25 June to 1 July 2023
100 YEARS AGO:
GUIDES: Miss Robinson, from the headquarters of the Girl Guides Association, gave an address on the aims of the Guides and about the work and privileges that fell to the guides. They were not “toy soldiers” as some supposed but a big family of sisters with common aims and interests. The name “Guides” was given after the men that guarded the North-West frontier from unexpected attacks of savage tribes – they had to be prepared always. There was no wishing for help – be prepared to lend a hand. At the formal enrolment of Guides and Guiders at the Wonderland Theatre under the Union Jack, Miss Robinson received the promise of each newly admitted member, given at the half-salute. Each guide was then given the special hand clasp with the left hand – saluted the flag then joined her company. There were 10 ladies enrolled as Guiders and 10 as Patrol leaders – a Brownie Pack was also formed.
RED CLIFFS: Over a year ago, the Red Cliffs Association on behalf of the settlement applied to the War Museum for a gun or trench mortar captured by the AIF in the Great War. With a reply of none available, as all were distributed or on offer to other centres and since the first letter was drafted, an offer from the Commonwealth Government stating that a number of 15-pounder guns for distribution was received and now is available for Red Cliffs if the freight of the 1-ton gun is paid by the Association or Red Cliffs from Queenscliff where it is stored. It was used in South Africa and will not have the same sentimental value to the Red Cliffs residents. The letter will be considered at the next meeting.
MERBEIN: At a meeting of the Merbein Ratepayers, reports on a suitable site for the construction of a landing stage on the river close to the township as a river port. A site near the distillery but at this stage there are two fallen trees in the river there to be taken out before the river rises any bigger. Just past the pumps there is a good place that’s available in high or low river – some filling would be needed to make a road to the place. Owing to the different rate charged by the Victorian Railways, it would be cheaper to get goods from Adelaide by river than by rail from Melbourne.
75 YEARS AGO:
OVERSEAS: The Russians have announced the cessation of all railway supplies and power to the western sector of Berlin following the decision by the British military to introduce the Deutsch Mark in 3 western sectors of Berlin as currency reform measures. A gathering of 50,000 Berliners in the French sector of Germany shouted, “God save us from Russian aggression” as tension grew in the “currency war”. Irish rider Artie Bell won, at an average speed of nearly 85mph, the Senior Tourist Trophy motorcycle race on the Isle of Man. Increasing numbers of overseas cars are being given a tough underbody “skin” of rubber and asbestos or a similar compound to soundproof the vehicle and protest the metal against corrosion. Recently salvaged from the River Thames, England, 20 cars were sold for as much as 75 per cent more than if they would have bought if new. A Humber Snipe listed by makers at 1054 pounds sold for 1680 pounds.
LOCAL NEWS: One of the first women to come to Mildura, in 1890 Mrs E Hansen, 96, passed away. Her husband started a carrying business and opened a livery stable here. Three graveside services were conducted at the Mildura Cemetery for Mr Charles Lowden, a pioneer, following a mile-long cortege led by the Salvation Army. The Mildura Lodge of the Masons led the cortege at the cemetery. Each member placed an evergreen leaf in the open grave. The drawing up of a “site” plan for a new Town Hall, civic buildings, sporting grounds and residential area was agreed by the City Council. A Harvest Festival on the lines suggested by Sunraysia Daily’s Good Morning, is planned by a sub-committee of Red Cliffs RSL, one that would be remembered for the rest of everyone’s lives. A 42-year-old English immigrant hopes to find a partner in Sunraysia and manufacture portable bungalows to help the housing problem. Between 50 to 80 men will be employed at the plaster of Paris and slab wall factory at Rocky Point, near Chaffey’s Bend.
POST WAR: Huts from the former Japanese POW camp at Hay, NSW, which have been re-designed, are being erected at Coomealla as homes for administration personnel of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission. There are 36 men in the camp, expected to increase to 200. The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission is obtaining 18 pre-fab, five-roomed, three-bedroom houses for members of its staff. The recently launched, Red Cliffs scheme for the sponsoring of British ex-servicemen as immigrants has received excellent response. A special petrol allowance was granted in Mildura for a Victorian car to travel to Brisbane and return with an ex-serviceman suffering from war disabilities.
50 YEARS AGO:
ITEMS: Red Cliffs Co-operative Packing Company’s longest serving employee, Mr Hugh Forrest, retired after 46 years – he joined in 1926 – it was stated that the company was proud to have a man of such calibre on the staff.
While most Mildura people were trying to get warm and keep dry, diver Jim Forbes, of Port Macquarie, NSW, was swimming along the bottom of the Murray River examining the concrete supports of the Mildura Bridge by removing slime and muck to check for weaknesses.The Minister for Education, Mr Beazley, has offered a grant to Mildura Sacred Heart Primary to build a new school in 14th Street due to overcrowding. Paddy Hogg is sick of local vandals, his tourist boat’s expensive plate glass windows have repeatedly been smashed and sand put in the motor. Vandals have twice wrecked the Merbein Apexians development of the Merbein Sandbar’s concrete and wood picnic sets and bins.
LADIES: In 1950, Mrs N Haenan, with her husband and three children came from Holland to live in Mildura. Flowers were always of great interest to Nellie and here she joined the Mildura Floricultural Society and the Art Floral Group. She attended three judges’ schools in Adelaide and one in Melbourne, entering all shows, winning many prizes, making floral gifts for friends then finally turning it into a business. After 24 years in the food business, Miss Marjorie Powell has decided to relax after working in Shillidays Store, operating a coffee lounge in Langtree Ave and Bowrings store. At the Inner Wheel Club’s ninth annual meeting and change-over, the President Mrs N McCormick handed her chain of office to Mrs P Russell. 25 YEARS AGO
PEOPLE: Over 100 Freemasons joined distinguished guests and wives at a ceremony and banquet when Kevin McKee was installed as Master of the Mark Lodge in Mildura. Mr Ian Ramsay decided to sell his Chemist and Camera House business that has been in the family since 1927. Residents of Bronte Park Estate, Mildura, are the first to experience Central Mail Boxes in the district, modelled on the original Mildura Post Office boxes which provide safe and efficient access. The postie has access from a side door. A crowd of over 3000 people attended the Mildura International Balloon Fiesta’s night at Number 1 Oval which featured a parade and balloon ride prizes. The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens will receive $550,000 over the next 10 years, thus preserving its reputation as being unique among private and public gardens in Australia.
COLUMN 10: Desperate to be rid of the fox that been eating his chooks regularly, Kevin recruited the help of his son’s pack of proven hunting dogs. Kev and his son sat in the frosty night air until they heard the unmistakable sounds of the dastardly fox. The fox drew nearer and nearer then the dogs were released, within seconds the hounds let out a victory howl and began tearing their hapless victim to pieces. On went the spotlight and the bounty hunters watched in awe as the murderous pack had destroyed Kevin’s old faithful scarecrow.
GROUPS: Wentworth will be stepping back in time on July 11 when its third Junction Rally features over 150 engines in all shapes and sizes, a brick making machine, wood loading and rope throwing events and a fairy parade.
A Sunraysia Veterans official is urging all district residents who have seen service between 1945 and 1965 to come forward and claim medal entitlements and have their achievements recognized formerly. The Sunraysia Support Employment Service needs between 30,000 and 50,000 one and two litre milk or juice cartons for its enterprise to help meet an enormous demand for young vine protection guards. When Heather Lawrence retired after 17 years of caring for the frail and those with disabilities in Robinvale, she said she would miss her oldies, that they have so much to teach us and we need to also be good listeners as bureaucratic systems do not always meet client’s demands.
