A public meeting was held at The Fairbridge Farm School, Molong, on the 7th of January 1940, to discuss the formation of an Old Fairbridgians' Association for the Molong Farm School. There were, Mr R. (Dickie) Beauchamp, Fairbridge Principal, Mr E. (Ted) Heath, Miss Needham, Norman Love, Don Gillies, Lionell Hallet, and all trainees with senior boys and girls, in attendance.
It was resolved at that meeting that an Old Fairbridgians Association be formed. The following persons were elected to become the Executive Committee. Chairman, Mr E. Heath; Secretary, Ray Drury; Treasurer, Evelyn Wickens; Committee Members: Miss Needham, Mrs E. Heath, Mr R. Beauchamp, Norman Love,Don Gillies, Reuben Gamsby and Lionel Hallet.
It was decided that a Fairbridge School Magazine be published and Lionel Hallet was appointed O.F.s correspondent and that the membership subscription be set at one weeks wages for Old Fairbridgians.
The Executive Committee held its first meeting at the Principals House on the same day where it was resolved that Lord Gowrie be invited to be Patron of the O.F.A., Mrs Kingsley Fairbridge be invited to become a Patron and Mr D. Stewart, (Fairbridge Farm Schools NSW. Chairman) be invited to become President.
Correspondence on the 15th of April 1940 records that Mrs Kingsley Fairbridge had accepted the position as Patron. There was also correspondence received from the Bacchus Marsh and Pinjarra Principals suggesting the format for the OFA Constitution.
A General Meeting of the Association was held at Fairbridge on the 24th of June 1940 and after considerable discussion a constitution was drafted and adopted.
It was also resolved at this meeting that Old Fairbridgians staying at Fairbridge contribute a nominal sum of two shillings (twenty cents) per day or nine pence (eight cents) per meal to offset costs.
It was further resolved that O.F.A. funds be banked with the Commonwealth Bank and that the Chairman and Treasurer be joint signatories to the account and that surplus funds of the Association be invested in War Savings Bonds from the 24th of July 1940.
On the 17th of June 1941 the Executive Committee met where after much discussion a number of proposals were recorded to amend the Association Rules. The proposed amendments must have been adopted at an unrecorded General Meeting before the 29th of December 1941, as the new Association Rules were found in correspondence files undated.
The Chairman, Mr Ted Heath, expressed his pleasure that so many " old boys " had returned home for Christmas and commented that the appearance of the boys at the church service on Christmas morning was a credit to themselves and the School.
He advised the meeting that two O. F's had enlisted in the armed forces. Mr Heath stressed that although all were keen to do their "bit" for Australia it was just as necessary for some to continue on the land. He reminded those who were considering enlistment that it would be necessary to first obtain parental consent.
It was resolved that the daily contribution whilst staying at the School be increased to two shillings and three pence (twenty-two cents) to cover the cost of morning and afternoon tea.
The Chairman in closing this meeting outlined the general routine for O.F's whilst staying at the School and tabled a set of regulations detailed hereunder:
Whilst it is the wish of the Principal that all Old Fairbridgians' will regard the School as their home he hopes that holidays spent here will be enjoyable and feels sure that members will realize that misconduct of any kind could not be tolerated.
E.J.Heath
Principal
EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
FROM DECEMBER 1942 to JANUARY 1946
At the 2nd AGM (Dec '42) the Principal reported that forty girls and boys had now been placed in employment.
On the 26th of December 1943 Mr. FKS Woods, Deputy Principal, advised of the cessation of the School Magazine due to material shortages caused by the war.
A pall of gloom permeated the 3rd AGM as arrangements had to be made to bury John Milward, who had drowned in the Hudson Dam, on the Fairbridge property, on the previous day. His was the first fatality since the Farm School opened. It was determined that the pallbearers, Ray Drury, Ted Gillies, Fred Wickens and George Keable, representing the three armed services should officiate at the funeral the next day.
Only 26 members attended the 4th AGM, in December 1944, Chaired by Mr FKS Woods who reported that the war had severely restricted any O.F. activity in the past year.
As there had not been any children arrive at Fairbridge since 1940 the resident numbers had been severely depleted.
The Northcote School at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, was experiencing economic hardship for the same reasons so it was determined that Northcote should close. The remaining 42 children at Northcote arrived at Fairbridge on the 15th of December 1944 making the Farm School a more economically viable operation once again.
The wireless set promised for the O.F's had become unprocurable. The one highlight was the donation by Mr Penfold of a billiard table for the O.F's although transport shortages had precluded delivery thus far.
It was proposed that a Newsletter be circulated to all O.F's however Mr Heath stressed that staff and material shortages prevented such communication at this point in time. Mr Heath also stressed the importance and obligation on all Old Fairbridgians to keep in touch with their families in the U.K.
Forty five members attended the 5th A.G.M. held on Boxing Day 1945 and from the minutes was a very spirited meeting. The billiard table had been installed and was getting plenty of use. The wireless set was still on the agenda. It was also recorded that everyone wanted a newsletter but that someone else should do all the work to produce it and that 35 Fairbridgians were now in the defence forces, 37 boys and 13 girls were in employment.
On the lighter side the Principal reported that he had received a complaint from the cook after last Christmas that two whole Christmas puddings had been broken up and ruined in the somewhat undignified and childish search for silver coins. In future token less puddings only would be served.
EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
FROM THE 6TH A.G.M. (Sept 1946)
TO THE 15TH A.G.M. (Dec 1955)
During 1946, resultants of the Old Fairbridgians persistence, headstones were set on three graves in the Molong Cemetery.
At the 1947 AGM discussion commenced on the production of an official OFA badge. This meeting was also advised of the formation of an Old Fairbridgians Sydney Social Club, which was meeting at the home of a former Farm School staff member in Darlinghurst, Sydney. (Mrs. Gemmell).
During the late 1940's Old Fairbridgians were assisting with organising and the running of autumn and Spring Balls at Fairbridge. The Autumn Ball raised 120 pounds ($240.00). This money was equally divided between the OFA Sydney Social Club and the funding to send food parcels to children's parents in the U.K.
An After Care Officer was appointed to the staff at Molong in 1949 greatly increasing the much-needed liaison between the O.F's and the Farm School who were responsible for our well being until we attained the age of 21 years.
OFA badges came into being in 1948 having been made and supplied by Angus and Coote, Jewelers of Sydney.
During 1951 "Gloucester House", quarters for visiting O.F's was commenced but was not ready for occupancy until 1952. It was also sadly recorded in 1951 that two Old Fairbridgians had given their lives whilst serving with the defence forces Korea.
On completion of the building of Gloucester House in 1952 it was resolved that a garden and suitable plaques be placed at the front of the building as a memorial to those who gave their lives for our freedom. Plaques were installed for "Cass" Brown,"Mickey" Mitchell and "Ginger" Chris Redfern.
Gloucester House was officially opened by the Governor General of Australia, Sir William (Lord) Slim in 1953.
In 1954 annual subscriptions were increased to 10/- (the price of which also included an OFA badge).
In 1955 it was reported that 175 children were now being cared for at the Molong Farm School. In that year a fund was also established with a view to building an O.F. Memorial Chapel at Fairbridge.
1956 onwards
From the records and information available a meeting - not an AGM - was held in the evening of the 1st of April 1956 at Fairbridge, Molong, with 28 persons present and the Principal, Mr FKS Woods in the chair. From that meeting there was no indication of an impending cessation to the OFA activities and the bank account was in credit. No records can be found of any OFA activity for the ensuing nine years.
Through a Newsletter of this time, which is when After Care Officers (ACO) sent them out, it was gleaned that Bill and Rene Phillips became A.C.O's putting out their first newsletter in March 1959.
It was also recorded that 42 O.F's families returned to Fairbridge for Christmas. Ruth Woods postscript to this newsletter advised that due to the slow and poor response to the OFA Chapel Fund that the original concept was abandoned and a more austere building would be more likely to be forthcoming. In October 1959 Ruth Woods reported that the Chapel Fund was 850 pounds ($1700).
In July 1961. Mrs Glasson of "Gamboola" Molong, had donated an ex-army hut for use as a chapel and O.F. builder Pat Barge, was constructing and co-ordinating the completion of it. Pat also built and donated the pulpit for the chapel. The Phillips as A.C.O's had left and Mr and Mrs Diggins replaced them with a change of title to Welfare Officers.
In March 1966 a letter was written to all O.Fs by the Principal, Mr F.K.S. Woods, advising that as the future of the Fairbridge Farm School at Molong was unclear and it was proposed that a reunion be held over the October 1966 long weekend. Notice was given of two meetings to be held to organise committees to co-ordinate the reunion arrangements. On the 27th of March at Frank Kennedys' home in Cabramatta in Sydney, and at Fairbridge Farm School, Molong, on Easter Saturday the 9th of April.
At the Cabramatta, Sydney meeting it was determined that this group be formerly identified as "The Old Fairbridgians Association, Sydney Committee". Their purposes were to co-ordinate and facilitate the proposed October Reunion from which the O.F.A. could be re-established.
Many meetings were held both in Sydney and at Fairbridge by this committee, which culminated in a very successful reunion.
The general consensus of attendees was that the Association should be revived.
The 26th A.G.M. was held at Fairbridge on the 26th of December 1966 and apart from a cessation of activities due to the dispersement of the Executive Committee because of work responsibilities between 1971 and 1976 the O.F.A. has had continuity of existence.
Over a period of two years in the late 1980's our then Secretary, Ralph Warhurst, researched migration and shipping records, both in Australia and the United Kingdom from which he compiled a comprehensive record of all the children who migrated from the U.K. to the Fairbridge Farm School in Molong.
These records were made available to The Fairbridge Foundation, Sydney, The Molong Historical Society, Fairbridge Drake Society, London U K and Liverpool University, England.
In the 1990's, due to the N.S.W. Governments new legislation affecting small Social Clubs it became necessary to revamp the O.F.A. Constitution, as it seemed likely that such organisations may be brought under the new Incorporations Act of N.S.W.
Fairbridge Bus
In 1990 the O.F.A. secured ownership of the former Fairbridge Bus. This vehicle having been stored in a Molong backyard for over 30 years was unique in that it was the only Sydney Wartime Austerity Bus in existence. Through protracted negotiations with the Historic Commercial Vehicles Association of N.S.W. the bus was fully restored to original condition and is now on permanent loan to that organisation and can be viewed at their Tempe, Sydney Museum.
A suitable plaque has been affixed inside the bus acknowledging Mr Green, Automotive Engineer, of Molong as the vehicle donor.
Fairbridge Remembrance Drive
In 1994 the Association in co-operation with The Molong Town Beautification Committee and The Fairbridge Foundation established a one-kilometer "Fairbridge Remembrance Drive" on the Mitchell Highway leading into Molong from the east.
This is an avenue of almost 300 well established shrubs and trees, each tree having at its base a plaque in memory of a person or persons who were resident in or associated with the operation of the Farm School at Molong. An index of tree/plaque locations is available from the Cabonne Shire Council office in Molong or at the Molong Historical Society Museum in Gidley Street, Molong NSW.
The Association has through its Executive Committee continued to keep members in touch with each other through a 16 page bi-annual newsletter published every May and November and through organising weekend reunions every two or three years.
April 2004
Boree Hollow
