PEEPS IN THE PAST
September 20-26, 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
STEELE BLAYDE: In 1894 when the writer, a young freelance adventurer-writer, struck Mildura when boating the Murray River in his private rowboat, The Wanderer, en route from Echuca to South Australia, a quieter place then was Mildura — incoming paddle steamers tied up against the rocks just below the workshops on the river bank. The Coffee Palace (now the Grand Hotel) stood on the hill above — no railway line, an Aboriginal on the slope throwing a boomerang for the amusement of anyone willing to buy one; a Chinese sly grogger camped on the flats below camps of all sorts and conditions. Back of the Coffee Palace and Chaffey’s office (now the home of Mr J. Hudson) lay the “town” a struggling lot and carry-on sort of contraption rendered bizarre in the extreme by the startling incongruities in the shape of the splendid Chaffey residence at one corner and two other pretty good buildings — for the rest a terrible suggestion that that things worked out as planned. The Wanderer (not yet as Steele Blayde) was going temporarily broke and was helped out by Mr F. Edwards, whose kindly friendship will never be forgotten. Mr Hawks said the town was only a blamed village yet, Shilliday’s Store was in Madden Avenue and Mansfield’s the Jeweller, later Wilson’s Store, also The Cultivator office, no Risbey’s, Bowring’s was half the size it is today. The Wonderland and Olympia theatres were only a dream — the big push came with the opening up of White Cliffs, now Merbein. In 1920 he wrote that Mildura at large, the greater Mildura, embraced Mildura proper, Irymple, Merbein and Merbein West and the “local Mallee” but in 1894 Mildura was a tragic failure — or seemed so and the writer has met tragedy many times in his life and nothing more tragic in a way to be approached by settlers who had come to the place in faith and hope and were after hopeless struggle prepared to sell out for sufficient only to take them away, likewise by labourers with an order of the face value of a pound willing to sell it for five shillings, even half a crown.
INCREASE: Newspapers printed and published in Australia, posted for delivery in the Commonwealth, the new rates are: 1½d (pence) per 20 ounces (oz), on aggregate weight with minimum postage of 1/- shilling. Letters 2d per ½ oz. Letter cards – single 1½d on reply 2d each card. Post cards – single 1½d each, reply 1½d each. Printed papers 1d for 2oz or part of 2oz. Books printed outside Australia 1d for 4oz, printed in Australia 1d for 3oz. Magazines and similar publications wholly set up and printed in Australia 1d for 8oz.
NEWS: A coining plant was discovered in a Brunswick house — a Mr Twibia, aged 60, was arrested. The State Cabinet granted 2000 pounds towards the cost of Anzac House as a headquarters for the retired soldiers’ association. The Municipal Baths broke from their moorings and floated downstream during winter — the baths had become dislocated and the top hamper proceeded the pontoons on the trip down the Murray to Mildura. The loss will not be very great to the municipality as the bathing centre had out seen its usefulness and the only value was in the timber and iron that they was constructed from.
75 YEARS AGO
ROWING CLUB: The Mildura Rowing Club will resume normal prewar activities. Each weekend, working bees repair boats and restore the previous spick and span conditions.
COWS: The Mildura Shire health inspector (Mr A.D. Harvey) said that the TB testing of cows throughout Sunraysia has concluded. Over 100 animals were tested and this was considered a very satisfactory campaign.
TRACTION ENGINES: From time to time accounts of one or more of the original traction engines brought to Mildura in the early days of the settlement have been told. Some months ago one of these original engines, known as “the dragon”, was presented to the city council as a historic memorial. It is suggested that when it is renovated it should be mounted on the lawn in front of the Grand Hotel.
SANDILONG PARK: During recent Sundays the number of picnickers at Sandilong Park has increased as the weather became warmer. It is a favourite swimming and recreation spot.
50 YEARS AGO
FOOTBALL: In a wonderful finish to the 1970 season, South Mildura won the SFL grand final. It’s now three premierships in a row to South and it’s a record that won’t be broken for a long time. Although the Bulldogs won, Robinvale must be also congratulated for the game they turned on. There was just enough fire in play to bring spectators to their feet.
CAMPS: The first of eight Lake Cullulleraine camps for primary school children in the Mildura region will begin. About 600 children from 36 schools will attend this year’s camps. The camps began four years ago when Mildura Central School sent children to Lake Cullulleraine for a week. Soon, other schools joined in, and now children from every school from Beulah to Meringur attend.
25 YEARS AGO
MILDARA BLASS: The Mildara Blass distillery at Merbein has been added to the Historic Building Council register. Founded by William Benjamin Chaffey, the Mildara Blass Distillery consists of a distillery, boiler house, brandy store, and cask store of concrete, timber and corrugated iron, and a concrete water tower – all constructed in 1913. HBC chair, Dr Jan Penney, said council registration not only carried with it the status of statewide heritage significance, but meant the distillery was now legally protected, ensuring that it will survive for future generations to appreciate.
MEMBER FOR MILDURA: Mildura police officer Russell Savage yesterday officially announced his intention to seek a seat in State Parliament as Member for Mildura – and as an independent. Mr Savage, 47, who is married to Mildura general practitioner Dr Gaie Barnes, is a former president of the Mildura Shire Council. He is presently the officer in charge of the Mildura police station and has been a policeman for 25 years.
MAYOR: Don McKinnon was yesterday re-elected Wentworth Shire Council Mayor for a record fifth term as council settled down to its first meeting in new council chambers.
