Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of this time in 1915, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

NAROOMA – A day’s sports was held on the Narooma Recreation Ground on New Year’s Day. Owing to the weather not being too promising the attendance was not as good as might have been. Too much praise cannot be given to the Spinks Bros., of Bodalla, for the sportsmanlike manner in which they entered into the day’s programme. Messrs. Hutchison and Browne kindly motored out from Bodalla to act as judges and gave every satisfaction. The dance at night was a great success, music being supplied voluntarily by the Misses Lynch, Ruby Davison and Mrs. A.H. Preddy….
Following is a result of the sports: – High Jump – L. Lavis and J. Duncan divided; Hunting Contest – M. Doulton 1, L. Lavis 2; Boy’s Hunting Contest – A. Moore 1, S. Morris 2; Flag Race – L. Lavis 1, R. Spinks 2; Best Stockman – (Special by Mr. W. Lynch) L. Lavis 1; Trot – T. Costin; Harnessing Horse by Lady – Miss Queenie Poole; Tilting the Ring – L. Lavis; Throwing at Wicket – A. Phillips; Stepping Distance – C. Belette; Maiden High Jump – (special by Mr. J. Brennan) M. Dowlton and R. Spinks divided; Guessing the weight of cheese – Mr. W.J. Lynch 1. 9/1/1915

TO LET – THE BLACK SMITH’S SHOP and all TOOLS, and dwelling house if required. For particulars apply BODALLA. 9/1/1915

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS – From a scanning of the files of the country press, this Christmas has been a sort of beanfeast and a golden harvest combined for country shopkeepers. Many journals report their tradespeople as having asserted that they have done record business. The reason is not hard to deduce. With – it’s no use sidestepping the fact – the war on, and bad seasons in many parts of the country, the Man on the Land has remained at home in the buzum of his family instead of taking his usual trip to Sydney to splash his cash. The countryman, with his ‘sisters, and his wife, and his cousins and his aunt,’ and his kids, or his best girl, has been conspicuous by his absence in the Metropolis this Christmas. Consequently the local storekeeper and the local publican have reaped the harvest out of the earnings of the country chap who, as a rule, slithers away and makes merry, and incidentally leaves his own town dead to go gay in the Metropolis. “It’s an ill gale that blows no one good.” 9/1/1915

NEW YEAR’S NIGHT – Everything passed off quietly on New Year’s Eve in Moruya, and the boy’s behaviour was of such a mild nature that our police officers were not called on for any extra exertion or uneasiness. 9/1/1915

BATEMAN’S BAY (From our Correspondent) – The new steam punt, just completed to take the place of the hand-worked punt now in use, was most successfully launched at 9.30 a.m. on the 4th inst. The launching was accomplished without a hitch, and as the vessel struck the water to the accompaniment of the cheers of the spectators, it was quite manifest to all present that it was going to prove a credit to the contractor and builder. One could not but admire the workmanship put into this improved means of transit over the Bay, and tourists and others using this way are to be congratulated on having such means of crossing at their disposal…. 9/1/1915

Sixteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1913 are available ($5 ea) from the society’s rooms. Copies of local newspapers from the 1860s to date can be viewed at the society’s Family History Research Centre (Ph 4474 3224) situated at the rear of the Pioneer Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (mdhs.org.au).