Children & Families

Research began on a second study on families in Housing Commission flats as a "response to assertions which were largely unfounded and socially denigrating about the attitudes of tenants to high rise-flats" (Magree C (ed.) 1993, Looking forward, looking back, p.11; Stevenson A, Martin E & O'Neill 1967, High Living: A Study of Family Life in Flats).

Community Issues

The BSL & Staff Community Aid Abroad Group sent £200 to Tanganyika to equip a new community development centre and provided £100 for a Social Studies Student (Brigitte Coulthurst) to make a study of how social workers are employed in India (BSL Staff Bulletin, Series 3 No.1, October 1964 p.4).

Fundraising & Resources

The annual Winter Appeal was launched by David Scott on 8 June (The Age, 8 June 1964).

Forgotten People Appeal to extend Brotherhood social services, only the second public appeal run by the Brotherhood, ran from 24 November to 24 December and was launched by the Governor (The Age, 24 December 1964; The Brotherhood News, No. 167 Dec 1964, p.3; The Brotherhood News, No. 166 Sept 1964, p.2).

Over 80,000 letters were sent out asking for donations. Thirty-nine leading businessmen formed a special Industry Committee, writing personal notes to other companies asking for their support for the Appeal. The target was £75,000 to help finance five projects - additional accommodation at Carrum Downs and St Laurence Park, Lara; an annexe to provide more beds at Carinya (many chronically ill people were being turned away); a research program into social welfare needs of the community; a visiting and occupational scheme for the "shut-in" elderly and physically handicapped people; and a permanent youth camp for young people from the inner suburbs. The "1200 Club" was part of this appeal, aiming to raise £12,000 from 1200 people giving £10 each (most raised by holding functions) towards obtaining the youth camp. (The Brotherhood News, September 1964 (No.166) p.2; BSL Annual Report 1963-1964 p.2; BSL 1965, The Rev G.K. Tucker and the Brotherhood of St Laurence).

The Governor of Victoria, Major-General Sir Rohan Delacombe was Patron-in-Chief of the Appeal (The Brotherhood News, December 1964 (No.167) p.3).

In association with the "Forgotten People" Appeal the BSL held a "Victorian Princess Quest" (The Age, 10 September, 1964.

Auxiliaries supporting the BSL were: Box Hill, Bright, Brighton, Camberwell, Caulfield/Armadale, Cheltenham-Mordialloc, City Shop, Dandenong & District, Fitzroy, Fortunas, Geelong, Glen Iris, Harrietville, Heidelberg, Koonung, Malvern, Melbourne Younger Set, Mornington, Ormond, Preston, Ringwood, Sunshine, Wangaratta, Warrandyte. Fundraising events covered a broad range, including Yoga demonstrations and "chicken & champagne luncheon followed by a card party" (The Brotherhood News, March 1964 (No.164) p.6; The Brotherhood News, June 1964 (No.165) p.6; The Brotherhood News, September 1964 (No.166) p.6).

Material & Financial support

The Social Service Bureau was providing between £300 and £400 per month in financial relief despite the Victorian Government’s scheme (The Brotherhood News, March 1964 (No.164) p.5). The amount of aid distributed by the Social Service Bureau in 1964 was a record £4,785 (The Brotherhood News, March 1965 (No.168) p.4; (The Brotherhood News, September 1964, (No.166) p..4).

The annual Christmas toy sale was held in a hall lent by St. Luke's, North Fitzroy, with volunteers including girls from Firbank. (The Brotherhood News, December 1964 (No.167) p.2)

Organisational aspects (BSL)

BSL Annual Report 1963-1964

BSL Annual Report 1964-1965

The Reverend Peter Hollingworth joined the BSL as Chaplain, "responsible for all Youth and Old People's work at Fitzroy". On taking up the position he was appointed as Director of Youth and Children's Work, with responsibilities including the Children’s Centre, Coolibah Club and Youth Centre. (The Brotherhood News, March 1964 (No.164) p.2; BSL Annual Report 1963-1964, p.9.) He began the two-year Youth Leadership Course with the Social Welfare Department in 1965 (Hughes HM, 1967, A Survey of Anglican Social Work Agencies, p.42)

Reassessment of the practice and thinking of the Social Service Bureau, given the departure of three social workers to interstate and overseas and the appointment of a Chaplain (BSL Annual Report, 1963-1964 pp.3-4).

Derek Pearse appointed Country Organiser for the Brotherhood. His work entailed "spreading knowledge of (the BSL’s) activities throughout Victoria by the use of films and addresses to meetings of local organisations. He (was also) responsible for organising the periodic country and suburban collection drives for used clothing and household goods." (The Brotherhood News, March 1964 (No.164) p.2; The Brotherhood News, September 1964 (No.166) p.3).

The BSL's Staff Bulletin was reintroduced from October, with David Scott and Graeme Hyde responsible for the monthly publication. (BSL Staff Bulletin, Series 3 No.1, October 1964 p.1)

The Brotherhood had 14 separate departments in 1964, participants in the three-day Staff Orientation Course discovered in their visits to the various Brotherhood activities. (BSL Staff Bulletin, Series 3 No.1, October 1964 p.9)

Presentations & Publications

Publication of High Rents and Low Incomes: Housing Problems of Low Income Families (Elaine Martin). It reported that low-income families (those on social service benefits and those living on less than £1,000 per year) "especially those with two or more children, have almost no hope of finding suitable accommodation on the current housing market at a price which they can afford, either through purchase or rental". (The Brotherhood News, June 1964 (No.165) pp.1-2; BSL Annual Report 1963-1964 p.2 & 7.)

Young People

The Friday night "Rock Dance" in the BSL’s Fitzroy Youth Centre "has been running for two years … and is the only one to have lasted that long in Fitzroy. Every six weeks small groups of boys go away on weekend camps with the leaders … the most important means we have of moulding group cohesion and developing a sense of co-operation." (The Brotherhood News, June 1964 (No.165) p.3)

A group of Wesley College boys moved into "Morven" in Mornington for 8 days while they undertook a variety of jobs ranging from painting and general maintenance to construction work under the direction and supervision of local tradesmen. (BSL Staff Bulletin, Series 3 No.1, October 1964 p.6)