History Notes - early sport in Barraba

History Notes

Unfortunately, the Market Day scheduled for last weekend had to be cancelled due to illness, the cold and several members being unavailable to do their usual jobs at the markets.  At this stage the July markets will be considered closer to the time and of course the signs will go up if they are on – it could still be very cold!!

The museum has had quite a good weekend with a number of visitors calling in to look around and buy a history book – thank you to those who were able to look after the museum and show people around. 

Continuing with the late 1930’s cuttings we continue with the Mt Kaputar road construction.  The first 12 to 13 miles had been formed with pipe culverts in place and a wooden bridge over Hawkins Creek was being constructed in 1940.

The next four miles had been re-aligned and the culverts were going in.  The piece of road from the 17 to 22 mile’s mark was still being discussed and it was noted that the road passes into the Namoi Shire at 22.5 miles.  The Barraba Shire Council were looking for some assistance from the government but with World War 2 beginning, there was not much interest in an outback road.  Road building on the Barraba side of Mt Kaputar ground to a halt.

Many residents will remember the attempt to continue the road through the park in the 1960’s and some may have travelled the rough track to the summit or down from the summit – it cost me a new muffler on the mini but we made it down safely!  It seems that access has almost closed now.

The many cuttings in the scrapbook refer to sport in the Barraba area and in 1939 it seems there was quite a lot of it.  Tennis and Golf tournaments were successfully held at the same time in 1939 – I doubt that we could do that with the present conditions or personnel.

The rifle club held a successful shoot at Easter, 1939, with many visitors travelling from around the state to try their skill against the talented Barraba shooters.

Cricket also had a successful season while the cycling and racing clubs were having difficulties.  There was no football played in 1939.

Next week I will attempt to show the education facilities and pupils of Barraba in the 1940’s to finish the cutting book – it can then go back to the museum.