From little things
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (352496)
Rockingham, Australia
May 5, 2025 10:15pm CST
Once again, the photo has nothing to do with the discussion.
Like many other countries around the world, Australia was badly affected by the Great Depression. A clergyman and social reformer, Robert Hammond (1870-1946) had the idea of buying land and helping unemployed families to help each other build modest cottages. The Pioneer Homes scheme (later Hammondville) began with 13 acres near Liverpool in south-western Sydney and by 1937, 110 houses had been built, allowing unemployed families with three or more children to move into the cottages on a rent-purchase basis.
The area expanded to include a primary school, shops, a post office and a community centre. The charity still operates independently, owning aged care centres and health services. It’s good that Hammond’s name lives on in the name of the suburb.
And isn’t it just so true that sometimes ‘from little things, big things grow? Our Royal Flying Doctor Service is a huge organisation now but was started by one religious minister who had a dream. Silver Chain plays a huge role in mobile nursing care but had very small beginnings.
18 people like this
17 responses
@FourWalls (74366)
• United States
6 May
That’s a heartwarming story, when ministers took their vocations seriously.
5 people like this
@abhi_bangal (5655)
• Ahmednagar, India
6 May
You have said it absolutely correct, "from little things, big things grow". It's like "great oaks from little acorns grow". Nothing big happens suddenly and overnight. Everything takes time and that's the fun.
3 people like this
@abhi_bangal (5655)
• Ahmednagar, India
22h
@JudyEv Rightly said. I like the way you express things. That's always so soothing to read 
1 person likes this
@allknowing (145079)
• India
7 May
These big business houses will have a similar story to tell. I just read somewhere Reliance one of the biggest around here, the pioneer was once a salesman.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (352496)
• Rockingham, Australia
22h
Yes, that's true. Some huge companies started off in a very small way.
@Juliaacv (53299)
• Canada
6 May
I so love this photo.
His feet just look so long, almost as long as the tail that is resting on the ground.
I think that it is amazing that Hammondville was founded and still lives on, it plays as a great reminder of how to help each other out during storms that we weather. And the Silver Chain, that is so inspirational to anyone with a dream or a plan, that they can also try to bring it to reality.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (53299)
• Canada
6 May
@JudyEv I completely agree.
We had 'war time homes' built here across our country which remind me of how you describe Hammondville. And although we no longer live in such hard times, there will always be a need for starter and ender homes as they refer to them as. A couple's first home, perhaps a home to retire in after downsizing, they have a good resale. We began in one such home, in a very established and friendly neighbourhood. There were a few couples who moved in as young people and stayed their to raise their families and did not downsize but remained there-they were the backbone of the neighbourhood.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (163346)
• United States
6 May
Sometimes a small idea implemented in the right way can affect a lot of people.These are good examples.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (352496)
• Rockingham, Australia
22h
The three I mentioned have been going for many, many years, even though the founders have been long gone.
@wolfgirl569 (115551)
• Marion, Ohio
6 May
Small things can be great. Love the kangaroo
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (84621)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 May
So good that they do have this service when needed,
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (187869)
• United States
17h
I hope Hammond can see how his idea has grown.
1 person likes this
@porwest (99520)
• United States
6 May
As they say, inventions are borne from necessity, and that includes things like this. Bad times make people better and stronger in the long run, I think. I mean, if life were easy all the time, the world would be a much different place than it is now. Sometimes we need the struggles.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (352496)
• Rockingham, Australia
22h
Bad times make some stronger I guess but they can cripple others. It depends on the circumstances I guess.
@MarieCoyle (43476)
•
21h
Truly a man who put his faith to work to help those who needed it. He blessed many families. The Joel Osteen’s of the mega world could take a few pages from Reverend Hammond!!
