It all started when our mate, Renee, wanted to have a look at the Garema Hall and we all went for a drive.
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Being a man of fine taste and class I took with me and played for Ollie and Renee the original musical recording, c1950s, of The Ball At Garema. This was written and sung by the late Keith Pearse on his own label ‘Starlite Records’. Let me give you the first verse:
To a ball at Garema I ventured one night
Dressed up in my suit all fancy and bright
And the bloke in the doorway he missed out on me
I ducked in the back where the tickets are free.
I enjoyed the song, even though my companions may have not!
It has verses that are racist and sexist BUT it is a song of an era and put in context is so important as an example of the culture, language, social history and attitudes of the time. Keith was a fine example of a local singer/songwriter writing about life at the time, having fun and enjoying his music. It documents the transition between older ‘bush music’ and later country.
You should see the shearers grab a brunette
Or if she’s a blonde, a dear little pet
They’re tramping around in their shiny black shoes
You’d think they were dragging two little pet ewes
In the end I had the ladies joining in the chorus, Yoo hee yoo hah, you hee yoo hah, At the ball at Garema.
Frivolity aside we must congratulate all the people involved in the restoration of the Garema Hall (home of the Ball) and its environs. A credit to all of them and a lot of hard work I would imagine. I remember when the restoration was in its infancy and Butch Wooldridge mentioned to me that the Hall did not have a picture of the Queen. You know, the one that is in all the country halls where she never ages. We had regular segments on regional ABC at the time and I put out the call … and got the Queen’s portrait. Thanks Ray Davey.
I understand they now also have other portraits, pictures and ephemera and that the honour board from one of the wars is going to be duplicated. Good on them as we have seen the demise of too many of these wonderful country halls that were the hub of the community.
Of course I went on a quest through our National Library of Australia online resources and came across an online book “The Hodge Family of Garema” written and compiled by Ray Cavenagh. More information came to hand:
“The Garema Hall played a pivotal part in the social life of the district. Originally with a timber exterior and later clad in corrugated iron, it sat alone in a large paddock for many years with no hint of the many wonderful times so many people had within its walls. There would often be a dance at the Garema Hall and all the Hodge family would attend, regardless of age. The men would find ways to keep their bottles of beer cool and the children would run around with their friends until they were exhausted and would fall asleep wherever they could find a comfortable spot. I think we kids danced more than the adults. The women of the district would take a heap of cakes and sandwiches to the dance and the highlight of the night was the supper. The country dances were always popular, and ... people would come from Forbes to attend.”
READ MORE: Haunting tales | Rob Willis
Recently had a yarn with one of our esteemed Councillors and mentioned the importance of being a tourist in your own town and district. We have a nice balance of history and contemporary in our area at the moment. My memory is of when the wonderful verandahs were removed in the 1950s to ‘modernise’ the town. Now we wish they were still there.
Take the time and take a drive out to Garema and have a look at the Hall and also the other vintage houses in the village.
