The following article was contributed by Miss Margaret Fleming, the teacher at the Lower Araluen Public School, which was one of the four schools that were built on or near School House Point, south of Araluen. It was published in the Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal1Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Friday 17 December 1943. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119254571. on Friday 17 December 1943.
The people of Lower Araluen were very fortunate, as after weeks of unsettled weather, with at least one shower almost daily, the day of their picnic was fine and cloudless. Perhaps this was one of the factors that attracted people from as far as Merricumbene, North Araluen, and even down the rough track from Back Creek to School House Point, which has been a popular picnic ground for many years. Araluen itself was well represented. Even the petrol shortage could not discourage them. Some did arrive in cars, but others came in drays and carts, on push-bikes and horses. Nita, Myrtle and Vernon Davis rode about 10 miles to the picnic, and then competed in several races.
The ladies of Lower Araluen, assisted by Mesdames Hester, Blundell and Breen, provided and served meals which were very enjoyable, so much so that one of the visitors remarked that the men of lower Araluen should never suffer from indigestion. Two free ice-creams each were served to the children by Mesdames Fairbrother, Hinchcliffe, Hester and Miss Fleming. Lollies and peaches were served by Mesdames D. Waddell and Fairbrother. Although the meals were spread beneath a large, shady tree almost covered with mistletoe, nobody took advantage of this fact. After lunch there was an enjoyable sports programme under the direction of Mr. N. Nevin and Mr. E. Keys. This Included many novelty events tor adults as well as children. As the day was very hot, the apple-in-the water race proved to be most popular with adults, although the ladles were wondering whether false teeth would be effective. One lady had to hunt for hers as well as the apple. Another solved the difficulty by competing without her teeth, and won her heat. Most of the water was a delicate shade of pink after this event, which was won by Mrs. L. Blundell.
The ladies’ sack race was another exciting event, in which the ladies were very Interested. Mrs. C. Herbert won it. Mrs. Keys and Mrs. Boyd were keen competitors in the balancing the ball with sticks event, which, however, was won by Shirley Herbert. Miss Fleming, winner of the ladies’ race, was defeated by Lorna Mundy later.
It was certainly youth’s day out as far as the men’s events were concerned. Trevor Keys won the men’s handicap, and Max Herbert and Ron Cooper won the men’s wheelbarrow race. In the children’s events, which are too numerous to list, the Waddell twins presented the judges with a few difficulties, not only by looking almost identical, but also by running dead heats more often than not.
Although the ladder intended for use in the obstacle race was burnt to encourage the ‘kettle’ at dinner-time, an old tyre was substituted, and the race proved very popular.
Among those who won races were Miss P. Bowler, Shirley, Max, Mary and Joyce Herbert, Ron Cooper, Trevor and Dawn Keys, John, Barbara, Bob and Shirley Hinchcliffe, Ann Breen, Neil and Ernie Waddell, Lalie Herbert, Lorna, Marjorie and Jack Mundy. Congratulations!
Later in the evening Mr. N. Nevin, on behalf of the parents and citizens of Lower Araluen, thanked the visitors for coming along, hoped they had had an enjoyable time, and introduced little Jimmie Hinchcliffe, who as smallest pupil of the school, on behalf of himself and fellow pupils, gave Miss Fleming a Christmas present. Miss Fleming expressed her appreciation, and remarked that the surprise was so complete that she did not know what to say. When she saw that the present was two pairs of stockings and a calendar autographed by all the pupils her delight was even greater.
A swing proved very popular. About 80 people attended the picnic, and all spent a pleasant day at the historic old School House Point.