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1891 - A Very Dry Year for the Gunning Show

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The Australian Star, 23 February 1891,
If you get the chance to enjoy a beer or wine at the Gunning Show, spare a thought for the patrons at the 1891 show. It would seem, from the above article, that the showground committee had a strong contingent of Temperance "Brothers" who were successful in declaring it an alcohol-free zone.

The impact was not as significant as initially suggested - the article notes that the show was "on the whole a success" with "nearly 800 entries" and daily attendance of "between 700 and 800". (I have found no records to compare with other years of the period.)

The Temperance movement was quite strong in Australia in the late 19th century. The Gunning Division of The Sons of Temperance was formed in 1874 and when the Temperance Hall was opened in 1882 (cnr Warrataw St and Biala St) there were 73 members. There is also mention of the Independant Order of Good Templars (Eureka Lodge) from 1883 and a branch of the No Licence League was formed in 1907.

In 1890, there is mention of "Mr Best's Temperance Hotel" - hosting a meeting of the Debating Club.

By the early 20th century, Gunning was described as "the greatest temperance stronghold in the state" in the Goulburn Evening Penny Post (21 September 1907). Even so, the "non-temperance" contingent proved stronger in the 1907 local vote to determine the future of liquor licensing in the district (Continuance: 152, Reduction: 38, No-License: 123 - a result in favour of "Reduction"). At the sitting of the Licensing Court in April 1908, two licensed hotels were identified: Telegraph Hotel and Frankfield Hotel.  Both hotels retained their licenses in the initial reduction hearings in April, 1908. Frankfield's license was revoked in 1914 (with effect from 1917) - to be regained in 1918 in a hearing at the Yass Licensing Court.

References to the Temperence movement are less frequent after 1907.  By 1910 Temperance Hall was known as OddFellows Hall (later to be Gunning Memorial All Services Club). The secretary of the NSW Temperance Alliance visited in 1911 and gave a sermon at the Methodist Church and a lecture at Oddfellows Hall.

Enjoy a beer or wine at the show or Telegraph Hotel this weekend and think about what could have been with a few more No-License votes in 1907.

The full transcript of the featured article is available on Trove (article 228184301).

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