PRESENTED by Mildura and District Historical Society and compiled by Judy Hyde for Mildura Rural City Council Libraries
100 YEARS AGO: 1925
EXHIBIT: In referring to Mildura’s exhibit in Melbourne in connection with Country Promotion Week, The Age says “As Mildura is like no other place in Australia, so the display of Mildura products shown in the window of Messrs R G Wilson and Co., 56 Elizabeth Street is different too. Those who know the district are aware of the fine progressive Australian spirit which prevails there and the indomitable energy with which the people pursue their ideals. This spirit is reflected in the comprehensiveness of the display and its artistic presentation. The dried fruits are packed in the most attractive manner possible.” Mildura also produced olive oil, tomato sauce and wool.
STING: Mr R M Voullaire, Jr passes on the following simple remedy for handlers of cold dipper fruit that suffer from potash sting or burn. The remedy is to simply have a wash of one part vinegar to two parts water handy. If the hands are dipped in the vinegar wash occasionally the acid in the vinegar kills the alkali action of the potash.
TRESSPASSERS: Yesterday morning the lobby of the Diggerland Theatre Red Cliffs, was in a filthy state owing to the remains of watermelons being thrown about the floor and against the walls. It is suspected that two or three boys were responsible for the disorder and inquiries have been made at the Red Cliffs School as to the identity of the boys. The operator at Diggerland, Mr Stevens, who is also the caretaker believes it was men, not the work of boys, but if men, then they have the taste and intelligence of backward children. A watch is being kept and prosecutions will follow. Patrons now found in the lobby of the Theatre, when pictures are not on show, will be regarded as trespassers.
75 YEARS AGO: 1950
PLAN: Plans for Red Cliffs RSL Memorial Clubrooms have been forwarded to the Minister for Housing (Mr Warner), and, if they are approved, a permit to build may be granted within two months. The RSL clubrooms will comprise a main hall with a floor space of 1500 square feet, a billiard room, offices, kitchen and toilet rooms. A permit for Mildura Shire Council’s Community Centre, which will be constructed on an adjoining site is likely to be granted before the end of January 1951.
RADIO: A two-way radio system for taxis – to allow cars to be directed to jobs in a minimum of time – is not likely to be considered by Mildura cab proprietors. Some Melbourne taxi services are investigating the merits of the system, but most are reported as being “not very enthusiastic” saying it might slow down services rather than speed it up. Mildura’s 17 taxi owners agree that the system here would probably operate from the technical viewpoint however its installation and operation would be too expensive to warrant its existence. More than about 50 cars on the system would lead to “jamming”.
FESTIVAL: The ancient festival of Mothering Sunday will be observed by the Church of England tomorrow. At the 8am service of St Margarets, Mildura, the symbolic simple cake will be blessed by the Bishop of St Arnaud, the Rt Rev M James. During the evening services Bishop James will collate Canon J Hardingham as the first Archdeacon of the newly-formed archdeaconry of Mildura.
50 YEARS AGO: 1975
ATHLETES: Seventeen members of the Dareton Joey’s Little Athletic Club won 93 medals at a recent Little Athletics Championship, conducted by the Sunraysia Little Athletics Association. Seven representatives from the Dareton Joey’s Little Athletic Club will be competing in the Victorian Championship at Olympic Park, Melbourne – the members are Lisa Krake, Janette Krake, Shane Harding, Peter Saunders, Peter O’Connor and Anthony Finlay.
MALL: Mildura Chamber of Commerce has received a “yes” vote in its survey on the proposal to establish a shopping mall in Langtree Avenue. The chamber sent 140 questioner sheets to businesses in the site area and received 82 replies – 47 in favour and 38 against. The sub-committee on parking will begin the job of analysing the replies which cover several proposals concerning the shopping mall.
SITES: Three sites are under consideration by the Country Roads Board for the location of the proposed new bridge over the Murray River at Mildura. It is now official that the three sites are extensions of Deakin Avenue, San Mateo Avenue and Etiwanda Avenue – all within a short distance of the existing bridge. The Country Roads Board chairman, Mr R Donaldson, said that the three sites are under consideration and it’s impossible to say when a start would be made on the new bridge.
25 YEARS AGO: 2000
LOLLYPOP: To mark their 75th birthday the Victorian State School Parents Club (VSSPC) have renamed themselves Parents Victoria and have implemented a range of special events and projects including “Lollypop Week”. In order to highlight their goal in changing legislation to introduce 40 km/h around school crossings and to recognise the important role school crossing supervisors play in children’s safety.
PUMPS: The Psyche Bend Pumps will provide a unique setting for the unique sounds of improvisation band Endscope. The four piece group, which performed in September last year, is made up of Jon Emery (drums and percussion) Richard Tankard (keyboards), Jason Nelson (trombone) and Ruben Shannon (double bass). As one of the attractions at the Wentworth Arts Festival this year, Endscope aims to produce an “emotional landscape” with their instruments.
MARINA: Queensland developer Transtate, said that after a long wait, one of the region’s biggest construction projects, the 70 million Mildura Marina, should begin within 12 months. The development includes an upmarket 120 room hotel overlooking the Murray River, boat harbour and marina, floating shops and restaurants, a conference centre, riverside apartments and villas, tourist accommodation and 80 townhouses.
