ALBURY V-J DAY FUNCTIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23282, 18 August 1945, Page 7

ALBURY V-J DAY FUNCTIONS

Young And Old Celebrate V-J Day was suitably celebrated throughout the Albury district. At 11 a.m. a parade assembled at the WaiMemorial where wreaths were laid and the Rev. G. H. Schurr conducted a short service. Led by Mr F. Adams and Piper Kinsman, the gathering proceeded to St. Paul’s Church, then to the Public Hall, where a combined Presbyterian and Anglican service was conducted by the Revs. Schurr and Oakley. In his address the Rev. Schurr took as his theme, “Thanks be to God, Which hath given us the victory.” Paying a tribute to those men who would not return, the speaker expressed the hope that the nations of the world build a peace worthy of their sacrifice. There was a large congregation at St. Paul's Church when the Rev. Father Gregory was the celebrant at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. He also gave an appropriate address. Sports Gathering In the afternoon a picnic sports gathering was held in the Domain. A procession of decorated vehicles, which included floats representing a “nigger” minstrel party, the atomic bomb and a mobile hospital unit, circled the Domain and the school block. The children received an issue of sweets and fruit, and sports concluded the afternoon's entertainment.

The revelry increased in tempo at night when a large crowd assembled in the main street, which was floodlit and decorated with greenery and bunting. Led by the pipers a torchlight procession marched to the Domain where the Victory bonfire was lit. The dance in the hall was well attended; music was supplied by Chapman's orchestra with extras by Mrs G. Guy, Miss M. Sullivan and Mr G. Thompson and items by Mr F. Adams. At the dance Mr D. C. Kidd, M.P., congratulated the residents on the organisation of the celebrations. The children were entertained in the Lodge hall where they received sweets and toys, the latter being the gift of Mrs J. J. Page. Prizes were awarded as follows, the judges being Mesdames Besley, Adams, Glass, Roy Davison and Taylor:— Decorated vehicles: “God Save the King", 1; "Hanging Tojo”, 2; Mobile Hospital, 3. Children over 10: BettyAdams 1, Alison Davison 2. Gerald Casey 3. Under 10: Lorraine Steere 1, Yvonne Smith 2, Mary Casey 3. Children’s fancy dress, unaer 10: Drummer Boy, Bernard Gallen. 1; Colleen, Marie O'Sullivan. 2; Highland Lassie. Joan Hopkins, 3. Special, 8.8. C., John Gallen. Over 10: Red Cross Nurse, June Davie, 1: Indian Boy. John Simpson. 2; Eastern Girl. Janet Simpson, 3. Special, Mrs Adams' small bov. “Toffee.” Adults: Miss Peggy Simpson. Red, White and Blue, 1: J. D Richards. Molotov Cocktail, I.