Part 11 – [Geraldton : An Alternative History]

[RECREATION]

There were many recreational activities in the area during
the early years. Each mine had a recreation committee and there
were great rivalries among the [various] mines during the hockey
and baseball seasons. The first hockey games were played on open
[air] rinks. People from town would walk along the tracks to Kenwell
siding 5 or 6 miles west of Geraldton . There they were met by
a team of horses and a sleigh, which took them for an enjoyable
ride to Bankfield Mine. After the game the group gathered in the
cookery for coffee and cake [before] the sleigh ride back to the
tracks and the long walk home. Some hardy souls even skied or
[snowshoed] all the way.

The baseball teams games in summer were a joy to behold. The
players and spectators spent a lot of time swatting files;
some fans even consumed a beer or two while cheering their
favourite players on to greater achievement.

One of the [ladies’] baseball teams had little talent ,but,
a lot of originality. After [losing] games all summer[,] they
devised a little[ gimmick] to distract the [referee] and get some
points on the board. The pitcher had a [tattoo] on her thigh[. Now,]
back in the olden days and with the heavy fly population[,] ‘it
was daring and a sacrifice to wear shorts. However[, Mary, the
dear girl,] decided it was necessary. She could also, by flexing
the [muscles] in her leg[,] make the [tattoo] do all sorts of things
such [as wink and tip the hat]. Mary did manage to [distract] the
umpire long enough to have a few balls called as strikes and put
the low team on the score board[,] so they managed one[win] at
the end of the baseball season[,The Geraldton Way].

The town had 4 pool halls and 2 bowling alleys where the
[various] teams were busy every afternoon and evening. The pool
rooms were a very special male domain[;] no woman was allowed to
cross the imaginary line between the bowling area and the pool
room. Some older men [had] given up [playing] pool because[, as they
saw things,] even the pool hall [was] not sacred anymore.

Both bowling alleys had winter leagues, both [men’s] and women’s
leagues ,but no mixed bowling. At the close of the bowling season[,]
the sponsors and teams had a gala affair of banquet and dance in
the [Mariaggi] Hotel[. This was, however,]a mixed event[, especially]
for the dancing.