Liz Lawrence, Narrandera Argus
His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Lieutenant-General John Northcott, visited Narrandera in April 1949 for its ANZAC Day observances as part of his tour of the south-west and portion of the western districts of the State.
His Excellency, who was accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Northcott and Flight Lieutenant R. B. Nash ADC, travelled in the Vice Regal rail car to Junee and drove by motor car from Junee to Narrandera.
The party was met at the boundary of the municipality by Mr. A. G. Enticknap, M.L.A., Mrs. Enticknap, the Mayor (Aid. F. C Garner) and the Mayoress (Mrs. Garner). They were also met by a police escort.
After the Mayor and Mrs Garner were formally introduced by Mr Enticknap, the party proceeded to the New Criterion Hotel, and at 9.45 they proceeded to the Memorial Gardens, where His Excellency laid a wreath on the Monument.
From the Memorial Gardens the Vice Regal party drove to St. Thomas’ Church of England where they were welcomed by the Emeritus Archdeacon Rawling, Messrs D Drover, W J Gammage (church, wardens), Dr. R. Edwards (Hon. Secretary of the Parochial Council), and Mr. J. L. Moir (parochial councillor).
The service was conducted by the Rev D. H. Newell, assisted by Emeritus Archdeacon Rawling. Archdeacon Rawling preached a sermon which was appropriate to the occasion.
On leaving the church His Excellency and Miss Northcott waited to meet the members of the congregation and converse with them.
About 12.30 the party was entertained at lunch at the New Criterion Hotel, at which the Mayor and Mayoress, the Deputy Mayor and Mrs Hepburn, Emeritus Archdeacon Rawling, Mrs Rawling, and the Rev. Newell represented the Narrandera residents.
In the afternoon the party left for Boonoke North, where they were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Les Falkiner and Mr. and Mrs. Garnsey. Here the party was shown the famous Boonoke stud sheep, and His Excellency was deeply interested in them, as well as the other stock and the appointments at the station.
After partaking of afternoon tea the party returned to Narrandera and then drove to the R.S.S. and A.I. League’s new hall. There His Excellency and Miss Northcott were given the opportunity of meeting the aldermen and their wives, representatives of the Yanko Shire Council, the Red Cross Society, the C.W.A., the R.S.S. and A.I.L. and the Auxiliary, the Rotary Club, and other representative citizens.
A beautifully prepared tea was partaken of in the supper room, after which an adjournment was made to the new hall. The tea was served by the members of the R.S.L. Auxiliary in their usual capable manner and the floral decorations were carried out by Mesdames F O’Loan, H. Rich, A. Lyons, and Miss N. Josephson.
Major E. S. Cameron occupied the chair, and extended a hearty welcome to His Excellency and Miss Northcott to Narrandera, the Gateway of the Great South-West. On behalf of the old diggers and the ex-service men and women he expressed sincere loyalty to His Majesty the King and also expressed regret that illness had prevented him from being in Australia at the present time.
The Mayor expressed his deep appreciation of His Excellency’s extended stay here, as at first it was intended that his stay would be for only about two hours.
His Excellency said he was very pleased to come to this part of the State through the ‘Door of the Great South West,’ instead of coming the back way.
After paying a tribute to the town of Narrandera he said that he wished to compliment the Ladies’ Auxiliary on the arrangements they had carried out that evening. He also referred to the splendid hall which had been erected by the diggers. It was a fine thing that the diggers should be able to have their own centre where they could meet together and revive memories on matters on which they had something in common, enjoy social interaction, and hold their League functions and entertainments.
On travelling around the country, he met many ex-diggers, some of whom he had met in other spheres. On many an occasion an old digger would remind him of his identity and some of them had previously served with him. That evening, the eve of Anzac Day was a time when their memories would go back to the first Anzac Day, when the Australian and New Zealand Auxiliary Forces landed on the shores of Gallipoli. Anzac Day was more than a day of memories, it was a day on which Australia became a nation.
That day the old diggers would remember their comrades who fell in World War I. The Australian forces in the Second World War carried on the splendid traditions established by the old diggers, and it was for the younger generation to carry on and make Australia a great nation.
Australia could produce everything that they required and other nations were crying out for their produce. It was therefore for the younger generation to carry on in times of peace and do their best to maintain the Australian way of life.
On arrival at the Memorial Gardens His Excellency placed a wreath of tawny chrysanthemums, pink gladioli and asparagus fern on the monument. The card attached to the wreath bore the following inscription: ‘In memory of fallen comrades. The Governor of New South Wales, John Northcott.’
A guard of honour of High School cadets formed up and came from the various centres served by the Narrandera High School. Cadet Lieutenant A Adams and Staff Sergeant Carter, permanent Army instructor, were also in attendance.
A number of Junior Red Cross boys and girls, in charge of Miss Gordon, were lined up along the pathway and His Excellency and Miss Northcott inspected the line and conversed with Miss Gordon and the youngsters.
Narrandera police provided an escort for the Governor while he was in Narrandera.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 25 April 2024.
