HATS WERE GONE WITH THE WIND

HATS WERE GONE WITH THE WIND

See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/1132647

Opening of Carnival at Scone

FROM OUR SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE

SCONE, Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 28 August1939

Featured Image: Portion of Page ‘For Women’ in the SMH 28 August 1939. See ‘Trove’ above and: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17607932/1132647

Authors Note:

This meeting might have heralded the end of an era; and the rebirth of a new? Hostilities in Europe erupted shortly after. Everything changed with the advent of WWII. It strikes me that this level of ‘upwardly enhanced’ social engagement did not re-eventuate following the end of the war? In actual fact the genesis of what emerged as the ‘new’ Scone Race Club took place in 1944 with the first race meeting held at White Park in May 1947?

The meeting at St Aubins private track in August 1939 played host to inchoate champion apprentice Neville Sellwood; then 16 years old. He had ridden his first winner at Doomben earlier that year. He rode three horses for Alan Cooper including a second placing. The details of the meeting can be found on page at: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Scones-Racing-History-2nd-Edition-.pdf on Pages 68 – 70.

Faced with the triple problems of clutching their hats to their heads with one hand against the force of a high wind, managing a race book with the other, and trying to pick winning horses, racegoers at the Scone Carnival Week-end Race Meeting yesterday afternoon found plenty to occupy their time between races.

By the time the first spectators reached the course a strong wind, which increased in strength during the afternoon, was blowing steadily, and hats were soon travelling helter-skelter across the paddocks Some of the visitors solved the problem by discarding their headwear altogether or tying impromptu turbans, contrived from scarves, around their hair. Those in the official stand found some measure of shelter against the gusts, and afternoon tea, which was served in a specially erected marquee tinder spreading gum trees, was a welcome Interval which gave everyone an opportunity to regain their composure.

The meeting was the first to have been held on the new race track on St. Aubin’s, the property of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Smith, and scores of visitors from Sydney and the surrounding districts motored to Scone for the event and took part in the carnival procession which was held in the town in the evening. The Governor, Lord Wakehurst, who was to have been the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred White at Belltrees, was unable to attend owing to the international situation.

TRAVELLED FROM SYDNEY

Among the visitors from Sydney were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Sir Norman and Lady Nock, who were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Riddle, of Kia Ora. An ink blue dressmaker suit with a watermole collar and small toque were worn by Lady Nock. Mrs. W. J. Smith, whose husband is president of the Scone Hospital Racing Club, wore a smoke grey, self-striped imported suit with a matching grey hat trimmed with picot-edged cyclamen ribbon. Miss Thelma Smith wore an emerald green chiffon scarf over her hair, and a roseberry knitted boucle suit. Mr. and Mrs. Smith entertained at a cocktail party at their home after the races. In their house party were the Commissioner for Railways, Mr. T. J. Hartigan, and the Commissioner for Taxation, Mr. E. J. McMahon, and Mrs. McMahon, who wore a dregs-of-wine tailored suit with a contrasting hat. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Binnie were there to see their horse, Maeranie, run, Mrs. Binnie wearing a herringbone teal green tweed outfit. Mrs Alec Binnie chose a navy tailleur striped in white. Miss Phillipa White (Muswellbrook) chose a smoke grey ensemble.

PICNIC ATMOSPHERE

There was a typical country picnic spirit at the meeting and many of the race-goers wore informal sports clothes or tailored suits, and the majority favoured low-heeled shoes, which, they knew from former experience would give a maximum of comfort. Many of the visitors will stay in Scone until Monday night to attend the carnival ball, the proceeds from which will also be given to the Scone Hospital.

With Mrs W T Badgery, of Redbank, was her guest Miss Mollie Butters (Sydney), Mr Ken Badgery and Mrs Badgery’s sister, Mrs George Arthur of Launceston Tasmania, who will be her guest until the spring race meetings in Sydney which they will both attend. Mrs Arthur chose a tailored suit in cinnamon brown tonings Miss Mollie Butter wore a desert-sand ensemble with furs.

Mrs Max Wright (Blandford) wearing a cigar brown suit with a contrasting teal jumper, was with Mrs Phillip Wilson (Barraba) and Miss Adrian Young. Miss Elizabeth Spicer (Scone) wore a toffee coloured tailored suit covered by a brown top coat. Mr A. A. Rankin president of the Newcastle Aero Club, was accompanied by Miss Rankin and Miss Margaret Rankin, the well-known golfer.

Mr and Mrs J H Shearston formerly of Inverell, who have made their home in Scone for the past five months were present, with Mr V J Hall (Scone). Mrs Shearston chose a tulip black costume with a matching hat. Her eight-months-old baby son will shortly be christened Gary Rhett the latter name being chosen from “Gone with the Wind” which is one of Mrs Shearston’s favourite books They are waiting until the return of Dr Alexander Watt from England for the christening ceremony, so that he can act as godfather. Mrs Fred Chenhall will be one of the godmothers.

WATCHED HUSBAND’S HORSES

One of the most excited people on the course was Mrs Alan Cooper of Segenhoe whose husband’s horses had several successes. She wore a navy suit with a red and white collar and a small white straw hat banded in navy. Miss Jean Havard was tin attractive figure in a mustard yellow sports coat with a nigger brown skirt Miss Audrey Westgarth, who was accompanied by her fiancé, Mr W Tewksbury, wore a black dirndl frock appliqued with felt flowers in bright colours at the waistline

Visitors from Maitland were Mr and Mrs Jack Enright, of Sarsfield. A striped teal green suit was the choice of Mrs Enright. A cinnamon brown and white checked suit was favoured by Miss Joan Macdonald of Singleton. Mrs J A Simpson whose husband is assistant secretary of the club wore a black tailored frock with a contrasting white hat.