brokenhill

What an extraordinary image, hiding their identities I guess. "In 1908 BHP attempted to reduce wages on the expiration of an existing industrial agreement. In response the unions commenced a recruitment campaign and began agitation for increased wages. Following an agreement on conditions BHP closed its mines and announced that it would re-open 'after the Christmas period with rates reduced by 12.5 percent. The company eventually re-opened with non-union labour. In response the unions picketed the mine and battles with police ensued. The lockout lasted 20 weeks with many miners defecting from the union ranks." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_Hill_Trades_Hall Picketers with an effigy of a 'hanged scab' - www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/04/20/2546761.htm#:~:te.... "The Great Lockout of 1909 was prologued in 1908 when the bosses decided through the voice of John Darling, Chairman of Directors of B.H.P. that wages must come down by 12.5 percent, i.e. from the minimum of 8/7½ to 7/6 per day." (added emphasis) www.solidarityforeverbook.com/cgi-bin/showchapter.pl?c=4 "During prolonged industrial struggles women bore the brunt of increasingly difficult household duties, exacerbated by food shortages and the lack of income. During the five-month 1909 Lockout, the first industrial dispute to take place in Broken Hill for sixteen years, women formed a Relief Committee to help those struggling to feed and clothe their families. The 'Big Strike' that lasted 18 months from 1919 to 1920 was an extremely trying period. Co-operative depots were established by the unions, supplying housewives with basic food such as bread, margarine, potatoes and onions. Many mothers saw their children suffer from malnutrition. Miscarriages due to poor diet and anxiety were common. The Big Strike was the last major strike that the women of Broken Hill had to endure. It was finally called off on 10 November 1920 after both the unions and mine managers agreed to the recommendations made by the President of the New South Wales Industrial Court, Justice Edmunds." www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE4102b.htm

What a great photo. I would not have thought Broken Hill was that civilized in 1908 - stone buildings, steam trams, park with bandstand, Amcoorie tea etc ...

It looks a bit like a museum diorama for some reason?

The people on the corner liked their privacy, didn't they? Or was it an early example of selling the naming rights to their fence?

As a postcard -

The "new" Gaol was opened in1892. There's a delightful description of a reporter's visit and the names of guards etc. Could these be the folk posing outside the new building (with the door open)? From the 'Barrier Miner' (Broken Hill) 17/1/1892 p.4 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/44088907 Google Street View - maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geo...

I must admit I had doubts this was Broken Hill, because of the grand size of the building, and the almost complete lack of any other photos of the place to compare. But I was wrong, and this photo matches -



"Visitor Information: Bookings are not required. Visiting times are weekends and public holidays between 10.00am and 2.30pm. Notice of intention to visit is appreciated, but not required. "

beachcomber australia Thanks for your research, we will update the caption to "c.1892". ...I see there was an escape from the newly-opened gaol just a week before this reporter's story but he wasn't on the run for long. Our catalogue, Archives Investigator [see Advanced Search --> Agency --> 463], states that "the prisoners were transferred to the new premises on 8 November, 1892 which is considered to be the commencement date of the new Broken Hill Gaol." The prisoners were transferred from Silverton Gaol (the Police Gaol at Broken Hill) opened in 1888 and disestablished after the transfer of prisoners in 1892. AB