PEEPS IN THE PAST
October 18 – 24 2020
Presented by Mildura and District Historical Society.
Compiled by Judi Hyde and Sue Kelly for the Mildura Rural City Council Library Service.
100 YEARS AGO
MURRAY RIVER: The Murray having overflowed its banks, the river road from Mildura to Merbein is now under water, and a danger to traffic. The Mildura Shire Council notify that persons using this road do so at their own risk. Early on in the week the flood waters crossed the road at the end of the embankment from the White Cliffs hill. The water above the filling was not deep, and the roadway was made use of by large numbers of people coming into Mildura, including those in motor cars, but it is very doubtful whether the embankment will carry any traffic when it becomes soaked.
FIRE: As a way of indicating the whereabouts of a fire in the town of Mildura, the following scheme has been arranged by the captain of the Mildura Fire brigade. One ring of the fire tower bell denoted the North Ward, along Ninth Street, north of Deakin Avenue; two rings, South Ward along Ninth Street, south of Deakin Avenue; three rings, East Ward along Ninth Street, west of Deakin Avenue; four rings, West Ward along Ninth Street, west of Deakin Avenue. Simply, North, South, East and West run one, two, three and four tolls. The alarm will be given, and then the Ward, then the alarm again, three times in succession.
DRUIDS: The Grand President of the United Ancient Order of druids (Bro. J. Dorman), accompanied by the Grand Secretary (Bro. G. Jones) opened a Druids Lodge at Ouyen. A number of Mildura brethren took part in the ceremony. The Grand President took the chair, after the transaction of business. Thirty-six candidates came forward and were initiated into the ranks of Druidism.
75 YEARS AGO
SUNRAYSIA DAILY: At an informal gathering of 52 members of the staff at Sunraysia Daily, to celebrate the newspaper’s 25th birthday, the Mayor (Cr. C.J. Henderson), the only visitor invited, was welcomed by Mr. R.D. Elliott, CMG. The Mayor expressed surprise at the size of the staff, and at the extent of comprehensive plant, building and land additions, and the plans for post-war rehabilitation, which exemplified confidence in the district.
CHURCH: The little church of All Saints, Billabong, was well filled when an opus sectile tablet was unveiled and dedicated by the Bishop of St Arnaud, who preached an appropriate sermon. A feature of the service was the large supply of flowers donated by the parishioners. The tablet bears the following inscription: “To The Glory Of God, in proud and loving memory of F/O James Austin Hakewell, RAAF, who fell in action December 3, 1944. Erected by the congregation of All Saints and Friends.”
APEX CLUB: The Apex Club safety fence of cyclone mesh which forms a safe swimming enclosure for children at Apex Park, Chaffey’s Bend, is now being reconditioned with a new ring-lock chain netting. This has been unprocurable during the war period, but small quantity has now been released for this work.
50 YEARS AGO
BALLOON: Everything worked perfectly for the world’s record size balloon launching and outer space probe flight over Mildura. The balloon, the biggest sent up anywhere in the world, towered above its launch truck at the time of the launching, but once aloft looked no different from any of the other 499 balloons the launch crews have sent up previously. For the first seven hours of the flight the balloon was clearly visible over Sunraysia, but then it drifted south and was over the Pinnaroo area.
SHOW: The 1970 Mildura Show had set gate taking records, Show Society treasurer (Mr A.D. Harvey) announced. They amount to $8107 compared with last year’s $7970.
GOLF: Part of the Riverside Golf Course is under water because of the flooded river. Rather than playing just the front nine, players will be ferried across the flooded parts in boats to continue playing. The front nine is almost unaffected by rising floodwater, and the competitors will have no serious water problem until they reach the 15th tee.
25 YEARS AGO
CHRISTIE CENTRE: Two months of hard work by clients and staff at the Christie Centre will be put to good use today when 2000 hand-made showbags are sold as part of the Elliot Emu Good Foods Nutrition Trail. According to Christie Centre program director, Glenda Hiskins, about 15 clients used sewing and screen printing skills to make the calico bags. Mrs Hiskins said clients and staff worked every day on the project which follows a range of other money-making sewing projects by the centre.
FOOTBALL: The 1994 Victorian Coach of the Year, Tony Hickey, has been appointed Sunraysia Football League coach for the coming season. Hickey, who has guided Imperials to four consecutive senior premierships, said Sunraysia had enough talent to be competitive in Division 2 next year.
SHOW SOCIETY: Mildura Show Society’s John Hartmann is to retire after 24 years as treasurer and will relinquish his position on the show management committee. Mr Hartmann is only the second treasurer the society has had in its 48 year history. An accountant with Mildura Shire until six years ago, Mr Hartmann took over from former treasurer Doug Harvey who had taken the job on in 1947.
