An article with "Historical Oddities" from St Andrew's leading up to its 150th celebrations in November.

From small beginnings

In the early 1970s began the forerunner of the Bulletin and other local news sheets of today.

Back in the 1960s there was no form of local communication or public newssheet , nothing to inform or report on anything that was to happen, or had happened, within the small town which was  then home to close to 1,000 people. Nothing in which to advertise goods; discounted, delicious, delectable or designer.

Then came the Copycat, a single sheet of paper, the printed word of  all sorts of news and advertised “specials” eagerly awaited each Friday tucked into the delivered Otago Daily Times. 

St Andrew’s Anglican Church was the unlikely home of the Copycat which was first devised and printed  by the Vicar Bernard Wilkinson.

Bernard was a familiar sight in Cromwell, news was not hard to come by, and there was a queue of local businesses waiting to sponsor each edition for $10 necessary to cover the costs of the cheap paper to be printed by the old Gestetner and the $2 each paid to the delivery boys who included the Copycat with the O.D.T.

The Sponsor / advertiser  was often treated to one of Bernard’s rhymes:

When Bob Howard came to town,

One day we all went down

To view the range of goodies in his shop.

He had radios and trannies

And records fit for grannies,

And we thought we’d like to buy the jolly lot!

His companion in the shop,

Is Shirley, who can stop

And help you when you’re making a decision.

She is really such a cutie-

But we have to say, her beauty,

Is exceeded by the colour television!

“ Sometimes the print results were a bit smudgy” says Bernard,  “but okay.”

The delivery boys were paid $2 each to include the Copycat with the Otago Daily Times.

Now aged  94, Bernard will be among the guests who gather on St Andrew’s weekend 29/30th November 2024,  to celebrate the 150th birthday of St Andrew’s the building, which is the oldest  building in Cromwell still used for its original purpose while serving the wider community.

For in more information, or to register for the event,  phone 445 1157 or 445 3356.

Noeline Watson