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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

Hay Merino Sheep Show: a rich history

Hay Merino Sheep Show has seen major changes since the first show, held 72 years ago while still retaining the heritage atmosphere and feel that the exhibitors love and travel for.

Exhibitors travel from NSW, SA and VIC annually. The people involved in the first shows have descendants still contributing to the show today.

President Ian Lugsdin said it was a credit to the Hay district for the longevity of the current and previous committees to maintain the high standard of sheep, both flock and studs, on show for the last 72 shows in its current form, and looks forward to the future of an iconic industry.

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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

Absolutely magical: Steph Cattanach

Steph Cattanach is one of those rare people. The vibe that you feel from her, is just something that cannot be put into words. A more cynical person would question if she is real; she has that unworldly quality. The honest truth is - she is as real as you can get.

Earnest, with the very best of intentions, a person with a journey, and a person who has the most sincere and wonderful intentions for all around her. A person, who I would truly aspire to be. Many would know her journey, or part of it.

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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

The Riverina - People and Places - the important historical record by Robert B Ronald

Robert Ronald’s work “The Riverina - People and Places” is an important record of the settlement of the region around Hay. It was first printed in Melbourne in 1960 by EW Cheshire Pty Ltd. Robert’s younger brother agreed to underwrite the printing costs, after publishers showed little interest in the tome, however the first print run of 1000 copies quickly sold out, and a second print run was organised

Almost fifty years later Robert’s sons Wilson and Hugh worked with The Riverine Grazier’s Rod McCully to reproduce the book in 2004, with the inclusion of a forward, penned by the brothers.

In the book, Robert writes about explorers Oxley, Throsby, Currie and Ovens, Hume and Hovell, Mitchell and Charles Sturt, and records the early settlements along the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Edward and Murray Rivers and the Yanko Creek.

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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

Sailing to Australia on the Dorsetshire

71 years ago Marg Beckwith, then five-year-old Margaret Short stepped off the good ship Dorsetshire onto Australian soil at Sydney Harbour.

She was accompanied by her parents and little brother Jim, aged two, and the family had travelled from Scotland as ’10 pound Poms’. Marg was born in 1947 in Stirling, a small city in central Scotland, within 50 kilometers of Glasgow and Edinbugh.

Marg shares her vivid memories of the trip across the ocean to sunny Australia.

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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

The Breweries of Hay, NSW

In its heyday Hay was a bustling regional centre and boasted a variety of long gone industries that serviced the district. Breweries and malt houses were established in the late 1800s and by all accounts were in fierce competition with each other.

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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

Hay’s wild west history

Armed stand-offs over establishing the town of Hay NSW, pulling down buildings as they were being constructed, and shallow graves for the unfortunate are all tales from the town’s early history, when Lang’s Crossing Place was the domain of a few determined people.

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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

Billy Curtis - One of Hay Magpies greatest

This story is about Billy Curtis. Billy or Bunter as he is affectionately known had a great playing record after starting with the Magpies as a 19 year old in 1958. It was a time when Rugby League was played by hard men. Men who were physically hard men who did not have the skills of today's player. They were men who were as tough as teak, no sooking, just took what was dished out in the 'Era of the Biff’. The game was not policed as much then. There were no videos, and head high tackles were good old stiff arms. Billy said to get hit with a stiff arm tackle was like running into a pick handle.

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People and History Krista Schade People and History Krista Schade

Midwives of the district

In the early years of the settlements of Hay, Booligal and Balranald midwives were often the only form of medical care, and the townships have hosted a variety of private hospitals throughout the years.

This is an interesting glimpse into the care of women and babies in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

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