THE CENTENARY of the arrival of rail in Kempsey has stirred memories for a Sydney man, whose grandfather was the Taree bandmaster, who performed at the initial celebrations in 1917.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Colin Christophers has to this day historical snippets of the involvement of Joseph Sydney Christophers in that momentous day of November 28, 100 years ago.
Joseph was the bandmaster who led the procession to the station for the opening ceremony. Reports of the time state several hundred vehicles took part, many specially decorated for the occasion.
His attached diary notes show that the band also played at the official opening ceremony, and at the Ministerial Banquet, and at the showground for the “Hospital Sports”.
Joseph stated: “It was one of the best outings with a band that I ever had”.
The photograph of the opening ceremony, with speeches in progress, was taken by his son, Boaden.
Colin also has diary notes made by Joseph of that day.