Who was Nellie Payne?

Roll of Honour, Westbury. Unveiled 1917.

DB36

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Thursday 21 June 1917, page 7
On Monday evening not withstanding rough weather an exceptionally large gathering assembled at the Public Hall, Westbury.

The occasion was the unveiling of a Roll of Honour.

The unveiling was performed by the Warden (Mr. D Burke) The hall and platform were decorated with bunting. Proceedings opened with the National Anthem the accompanists being Miss Drew (piano) and Mr W. N. French (trombone). The Warden explained the object of the gathering. He pointed out that when the Municipal Council decided to place a roll of honour in the public hull on which would be placed the names of all who enlisted from the Westbury district Mrs Payne kindly offered to prepare one and suggested that Tasmanian Blackwood should be used. The council accepted Mrs Payne’s offer. Mrs. Payne is a sister of Councillor R C, Westfield, Westbury and spent her early days at the old homestead. Mrs Payne only two sons one of whom was chosen as a Rhode’s scholar last year are at the front. Her husband (Surgeon Major Payne) is at present on duty at Claremont camp and has served as medical officer on transport duty to Egypt on two occasions.

The roll of honour, which, was then unveiled by the removing of a large Union Jack, is of Tasmanian Blackwood, was gratuitously carved by Mrs. C. A. Payne, of Hobart. It consists of a centrepiece with two side panels. The centrepiece is surmounted by a figure of the Goddess of fame seated upon a globe of the world, over the seat of the great war in Europe, who is holding in one hand a trumpet and in the other a wreath of laurels with a scroll, on which are inscribed the words “Honour be Yours and Fame.” On the top of the two side panels the words “Westbury Municipality” are carved. At the foot of the left hand panel is the date 1914 being the year of the commencement of the war, and on the right hand panel the figure 19- a space being left for the remaining figures of the year in which the war ends. At the base, the following words are carved, “Roll of Honour of those who nobly served the Empire in the great European War, intertwined with leaves.

A programme of instrumental and vocal items was successfully tendered. The following taking part:- Song, Mrs. Beveridge; duet. Misses Fitzpatrick; pianoforte solo, Mrs. Boyes; songs, Mr. Eddey, Mr. J. A. Woods, and the Rev. L. S. MacDougal. Accompanists, Mrs. Boyes and Miss Drew.
After-giving three cheers for the boys at the front, the meeting closed by singing the National Anthem.

Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 – 1954), Thursday 14 June 1917, page 3