NOWRA does not observe the Prince of Wales' Holiday, but it is fascinating to look back 140 years when this was a great occasion for the local community.
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James Maguire's Meadow at Greenhills (between Nowra and Terara) was the venue for a picnic, and about 300 people gathered for the day's activities.
A booth had been erected from which refreshments were dispensed, and there were various amusements during the day.
Terara storekeeper Richard Kemp donated a saddle for the main horse race of the day which was won by Maguire's mare.
He promptly donated the prize back to be raffled, and after a three-way tie in bids, Father Michael Flanagan paid for the saddle.
The highlight for the boys under 12 was the pig race - they were required to chase a pig with a greased tail around the meadow, and the one who caught it and held it by the tail was allowed to keep the animal.
According to the Illawarra Mercury, "This was real sport, the pig led the boys a clever chase, and was caught by one, Moore, who sold it immediately after".
There was also a football (rugby) match which was "earnestly contested" before the Bachelors defeated the Married Men.
Dancing was enjoyed during the day, with music performed by John Dwyer, with some assistance from John Sheen and Arthur Davis.
Proceeds from the picnic amounted to about £50 which was to go into a fund for a new Catholic Chapel in Shoalhaven.
The detailed report ended with the following:
"Spirituous liquors were totally excluded from the scene of amusement, and the utmost quietness and propriety prevailed.
"Protestants and Catholics met as mutual friends - they merged all differences of opinion on the occasion - and on leaving the field all parties felt pleased and gratified."
Long identified with churches and schools, picnics were also an activity favoured a century ago by small communities and lodges, from Orange to Masonic.
Picnics were sometimes thrown by politicians, and they were held to farewell residents, and to welcome home soldiers from the Boer War.
The annual picnic and sports conducted by the Back Forest Dairy Company in 1900 saw 250 people gather at Peter Hall's property, including most of the farmers who supplied milk to the factory, with their families.
Harrie Morton handed out prizes to the sporting winners, and some 60 couples stayed to dance the night away in Mr Hall's barn.
Another picnic conducted by Denham Bros' bacon and butter factory (Bomaderry) in early 1904 attracted 100 employees and their families.
They travelled by bus and private vehicles to Cliff Richards' Bangalee pleasure grounds for a day of merriment.
There were races for the children, swings and rides on the 'razzle-dazzle' along with dancing in the pavilion.
An alfresco luncheon was served by the ladies, and after tea at 6pm there was the formal part of the day with speeches and toasts.