During the 1920s and 1930s many desperate families camped on the Domain.
Initially with the blessing of Hobart City Council.
Public opinion turned: Domain should be unoccupied. Temporary residents should have permission, pay rent, use allocated spaces and keep tents sanitary. Public space should not be used for private benefit.
From 1920 Thomas Edgecock lived on the Domain in three tents with his large family. Either 7 or 9 children.
Initially he lived there because he could longer afford to pay rent in Battery Point.
He made several court appearances in order to keep living there.
In the 1920s he represented in court other homeless people living on the Domain in tents.
1922: The City Council had a heated discussion about ways to eject the tent-dwellers.
1922: Questions in State Parliament asked the premier to supply police so that the council could forcible remove the family. The premier refused to provide police to help. He said the council was responsible for management of the Domain.
Over the decades (1920-1945) there was a big debate about homeless people there was a lot of comment from councilors and general public. No input or participation from the homeless people. Apart from Mr Edgecock.
Today homeless people live on the Domain. Unlike Thomas Edgecock they prefer to keep a low profile.
You may see some tents or some disordered bedding under bushes. It is less likely you will see any homeless people. They seem to come and go and vary their place of abode.
Initially with the blessing of Hobart City Council.
Public opinion turned: Domain should be unoccupied. Temporary residents should have permission, pay rent, use allocated spaces and keep tents sanitary. Public space should not be used for private benefit.
From 1920 Thomas Edgecock lived on the Domain in three tents with his large family. Either 7 or 9 children.
Initially he lived there because he could longer afford to pay rent in Battery Point.
He made several court appearances in order to keep living there.
In the 1920s he represented in court other homeless people living on the Domain in tents.
1922: The City Council had a heated discussion about ways to eject the tent-dwellers.
1922: Questions in State Parliament asked the premier to supply police so that the council could forcible remove the family. The premier refused to provide police to help. He said the council was responsible for management of the Domain.
Over the decades (1920-1945) there was a big debate about homeless people there was a lot of comment from councilors and general public. No input or participation from the homeless people. Apart from Mr Edgecock.
Today homeless people live on the Domain. Unlike Thomas Edgecock they prefer to keep a low profile.
You may see some tents or some disordered bedding under bushes. It is less likely you will see any homeless people. They seem to come and go and vary their place of abode.