Gunning & District Historical Society

Gunning Memorial All Services Club. Photo: Souvenir Programme for the official opening of the club extension, 19 November 1975 This is the only historic photo I have been able to locate of the building that was the Gunning Memorial All Services (GMAS) Club.  The property was purchased by GMAS on 13 September 1950; this photo is from 1958 and shows the porch, storeroom, kitchen and snooker room extension completed earlier that year. The building was originally built by the Sons of Temperance (Albert Division) and was opened on 11 April 1882.  It was taken over by the Grand United Order of Oddfellows in 1909 and was used extensively until the late 1930s. GMAS added a dance hall extension in 1964 (between the car and main hall in the photo above) and a major expansion was completed in 1975, including a large auditorium. Extended Club Building - 1975 Photo: Souvenir Programme for the official opening of the club extension, 19 November 1975 I am intereste...

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 bran...