A simple cache at an interesting church that the locals are trying very hard not to have sold off.
Taken from - https://www.churchesoftasmania.com/2018/06/st-georges-anglican-church-morals-and.html
The settlement of Mathinna in the upper reaches of the South Esk River Valley is now a shadow of the thriving town of a century ago. The discovery of gold accelerated the growth of the town from the 1870’s and the establishment of the Golden Gate Mine briefly turned Mathinna into the third largest town in Tasmania. Today less than 150 people live at the settlement.
By the 1890's there were three denominations at Mathinna. St George’s was built in 1896 on a hill overlooking the town. The opening of the church on Sunday 29 March received little attention in the press apart from a brief report that Reverend Vale preached the first sermon and this was “attended by crowded congregations”.
In 1908 a series of letters published in the Daily Telegraph concerning the ‘youth’ of Mathinna caused a stir in the town. This was also taken up in a sermon at St George’s:
“During the past week, the topic of conversation has been in reference to various letters which have appeared on “Morals and Manners of Mathinna”…. At St. George’s Church on Sunday evening, Rev. M’Eachrean delivered an eloquent address to a large congregation. During his discourse he referred to the letters which have appeared in the press…”
The letter in in question was penned under the pseudonym ‘Pro Bono Publico’. The complainant wrote:
“One does not need a microscope to discern something radically wrong. Young people in their early teens (both sexes, Mr Editor) are to be seen perambulating the streets at very late hours – mere children roam about at their own sweet will; in fact, in several cases parental control seems to be a matter of ancient history. But it is in reference to the “hoodlum” class that I particularly wish to direct attention: those young fellows who puff their cigarettes with a “you-can’t-teach-us-anything” air, imagining the world was created for their special benefit, and congregate in the streets using language too disgusting to be heard by ears with any regard for decency. Even if ladies happen to pass in proximity to them there is no consideration shown. It is a self-evident fact that larrikinism and immorality are rampant here, and some steps must be taken to bring matters a little nearer the mark”.
A second letter to the Daily Telegraph from ‘Editio Princeps’ supported the views of ‘Pro Bono Publico’ and refuted the views of Reverend M’Eachrean who had stated in his sermon that:
“He had been to many places which would not compare favourably with Mathinna in morals or in good manners” and advised “the exercise of a helping hand to those in need of such, rather than the use of such harsh and abusive terms towards them”.
‘Editio Princeps’ responded to those who he saw as to be in denial or out of touch, such as Reverend M’Eachrean. The letter writer suggested that they had not:
“Realised the extent to which the hoodlums rule the roost in Mathinna, and observed the moral training extended to the young boys by the older larrikin element… The sources of employment in Mathinna are not great at present, hence we have in our midst many idlers – others are so from choice – and these it is, who never work, but at all times appear fashionably tailored, and win for Mathinna its low moral standing… How many children are to be seen nightly parading the streets of the town long after the adults have retired! The arm of the law is powerless to send them home to their beds, and in these nocturnal manoeuvres they receive the rudiments of bad manners and citizenship”.