by admin | Nov 29, 2014 | General Collection, Paediatric
The decade from 1929-1939 was one of great hardship for many Australians. It was in this challenging environment in 1930 that the decision was made to raise funds for a much-needed new children’s ward at the Ipswich Hospital – by children. In the days before social media, Queensland Times journalist Fred Ware, known to his many young readers as Uncle William, played a pivotal role in unifying and motivating the community behind this cause. The fundraising achievements of the whole community, but especially the children, in these tough depression years, were nothing short of astonishing. As far back as 1919 Uncle William had extolled the virtues of hard work in his Children’s Corner column to approximately 100 “nieces and nephews”. His young readers became members of the Sunshine League which raised funds over the years for much needed items for the Ipswich Hospital. A decade later when the need arose for a new children’s ward, Uncle William encouraged League members to take on this herculean task: “… we have only to think of how it will help a sick child to get better in a fine new building erected by the loving labour of other children, his pals, to know something of the significance and influence that our new Sunshine Ward will shed on our little friends who go there to regain their health.” From the beginning, community support for the new children’s ward was very strong. Those unable to donate in cash did so in kind (for example “a quarter of a mile of eggs” was donated in 1933). In 1931 and 1932 the Sunshine League presented cheques...
