Sydney City Missions records

MLMSS 10752

fonds

approximately 1928-1965

Textual Records, Moving Images

9606086

1.08 metres of textual material (3 boxes), includes videotape reels

Newly arrived English migrant Benjamin Short, appalled by the poverty he witnessed in Sydney, established the Sydney City Mission to address the spiritual and physical needs of the city's inhabitants. Supported by a group of evangelical churchmen, Short established the Sydney City Mission at a meeting at the Pitt Street Temperance Hall on 11 July 1862 and served as secretary until 1869. One of the first Mission districts was set up in Fort Street, Millers Point. The mission's priority was to improve the spiritual wellbeing of the poor. The 1890s brought an economic depression, drought and unemployment, forcing the government to provide limited relief and age pensions. Sydney City Mission solicited donations to provide Christmas dinners for the poor. From 1894, vouchers instead of food parcels were distributed, enabling needy families to preserve some self-respect. The mission established food depots, with local tradesmen providing large quantities of bread, meat and vegetables to help people survive the winter months.
Between 1916 and 1976, the Sydney City Mission operated several children's homes, and in the 1980s, the Mission established a series of family group homes. In 1996, Sydney City Mission merged with other missions to form Mission Australia and continues to operate many of the group homes.

The collection consists of ;

BOX 1-2
Film, approximately 20 cannisters. Sydney City Mission originals. Includes ‘The Forgotten People’ and ‘The Strangest People’.

BOX 3
General Secretary’s Agenda 1951-1960
Subscriptions and Donations 1928-1941
Staff salaries 1949-1950
Missionaries Retiring Fund 1929-1936
Annual Tea and Festival 1952-1955
Tradesman’s Accounts for Springwood Home and Cronulla Home (includes itemised shopping lists) 1936-1947
Deputation Book
Executive minutes 1960-1961, 1964-1965

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Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder

https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/sydney_city_mission

Mitchell file not found for this material