Known as Auntie Nell, Nell Shortland-Jones was a singer and freelance radio personality. She was a hugely popular radio artist in W.A., was frequently in demand by sponsors and particularly well known for the Children’s Sessions.
Nell was born in 1906 in Subiaco and was educated at Perth Girls High School. She was prominent in National and Commercial radio as an announcer, singer and compere from 1934 until 1972. Nell received a B.E.M in 1968.
1942
News of People from Here and There
“WAS speaking to Mrs. Shortland-Jones t’other day. She is a very busy woman these days-not that being busy is any novelty to this energetic president of the Children’s Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. But since the new year Mrs. Jones and her band of workers have been hard at it preparing emergency stocks of linen for the hospital. A “call to arms” sent out to the auxiliary was answered with such promptness than within ONE hour many garments were cut out and six machines were in operation. By the end of January, 376 articles had been completed!
Incidentally, Mrs. Jones was telling me latest news of daughter Nell who, it seems is due back in our midst next week. Nell has been in Melbourne for the past six months. . . and has had few spare moments be-tween radio engagements with the well-known commercial stations. One of the highlights of her broadcasts was the State-wide radio appeal for the New Sydney Fund. Over £13,000 was raised in one night. Nell was timed to go on the air at 10 p.m., but there were so many donations to be acknowledged that listeners did not have an opportunity of hearing her voice until after 1 a.m.! I’m told that 6IX listeners will soon have the opportunity of hearing some of Nell’s Melbourne broadcasts. She featured in the popular “Yells-a-Poppin’ ” which is to be released here by that station.
Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 – 1954), Thursday 5 February 1942, page 20
Some of the Participants In last week’s “Passing Show” (6WN) were E. Paulasto, P. Foweraker, F. Paulasto, Miss E. Moran, Jack Harrison and Miss N. Shortland Jones. The ABC Weekly Vol 4 No. 22 May 30 1942
SUNDAY CONCERT. “The workings of the Police Boys Clubs” is the subject of Constable W. Scott has chosen for his address tomorrow afternoon at the seventh Pleasant Sunday Afternoon in the North Perth Town Hall. Concert will commence at 3 p.m., includes items by Miss Nell Shortland-Jones, the Y.A.L. Band, Mr Bill Talbot, Master, Jackie Harrison, the Mace String Quartette, Mrs Marjorie Cook, Miss Hannah Colley. Accompanist will be Miss Stephanie Nash. Proceeds will go to the Northern Suburbs Police Boys’ Club. The Daily News Saturday 3 October 1942 page 12
Pleasant Sunday. Tomorrow (Sunday), commencing at 3 p.m., In the Maylands Town Hall, a Pleasant Sunday Afternoon, arranged by Cr. W. L. Menkens, will take place. It will be in aid of the Perth Road Board Red Cross Prisoners of War Fund (Maylands ward committee). The chair will be taken by Mr. H. V. Shearn, M.L.A., and the speaker Mr. R. Lloyd Thomas, whose subject will be ‘Planning World Peace.’ An excellent musical programme will be contributed to by Miss Nell Shortland – Jones, Miss Marjorie Payne, Miss Joy Hobley, Miss Hannah Colley, Mr. David Lyle, Mr. Will Savage, Master Jackie Harrison, with Miss Stephanie Nash as accompanist. Mirror, Saturday November 7 1942 page 19
1943
HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE GRAND COMMUNITY CONCERT ON SUNDAY EVENING NEXT. The Most Startling Array of Community Singing and International and Local Entertainers, featuring: THE DUTCH CHOIR AND SOLOISTS – SPECAL EXCLUSIVE APPEARANCE OF AMAZING VOICES, JACKIE HARRISON, Mouth Organ Virtuoso; PAULASTO BROS., Entertainers; THE LITTLE DIGGER. Entertainer: GLADYS HOPE. Pianiste THE TWO DIGGERS, Instrumentalists; KEITH CULLEN, Boy Soprano; NELL SHORTLAND-JONES, Soprano; EILEEN MORAN, Entertainer. TRIALS FOR MEMBERS OF THE FORCES. Conductor: Councillor E. CADDY. Compere: JOHN SULLIVAN. RESERVES AT NICHOLSONS. The West Australian Thursday 10 June 1943 page 5
SUNDAY CONCERTS. An Army concert party presented a bright and varied entertainment at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. The show. which was compered by Des. Turner, of the ABC. Sydney, contained many good individual numbers by such artists as Pat Harrop, Hughie Hay, George Lewis, Fergy Rose, Tom Urquhart, Henry Cochrane’s Novelty Swing Boys and the “Sky Rocket Lovelies Ballet” also contributed to the programme. A concert in aid of Castledare Orphanage was held at the Capitol Theatre last night under the patronage of the Lord Mayor (Dr Meagher). John Sullivan was compere and the programme opened with “Advance Australia Fair” and ‘The Star-spangled Banner” sung by a boys choir from the orphanage. A U.S. band gave a number of enjoyable items and the assisting artists were Carmel Burrows, Nell Shortland-Jones, May Pilgrim. Claude Saunders and Jackie Harrison. The 11th of a series of Sunday afternoon Concerts held at the North Perth Town Hall yesterday afternoon realised over £15 for the Kindergarten Union of WA. It was arranged by Mrs W. L. Menkens. Mr A. Houston was chairman and the speakers were Chaplain C. R. Phillips. who spoke on “Service or Profit.” Mr A. King and the president of the union (Lady Birley). The musical programme was given by the North Perth Senior State School Choir under the baton of Miss R. Adam, assisted by Mrs J. Dean, Misses E. M. Stone, Pat Hill, Edna Hollett and Nancy Wilson. The accompanists were Mrs E. Everitt, Miss V. Tulk and Mr J. Dean. The West Australian Mon 27 September 1943 page 5
1944
From somewhere in camp: ABC ON PARADE. Devised, arranged and produced by Dave Howard, with the ABC Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Ernest J. Roberts and including the following artists: Joe Brennan and Ida Newton, Sunny Day (Elsie Connoly), Olive Dunton, Jack Harrison, Eileen Moran, Vernon Sellars, Maurice Jaffey, Nell Shortland-Jones, The Paulasto Brothers. (Bob Trew 14th June) Compered by Cyril Leighton. The Broadcaster Thursday February 24, Thursday April 20, June 14 1944
AID FOR WOOROLOO. Concert Next Sunday. Theatrical artists are expressing their goodwill towards the patients of Wooroloo with a benefit concert in aid of the Sanatorium Colony, at the Ambassadors Theatre on Sunday, commencing at 3 o’clock. The Australian Broadcasting Commission has consented to present a performance of “The ABC on Parade,” which will be the first public appearance of this broadcast show, recently returned from a tour of military camps. The producer and compere is Dave Howard, with theatre orchestra under the direction of Ivan Nylander and Tony North at the organ. Guest artists include Betty Hatfield (soprano), Eileen Moran (entertainer), Olive Dunton (xylophonist), Tony North (wizard of the wurlitzer), Vaughan Hanly (virtuoso violin), Nell Shortland-Jones (popular vocalist), Maurice Jaffey (tenor), Jack Harrison (W.A.’s miniature Larry Adler), Hannah Colley (trumpet soloist) the Paulasto Brothers (entertainers) and those nitwits of the network Joe Brennan and Ida Newton, The second half of the concert programme opens with the US Navy Band compered by Stan Gervas of 6PM-AM Professional vocalists, entertainers and vaudeville acts will also appear in sequence with a grand finale by the US Band. The Ambassadors Theatre for this concert was made available to the Wooroloo Farm Colony Committee by Mr S. W. Perry, resident manager for Hoyts Theatres, Ltd. Dr Park, Commissioner of Public Health, will briefly indicate that the concert opens a week of intensified effort to interest the public in the colony development and welfare of the patients at Wooroloo. Seats for the concert may be reserved at Nicholsons, the admission prices being 4/, 3/ and 2/. The West Australian Wednesday 13 September 1944 page 4
PATRIOTIC EFFORTS.
Concert for P.O.W. Funds. A concert will be held tonight at the Assembly Hall. Pier-stret. at which the. solo artists will include ACW Hannah L. Colley (trumpeter). “Levato” (child trick. cyclist) and Jack Anstey’s Singing Group.: The concert will be produced and compered by Nell Shortland-Jones and the proceeds will aid the POW fund.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Tuesday 5 December 1944, page 6
1945
Women’s Auxiliaries – STATE EXECUTIVE
The last executive meeting of 1944 was held on December 15, all members being pre sent. Mrs. McKinlay (State President) presided. The agenda this meeting was a full one, which dealt mostly with Christmas cheer for present and exservice men and women. On December 20 at Anzac House a luncheon and afternoon tea was given to 100 convalescent service men and women from Hollywood, Lady Mitchell and John Nicholson Homes. An excellent luncheon was prepared by members of the executive. Official visitors were Mr. Anderson (State President R.S.L.), Mr. Benson (State Secretary), Mr. Leslie, M.L.A., and Mr. Yeates, O.B.B. A programme of music was arranged by Miss Nell Shortland Jones, assisting artists being Miss Merrimee Holt (piano), and A. C. W. Colley (trumpet). This function was made available by a very generous donation from Southern Cross Auxiliary.
Listening Post (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1954), Monday 1 January 1945, page 21
1945
P.O.W. WELCOMED. First of a Series of Dances. The first of the monthly series of the POW Relatives’ Association’s “welcome home” dances proved so popular last night that by 9 o’clock the doors of the Town Hall had to be closed. Crowds of ex-POW and their friends crowded the ball while many more looked on from the balcony. The GOC, Western Command (Major-General A. J. Boase) was present. The chairman of the association (Rev C. E. Taylor) welcomed the men and pointed out that the dances were intended for renewals of friendships and a chance for servicemen to get together. He said that the association intended to hold a dance on the last Tuesday of every month and hoped it would not be long before many of the POW in Japanese hands would be able to be present, Nell Shortland-Jones was in charge of the programme while the music was supplied by Sylvia Caporn.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Wednesday 1 August 1945, page 7
1947
TOODYAY – Relax Community Concert – A very popular team of guest artists journeyed from Perth Friday evening of last week to present another Relax Community Concert. Concert was sponsored by Westralian Soaps Ltd., and was broadcast over 6AM-6PM from 8.45 p.m. till 10.45 p.m. All door takings and donations were in aid of the school library fund organised by the Parents and Citizens’ Association of Toodyay. Local entrants for the £50 Search for Talent, proved to be most successful and very well received. Guest artists appearing were Paulasto Bros, Faith Court, Nell Shortland- Jones and Madame Holt, as “We Three”; Jack Harrison and Myer Fitzgerald with Lettie Hoskins at the piano and Mr. Les Adams as compere. Winner of the Search for Talent competition in Toodyay was Mrs. Mick Floyd who sang “Wait and See,” with Mrs. Bert Chitty. In second place and Mrs. Phillip Chitty as third. To these three singers we convey our best wishes for the future trials In which they will be competing. Toodyay Herald Friday 11 July 1947 page 2
“1947 Miss Radio” Gloria Swain. First Function on Sunday – The first function in aid of the candidature of “Miss Radio” in the “Miss Australia” contest will be held on Sunday night. A community concert timed to start at 8.45 o’clock will be conducted in the Capitol Theatre. Artists who have offered to appear include Letty Hosking (pianist), Chris Christensen (wizard of the zither), Coral Gunning (personality girl), Jack Harrison (mouth organist), Irene Stancliffe (soprano), Maurice Jaffy (tenor), Dave Howard (saxophonist), Nell Shortland-Jones (soprano), Ted MacDonald (entertainer) and visiting stars Joe Brennan and Ida Newton. The community singing will be conducted by John Juan and Ted Kean.
Mirth and Music – ARTISTS
Members of Dave Howard’s Mirth and Music Show met last week and extended best wishes to Miss Betty Bahen, one of its members, prior to her marriage to Mr. Geoff Hammond. On behalf of the troupe, Miss Nell Shortland-Jones presented Miss Bahen with a wedding gift. Those present were Miss Betty Whittaker, Miss Olwyn Thomas, Miss Rhoda Allen, Miss Sylvia Caporn, Mr. Ernest Paulasto, Mr. Fred Paulasto, Mr. Albert Chappelle, Mr. Harry Bluck, Mr. Dave Howard, Mr. Geoff Wilbur, Mr. Ralph Filmer, Mr. Bill Hendrie, Mr. Harold Malcolm, Mr. James Congdon, Mr. Jack Harrison, Mr. Billy Edwards and Mr. Harry Graham.
Western Mail Thursday 9 December 1948 page 37
Open Air Theatre Built A big, floodlit open-air theatre has been built for tonight’s Radio Star Show at lower Supreme Court Gardens. The largest of its kind ever to be erected in Perth, the stage has been built among the trees, shrubs and flowers. Among those who will appear are Roy (‘Mo’) Rene, Hal Lashwood, Theo Walters and Jack Burgess. Gates will open at 7 p.m. — an hour before the concert is scheduled to start. Special squads of police will patrol the fences. Motor cycle police will escort the entertainers to the grounds when they arrive here by tonight’s A.N.A. Skymaster. The local artists include Wally Hadley, Ante Soljanic, Nell Shortland-Jones and Chris Gosper and his orchestra. Reserved seats are 6/6 each. Other seats are 3/ each. Money raised by tonight’s concert will aid the Australian Surf Life Saving Association and will boost the Miss Australia Surf Girl contest.
Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 – 1955), Saturday 31 January 1948, page 18
1952
OFFICIAL OPENING OF NEW SERVICE STATION
Strangers coming into Merredin on Thursday last were a little bewildered as to what was going on. It was not a public holiday or gala day anywhere in the State as far as they knew, but something unusual was certainly going on in the Eastern Wheatbelt capital. Coming into town from the west, the eye met flags flying in Memorial Park, miniature flower beds with flowers of every variety blooming in profusion, which would be the envy of any gardener; fountains with statuettes emitting aqua purra for the goldfish, all this being surrounded by lawns giving a most picturesque effect.
From an improvised platform, the compere, Mr. Ian Millbank invited the company to partake of the good things provided, and then introduced some A.B.C. talent in Sylvia Caporn (pianist), Nea Sharpe (violinist), and Nell Shortland-Jones (soprano) who would entertain during the afternoon. Nell, who is so popular throughout Western Australia, set things moving from the right foot by her superb rendering of the soprano solo, “Because of You,” and as a demand encore “Be My Love.” Other renditions during the afternoon increased this artists popularity. Sylvia Caporn also pleased with piano solos, and Nea Sharpe’s artistic handling of the violin was captivating. A local artist to face the mike was our own Mrs. Chadwick, who as a prelude to her song, “Kimona,” described how when bathing at the coast without bathers, they lost their kimonas and found themselves in an awkward predicament. This brought forth rounds of applause and cries for more, which was willingly given. Then the roof almost lifted when Mr. Bill Kennedy, Dalgety’s rep., was announced as the next artist. Bill has a deep bass-baritone voice which he uses with telling effect in light and shade passages such as are necessary in his selection of the popular ballad, “Klondyke Kate.” The applause had hardly subsided when it broke out afresh at the appearance of Bill Sheridan, Bill’s rival, who was determined not to be outdone and to keep Elder’s flag flying by rendering “Will She Ever Come Back to Me”, a number that gave him plenty of scope to use his beautiful lyric-tenor voice to the best advantage and if there happened to be a wager on this competition we would give it as a photo finish.
Merredin Mercury (WA : 1912 – 1958), Thursday 19 June 1952, page 3
Western Australian Television and Radio
REMEMBERING NELL SHORTLAND-JONES by Ken Mc Kay
https://www.facebook.com/groups/watvhistory/posts/27310423551978479/
1979 ORAL HISTORY:
Nell Shortland-Jones talks about her mother’s family history and how she came to be involved in the Children’s Hospital women’s Auxiliary. Nell discusses how the auxiliary started as the Cheer-up society and the fundraising and donating that the auxiliary was involved with. She recalls how popular the Christmas pudding was and the use of boiling pots and hospital staff to stir the ingredients. She talks about the impromptu concerts that were put on for the children on the ward balconies and how her mother became the first woman on the hospital board.
https://collectionswa.net.au/items/03c76459-fc56-4abb-80e4-ccbfd253ce42