modeltford

To think that when this picture was taken just a little over 100 years ago, it was weird to see cars on the street.

READ ALL ABOUT IT !

Very full and interesting description of this occasion from The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser of 28/05/1917 p.2 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/119066759 .

Whilst Troving for "Cootralantra", I came across this wonderful letter from Private Percy Constance in France to his brother William in Cootralantra, written a few months later in November 1917 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/119060375 .

The first article posted above mentions that the schoolroom was "suitably decorated for the occasion by Mrs George Constance and family"

Percy Thomas Constance - www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=60457

beachcomber australia Percy, a labourer, enlisted on Sunday 3.10.15 as from Cooma (very near Cootralantra - it was probably easier for the enlisting officer to spell!). His brother John, a stockman, enlisted shortly before on Saturday 11.9.15. Their father was James, also of Cooma.

First World War Embarkation Rolls, Percy Thomas Constance, Service no. 1866 - static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/items/ACCNUM_LARGE/RC...

First World War Embarkation Rolls, John James Constance, Service no. 1862 - static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/items/ACCNUM_LARGE/RC...

[EDIT - I just realised most of that info was in your AIF link.]

Perhaps Mrs. George Constance the decorator was Percy's aunt?

It seems George (b. circa 1865) was an elder step-brother of Percy and John. Their father James married 3 times. It would appear Mrs. George Constance was Susan Jane Reilly (b. circa 1870). - www.turnbullclan.com/tca_genealogy/tca_all2-o/g0/p69.htm#...

THE MODEL T THE MODEL T IS FORD’S UNIVERSAL CAR THAT PUT THE WORLD ON WHEELS. The Model T was introduced to the world in 1908. Henry Ford wanted the Model T to be affordable, simple to operate, and durable. The vehicle was one of the first mass production vehicles, allowing Ford to achieve his aim of manufacturing the universal car. The Model T was manufactured on the Ford Motor Company’s moving assembly line at Ford’s revolutionary Highland Park Plant. Due to the mass production of the vehicle, Ford Motor Company could sell the vehicle for between $260 and $850 as Henry Ford passed production savings on to his customers. A common myth is that all model T’s were black. While Henry Ford did say “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it’s black,” the policy was in place solely for efficiency and uniformity. The car was only offered in black from 1914-1925, however before and after that various models of the vehicle could be purchased in a variety of colors including blue, red, grey, and green. The vehicle also became famous for its unique nickname—Tin Lizzie. There are various accounts of how this nickname was acquired by the Model T. Possible origins include the popularity of the female name “Lizzie” during that period to a famous Model T racecar named Old Liz. Despite the popularity of the nickname Tin Lizzie, the Model T had dozens of nicknames. While the vehicle is more than 100 years old, its legacy is timeless. The vehicle had many new features that were unique for its time. The low price point allowed many people to become a Ford owner, should they choose it, and caused Ford Motor Company to be a household name. Source: corporate.ford.com/articles/history/the-model-t.html#:~:t....