ROUND ’EM UP
Excitement is building for the Australia Day Rodeo and Junior Rodeo.
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Did you know that the Australia Day Celebrations began in 1958 to raise money to build a residence so a doctor could practice in the village?
This was achieved, and in 1965 the present Australia Day Committee was formed.
Some rodeo events were run – a buckjump, a steer ride and a poddy ride – boosted by athletic, Pony Club and novelty events.
The committee decided to join the ARRA but a few years later changed to the ABCRA.
The bulls from Moruya are well known as champion bucking stock that always test their riders in the most popular and dangerous rodeo event.
The saddle bronc ride is considered the classic rodeo event.
Rick Wilson and Tumut supply the bareback horses. The rider stays in the saddle through timing and balance and should synchronise with the horses movement.
The barrel races test the speed and agility of both horse and rider.
Steer undecorating also shows the quick eyes of the female riders, so there is much to entertain the family.
The rodeo has won many tourist awards over the years. The committee is continually improving facilities and ways to improve the comfort of their patrons.
All the work is done by volunteers while profit goes to the local Aged Care Facility and the participating organisations.
A 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Alan and Irene McKenzie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on January 10, with a gathering of family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the Highland Heritage Winery.
RED CROSS MEETING
A very well attended meeting of the Red Cross Branch took place last Tuesday. Discussion took place on the annual lunch but further enquiries will take place before the date is fixed. If you would like to join the branch new members are always welcome. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 12.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The annual meeting of the Historical Society will take place in the Masonic Hall on Saturday, February 9.
Archive Records show that large families were common in the pioneering days. The clan of Donald McInnes was no exception. It is no wonder that McInnes was a very common name in the early days of the district.
Donald (1789-1857), the son of John and Margaret, was born in Scotland, possibly at Moidart. He married Margaret McGregor. The couple came to Australia on the “George Fyfe” in 1839. They had 12 children born on the Isle of Shona. The Parish Register goes only as far as 1829 so some dates are approximate: John (1811); Angus (1817-1888) married Annabella Nicolson, there was no family; Gregor (1820-1897) married Ann Gibson. Seven children; Donald (1825-1892) married Phoebe Gibson, ten children; Charles (1829-1900) single; Mary (Charles twin) married Alexander MacDonald, six children; Ann (1830-1881), married William Warrina; Hugh (1832-1881) single; Peter (1835) single; Catherine (1838).
Donald was employed by Lachlan McAlister on his “Clifton´ dairy farm. John and Angus were shepherds, Donald was a shoemaker. The children of Angus and Annabelle: Margaret married Alec McInnes 10 children; John married Ellen McCrae, 9 children; Peter married Ann McCallum, 9 children; Angus married Florence McDonell, 4 children; Catherine married Michael Durack, 10 children; Donald married Catherine Buden, 3 children; Christina married John McIntosh, 6 children; Florence died at 17; Alexander; Mary married Bernard Cunningham, 6 children; Charles married Julia Naughton, 5 children; Cornelius married Elizabeth McKenzie; Gregor (1868-1888); Ann married Phillip Phillips; Jessie married Robert McDonnell, 1 child.
