PEEPS IN THE PAST
Presented by Mildura & District Historical Society. Compiled by Judi Hyde for Mildura Rural City Council Library Service.
100 YEARS AGO
FLAG: Elated by their success in compelling the display of the Union Jack at the Town Hall on Anzac Day, members of the Diggers’ Vigilance Committee state that they intend to try to compel recognition of the Empire’s colours in the May Day procession. When it was announced recently that the Red Flag would be carried, branches of the Returned Soldiers’ Leagues throughout the metropolis received many notices of motion to consider what steps should be taken to prevent this. Resolutions from several branches were sent to the central executive, asking that action on behalf of the soldiers as body should be taken. The executive ascertained, greatly to their astonishment that police permission to fly the Red Flag had been granted and nothing could be done. The league is now in a position that it cannot do anything. The Diggers’ Vigilante Committee then decided to ask individual returned soldiers to take action – their proposal is to move in a compacted body to the head of the procession carrying the Union Jack.
BAND: The Mildura Band can fairly claim that its history is a long one. At any rate there has been a band of sorts in Mildura since the first of her pilgrim fathers landed upon the Murray’s none-too-hospitable shores in 1887. Only a month after the Chaffey Brothers’ concession had been granted, the first six or seven settlers arrived at the future Mildura. One by one they tied up to the bank, unloaded their “swag” and set up their tents with the optimism that we, their fortunate successors, find it hard to believe. The half dozen, needing no doubt, something to keep their spirits up, proceeded to manufacture a set of wonderful and fearful instruments, made principally from kerosene tins and forthwith organized a merry if unharmonious orchestra to which, must be granted the honour of being Mildura’s real pioneer band. From all accounts, the bandsmen played their part nobly, contributed considerably to the community, and left behind them some pleasant memories. The first “official” Mildura band was formed in 1889 when the settlement was still in the throes of its initial bid for existence and the settlers with the characteristic gameness of land pioneers, determined to do all in their power to make the social life of the settlement tolerable, and to show that they had “come to stay”. They therefore established everything they could think of likely to contribute to this end – including a Brass Band.
NEWS: Mr Washington is making good progress with his new building. At the rear of his business there is one main slab of concrete work that, at an early date will contain the whole business. Mr F. Handasyde asked for permission to plant and fence ornamental trees at Birdwood. The application was granted, but the ratepayer is to be notified that the council reserves the right to ask for the removal of the fence at any time. The engineer was instructed to notify block-holders that have fenced in land outside their title boundary and are not using it for the purpose agreed upon, that the fence must be removed, and the land be allowed to revert to the council’s use. Mr L.W. Lilley is one of a little band of Americans that followed the Chaffey Bros from the Santa Fe river to the Murray. His family settled on the shores of Lake Ontario, his father a nurseryman and therefore had opportunity first-hand in the art and science of horticulture and trained as a telegraphist, but at 16 abandoned his study to cross the American continent from east to west with his father, who had decided to woo his fortune in California. Mr Lilley Jnr’s first acquaintance with pioneering work was at Etiwanda where he was employed by the Chaffeys, then at Riverside. He then went to Mexico to study a plant much like basket willow from whose bark a valuable substitute for silk is manufactured. In 1890 he decided to accept a contract with the Chaffey Bros and arrived in Mildura on 2/4/1890 and was put at once in charge of a gang of 25 men in the making of head-ditches, pegging out and digging holes on new settlers’ blocks. He resigned at the conclusion of the Chaffey contract despite the request from Lord Ranfurly to remain as his manager. He then took up a ten-acre block at the corner of Sandilong St and Seventeenth St which he planted with apricots and vines.
CARNIVAL: The Queen Carnival in aid of the Merbein Roman Catholic Church building fund, which has been in progress for some months, ended with the crowning of the winning queen. Two queens had entered – the Queen of Peace (Mrs Elaine Smythe) and the Queen of Sport (Miss Dolly Harvey) and supporters of both worked hard to raise funds. A large gathering was present at the Merbein Public Hall to witness the crowning ceremony organized by Mrs Brind. Mr E. Kenny acted as chairman in the absence of Father Ryan. Mrs E. Smythe was attired in white satin and was supported by Misses MacErvane and McCarthy her Maids of Honour attired in pale-coloured crepe-de-chine. Masters K. & A. Martin dressed in white satin with pale blue sashes acted as pages and Misses E. & I. Bennett dressed alike were train bearers. Miss Harvey was also attired in white satin with a long satin train as had her maids of honour, Misses Cumper and Doherty. Her pages Misses Thelma Tyers & Mona Harvey were dressed in white with emerald-green shoes. The train bearers were Misses Dora Considine and Tony Smith. The results were: Queen of Peace 27,021 votes, representing 114 pounds 5/6, Queen of Sport 21,026 votes 90 pounds 3/2, the Queen of Peace was conducted to the throne by the Lord High Chancellor and was duly crowned then robed by the Lady of the Robes and took her seat on the throne.
75 YEARS AGO
GREENS: Outlining the history of the Rio Vista bowling greens, famous throughout the Commonwealth, and known to players in New Zealand and other Dominions, the Town Clerk (Mr T. Nihill) gave some interesting points in connection with the selection and establishment of the site. Early in 1940 tentative plans were prepared to show what could be made of the high area of land opposite Rio Vista. The plans embodied proposals for tennis courts and croquet lawns in addition to bowling greens. Finance presented difficulties, but unemployment relief grants were frequent at that time so application was made for government assistance but was not successful so the council decided to use sustenance labour and its own funds and directed the preparation of the final plans and also conference with interested clubs in September 1940. Plans also included a swimming pool and shortly afterwards the Government came to hand with a 750 pound subsidy. Utilising all available council plant and 60 to 70 men rapid progress was made, clearing the blue bush and rubbish, underground drainage, water supply, plinths and sowing of the greens were completed late in April, the grass was growing by the first week in May. Fencing, rockeries, paths, hedges and shrubs followed with a government subsidy of 300 pounds. At present there are 16 Justices of the Peace in Mildura and they are all bowlers. Full costing also printed.
PLAN: The Mildura sub-branch of the Returned Serviceman’s League, Mr A. Rice, announced that plans were under way for the construction of new club rooms and buildings for the use of its 705 members, involving a possible expenditure of 15,000 pounds. During the quarter the secretary had received 114 applications for assistance from returned servicemen, mainly for help in finding rooms or homes.
PATHS: The City Council Works Committee will make an inspection of Deakin Ave with a view to the laying down of a path for the use of bicycles in the centre plantation from 10th St to the High School. The suggestion was made by Cr Etherington who said such a path would relieve the main roadways of much traffic and provide a safe path for cyclists.
50 YEARS AGO
MIGRANTS: The Federal Government announced that Australia’s migrant intake would be slashed by 30,000 next year. The Immigration Minister said the Government hoped to attract 140,000 migrants compared to 170,000 in 1970-71.
WAR: The Vietnam War would probably cause a greater proportion of “totally and permanently incapacitated” war veterans than any other war in which Australians have fought, the Federal Deputy Opposition Leader, Mr Bernard, said. In Vietnam great advances in medical science had saved many men who would have died in earlier years and American figures have shown that the weapons used in this war were more likely to cause disabling injuries than weapons used in other wars.
BIGGS: The Scotland Yard Flying Squad detectives have flown to Malta after a reliable tip that Ronald Biggs was on the Mediterranean holiday isle – it was claimed that he was spotted in a Maltese nightclub accompanied by a beautiful dark-haired woman.
25 YEARS AGO
WATER: Thousands of birds are flocking to the Great Anabranch of the Darling River and the Menindee Lakes as the water makes its way down to the Murray River. There were all sorts of birds including some that had not been seen for a long time and they are having a marvellous time and so many ducks, thousands of them. Unfortunately there are still European carp in the bigger holes and while the pelicans are having the time of their lives a lot are too big to eat. Due to widespread interest in the 49th anniversary of the 1956 floods the Murray Darling Association Region 4 has plans to offer its services to help co-ordinate activities particularly in Sunraysia to recognise the efforts of the community when the 1959 floods threatened to destroy the economic and social fabric of the region.
ITEMS: Scientists have begun to piece together the genetics of high blood pressure, or hypertension which affects one in five people in the industrial world saying that most cases are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including diet and salt intake as not everyone who eats salt develops high blood pressure. There is a new law firm in Mildura, Gallagher Holcroft Lawyers, who will be undertaking traditional areas of law including commercial law, conveyancing, probate, commercial litigation, personal injuries compensation and crime – the firm intends to be fully responsive to clients’ needs in all areas of the law. A printing mistake on scratch off lottery tickets in Italy has meant lots of lire for players uncovering a treasure trove of winners. More than 10 billion lire ($A7.9 million) has been paid out from a flood of prizes during the week in and around Bergame, about 100 kilometres from Milan. A Treasury Minister statement admitted an error by printers was responsible for the wave of winners.
