Boxing Day 50 or 60 years ago was always hot, dry and dusty. Still it was a day to be remembered by all the members of the church, old and young.
It was the day of the annual Sunday School picnic, and this was always held in Fromhold’s paddock.
This was about 4 acres of flat cleared land about 400 yards west of Victoria Street, immediately behind our present church and south of the fine old homestead of the Fromhold family. There was also gum trees south of this which provided shade for the horses and spring carts in which many of the people had travelled. Most of the 4 to 5 hundred people present had walked. Some families had driven in wagons, and one spring cart or dray carried the water tank, full of fresh water, which was an absolute necessity.
Young mothers pushed iron-wheeled prams. No chromium plate, no rubber tyres those days. The prams, four wheeled and wicker sided, were strong enough to carry the fathers, although of course the babies were no heavier then, than they are now.
The organisation and general running of the picnic appeared to be in the hands of the Superintendent of the Sunday School, and the teachers. The following are some of the men who have all run their last race, and no doubt have been told “Well done, thou good and faithful servant"; Mr Henry Thiele, Mr August Zerbe, Mr Fred Zerbe, Mr Ferdinand Finger, Mr John Finger, Mr Ern Hanke and others.
The lady teachers of whom we still have with us, Mrs O. Dehnert, Mrs Soderlund and Mrs Scherman ably assisted them. What patience, sweetness and kindness these ladies have always exhibited during their long service to their fellowmen and God. v
The picnic started off with the Sunday School races. These were sprints over about 100 yards. The winner had first pick of the prizes, 2nd had 2nd pick, 3rd had 3rd pick; all others were given a prize. Then came the young men’s race. This was really a serious affair. The coats and waistcoats came off, then the celluloid collar and tie and then the boots (nobody wore shoes). The before mentioned committee gave starts on known performances, 2 men held a rope at the finishing point 130 yards away. Mr Aug. Zerbe usually acted as starter. The race was run, as strictly as the Stawell Gift is today and although there were prizes, the honour of winning was the real prize.
The young ladies race was a different affair. First let us have a glance at the competitors, all have either heavy flat-heeled shoes or boots. The boots are soft kid leather, about 14 or 16 inches high and sharply pointed at the toe. They are either laced or buttoned up with about 14 glass spherical buttons. This footwear would definitely never be removed to win any race.
The summer outfit was a skirt and blouse affair. The skirt was usually of cotton material with the hemline about 6 inches from the ground. The blouse was long sleeved, cuff s buttoning tightly at the wrists. A tight fitting lace collar about 3 inches high surmounted the blouse. This fitted firmly around the throat. The blouse was plentifully decorated with lace. Everything was fastened with hook and eyes or buttons; there were no press-studs or zip-fasteners those days. All waistlines were about 21 inches.
1 he hair was from 2 to 4 feet long. Those who had a lot ot hair plaited it into one pigtail and formed a bun on the back ot the head. Those who had an extra lot had 2 plaits and a bun on each side at the back. The summer hat was usually about 2 feet in diameter. It was often straw or cotton and well decorated with artificial flowers (roses or poppies) or perhaps ostrich or parrot feathers. The hat was held in place with 2 or 3 hatpins about 18 inches long. White cotton gloves and a parasol completed the ensemble. The complexion was always cream and roses and the parasol was meant to keep it so.
The married women’s race followed. It was never a real race. The competitors were aged between 20 and 50. All had plenty of excuses for running inability; but still they did not say “No”.
The married men’s race was in the same category. A real draught horse flutter, more puffing and blowing than speed. A young man who had recently joined the ranks of the married men always stole it.
To make the picnic go with a swing various other items were introduced. There was always a lolly scramble for the children. This consisted of all children being gathered into one group. “Conversations” and "Boiled” lollies would then be thrown into the air, much the same as throwing wheat to fowls. The excitement, jostling and scrambling must be left to the imagination, but there were no germs 50 or 60 years ago.
In the bun race for young men, buns were suspended from a horizontal pole to about the height of the competitors’ chins. All had hands tied behind their backs. After running 50 yards to the buns, competitors would endeavour to eat the bun and race back to the starting point. It was all very funny for the spectators.
The tug-of-war, which was always held, was a dour affair. Teams of 10 men a side pulled lustily on a thick rope, and probably took days to wear off the effects. This again was all for fun and honour and glory.
The competitors for the ladies were not so strenuous. One consisted of guessing how many grains of wheat in a pickle bottle. The winner sometimes received a small prize, but again the honour of winning was all that mattered.
About 6 o’clock was teatime. Everybody formed a large ring each with a cup and saucer. Everybody stood and sang grace to the tune of "Old hundredth”. The men’s basso and the women’s soprano voices made this alone a real item of the picnic. Then all were seated on the ground. The young ladies brought sandwiches and their escorts carried huge tea and coffeepots and filled the cups. After sandwiches came the cakes. The chief cakes were plum or streuzel kuchem made of course with brewers’ yeast, and sponge cake. There was always enough food for 2 picnics. Teatime usually lasted about 1 hour. Everybody would then join in and wash up.
After tea the older people would usually leave for home to milk the cow, feed the horses, fowls and pigs and generally to attend to the 100 and one jobs which require attention on any farm, for they were all farmers as well as fruit growers. Parents with children would reluctantly leave and soon the only ones left would be the young people. To be more accurate, this should be the single men and women, for them the picnic would just be starting.
The first game played by the young people would usually be two’s and three’s. This would last about 10 minutes and by then all shyness and standoffishness would be eliminated. Bull in the ring, Poisoned handkerchief, and Jolly Miller, followed till about 10pm. Everybody would join hands and sing “Auld Lang Syne” and another jolly good picnic would be over.
Source: 2004-09 DTHS Newsletter
No comments:
Post a Comment