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100 YEARS AGO
WIRELESS – At Risbey’s Chambers there was a deputation gathering of Mildura’s citizens in response to an invitation from the Mildura Branch of the ANA to a demonstration of wireless telephone by Mr Rupert Egge. The instruments were a 4-valve Kellogg Symphony Set and an experimental set – they were operated by Mr Egge and Mr H Dalton. The atmospheric conditions were partially unfavourable also the location of the aerial as tall buildings surrounded them. Mr Dalton gave a demonstration of wireless wonders that surprised the audience and gave an idea of what might be done everyday.
POST OFFICE – The intimation of what might be done some time ago by the Postal Department that a residence would be erected at Merbein was received with lively satisfaction and the consequent separation from his family that compelled Mr F Rankin, Merbein’s first Postmaster, who rendered such signal service during his term to seek a transfer to an Office where a residence was provided. The partially brick construction, estimated to cost £1750 is to be built by Red Cliffs builder Mr Hollis.
MEDICINES – Unless a surprise regulation of the Victorian Government is altered or repealed, patient medicines are likely to be unpurchasable. The regulations say “patients” must have upon their labels formulas of the preparations inside. Local manufacturers say they will have none of it as disobedience to the regulations carries with it the risk of a fine of anything up to £100 and 6 months goal for a 3rd offence (some medicines sell by grosses a day) vendors are alarmed too and inclined to lock away their favourite home remedies.
75 YEARS AGO
BUSH BAZAAR – Under electric light, which will illuminate the arena, the surrounding grounds and the waterfront, a team of officials made preparations at Johnson’s Bend for Mildura’s First Bush Bazaar under the directions of Mildura District Motor Cycle Club in conjunction with the Base Hospital to raise funds for the Hospitals’ Nurses Home Building Appeal. The features were motor cycle racing, rowing, speedboat events, a rodeo, wood chops, dancing on a river boat palais and a barbecue – all attended by a crowd of 1100.
CENTRE – Mildura’s proposed civic centre will be situated on the 12th Street Deakin Avenue side, decided by the City Council- it was recommended by the committee who met to consider a report from the architects Buchan, Laird and Buchan. A new pump is being erected on the riverbank near the Rowing Club to supply water for cooling the new generator at the Powerhouse.
CLUB – On Friday the Red Cliffs Women’s Club will celebrate its Silver Anniversary with a dinner at the Club Hall. In June 1924, 12 women met in the Lodge Room of Diggerland Theatre and formed what is known today as the Red Cliffs Women’s Club and Baby Health Centre – Mrs F W Hammet was appointed the first president, Mrs J A Green secretary and Mrs G Hughes treasurer.
50 YEARS AGO
MEMORY – At the Convent of Mercy, Mildura, there is a nun who has been in Mildura since 1907. First at Wentworth then Mildura and she has a fantastic memory. Sister Ursula arrived in Mildura in 1907 after a 24 hour journey from Melbourne with two changes of trains – all her luggage had to be carried on these changes – it was also her first trip away from the city. She said she had always wanted to be a nun since an early age but no-one believed her and she was considered to be too full of life. Getting off the train in Mildura there were few buildings scattered around and the large white Coffee Palace- she had breakfast then travelled to Wentworth, an older town with a Convent and Mother Superior (Mother Magdalene who was also in charge of Mildura) doing her Novice there when she was 15 years old. She became a nun in 1910 wearing a professional veil and ring- staying there until 1915 acting as an exchange teacher between Wentworth and Mildura. The Convent was a room attached to the Church on the corner of Pine Avenue and 10th Street. In the early days it cost one shilling (10 cents) a week to attend the High School – Primary School was free.
BICYCLES – The increasing use of bicycles in Sunraysia has led to a warning from Mildura Police stating that cyclists faced dangers quite often in the darker winter months. Riders with dark clothing or using dull-coloured bicycles with lamps or reflectors discoloured by dust or dirt were a particular danger to themselves and drivers so make sure brakes and lights are in top condition – so far this year 12 cyclists have died on Victorian roads.
MARCH – About 1500 girls will be striding out in style in Mildura next weekend taking part in the annual Sunraysia Zone Marching Girls competitions at No 1 Oval. Girls with 74 teams from New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania will come here – six Sunraysia teams will compete for the Chas Powell Shield. Judges will be controlled by the chief judge for Victoria, Mr Jim Adams, under the Victorian Girls Marching Association regulations- chief chaperone Mrs Betty Smith will also be here to keep an eye on things. (12.6.1974).
25 YEARS AGO
RECOGNISED – Robert J Hill was awarded life membership of the Mildura Harness Racing Club in 1995 for 35 years of service – a gate-keeper for the “early arrivals” also as numbers room official he issued the colours and numbers and kept track of them for the club. As a son of a blacksmith Jim was around horses from a young age and developed an interest in working with them. At 13 he rode on horseback, and over seven days in 1922 he drove six draft horses loose on the road from Calivil to Nangiloc where his brother, a returned soldier, a Farrier Corporal, had land, granted in the original settlement of Nangiloc. His father and brother travelled in a 2-wheel cart with supplies, tools and feed for the horses stopping at a railway station each night for water putting the horses in cattle yards. Jim came to Irymple in 1927 – they cleared the land with axes for tools.
EISTEDDFOD – In its 21st year, the Mildura Eisteddfod is going from strength to strength with entries up 150 to 200 on last year. Organising secretary Desley Leamon said total entries this year are almost 1200 – the society had advertised in a national magazine called Stage Whispers and with the Music Teachers Association of Australia and the Australian Eisteddfod Society – this is the first time we’ve got instrumentalists coming from Adelaide. (12.6.1999)
CLUB – Mildura Gun Club needed just another injection of funds to become a viable Olympic training venue in the lead-up to the Sydney 2000, said Australian gold medallist Russell Mark who won the double trap gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. The Mildura complex had the same clay Italian target machine, a Mattarelli and commonly regarded as the best in the world, that would be used at Sydney. He said shooters had to contend with the different shades of the sky as well as the different colours of the scrub whereas in Europe the backdrop was a constant, usually mountains or pine trees.
