Step back in time

STEP BACK IN TIME TO THE NARRANDERA PICNIC RACES: A time for partying and racing

It was an era of balls and dinner parties, socially elite, well-dressed women in hats and bonnets and days of celebrations for the annual Narrandera Picnic Race Club meeting culminating with an all-night ball in the 1950s. Representative Cynthi...

Narrandera Argus

09 Apr 2025

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Western graziers lose £10,000,000 in drought

By BILL MOORE Who toured the drought areas recently If you think we have problems now read this report which appeared in the Narrandera Argus in December 1944: This is the fifth year of the-worst drought in western New South Wales since 1902. It...

Narrandera Argus

19 Feb 2025

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Unprecedented Lockhart fire causes tremendous loss

January 1952: LOCKHART TOWN IN PERIL - FARM HOUSE DESTROYED Today a very large tract of our district lands stretching from Boree Creek township to the Yerong Creek Road, Osborne, lies under a black pall denoting desolation and heavy losses on...

Liz Lawrence

28 Aug 2024

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Aboriginal war heroes: The Lyons Brothers

Thomas ‘TL’ Lyons, his brother Billy ‘Frog’ Lyons and their father Warrick ‘Tiger’ Lyons all fought in both World War I and World War II respectively. ‘Tiger’ Lyons fought in the WWI, together with his two brothers. TL and his...

Liz Lawrence

01 Aug 2024

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Pleasant impressions of the Riverina Express luxury of travel

February 1950 (by a newspaper reporter) Riverina people who have had the opportunity of travelling to or from the metropolis on the new luxury train, the Riverina Express, are loud in their praises of the swift and comfortable travel that it...

Liz Lawrence

24 Jul 2024

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Headmaster asks for support for NHS

Brevity of speeches was a popular feature of the annual speech night of the Narrandera High School. The Criterion Hall was packed to capacity with students and parents. Headmaster (Mr R. E. Brereton) welcomed those present. His annual report was...

Liz Lawrence

10 Jul 2024

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Lake Talbot water tower conjures up memories

An enquiry from a reader has led the Narrandera Argus to undertake some research through its files regarding the famous Lake Talbot water tower. The enquirer wanted to know details about the water tower itself. Many articles have been written...

Liz Lawrence

03 Jul 2024

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Outstanding horseman linked with district’s Pioneering Days

One of Australia’s greatest horsemen and an outstanding athlete was the late Mr John A. Dempsey, more familiarly known as Jack Dempsey, one of the early pioneers of this district. As a young man, Mr Dempsey was outstanding as an all-round...

Liz Lawrence

13 Jun 2024

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Railway to Hay via Narrandera - October 10, 1878

A petition recently forwarded to Sydney by the Hay Municipal Council for presentation to the Minister for Works in favour of an extension of the South-western Railway to Hay by way of Narrandera: To the Honorable the Minister of Public Works...

Liz Lawrence

05 Jun 2024

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CWA Expansion urged, Hostel at Narrandera mooted

The Country Women’s Association Metropolitan Group Conference in 1944 talked about the expansion of activities in the country areas, with special attention to hostels and better educational facilities for country children. Discussion on the...

Narrandera Argus

22 May 2024

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Memories of tennis in Narrandera Shire

A large attendance was reported at the switching on ceremony for electric lights at the Grong Grong Tennis Club. To bring about this improvement Club members and others had worked hard during the past year, holding functions to raise necessary...

Narrandera Argus

22 May 2024

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Rising out of the ashes

Saturday night of the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend saw the Narrandera Golf Club celebrate the golden (50th) anniversary of the opening of its newly erected clubhouse after the previous building was completely destroyed by fire. The club’s...

Elizabeth Lawrence

17 Jun 2021

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Cafes, coursing in Roach family

The Roach family has been synonymous in the Narrandera Shire for their operation of cafes and involvement in sport in the towns of Narrandera and Barellan. Beth Smith-Preston (nee Roach) only retired in recent years from operating a café in...

Elizabeth Lawrence

17 Jun 2021

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Celebrating a local connection to the century-old RAAF

The centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force was celebrated on March 31 2021 - it has a strong connection to Narrandera through the No 8 Elementary Flying Training School which was established near the town’s airport and boasts a memorial to...

Narrandera Argus

17 Apr 2021

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Nothing fishy about success of area’s early anglers

The late Jim Bailey was a keen fisherman who lived in the Narrandera area all his life. If you have ever doubted that Narrandera was a top place for fishing that boasts some well-known fishing spots, Narrandera resident and keen fisherman the late...

Elizabeth Lawrence

01 Apr 2021

Step back in time

A decade of drought, destruction and desperation

In Australia, drought is as sure a thing as the sun rising. In the new Federation of Australia, what became known as the Federation Drought tore businesses, lives and livestock apart. It is considered one of the worst droughts Australia has ever...

Nicholas Rupolo

18 Mar 2021

Step back in time

Entertainment that hit all the right notes

The Narrandera Musical and Dramatic Society was one of the biggest forms of entertainment in the town in the 1930s and often had up to 100 entertainers on stage. Glen Ward’s Lost Narrandera page on Facebook recently shared a 1963 program from...

Elizabeth Lawrence

15 Mar 2021

Step back in time

Which prime ministers have graced our streets?

It’s been a long time since a Prime Minister has walked down the main street of Narrandera with historic visits by the highest office in the land few and far between. Narrandera has had its share of election celebrations and policy protests over...

Nicholas Rupolo

18 Feb 2021

Lost Narrandera

Bundure Station: A historic homestead

Ian Hutchins has provided a real-life account of growing up on “Bundure Station”, a rural landmark in the Riverina’s pastoral history and located 99km south of Narrandera. The old homestead was built in 1842 and Ian’s grandfather was manager...

Glen Ward

12 Feb 2021