Cheer-Up Society and Thumbs-Up Club

Cheer-Up Society

The Cheer-Up Society was a South Australian patriotic organisation founded during The Great War in Adelaide in November 1914, whose aims were provision of refreshments, entertainment and creature comforts for soldiers in South Australia. Much of their activity was centred on the Cheer-up Hut, which they built behind the Adelaide railway station, and almost entirely staffed and organised by volunteers.

ᶺIn mid July 1915 a well-attended meeting was held with the object of forming a branch of the Cheer-Up Society in Port Pirie with the aim of “working for soldiers in every way.” It was thought that because Port Pirie holds the country record in South Australia for recruiting for the Great War, that a hearty response from residents in providing newspapers, cigarettes, scarves, socks and other necessities will be forthcoming. ʷBy December 1915 there were 300 members in the Adelaide branch and over 10, 000 members in a total of 86 country branches. This phenomenal ‘success’ was made possible by the warm-hearted and generous support with which the people of South Australia through the length and breadth of the State had given to the Cheer-Up movement.

Thumbs-Up Club

¹On the 5th June 1941 the Thumbs-Up Club was born upon the originators wishes, Mrs Norma Brown of Port Pirie West. An enthusiastic gathering of citizens at the Town Hall agreed on the St Paul’s Parish Hall in David Street as the venue to function as the new organisation which would be to provide welfare and entertainment for all men in uniform on leave, along the lines of Adelaide Cheer-Up Society.

¹The Broken Hill Associated Smelter directorate in a generous gesture, gifted £150, equivalent to the cost of lease of the hall for the first year. It was recommended that a public subscription list be opened, and that "The Recorder" be asked to cooperate. Keen debate revolved around the constitution of the management committee who would prepare the working policy of the club.

˚St Paul's Parish Hall Circa 1950

After debate over the scope of the club's activities it was moved that it entertain all Imperial Force members in uniform—R.A.N., A.I.F., R.A.A.F and Volunteer Defence Corps. ²In October 1942 35 members of H.M.A.S. Pirie’s ship’s company were entertained at lunch by the Thumbs-Up Club.

³The club was manned by volunteer helpers in a social setting to provide entertainment via table tennis, billiards, pianos, wireless receiving set, gramophone, records, reading and writing material and snacks and supper were also provided. Dances were also provided.

Opening hours were from 6:30pm to 11:00pm Monday to Friday and from 2:00pm to 11:00pm Saturday and Sundays.

ᶺPort Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail, Saturday 24 July 1915

ʷThe Register, Adelaide, SA Saturday 11 December 1915

¹Recorder, Port Pirie, SA, Friday 6 June 1941

²Recorder, Port Pirie, SA, Monday 4 September 1944

³Port Pirie Remembers by Dick Wordley and Ken Madigan

˚Des Parker, Port Pirie