Farming pursuits and the price of wheat was making news this week 100 years ago in a local newspaper. This was a time when grain growers set their own process rather than being dictated to by corporate buyers.  In other news, local farmers attended the Wagga Experimental Farm to view the advances in farming practise. Meanwhile, the departure of a valued citizen, football and weddings were also making news in the Coolamon district this week in 1920. 

A meeting of wheat growers was held in Furner’s Hall to consider the appointment of a local committee to look after the handling, stacking, and despatch by rail of wheat delivered into the 1920-21 pool; such committee to report to Mr Dunn, Chairman of the State Wheat Board, on any matters requiring attention at stacking centres. Mr W G Lucas, president of the local branch of the F and S Association, occupied the chair. The communication received requested that local Honorary committees be appointed at Coolamon and Brushwood. It was decided, on the motion of Mr W P Dyce and E Lindner, that the proposal of the Minister be adopted, and that honorary committees consisting of three wheat growers, be appointed at Coolamon and Brushwood to watch the farmers’ interests.

Messrs P Eisenhauer, M O’Brien and D Menzies (with M J. S Kirkwood as substitute) were nominated for Brushwood siding and Messrs G Croker, W G Downie and F La Lievre (with Mr Bartlett as substitute) were nominated for Coolamon. A discussion then took place, at the invitation of the chairman, regarding what was a fair price to ask for wheat. Eventually Mr. W. P. Dyce moved, that this meeting considers that the minimum price for wheat for home consumption should be fixed at 10/6 per bushel. Seconded by Mr W G Downie and carried. A copy of the resolution is to be forwarded to the Minister. On the motion of Mr W Bradshaw, seconded by Mr. Dyce, it decided that an emphatic protest be entered on the action of the State Government in guaranteeing wheat growers early in the season 7/6 per bushel on delivery and failing to fulfil such promise.

Yet another of Coolamon’s progressive citizens was about to leave the town, viz, Mr S E Bailey, acting postmaster, who received word of his transfer to Queanbeyan.

There was a very interesting and enthusiastic gathering of farmers from the Coolamon district at the Wagga Experiment Farm. They were members of the Coolamon branch of the Farmers and Settlers’ Association, and numbered 40 in all, including the president (Mr W G Lucas), and the secretary (Mr Moller). The farmers arrived at the farm at about 11 o’clock and left at 5 o’clock. Under the guidance of Mr Hugh Boss (manager) and officers, the visitors were shown over every section of the farm. Great interest was centred in silage operations, which were in progress at the time. The wheat breeding plots and orchards proved attractive to the visitors. General experiment work was thoroughly explained and was greatly appreciated. Prior to the war, excursions of this kind were made annually, but this trip was the first since the war broke out. According to the Coolamon men, they intend to make annual tours to the farm, and Mr Boss said he would be pleased to see any other body of men, who caredto view the farm, provided due notice of the intending visit was given.

A branch of the Agricultural Bureau was formed at North Berry Jerry, with the following office bearers: President, Mr E Le Lievre; vice-presidents Messrs C Fairweather and J Casley; secretary and treasurer Mr Hector Crawford; assistant secretary, Mr W Bradshaw, committee Messrs E. Crawford, J Casley, C Fairweather, F Butler C Moller, and W J Stinson.

A large crowd assembled on the Grong Grong ground to witness the football final for the Roach Guest Cup between Marrar and Narandera (single r in those days). Mr J McMurray, one of Melbourne’s best League men, was field umpire and gave complete satisfaction. The first half of the game was most evenly contested and at halftime neither side had succeeded in registering a goal, the scores being: Marrar, 6 behinds; Narandera 5 behinds. In the third quarter Marrar took complete control of the game and rattled up 5 goals and 7 behinds to nil. Narandera showed to better advantage in the final term, but Marrar, by their big lead established in the preceding session, always held them safe and finished up easy winners by 7 goals 16 behinds to Narandera’ s 3 goals 8 behinds. Marrar Club had only been in existence three seasons and they established a big record, viz, premiers Coolamon Association, 1918 premier SWDF Association 1919 and winners of the. Roach-Guest Cup 1920. In addition they also defeated the Royal Stars (Wagga’ s premier team for this season) at Wagga. A record that any club might feel proud of and that would take some equalling.