Christmas lunch in Southbank – 1944 style

By Robin Grow - President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society There has been a long tradition in workplaces in Southbank (as across Melbourne) of Christmas lunches where many of the workers gather to enjoy good food, drinks and enjoy each other’s company, generally in a restaurant, café or function space. These events are sure to take a different form this year but it is worth looking back to see how Christmas lunches took place in previous hard times. The year is 1944, which would be (thankfully) the last full year of World War II. About 70 of the employees of AP Sutherland (garage and tyre service in Maffra St, now Kings Way) had gathered – not in a posh hotel but in the company warehouse, tricked up for the occasion with tree branches and flags hanging from the trusses beneath the roof. The company trucks were moved out of the way (or adorned with foliage) and a piano brought in and set up on a platform, to provide entertainment after the meal – a common occurrence in the days before television. There was always someone who could tickle the ivories and lead a singalong, and maybe some of employees took to the floor for a dance. The walls and the roof of the space were corrugated iron, relatively cheap and utilitarian and common in industrial buildings. Let’s hope it wasn’t a hot day as insulation was non-existent! The lunch guests present a sombre picture, not surprising after enduring war-time restrictions for five years and perhaps still fearful for loved ones in war zones. The guests sat around a U-shaped table and were in groups according to sex and probably status and function within the company. Seating at the top table was spacious and comfortable and occupied by the top brass. The table to the right includes a grouping of about 15 women, suitably attired in summer dresses, together with men who were probably male members of the office staff, seated on a bench. The table to the left is fully occupied by men, seated on boxes! Many were young and they were probably the labourers, manual workers and drivers. Despite the formality of the occasion, a few were not wearing ties – unlike the rest of the men, some of whom were wearing three-piece suits. There is no sign of any alcohol on the tables – perhaps it was early or perhaps management (who were footing the bill) disapproved. Hopefully things livened up during the afternoon! •