The Blackbirds, aka Platinum Duo, will perform in Cootamundra and Wallendbeen.
Talented musicians Kath and Shane Trapper, who will deliver a high-energy cabaret of Australian pub rock at the Cootamundra Country Club tomorrow night, will double up to provide entertainment on Saturday night for the Centenary Ball at the Wallendbeen Soldiers Memorial Hall.
The versatile couple, whose home base is in the Southern Highlands, have between them many years of experience as entertainers in cruise lines, five-star hotels in the US and Asia and pubs, clubs and functions in Australia and Europe.
They will be appearing at the Country Club’s dinner dance on Friday 16 September as the “blackbird Duo”, then on Saturday 17 September at the Wallendbeen Centenary Ball as the “Platinum duo”, presenting a repertoire of 60s rock ‘n roll and pops..
The Centenary Ball, commencing at 7.30 for 8.00, comes 100 years and a few months after a “plain and fancy dress ball” was held at the Hall to celebrate its opening on Anzac Day 1922.
A century ago, the Hall was decked with red white and blue streamers, and there was music and dancing after the official opening.
According to the records, “music and elocutionary items were provided by Mr E. Boxsell, Misses Morrow, Davies, Bassingthwaite, Edwards, Forsyth and Mrs G.L. Brooks”.
Descendants of many of those people were present at a morning tea celebration at the Hall after the Anzac Day ceremony in the village this year.
An estimated 120 people attended, with the relatives of key figures coming from near and far to share memories and cut a celebratory cake.
Peter Sackett, a descendant of George File Sackett who was Mayor of Wallendbeen Municipality when the Hall was opened, marvelled at the foresight of those who worked to get the Hall built.
“We are now walking in the footsteps of your grandparents and your great-grandparents and possibly your great-great-grandparents,” he said. “They left us this gift.”
For over 100 years, the Hall has been a brilliantly successful focal point of village life.
In the days before television, when country people provided their own entertainment, there were many balls at the Hall where local lads and lasses met up, and occasional plays were presented using the generous stage and backstage facilities.
The much-loved Hall has been used for everything from farm management conferences to school award nights, wedding receptions, Red Cross fundraisers, Country Women’s Association meetings, and polling booths and for the past three years has been home to the Wallendbeen Community Postal Agency.
Tickets for the 17 September Centenary Ball, at $25 per person, are available from Wallendbeen Community Postal Agency at the Hall, or by direct deposit payment to the Wallendbeen Memorial Hall local committee BSB 062526 account 00900766.
Tea and coffee will be provided, but guests are to bring BYO drinks and nibbles/supper. For further inquiries call Marcia Thorburn on 6943 2544.