Local Youths Supported War Effort

Growing vegetables at Eaglemont for the Repat.

The war effort during the Second World War took many forms - not just the front line.

There were women working on the home front in munitions  factories, and in the agriculture industry, right across the nation. Novel work for most of them.

There was an extensive medical and hospital infrastructure created - our local example is "the Repat".

(HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-10-08. PRIVATE M. O'BRIEN, AIF, GREETING HIS SISTER MRS J. SMITH WITH A KISS AS THE HOSPITAL TRAIN ARRIVES AT THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL WITH WOUNDED SERVICEMEN FROM NEW GUINEA.)

Young people joined the war effort well ahead of the time they could don the uniform.

The Age, 14.10.1942, Page 4

Youthful Vegetable Growers

To help the war effort the City of Heidelberg Youth Power Group has enrolled hundreds of children. In a recent drive they collected, in conjunction with other school children, 12 tons of old rubber.

Vegetable growing is in hand on land offered by citizens. Many more backyard plots or vacant blocks are required in Fairfield, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg and Greensborough wards.

Owners who can offer suitable land are asked to communicate with the hon. secretary, Mr. W. Nixon, Waterdale-road, Ivanhoe, JX1781.

Nilss has unearthed evidence of a particularly fine contribution right here in Eaglemont.

This photo is from the Australia War Memorial site. The original photo was published in the Herald Sun.

Does anyone recognise this elevated vacant block in Eaglemont?

The references cited on the War Memorial site -

HEIDELBERG, VIC. 1943-10-11. MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL FITNESS CLASS OF THE HEIDELBERG YOUTH POWER GROUP GROWING VEGETABLES FOR THE 115TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL ON A VACANT BLOCK OF LAND AT EAGLEMONT.

My guess is that this group of local lads, under the supervision of a uniformed officer & soldier, are harvesting, weeding and hoe-ing a bed of rhubarb.

It is Spring 1943, and a good crop of weeds surrounds the vegetable patch.

Thirteen youths and 2 military personnel by my count.

This is the "pitch in and do your bit" attitude we need to exhibit to improve our place, to strengthen our community.