“BUGDEN SHIRE" Bugden's Part 2.

I can only dream of being a fly on the wall at this meeting, or saying Gundurimba that many times!

Northern Star Lismore, NSW

 5 July 1918

“BUGDEN SHIRE;"

'According to advertisement a public meeting is to be held in the South Gundurimba Hall to-night to discuss the question of altering the name of Gundurimba  to Bugden, South Gundurimba to South Bugden, and Gundurimuba Shire to Bugden Shire to perpetuate the memory of the late Pte.  P. Bugden, V.G. 

Northern Star Lismore, NSW

10 July 1918

"BUGDEN SHIRE."

At' a meeting of the: 'Parents and Citizens' Association held in the South Gundurimba schoolroom on- 24th inst, a motion approving of the suggestion to alter the names of

Gundurimba to Bugden, South Gundurimba to South Bugden, and Gundurimba Shire to Bugden Shire, was carried.

It was added that the motion be forwarded onto the proper authorities for their consideration.

A meeting was held in the South Gundurimba Hall on Friday night, July 5th, to discuss the, above, when attendance was. About 50.

Mr J Smith was elected chairman, and briefly stated the objects of the meeting. He also led' the "Star" advertisement convening', the meeting and-a telegram from 'Shire "President Kennedy as follows:—

Regret I cannot be with you to-night. Quite in accord with the movement.—J. Kennedy.

The chairman added: "'I wish to say that Mr.Spinaze initiated this matter, and with Mr.Tysoe and myself, convened this meeting for the purpose of thoroughly discussing the matter. 

I think something should be done to honor this great hero. We, now require a secretary.

Mr. R F. Ball moved and Mr Whitney seconded that J. Spinaze be elected secretary.

Mr. Spinaze returned thanks for the honor, and stated he was prepared to do his best for the success of the movement, but he had not the ability to carry, out the secretarial 'duties like several gentlemen at the meeting, and was very sorry to decline the position.

On being pressed, Mr JS. Tysoe accepted the position.

Mr J Spinaze. Stated it was a well-known fact to all that the late Patrick Bugden was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery on the battlefield. The V C. was given by the King to soldiers who had distinguishes themselves, and it was a great honor indeed.

It was our solemn 'duty to do something to honor and perpetuate for all time the memory of such brave heroes. Whether the motion is carried or not there still remained many things they could do to honor the memory of this brave lad. A hospital, a Monument, any great work would do it, but To Quote Dr Quiney

           

            “At this hour, 1800 years since, their creation,

            the Pagan sales of Ovid are read by Christendom.       

            This man's people and their monuments are dust,

            but he is alive.”

'If we alter the name of This Village and Shire and call it Bugden his "name would go down to posterity 'indelibly "written" on maps, documents, and books of this Commonwealth, and remain, so in perpetuity.

'' Have we any precedents to go on,” he continued, “in changing a name?”

Hundred Starting with- "the chief city of that mighty though now disintegrated Empire called Russia, we know that at the commencement the capital was altered from, St. Petersburg, to Petrograd. 

I could quote many more, but, coming nearer home, we have names such as Leeville, Wadevill, Ewingdale, and others to remind us of men who made history. 

I beg to move: that this meeting approve of the suggestion to alter the name of Gundurimba to' Bugden, South Gundurimba to South Bugden, I said Gundurimba Shire to Bugden Shire in honor and to perpetuate the memory of our native hero, the late Patrick Bugden, V C.

“There was Silence, for about ten minutes’ profound silence for another five minutes”

Chairman: "If there is no' seconds; there can be no discussion, and it's no joke sitting here; 'this meeting was convened to discuss this matter, but 'if there is no seconder I will have to -close the meeting.

Mr E Tysoe:  "I wish to say that on the 24th inst, at a meeting of the Gundurimba Parents and Citizens' Association, held in the schoolroom, this motion now under discussion was carried. 

I was the only dissident  and I at that meeting, said I would like to have the matter discussed at a public meeting. 

Mr. Spinaze and I eventually discussed the matter and with Mr. Smith, we decided to call a public meeting, and that is how I become one of the convenors.

Mr E F. Ball: "I will second it pro forman, -although I will vote against the motion."

Mr. A. E. Ball, “you took the words out of my mouth, but I am in favour of the motion if nothing better brought forward. I really feel something should be done to honer this brave hero. 

If it were not such men who have gone away and fought for us we would have long be in the hands of the enemy. 

A V C is a great distinction. This brave man was a native of this place, and I’m very much in favour of doing something to perpetuate his memory”

Mr Flaherty "I do not wish To sway the meeting one way or other, but I would like to point out that great difficulty may arise if it were intended to alter the name of the Parish of Gundminiba, but not such difficulty to alter the village name.

Mr T Duly, senr: “Mr Chairman, I would like to know why pick out one man to honor and not others.

Mr J Spinaze asked permission of the chairman to answer that question, and stated that the King, on recommendation of the military authorities, had picked out Patrick Bugden and awarded him the VC for an extraordinary meritorious act on the Battle Field.

There are others who did and are still doing brave deeds, and worthy of the VC, but the fact might not have been noticed or brought under the notice of the proper authorities, or then again a solder might be killed or servery wounded before he had an opportunity to do anything. 

He for one did not want to detract from the brave efforts and deeds of any of the boys who enlisted, whether they got to the front or not, but V C man was a hero of Hero’s.  

Some of them, if cornered in dangerous positions, instead of fighting would if there was an opening, run like blazes instead of following the example of hero’s and fighting it out.

Mr Duly, senr: excitedly: "Let me tell you, 'Mr Chairman, that if 'Mr Spinaze infers that I would run like( — )he is very much mistaken, I'd never run like (—).from Mr Spinaze or from, any man. (Laughter.)

Mr J Spinaze: assured Mr Duly that he meant nothing personal, and did not wish to reflect on anyone," but was just referring to human nature as it is.

 Mr Nixon: "I don't see why we should pick out one man. I would like to "See them all honored.  What about if another man wins the V.C.  are we going to change the name again”  Some may run and some 'may not run ; I haven't heard of, any running yet. "I say treat them all alike.

Mr Whitney: “That’s what I say “treat them all alike”, why should we pick out one man: there are others who met their death on the battle field; treat them all alike."

Mr. E. Tysoe : "I wish to state that Mr. Spinaze has often, expressed his views to me, and I often heard him make the remark that' all the boys should be honored. Of course a V.C. is a distinction.

"The Chairman, after a long silence, asked: "Are there any more speakers, I would like to hear, your views'?'.' No one speaking, he added-: "If there are no more will I will put the motion.''

Mr. J. Spinazo : " Mr. Chairman, will you allow me to eliminate part of, the motion ?"

The Chairman: Yes."

Mr Spinaze: "I will cut out the Words Gundurimba- and South Gundurimba. The motion now to read: 'That this meeting approve, to alter the name of 'Gundurimba Shire" to Bugden Shire in honor and to perpetuate the memory of our native hero, Patrick Bugden, V.C."

Mr Duly, junr: ''I rise-to a point of order. Is the seconder agreeable?"

Mr R E Ball: accepted the mover's amended motion, which on being put, the chairman: declared lost.

Mr E. F. Ball subsequently made a suggestion' in reference to honoring Private Bugden, VC, but said he would not move a motion to-night.

J. Spinaze said he was prepared to give what little ‘help' he could to any movement to honor the memory of Bugden V.C .or to honor the memory of The whole of the district -boys.