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As a result of the Depression Samuel Forsyth was haunted by the tramp of single unemployed men on the dole: he envisaged a scheme to start a farm-training settlement to help them gain jobs. He personally raised £5000 by public subscription and obtained land at a low rent from the government near Willunga. In June 1930 he opened Kuitpo Industrial Colony where men could work for their board and lodging, 'thereby retaining their self-respect, and a sane outlook on life until they could find a job'. It was run on good-humoured, non-militaristic lines. His Church was dubious about it and never backed the undenominational colony, but after financial struggles it flourished and over 7000 men were helped.
An employment agency was set up in the city to help 'colonists' find work.
Next year Forsyth formed the South Australian Council of Charitable Relief Organizations; he was its chairman. In 1937 he was appointed O.B.E. and next year became president of the South Australian Methodist Conference. The Kuitpo Colony became a rehabilitation centre.
Pioneer Ship Competition
One such way they raised money was by Forsyths' second wife organizing a "Pioneer Ship" competition. 12 young ladies chose a pioneer voyage and represented that ship. Penny votes were given and the ship/girl who raised the most money was the winner.
As per this article in the newspaper 1936, June 26
Are you the descendant of a pioneer? Would you like to do something in remembrance of those fine men and women of the early days, and in doing so help those in need to day? You can do this in a very simple way. At the Kuitpo Gala this year, which will be held in the Exhibition Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, 12 ships that arrived in Australian waters before 1840 are to be represented by well known girls of Adelaide, who are direct descendants of a family who arrived on the ship they represent.
Penny votes are to be collected and the "ship" that receives the most votes will be the winner. This is Centenary Year, end we are all eager to honor those fine men and women who came to build up a colony 100 years ago. His Excellency the Governor, Sir Winston Dugan, has suggested that a Kindness Week be held and help be given to some poor soul less fortunate than we are ourselves.
Here is an opportunity to help. Send for a voting card for 60 votes (5/) or send stamps, postal note, or cheque to the Central Mission. Adalaide, and you will help some poor soul who, through no fault of his own, is unemployed. Look at your own son, what if he were one of these unfortunates? Remember, every one of these thousand men and boys who have passed through Kuitpo Colony during the six years of its existence is some mother's son. Think of them and say to yourself, "There but for the grace of God, goes my boy."
Just a few shillings will be as welcome as a few pounds, so celebrate Kindness week by helping Kuitpo Industrial Colony.
The girls and their ships are :— (linked to geni projects with the stories written about the voyage and pioneer passengers) Photos of the girls can be found in the phots section of this project.
- 1 Duke of Yorke Miss Adelaide Blades
- 2 Rapid Miss Molly Begot
- Africaine Miss Mary Kyffin Thomas
- Balialu Miss Audrey Morpbett
- Isabella Miss Elizabeth Skattowe
- John Denison Miss Adelaide Cudmore
- Lady Emma Miss Daphne Bowman
- Buckinghamshire Miss Nancy Gilbert
- Sir Charles Forbes Miss Molly Newland
- Pestonjee Bomanjee Miss Megan Burford Beale
- Lysander Miss Ruth Hawker
- 12 Brightman Miss Patsy Verco Clutterbuck
Cards are obtainable from Bev. S. Forsyth, Central Mission, Franklin street, Adelaide, and from the girls in the competition, or should you wish it, the envelops may be marked "Popular Ship Competition".
Another article at the end of the 12th boat story, signing off.
Concluding Article
This is the last of the series of the competitive ships represented in the Kuitpo Gala Competition. There have been expressions of regret that other equally important ships have not been included. None has regretted it more than the members of the committee have, but 12 was fixed as the limit, and these 12 ships have been typical of those that came in the early days, and the men and women who travelled on them were typical pioneers.
These articles were intended to help to picture South Australia a century ago and the difficulties and trials that beset the early settlers rather than to trace any particular family histories. There are two important aspects of pioneer life, that have not been touched on; one was the menace of bushrangers, the other the menace of blacks.
There are quite romantic and gallant stories of pioneer women who entertained a courteous and attractive traveller, only to learn some time later that their guest was some lawless bush ranger. And then the natives. Many folk remember the tales that their mothers or grandmothers have told of the days of their childhood, when left alone or with a maid only in the house, of the fierce demands for food that half paralysed them.
There is an extract from a letter that is worth quoting, and is very typical. Mr. Lloyd and his wife had gone into Adelaide with the bullock team to sell some of their farm produce, and they had to leave Emma. aged 8. and her sister Hannah, aged 5½, at home to mind the farm, and feed and attend to all the stock. Someone on a neighboring place would come and milk the cow for them, and they would do the rest. The parents would be away three days and two nights.
One of these occasions the children ran out of bread, so Emma made some scones, and put them on a piece of iron, which was laid on the fire bars to cook their tea. She looked out of the door and saw four very large aborigines carrying spears and all sorts of war weapons, coming straight to their place. It was about sunset. The children ran inside and put the bolt in the door, and put everything they could lift up against it and crouched together in a corner with fear. The blacks knocked and hammered at the door. At last one climbed up the chimney, which was being built, and seeing the scones on the fire, he put his spear down inside the chimney, and took all their scones, and the children were obliged to cook more for their tea. Even the children in those days needed backbone and grit.
These jottings record a few of the proud memories of South Australia's past. In gratitude for the foundations so nobly laid, will you not support the girls who are battling for their pioneer ships, hoping to bring them into port on August 22, laden with treasure for Kuitpo Colony-a modern pioneering venture?
References
- Popular Ship Competition (1936, June 26). Quorn Mercury (SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved August 17, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213677384
- Pioneer Ships; No. 12--The Brightman (1936, August 17). News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved August 17, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131873369