Banner of the W A Record Newspaper Perth
The weekly newspaper, The W A Record in Perth, had a special section (often running for up to four pages) in their publication which was just for catholic school children in Western Australia. The page ran for approximately three years commencing in April 1904 to 1906. It was called ‘Our Children of the West, their own corner in the record by Aunt Nora’.
Children would write to the ‘Nome de plume ‘Aunt Nora’, and later ‘Aunt Bessie’, at the newspaper and send in details of all sorts of things they were doing at home or in school or in sporting events, pets and their families, things that a child might write about to a real ‘Aunt’. Sometimes they would have competitions for the ‘nieces and nephews’ in the form of essays and poetry and often photographs would also be included. If their letter was published in the Record, ‘Aunt Nora’ would also include a personal reply. The page was started to improve the literacy of children.
The quality of some of the children’s writing compared to their age is amazing. I have included a few examples here. Should you wish to read more of them you can just search ‘Our Children of the West’ on TROVE.
The original announcement of the start of the page. W.A. Record 2 April 1904
W.A. Record 26 March 1904, page 4
‘Our Children of the West’ Prominent amongst the upcoming improvements in immediate contemplation is the devotion of a liberal amount of space in each week’s issue to letters from
“Catholic school children in all parts of the State”
This is a new feature in journalism that must prove interesting and instructive to our rising generation. By writing letters periodically to their W.A. Record Aunt, the children will naturally derive inestimable advantages. It will not only have, the effect of improving their style of composition, but will serve also as a medium for bringing the Catholic school children in the scattered districts of the State more in touch with each other, and this interchange of ideas must be productive of good results to them all.
Edith Stubbs, Age 14yrs, 55 Campbell St, Kalgoorlie – Writer of the first letter to Children’s Corner and the first to have her photograph included.
7 St. Alban’s Road,
Piccadilly, Kalgoorlie
Dear Aunt Nora, — You will be surprised to hear from me again, after my long silence, I hope you will forgive me this time. We had beautiful weather during the holidays. I spent mine in Perth with my Aunt and Uncle on Boxing Day and enjoyed the change very much. My sister Edie came down for a fortnight And we stayed, at an old friend’s in Subiaco. We were out every day and had a good time. My Aunt Lizzie is going to Victoria, we will miss her very much, she was so good to us, she is leaving on the first of March. Dear Aunt Nora, the Christmas number of the “Record” was just lovely, we were delighted to see Father Morris’s portrait in it we knew him, very well in Denmark. Mother says Amy was the first child he baptised in Australia. Father Hayes is back again with us, he looks ever so much better. Canon Robinson has gone to the Eastern States. Dear Aunt Nora, I must not make my letter too long, as I have a lot of lessons to do. I will now conclude, hoping you are quite well, I remain Your fond niece, ANNIE COUGHLAN.
W.A. Record 12 November 1904 – Gladys Cressy won a Competitive Essay Competition with the subject of” WHY ALL CATHOLICS SHOULD SUPPORT ‘ THE WEST AUSTRALIAN RECORD”
Sadie Cressey
Turner Street, South Kalgoorlie,
May 20th, 1904.
Dear Aunt Nora — As this is my first letter to the Record I would like very much to see it in print. I am nine years old and in the fourth standard. I go to All Hallows Convent School in Boulder City, it is about one mile and a half away. I will now tell you, dear Aunt Nora, about my native home. I was born in Tasmania, the sunny island of the south. We came to West Australia about five years ago. I have two granda’s living in Tasmania. One of them went home to Ireland for a trip just before we left, and he brought back with him some lovely presents for us. He often gets letters and presents from the nuns in Ireland, he also gets green ribbons and shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day.
Dear Aunt Nora, were you ever in Tasmania? It is a lovely place with beautiful fern trees and such nice gardens and orchards. We had a nice lot of fruit in our orchard, and we miss it very much. We lived on a farm, and we had cattle, horses, and sheep. I reared a dear little lamb. Mother used to say it was as big as myself because I was very small then. It is so different for us living here, we have no pets, only one goat, her name is Rosy, and some fowls and a dog, his name is Tiger. I can tell you a lot about Tasmania, but I’m afraid my tetter would be too long. Dear Aunt Nora, when you come to Kalgoorlie will you come to see our home here. We will try to make you very comfortable and happy during your visit, and I will tell you a lot of news. I will now say goodbye. dear Aunt Nora. Your affectionate niece, Sadie Cressy.
Our Children of the West Motto
Moya Sharp
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