The Dandenong Journal reported on January 23, 1952 (1) that Miss Beatrice (Trixie) Thomas had been appointed as the Berwick Shire Secretary. Miss Thomas had been employed by the Shire for 27 years and had been acting as the Assistant Secretary for 'some time.' She was the daughter of Albert Thomas, who founded the Berwick Shire News, later the Pakenham Gazette in 1909 and the sister of Herb Thomas, who took over the paper from his father. As a matter of interest, Beatrice Evelyn Victoria Thomas was born on January 22, 1901, the same day Queen Victoria died, so not surprising she has Victoria in her name. She died on February 10, 1997. (2)
Miss Thomas followed Mr K. A. McKay in the role, who had served for four years and resigned in December 1951. Keith McKay had taken over from the long serving James Joseph Ahern who was in the role from 1906 until he retired December 1947. (3)
Miss Thomas' appointment.
Dandenong Journal January 23 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222356811
Clearly, Miss Thomas was well qualified for the position, however the Returned Soldiers League (RSL) and the Pakenham Upper Progress Association protested against the appointment as the newspaper article from the Dandenong Journal of February 27, 1952 reported (see below). I have transcribed the article as it gives the rationale for the appointment of Miss Thomas and the support she had from the Councillors.
Miss Thomas' appointment challenged
Dandenong Journal, February 27, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222357570
Shire Challenged On Failure To Give Preference To Returned Servicemen. “Appointment of Secretary made in best interests of Ratepayers" it replies.
Challenged from two quarters over its failure to give preference to returned servicemen in its recent appointment of a new Shire Secretary, Berwick Shire Council last week replied that the appointment had been made in the best interests of returned soldiers. Chief defendant of council’s action was Cr. C. Greaves, himself a returned man, who said he was very happy over the appointment, but he did compliment the two organisations who had raised the matter, because it showed their vigilance - and vigilance was necessary if preference was to be preserved.Emphatic Protest - Pakenham Upper Progress Association forwarded an emphatic protest against the departure from the principle of preference to ex-servicemen in the appointment of Shire Secretary.
R.S.L. asks for reasons - Pakenham Branch R.S.L. asked that council inform them of its reasons for departure from the established policy of extending preference to returned service men in the recent appointment. Members of the branch desired to know how many returned service men made application for the position, and, if any, what were their qualifications and experience in municipal administration.
Cr. Kinsella said that both organisations were entitled to a courteous reply. He thought they should be informed that council had been out to obtain the best service it could for the rate payers - and preference was always qualified by “other qualifications being equal.”
“Both bodies are entitled to a full explanation”. Cr. Greaves declared. “Among the returned soldier applicants were none known to us. Had there been a returned soldier applicant in the office with the necessary qualifications he would have got the job. ... I was not prepared to put a stranger into such an important position, especially at this stage. A few years ago this shire was the envy of every shire in the State, but since then we have drifted into financial morass and our present position is causing all of us a lot of concern. Our rates are high and those who are paying rates on broad acres are almost desperate. We had to appoint somebody who was not only capable but willing to economise. Miss Thomas has grown up in the right tradition. She has been 27 years in this office and she knows, as we know, that we have to practice economies. ... I am very happy about her appointment and in congratulating her on getting the position I would also like to congratulate her on the way she has carried out the business of the meeting today. . .I would also like to congratulate the two organisations who have asked this council for an explanation of its action. I think they are entitled to a full explanation. It is now seven years since the last war ended and the further away it recedes the less consideration will be given to returned men. I am afraid a lot regard preference as a penalty against the non - returned soldier. That is quite wrong. It is a just reward to those who suffered physically and mentally on war service. ... It has been remarked at this table today that preference only applies “other things being equal.” I must nail that! That is wrong - there is nothing in the Act about that. Other things can’t be equal. We have in this council as good a proportion of returned soldiers as in any other council in the State. To be perfectly honest we are not always loyal to our comrades and the principles they stand for. It is necessary that these bodies should be vigilant, as public men are apt to forget and we need constant prodding to remind us of our duty. If Cr. Kinsella moves his motion I will second it.”
Cr. Kinsella said he didn’t want to make a motion of it. His approach, to the appointment had been to gain the best service for the ratepayers of the shire. “Although I sought it, I didn’t have the privilege of carrying arms for my country”, he added, “but my family has been well in it and I claim to have a fair inside knowledge of the feelings of a family that has had active service.
“Despite that, be I right or wrong, service to our rate payers and the efficient handling of their business is my main concern. You all know what my attitude was four years ago, and the past four years have justified my attitude then. If there had been anybody among the Returned Servicemen applicants who measured up to what I know this jobs takes, I would have considered them, but I think we did the right thing.”
“I feel very strongly on this”, put in Cr. T. Houlihan. “Preference to returned soldiers is something I’ve come up against ever since I returned from the First World War. I found on more than one occasion that preference was always given when it was pick and shovel work, but not when there were administrative posts to be filled. I know in my case, and in others that preference hasn’t been given to returned soldiers when all other things have been equal. The League is doing nothing more than it should do in asking for an explanation.
"I've listened to this issue for the last 30 years”, declared Cr. C. Harris, another returned man.. . . “I've fought for it for years, but in this case I seconded Cr. Kinsella's motion for the appointment of Miss Thomas. I still say we did the right thing and I’m sticking to my guns. If they want a thorough explanation I’ll go along and explain the position fully.”
Cr. Rae : Their main query is that we got away from the minute we put on our books in 1941. Finally council, on the motion of Crs Kinsella and Greaves, resolved. “That though we appreciate the enquiries of both organisations we wish to state that the appointment made was made, in our opinion, in the best interests of ratepayers." (4)
Of the Councillors mentioned in the report, Cr Dan Kinsella had lost his brother in World War One. Bertram Kinsella as Killed in Action on September 25, 1917. His other brother, Norman, had also served. Cr Kinsella's sisters were both nurses - Kathleen did not survive the sinking of the Vyner Brooke in February 1942; Nancie served in the Middle East and then nursed the survivors of the Belsen Concentration camp. Cr Thomas Francis Houlihan and Cr Claud Alfred Harris also served in the Great War. (5)
Dandenong Journal, March 26 1952, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222358110
One month later, the R.S.L. requested more information from the Council about the appointment. Once again, the Dandenong Journal reported - this is an abridged version of the report, read the full report here.
Pakenham R.S.L. Persists in Preference Probe
Feeling that the Berwick Council had not given the information it asked for at its last meeting over the appointment of a non-returned service secretary, Pakenham R.S.L. last week repeated its request for this information: “How many returned servicemen applied for the position? What were their qualifications?”, it asked. It is getting the information it sought, but not before several brushes between councillors not over any desire to withhold the information but over the claim of some councillors that they had been in favor of giving the information in the first place, but couldn’t get support. This was challenged.
Cr Houlihan said he felt the R.S.L. was entitled to this information. Their purpose was to watch the interests of the returned servicemen and they couldn’t do this unless they had the information. When the advertisement appeared one clause in it was “Preference to Returned Soldiers.” There were 22 applicants for the position, but no one outside the committee of the council knew whether any returned soldier was included or not. Pakenham R.S.L., had been placed in a very awkward position. They were responsible to the League to see that preference was given to returned soldiers in their district. “They do know” proceeded Cr. Houlihan, "that the secretary who was appointed is not a returned soldier although our advertisement stated that preference would be given to returned soldiers. And while I’m in this council I hope to see that preference is given to returned servicemen, or an opinion voiced in support of that policy. ... I feel that the branch is entitled to this information so that they can take proper action. Cr. Houlihan moved that the information be supplied.
Seconding this motion, Cr. Greaves claimed that he had tried to get a more adequate reply in the first place.
There was some support for Miss Thomas - Cr. Kinsella said - I feel this matter has gone far enough. I came to this council table with one purpose only - and that is to get the best service possible for the ratepayers. I took the action in moving as I did in furtherance of that policy and I was supported by 10 councillors. I have nothing against telling the R.S.L. what it wants to know. Certainly tell them. I would say that ’when the position became vacant we should have appointed Miss Thomas there and then if that was our intention. We can’t appoint a member of the staff unless it is unanimous'. 'I may-be wrong', proceeded Cr. Kinsella, but I believe that for a returned soldier to serve this council he would have to have qualities at least equal with one who has given this council long and loyal service and who has nothing against them. I would always support the appointment of one whom I believe, rightly or wrongly, has served this shire well. ... I do object to councillors now getting up and saying they said things they definitely did not say when this matter first came before council. (6)
The controversy was still raging a month later when the Dandenong Journal conducted a 'vox pop' on the issue.
The man in the street was asked their opinion
Dandenong Journal, April 22 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23175326
Berwick Shire appointment is job for man, they say
The dispute that has thrown Berwick and Pakenham into two camps - whether Miss Beatrice Thomas should be Shire Secretary was settled at the Berwick Shire Council meeting yesterday. But the result is a closely guarded secret. Cr. A. G. Robinson, Shire President, said 'Miss Thomas's appointment was made with the full approval of council' Mr. Vernon Clark, Pakenham R. S. L. branch honorary secretary,who wants an ex-serviceman appointed, was not admitted to the meeting. Mr Clark will seek the advice of a Queen's Counsel on whether the Council violated it's agreement to grant preference to returned servicemen.
Shire residents yesterday supported Mr Clark's protest.
Mr. L. C. Futcher, Pakenham shopkeeper, said: 'Rejection of the promises made to returned servicemen is a thing that should be stopped before it spreads to other Councils and other employees'.
Miss Alma Lang of Berwick: 'I have two brothers who went right through the War, so I'll always stick up for servicemen'.
Miss Joyce Berry, cook, at Berwick Hospital: 'How can we expect men to join up for the next War if those who fought in the last one aren't given a fair go'.
Misses Evande Trebilen and Pat Fritzlaff, Berwick dressmakers: 'The Shire Secretary's job is a man's job whether he's a returned soldier or not'. (7)
Counterblast to the R.S.L.
Dandenong Journal, May 21, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222359127
The Dandenong Journal of May 21, 1952 published another article on the issue, this time reporting on some support Miss Thomas was receiving from a number of high profile women's groups.
Women Rally to Defence of Berwick's Shire Secretary. Counterblast To R.S.L.'s Protest.
The women are not taking the R.S.L’s. protest against the appointment of Miss Beatrice Thomas, as Berwick Shire Secretary in preference to an ex-serviceman, lying down. At Monday’s meeting, no less than five letters were received by council, congratulating it on having appointed Miss Thomas, and urging it to stand its ground.The National Council of Women wrote: "We desire to express to the President and the members of council our appreciation of your action in not allowing any discrimination on the grounds of sex to
prevent you from appointing the most suitable applicant for the position".
Dr Janet P. Cooper of Albert Park, wrote: "Having read of your selecting Miss Thomas as Shire Secretary, I am pleased to congratulate you on recognising her service and ability. While fully appreciating and remembering what we all owe to the ex-service people, there are situations when the ratepayers are entitled to the most efficient service".
"The League of Women Voters of Victoria congratulate your Shire Council on having appointed as Shire Secretary, your very experienced officer, Miss Thomas’ wrote the president of that organisation. 'The officers and members hope that, in spite of any protests that may be made you will continue to employ Miss Thomas in that position, and to enjoy her services, which after 25 years experience, must be entirely adequate".
Expressing concern at the press statement made by an R.S.L. representative, 'That we will oppose the appointment of a woman as Shire Secretary", the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Victoria, wrote: "We feel that the appointment would not have been made unless the council is assured that the best interests of the shire would be served by this officer, and trust that your council will adhere to the decision to make qualifications rather than sex, or other issues the basis of the appointment".
Voicing their congratulations on the appointment the Business Professional Women’s Club of Melbourne stated: 'This club considers that in the interests of the community, appointments should made having regard only for the ability and experience of the candidates, and without discrimination because of sex". (8)
Berwick Shire Council, 1965, including Miss Thomas.
Image: From Syd Pargeter (second from right, middle row), Casey Cardinia Libraries.
So what happened in the end? Miss Thomas retained her appointment and served the Shire of Berwick until she retired in January 1966.
.jpg)
The retirement dinner for Miss Thomas.
Miss Thomas, outside the headquarters of Historical Society, 1980s.
Image: Shire of Pakenham photographer
I first wrote this post in July 2017 for my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past, but as Miss Thomas is in the news again, I thought I would update and republish it here. There is a new housing estate between Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon and the Cardinia Shire is looking for a name and I suggested it be named after Miss Thomas. Her name has been short-listed and the Pakenham Gazette published the following in their April 10, 2024 edition.
Pakenham Gazette, April 10, 2024, p.4.
To be honest, I think others suggested the name as well, but Corey Everitt, the journalist, gave me the credit! I will let you know what the result is.
Footnotes
(1) Dandenong Journal January 23 1952, see here.
(2) Headstone, Pakenham Cemetery https://www.australiancemeteries.com.au/vic/cardinia/pakenham.htm
(3) In the Wake of the Pack Tracks: a history of the Shire of Berwick (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1982)
(4) Dandenong Journal, February 27, 1952, see here.
(5) Nancie and Kathleen Kinsella - https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/nancie-and-kathleen-kinsella.html
(6) Dandenong Journal, March 26 1952, see here.
(7) Dandenong Journal, April 22 1952, see here.
(8) Dandenong Journal, May 21, 1952, see here.
(9) In the Wake of the Pack Tracks: a history of the Shire of Berwick, op. cit and https://bphs.com.au/about-us
