The Gap Historical Society

The Gap Historical Society Inc.

by Elaine Zendler

The end of 2021 is approaching fast and a trip to any shopping centre reminds us that Christmas is just around the corner. Schools across the district will soon celebrate the end of another school year in their own individual ways. Back in the 1930’s break-up day for The Gap State School was a great day for The Gap community and especially for the children. As part of some interviews with the late Connie Carnegie, nee Proctor, recorded several years ago, break-up day in that era when Connie was a child, was one of the topics discussed.

Break-up day was always celebrated on a Saturday and was held at the Church of England Hall which then stood in the middle of what is Illowra St. today. Everyone would be dressed up in their finest. The Proctor’s neighbour, Mrs Carnegie, who would later be Connie’s mother-in-law, would make new dresses for Connie and her sisters and would also buy them new shoes. This was a very special treat.

The day began with a concert in the church hall organized by the teachers, Mr Gall and Mrs Cameron. Bill Proctor used to recite funny poems and Connie would recite poetry too. There would be a sing along with some of the children singing and also some funny skits. At the end of the concert, school prizes were awarded. When the prizes had been awarded, the children went downstairs for races. Connie didn’t think there were any prizes for wining the races, but at the end every child got a bag of fruit. There were always cherries in the bag. These were a special treat. Most of the children would never have tasted cherries if they didn’t get them on breaking-up day, because they were too expensive.

Afternoon tea followed. The adults had a cup of tea and the children had cordial with their afternoon tea. Each family was responsible for providing a different thing for afternoon tea. Connie remembered that the Proctors always provided the milk.

Following afternoon tea, everyone went home to milk the cows and feed the chooks. In the evening everyone came back to the hall for a dance. Break-up day really was a special occasion that brought the whole community together.

By the 1950’s Breaking up day was held at “Greenlanes”, now Taylor Range Club. Anyone from The Gap community who wanted to come was welcome. In

Established 2000

the weeks leading up to break-up day older school children were tasked with collecting donations from the community to fund the occasion.

The school swimming carnival was held in the morning and this was followed by a picnic lunch with huge trays of water melon and bucket icecreams being favourite items for the children. The day ended with school prizes and swimming cups being awarded.

The last of these events was held in 1957. The Gap farms were beginning to be subdivided for housing lots and the school was becoming bigger. Break-up day as a community event became part of our history.

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The Physiologix Corner

We will probably all struggle with the affects of osteoarthritis, or OA, at some time in our life, some of us more than others. OA is a term relating to joint pain, a very common condition that we have a special interest in at Physiologix. So what is the latest in the best treatment for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, often known as OA is a condition that affects our joints, where two bones meet. Any joint may be affected and here at Physiologix we see almost any area of the body can be affected. The cartilage that protects the joints is the area that becomes affected. There are many risk factors. Age is relevant, but it is not just older people that can develop OA. There can be a genetic factor, but not always. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, being female, and previous joint injury are also all risk factors. So what then is the best treatment for osteoarthritis? In the case of hip and knee OA, exercise has been shown to be the best initial treatment intervention. But many people hurt when they exercise so what then? Understanding positions that you can work in, with good technique are the starting point. Working into a little pain is safe to do as long as the pain settles quickly after and isn’t worse that night or the next day. At Physiologix, your physio will assess you to gain better understanding of what you can do and what, initially, is best to avoid. They will guide you on how much, how often. The importance of rest days is essential to allow the body to recover, but you also need to be doing enough to be effective. Your physio can also talk you through other things you could be doing to help such as support braces and seeing the GP for medications for pain relief. Hydrotherapy, exercise in water, has been shown to be beneficial in helping with OA. At Physiologix we will design a program specific to you that you can then do in a pool yourself. We also will give you a home program, or look to provide you with a gym program for those that attend the gym, or to set you up with a Pilates program here in our fully equipped pilates rehab area. Throughout the year Physiologix also offers the GLAD program, a comprehensive program including education sessions and OA specific rehab classes for those with hip and knee OA. Many of our clients have given up walking and running in the belief it might be harming their joints further. This has been shown to not be the case. These are safe activities as long as the joint has the capacity to do the task – again your physio will help educate you more on this. Exercise is the first step in treating osteoarthritis but if this doesn’t work at Physiologix we will work with you and help support you in finding a good specialist that you can go on to talk to regards your other less conservative options, such as medications, injections and in some cases surgery. So don’t think for one minute that just because you have been told you have osteoarthritis it is the end of the world – there really is so much you can do to help yourself and manage this condition. To find out more call Physiologix on (07) 3511 1112 or email us from theCONTACT USpage at our website physiologix.com.au The Western Echo December 2021/January 2022 Page 20 website: http://www.westernecho.com.au