Over a century ago, before World War I, this paper was praising a young local in the most glowing terms. The Riverine Grazier was predicting that “big things may be expected” from the town’s “boy champion”, who “promises to be … the best Hay has ever produced”. The Grazier also reported the assessment of an admired local teacher, who described the youngster as “a coming champion”.

The Hay schoolboy attracting such lavish compliments was 14-year-old Norman Callaway, who was a highly talented cricketer. His parents, Tom and Emily, had resided at Hay for over thirty years, and Norman had grown up in the family home at Hatty Street.