Mittagong History Cultural
The History of Cultural Organisations and Societies in Mittagong.
Cultural Organisations
Formed in early 1866 the New Sheffield Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society was the oldest organisation with the inaugural address being given on the 24th January 1866.
Dramatic societies came and went with one called Our Boys Dramatic Club that existed in 1891. In February 1892 they put on a performance in aid of the School of Arts. The Mittagong Geebung Musical and Dramatic Society had been formed and entertained the town in 1922.
The Philharmonic Society was established after a meeting held in August 1894.
In 1923 the Mittagong Eisteddfod held a series of competitions, which carried on for many years. The 5th Eisteddfod was held in 1927 with the event becoming more successful than the year before. The Illawarra Male Voice Choir was the main feature of the 1925 event. At the end of the 1929 Eisteddfod the newly formed Twenty Minutes Concert Party gave a variety turn at the concert. The organisation became extinct in 1930 to 1931 but was revived after they produced a 3-day show.
An Amateur Dramatic Society was formed in 1950 that held 3 plays on the 10th of November and continued to do so annually.
Sturt became an important and useful addition to cultural life in Mittagong. Miss Winifred West established Sturt in October 1941 so to help boys and girls who were leaving school to occupy their time usefully and is now an association for everyone interested in handicrafts.
The institution has a common room that was used for meetings by not only Sturt but also other organisations such as the Berrima District Education Club, music and dramatic groups, Red Cross etc. Sturt is self-supporting from sales of products made by members of the institution. Miss West established the Mittagong Children's Library that was a branch of the Children's Library Movement. The library is in the old public school building built in 1878 that was offered to the Children's Library Movement by the Department of Education.
Fire Brigade
In August 1910 a meeting was held to consider forming a local Fire Brigade. A subscription list was opened to raise funds and in September 1918 Hon. EH Farrar, MLC, and President of the Fire Brigade Board opened the fire station. In September 1935 a new motor engine was bought that gave mobility to the fire brigade.
Horticultural Society
In December 1887 at a meeting it was decided to develop the Mittagong and District Horticultural Society. Its first show was in April 1888 but later ceased operation only to be revived in 1949.
Red Cross Society
In 1914 a branch of the Red Cross Society was formed with the first president being Mrs J Loseby. It was disbanded at the end of the war but reformed again in 1937 and has continued since then.
Boy Scouts
In 1923 it was attempted to form a Boy Scout troop but it finally happened in February 1926. Brown was the first Scoutmaster and he consecrated the colours at a function in the School of Arts on the 26th of October 1926. On the 18th of March 1931 a clubhouse was voluntarily built for the Scouts.
Girl Guides
In March 1931 a Girl Guides group was put together with May Grimshaw being in charge of the organization.
Country Women's Association
In June 1930 a branch of the Country Women's Association was formed with the first president being Mrs. R Lawrence. In January 1938 a rest room and baby health centre was opened.
Town Band
In the 1890's a town band was formed but became extinct a few years later. In July 1907 it was decided to re establish it with officers being elected but this did not last long either. Another attempt to get a town band was made in February 1911. The people of the town were asked to help finance it. At the Mittagong Sports Ground in 1929 a Band Contest was held with many bands participating. Since its reestablishment the Town Band has carried on successfully.
RSS & AILA
In August 1922 a sub-branch of the RS and SIL of Australia came into operation and the first President was AN Chew. In 1955 the Memorial Hall attached to the Shire Hall was dedicated but was not used as a regular meeting place for the sub-branch. The Shire Council granted the league a 99-year lease of the old Town Hall building in Regent Street as a meeting place in December 1949.