History Notes - Barraba celebrates!

History Notes

Another week has flown by as we rush towards the end of the year. The markets were well supported with a good number of stalls and it was great to see some former residents paying us a visit and enjoying a yarn. There is just one market day left for 2024, in December.

This week we have celebrated the centenary of the clock together with Remembrance Day and by all accounts we have had lots of visitors. Barraba has had lots of festivals over the years and former residents are always keen to come back to celebrate these events. I wonder how many such events our readers can remember.

An early Queen competition was held in the 1950's to build the R.S.L. Hall. Other festivals which I do remember include the Railway in 1969, The Centenary of the Hospital and the Salvation Army in the same year and of course the opening of Richardson House - there are probably more that I don't remember at this moment so please don't hesitate to remind me.

Some of the main street parades were wonderful and have included horses, sulkies, old cars, bush rangers and floats representing various organizations and people. I particularly remember the hospital float at one stage when the "doctor" was about to operate with a huge knife – it wouldn't be allowed now.

An earlier hospital float, probably from the 1930's, carried the winner of the Queen Competition, Mrs Dolly Firth and two princesses. It does not reveal the event it is taking part in. However, we have a year to find out as it is an ideal photo for the 2026 calendar.

While on the subject the 2025 calendars are now available at the museum and hopefully soon in John and Toni's shop. They were at the markets on Saturday and will be next market.