After his battle against conscription and the shock of being imprisoned, John Curtin went through a long bout of depression. He was tired, overworked and becoming pessimistic as to the likelihood of the revolution ever coming. He began to turn to drink as his escape.

After a period in a convalescent home, John Curtin's friends helped him to secure a job as the editor of the Westralian Worker in Perth. From 1917 to 1928, John Curtin wrote weekly editorials. It was during this period that he came to believe that a strong central government provided the best way of ensuring the welfare of citizens, education for all, the defence of the nation and full employment. He became a more active member of the Australian Labor Party, turning his attention to parliamentary politics and becoming the Federal Member for Fremantle in 1928.

Detail from JCPML 00376/51

At a personal level, John Curtin was finally able to achieve job security and earn enough money to enable him to marry, move away from his parents and establish his own home in Perth. He achieved in his life the very things that he was fighting for at a political level - a stable home, financial security through secure employment and the ability to provide for his family.