Summary

Issue 10 of 'Boomerangs Bulletin', a newsletter printed by the YMCA. This edition, printed on 23 June 1956, was edited by P Blyth. The newsletter has a number of articles, all written from a Christian perspective. This newsletter belonged to Richard Diggins, a member of the seniors department in 1956.

Richard Diggins joined the YMCA when he was 10 years old. He progressed through the Boy's Department, then the Seniors and on to the Young Men's Department. His association with the YMCA ended in 1969 when he moved to Western Australia to take up a position as Public Relations Manager for the Bank of New South Wales.

Physical Description

A4 piece of cream paper folded to make four pages. Typed text on each page. The front page has an image of a boomerang below the YMCA triangle symbol.

Significance

This small group of material complements a collection of 27 items donated to the museum by Richard Diggins (22 items in 1993, and 5 in March 2010). The collection comprises booklets, newsletters, certificates, badges, a blazer pocket and banner and cover the period of Richard Diggins membership of the YMCA (1947-1969), particularly his membership of the George Williams Club. Effectively there are two objects in this lot: a banner and five issues of the 'Boomerangs Bulletin' from 1956. The banner represents the camp aspect of the 'Y', not yet represented in this collection though an important part of the philosophy of the organisation. The newsletters link to the Boomerang club badge acquired in March (HT 24100), providing context for the badge's interpretation.

Richard Diggins has submitted a brief 'history' of the Y and the George Williams Club, which has been transcribed as a narrative.

Although we are not actively collecting Society related material, I propose accepting this donation as it completes the Diggins' story, and will allow a comprehensive interpretation of the YMCA in 1950s Melbourne, if we ever choose to present this story.

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