Last week a mourning mother told her story of being caught in the 1952 bushfire and how her two daughters died in the blaze.
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Roy Carroll in his column in the Bega District News of February 1, 1952, wrote of how the community drew together in late January 1952.
It’s been a tragic week for a lot of people, but it goes to show how our community rallies around when a call for help is made.
The band also received a setback, its second. Calls were sent through 2BE asking anyone who could let the visiting bands know that the weekend had been abandoned, but the news did not get to them. However, when they did arrive, the residents of Bega rallied and billeted about 60 men.
Canberra City Band arrived first and, after consultation with the Bega Committee, it was decided that a small programme would be played on Sunday night, with Canberra playing at 2BE on Saturday night.
While they were playing at 2BE, word came through that Canterbury Band had arrived, so organiser Eddie Reeve and a few helpers rushed into town to get their accommodation attended to.
Mrs Thompson, of the Central Hotel, entertained the visitors to refreshments and supper, interspersed with community singing and vocal items. “Ma” made many friends that night.
On Sunday, personnel of both bands hopped in with Bega and helped to arrange the Show Pavilion to accommodate the crowd for the night programme.
Bega Band decided to give all the money received to the Fire Relief Appeal, and stand the cost of the weekend themselves. With all the exes, such as advertising, travelling etc the Band will be out of pocket over one hundred pounds.
Canterbury Band gave 20 pounds, Canberra Band gave $10, and both are going to assist. Canterbury left on Monday morning with the intention of playing at Cobargo, Moruya, Batemans Bay and, if time allowed, Milton and Nowra. They were going to take the collection boxes around and send all the money collected back to Bega for the appeal. Canberra are going to run a big show up there, proceeds of which will be sent to Bega,.
Both bands were an eye opener to Bega people, Canberra having a number of reed instruments and Canterbury was all brass.