Forrest Social and Cultural Groups by Norm Houghton
A number of cultural and recreational groups have enriched the town over the years. In the early days it was the church groups and ad hoc sports and recreational gatherings of like minded souls that provided stimulation. The sawmill workers had limited opportunities in this regard because of the long hours and residing at the mills deep in the bush so they made their own entertainment. Reading was very popular, as was card playing, and those at Henry’s No.1 mill had access to a hall and billiard hut.
|
|
|
An occasional kick of the football on a rarely found flat spot, the odd boxing match and fishing in the nearby rivers and creeks were other diversions. During the 1930s when economic activity was slow there was the time to take an interest in matters other than work, particularly during winter when outdoor activities could be hampered by damp weather and mud.
|
|
|
In 1932 the Forrest Dramatic Club was formed with 50 members under the leadership of E. Warren, F. Grant and W. Gale and it put on music and elocutionary items in the hall. An Anglers Club was initiated in 1934 and it promoted fishing for trout and blackfish in the east and west Barwon. Its favourite fishing spot was the Fork Paddocks.
|
|
|
Feature Balls and dances were promoted by the Football Club, the Sports Committee and the Oddfellows Lodge. The public hall was the venue for most of these. This building was originally provided in 1900 using timber donated by Alex Sanderson and sited in Station Street south, opposite the present police station. The building was lengthened by nine metres in 1928 to cater for the increased use then prevailing. Regular Saturday night dances were held with piano and violin music being provided by local players such as Mrs Craswaller, Florrie Cherry, Bob Mulhare and Fiddler Fletcher.
|
|
|
A more formal band was formed in the 1930s as the Micky Mouse Band comprising Rose Seebeck piano, Neta Seebeck saxophone, Arthur Ure cornet, W. White drums and John Seebeck vocals. The original hall burnt down in 1963 and it was replaced with a modern facility in Grant Street that was financed by a rate levy and local fund raisings led by H. Rourke and an enthusiastic committee.
|
|
|
The new hall opened in February 1966 and has been the venue for any and every type of local event including public meetings, dances, balls, club and society meetings, staff farewells, private social functions, community workshops and the like. In 2003 the hall amenity was improved by the addition of a rear deck. The Oddfellows Lodge was formed around 1915 as a Friendly Society providing sickness and funeral benefits to members and it erected an assembly hall near the public hall. Once a year the Lodge put on a dance for the people of Forrest at its hall and it was as big an event as the Sports day ball in the other venue. The Lodge was generally known as the Buffaloes and it operated until 1974.
|
|
|
In 1928 the Independent Hall was built in Grant Street at the Colac Road corner (now Turner Drive) as a social meeting place for Catholics. It was used until the late 1960s. The Country Women’s Association proved to be the most enduring of the pre-war groups and it provided many years 18 of service to its members and the community. It disbanded in 1970 on account of declining membership. Lifestyle changes in recent times have seen performing groups form and an emerging consciousness of alternative outlooks.
|
|
|
A Neighbourhood House started as was a Men’s Shed. A war memorial, a feature Forrest had not ever possessed, was set up outside the Public Hall in 2017 funded by a Grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs. When the former Forests Commission office and works compound in Grant Street was made redundant in 2017 the site was turned over to community use with several facilities being established here.
|
|
Forrest History Timeline - February
| Year |
Date |
Place: |
Event: |
| 1919 |
19 |
Barramunga |
Bushfire destroys Methodist Church |
1920
|
9
|
Forrest
|
W. Fletcher of Forrest is a good violinist. He performed before the Governor General and State Governor when they visited the Western District a while back. He is a left-handed player, probably the only one in Victoria. It is remarkable the amount of tone he gets from the instrument. It is hoped he will play in Colac to give them a chance of listening to the elderly and accomplished player. |
1923
|
9
|
Barramunga
|
The road from Forrest to Barramunga has been metalled but from here to AB it has not been done and the road is impassable in winter and settlers cannot get supplies or market produce. |
| 1923 |
23 |
Forrest |
Stella Wilson Diary entry. Tom Curtis died this day |
1927
|
2
|
Forrest
|
New sports ground opened by J. McDonald MLA. Ref to the ground being that of the new Forrest Athletic Club There were 3,000 people at sports. |
| 1927 |
11 |
Forrest |
The Apollo Bay coach got through the fires without damage. |
| 1927 |
28 |
Forrest |
Constable Mills transferred after 2 yrs. Const Furlong now. |
| 1929 |
18 |
Barramunga |
The hotel closed on 1/1/29 after 50 years. |
| 1934 |
14 |
Barramunga |
ref to Henry's box mill here. |
1934
|
26
|
Forrest
|
Town to hold first Community Singing and Concert event. In aid of Bush nursing centre. Geelong entertainers will lead it. |
1936
|
7
|
Barramunga
|
Stevensons built a road to Upper Gellibrand themselves about 20 years ago. Six brothers. Paid a road maker to supervisor. Went through Burke's block, sandstone sidings up to 40 ft tall. Used until last year when landslips blocked it. |
1936
|
24
|
Barramunga
|
CRB to fund new road to Upper Gellibrand and will start now. OSC Engineer J. Wilke surveyed road already on 1 in 14 grade. |
| 1952 |
29 |
Forrest |
ref to Stanley Mullens as licensee at hotel |
| 1956 |
15 |
Barwon Downs |
recent fire at Kincaid's mill. Extensive rebuilding taking place |
1957
|
1
|
Forrest
|
Foundation Day Sports held. Dance at night with music by Mrs Rourke, K. Jillard and J. Kirby |
| 1958 |
17 |
Forrest |
Progress Association formed |
| 1958 |
28 |
Forrest |
FCV tender for three car garage |
| 1960 |
8 |
Barwon Downs |
Sports next Fri and Sat nights |
|
|
|
Forrest Images: Hop Picking
|
|
|
Have Material of interest for publication? Send it to forresthistory@gmail.com
|
|
Memberships are due July 1st each year.
Please pay $20 per family to:
BSB: 633 108 Account no: 1280 99579
(use your name as a reference.)
If you are unsure if you are already covered, email: forresthistory@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
