PEEPS IN THE PAST
March 13-19, 2022
Presented by Mildura & District Historical Society
Compiled by Ann Ziguras for Mildura Rural City Council Service
100 YEARS AGO
CURLWAA WAR MEMORIAL: The unveiling ceremony of the Curlwaa War Memorial took place on Sunday afternoon with the memorial situated near the crossroads.
DEATHS: Mr J. Garden, secretary of the Trades and Labour Council Sydney, in a statement he issued today declared the bombing of the trades hall is viewed with horror by the workers. The manager of the Coogee surf-sheds said today that eleven eyewitnesses of the last Coogee shark fatality have sent him statements. The number of deaths due to the Dudley explosion, when the munition factory blew up, is now 15 when two more of the girl sufferers have died. The cause of the explosion is still unknown
NEWS: In the House of Commons today, Lord Robert Cecil secured leave, by 208 votes to 60, to introduce a bill extending the suffrage of women. Early this morning one of the biggest fires in the history of the district was discovered in the largest store in the town, that of S. Major Ltd.
ST PATRICK’S BALL: St Patrick’s Day ball will be held in Irymple Public Hall tomorrow night. A special bus will leave Red Cliffs at 8 o’clock for Irymple by way of Cardross. The last bus to Mildura from the ball will be at 1am. The ladies’ committee in charge of the buffet supper arrangements is making a special effort. Music will be supplied by the Victory Orchestra.
75 YEARS AGO
WAR ISSUES: The Returned Serviceman’s League has been advised by cable from Viscount Montgomery that when he visits Australia in July he will meet the League’s Federal Executive. Australian prisoners of war held by the Japanese will not receive a subsistence allowance of 3/- a day to compensate them for the loss of rations or difficulties experienced in feeding themselves while prisoners. The Minister for the Army (Mr Chambers) announced this in the House of Representatives today. The Salvation Army is banned in Germany. Control authorities, as a result of Russian complaints, who have refused the Salvation Army permission to carry on evangelical work in Germany, states the Berlin correspondent of Reuter. He said that the Salvation Army was a “quasi-military organisation”. Its members wore military uniform and it contributed to the development of military traditions.
SPORT: Four cricket teams have made history by finishing level on points. India’s cricket team for the Australian tour is expected to be announced this month, says Reuter’s. The selectors are at present facing many problems, for fielding generally is still deplorably weak and there are few first-class spin and pace bowlers. No world-class wicketkeeper as yet has been found. Don Bradman gave a brilliant performance by scoring a superb 207 in Kensington’s innings of 9/315 against West Torrens on Saturday, and his batsmanship won a first innings victory for his side in the match, which was a district semi-final, two minutes before stumps. Football matches in 1947 Sunraysia football season will commence on April 26, a week earlier than last year. A senior and junior team will be fielded by Mildura branch of the Melbourne University. These matters were decided at Wednesday night’s meeting of delegates of Sunraysia Football League. To clarify the position as to whether the University could compete in the League, Mr Meredith, Sub-Dean of Mildura, said it would be quite in order. He said the branch would be pleased to field two teams in the district competition. A mixed competition will be played at the Merbein greens on Saturday night for trophies donated by Mr and Mrs G. Goodie. Because of the rain, no play took place on Wednesday night. Hunters are expected to be out in force this morning for the start of duck season, despite indications duck numbers are down on last year. Year 12 students from Mildura Senior College had an enjoyable introduction to scuba diving this week as part of their outdoor education class.
50 YEARS AGO
SPORT: A former Mildura boy recently competed in the Queensland state titles with a lot of success. Craig Cameron, 9, finished second in the State titles for nippers in the “Wade” event. Nippers is a junior form of lifesavers. The “Wade” is an event where competitors run through the surf for about 50 yards and then back up the beach for a short sprint. Craig is the son of Mr and Mrs Ken Cameron. Mrs Cameron, formerly of Mildura, is now living at Caloundra, Queensland. Craig also competed in the finals of the 70 metres sprint. The state titles were staged at Yeppoon, about 30 miles from Rockhampton. A devastating display of basketball by Margaret Bell of Buronga paved the way for an upset 58-55 win over Robinvale in the Woman’s A Grade grand final at the stadium last night. It was Robinvale’s first defeat of the season. Bell dominated play and threw a total of 37 points. For Robinvale none tried harder than captain-coach Raylene Parke, who threw 27 points. But Parke tried to do too much. Instead of getting set under the basket for a rebound or pass she persisted in dribbling the ball down the court. Buronga surprised Robinvale from the start and went away to a 11-point lead in the first 13 minutes. Pam Bailey guarded fiercely and drew hoots from Robinvale supporters. Her style of play had Robinvale ruffled as Bell kept up an endless stream of baskets.
SNAKES: An advertisement in Sunraysia Daily appeared yesterday under “wanted to sell” giving details of a fit and healthy carpet snake being offered for $4. Ruling price for carpet snakes is $2 a foot! First reply on the advertisement came at 7.40am from a woman who said her son was a school teacher at Murrayville and was seeking a carpet snake for the school’s nature studies. Another three calls came within the next half-hour, and two others were made by 1pm. Another two followed before 8pm. A man who already has a carpet snake wanted the little one as a mate for it. A farmer needs a carpet snake to keep mice down in his haystack. Another from Nhill wanted one to combat his mice in his barn. A boy who wants a carpet snake for a pet wanted this one now because Mum and Dad were away and he would have a better chance of being able to keep it if he settled it in before they came home. The snake will go to Murrayville Consolidated School. It will be studied there by children who will note its habits and growth. The snake will replace one already at the school but on temporary loan after coming under misfavour for having eaten a kitten! Yesterday was snake day for Mr George Kristonis. Mr Kristonis rented a house in Mildura where a snake strangled itself up a tree. It was not noticed until the smell became so strong people went looking for the source and the dead reptile was found by a neighbour. As well as finding the dead snake Mr Kristonis nearly stood on a brown snake at the Nichol’s Point property where he works. Mr Kristonis yesterday was on his way to collect his weekly pay when he and the snake came face to face. The snake went one way and he went the other. A cup of strong coffee restored the tissues for a man who dislikes snakes.
25 YEARS AGO
EVENTS: More than 3000 fans let loose to the thunderous voice of leading Australian performer Jimmy Barnes at Mildura’s City Oval on Thursday night. Part of Barnes’ repertoire were a number of songs from his days with the band Cold Chisel. Police said the crowd was well behaved, with only five arrests. St Patrick’s Day will be celebrated early today by the Irish & Friends Session in the club lounge of the Grand Hotel. The passenger-side air bag has been introduced by Porsche. At least 11 paddleboats will race on the Murray River at Mildura in September in what is being billed as Australia’s great paddleboat race. The paddleboats, some well over 100 years old, will race for a prestigious challenge cup. A member of the committee organising the event, Richard Tucker, of Irymple Rotary Club, said the race would echo the great era of paddleboats on the Murray. The challenge cup is presently held by the Mildura paddle vessel Rothbury. However, Mr Tucker said never before had so many riverboats challenged for the cup. Skye Wilkie is one of the first young singers from the country to be chosen as Skye and Jill Davy, both from Mildura, will both take part in a two-week tour of Canada and perform with the choir in Edmonton and Calgary, part of the prestigious Choral Institute Melbourne Choir. The duo, who depart Melbourne on June 28, can look forward to a varied itinerary which, in addition to six performances, includes Canada Day celebrations, the Calgary Stampede and Rodeo, the Royal Tyrell Museum and a gondola ride. After completing her VCE last year, Skye is working hard this year to save up money for university next year and realised the 17-year-old’s talent long before many. “Skye is a marvellous pop singer and I could see her doing modern ballads and musicals,” and to develop her Grade 7 singing level. Music teacher, Shirley Bowie, has taught Skye for 10 years. “She is Greek and I think there is a certain sound running in her blood.” Mrs Bowie said Skye was picked for the choir last August when exams were held tin Mildura for the Australian Musical Examination Board. Skye said she was excited at the prospect of travelling overseas to perform and would spend the following months learning the German, French and Latin songs. Her ultimate fantasy in the world of singing would be to emulate the success of artists, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. “They are my favourite singers and I would also like to perform modern ballad songs.”
CALICIVIRUS DISEASE: A detailed $245,000 study of the rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) is being conducted in the Hattah area to find the best management practices to maximise rabbit control using RCD on farms, forests and national parks. Project officer Peter Sandell said yesterday that intensive monitoring is being conducted at six sites, three of which are in national parks, two on agricultural land and one on a grazing licence. The Hattah project is one of 10 national sites being used under a national monitoring program,” Mr Sandell said.
BALLERINAS: A ballerina strolling along Deakin Avenue, Mildura, is not a common sight. But yesterday was an exception when two “ballerinas” were among about 50 locals who joined some 23,000 Australians to form a mass movement for a fairer world. They cycled, rollerbladed, skateboarded and walked against want in 102 towns and cities. Close to half a million sponsors backed them, raising an estimated $1 million for Community Aid Abroad’s work with some of the poorest communities in 30 countries, including Aboriginal Australia. The local Walk Against Want began at the Mildura Centre Plaza at 9.30am yesterday. Local walk co-ordinator Andrew McGrath said it was good to see a cross-section of people participating in this year’s fundraiser. “We had a lot of kids, students and young families. The people who did it seemed to enjoy themselves. It was great weather for it too.” Apart from people in conventional walking attire, there were also a couple of ballerinas taking part yesterday as well as some people donning rather prominent head gear. Signatories of the Global Charter include the Dalai Lama, fellow Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta, authors Elizabeth Jolley and Thomas Keneally, singers Kate Ceberano and Peter Garrett, actors Rachel Griffiths and Rob Sitch, basketballer Andrew Gaze and journalists Jana Wendt and Phillip Adams.
