Back-to Garfield June 1962

It is sixty years since Back-to Garfield celebrations took place. This Back-to was held from June 1 to June 4 in 1962 and all the proceeds from the weekend were to go to the Garfield Swimming Pool Fund.

The head-line to the Pakenham Gazette report

Pakenham Gazette, June 8 1962 p, 1

 There was an extensive list of activities commencing on the Friday when a Cabaret Ball was held in the Picture Theatre, from 8.30pm to 1.30am. This was attended by 250 people. On the Saturday morning Jack Payne, the President of the Back-to committee, performed the official welcome. At 11.00am an Old Scouts reunion was held in the Scout Hall, where there was also a popular display of historic photographs.

Later that afternoon a big crowd attended the football match with Garfield convincingly defeating Nar Nar Goon, 17.16 to 4.21. According to a report in the Pakenham Gazette, Nar Nar Goon had no answer to the dashing play of the Garfield forwards and ruckmen. The best on the field for Garfield were Jim and Tom Miller, Keith Looby, Eric Preston, Wayne Gibson and Tony McMahon. Other players in the team included Pat Looby, Brenchley, T. Christie, Pumphrey and the goal kickers were Jim Miller with five, Tom Miller and Pat Looby, three goals and A. McMahon and T. Christie two goals.

On the Saturday evening 350 people attended the official dinner, in the Garfield Theatre, where the Guests of Honour were the Shire President, Cr Dan Cunningham and the local MLA, Les Cochrane. A teenage dance was held at the same time in the Garfield Hall. Church services were held the next morning, with the service at the Anglican Church being conducted by the Bishop of Gippsland, Dr Garnsey. On Sunday afternoon a large crowd attended the T.Q midget car racing at Cannibal Creek Reserve. More activities were to come with 240 people attending the community singing in the evening. The singing was led by Mr ‘Tiny’ Snell and ex-resident Mr Bumper Gee who enlivened proceedings with his racey stories of pioneering days on the Swamp.

300 ex-students returned to the school on the Monday to chat about old times. On the Monday afternoon a reunion was held for the Garfield R.S.L. The Branch President, Keith Clay gave the welcome speech, a wreath was placed on the memorial by Hector Wikman and an address was delivered by Bert Thomson. Later that afternoon the first sod of the swimming pool was turned in the presence of Mr Hunt, M.L.C. The honour of turning the first sod was given to Mr J.J. Kavanagh, a pioneer of the district.

 
The Pakenham Gazette reported that - Tours had been arranged for the back-to people and many who had been away for years could hardly believe their eyes as they noticed the transformation of the countryside since the pioneering days. The festivities ended with a Celebration Ball, once again at the Picture Theatre, which was scheduled to run from 8.30pm until 2.00am, on the Monday night. The Theatre was packed to the doors. The highlight of this event was the cutting of a 75 pound cake (about 34 kg) made in the form of a swimming pool.

A souvenir booklet produced for the occasion included a history of the township by Bill Parish and a list of Office bearers of the organizing Committee. The Committee consisted of President Jack Payne, who had a timber yard on the corner of the Fourteen Mile Road and Main Street (a house is now there); Vice presidents were Cornelius Hurley, the licensee of the Hotel and Ian Taylor, the Chemist. Secretary was George Fischer, who was the head teacher at the school and the Treasurer was Alan Wallace, the Bank Manager. The Social Secretary was Lorna Walters.

The Garfield and District Memorial Swimming Pool was officially opened by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe on February 11, 1967. 

Sources: Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations, June 1962; Back-to program in the Pakenham Gazette April 10, 1962; Report of the Back-to in the Pakenham Gazette June 8, 1962.