MARRABEL August 31
The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Loyal Marrabel Lodge Hall No 62, IOOF, Manchester Unity, was performed yesterday by the PGM of the Kapunda district, Brother G E Davis jun.
A large and representative gathering assembled. Brother Albert Stief called upon the Secretary (Brother G E Davis) to read the historical report of the lodge. The latter dealt extensively with the progress of it since its formation on September 1, 1864. Of the 13 foundation members, only one survives—Brother James Howlett—who was present at the ceremony.
The late PPGM Brother Joseph Downing, one of the recent directors of the order in South Australia, together with the late Brother Augustus Stief and Brother W Polkinghorne, assisted in forming the first committee, and initiated the 13 foundation members. During the 17 years of the lodge many difficulties and setbacks have occurred, but were surmounted with the aid of good officers, particularly the late secretary (Brother W. Polkinghorne), who filled that position for 39 years continuously, and the late Brother A Stief, who was always a ready and willing worker.
Mr S March presented Brother G E Davis with a trowel on behalf of the members of the Loyal Marrabel Lodge. PGM Brother G E Davis thanked the brethren for the honour conferred upon him and for their presentation. He congratulated the trustees on their management of affairs, which had led up to the erection of such a fine hall, and remarked that Mr W Cairns, of Riverton, was the architect, and Mr S March, of Kapunda, the contractor. He expressed the opinion that the hall would be a credit to them, an ornament to the town, and a monument to the Order of Oddfellows in South Australia. Mr Davis proceeded with the ceremony of laying the stone, and deposited documents, a daily paper, and some coins of the realm thereunder. He declared the stone well and truly laid.
Brothers J J Helleur, J T Matthews, J Windebank, and others congratulated the lodge on its progressive state…invited the assembly to adjourn to the hotel, where the toast, "Success to the hall” was honoured. [Ref: Observer Saturday 9-9-1911]
MARRABEL April 4
The Marrabel Oddfellows’ Hall was opened yesterday. The weather was fine, and residents and visitors from neighbouring towns assembled in strong force to participate in the celebrations.
A long programme was conducted to a successful issue. A procession of more than 100 Oddfellows marched from the old lodgeroom to the new hall. PPGM Brother A E Stief presided, and handed to Grand Master Brother F A Holmes, who performed the opening ceremony, a silver presentation key.
Grand Master Brother F A Holmes congratulated the Marrabel Lodge on its financial position, which enabled it to build such a fine hall.
PGM Brother G E Davis jun (Secretary) in presenting the report, stated that sick pay to the amount of £1,791: death benefits £960: surgeons' fees £2,250: and management expense, £1,518 had been paid out since the inauguration of the lodge. Thus through the agency of the Marrabel branch a total of £6,519 had been distributed.
The hall was erected and furnished at a cost of £1,700 and was opened free of debt.
A banquet was tendered to visiting Oddfellows, and various toasts were honoured
The public were entertained with various musical items in the main hall while the banquet was in progress in the lodgeroom.
In the evening the Olympic Star Picture Company showed to a packed house.
A ball terminated the proceedings. Brother H Traeger made an efficient MC. [Ref: Register Monday 8-4-1912]
*April 29 The Marrabel Quadrille Class
The Marrabel Quadrille Class opened their 1912 season on Saturday night with a very successful dance held in the Oddfellows' Hall. There were 29 couples present. Mr H C Traeger officiated as MC very efficiently, and Mr W Disher supplied the music. [Ref: Daily Herald 1-5-1912]
*Marrabel March 19
The Ceremony of opening the new bridge over the River Light was held this afternoon. The bridge, just completed, overcomes the previous frequent impassabilitv of the river, but the southern embankment is considered to have been limited a little in its construction.
Mr Young said that in the construction of this bridge a most awkward thing had to be considered, and that was the turn of the river just below the bridge. This turn had the effect of sending flood waters out across the road at one end of the bridge embankment. This matter required watching, and if in time it grew to be anything serious, the department would remedy it, probably by building the road a few feet higher for the distance necessary to throw the water back along the course of the river.
He particularly wanted to thank Mr H Wurst for allowing the Department to take earth from his property for the earthworks at the bridge, which fact in itself was a considerable saving to the Department owing to its easy accessibility to the job. He had much pleasure in asking Mrs O'Brien to perform the opening ceremony, and name the bridge, which was done amid cheers from the people assembled.
The assemblage then adjourned to the Oddfellows’ hall, where the function was continued in the form of a banquet. [Ref: Kapunda Herald 27-3-1914]
*The residents of Marrabel and the surrounding districts made a splendid response on Australia Day. The efforts of the general committee met with great success and exceeded all expectations. A thorough canvass of the district was made by a collecting committee, and more than £300 was collected previous to Australia Day. Friday's proceedings began with a combined procession of Marrabel, Hamilton, and Friedrichswalde school children, who marched from the Oddfellows' Hall to the public school, where they saluted the Union Jack.
A programme of sports was then carried out, old and young joining in, the festivities.
A public tea followed in the banqueting room of the hall and was well patronised. A social was held in the main hall in the evening.
A sale of the goods presented to the funds realized a substantial sum. A Commonwealth flag was sold on the Bugler system, and materially added to the funds.
The proceeds totalled £376, which is considered highly satisfactory for a small community. [Ref: Register 5-8-1915]
*A farewell social was tendered to Sgt Lloyd, and Privates C C Rowett and J Wilson in the Marrabel Oddfellows' Hall, on Saturday evening: Mr G E Davis ju., presided over a large gathering. A number of toasts were honoured. A wristlet watch was presented by Mr Kitchen to each of the soldiers. [Ref: Kapunda Herald 28-4-1916]
*On Wednesday evening, the 20th inst a public welcome was given in the Oddfellows' Hall to Pte J W Hildebrandt, who has returned from the front after nearly three years of active service abroad. The returned soldier was met at the Riverton station by his father (Mr August Hildebrandt), and sisters and brothers.
Pte Hildebrandt was one of the first men from this district to offer his services, and is the first to return. He has fought at Gallipoli, Egypt, and has been in the thick of the fighting in France, where he received a bullet wound in the knee, which put him out of action.
Pte Hildebrandt was welcomed home by Messrs F P Kitchen and W A Duncan, and was presented with a purse of money (24 guineas) by Mr A E Stief from the residents of Marrabel and district. [Ref: Kapunda Herald 1-3-1918]
*The first of a series of dances promoted by the Cheer Up Society was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday evening of last week. There was a large gathering present. Admission was by gift of not less than 2/6 in value for trench comforts, and resulted in sufficient goods being collected to pack 16 7-lb parcels to the boys at the front, containing cakes, cigarettes, sweets, &c, and two large boxes of cake have been forwarded to the Cheer-Up Hut.
The supper was provided by the ladies. It is the intention of the society to hold dances once a month during the winter. [Ref: Kapunda Herald 10-5-1918]
*January 28
A large gathering assembled at the Oddfellow’ Hall on Monday evening when a farewell social was tendered the Rev Father Maher, who is being transferred to Gawler after a residence here extending over sixteen years.
Mr W A Duncan presided, Dr R McM Glynn, of Riverton, presented Father Maher with a purse of money from the residents of the district, also Miss Glynn (Father Maher’s housekeeper) with a Morris chair, and Mr Jack Little, who is in Father Maher's employ, with an envelope containing money. [Ref: Kapunda Herald 31-1-1919]
* November 1 — A welcome home social was tendered to Sister Amy Dorrington and Cpl Ben and Pte Leonard Girke, in the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday evening. There was a large gathering.
A guard of honour was formed by the school children, and the guests were welcomed home in an eloquent address by Mr F P Kitchen. Mr J G Wurst (Chairman of the Hamilton District Council) presented the returned sister and soldiers with a framed certificate from the District Council of Hamilton. The Rev Allen Webb, of Riverton, presented Sister Dorrington with a gold wristlet watch from her Marrabel friends. Sister Dorrington and Cpl and Pte Girke responded. [Ref: Register 4-11-1919]
* November 16
The English brides of Cpl Ben Girke and Pte Cecil Rowett were welcomed in the Oddfellows Hall last Tuesday afternoon by the residents of Marrabel and district.
A guard of honour was formed by the ladies, and the "Wedding march" and the National Anthem were played by Miss Rehder. The brides were greeted by the Rev Allan Webb, on behalf of the residents of the town and district. Afternoon tea was served in the main hall, and the tables were tastefully decorated. Wine and a wedding cake were presented by Mrs. Thomas Marlow. The toasts were proposed by Mr Webb, who was supported by Mr Robert Gill.
The bridegrooms, Cpl Girke and Pte Rowett responded for the brides, and Messrs J D Rowett and E Girke, senrs thanked the gathering for the cordial welcome tendered to their sons and wives. [Ref: Observer 29-11-1919]
*On Saturday last, in the presence of one of the largest crowds ever seen in Marrabel, the Soldiers' Memorial was unveiled by the "Soldiers Chum ", Mr Sammy Lunn, M.B.E.
In 1920 the Hamilton District Council appointed a committee, with Mr J G Wurst as chairman, and the district clerk (Mr A J Stief) as secretary, who raised money to purchase a block of ground adjoining the Marrabel Hall.
The work of erecting the monument was entrusted to Mr R W Tillett and he carried it out with great skill.
The Hon W Hannaford was proud and pleased to be present to honour the memory of the brave lads who fell fighting for King and Empire.
He was also proud of the nurses who had left Australia, and particularly two nurses, who held the highest distinction it was possible to attain. One of these, born and educated at Marrabel, Miss Louise Collis Dorrington, besides being awarded a number of French, Serbian, and American decorations, was lately awarded the diploma and medal of the Legion of Honour. [Ref: Advertiser 9-3-1922]
*April 2 The annual Roman Catholic picnic and sports were held in Mr Campion's paddock in fine weather today. The large attendance from all the surrounding districts was evidence of the popularity of the fixture.
Kapunda, Saddleworth, Riverton, Manoora, Auburn, Eudunda, and Robertstown sent their quotas, the result being a record attendance of approximately 1,090.
A grand ball and supper was given in the Oddfellows' Hall in the evening. [Ref: Observer 14-4-1923]
