The Hungry Mile

Sydney suffered in the Great Depression as much, if not more, than the other capital cities in Australia and more than much of the world. High numbers of unemployed meant that many families were destitute. Men who wanted to work were unable to obtain employment, resulting in hungry stomachs for themselves, wives and children; evictions, marital breakups and suicides.

They tramp there in their legions on the mornings dark and cold

To beg the right to slave for bread from Sydney's lords of gold;

They toil and sweat in slavery, 'twould make the devil smile,

To see the Sydney wharfies tramping down the hungry mile.

(The Hungry Mile by Ernest Antony)

The Hungry Mile was the name that the wharfies and maritime workers gave during the Great Depression to the mile long area of wharves between Darling Harbour and Miller’s Point, near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.