Would you think twice before plunging into a murky creek at night? When the Stoney Creek Amateur Swimming Club (established in 1930) announced in 1934 that it would hold night races at Stoney Creek, near Toronto, Lake Macquarie, the young William âBillâ Walker (1913-1975) probably had no reservations. This silver trophy was one of two […]
To say that Esther Batstone (1888â1992) led a full life is an understatement, a life that appears etched into her face. These two photographs show Esther in the latter years of her life. The first, aged 92 at home in Guinea Street and still looking sprightly and the second, aged 103 at the Marianella Aged […]
A staple of Indian cuisine for millennia, chutney had dramatically transformed by the time it made its way into Phylis Maunderâs kitchen in Wee Waa. The word ‘chutney’ comes from the Indian ‘chatni’ (sometimes spelt chutni), which means ‘to be licked.â When the British staff of the East India Company (EIC) tasted chatni in the […]
Although they may not know it, the Australian Women’s Cricket team owes a debt of gratitude to those who once played with this ball, Mereah Austen (1882â1982), and to J.S. OâHara (1853â1933). Mereah for showing a sceptical public that girls could play cricket at a high level and OâHara for his enthusiastic support for âThe […]
Although this object may look like a giantâs bangle it is in fact an integral part of the mostly forgotten game of clayâend quoits which dates back to the 14th century and was most closely associated with mining regions. The game involved the throwing of metal rings, the quoits, up and down a pitch with […]
On Saturday the 15th of April 1905, the Sawers Shield finally found its home in Moonbi after six years of stiff competition. A yearly competition between the affiliated clubs of the Tamworth Cricket Union, it would only be awarded to the team that could win twice in succession or three times in all. Moonbi accomplished […]
This pennant was won by Ron Ekert (1930-2019) in the senior musical flag competition during Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Clubâs Carnival of 1950-1951. Ron was a well-known Life Member of the Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and in 2007 the Club named its new surf boat in his memory. A talented athlete in […]
When the Lake Macquarie swimming champion Bill Walker heard his name called, and he stepped up to receive his award for the Senior Point Score of 1935-6, he might have had a chuckle at being handed this silver-plated teapot trophy. That fresh winter evening in June 1936, at the Blackalls Park Hall near the banks […]
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