AFTER years of planning the Bega District Hospital was finally built and officially opened by Robert Lucas Tooth. However, not enough funds had been raised by the community to secure the government's pound for pound endowment.
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To raise the much needed funds, Dan Gowing placed his spacious grounds at the disposal of the hospital committee for a garden party. The Bega Standard has a large advertisement for the garden party and the paper's copy setters were busy with exclamation marks.
There will be amusement for the young!
Recreation for all!
Money for the hospital!
Provision will be made for music! Dancing on the lawn!
Cricket! Croquet! Aunt Sally! Coconut throwing! Footracing!
Trips in the River Steamer! Lovely Walks! Flowers! Hothouse! Conservatory! General Enjoyment!
The sports will include:
Grand Handicap, 150 yards, for all comers.
Flying Handicap, and races for Youth and Boys.
Refreshments at popular prices. Large Marquee Specially Built for the Day
Tickets of admission at the gate are now in the hands of friends all over the district.
Come if You Can!
If you cannot be with us please buy a ticket.
Naturally the garden party, believed to be the first of its kind in any town south of Sydney, was reported at length in the Bega Standard.
"The hospital funds having gone down to a somewhat low ebb, the committee was put to straits as to what entertainment they should set forth, to place the finances on a better footing, when Mr Gowing offered them the use of his garden and grounds, for a picnic or garden party. The committee availed themselves of the offer, and a meeting of ladies in the district was called to provide for a picnic, and the fete duly advertised, the ladies providing the tables, and the proprietor of the grounds in the erection of the marquee and such-like details."
There were a few problems in that the committee hadn't made it clear the only charge would be for the luncheon, and gossip had it that visitors would be charged to see the hot-house and the conservatory and police would be there to make sure no flowers were stolen.
"These reports had the effect of keeping many away. In spite of this, however, there must have been fully 400 persons in the grounds, including a few visitors, but very few from Wolumla, Pambula and Candelo. The ladies of the latter place, however sent in a cash contribution per Mr Levy and the same gentleman handed in his donation, so if the fete had not the presence of the Candelo folk in numbers, they at least helped to swell substantially the takings of the entertainment."
