Menindee Girl : the story of my life, by Joyce Hampton nee
King
The biography of local Indigenous Ngiyampaa Elder Joyce
Hampton, filled with drawings,
photographs and her personal history within the broader political context, is a
great read. I found the descriptions of
mission life factual and moving, giving a sense of the conditions Indigenous
persons were forced to endure.
Wagga Wagga City Library will be hosting a book launch for
Menindee Girl on Thursday February 9 at 6pm. You can book a place by ringing
the library on 69269700 or emailing wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Country Women – Hold
the Key : Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the First
Riverina Group Conference . by the Riverina Group of CWA of NSW, Wagga Wagga
This interesting history of the CWA in our local area also
covers CWA branches in Pleasant Hills, Galore Hill, Urana, and Wantabadgery. Established in the early 1920s, the CWA has
held (too numerous to mention) fund raising events over the years, in order
to assist others in country areas. This
history also contains comprehensive lists of office bearers and photographs of
various groups of women active in the local area.
Murrumbidgee Gentlemen : History of Narrandera’s
Murrumbidgee Club 1903 -2003 , by Norman Houghton
Formed in 1903 in Narrandera, the Murrumbidgee Club was a
gentleman’s “…social, literary, recreational and all other purposes
lawfully permissible to a registered
club’ (p2) The building itself was a beautiful old house originally built in
1898, with space eventually dedicated to a reading room, a ballroom, a bar, a
billiards room , all established over the years by purchasing local properties
and adapting them for the purpose. The Club even had a roulette wheel operating
in 1937, with other events such as balls, dinners, and polo matches held.
Women were not allowed in the club, but :
“The Club ladies were appreciated in odd ways. They were asked to comment on the design and layout of a proposed new kitchen in 1952 but were still not permitted to join the club.” P 53, Murrumbidgee Gentlemen
Gentlemen Only : A History of the Riverine Club 1881 – 2016
by Norman Houghton
Norman Houghton has written another excellently researched
and presented history of a local men’s club, the difference being here that the
Riverine Club is still active and has evolved to admit women to use the
premises and services of the club. Again there are some really beautiful black
and white photos of the different rooms and the building itself, along with
plans, ephemera from social events and extensive lists of members, office
bearers and other people associated with the club through the years.
All these items are available for viewing within the library
as part of the local studies collection.
