General News
7 October, 2024
Times Gone By
- from Rainbow Archives and Historical Society's Peter Ralph
Today we’re featuring some CWA ladies who, along with several other town groups, were snapped in 1951 by a visiting Weekly Times photographer.
The pictures were then included in the November 7th issue of that paper. But printing processes then reduced the quality of originals.
Last week I mentioned that we had been donated originals, and despite some in poor condition, and many without names, President Jan publicised them and soon people came to our assistance with identifications. Many thanks. This is one of those photos from over 70 years ago.
After consulting our own Argus of November 9, 1951, I discovered what an active group of
CWA ladies they were. Apart from their wide-ranging CWA community and charitable work, many were involved in other clubs too.
For example, Mrs. McIntyre and Mrs. Fisher were both members of the Rainbow and District Jubilee Plantation Committee, the former also with the Welfare Club. Mrs Carrie Etherton was a particular stalwart Show supporter over decades and as well as her role as Judge, gained state recognition for her superb crochet work.
Speaking of the Show, among other successes, Mrs. Nuske that year three weeks earlier had taken off the chocolate cake and fruit loaf crowns, whilst Carrie swept the field in many handwork and flower sections.
I also checked out a couple of other things from the Argus that year to get a feel for the times and the businesses on the go then:
Reg Grano was the Chemist (“full Stock of Patent Medicines”)
Frank Dawson was selling Fords
Ismays had the “Celebrated IXL Stoves”
Pasco’s Stores (Ladies Frocks Now Showing, Phone 2)
AdvertisementK.R. Wishart “Your Jeweller: Exclusive Range”
C.N. Wallis “Farmers! Order your Trailer Now”
L.G.McKenzie “Cement Bricks: Any Quantity”
V.C. Dunn General Carrier
Strauss Bros. Holden
Off-Shears Sale scheduled for Nov. 22nd at the Rainbow Saleyards
Mr. Storey was the Presbyterian Minister, Pastor Churchill the Methodist, Pastor Backen Lutheran
Bowls winners were Lex Gould, H.Davis, R.Gooding and P.Dellar
In Cricket Rainbow Blue (76) def. Rainbow Red (47), Rainbow White 7/108 def. Yaapeet 30
Film: Nov 12 at the Mecca: “Wabash Avenue” with Betty Grable, plus cartoons and newsreels
Certainly there was plenty of activity and variety in the Rainbow of 1951, and what would it have cost me to buy an Argus then? Six pennies!