Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 26 July 1919, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
CARNIVAL WEEK. – A conference between the committees of the A. and P. Society and Race Club to consider the advisability of holding the show and races in the one week, will take place today (Saturday) at 2.30pm on the Shire Hall verandah.
MORUYA CEMETERY. – On Wednesday a Presbyterian Working Bee was called to the cemetery, when a large number of men and children gathered there employed the afternoon in cleaning up. All the grass was burnt off while the headstones were protected from being scorched by the fire. Scrub, blackberries and rushes were dug out, and trees endangering the headstones were felled. Many ladies catered for the refreshment of the workers with tea, cake and scones. Another Bee is to be held on Wednesday, 13th August, to finish off the work so well begun. It is now up to the Catholics, Anglicans and Methodists to do their part of the cemetery.
PRESENTATION OF PEACE MEDALS. – On Saturday, July 19th, the children of the Moruya Public School were assembled in the playground to receive the medals struck by the Commonwealth Govt. in commemoration of the signing of the great Peace Treaty. Rev. Henderson occupied the chair and addressed the chair on the object of the gathering. Mr. Egan then read Capt. Bean’s (A.I.F. war correspondent) stirring and impressive speech, which closes with a most pathetic reminder of Australia’s 60,000 dead, and the great heritage bequeathed us through their sacrifice. After the ceremony of saluting the Union Jack, Sister Steel, of Randwick Military Hospital (who served with the forces in Salonica) presented each child with the Peace Medal inscribed thus: “The Triumph of Liberty and Justice- The Peace 1919.” After the singing of “Advance Australia,” Mr. Egan moved a vote of thanks to Sister Steel.
DEATH. – On Friday of last week Mrs. Myles Lynch, of Narooma, died from pneumonic influenza, leaving a widower and two little children. The Deceased was very highly spoken of, her charming personality endearing her to all classes of the community. The remains were interred in the R.C. portion of the cemetery at daybreak on the following morning.
The deaths of Mrs. Dawson-Hansen, volunteer matron, of the influenza Hospital and that of Mrs. Myles Lynch, at Narooma, last week, from influenza, were received in Moruya with profound regret.
KIORA: OLD AND NEW. – [By E. W. H.]
The formal opening of Kiora Church takes place at 2.30 on Sunday afternoon next. The structure which contains as much of the timber of the old building as could be used, and the roof, presents a shapely and inviting appearance, and is a credit to the contractor, Mr. C. Stubbs. Papers extracted from the original building reveal that the first meeting convened to consider the matter of erecting a place of worship was held in the granary at Kiora on August 7th, 1860. The familiar names of John Hawdon, Jacob Luck and Abraham Emmott appear on the committee, as also that of Christopher Brown, whose address is said to be “The Mouth.” The primary purpose of the structure was for use as a Wesleyan School House, and also as a Church. But the passing years made changes and the settlement drifted nearer to the coast. The new Church, moreover, is not on the same ground but in a more central and suitable position beside the main Araluen road.
DEAUA RIVER. – (From our Correspondent).
It is with regret that we have to record the sad death of Thomas, third son of Mr. B. Nevin of Deua River, which occurred at Casino on Saturday. The deceased, who was of an amiable disposition, was about 33 years old and leaves a young wife whom he married only two years ago. The cause of death was pneumatic influenza.
Twenty 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1918 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 Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (www.mdhs.org.au).
