Call out for egg-throwers

Billy Hughes

They’ve found a Billy Hughes – but organisers of the upcoming re-enactment of Warwick’s famous ‘egg-throwing incident’ are still looking for, well, egg-throwers.
The Warwick Community Performing Arts Group is behind plans for the re-enactment of the incident 100 years after it took place, on 29 November at the Warwick railway station.
For the non-local or the uninitiated, Prime Minister Billy Hughes was pelted with an egg at the Warwick Railway Station on the date in question in 1917 over his pro-conscription stance, during a whistle-stop tour promoting the ‘Yes’ vote for the second conscription referendum in December 1917.
The culprit was Patrick Brosnan – an egg thrown by either his brother Bertie or a mate missed its target – and the incident led to the formation of the Australian Federal Police, after local coppers refused to come to the aid of an incensed Hughes.
Peter von Stieglitz, a Warwick local and a Downlands student auditioned for and won the part of Billy Hughes and the role of Senior Sergeant Kenny will be played by Vic Foote.
Jessica Goodlet is the narrator but the organisers are still seeking the pivotal roles of the egg throwers, and non-speaking crowd members are also wanted.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been invited to attend this November’s re-enactment, at which the Australian Federal Police will unveil a plaque.
The Light Horse, Cloudstreet, Warwick Town Crier Bob Townshend, the Warwick City Brass Band and bush poet Amy Bradfield will also help celebrate the occasion.
Those interested in performing as egg-throwers or non-speaking crowd members are asked to contact Clare McHugh Von Stieglitz on 0437 863 886, or email claremcvs@gmail.com, or message the Facebook group ‘Warwick Community Performing Arts”.