“Tambourines, open air church services and the maroon, yellow and blue flag of the Salvation Army bring back fond memories of the good old days for one of Hay’s oldest citizens Maisie Dalglish.

She grew up with ‘The Army’ when it had a strong corps in Hay.,

“I still remember standing next to grandfather in front of Lobbs Haberdashery (where the State Bank now stands) for open air meetings. “We kids had to struggle to carry the big flag. “But we did it with pride.

“My grandparents, Richard and Elizabeth [Waites] pioneered the Salvation Army in Hay,” Maisie said. “That was a hundred years ago. “My grandparents were from Cornwall and settled on the Irrigation Area in 1878. “Grandfather owned a newspaper in Wales and sent out for Welsh kids, especially those from mining families.”

The Salvation Army Corps opened in Hay on September 25, 1886. The first meetings were held in the old Masonic Hall. It stood on the site of the Commercial Hotel in Lachlan Street. The Salvation Army Citadel was built in Macgregor Street in 1888 and seated 300 people. The building is now occupied by C.E. Engineering. According to ‘Heritage’ written by Caroline Woolcott for the Hay Historical Society, the Corps closed down in 1973.

“I can remember the huge band,” Maisie said. “And the outdoor meetings. “Grandfather used to blow the cornet. “I was a Salva Two sisters became majors in the Army.

Maisie Dalglish was one of the first pupils at Hay War Memorial High School when it opened its doors on April 25, 1923 to 54 boys and 59 girls. “Before the high school opened, we had two rooms dedicated to secondary education at Hay Primary School. “I was 13 years old when the high school opened. “And mighty proud to be an ex-student.”

Maisie’s working career revolved around teaching and tutoring. Her last job was teaching adult literacy two years ago, when she was 84. “My first job was teaching the twin boys of Dr Eric Woods, in their own home. “I typed up all his lectures.” Maisie taught and cared for children throughout the district. One of her last jobs was as matron of the former Church of England Girls Hostel. “It was situated in Moppett Street, opposite the park. “I took over temporarily and stayed on for ages. “My girls came from throughout the district and as far away as Ivanhoe, Hillston and Balranald. “I even had two sisters from Urana. “It was a happy time for me but when I turned 60, I got a bit fed-up with working. “So I resigned. They couldn’t fill my place and the hostel closed down. “Four of the girls moved in with me because their parents didn’t approve of mixed hostels. “One of the girls ended up staying until she married.” In 1987 Maisie received the Hay Citizenship Award in recognition of her service to the community. She had been involved with CWA, the Methodist Church and later the Uniting Church, Garden Club and Civilian Widows Association. “I have been in CWA for 30 years,” she said. “It is a wonderful organisation. “We used to have more members in the early days. “But women’s sport, especially bowls, became available and women turned to it rather than CWA.”