Covid hinders the Historical Soc monthly markets

27th October 2021

History Notes

Well so much for last week’s advertisement for the street stall – it has now been cancelled due to Covid regulations.  We will have another attempt next year.

There has been much discussion about the markets at the meeting and the November Markets will not be taking place, once again due to Covid regulations – there could be a lot of visitors and it is difficult to check for double vaccinations on our outdoor site.  At present there may be Markets on 4th and again on 18th December when the double vaccination will not be as crucial.

The annual meeting went off well and several memberships were paid.  The society managed to post a small profit which is pleasing considering all the disruptions in the last eighteen months.  Hopefully the rest of the members will re-join shortly and that the museum will be able to move back to the usual opening times on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Finally the Bowling Club history has been sent to Jack Thompson’s daughter although the actual date of the opening in 1959 has not been found – it was between January and June – possibly early in the year as the official party wore their blazers for the actual opening and from then on they are in short sleeves in the photos of the luncheon that obviously followed.

An old newspaper dated March, 1941, printed the following verse –

“A delivery that is perfect, is incense to the soul,

Gives Grace to every moment, and joy to every bowl

Now, why reproach?  His bowl was bad,

Besides, ‘tis premature to curse,

Your own may be a dash sight worse.”

Wise words, for any sport these days.

Members have run out of ideas to find a reference to Lt Col. Bernard Russell French, an English army man, who stayed at Mayvale in the late 1950’s.  He would have been an elderly gentleman possibly with a connection to the Wilson family but there has not been any reference to him anywhere.  Please let the society know if you have any reference to him.

Another query re the Brodbeck family is still outstanding – does anyone know where the portraits of the original Brodbeck couple are? – we have a descendant who would like to know that the portraits are safe with a family member of even in another museum.  This old couple were grandparents to a lot of children – I think it was 74!  There are a lot of descendants around.

Various past Barraba citizens contact us with old photos and information and at present we are in contact with Grahame Barwick who grew up here and worked in the Bank before moving away – he has already sent Carol an interesting photo with all the people named which is a bonus.