Some historical events in Barraba
History Notes
Market week again this week- details in the advertisement- our society has had a clean-out in the shed so there will be more than books and coffee on the stall this week.
As the weather cools there are more enquiries coming in. This week we have a difficult request for history of motor cycling at the showground from the mid 1920's to the mid 1930's. To begin with the Golf Culb was at the showground for some of those years - perhaps they meant the Recreation Ground (near the bridge!)
The request comes from Allan Baker who notes the Barraba Championships were held in April 1925 and were won by an AJS motorcycle - in fact this type of motorcycle won all the events that year!
In 1933 a handicap event and a championship event for motorcycles were included in the program on Easter Saturday. A scratch race over 3 miles was won by the narrow margin of ½ a wheel!! The winner was Barraba’s R. Hagan (probably Roy Hagan). '
The 1934 motorcycle show started in fine weather and was opened by Captain F. A. Chaffey, in the presence of the Minister for Lands, Hon. S. W. Moore. Unfortunately, the weather intervened and there were no results due to heavy rain.
Allan Baker would like to know more about this motorcycle club and is especially interested in any photos that might be in the Barraba area. We are always at the museum on Friday and Saturday mornings and would be very happy to see anyone with more information. We can copy photos and cuttings and get them back to you if necessary.
Another enquiry this week concerned a member of the Russell family who served in the first World War with the 33rd Battalion. His baptism was easily found together with the name of his adoptive mother and hopefully his family are happy with our reply. He did not return to Barraba to live after the war.