The Influence of the Friendly Society Movement in Victoria 1835–1920
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Influence of the Friendly Society Movement in Victoria 1835–1920 Roland S. Wettenhall Post Grad. Dip. Arts A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 24 June 2019 Faculty of Arts School of Historical and Philosophical Studies The University of Melbourne ABSTRACT Entrepreneurial individuals who migrated seeking adventure, wealth and opportunity initially stimulated friendly societies in Victoria. As seen through the development of friendly societies in Victoria, this thesis examines the migration of an English nineteenth-century culture of self-help. Friendly societies may be described as mutually operated, community-based, benefit societies that encouraged financial prudence and social conviviality within the umbrella of recognised institutions that lent social respectability to their members. The benefits initially obtained were sickness benefit payments, funeral benefits and ultimately medical benefits – all at a time when no State social security systems existed. Contemporaneously, they were social institutions wherein members attended regular meetings for social interaction and the friendship of like-minded individuals. Members were highly visible in community activities from the smallest bush community picnics to attendances at Royal visits. Membership provided a social caché and well as financial peace of mind, both important features of nineteenth-century Victorian society. This is the first scholarly work on the friendly society movement in Victoria, a significant location for the establishment of such societies in Australia. The thesis reveals for the first time that members came from all strata of occupations, from labourers to High Court Judges – a finding that challenges conventional wisdom about the class composition of friendly societies. Finally, the extent of their presence in all aspects of society, from philanthropic to military, and rural to urban, is revealed through their activities and influence in their communities. Their physical legacy has diminished as buildings were demolished or re-purposed, but it remains visible in some prominent structures in major Victorian cities. A final legacy is the Victorian community’s on-going financial use of private health insurance cover. This financial prudence has its roots in the friendly society movement. Theirs is largely an invisible history but one deserving of being told. ii DECLARATION This is to certify that: i. This thesis comprises only my original work towards the Ph.D., ii. Due acknowledgement has been made in the text to all material used, iii. The thesis is less than 100,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, illustrations, bibliography and appendices. Signed: Date: 24 June 2019 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My great grandfather, Holford Highlord Wettenhall, was a member of the Australian Natives Association Friendly Society. My parents were members of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, Friendly Society. My wife, Susan, was a member of a friendly society, again the ANA. These friendly societies’ names are part of my familial life. When Professor John Murphy noted in a class that a history of friendly societies in Victoria had not been written, I knew some of the names that were apparently missing from historiography. Such was the germ of an idea for this thesis. Professors Andrew May and John Murphy have provided unwavering support for this thesis as my supervisors, and importantly as mentors in the academy. Academic disciplines and conventions are important, and their gentle but persuasive advice has guided my hand and research skills to a much higher standard. I will always be thankful for their time and commitment. Other academics have also inspired me to rise to the occasion, perhaps without realising their impact on a mere student. Associate Professor Faye Anderson, Monash University, first taught me the importance of the method of writing history. Emeritus Professor Stuart Macintyre was sheer inspiration. His advice was to write a thesis. Much of this thesis evolved from primary sources held by individuals who have become the keepers of the friendly society flame. Innes Russell made available Independent Order of Rechabites materials and information as did Russell Morrison with a large collection of Ancient Order of Foresters documents. Beryl Armstrong, the archivist for Australian Unity, provided research space, digitised records, and an extraordinary collection of memorabilia for researching the Manchester Unity and the ANA. Equally generous was Michael Taffe, archivist at the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat Archive with the nationally significant collection of material tracing the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society back to its foundation. Overseas, the staff at the Peoples History Museum in Manchester, the Manchester Unity Museum, and the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, in London, were particularly welcoming after long travelling. Closer to home, the staff at the Noel Butlin Archive Centre in Canberra, the Geelong Heritage Centre and the University of Melbourne Archives were always available to retrieve documents and to guide me through their catalogues. Finally, my wife Susan has so patiently lived with my obsession to write this narrative. I am blessed. Thank you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................................. ii DECLARATION ....................................................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .................................................................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................................... ix ABBREVIATIONS AND USE OF NAMES ......................................................................................................... x INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Summary of Chapters and Appendices ................................................................................................. 23 CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Translocation and the State ............................................................................................................................ 26 Background Differences between England and Victoria ............................................................... 29 Introduction of Legislation ........................................................................................................................ 32 Societies at Risk, a Royal Commission and New Legislation ....................................................... 40 1877 legislation and its effectiveness ................................................................................................... 49 CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................................... 58 Settlement, Occupations, Democracy ......................................................................................................... 58 Early Settlements and Friendly Societies ............................................................................................ 59 Occupational Review .................................................................................................................................... 66 Clearances ......................................................................................................................................................... 81 Democracy and Mateship ........................................................................................................................... 86 CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................................................ 91 Inside a Friendly Society .................................................................................................................................. 91 Who Was a Member of a Friendly Society? ......................................................................................... 92 Meetings and Meeting Places .................................................................................................................. 100 Symbolism of The Friendly Societies................................................................................................... 115 Processions and Demonstrations ......................................................................................................... 122 Banners ........................................................................................................................................................... 133 Rituals, Passwords and Regalia ............................................................................................................. 138 Passwords ......................................................................................................................................................