This article was written by Tony Ware, formerly a resident of Korumburra, he now lives in Western Australia. He writes of the antics of a little known organisation.
“KORUMBURRA BACHELORS’ CLUB”
The initial version of same occurred in September 1923 with the Hon. Secretary, H.A. Johnson aka Benjamin Harold Agar Johnson. Agar was his mother’s maiden name.
An inaugural ball was held on Tuesday night 9 October 1923. Tickets were, Double 10s, Single 7s and Ladies 4s. According to the GSA, despite inclement weather it was a great success, and included attendees from Kongwak and Leongatha. The music was supplied by Max Rankine’s Jazz Band from Melbourne. This band which often appeared on 3AR, featured Tom Bexley (Violinist), Jack Healy (Saxaphone), May Healy (Banjoist), Hal Rankin (Drums) and Max Rankin (Pianist).
At 11 pm, balloons tumbled down for the ladies and, noisesome toys given to the men. Another function, a dance and novelty night was held in the Mechanic’s Hall on Tuesday 6 November 1923.
The club then took a dive, and was resurrected in February 1926. In reporting this the GSA. noted, ‘the previous club soon collapsed, president and secretary got married soon after it was formed’, ‘big chance the one just formed will go the same way’ and that ‘the bachelor’s club is like the Inverloch races in that the scratching pencil is freely used among nominations’.
The office bearers were: President Mr. J.S.T. Moody, Vice President Mr J.L. Burnet, Committee, Messrs E.M. Lyne, A.E.N. Craven, D.H. Ferrier, R.B. Cope and D. Healy. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. J.P. McGann.
In March 1926 the club held a dance in the Mechanic’s Hall, a very enjoyable social in May, and in June formed a dramatic society. Mr H.E.L. Jones M.A. who has much experience in dramatic societies signified his intention of directing. The first performance, for which seats could be reserved at Hughan’s shop, played to practically a full house despite wet and boisterous weather and was held in the Mechanic’s Hall on Tuesday 12 October 1926. Hughan’s Newsagency doubled as a booking agent. Mr Hughan who took over the shop from W.A. Mackay, was an expert at repairing fountain pens. He was also president of the Traders’ Association.
A complete list of acts can be found in the GSA, however, a couple of highlights were, Miss Gladys Hopkins performing the overture ‘Country Garden’ and ‘Bachelor Gay’, rendered by a number of bachelors. A farce by Mr W. Simpson as hypnotist ‘Mr Koo-Wee-Rup-Ski’ was performed. He had the assistance of Mr V. Gannon as “Mr Leon Gatha” a hayseed back from the Royal Show who under ‘hypnotic influence’ played the piano as Percy Grainger.
At the conclusion lady members received pretty bouquets and the bachelors bouquets of mostly carrots, cabbages, cauliflowers and other greens. Cast and attendants then gathered at the Speedwell Cafe.
Just as an aside, in February 1926, the Speedwell Cafe was purchased by Mr A. E. Sponge of Kilcunda from William Henry Sandon, who then purchased Lehane’s Ham and Beef shop at the top of Commercial Street. Sale was effected by H.A. Johnson. Then in July 1926 the Cafe was taken over by Mr A. Edwards. He did not have it for long as in October 1926, Mr T. N. Harlow of Warragul bought it, and finally in January 1928, Mrs McIntosh became the proprietress.
In early September 1932, William Sandon broke a leg and was admitted to hospital. A few days later he died aged 59 due to a blood clot on the brain. He was buried in Fawkner. His wife Emily passed away in Brighton East on 28 June 1949 aged 68.
Back to the Bachelor’s Club, on 11 December 1926 a play ‘The Private Secretary’ was performed at the Bena Hall. Proceeds went to the South Gippsland Hospitals Fund. 23 August 1927 saw a meeting to consider reorganisation of the club’s dramatic society. December 1927 they had a fundraiser for the ambulance.
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Bena Hall photograph from Victorian Collections
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