New Year Celebrations 100 Years Ago

The New Year’s Eve celebrations leading into 1922 had all of Bunbury’s residents in a holiday mood (reference). The South Western Times reported, ‘In bidding a not very sorrowful farewell to the old year, they were eager to outstretch the hand of welcome to 1922, with its hopes and promises (reference).’ It appears that the community vibes at the end of 1921 were similar to ours in 2021, with the present-day Bunbury community not being ‘sorrowful’ that another year with Covid has passed. 

The New Year’s Eve celebrations on 31 December 1921 included a band contest (reference). As the night went on, more people gathered at the junction of Wellington and Victoria Streets, awaiting the new year (reference). Hugh McMahon, on his cornet, along with other musicians, played Bunbury into 1922 from the Rose Hotel balcony (reference). 

At midnight the ‘hooter’ at the electric light station and engines at the railway depot sounded at the commencement of 1922 (reference). When they concluded, the crowd dispersed with hope for success in the new year (reference).