Image may be NSFW.
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The old Mitchell Library Reading Room, now the Friends’ Room.
As a young woman, Miss Joyce Cocks became an attendant (and later a buyer) at Sydney’s historic Mitchell Library. The Mitchell now forms part of the vast Library of New South Wales complex.
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Miss Joyce Cocks
In 1923 an armed man entered the building on Macquarie Street and removed three valuable paintings from a wall on the library’s third floor. Two of the paintings were by the colonial artist Conrad Martens (1801-1878). The third was by Frederick Casemero Terry (1825-1869)
The man then made his way down to the ground floor. When he heard Joyce’s footsteps he dropped the pictures and hid in a cupboard.
As Joyce entered the room he leapt out of the cupboard and fired his revolver at her. By a great stroke of luck, the gun failed to discharge properly. However, before the young woman could escape, the intruder picked up a piece of shelving and hit her over the head. He then panicked, running through the Reading Room and out into the street. The paintings were left behind, as was a badly injured Miss Cocks. Two fellow attendants came running to her assistance and called the police, but the assailant and would-be thief was never apprehended.
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View of Parramatta by Conrad Martens 1838 held by the Mitchell Library
Joyce eventually recovered and stoically went back to work. It was not the first time she had been in a dicey situation.
When WWI broke out in 1914, Joyce had been studying languages and domestic science at an academy in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. For many weeks she was virtually a prisoner-of-war, relying on the goodwill of the American Consulate for protection. She was forbidden to leave the country, or even to speak English. When she and an American friend were overheard speaking English in the street one day they were stoned by an angry onlooker. Eventually a passport was arranged for her by the consulate. She was able to travel to Holland, and from there catch a steamer to England.
A SOCIAL CONSCIENCE
Joyce Cocks was always very involved in public life. Apart from her work at the Mitchell Library she wrote articles and spoke publically on women’s issues and social affairs.
In 1925 she wrote to past Prime Minister William (Billy) Hughes, offering her support in the next federal election. He responded with a charming letter of appreciation;
Dear Miss Cocks
Thank you very much for your kind letter of the 14th inst. Yes! I do want all the volunteer workers I can gather around me.
Your letter seems to have precipitated an election. I put you down as one of those rare, gifted women who have “second sight” & rejoice to think that I may count upon your help.
I will be in Sydney at the weekend and will write you from Lindfield.
He signed off and added his phone number.
During the years of the Great Depression Joyce worked on committees to assist the unemployed.
In 1931 she presented herself in Premier Jack Lang’s office. She was on a mission to obtain a grant for a retired civil servant going through hard times. Lang was an intimidating figure; well over six foot tall. Nicknamed ‘The Big Fella’ he had a reputation for being abrasive and humorless. There was a somewhat gleeful account of the encounter in the newspaper;
Advancing through the large and terrifying Premier’s room, Miss Cocks found Mr Lang leaning against the mantelpiece. She took her stand at the other end and explained her errand.
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Jack Lang was no match for Joyce.
The final exchange with the Premier went like this;
‘Ha! Well it is a matter for Cabinet, not for me.’
I’ve already seen the other members of Cabinet. They are agreeable, if you are.’
‘Ha! Leave no stone unturned, do you? Well, come back and see me tomorrow.’
‘Too busy to come back tomorrow.’
With that Premier Lang gave up and granted her request.
In 1947 Joyce travelled to Philadelphia to represent Australia at an International Women’s Conference. She retired from the Mitchell Library in 1951.
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Off to America in 1947
Joyce Cocks died in 1971. An interesting life well lived, by a woman ahead of her time.
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