Warren Send-off
BADGEBUP
Early Pioneers Honored
Great Southern Herald
12 December 1942 – P3
A gathering of great interest to the community took place in the Badgebup Hall on Saturday evening, November 28th, at a social arranged by the Badgebup-Rockwell branch of the C.W.A., in honor of the district’s earliest pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Warren, of Dyliabing. Members of the Rockwell Hall Committee and residents of Badgebup, together with their many friends, combined to do honor to these old friends and to present to them a gift from the district in recognition of their many sterling services. The presentation took the shape of a handsome oak framed enlarged photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Warren, for Mr. Warren, and a small wallet of notes tor Mrs. Warren.
Mr. O. A. Caldwell, chief organiser of the function, opened proceedings with an original humorous recitation – a friendly satire on Mr. J. Anderson, – which caused great mirth. Mr. Anderson then presented a Scottish monologue, which also gave rise to great hilarity. “A Bush Christening,” another mirth provoking monologue by Miss M. Stagbouer, was well received. Miss Faith Toms, with Mrs. L. Caldwell as accompanist, gave a very sweet rendition of the charming refrain, “San Antonia Rose.” Concert items were interspersed with dances and games, music being supplied alternately by Mrs. L. Caldwell and Mr. W. Longmire.
The presentation was carried out on the stage, the guests of honor, together with their eldest daughter, Mrs. B. Clegg, seated in the centre surrounded by representatives from both districts. Mr. S. Kemble, as chairman, introduced the speakers, Mr. M. H. Longmire (representing the Rockwell district) delivering the first address. Mr. Longmire said that Mr. and Mrs. Warren, with their small son, had arrived in the district from South Australia in 1898, and could rightly claim to be its earliest pioneers. He recalled to memory the many years of faithful service voluntarily given by Mr. Warren as secretary to the Rockwell Hall Committee.
Mr. George Goodchild spoke of other services rendered freely by Mr. Warren, not only in a magisterial capacity as Justice of the Peace, but by his connection with many important association of benefit to the agricultural and pastoral industries.
Prior to making the presentation Mr. O. A. Caldwell said it was due to Mr. Warren that Badgebup possessed the distinctive and picturesque church of St. Peter’s, which had been built from stone quarried in Dyliabing as a memorial to his elder son, John Campbell Dale Warren, who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War.”
During his long residence in the district Mr. Warren had been connected with every important movement with the exception of the Road Board, on which, however, his brother, Robert, had given many years of valuable service. The main road of the district bore the family name, as it was the road cut through the primeval bush by the Warrens to their home at Dyliabing before any other settlement had taken place.
He presented Mr. Warren with both gifts, expressing the wish of everyone present that they would have many years of life ahead of them. Mrs. Warren then gracefully received a dainty posy, handed to her by a small boy, the whole company joining in the hearty singing of the old salutation, “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,”
Mr. Warren, on behalf of Mrs. Warren and himself, suitably responded, thanking all for the unexpected honour bestowed upon them. He recounted several amusing anecdotes of former years and drew attention to the fact that Mr. Caldwell also was one of the earliest pioneers of the district. He referred to Mrs. Toms as an acquaintance of long standing, having known her since she was a little girl living in Katanning.
A dainty supper was served, after which dancing was resumed until all joined hands in the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” with the guests of honor standing in the centre of the circle; the strains of the National Anthem bringing a happy and memorable occasion to a close.
Warren Send-off. Warren Send-off.