Bunnan Cricket Club 1880s

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

This photograph contrasts sharply with that of the Robertson Electorate XI of the same era. However there’s no doubt the intent and commitment were as profound.

School Cricket & Senior Football Teams 1890s

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

The Scone Football Club in 1899 played Rugby Union. Professional Rugby League was introduced into Australia in 1908 as a ‘break away’ code following developments of the renegade Northern Rugby Union in England. On resumption after the devastation of WWI Scone adopted Rugby League as the preferred winter game. ‘The Thoroughbreds’ were born.

Cricket Champions

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

Outstanding sportsman Tom Byrnes (Captain Scone CC XI 1933; Sitting Middle Centre) was a product of St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill (‘Joeys’). He had also played in the Barrett Shield (Rugby League) champion teams. Tom later became legendary Manager of Dalgety’s Stock & Station Agency in Scone when it was at its peak.

Tom’s son, also Tom Byrnes, was a champion golfer; for many years in the 1960s and 1970s the Senior Men’s Champion at Scone Golf Club.

“The Best Ever” claim by the Robertson Electorate (Upper Hunter) XI of 1890 was no idle boast. The team contained one Australian Test Captain, Dr H J H Scott and another. C W Rock, who had been selected in the Australian Test side but was unable to play for health reasons.

 

Teams Past & Present

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

The 1893 Football Team was Rugby Union.

The outstanding Barrett Shield winning side in the early 1930s was Rugby League: ‘The Thoroughbreds’.

This team beat a visiting Balmain (Sydney side). Brian McGrath said Les ‘Streaker’ Boyd (middle centre) was outstanding; and very fast. The Scone Race Club hosted the ‘Streaker Boyd Gift’ footrace at a sponsored White Park Race Meeting in 1980. The race was ‘controversially’ won by the representative from the Quirindi Grasshoppers. All Group 21 clubs were represented and ran in team jerseys. Brian McGrath was one of the judges on the rail at the finishing post. Unbeknown to him Neil Dann took a photo finish shot as if it was a thoroughbred race. The print clearly showed the Quirindi runner was actually third in a very tight finish. I kept the print under wraps because the formalities and presentation of the winners’ cheque had already taken place. It transpired the winner was a young man with a family and ‘out of work’. The $200:00 would come in handy! We decided to keep ‘mum’ and do nothing about it. I still have the photo now.

Scone’s First Municipal Council 1888

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

First Municipal Council 1888

Scone was first proclaimed as a township in 1837. However it was not until 1888 that it was formally incorporated as a Municipality.

Standing left to right: Alderman James Hayne; Alderman J Bromhead; Alderman B Aurisch

Seated left to right: Alderman E Solomons; Alderman F C Stevenson; Alderman J J Dodd

One of the unsuccessful candidates in the election was Mathew Barber Miller; much to his chagrin!

White Family of Belltrees

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

The generation(s) of the White Family from ‘Belltrees’ in the early 1900s were arguably the greatest benefactors in the history of the Upper Hunter Valley and specifically the township of Scone. Mr A H White and Mr Arthur G White were very prominent polymath philanthropists

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/white-park-the-memories/

There is a metal plaque on the right hand brick column (on entry), one of two which suspend the wrought iron gates. The people of Scone are eternally and perennially grateful for the munificent benefaction of Mr A G White of ‘Belltrees’. The plaque states:

Presented to the people of Scone as a Recreation Reserve by:

A G White Esq

Belltrees

White Park

And officially opened for this purpose

*9th June 1924*

First Councillors of the Shire of Upper Hunter

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

Standing left to right:

Councillors E G Eagar and H L White

Seated left to right:

Councillors F A Parbury, L E Wiseman and W E Abbott

Councillor White filled the seat of President with distinction for an unbroken period of 21 years, during which time many works of an important character, including the Upper Hunter Dry Road, materialised.

Sir John Robertson KCMG

Acknowledgement:

Scone Hospital Centenary 1834 – 1934 Arthur Smith Memorial “Back to Scone Week”

7 – 8 – 9 – 10th March 1934 Official Souvenir ….. 2/6

Visionary politician and civic leader Sir John Robertson and his family resided at ‘Yarrandi’. The Coxen brothers set  up there previously and hosted a visit by their sister and brother-in-law ‘The Birdman’ John Gould. Very much later (1966) Crown Prince Charles played Polo there as a guest of the Scone Polo Club.

The Masonic Group was fundamental in early settlement. It appeared to present a platform for erudite professionals such as J A K Shaw (Solicitor) and Dr H J H Scott (Doctor)?

Dr John Goodwin served as ‘medico’ at the original Redbank Hospital.