Playing the piano after Club meetings was still popular as many juniors did not own a piano in their own home. “Chopsticks” and “Heart & Soul” duets were the first pieces that many Juniors learned to play. Marlene (Howard) Darby could play the marches in honky-tonk style.

The Blue Wren guidon was the most popular and it was so disappointing to miss out on that flag. There was always a fight to secure it.

Crafts and honours were popular. Glorified glass painting and crushed eggshell mosaics are remembered.

Outings & Camps

Frank Ryan and Jack Bennett (employees of Hunter Water) arranged a tour of the water supply installations around the Hunter Valley. Other industry visits included Peters Ice Cream factory in Darby Street, Newcastle; ETA factory in Donald Street, Hamilton; Beaurepaires Re-treading facility I Newcastle West; and Courtaulds Factory at Tomago.

Campouts were held at Monkerai, Wards River, Dorrigo, Brisbane River, Gloucester, Burning Mountain, Watagan Mountains, Mulbring, and Golenia’s at Singleton.

Often at the Brown’s farm campouts the Pathfinders had meals made for them. The cooks made amazing meals for everyone. At Lenaghan’s farm there is a memory of camping on lovely green grass near the farmhouse and sliding down the slopes on pieces of cardboard.

At one Watagan campout a group walked for hours getting more and more lost whilst the Deputy Director and the older boys tried to lead the group back to camp. It was extremely hot and the Pathfinders had no water or food on what had been intended as a short walk before breakfast!

At the first South Pacific Division Camporee at Yarramundi, Wallsend joined thousands of other Pathfinders camping on the ground with no grass, just dirt and big stones. The Pathfinders travelled by train and bus in the heat in full uniform and were required to wear uniform for parade day after day. There were no showers and swimming in the river was a poor substitute. The worship was awesome. World Pathfinder Leader Pastor Leo Ranzolin was the guest speaker.

Pathfinder Fairs

These were generally held at Avondale College, Cooranbong, but sometimes at other locations such as Stockton.

The Fair was an exciting time going up against other clubs. There was intense rivalry between Wallsend and Hamilton Clubs. Some competitions included making a catapult and shooting many balloons filled with water at other Clubs, lashing a platform together and carrying an “injured” person to the finish line, and trying to light fires from scratch and cook pancakes in 1 minute.

Fundraising

Garage sales were held at Ken & Vi Norris’ home on Sandgate Road, Shortland. Other fundraising ventures were collecting glass & newspapers for recycling, selling lamingtons and delivering pamphlets.

Names From The Era

Nancy, Peter, Steven & Jenny Davy, Bob and Lynne Lovett, Ron Boutillier, Brian and Carol Farley, Wilma, Ian & Debbie Squire, Noel & Allyson Fischer, George Conroy, Russell Thompson & Lynne (Thompson) Norris, George & Lyn Norris, Robert & Julie Norris, Stephen & Marilyn Pflug, Mike & Robyn Kinsela, Frank & Louise Knigh,t Warren & Kelvin Skene, Ray & Pat Hobson, Robert & Delma Williams, Amaryll (Arvai) Naismith, Roderick Shipley & Lynne (Shipley) Campbell, Cathie & Patty Chamberlain, Kelvin Williams, Katryna Dow, Carolyn (Brown) Kranz, Leanne & Kerry Bashford, Louise (Conroy) Knight.

Personal Comments

“Lifelong friendships were made with peers and we were given the opportunity to mentor the younger ones. We had amazing counsellors and leaders who gave of their time, volunteering week in and week out so we would have a relationship with Christ, church and church family. These people took an interest in me and helped to mould and prepare me for life. They taught me to be a leader, work in a team, be respectful, and follow and trust in God.”