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GNOWANGERUP 75th ANNIVERSARY   

Population Explosion in Gnowangerup

Many must be the times when one notices that the only occasions on which there is a big reunion of friends and relatives are at either a funeral or a wedding. This time, the cause was of much wider scope—the 75th Anniversary of Gnowangerup.
Organized by the Gnowangerup Progress Association, months of planning culminated last Saturday when Gnowangerup celebrated 75 years since the townsite reserve was gazetted. The success of the day was largely due to the cooperation received from the town's service clubs, the local school teachers, and the wide publicity given in various ways. It must be noted that the business people of the town were most cooperative in providing money and sponsorship. Of course, the object was to honor our pioneers, and it was pleasing to see so many of their descendants revisit the district.
The passing 75 years have taken nearly all the first generation, and their children and grandchildren have spread all over the State. However, we did renew many memories with people who had left the district ranging from 20 to 50 years ago or more.

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OPENING OF THE ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

The day's activities commenced with the official opening of the Adventure Playground at the Sopris Complex by Mrs. Marshall. Mrs. Marshall complimented the members of Rotaract who were responsible for building the structures and reminisced about the primitive facilities available when she was a young girl. The school playground in those days was mostly mallee scrub, and the vaulting horse was merely a pole between two trees.
She recalled that as she grew older, a girls' club was formed, and the club owed much to dedicated gentlemen such as the late William Brade, grandfather of a couple of Rotaractors today.

FANCY DRESS PARADE

One of the day's big attractions was the Fancy Dress Parade, which was led by the R.A.N.R. Band up the main street. Just about every child in the school, plus adults, participated, and as each group went past, they received hearty applause from the multitude lining both sides of Yougenup Road from the Co-op to the Hall.
The day was officially declared open by Cr. John F. O’Meehan, one of the sons of South Borden Pioneer Frank O’Meehan. Mr. O’Meehan congratulated the Progress Association and their helpers on their efforts to get the project off the ground. He also mentioned the sponsors of the Parade and Wheelbarrow Derby, which shortly followed.
Mr. O’Meehan touched on the town and district's early days, through the Great War, the Depression, and World War II, to now, when he said we live in one of the State's most affluent areas. With this stage reached, he said Gnowangerup was at a crossroads: "Do we accept the challenge of our forebears to do what they did to make this a better place, or will we sit back and say, 'I'm doing nicely, thanks?'" He said we must accept the challenge to get involved in community affairs in an endeavor to make the town a better place to live, work, and retire. This could be achieved, Mr. O’Meehan said, if we were prepared to ask, "What can I do for the community?" rather than ask, "What can I get out of it?"
"If we do this and mean it, then our children and children's children will be able to say, 'Well done!'" Mr. O’Meehan then called upon Mrs. Marshall, whose address appears elsewhere in this issue on page 4.
Mrs. Marshall's address was followed by a speech from one of the town's younger generation—John Brade.
John, in a well-prepared speech, congratulated the older generation of people who had provided and were providing amenities that they did not enjoy in their youth.
Young John Brade, by the way, is a grandson of the late Bill Brade, the town's first motor mechanic. When he first came here from the Goldfields, his workshop was part of R. D. Howard's blacksmith shop, now B. P. Harris & Son.
"Old Bill Brade," as most of us kids knew him, was Gnowangerup's first Scout Master, who not only taught gymnastics and scout lore but also first aid.
 

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YOUGENUP DERBY

Twenty-one pairs, including men and women, contested the Yougenup Derby for significant prize money donated by business people of the town. Winners of the men's final were Wise brothers Graham and Kevin, with runners-up the Hinkleys, Bryce and Brendon. The women's race was won by Pam Hinkley and Robin Brade.
Prizes in the Fancy Dress Parade were as follows:
- Best Individual: Mickey Mouse, runner-up: Shane Perry
- Most Decorative Preschooler: Carmen Pooley, runner-up: Tiffany Johnston
- Most Decorative Group of Preschoolers (Kindy Group), runner-up: Wizard of Oz
- Best Group Costume: Santa's Workshop, runner-up: Year of the Child
- Best Family Group: Three Little Kittens (The Goldners), runner-up: Leonard and Sue Davis.
During the afternoon on the lawn, school children folk danced and demonstrated gymnastics, while Stanton the Magician performed weird and wonderful acts to baffle and amuse the adults.
The afternoon included paintings by Peter Rohan, pottery by Sue Davis, and staff of the Star doing some skullduggery in front of Elders, who kindly cooperated but refused any responsibility for what went on.
The day being typically warm chance to get a cool drink during the afternoon and a cold beer after 4 o'clock was most welcome.

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FITTING CLIMAX

A fitting climax to Saturday was the Pioneers Dinner at the Sports Complex.
Bcause one would have to be about 100 years old to qualify as an original, there were none of them there but there were several second generation of 80 years and more. Mrs Herb Stutley took the honour of the oldest being over 90 years old. Other very early residents included Snowy Wilson of Tambellup, whose first job was working for Gus Walker at the Star, Frank Bell whose first job was working for a Mr Freak at the Newsagency. Annie Fennell was there. She came to work for Fred Lee and Babs Aylmore, who helped Mrs Grover in the boarding house.
We were pleased to meet again with Rene Wallace, the last of the first generation of the McDonalds of Springvale, Also there was the town's first post boy, Mr White. The Bennett family was represented by Lyle Bennet whose father owned Bonaventure the farm adjoining the cemetery. Watty Williams daughters Mrs Nita Spence and Lovey Banks, were sitting at the same table as the Richards representative, Bob of Christmas Farm.
It was pleasing also to see Reg Gillespie, whose father ran a store opposite the now Post Office with Lou Smith.
The Herberts, first here in 1902, were represented by a great-granddaughter, Mrs. Margaret Walker. Of course, we missed a few, so apologies; our paper is still smaller than the West.
Mr. Syd Beeck, son of John Beeck of Jackitup, commenced the dinner with grace, thanking God for 75 years of plenty in Gnowangerup, and Mr. Ted Goldner, on behalf of the Progress Association, welcomed the guests. Towards the close of a most enjoyable meal, the Gnowangerup C.W.A. and helpers were thanked and congratulated. After dinner, guests mingled to talk of old times and absent friends.

CABARET

For those not attending the dinner, there was a Cabaret in the hall with a Perth band, and there was a capacity crowd.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Sunday morning was devoted to a church service in the hall, with Rev. D. Hawkins and Fr. Doug Conlan leading the devotions. The singing of hymns was accompanied by the visiting band.
 

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BAND FAREWELLED

Members of the band were entertained to a barbecue lunch by Mr. and Mrs. Ted Goldner of Denny Street. Before their departure to return home at 2 p.m., Mr. Peet, on behalf of the Progress Association, thanked each member for giving up their weekend to come to Gnowangerup to provide entertainment.
A spokesman for the band thanked Mr. and Mrs. Goldner for their generous hospitality and stated that the band was always happy to come to Gnowangerup, which holds so many happy memories of past visits. He hoped they would be invited to return, and not in the too distant future.
The day being typically warm, a chance to get a cool drink during the afternoon and a cold beer after 4 o'clock was most welcome.

 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

 

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024