20. Marrar Today (1978)
As this Centenary Booklet goes to print in December 1978, the district is looking forward to one of its best seasons for many years. Rain has fallen at regular and required intervals since the middle of May. To this point (1.12.78) a total of 650.2 mm (Average 525 mm) has been recorded at the Marrar Post Office. Many farms are expecting record yields and it appears that this will happen in numerous cases. The growth along lanes and roads in the district is so prolific, that the hot, dry summer is not being welcomed because of the expected serious bushfire risks that this growth will present.
The past 3-4 years has seen an increase in the number of houses built in Marrar, ten houses being constructed in this time and there are plans for quite a few more. With the development of the Riverina College at North Wagga, it seems likely that more people will be looking towards Marrar as a place to settle because of its proximity and ease of travel.
The new bulk grain store was officially opened by Mr. Milton Taylor, President of N.S.W. Livestock and Grain Producers Association and also Grower Member of the Grain Elevators Board, on Tuesday 28th November. The farmers are hoping that they will more than fill this shed from this year's harvest.
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Sports Club
President - Brian McKelvie, Secretary - Geoff Glass, Treasurer - Pat Donnellan.
Since it's revival in 1975, the sports club has gone from strength to strength. At the 1978 Gymkhana a record crowd in excess of 1500 saw 8 trotting events and over 100 ponies compete in pony club events. Improvements at the grounds include Men's and Women's septic toilets, drainage, running rail track, re-grading and many other items. The club is looking forward to a successful Centenary Gymkhana on Sunday 18th March 1979.
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Marrar Football Club
The Club won the Reserve Grade Premiership in 1978 under coach Peter Sedunary and Captain Ross Wooden. President in 1978 was Des Hamilton and the club had a very good year due mainly to Des's hard work and enthusiasm. Executive for 1979 is President - Bernie Langtry, Secretary - John Mohr, Treasurer - Tom Pattison.
The new coach is Lou Alchin and the spirit in the club is very high for this season. They are quietly confident of a 1st and 2nd Grade Premiership in 1979 and our best wishes go with them.
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C.W.A.
Executive is Mrs. A. Armstrong President, Mrs. R. Dixon Secretary and Mrs. I. Crowley Treasurer. The C.W.A. in Marrar is very active with a total membership of about thirty. The Annual Flower Show and Fair is held in the Marrar Hall about the end of October. This is the culmination of the year's activities and the 1978 Fair was one of their most successful.
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Progress Association
The Marrar Progress Association was revived in 1978 under the guidance of Alby Armstrong who was elected President along with Secretary-Treasurer Frank Condell. The Progress Association has an Active Membership of thirty and has been responsible for many improvements in the town since its reconstitution including, improved water supply by hooking into the Gumly - Temora Scheme, improved drainage throughout the town, etc. A feature of their meetings is a guest speaker, such as ones from Police Breathalyzer Unit, Civil Defence, etc.
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P. & C. Association
President - Les Hancock, Secretary Val Graetz, Treasurer Margaret Hassall. Monthly meetings are always well attended and the money raising activities include Tea and Sandwich stall at the Gymkhana, Stalls on election day, Melbourne Cup Competition. It is very gratifying to see the Parents of Marrar School Children Support the school in sporting functions, excursions and in many other ways.
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Tennis Club
Interest in the Tennis Club has fallen off the past eighteen months but they are looking forward to renewed interest in 1979.
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Livestock And Grain Producers' Association
The Marrar Branch of the Livestock and Grain Producers' Association is a sub branch of the Junee Branch and is quite active. Meetings are held regularly each month in the C.W.A. rooms, President is Merv Willis and Secretary - Treasurer is Henry Gates.
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Play Group
A group organised by the mothers of the district with young children. The objective of the group is to enable the children to play together, share their experiences and allow mothers time to gossip in a group of their own. The group meets at the C.W.A. rooms on Friday mornings for about 3 hours.
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Hall Committee
An active committee as can be seen by the history in another section of this book. President is John Seymour and Secretary - Treasurer is Bryan Murphy.
Hall Ladies Auxiliary
President is Joyee Turner, Secretary Marie Willis and Treasurer Coral Whitaker. This group caters for Weddings, etc. and raises money to help maintain and beautify the Hall.
Business Houses Conducted In the Town of Marrar In 1979
Esso Service Station W.H. & D. Glass
General Store Les & Sue Hodge
Murphy Bros. Hardware & Seed Merchants Bryan Murphy
Garage Rex and Carol Furner
Bank of New South Wales Agency Coolarnon Branch
Hairdressing Salon Jan Hancock
Royal Hotel Tony and Terri O'Brien
Marrar Cafe Wal and Val Rolton
Marrar Agencies and A.F.L. John and Vera McKelvie
Stock and General Carriers Norman and Maurice Curran
Stock Carrier Noel McKelvie
Post Office Charlie and Margaret Brady
Railway Station Bob Forrester
Community Spirit In Marrar
Marrar is a very close-knit group of people. This is not to say that they are narrow minded - far from it. This spirit has been most evident in the organisation and development of the celebrations for this Centenary of Education. The number of people attending meetings has been outstanding with up to fifty present at some meetings. The willingness to chair committees, take on other responsibilities and generally offer assistance is a credit to all who live in Marrar and district.
On August 18th, 1978, a Saturday, Marrar was deserted. The 2nd Grade was playing in the Grand Final against a Wagga team. That this team won was incidental; the town was out in force to see the 'Junior' side in action and the celebrations would have been the same, win, lose or draw. Marrar had more supporters than any other Club, including 1st Grade on that day, truly an indication of the wonderful town spirit that permeates the district.
Looking back through records that exist, P. & C., Football Club, C.W.A. Hall, newspapers, records, historical documents, etc., it is quite clear that this spirit has been with us since Marrar was first settled way back in the mid 1800's. This feeling of oneness in the community, of being 'part' of Marrar has been handed on to us from our forebears and we hope that we, the present generation, will be able to pass this gift on to those that come after us by example and action.
If this can be done, Marrar can look forward to the second 100 years with great confidence. Certainly, it will be a different Marrar as development continues, but the underlying spirit of the community will always be here.