Peeps Into The Past
3 to 9 September 2023
100 YEARS AGO
TRAINS: A deputation representing the Mildura Town and Shire Councils and the Mildura Traders Association waited upon Mr H W Clapp chairman of the Victorian Commissioners also Mr W Shannon, a Commissioner, at the Mildura Railway Station – statements were made regarding the dried fruits industry. The Shire President, Cr J Henshilwood said the first request was that an additional motor-train be run daily to Red Cliffs and a second one be installed for the Mildura suburban traffic. The second request was that the present motor train stop at Ginquam Ave between Irymple, about 70-chains from the Irymple Station and the present stopping place near Red Cliffs. The third request was that the lighting of the steam train to Red Cliffs on Saturday evenings be improved as sometimes there was no lighting in some compartments, also for better dining-rooms at Birchip.
BANK: Since the inauguration of the penny savings bank at the Mildura Central State School, and the Ninth Street adjunct school, an average of over 5 pounds per week has been banked by the pupils. A child may open an account as soon as he can sign his name and any sum from one penny to 5 shillings may be banked. Each child receives a passbook and money may be withdrawn at any time by calling into the bank with a passbook. Miss Margaret Byrne is in charge of the Savings Bank Department at the school. FACELIFT: Persons passing the Mildura Court have been wondering what improvements are being effected at its approach – the fence has been removed permanently and lawn is to be laid. As it is close to the cells, it is not likely that this spot will be frequented by undesirable persons.
BOOTS: Some conjecture has also been made as to the reason why a pair of old boots had been hung on the cord attached to the flag flying at the water tower. They may mean good luck to the happy couple that were married yesterday or refer to the visit of the Trinity Grammar School Boys as reference was made that the possibility of some of these boys getting married to Mildura girls the pair of boots may have been hung to the flag line as a good luck message in advance of the event.
75 YEARS AGO
ITEMS: Radiophone equipment that will enable station owners and outback settlers to ring telephone subscribers in any part of the world is now being tested in Broken Hill District. Representatives of over 30 Sunraysia organisations voted in favour of a resolution recommending the construction of weirs and locks 12, 13 and 14 on the Murray between Mildura and Euston. General-Motors Holden announced that their all-Australian car will be on the market in December, a story of over three years preparation. Mildura Chamber of Commerce expressed objection to a rest house which is being constructed in Seventh Street by the Railways Department as a rest place for Railway crews. It is unlikely that the Civil Aviation will allow aircraft to operate from the Old Mildura Aerodrome saying it could only be used as an authorised landing ground for light aircraft providing the conditions were safe. At cost of 40,000 pounds, Mildura’s fourth turbo-alternator, ordered by the Council in 1945 for the Electricity Department will arrive next month.
FOOTBALL: Lagging until the last 10 minutes, Merbein finished more strongly to defeat Irymple by 19 points, scoring 5.3 in the last quarter compared to Irymple’s one-point in the Grand Final of the Sunraysia Football League at the Recreation Reserve.
WALL: A brick wall 15ft high and over 80ft long was blown down at the Merbein branch of Mildura Winery Pty Ltd – part of a new wall that was being built – Mr W Chaffey said all the bricks would have to be cleaned before the construction of the building could go ahead.
SPORT: More than 2000 people at the Tourist Trophy Scramble conducted by Mildura and District Motorcycle Club at Johnson’s Bend were thrilled by some of the finest and fastest racing yet seen here. Surprise was 19-year-old former novice John Seymour riding a 250cc Velocette who gained 2 wins and 2 places. Dean Bone and Ab Pike left the post first Pike just keeping the lead after Bone nearly passed him several times in the All-Powers Championship. Bill Hood won the A Grade 40-mile road race conducted by Mildura Amateur Cycling Club for a trophy donated by Syd Mills – Hood’s time was 1 hr 51 minutes 57 sec.
50 YEARS AGO
RIVER: Many tourists here for the holidays have been disappointed that they cannot walk over to Lock Island – this is because the weir has been taken out due to the extreme high river. The river level yesterday was 22ft 4 ins or almost 117ft above sea level. Upstream of the Mildura Weir this is only five inches above average level but the downstream pool has risen by 12 ft since the weir has been taken out – all the weirs along the river have been taken out due to severe flooding at Albury and rain – there are now 3 floods moving down the river.
GROUPS: Sunraysia will soon be without its Highland Band as there is a lack of interest. Since 1922, the Band had always played at the Agricultural Show and at every Anzac Day Service since the war. Last New Years Eve was the first for more than 20 years that the Band had not taken part in the New Year’s festivities.
SHOOTING: Shooters from all over Australia took part in the clay target championships at Mildura – vying for the Victorian Universal Trench Championship, the Commonwealth Night Skeet Championship, won by R Wakefield scoring 41-50, finally the Club 100 Target DTL (Down-The-Line) Championship.
ICE MAN: When George Virgona’s doctor advised him to move to a warmer climate he chose Mildura and opened a fruit shop in Eighth Street and when necessary stored his produce in a chilling room at Mildura Ice Works. Soon that was not big enough so George purchased the Ice Works in 1919. In those days household refrigerators were unheard of and the ice works increased as 12 trucks were used to deliver 200 tons of ice each summer – 15 tons of ice per day. To the average man it’s simple, put two 20 cent coins in the slot and out pops your ice already crushed and bagged – it takes 12 minutes to fill a bag by the machine from water to crushed ice. After 53 years of supplying ice-cream, ice, frozen foods and employment the name Virgona is well known.
25 YEARS AGO
NEWS: Mildura Rural City Council endorsed a re-development master plan for the Mildura Arts Centre which is to be turned into a major performing arts venue. The five-year plan will include a 500-seat theatre with the flexibility to cater for a smaller audience, the inclusion of a disabled access to all galleries.
CYCLING: The 1999 cycling “Tour of Sunraysia” could well start and finish in Merbein as the spectator’s support for Saturday’s criterium and stage from Merbein to Wentworth was outstanding. They did it well – it was like a gathering of the community and a small band of organisers did an exceptional job said Cr Warhurst. The Tour is now three years old and was the biggest domestic road race in Australia and second behind only the Herald-Sun and Commonwealth Bank Tours.
TRACTORS: Organisers of the inaugural Lizzie Vintage Tractor Festival were blown away with the success as more than 200 tractors took part in the grand parade. Tractors were entered from as far away as Frankston, Portland, Wagga Wagga, Nhill and Naracoorte. Almost 30 Land Rovers took part – there was a tractor pull, tractor games, continuous tilt board and ploughing events and formation of the logos ABC, Case International and Land Rover. Ian Keens from Nangiloc entered 10 tractors – the oldest driver was Jack Cook, 90 from Red Cliffs.
CARER: To hear the laughter and see the sparkle of happiness in a child’s eyes is for any parent rewarding enough but for a foster carer in Mildura these experiences leave her positive about her decision to care for children said Sharon, a newly registered care-giver. A campaign was launched in an attempt to seek more care-givers for children who are unable to reside with their parents, for varying reasons. The campaign targeted people interested in boys aged 8 to 12 year who displayed challenging behaviours and Sharon who is in her mid-50s, single and on a pension thought she would not be considered as suitable – this proved to be a myth.
