Charitable causes were popular during the Second World War. Many creative, community building approaches were taken, such as the “Mr Albury” competition organised in 1944. It raised money for the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) which provided embarkation kits and Christmas hampers to troops.

The competition

Organisations and businesses in the New South Wales town of Albury formed groups and elected candidates to be the face of their group in the competition. Support for the cause wasn’t a difficult choice for my 2x great-grandfather, David Ritchie, a veteran of World War One. He was the first nomination, and quickly confirmed as the candidate representing the local combined services organisations.

… Mr. David Ritchie, a prominent member of the Fathers’ Association, and a member of the Returned Soldiers’ League will represent this group.

Mr Ritchie served with the 51st Highland Division (Royal Engineers) in France and Belgium during the last war. Mr. Ritchie is well known for his consistent support of all wartime charitable efforts. As the bodies behind his candidature always bring enthusiasm it is confidently expected that Mr Ritchie will poll very well ….

~ ‘”Mr. Albury” Competition. Names of Candidates Announced.’, Border Morning Mail, 11 July 1944, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257970035, accessed 10 June 2026.

Fundraising activities

Fundraising was via a range of activities with the proceeds of ticket and product sales being directed to the candidates through community participation. Candidates took turns at allocated fundraising days, and the money raised represented “votes” for the candidates in the competition. A running tally of funds raised was enthusiastically tracked and reported in the Border Morning Mail.

There was a “Victory Vanities” dance, a spinning wheel with prizes, and street sales of items like “jams, sauces, pickles, fruit, flowers, cakes and other saleable goods”. Other events included a horse race meeting, and even a mock court with payment of fines by the “defendants” going to the cause.

Activities were advertised in the newspaper, calling on residents to show their support. I love the personalisation of some of the advertisements, particularly one for the Mock Court day supporting my 2x great-grandfather. Calling on the community to “Help ‘Pop’, the friend of all!” says something about his profile in town and the regard in which he was held.

The results

The results of the “Mr Albury” competition were announced at a special Saturday night event at the Plaza Theatre, with a “large and enthusiastic audience”.

The competition raised a total of £6,871 across five fundraising groups. David came in second overall with a total contribution of £1,490 pounds, 9 shillings and 11 pence for the combined services group, which represented 357,719 votes.

Following the announcement, David “expressed his pleasure at being present, [saying] It had been a clean ‘fight’ and a pleasure for him to do the work connected with the contest. As an old soldier, he knew what it was to receive comforts from the ACF.”

Selected references

‘”Albury Men Shy” Only One Nomination For “Mr. Albury”.’, Border Morning Mail, 23 June 1944, p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article258012770, accessed 10 June 2026.

‘”Mr. Albury” Competition. Names of Candidates Announced.’, Border Morning Mail, 11 July 1944, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257970035, accessed 10 June 2026.

‘Mr. Ritchie’s Turn Tomorrow’, Border Morning Mail, 21 July 1944, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257973719, accessed 10 June 2026.

‘Advertisements. Calling All Diggers and Members of R.S.L.’, Border Morning Mail, 10 August 1944, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257981298, accessed 26 June 2026.

‘Spinning Wheel Popular’, Border Morning Mail, 12 August 1944, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257982125, accessed 10 June 2026.

‘Advertisements. Victory Vanities.’, Border Morning Mail, 26 August 1944, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257987220, accessed 26 June 2026.

‘Big Day next Friday’, Border Morning Mail, 11 September 1944, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257992514, accessed 10 June 2026.

‘Advertisements. A.C.F.’, Border Morning Mail, 13 September 1944, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257993574, accessed 26 June 2026.

‘Amusements. Mock Court.’, Border Morning Mail, 29 September 1944, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257999512, accessed 26 June 2026.

‘£6871 From Mr. “Albury” Contest’, Border Morning Mail, 2 October 1944, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article258000120, accessed 10 June 2026.

Guide to the Australian Comforts Fund Souvenir Collection, Australian War Memorial, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/accessing-records-at-the-memorial/findingaids/special/souvenirs/comfortsfund, accessed 26 June 2026.