Boongadoo
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At the turn of last century, various local community halls around the Katanning area were constructed to serve communities within close proximity of them. Funds for their construction were raised by the local community (no grants in those days) through sporting and social events.
Besides being the social centre of the area these halls, including Datatine, Boongadoo, Kwobrup and Badgebup, were used for religious meetings, sporting events, schools, and as polling booths in Federal and State Government elections.
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DISTRICT PIONEERS
When Arthur McDougall Sargent was born on 22 December 1881, in Murray Town, South Australia, his father, Henry Packham Sargent, was 41 and his mother, Elizabeth McDougall, was 37. He married Cecelia Elizabeth Gertrude Sumner on 29 April 1914, in Datatine, Western Australia. They were the parents of at least three daughters. He died on 14 September 1960, in Katanning, Western Australia, at the age of 78, and was buried in Katanning.
A paper presented by Mr Arthur McDougall Sargent to the Katanning Historical Society in October, 1949. The first part of the paper was reproduced in the Great Southern Herald’s 21 October, 1949, edition:
At the September meeting of the Katanning Branch, W.A. Historical Society, Mr A. McDougall Sargent presented a most interesting paper on the early history of his family, who were pioneers, both in the Katanning district and in the Eastern States. In introducing his paper, Mr Sargent said the details referred to three great women pioneers of Australia. They were Alice Sargent, Jane McDougall and Jane’s daughter, Elizabeth, who was his mother. Continue reading
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BOONGADOO HALL
BOONGADOO HALL.
DEPUTATION TO PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVES.
Great Southern Herald
31 October 1923 – P2
At the conclusion of the opening of the Nyabing-Pingrup rail extension, a deputation consisting of Messrs. A. McD. Sargent, G. S. Patterson, F. H. Denning and R. P. Brown, residents of the district between Nyabing and Datatine, waited upon the Parliamentary representatives of the district for the purpose of obtaining assistance in the matter of erecting a hall, to be named the Boongadoo Hall, to serve the district they represented.
Messrs. Hector Stewart, M.L.G., Sydney Stubbs, and A. Thomson, M’s.D.A. received the deputation in the train, Mr. Thomson introducing its members to his colleagues.
Mr. Sargent, who acted as spokesman for the deputation, stated that the site of the proposed hall was nine miles from both Nyabing and Datatine, and twelve miles from Kwobrup, the three nearest schools for the children of the district to attend. Within a radius of four and a half miles of the proposed hall, nineteen families were living, representing 30 children of school age, and 13 under age.
The estimated cost of a building suitable for the combined purposes of school and public hall was £550, of which amount the residents were prepared to provide £200, leaving a balance of £350 to be provided by the Government. The building was a necessary one for the use of residents and, as it would take the place of a school house, the Government would not be put to any great extra expense in the matter.
In reply to the deputation, Mr. A. Thomson stated that the Government had signified its willingness to provide half the cost of a building, which could be utilised as both public hall and school, on the understanding that the residents concerned maintained the building in repair and allowed its use as a school free of cost to the Department. He said he would, when in Perth, interview the Minister for Education in the matter, and would advise Mr. Sargent of the outcome as soon as possible afterwards.
The deputation thanked Mr. Thomson and the other members for the promise of assistance, and then withdrew.
Boongadoo Hall
Boongado School Children
(from the Charlie and Pat Tuffley Family Photos)
Note found with photo:
“Edie Ramm Teacher – Students included Patterson’s, Tuffley’s, Phillip’s and Ashcroft’s”
Since ID’d: Front kneeling: (L-R) Nancy Phillips, Leo Tuffley, Charlie Tuffley. Middle:(L-R) Jack Tuffley, Ken Slee? or Vic Ramm??, Bill Heaver?, Ian Phillips, Mollie Ashcroft with the Arthur Watts Shield for Sport, Ian Patterson, Neville Phillips, Bruce Patterson, Kath Ashcroft. Rear: (L-R) Dot Phillips, Shirley Slee? , Heather Phillips, Joyce Slee?
In 1918, Mr A McDougall Sergeant purchased the old Boongadoo Estate and moved from Datatine to what is now known as the Boongadoo district. As further settlers, including the Warrens, moved into the Boongadoo area they soon began to feel the want of a hall, school and church and, in February, 1925, the Boongadoo Hall was opened by Mr A. Thomson.
Mr Stan Thompson was the first honorary secretary and Mr A McDougall Sergeant was again the first president. The Rev. J. R. Thrum, again of the Presbyterian Church, Katanning was the first Minister to hold service in the new hall.
In the 24 September, 1924 edition of the Great Southern Herald there was a sports day at “Boongadoo Hall, Dumbleyung Road, near 141 Gate, Rabbit Proof Fence” advertised. Included in the events was “Old Buffer’s” races amongst others. And they were going to have a new-fangled invention for the area, the wireless, broadcasting the music for the dance in the evening.
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OPENING OF BOONGADOO HALL
Great Southern Herald
10 February 1926
Boongadoo Hall
OFFICIAL OPENING.
Saturday, February 6, may be claimed as the day upon which the seal was placed on the Boongadoo area as a district in its own right and title. Situated some 36 miles east of Katanning, and lying midway between Datatine and Nyabing, the district which now has the Boongadoo Hall as its centre contains many broad acres of rich, highly developed country, with huge possibilities for further and more intense development.
Some years ago, the progressive element amongst the settlers conceived the idea of erecting a structure which would provide school facilities for their children, whilst lending itself to such purposes as a place for public worship, meetings, and for the general enjoyment of the district. The Education Department was approached. but refused to entertain the proposal on the plea that insufficient children of school age were available.
How often is that reply given to people in such circumstances, the Departmental mind not rising to the obvious fact that school facilities attract settlers with children in a distract which has all its future before it.
However, the first failure did not deter these people, and, having formed a strong committee with Messrs. A. McD. Sargent, George Patterson and A. M. S Thompson in charge of affairs, soon put into practice the ethics of self-help. The result of their efforts is that a fine hall has been erected, as at first planned, and this was officially opened by the member for the district, Mr. A. Thomson. M.L.A., last Saturday.
The occasion was celebrated by a sports gathering, which was attended from far and wide; rows of cars from all the neighbouring centres giving convincing testimony as to the area of influence likely to be swayed in the future by Boongadoo. With so many cars, proper parking arrangements were necessary, and the official appointed to look after this department proved a very Cerebus and carried out the work in a most efficient manner irrespective of person.
Mr. George Patterson, supported by an energetic band of workers, had charge of the sports programme whilst Mr. Sargent and Mr A.M.S. Thomson had their hands full in looking after the wellbeing of the visitors.
Afternoon tea having been provided, the guests of honour were conducted over the hall by Mr. Sargent, whose pride in the achievement of the district is most certainly warranted. The building has been placed in a commanding position on the crest of a hill fronting the Dumbleyung/Nyabing Road on a block of land presented to the committee for the purpose by Mr R. P. Brown and is 26ft by 50ft in size.
It is of pleasing architecture, being constructed of jarrah weatherboards for the first five feet topped by asbestos sheeting marked out with jarrah battens. The roof has been built with overhang and gables, whilst both light and air are provided by numerous windows. Externally, the hall is picturesque, the interior striking essentially an artistic note with the mahogany-type jarrah dado contrasting sharply with the whiteness of the plaster-board walls and ceiling panelled with jarrah, the whole presenting an airy and cool appearance.
The total cost of hall and furnishings approximates £500. of which already £100 has been raised, the balance being advanced by the Bank of New South Wales with Messrs. Sargent, Patterson and Ramm as trustees.
During an interval in the sports programme, the president, Mr Sargent, called the people together for an official opening. Before asking Mr Thomson, M.L.A., to perform the ceremony, Mr. Sargent addressed the gathering, giving a brief resume of what had been done to enable the construction of the hall to be taken in hand and which had given cause to the day’s meeting. Mr G. Patterson supported the speaker in a neat little speech of welcome to those present.
Mr. Hector Stewart, M.L.C., who had motored from Wagin to be present, congratulated the residents of the district in the possession of such a hall, and said it was a pointed instance of what co-operation could accomplish. What they had done in their little circle the Primary Producers Association was doing in a larger and wider sense for all interested in primary production and were farmers to realise that fact and give the same generous support to their own organisation, its power would be irresistible. Concluding, he apologised for the non-attendance of Messrs. Glasheen and Burville Ms.L.C. the representatives of the South-East Province. He was glad to see present the Leader of their party and member of the district. Mr. A. Thomson, M.L.A.
Mr. Thomson, who was greeted with applause, said he felt it an honour to have been invited to be present and to declare the hall open. He knew he was amongst friends at Boongadoo and took the opportunity of thanking them for thoughtfulness toward him during the last election when, in order to save him the trip and the necessity of address a meeting at Boongadoo, they advised him that as all were voting, he need not come. He appreciated this action, at a time when every moment was of value. Referring a statement made by Mr Sargent concerning the difficulties which had to be surmounted before the hall had been achieved, Mr. Thomson very aptly quoted the following lines:
“Somebody said it couldn’t be done.
But he with a chuckle replied,
That maybe it couldn’t; but he would be one
That wouldn’t say no till he tried
So, he buckled right in with trace of a grin on his face.
If worried, he hid it
He started to sing, as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.”
The Hall Committee had been the position of the man in that verse but, like him, had overcome all obstacles, the hall itself showing the virtue of attempting the seeming impossible. In conclusion, Mr Thomson supplemented the remarks of Mr. Stewart by urging every farmer to join up with the Primary Producers’ Association.
During the afternoon and in the evening, the Katanning Brass Band, under the baton of Mr. Morell, played popular airs, adding greatly to the general enjoyment of the occasion.
Amongst the visitors were a brother of Mr. Sargent from South Australia, Mr. Calman, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Mr. Jameson, manager of Westralian Farmers Ltd., Katanning, Messrs. Bowden, Radford and J. Toms, representing Richardson and Co., Ltd. and many others from Katanning, Badgebup and Nyabing.
After a high tea, provided by the ladies of the district, had been enjoyed by all, dancing was commenced and continued until the small hours of morning. The day throughout was a huge success, and the financial result must have such likely to reduce the amount owing on the hall very considerably.
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BOONGADOO TENNIS COURTS
Great Southern Herald
20 October 1937
Saturday last was an important day in the annals of Boongadoo when the progressiveness of the district was reflected in the opening of two new tennis courts and an enjoyable afternoon of sport. The children as well as the adults were catered for, and over 120 persons from all parts of the surrounding countryside mingled like one big family under perfect weather conditions. Continue reading
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REMOVING BOONGADOO HALL
Great Southern Herald
27 November, 1988
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