Scone Chamber of Commerce 1993

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great; some achieve greatness; and some have greatness thrust upon them”; William Shakespeare; ‘Malvolio’ in Twelth Night

This was a quite ‘disparate’ cadre of people with differing origins and backgrounds. However something they have all shared is success in civilian life across a wide range of disciplines. Peter is from a scion grazing family. Helen has achieved high accolades and rewards in racing administration and related activities. Graham, Merton and Paul all established outstanding retail and wholesale outlets in Scone. The three ‘professionals’ are lawyer Ross Cole, now a leading light with Darley/Godolphin and Accountants Chris Sam and Noel Leckie. The latter became an iconic President of the Scone Race Club.

Vic Brown & Lone Pine 1995

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

WWI veteran Vic Brown was a veritable local legend.  It’s significant that he is accompanied in the image above by Mrs Janet Barton (plus John Brooks). I believe Vic was a great help to Janet in her garden at ‘Geraldton’; where Sarah and I now reside. Sarah is doing a wonderful job having ‘inherited’ the pristine parkland. I’m relegated to occasional but not always tractable labourer and willing hand mower. I’m forbidden to use the sit-on mower. I’ve been known to wreck things. The latter is not good at shaving rocks; and I’m too heavy anyway!

Waltzing Matilda @ Scone Grammar School 1995

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

David Magoffin established himself as the historical and musical guru of the true origins of Australia’s unofficial National Anthem. Did he know that Banjo Paterson had been a regular visitor to Scone 100 years ago? He first came to play Polo against the locals in 1892.

See: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/banjo-polo-and-scone/

Scone Advocate Editors 1995

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

This is an elite camarilla of talent; now confined to the scrap-heap of history with the very recent ‘failure’ (after c. 140 years) of the Scone Advocate as a print newspaper. ‘Them were indeed the days’?

Scone Chamber of Commerce & Industry Heritage Committee 1994

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

Was this the forerunner of the Scone CBD Revitalisation Committee? Take note of the volunteer labour working on the day! It may be that their commendable creation and estimable energy will be sacrificed when the new plan for Kelly Street revitalisation and enhancement is activated?

Scone Horse Week Committee 1994

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

The Scone Horse Week concept emerged from the already established Scone Thoroughbred Week in the late 1970s. The latter was based on two days Scone Thoroughbred Sales (Monday/Tuesday) and two days Scone Cup Races (Wednesday/Thursday) begun initially in 1947. This model was extraordinarily successful and continues today albeit the sales have diminished in stature and were not held at Scone in COVID-contaminated 2020.

The Horse Week Committee was arguably at its zenith in 1994 with a very wide and influential cross section of the community intimately involved. I believe it is much more difficult today to attract a truly viable volunteer committee?

Scone Race Club Opening Day @ Satur Track Friday18th November 1994

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

As depicted in the Featured Image new records were established on this day. All things considered everything went off very smoothly.

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Scone Race Club: Official Opening of Satur Racetrack 1994

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

As recorded by the late Harley Walden in his seminal “The Spirit Within”: ‘Scone’s Racing History’ this was one of the great occasions in the history of the sport, club, township and district marking the culmination of historical achievement in the 150 year long evolutionary process. There were many bumps along the way but the final product is superb. It guarantees longevity for the ages. This was not always the case?

Big Merv @ ‘Metaland’ 1992

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

This is the ‘slimline’ version of three hirsute celebrities; two local and one an international Test Cricketer of some note. It seems not so long ago; but I promise you I was there! Nowadays much of the thatch is diminished; but only in proportion to the expanding belt buckles? Cheeky bugger me!

Aberdeen Pony Club 2000

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Way We Were’; A Pictorial History of the Scone District 1901 – 2001 by Anne McMullin, Kath Farrell and Audrey Entwisle; Federation Publication No. 4; Published by Scone and Upper Hunter Historical Society Inc. 2001

This is an eclectic group! Many of these ‘juniors’ have gone on to bigger and better things. Fergus Lee-Warner is a star with the Western Force (WA) Super Rugby Squad and is vying for Wallaby selection. It could be that the discipline and team work instilled into them at this age will stand them in good stead for their adult lives? I think I know the parents of most. They have had a good start on life’s journey!