Entertainment and Recreation
Written by Graham Wilson
Australian Theme - developing Australia’s cultural life.
NSW Theme - creative endeavour.
Local Themes - Theatre, studios, cinema, outdor cinema, exemplar of a particular architectural style, rock art site, public gardens, library, public hall, public murals, a particular place where there has been a particular creative, stylistic or design event.
Prior to the introduction of the local picture show and later television, many professional dramatic and musical troupes travelled throughout the countryside providing entertainment. Circuses visited country towns according to an annual itinerary and other visiting professional groups used the community halls. Local dramatic and choral groups were also formed in the towns.
Brass Bands
Brass band music was popular throughout Australia and the formation of brass bands was a noted feature particularly of mining districts. In time, Town and Municipal bands replaced early voluntary bands.
Bingara
A Voluntary Brass Band was formed in Bingara by 1897 but by January 1899 was in ‘a very low condition’ and Mr Joe Hamilton, the former bandmaster announced his intention to form a private band. The Town Band was still in operation in March 1899 but some time later, the band folded ‘owing to lack of support…’
In July 1907 the mayor was asked to call a public meeting to re-form the local Town Band.
With the onset of the Great Depression, the Municipal Brass was disbanded in April 1934 only to be re-formed in March 1935. In February 1936 the Bingara Advocate announced that it was ‘rumoured that Bingara Municipal Brass Band will be reformed’. It had apparently ceased to function some time ago.
Warialda
The Warialda Brass Band was formed by February 1899 when it played in the street every Saturday night. M. Williamson traces the history of the band and shows that it ceased on several occasions only to be reformed again. Some of the bandmasters were: R.H. Stewart, E. Quickenden, J. Myers, Walter Davis and Tom Graham. An effort was made to reform the band under bandmaster T. Graham in May 1915. A number of instruments were available and it was hoped that a number of others would be purchased.
The band was formed that year and played for a number of wartime functions including send offs for soldiers; the visit of the Kurrajongs from Inverell in January 1916 and the unveiling of the Honour Roll at the Public School. It continued for many years until the 1930s when it ceased although Tom Graham continued to play the coronet for Anzac Services in the district.
Travelling picture shows
Australians have always had a fascination for the picture show. Prior to the construction of the local picture show building, travelling photographers entertained residents. On the night of 11 July 1905, Joseph Check presented the Great Cinematograph featuring the Russo Japanese War and fifty-three cinematograph scenes. The programme was interspersed by the live entertainer, G. Knight the famous comedian.
Phelan’s Biograph was presented in the School of Arts in September 1906 and in April 1909 West’s Pictures and concert presented ‘the finest pictures the world can produce’. In 1910 and 1911, the Globe Pictures came to Warialda School of Arts every week on a Monday night. A.G. Stork presented moving pictures at the School of Arts Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday nights by October 1910. In 1911, Rowe and Gills presented all-star films from the Lyceum Theatre in Sydney at the School of Arts in Warialda on a weekly basis.
Warren’s famous pictures on their sixth year on tour appeared in Warialda in November 1912 and in August 1913. At the same time, A.B. Warner returned with his pictures. A Warialda Amusement Company was formed and presented an open-air picture play in the building opposite the Court House in February 1913 and was still in operation in September 1913.
Rowe and Gills Photo Company presented the Electric Light Moving Pictures in Warialda on Wednesday 12 March 1913. Rowe’s Touring Cinema Show appeared in the Warialda School of Arts on Saturday 5 September 1914. Webb and Niddrie who had recently purchased the plant and business of Anderson Picture Company provided films to a packed house in the School of Arts on Saturday 14 March 1914.