Page 82 - Tropic Magazine Issue 22

TROPIC • REGIONAL HISTORY

1. Cycling Club float, Fun in the Sun Parade, 1964
2. Cycle racing at Norman Park, 1925
3. President of Cairns Cycling Club Richie Bates
with fellow cyclists. Credit: Cairns to Karumba
Bike Ride

1
Racing and lights and the glimpses of moonlit sea 2
recreation visible through the door enhanced the club still mixes racing with recreation.
scene,” it reads.
SOCIAL SPORT In 1935, at the then new swimming Road training rides generally end with
a visit to a café, while charity rides dot
baths pavilion, the well-known and
A lively social scene has been coveted dance MC Mr W Chas Love the social events calendar. Dressing up
a mainstay of the Cairns Cycling was commissioned to provide the remains a widely practiced ritual, while
presentations held at end of year
Club since its wheels began entertainment. “Both classes of dancing parties include a prize for the club’s
will be catered; patrons will not be
turning more than a disappointed,” the Cairns Post reported. biggest stirrer.
century ago. “Any person desiring to go fancy will be The Cairns Historical Society has over 30,000 digital
welcomed and a prize may be paid for images from Far North Queensland. You can v
Words: Renee Cluff
the best fancy costume. Novelties will be iew them at the Society’s Research Centre located
Organised bicycle racing has been held chiefly the order of the night.” within the Cairns Museum in the School of
Arts building.
in Tropical North Queensland since As well as dancing, pre-1950 socials
the late 1890s, when the Cairns Cycle MORE: cairnscyclingclub.com.au
Club was born. Right from day dot, the
social side has been just as serious as
the cycling. Records date as far back as The dainty frocks worn by
1899 when according to the Morning Post,
meetings were held in the Crown Hotel the pretty girls were set off
and PJ Howley’s Newmarket Hotel. In by the shaded lights and
the decades to come, gatherings moved
to various other venues including the city the glimpses of moonlit
baths and the Blue Bird, Golden Vale and sea visible through the
Popular Cafés. These certainly weren’t
considered socials, though. door enhanced the scene
The real fun and frivolity was delivered Cairns Post,
through highly organised events held 1926
several times a year. The Cairns Post in 1926
reported on a euchre party and dance
held in the Aquatic Hall. According to the commonly included games, community
article, the euchre tables were full and singing and table tennis competitions.
old-fashioned dances were very much in There were also annual picnics held
request. “The dainty frocks worn by the at Double Island, Yorkeys Knob and
pretty girls were set off by the shaded Fitzroy Island’s Turtle Bay. Today, the 3

82 • Tropic • Issue 22