The Governor General, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, was on a visit to the Hon Colonel Mackay at Wallendbeen for the purpose of welcoming and inspecting the Kangaroo Marchers as they marched from Wagga Wagga via Wallendbeen to Murrumburrah and on to Sydney.
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His Excellency on Friday, December 20, 1915 was the guest at a morning luncheon in the municipality of Wallendbeen Council Chambers in conjunction with his welcome and inspection of the "Kangaroos". His Excellency suitably replied and thanked the people of Wallendbeen for their welcome to himself and to the "Kangaroos". The mayor, in the presence of the Governor-General, presented a handsome flag to the "Kangaroos".
On Friday afternoon his Excellency was taken on an inspection of the district properties of Yannawah and Milong.
Yannawah and Milong at the time were owned by Messrs. Young and Ralli from South Australia. There were 6000 acres of wheat sown at Yannawah and Milong and Mr. R.J. Young gave the Governor-General an inspection of the huge Milong harvester which he had invented himself.
His Excellency will travel to Young by motorcade and is expected to be at the Town Hall between 4pm and 5pm on Friday, December 10, 1915. Arrangement have been made for the mayor to conduct a suitable reception and the townspeople are asked to assemble at the appropriate time. The cadets and artillery will also be present, as will the Town Band and the school children. His Excellency will make a short address to the cadets in whom he takes great interest. After a short stay His Excellency will return to Wallendbeen.
At 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon the "Kangaroos" were taken in hand by the women of Young and entertained at afternoon tea in the Oddfellows Hall, which had been gaily decorated for such an auspicious occasion. There was a host of workers, wearing the Red Cross on their arms, and the "Kangaroos" in whose honour the function was held could not speak too highly of all that was done for them.
Mrs Metcalfe occupied the chair on Saturday afternoon and in a very pleasing speech welcomed the "Kangaroos" on behalf the Red Cross and the Women of Young. It was, she said, a pleasure to meet such brave men who were going forth to fight for the Women and Children of Australia. Mrs.
Lieut Mayes, on behalf of the "Kangaroos", suitably replied and assured the ladies that their kindness was fully appreciated.
Besides the "Kangaroos" a good number of citizens partook of afternoon tea with them.
Saturdays function only gives one more instance of the devotion of the women of Young to the Empire, and the willingness with which they respond to the never ending calls which are made from time to time for assistance. It is said that the women of the Empire are playing a big part in the war. It can also be truthfully stated that no body of women in all the King's Dominions are working so devotedly and with such good effort than those that during the past 15 months have been associated with the Red Cross and other patriotic movements in our own town of Young. The women here are doing splendid work and deserve all the praise which were bestowed upon their labours on Saturday last.
On Sunday afternoon His Excellency the Governor-General attended the Presbyterian Church at Wallendbeen and unveiled a tablet to the memory of Private Wasson who died of wounds received at Lone Pine.
Source: The Young Witness, December 1915.
