News from 100 years ago – 1 October 1921

Featured Image: The new school in Bodalla that is referred to in this issue replaced this schoolhouse and residence.

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of  1 October 1921 provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society

OPENING OF THE NEW BODALLA SCHOOL. – … took place under happy auspices on Saturday last, 24^th einst. It has for some time been a matter of general knowledge that the Bodalla school was one of the worst Government buildings on the South Coast; now, after much and prolonged agitation, the residents of Bodalla may fairly claim to possess the best public building of similar size on the South Coast….The building should easily accommodate 80 or 90 pupils, which should meet present requirements.

SERIOUS ILLNESS. – On Saturday last a ten-year-old son of Mr. Mark Whelan, of Bodalla, was admitted to the local Hospital, suffering from pneumonia and blood poisoning. On Tuesday the worst was feared, but, we are pleased to state, the following day a change for the better had taken place.

CRICKET COMPETITION. – At a meeting held on Wednesday night last it was decided to start a Cricket Competition in this district. It was decided to purchase a shield as a trophy to be played for. The following office bearers were elected: President, Mr. C. de Saxe; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. W. Doyle (Moruya), H. W. Strong (Bateman’s Bay), G. Veitch (Mogo), A. Pollock (Nerrigundah), F. Woodward (Bodalla); Secretary, Mr. C. Carter; Treasurer, Mr. F. Knight; Delegates, Messrs. Carter and Selden (Moruya), Molloy and Barling (Mogo), Marsden and Smith (Bodalla), Strong and Fenning (Bateman’s Bay). The rules of the old Association were revised and adapted. The Competition commences on last Saturday in October.

A terrific gale blew here on Thursday. In its course it carried away the verandah roof of Mr. D. Buckley’s residence, and many panels of fencing were razed to the ground.

VITAL STATISTICS. – Following are the vital statistics for the quarter ending Sept.,30^th, 1921: – Births 19, Marriages 4, Deaths, 15.

SIGNS OF PROGRESS. – Having just completed an up-to-date garage, Mr. Preddey is about to erect a picture and dance hall on the allotment adjoining. More anon.

POLICEMAN’S SUICIDE. – Constable Kenneth Anderson shot himself at Avon Dam lockup on Tuesday. He left a note on a desk. It read: “Dear Mother, – I have broken a big obligation, and good-bye. Say good-bye to Lill. Give this note to my mother.” Constable Anderson, who was a native of this district, was well known in sporting circles, having owned that pretty little pony Daybird.

ACCIDENT. – We are sorry to report that the Rev. Sanders met with a painful accident on Saturday. In cranking up his Ford car he unfortunately fractured his wrist. Mrs. Sanders is assisting her husband to fulfil his district visits by capably handling the wheel.

Extracted from the Moruya Examiner by the Moruya and District Historical Society Inc. https://www.mdhs.org.au

The Moruya Museum houses a collection of furniture, books, artefacts and memorabilia that is intended to show visitors something of the lives of the ordinary people of this community from the middle of the nineteenth century. Most items on display were donated by local families. 

To explore the museum’s online collection click HERE.