CAMP FOR HOMELESS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1931, Page 7

CAMP FOR HOMELESS

SYDNEY’S “HAPPY FAMILY.” i FINE COMMUNITY SPIRIT. Sydney, June 9. Homeless men and women, driven from their occupations by the depression, and without money to pay even the lowest rent and yet still struggling to retain their self-respect and keep a roof of some sort over their heads—these are the kind of people, some 350 of them, who occupy “Happy Valley,” the unemployed camp at La Perouse, near Sydney. Waiting until the sun shines through the murk of depression, these people have gathered in a community that for self-help and orderly conduct must stand alone.

In Happy Valley there is complete self-government, with an absence of bickering that is a lesson to larger communities; there persons are bonded together by common misfortune and determined to make the best of things with a smile and a laugh; there, there is no bowing down before fate in spiritless resignation, but a whole-hearted and concerted effort to see that the lot of none in the camp is harder than it should be. The Governor, Sir Philip Game, and Lady Game, visited the camp to-day, and came away greatly impressed with its conduct and the type of men and -women who compose the community. For some months homeless families have camped at Happy Valley, and the numbers increased to such an extent that it was decided that some form of control should be instituted. Nine weeks ago a constitution was framed. This provided for the election of a committee of seven with a president, vicepresident, organising secretary and treasurer, and rules for the conduct of the camp—-which is on land owned by the Commonwealth —were drafted. The committee sees that these rules are rigorously enforced. Once a fortnight a general camp meeting is held, and then the affairs of the community are discussed by all and the actions of the committee are submitted for approval. The meetings are conducted in a businesslike manner, and the constitution is adhered to rigidly. 1 When 131 families had pitched their tent-s or erected huts on the site it was decided that saturation point had been reached and no further immigration is allowed now. Control of the camp is non-political and non-sectarian. Every site is numbered, and in the office gifts of food, clothing or furniture that come in are tabulated and distributed according to the needs of the various families. Next to the office is a library, and next to that again is a storeroom where donations are received and sorted. In a cup-like hollow in the centre of the camp the ground has been cleared for recreation purposes, and already two football teams —Rugby and Soccer-—have been formed. Many gifts have been sent to the camp, including a tent which has been fitted out with beds for a hospital. This is in charge of a competent first-aid man who is a member of the community. Happy Valley may well claim that it is the best-organised camp of its kind in Australia, and its inhabitants seem determined to keep it so.