In 2005 we thought that the FAA was something new for the Australian firewood industry but it seems we were wrong. Trove is the on-line archive of the National Library of Australia where you can find scanned copies of old newspapers. The Adelaide Advertiser published on 2 November 1901 contains an article that has captured our attention. This article gives a detailed report of the Adelaide and Suburban Firewood Merchants Association annual picnic that was held on the 30 October 1901.
It appears that the A & S Firewood Merchants Association was first formed in 1893 but we are not sure now long it lasted. Trove has reports of the 1894 and 1902 annual picnics as well. Back in 1894 it seems that economic conditions were not much better than they are today:
–Mr W H Colliver (the president of the association) said the firewood merchants had felt the hard times as much or more than others had done, and they had been compelled to sell at unremunerative prices.
At that time the world was suffering from a severe economic depression that was probably worse than the recent GFC. Like the recent economic crisis, the 1893-98 depression also started in the USA as a result of banks making unviable loans which eventually led their collapse.
The 1901 article presents a charming picture of how things were in Adelaide around the time of Federation. We found the details of the sports programme, an essential component of picnic days held in that era, to be especially interesting. They certainly appear to have been well organised and keenly contested events.
The text of the 1901 article is reproduced below for ease of reading.
Firewood Association Picnic
The Adelaide and Suburban Firewood Merchants Association held a large and successful picnic on Wednesday, October 30, on the grounds of Mrs W. Fox at Marybank. A procession, numbering over 60 vehicles, headed by an efficient brass band, left the Trades Hall, Grote Street, at 9 a.m. The catering arrangements were in the efficient hands of Mr. J. C. Addison, and at the luncheon several toasts were honoured. “Our guests the wholesale merchants” was proposed by the president (Mr R. Lowen), and Mr Nock suitably replied. Mr T. Leech proposed “The A. & S. Firewood Merchants Association” and the secretary (Mr. G. E. Duncan) responded. Mr W. B. Sutherland submitted “The ladies” and Mr. G. Holt replied. “The committee” was proposed by Mr. T. Roberts, and Mr. J. House suitably replied. The children were well looked after by the following committee: - Miss Gibbs, Mesdames T. Leech and G. Holt. The sports programme was lengthy, and it was carried out under the supervision of Messrs. T. Leech (judge), and J. Bevan (starter), A. Hewish, W. B. Sutherland and J. Barber (handicappers), J. House, J. Hudd, G. Johnson, and the secretary. In the first three events Mr. G. Johnson was the judge. The following were the results:- Trolly harness and pair; J. Hudd, Mugg and Co. Heavy horse, dray and harness; A Hewish, R Stephens. Boys under 15 handicap; S. Thomas, J Milburn. Lads under 18 handicap; W. Lamming, W. Mills. Sheffield handicap race; G. Rooney, A. Wheatley, J. Donnell. Boys high jump; C. O’Loughlin, T. Turner. Lads high jump; J. Stanyer, A. Johns. Egg-and-spoon race; A. O’Donnell, W. Hassam. Master men; J. Hudd, W. Hammond. Pick-a-back race; Mableson and Johns, Colwell and Burchell. Single women’s race; Miss Greer, Miss Monogan. Married women’s race; Mrs. Trewen, Mrs Hassam. Cotton-winding contest; Mrs. King, Mrs, Hassam, Mrs. Gunn. Sack race; A. O’Donnell, J. Hudd. Old buffers’ race; R. Hudd, F. Wilmshurst. Tug-of-war (masters v men); won by the masters. Hop, step and jump; F. Roberts, R. Mableson. Three-legged race; Marsden and Moffert, O’Donnell and Lester. Comic song; tie between R Kennedy and A Innes.
