In October of 2005 I visited the rural property of Tim Duddy, 'Rossmar Park', between Quirindi and Breeza. The Duddy family have farmed this outback New South Wales area since the 1830s. Samuel Clift first settled Breeza Station in 1837. The family has been extremely active in the local community's social calendar. During the visit I came across a rare handwritten book that resulted in this study of the Murrurundi Hospital Ball. Murrurundi. a railway junction town, was one of the major commercial centres of the 19thcentury.
The book was produced by Mrs C..M..Bell, who acted as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer from 1891 through to 1899. The information in this article has been taken predominantly from the 1897 and 1898 reports as they were extremely detailed.
These balls appear to be typical of country balls staged in Australia however it is rare to find such full reports of ticketing, expenses, attendances and costumes worn.
The minutes also show that the physical territory covered by the event was extremely large – which, of course, meant that the community had to travel rather long distances to attend. Oral histories show that attendees 'danced all night' and quite often until the 'wee early hours' but always wound their way home in time to attend to their farm duties, especially the milking and feeding of livestock.
One can envisage the excitement these balls must have created, especially with the womenfolk who handmade all the costumes, prepared the edibles, attended to hair and make-up and, between household chores, taught their families how to dance.
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Cover of Hospital ball Committee dated 1891 � 1899
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The first entry in the book is an inventory of 'wanted' by the committee
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Then followed the minutes of the first committee meeting in 1892 including the 'contributors' and fascinating information such as a six shilling charge for two night's 'boiling water'. ! Note that the minutes and this article covers two balls each year as there was an 'adults' and a 'junior' ball held on two evenings. The balls were staged on two consecutive nights
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Note that there was an admission of 7/6 for doubles and 5/ for singles and tickets for the juvenile ball were only 1/- with 'spectators' 2/- !!!
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Note in the minutes where the 'Secretary was instructed to try and secure a good band' and Mrs O'Neile was 'asked to play at the juvenile ball for 15/-. Mr Long 'was asked to carve the poultry � and promised to do so,' !!
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Unfortunately, according to the minutes 'Mrs Long regretted that stress of business would prevent Mr Long from carving the poultry upon the afternoon of the ball.'
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The following report of the costumes worn by attendees at the 1899 juvenile ball is hilarious. One can imagine the costumes and the care taken to make them � everyone from 'Dame Durden' to 'Hungarian Gypsy'.
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