as a municipality. 1885 — Salt Clay Creek railway disaster - seven killed and dozens injured when culvert collapsed 1896 – Cootamundra Cycling Club. It is probably the oldest continual club in NSW, although as was the case with most clubs it went into recess during the war years. 1911–1968 – Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls forcibly taken from their families. 1912–1974 – The former Cootamundra Hospital and Cootamundra Aboriginal Girls' Training Home were built upon a hill north east of Cootamundra. The property consists of a large parcel of land which had room for buildings as well as orchards and livestock such as dairy cows. 1942 – On 3 December, the corvette , named for the town, is launched. 1951 – Cootamundra Jazz Band is formed by John Ansell 1952 – Name of Cootamundry officially changed to Cootamundra. 1955 – The first Cootamundra Annual Classic cycling handicap race, one of the oldest open races in NSW. 1956 – Cootamundra's rugby league football club's Bill Marsh is first selected to play for the Australian national team. 1960 – Cootamundra Blues Australian rules football club is established. 1982 – In November 1982, the aviation company Masling Industries is formed. This was restructured in June 1993 after the death of its owner. 1986 – Popular Australian singer/songwriter/bush poet John R Williamson released his song 'Cootamundra Wattle'. 1908 – Donald Bradman (later Sir Donald) is born in Cootamundra. 1998 – Phase 1 of Cricket Captains' Walk declared open; all busts the work of Harden–Murrumburrah sculptor Carl Valerius 2000 – The first annual beach volleyball competition. Truckloads of sand are deposited in a main street for "Coota Beach" (punning reference to Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia). 2015 – Australian youth radio station Triple J featured the 'Cootamundra bonus weather rap'. Churches The first churches in Cootamundra were: Primitive Methodist Rev. Smith was minister from around 1874, succeeded by J. Spalding, who was minister in 1877, and services were held on alternate Sunday afternoons. Wesleyan Methodist The church, seating 100 persons, was opened on 17 December 1876. Rev. G. Thompson was minister in 1878 and services were held regularly. In 1880 Rev. R. East was the only minister resident in the town. Anglican Christ Church opened on 12 July 1878; the vicar W. Cocks shared with Murrumburrah. In January 1880 Rev. S. B. Holt left Gundagai to take up the position. Roman Catholic