“Came from Wyalong to Mirrool October, 1919 on my pushbike. Got a ride on the train to Griffith free for me, my dog and my bike. 

“Arrived in Griffith and was directed to the pine trees on the hill to camp.

“The Catholic church stands there today.

“After making inquiries I was told to go down to see Dave Taylor, he had the only store here at the time. The other shops had no meat, bacon or camp pie. He was at Bagtown three miles away. He would prop you up with a bit of tucker until you got a job and a pay in.

“It was no trouble to get a job with the Commission at that time. Only a matter of taking a bit of dinner with you and you got a start right away.

“Well I camped under a tree and started work driving horses at Wickhams camp. Ganger Allan Trout was a fine man to work for. I lasted about four days and was going home and saw a man screwing a tap in Banna Avenue. I asked him if there was any work for plumbers there.

“He asked ‘are you a plumber?’ I said I had done a bit. He gave me a job for one pound per day. That was big money in those days so I left the scooping and done the plumbing.

“I made the rain water tanks on the first three cottages built in the township of Griffith for the late Harry Morell.

“That was where the women’s club is now.

“The Commission also built one next door.

“Henry O’Meara was the foreman and he used to sit all day and watch his one carpenter at work. Must have cost a lot of money to build that one. I think Bill Doyle and me are the only ones alive who worked on those buildings.

“Well to make yourself a camp in those days you went over after the main canal knocked off concreting the canal at the back of Louez and pinched empty cement bags.

“Cut them open and sewed them together.

“Then put up a frame out of small pine poles.

“There was a forest of them up there then in those days.

“Covered them with cement bags.

“They would not let a drop of rain in.

“Made a bit of a galley outside to cook and I was all set up.

“Plenty of wood in those days for cooking.

“Had to carry our water in. Next thing Father O’Dea landed up with a tent. I helped him cut out poles and rigged it up. He used to get his meals at Mirool House. Up and down on that push bike. He set to work and cleared trees. That is where the school is. A man named Islow built the school and a presbytery. Bill Doyle and I worked on that with him. He was a rough man in his young days, was Father O’Dea. He loved to have a good bare knuckle fight and I can tell you he had a lot of fights. Griffith was a rough place in those days. They used to go out to Hanwood and get wine in empty petrol cans – four gallons at a time. About five shillings a gallon. It was not top grade but had plenty of kick in it. We mostly used empty capstan tins for measuring the drink. A few tins full and they would fight the world.

“They didn’t care if you were Father O’Dea or the King of England. They would throw a punch at you. The best fight I ever saw was Father O’Dea and Skinny O’Grady. It was behind Vernardos Billard Room. Skinny O’Grady was one of the best fighters in the camp.

“Well as I said, I never saw such a good fight. Father O’Dea wore him down. I could go on for some time talking about Father O’Dea. The funny thing was when he died some of the church men came down to the shop and asked where did I think he should be buried. I thought he should be buried out in front of the church and that is where he is now. He was always a good friend of mine up until he died. I was not one of his flock and I had great respect for him. I could go on talking about him for hours. No doubt I consider he did the biggest job of anyone in Griffith to do what he did. Two years after me he came and pitched his tent – 1921 or 1922.

“My next job was building the fruit shed for the Producers Co-op – the first fruit shop built in Griffith.”

GRIFFITH residents were asked to test out the latest offerings from Magniflex to raise funds for Can Assist.

Residents were asked to lie on three of the beds, which are made in Italy, and rate the three beds.

Sleep Doctor committed to donating $2 for every person who tested the beds. A total of $800 was raised to help the local charity.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) is adopting a fresh approach to sustainable land use, starting with the removal of their Rice Growing Rules.

MI chief executive officer Brett Jones said the Rice Growing Rules were originally developed to protect the long-term sustainability of the MIA. 

“At the time the Rules were considered an effective measure to reduce recharge of groundwater, or otherwise limit the height of the groundwater within the MIA,” he said. Over the past two years MI has worked in partnership with our rice growers and the Rice Growers Association to trial interim arrangements to relax the Rice Growing Rules.” MI’s Rice Growing Rules will be removed from 1 July 2016, and there will be no Rice Monitoring Fee levied on customers who grow rice from 2016-17. 

Cancer Council of NSW Stars of Griffith Dance for Cancer

GRIFFITH stars, heroes and influential members of the community will team up to make seven dance couples and perform two dance routines. Melissa’s Dance Studio has put the couples through their paces.

Venue: Griffith Exies Club, Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4, 7pm

First Friday Live with the Luxxtones

THE Luxxtones will perform at First Friday Live at Giuseppe’s Bar from 7.30pm. The cover charge is $15.

Brothers 3 live performance

BROTHERS 3 auditioned on The X Factor with a daring cover of Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift and were voted in by all four judges including their mentor Dannii Minogue. The act will perform at the Griffith Regional Theatre on Friday, June 3 from 8pm. The cost is $55.

Murrumbidgee Marramarra

HEAD along to the Griffith Regional Art Gallery on Saturday to check out this Aboriginal arts project by Uncle Stan Grant with the support of the Aboriginal Lands Council and the Aboriginal Medical Centre. The aim of the project is to facilitate Aboriginal community groups to engage in the arts in the Griffith catchment. The cost is a gold coin donation from 11am.

The Dolls House

THE Dollhouse will perform at the Victoria Hotel on Saturday night from 8pm.

Daizy Chain

DAIZY Chain will perform  at the Coro Club on Saturday night.

Danny B and the Hornstar

DANNY B and the Hornstar will perform at The Area Hotel from 10pm on Saturday night.

Oddball free screening

GRIFFITH City Council, in conjunction with the Office of Heritage and Griffith City Cinemas, present Oddball an enchanting family movie about the Middle Island penguins at Warrnambool. The screening is free at Griffith City Cinemas on Saturday, June 4 at 2pm.

Forever Diamond concert tour

COME and relive the magic and magical hits of superstar Neil Diamond in a two-hour concert experience at Griffith Regional Theatre on Saturday, June 4 at 8pm. Tickets cost $69.90 for adults, $64.90 for concession and members $64.90.

THUMBS down to people who walk on roads and paths while using mobile phones. It’s dangerous and you’re better off to stay on a chair for your safety.

THUMBS down to WIN Television. You are always broadcasting the Broncos and Rabbitohs matches – it’s not fair.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Weekend masses: Saturday 6pm (Saturday vigil), Sunday 7.30am, Italian 9am, Marian Catholic College Chapel 9am, off Hickey Crescent 10.30am and 6pm

Monday to Friday: 7am and 5.30pm, Saturday 8am

Confession: Friday 4.30pm to 5.20pm, Saturday 11.30am to 12.30pm, anytime on request (ask at Presbytery)

Sunday mass times in neighbouring villages

Yoogali: 17 Edon Street 9.30am

Yenda: Mirrool Avenue 6.15pm (Saturday vigil)

Hanwood: Yarran Street 5pm (Saturday vigil), 8am

If you would like to contribute an item for the Community News page send the details to editor@areanews.com.au