How Nar Nar Goon celebrated the Armistice in 1918

The Pakenham Gazette had this article about the Armistice Celebrations at Nar Nar Goon in their December 6, 1918 edition.  The report said that 1,000 people attended the event, that's an a amazing number.  You can see the whole article on Trove, here, but I have transcribed it, below.

NAR NAR GOON
A PEACE CELEBRATION

Wednesday last was a red letter day in the history of Nar Nar Goon, the occasion being a public demonstration and picnic in connection with the celebration of peace. The day was observed as a public holiday, all business places being closed, and it may be safely asserted that most of the residents of the district not only took part in the demonstration but did their best towards making it a
success.

About a fortnight ago the towns people decided that it was desirable that something should be done to mark their appreciation of the glad news that an armistice had been declared and that there was every indication of an early and lasting peace. An appeal was made for funds to meet the expenses of the celebration, and this met with a most generous response, about £50 being raised.

Wednesday's event was a credit to the town and district, and it will always be looked back upon with
interest. Both young and old entered into the spirit of the day, and as a result everything worked smoothly and all had an enjoyable outing.

The day's proceedings opened with a monster procession, which completely eclipsed anything of the kind ever seen in the district, comprising 130 vehicles and numerous horsemen. A number of the vehicles, including buggies, jinkers and lorries, were nicely decorated with greenery and flowers, and there was a profusion of flags, all the Allies being represented.

An effigy of the Kaiser, the handiwork of Mr Mappin, of Tynong, was mounted on a horse. This was safe guarded by Master J. Ede, in the character of  'John Bull'  and was a special attraction.

Space will not permit of a description of the various vehicles, but it may be said that all were attractive, those of Mr E. Oram, representing 'The Day'  and Mr J. Spencer, representing 'Peace', being worthy of special mention.

Amongst those with decorated vehicles were :- Messrs A. Harris, M. Dore, J. Mortimer, J. Mulcare, T. Eves, A. Thorn, J. Kenny, J. Gray, S. Collins, T. Garrett, J. Latta, R. Brooke, T. Grigg, E. Oram, J. Spencer, jun., and J. R. Spencer, the last named driving a fine team of four greys in a buggy. There was also a decorated motor, driven by Mr Donald. Some of the riders were in fancy costume amongst the number.being Miss M. Raftis (Ireland) and Master Wadsley (England).

The procession was formed into line at about 11 o'clock, and, headed by the Richmond Juvenile Brass Band, marched from the township to the place chosen for the day's picnic.

Four returned soldiers, viz., Ptes. W. Comely, P. Neilsson and H. J. Lennon, of Tynong, and Pte. G. Bjursten, of Cora Lynn, held a prominent position in the procession.

On arrival at the ground judging took place for prizes in connection with the procession, and the awards were asfollows:
Best decorated vehicle: Mr E. Oram, Tynong, 'The Day'
Best Group: Nar Nar Goon.
Most original character: Master Ede, Tynong, 'John Bull'
Special prize: The Kaiser.
There were about 1000 persons on the ground, and a sports programme was carried through, providing plenty of enjoyment for young and old. A merry-go-round was provided for the
children.

Thanks to the excellent management of the committee and the cordial cooperation of all present, the celebrations throughout were a decided success.

How Iona and Cora Lynn celebrated the Armistice in 1918

The Bunyip and Garfield Express of December 13, 1918 published this account of the Armistice celebration at Cora Lynn and Iona -

Armistice celebration
Victory picnic by Iona and Cora Lynn Combined

The Committee of the 'Victory' picnic which was held on the 4th inst were fortunate as far as weather conditions were concerned and the ground selected - Robinson's Hill - was an ideal camping place.
The procession left the Iona State School about 12 noon, and the many various costumes were both artistic and original. Mr J. Donald, well mounted, acted as marshal and kept the procession well up to time. Mr G. Osborn, head teacher Cora Lynn, had charge of the children, and the manner in which he handled them was the subject of favourable comment. The Iona Brass Band, under the baton of Mr W. Legge had the pride of place and was followed by Mr D. Donald, a returned soldier, carrying the Flag. Then came 12 returned soldiers in uniform, followed by various dressed groups and beautifully decorated vehicles, the procession being over  a mile long.


Immediately on arrival at the grounds the judging was completed and the results announced, after which the vast crowds formed themselves into picnic groups, and those who failed to fetch hampers were quickly supplied with edibles. The following gentlemen worked hard to make the gathering a success - Crs Cunningham, Walsh, Dowd, Messrs Donald, Dessent,  Holian, Quigley, Reidy, Pitt and others.             

 Subjoined are the results: -

Best dressed vehicle - C.Pitt - 1 
Red Indian - Alan Murdoch  1
Purple Cross - Nellie Bellman and Mary Fitzgerald 1 and 2
Sundowner - Harry Schmutter
Milkmaids - Annie Leithead and Dolly Pitt 1 and 2
Red Cross nurses - Jean Murdoch and Ada Dessent
Japanese lady - Phyllis Winter
Newspaper boy - Billie Blake
Silver starch - Lily Murdoch
Dunces - Hazel Pitt and Rose Leithead
Salesgirls - Mary Stewart and Nellie Taylor
Ruination - Alice Burleigh
Peanuts - May Taylor
Fancy dressed bicycle - M. Fitzgerald
Boys Siamese race - M. and J. Cunningham,  T.Taylor and D. Dowd 2
Girls Siamese race - B. Cunningham and Irene Hart 1
Married men's race  - W. Hart 1, P. Cunningham 2
The school's relay race caused some excitement; 4 schools of 8 boys each competed and the event was won by the Iona Convent school, with the Cora Lynn Convent school second.
Tug of war - Iona schools combined defeated Cora Lynn schools combined.
Cutting of the Kaiser's head caused a lot of amusement, and a number of boys and girls races were also keenly competed.

How Garfield celebrated the Armistice in 1918

This is how the Armistice was celebrated at Garfield in 1918. On the day it was announced  Garfield children paraded the streets with 50 kerosene tins, 2 drums and bells and whistles. They collected money for a flag as well. 

Bunyip and Garfield Express November 15 1918

The Monster Picnic on Peace Day, referred to in the article above, took place on Wednesday, November 20  - there was a procession, which included a field gun and a machine gun, a sporting programme and a concert. An effigy of the Kaiser was 'hanged and left swinging all day' - clearly no 'snowflakes' in the town in 1918.

Bunyip and Garfield Express November 22 1918

Who were all these people listed? I have looked them up in the Electoral Roll and other sources and presented any information I could find here - 

Barker - Mr Barker was the handicapper for the sporting events and the concert was held in his padock -  John Wylie Wright, orchardist, of Garfield. He was married to Eleanor May Scott. The Electoral Roll also lists a Albert Stirling Barker, farmer, of Garfield. I believe the two men were brothers and that John Barker was the Barker of Barker Reidy Co that later became Barker, Green and Parke.

Beswick - Mr Beswick came third in the married men's race - John Beswick, farmer, of Garfield. His wife was Mary Elizabeth (nee Hodgson) They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in May 1920 and put this informative notice in The Australasian on June 5, 1920. Their son, Edward, died of wounds and gas poisoning in France on October 9, 1917.

The Australasian June 5, 1920

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140242160

Bird - Mr Bird was a judge of the sporting events - George Bird, baker, of Garfield.

Chippendall  - Mr Chippindall presented the school with  a flag - Thomas Edward Chippindall, bailiff, of Garfield. He was married to Margaret Ann Brewer. 

Dawes, O - Miss Dawes was the Queen of Peace. We have two possibilities from the 1918 Electoral Roll - possibly connected to Alfred and Elizabeth Dawes of Iona - they had four sons who went to the War, read about them here.  Alternatively, Miss Dawes could also be connected to Richard and Emily Dawes of Bunyip

Dreier - Mr Dreier performed at the concert - Edward Augustus Dreier and his wife, Julia (nee Wardell), were the owners of the Iona Hotel at Garfield. 

Edwards - Mr Edwards also performed at the concert - this is possibly Thomas Henry Edwards, labourer, of Iona.

Gardner - Mr Gardner presented the flag to the school in conjunction with Mr Chipindall. This is Hugh Alexander Gardner, Manager of the E.S & A Bank at Garfield. He was married to Florence

Gee, P.C - the article says the P.C Gee (not 49) helped direct the procession. Not sure what the 'not 49' means. The Electoral Roll has William and Agnes Gee of Garfield and Harold and Gertrude (nee Irvine) Gee of Iona they were the parents of Ethel and Norman. So not sure who P.C Gee is.

Green - Mr Green was a judge at the sporting events - Daniel Winsor Green, farmer, of Garfield,  husband of Eliza (nee James).

Harrington  - Mrs Harrington performed at the concert - Marjorie Alice Harrington (nee Reeds)  and her husband, Lionel Charles Harrington, farmer, of Garfield.

Heath - Mrs Heath won the 'married ladies race' - Sydney Arthur Heath, labourer, of Garfield is listed in the Electoral roll. He married Minnie Fenselau in 1916, so I presume this is the athletic Mrs Heath.

Henwood - Mrs Henwood did a recitation at the concert and Master Henwood performed a song. William and Bertha (nee Vincent) Henwood lived at Garfield, he was a farmer and she was a music teacher. They had at least three sons that I can trace, all born in England, William, c.1905; Charles c. 1907 and John c. 1910 - so I presume one of the boys was the Master Henwood who sang the song.

Hill - Mr Hill put the children through 'various drill evolutions' - Henry Percy Hill, farmer, of Garfield. He was married to Elizabeth. 

Hunt - Mr Hunt was  a judge in the sporting events - Charles Frederick Hunt, grocer, of Garfield, I presume the Ethel Daisy Hunt listed is his wife.

Johnson - Mr Johnson performed at the concert  - Thomas William Johnson, labourer, of Garfield. There is also a Matilda Johnson listed in Garfield, presumably his wife.

Kuhnell - Mr Kuhnell helped direct the procession - Albert Robertshaw and Mary Ann Kuhnell are listed in Garfield - he is a labourer.

Lanigan - Mrs Lanigan played the overture at the concert. Patrick Lanigan was the Station Master and his talented wife was Gladys Eugena (nee Hunter)

M'Mannis - Mrs M'Mannis did a recitation at the concert - Edith M'Mannis and her husband James operated the store at Vervale (corner 13 Mile Road and the Main Drain Road South) from 1916 to 1967 - you can read about it here.

Park - Mr Park was Chairman at the concert - George Park was the Garfield blacksmith, his wife was Annie.

Pedersen - Mr Pedersen was a race handicapper - Peter Hansen Pedersen was a grocer's assistant.

Reidy - Mr Reidy was a judge at the sporting event - Martin Reidy is listed as an Agent - part of Barker Reidy Co that later became Barker, Green and Parke. Martin's wife was Mary

Robertson - Mrs Robertson performed at the concert -  James Alfred Robertson, orchardist, of Garfield and Mrs Robertson's name was Ada. 

Trezise - Mrs Tresize also performed at the concert -  Horace Michael Trezise is listed as a grocer at Garfield - he was married to Pearl Pedersen;   Enos Trezise was listed as a grocer's assistant - he was married to Charlotte Jane Perry. Horace and Enos were brothers, so  not sure whether Pearl or Charlotte was the singer. Pearl Pedersen was the sister of Peter Pedersen, listed above. They were the children of Mads Jensen Pedersen and Mary Blanch Apperley also listed as Happily also listed as Happley, in the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.