Koo Wee Rup Swamp History: Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1951

Monday, September 6, 2021

Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1951 - 1960

The Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations held in June 1962 included a history of Garfield for each decade, written by Bill Parish (1915-1994). This is the chapter from 1941 - 1950.
I have added the footnotes. Heather Arnold

Garfield 1951-1960 by Bill Parish

This period was marked by a wave of prosperity which followed immediately after the effects of war had been obliterated.

Many old properties were cleared and made into farms, particularly in the Garfield North-Tonimbuk area. Many new homes were erected in Garfield at the east and west ends of the main street, and also on the hill in Archer Road and Campbell Street. Television also made its appearance, with the result the picture theatre closed down (1).

Sporting facilities were greatly increased, with new tennis courts, a bowling green and a T.Q. Midget Car race track (2). There were now two cricket clubs, three tennis teams, and three football teams.

Garfield Main Street, 1952

Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019418

The Cannibal Creek Reserve was developed by a committee of Management with Mr F.C. Cox as president, Mr C. W. Parish as secretary, and Mr G. Fry as Resident Warden. A committee was also formed in Garfield to build a swimming pool (3), with Mr C.G. Simcocks as its President.

There were many changes amongst the businessmen of the town, and some of these were: Cation & Warren, P.T. Wharington, J. Dunkley, J. Greening, J. Laurie and B.C. Robert (storekeepers); A. Rose, Little, V. Quinton and J. Dunkley (café proprietors); W. Gilmore (hairdresser); L. Marsh and J. Fawkner (butchers); Maud, Umlauft and Badstone (bakers).

Garfield Post Office Staff - Mr & Mrs A.F. Tanner, Miss K. Kitchen and Miss I. Marshall.

Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019417

Doctors were Dr Martin, Dr Laidlaw and Dr Gild (4). Chemists: Messrs Sarah and Taylor. Post Masters: Tanner, Coleman and Jarvis; Bank Managers: Macrae, Marshall and Wallace; Police: Pringle and Smith; Publicans: Smith, Fuller, Bevan and Hurley.

By the end of the decade, inflation had become a problem, but a slight “squeeze” organised by the government had only slight effect on this area.

The Boy Scouts made great progress, with the 1st Garfield Troop reaching the highest possible standard in camping proficiency in Victoria under the leadership of SM F. Cox and ASM J. Marsh. By the end of this period Scout groups were established in all local centres.

Garfield Scout Group

Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019417

The electrification and duplication of the Gippsland railway line (5) gave Garfield a rail service comparable with suburban areas, and electricity was now being supplied to almost every house in the district.

Roads were improved, and a long term sealing programme was made by the Shire to cope with the ever-increasing road traffic.

So, after 120 years, the district has reached a very high standard of progress and achievement which, let us not forget, has been laid on the cornerstone of foresight provided by our early pioneers.

Footnotes

(1) The Garfield Theatre re-opened at weekends from 1970 to 1971. I have written about the Picture Theatre here https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/03/garfield-picture-theatre.html

(2) T.Q. Midget Car Track - see page 15 of the April 2020 Spectator http://www.garfieldspectator.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Garfield-Spectator-April-2020-website-.pdf

There are also four videos of Midget Car Racing at Garfield on You Tube filmed c. 1959/1960 by Geoff Blackwell and posted by Cee Jones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHlhxodT484 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20m0NyX98Rs

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhoxVi4vc5k

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lJuhErCcp8

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhqL_mgJfGA

(3) The Swimming Pool was officially opened by the Governor, Sir Rohan Delacombe, on Saturday February 11, 1967.