A WALK THROUGH HISTORY

By Rhys Killick

Life in the city, like now, was rather chaotic. If you weren’t careful, you’d end up under a Carriage wheel! Also, if you wanted to cross the street, you’d step through sewerage, dirt, and other gross stuff.

City life was often considered bad, compared to the open air and space of the country. Many people living in the city were working class-to-middle class citizens. People would work long hours, and get payed small amounts, barely enough to live off.

Wexford Street in 1900. Many working class citizens lived in these conditions.

All children were required to attend Primary School. Only the richer children could afford to go to Secondary School.

The average person lived to the age of 54. Easily treated diseases were killers in those times, like the flu, cold, and others. Deadly diseases like the bubonic plague were easily spread by rats and other vermin, as shown by the image below. Hospitals were horrible places, and did not help with treating diseases. Unsanitised hands and unmasked doctors undertook surgery in front of dozens of patients, and unwashed equipment was used. Little back then was known about the spread of disease, so Hospitals were next to useless.

Also, cities were usually in poor conditions, especially where working-class citizens lived. Run-down houses, and nothing more than a hole in the ground for a toilet caused the spread of hundreds of diseases.

Many families, on a Sunday, would go out. This was called a “Sunday Outing”, and people would attend Church and relax afterwards. Such things as picnics, trips to the beach, music, reading, and even a good night’s sleep were considered a special activity on Sundays. Although much fun was to be had, sadly for most women, household labour kept them at home for most of the time. For the rich in society, they would attend there favourite clubs, as well as women, who had there own separate club. Also, the rich would often bet on horses, sitting in the grandstand. Although all classes in society could bet, only the well-off could honestly afford it.

A Gramophone, just one example of musical entertainment. Other things such as piano were also used.

Punters at the races, hoping for a win (and possibly a change of fortune).

Working conditions were not the best during the 18-1900’s. Workers were often treated and payed poorly, and worked long hours. Servants were not payed, but were allowed to live on the land they worked on, and taken care of, although they worked longer hours than people in the city.Workers often worked in poor conditions, and everything had to be done by hand, as shown in the picture below. People would sit at small spaces, cramped up against each other, in damp and dirty factories. Many injuries could be sustained when working in factories, and workers were not compensated for them. After riots, complaints, and poor treatment of workers, the Australian Labor Party was started, which pushed for the fair rights of workers across Australia. They successfully passed minimum wage, which ensured all workers were payed a minimum amount for there work. This ensured workers were not ripped off, and could earn a wage they could live on.

Shearers at work. Most shearers were treated poorly, earning only 2 pounds per 100 sheep sheared. And, if the boss wasn’t satisfied, they weren’t payed at all!

Step-by-step process in a shoe factory.