March 17, 2017
Wondai resident Noel Selway is probably best known for his work organising the annual Reserve Forces Day Parade in the town.
Or perhaps you know him for his volunteer work with the Wondai Wolves, the Wondai RSL, or the Wooroolin State School Bugle Band.
He’s also an amateur historian, collecting history about the dairy industry in the former Wondai Shire, the rail line through the town, and the old Wondai Airport.
And he’s also researched the war graves in the Memerambi Cemetery.
What most people wouldn’t know, though, is that Noel is responsible for the regular displays that appear in the window of the Cecil Hotel in Wondai.
He reckons that he produces about 50 window displays each year to mark important occasions.
This week’s display was, of course, for St Patrick’s Day (March 17) with lots of photos and green and orange ribbons on display, flanked by the Irish tricolour flag and the Australian flag.
Noel is particularly proud of the Wooroolin Bugle Band, which he believes could be the last primary school bugle band in Australia.
“We are currently getting ready to go over the line for Anzac Day practicing every Tuesday and Thursday morning between when the school bus turns up at school and when the bell goes,” he said.
“The band has been in existence since 1958 and its first Anzac parade was at Wondai in 1959.
“Currently the youngest players would be no more than six years old while the oldest is about 11. There are only 40 kids at the school and the band is voluntary with 17 players.”
