No-one really expected the clatter of hooves, or the flashing sword of a latter-day Captain de Groote … but everyone seemed to be talking about the possibility.
There they were, 39 men and women, two boys perched in a tree, and Alderman Jock Cameron’s faithful dog, all taking an intense interest in the official opening of Narrabri’s Violet Street bridge.
The official opening was performed by the Mayor (Alderman Vic Miller), as busy as two men, who turned up in his bread delivery van, sandwiching the ceremony in between a hectic round of civic and business duties.
Everyone was in a gay mood, and there were many jocular predictions that, midway through the opening ceremony, there would be a clatter of hooves and a uniform officer mounted on a white charger would bear down on the bridge, sword upraised, just as it had happened 43 years ago when the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened.
You remember, of course (or some of you do) that on that occasion Captain Francis de Groote, of the New Guard, slashed the ribbon across the mouth of the Harbour Bridge, right under the nose of Premier Jack Lang.
Heaven knows how anyone could strike a parallel between the Giant Coat-hanger and the Violet Street bridge, yet the appearance of Capt. de Groote was a possibility everyone seemed to consider.
Mayor Miller commented that as a means of thwarting any possible intervention, he hadn’t ordered a ribbon.
Instead the council had settled on a plaque, a much more substantial memento.
As further ‘insurance’ against any possible intrusion Police Sergeant Neville Milton and Traffic Constable John Ford were there too.
Someone mentioned that Constable Ford had a white charger just like Captain de Groote, but he didn’t know that the night before the charger had disputed possession of the Wee Waa road with a large cow, and was cut of commission.
Anyway Constable Ford was there to enforce the law.
Although there were no moments of drama, the official party was, however, upstaged by Alderman Cameron’s kelpie dog, Toby.
Showing no trace of self-consciousness, Toby joined the official table, along with Alderman Miller, town clerk Norm Haley, Namoi Shire president Ron Palmer, Public Works district engineer Alan Robinson, Department of Main Roads divisional engineer Doug Rae … land of course, his master, Alderman Cameron.
While the official speeches were being made, the dog paid as much attention as anyone else, standing quietly and gazing ahead thoughtfully.
When Alderman Cameron rose to speak, Toby changed position. He moved to Alderman Cameron’s side.
Alderman Cameron, as strong a supporter as Narrabri has ever had, was in fine form.
“Narrabri’s a good town,” he said.
“I can see it progressing every day, and I firmly believe that it was the same growth potential as cities such as Dubbo and Tamworth had 20 to 25 years ago.”
All the while, Toby didn’t move an inch.
You had visions of him, in his mind’s eye, looking down on a thriving, hurtling, sprawling Narrabri, of around the turn of the century.
While no-one really knows what the future holds, there can be no doubt along the value of the Violet Street bridge.
For a start, it provides a quicker and easier access for people living in new and rapidly-developing subdivisions in the south of the town.
Even more importantly, it paves the way for the deduction of our outdated crumbling, traffic pummelled C-R-E-A-K bridge.
There will be no signs, not even from those with a deep sense of history, when the old bridge comes down.
Even Toby would drink to that.
Deputy Mayor Alderman Jock Cameron and Toby the dog, an attentive listener.
