lief difficult for people living nearby, particularly for students trying to study, sick people and families with young children.
When I retired from the position of Chairman of this committee, my place was taken by Mrs Dulcie Hodgson."
