Compiled by Ann Ziguras and Sue Kelly for the Mildura Rural City Council Library Service.
100 YEARS AGO
TODAY’S SLOGAN: Today’s troubles provide tomorrow’s joys.
RAILWAYS: An advertisement in Saturday’s issue invites applications from lads between the ages of 14 and 17 years for employment as junior clerks, apprentices, porters and labourers in the Victorian Railways Department. The secretary for railways states that ambitious youths have unusual opportunities in the service to qualify for leading positions. The commissioners offer from time to time generous prizes and scholarships to successful apprentices employed at the workshops at Newport. The Victorian Railways Institute, which is subsidised by the Department, has trained many young men anxious to climb the ladder of promotion.
MEMORIAL CLOCK-TOWER: Arrangements are in hand in Mildura for the erection of the clock to go in the tower over the Carnegie Library. It is the same type as the clock over the Sydney railway station, which is considered to be one of the most up-to-date clocks in Australia. It is to have four faces and an hour bell. The Mildura Borough Council has instructed the architect (Mr L. I. Anderson) to draw up plans for the remodelling of the roof to keep the general appearance with the extended clock-tower. The installation of the clock was discussed at Thursday night’s meeting of the Borough Council. Amusement was caused when Cr R.M. Black asked, “an electric clock?” and the Town Clerk replied “yes”. Cr Black then said: “Then it means that if our power-plant fails any night, the clock stops. “Oh no,” replied the town clerk, “this clock has its own electric plant and goes on its own”, at which all the councillors laughed loudly.
REGAL VISITS: The Premier of New South Wales, John Storey, has had an hour’s talk with the King in London on Saturday. Mr Storey expressed gratification at his son’s reception in Australia and pleasure at Mr Storey’s arrangements in New South Wales for the Prince’s visit. During an hour’s conversation His Majesty discoursed on Australian topics, recalling many personalities and incidents connected with his own tour as Prince of Wales.
NEWS: The liner Grampians, which was undergoing repairs at Antwerp, sank alongside the wharf as a result of a fire, in which one seaman was burned to death. In connection with the proposed return of Dr Mannix to Australia, it was learned this evening that, provided the Archbishop was not responsible for further objectionable actions, no obstacle would be placed in the way of his return.
Two famous Russians are to tour Australia. Jascha Heifetz, the world’s greatest violinist, has arranged to tour Australia commencing in May next. He was long known in Russia and northern Europe before his reputation had penetrated lo English-speaking lands. He had to escape from Russia at the beginning of the Bolshevik trouble. The boy was horn in Vilna, the centre of disturbance between the Poles and the Bolsheviks recently, and had his first violin at three years old. A little later he received lessons from his father and when five, he was accepted for serious instruction at the Royal College of Music at Vilna. In another 12 months he gave a recital before an astounded audience and had mastered the Mendelssohn Concerto. At the age of nine he had the honour of playing with the Pavlov Symphony Orchestra before an audience of five thousand persons. Another great musical attraction in Australia during the next few months will be the brilliant Russian pianist, Mischa Levitzki. He arrives here about May or June and great public interest has been centred in his appearance. He first disclosed his qualities to United States audiences in soul-revealing recitals before immense audiences, which were alike charmed with his musicianship and his original interpretation. Levitzki probably ranks highest as an interpreter of Beethoven. He created a furore toward the end of last year in New York by playing a complete Beethoven recital at the Carnegie Hall. Musical people In Australia, who do not receive many visits from the world’s great pianists, will be delighted to hear Levitzki and compare him with Heifetz.
In connection with the Easter hospital appeal, the Oddfellows are presenting to the Merbein public on Monday 21st a concert by the pick of the district artists. The leading performers of the opera Mikado, which packed the Mildura Town Hall for three consecutive performance evenings recently, figure on the programme and those of the Merbein music loving public that can appreciate a good musical feast should not miss this.
Sir Phillip Gibbs, the famous war correspondent, said today that it was only a matter of time before there would be another great European war. The world had not moved forward since the result of the recent conflict but was exactly where it was in 1914. He added that the Franco-Polish and other alliances indicated that European countries were concerning themselves with as much today with the balance of power as before the war.
75 YEARS AGO
TRAIN: For the first time, following cancellation during the war, the sleeping car was restored to the Mildura- Melbourne rail service. The car was fully booked.
TENNIS: A meeting will be held to consider the formation of tennis courts in St Andrew’s grounds, and to discuss the formation of a tennis club combining Presbyterian and Methodist young people.
SPORTS MEETING: Although weather conditions were unfavourable, the St Patrick’s Day sports meeting provided “a great day for the Irish”. A crowd of over 2000 were present, and a rough estimate of the profit was 150 pounds, which will go to the Roman Catholic Church, Mildura.
50 YEARS AGO
ANNIVERSARY: Mildura Auto Replacements celebrated its 40th anniversary after a long, proud history of automotive engineering service to the country area. The original company was registered in 1931, on March 5, by two brothers – Roy Austin Tiller and Norman Alfred Tiller. The company is still under the name of Tiller and managed by Mr Alan Tiller.
SUB-DIVISION: In a sub-division being developed now, 27 blocks on the river between Buronga and Gol Gol are being prepared.
25 YEARS AGO
SCHOOL: Irymple Primary School students spent yesterday dressed up in pioneer costume and taking part in “old-time” activities to celebrate the school’s 103rd birthday. The school’s curriculum for the day was replaced with group activities including hopscotch, making peg dolls, paper folding, quoits and tiddlywinks. Irymple Primary School began in 1908 in the Methodist Church building in Irymple and later moved to its present site.
ROY BURR: Former long-serving Mildura Mayor Roy Burr has been named Victoria’s Senior Citizen of the Year. Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett made the prestigious award to Mr Burr at a special ceremony held at Government House as part of Senior Citizens’ Week. Making the announcement, Mr Kennett praised the community work performed by Mr Burr, who is now a chief commissioner on the Swan Hill Rural City Council. Mr Kennett highlighted the Christmas lunch that Mr Burr has organised and held in Mildura for the past 15 years.
COURT: Mildura’s court building will leap into the age of technology in the Victorian court system with the introduction of video conferencing early next month. Court centres in Mildura and Moe, in central Gippsland, have been selected to take part in a six-month pilot program using video conferencing facilities, enabling direct interaction during hearings and trials with witnesses, judges and legal practitioners throughout Australia.
