Lithgow’s colourful past and festivals By Reidun Berntsen, The 1975 Festival of the Valley, Which attracted crowds of 1000’s. People seen sitting on shop roofs. Photo credit: Stuart Charlton Lithgow has long been underappreciated by its younger citizens, seen as nothing more than a sleepy old town with nothing to amuse them. In fact, many young people would be hard pressed to believe any older person who said “It never used to be like this” – but rest assured they should. Lithgow was once alive with rollerskating, drive-in movies, theatres, milk bars and festivals. A high point of Lithgow culture, the famous “Festival of the valley” celebrations lasted generations. The inaugural festival was held on the 25th February 1956 and attracted a crowd of 10,000 people, a sign of the success it would experience in years to come. The “Festival of the valley” entertained at least three generations spanning its duration and the memories have stayed with the locals even though it has been approximately a decade since the last float graced the Main Street. Local resident Anita Tresidder recalled them fondly. “How great were the festivals? You don’t get many people heading up for a look these days.” Many residents have even said the town’s current festival “Celebrate Lithgow” is rather dull in comparison to the former Festival of the Valley. But perhaps the new ‘Celebrate Lithgow’ is not entirely at fault. One reason for the lack of interest by crowds in recent years could be technology; younger generations are now occupied by their electronic devices do not engage with real life in the same way they did in the 50s and 60s. The Lithgow of years’ gone by was a thriving city full of lively citizens and more than enough recreational options. Children and teenagers used to occupy themselves by climbing surrounding mountains and imagining they were cowboys and Indians or families had bonfire get togethers. The mountains that guard the town have contributed to a lifetime of memories for many residents over the years, but sadly mountain play seems to be a thing of Lithgow’s colourful past. Resident, Jean Taylor, who grew up in the Vale of Clwyddsaid, “You don’t see any kids go into the mountains anymore. It’s such a shame because I spent my youth in those mountains.” Prior to 1962 the town didn’t have a swimming centre; long hot summers were spent at local swimming holes and creeks. The main destination for swimming was the Small Arms Factory dam. The dam was initially created to provide boiler water for the factory but was designed for swimming as well. Diving boards had been installed, and children enjoyed swimming in the warm areas that were produced by discharged water from the boilers. The dam was the location for swimming lessons and school sports carnivals despite being notorious for drownings over the years, (one case as early as 1919) and continued to be the greatest summer destination until The War Memorial swimming facility was opened. Lithgow has even had a colourful history involving its retail industry. Bracey’s department store opened in 1886 by HES Bracey and continued to trade in the town until 2007. 121 years of operation by five generations of one family was sure to leave a void in the economy and the hearts of loyal customers upon the stores departure. The original Bracey store was lost in a tragic fire in 1970, in which a young man lost his life in a day that will live forever in the memories of those around to see it. Resident Kathryn Banks who remembers the day said, “I remember it well; the smoke so was thick. We lived in Cook St at the time…it was a terrible day! Buildings can always be rebuilt but the loss of a young life can never be replaced.” Bracey rebuilt their department store and opened it to the public in 1973. The store consisted of three floors and was sold to the public by the concept of “Modern style shopping”. The site still remains today and is the location in which the discount store Dimmeys currently trades. Lithgow has always been abundant with Café’s, Milk bars and Takeaway shops, many good ones have come and gone over time but have remained in the minds of former customers. A popular destination was the Oasis café which occupied the Main Street for many years. Reminiscent residents still rave about the hot chips and milkshakes. The old Country Women’s Association building was also a popular place to relax and enjoy a hamburger. Resident, Annette Taylor said, “I remember going into the CWA building for morning tea with my mother and grandmother as a young child.” A common memory mentioned by Lithgow residents, was having “Hot Milkshakes”, something that is now rarely sold in Café’s and Milk bars. Contrary to any belief that the Lithgow is behind the times, Lithgow welcomed the 1970’s and 1980’s with open arms and gliding roller-skates. The town had multiple destinations in which a person could forget their worries when they put on a pair of those cool shoes with wheels on them, and tripped over until they could either take no more or until they learnt to use them. Drive-in movies were also still very much in fashion at this point, the site of the local drive in was Marrangaroo.Lithgow has indeed had some very interesting people, places and memories of years gone by that are envied by some of the younger generation and unrealised by the rest. Lithgow isn’t at all a boring place to live and even though the glory days seem over it doesn’t mean they have to be. The town can be enjoyed by the younger generation just as much as it was by their parents and grandparents; all in all it’s what you make it. The town is unappreciated by those who have not taken a single moment to research its surprisingly fascinating history (much of which hasn’t been covered in this feature). Fortunately the town still has festivals such as Ironfest (Medieval festival) , Celebrate Lithgow (Street festival) and Lithglo (Street festival which involves the lighting up of Lithgow attractions around Halloween and Christmas). Just like the town, these festivals have potential to be magnificent as long as the community supports them. image of one of the street Parades
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 01:10:39 +0000
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