Hughenden club enduring years of change

Records show the first meeting gathered 18 graziers' wives in the Hughenden and Prairie district, headed by founding chairwoman Mrs Benn Brown, secretary Mrs Alex Terry,and treasurer Mrs Jack Wearing, named in the proper etiquette of the time.

The club's original concept was to engage members of the grazing community to form a committee to organise an annual ball the Matrons Ball.

The ball was invitation-only with members sending tickets to guests who had made a contribution to the members' lifestyle, from pastoral agents and police officers to women who sent out goodies to graziers on the mail run.

Members paid for their guests' tickets, which were unable to be purchased by the general public.

Cecilia McNamara, a member since 1953 and a life member of the club, said the ball "an icon of the town" was an evening to reciprocate the generosity of the townspeople who would send out favours on the mail run in a time of bad road conditions.

Mrs McNamara said the early process for becoming a member was a fee of 3 guineas 3 pounds, 3 shillings, with the top criterion as having a connection to the land.

"You were nominated by two people and then the committee agreed to it. Before you were nominated, you were invited to the ball to see if you liked it," she said.

"It was women no men. We only took them to the ball."

The first Matrons Ball was held on June 13, 1952, at the Oldfellows Hall in Hughenden.

While Mrs McNamara did not attend, she recalled the paper chain decorations strung right across the hall, the dancing accompanied by the music of pianist Molly Corney and men on saxophones, and the formal evening dress.

Lou Brown, the current secretary of the club and member since 1980, detailed the evening as recorded in meeting minutes.

"Music was provided by Miss M Hinkle, Mr Guy McHugh was MC of the night, and a Mrs Crossman decorated the hall in pastel colours including the serviettes and doileys," she said.

"Lager and softdrink were the only drinks, and lager was not served during supper."

Much has changed since the first club meeting. Last October, its name was changed from Hughenden Country Matrons Club Inc to the Hughenden Town and Country Club Inc.

Mrs Brown explained the change was necessary to broaden the membership to include both community members and graziers in a climate of increased absentee ownership of properties and interest shown by younger people.

While the current committee is still all women, allowances have been made to extend membership to families in the future.

Over its time, the club has provided the Flinders Shire and its citizens with many donations and facilities.

These include a recent contribution to a pergola at the local hospital, the furnishing of a private room at the hospital, a defibrillator for the local ambulance, donations to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and a bain marie for the local community hall.

The club also donated its proceeds from one ball to an intermediate care facility in Hughenden.

The facility provides services locally to ensure the elderly do not have to move away in later years.

This year's ball is scheduled to be more flamboyant than the demure pastels of the 1950s, centred on a '60s theme in the more modern Diggers Entertainment Centre.

Music is normally provided by a Townsville band, but will this year be performed by a four-piece Richmond band.

It's also hoped one of the five surviving club foundation members, two of whom are within travelling distance of Hughenden, will cut the anniversary cake.

The ball will be held at the Diggers Entertainment Centre on Saturday, March 10, at 7pm.