100 YEARS AGO
JOB HUNT: A large number of new arrivals are continually calling at the Mildura Australian Workers Union office looking for work and seem surprised when informed there is nothing doing. There is no reason for an influx just at present, as the fruit-picking season is fully three months ahead. These men appear to have been misinformed as to the true state of the labour market here. Many have come for harvesting work, under the impression that the wheat-growing is carried out in the Mildura district on a large scale.
FROST-FREE: A well-known settler on the Red Cliffs edge of Mildura notes that the more clearing that is done in the region about his block, the less he is troubled by frosts. Prior to the railway clearing being made, frosts were much more frequent and hard. The clearing of the Red Cliffs land also seems helpful. In these days, there is more circulation of air and less shut-in cold. There have been only two real frosts during the “critical period” in the past five years.
Messrs M and A Proposch (formerly well-known farmers of the Wimmera and Western district) are engaged in constructing a tank of 15,000 yds capacity at Merrinee (30 miles south-west from Mildura) for the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. The work will be finished in a few months’ time. The brothers, who have had much experience in farming, speak in high praise of much of the country, and state that it only requires a water supply to make it a sound farming proposition.
75 YEARS AGO
FLYING VEGIES: More than 1200 pounds of fresh tomatoes were sent on the 6.15pm ANA plane to Melbourne yesterday for sale in Launceston this morning. Included in the consignment was an experimental 50 pound case of asparagus. The asparagus was the first consignment to leave Mildura by air, and if it proves saleable in Tasmania, it will be sent in large quantities, said Mr N H Sallman, manager of ANA’s Mildura office yesterday. The great advantage in sending tomatoes and asparagus by air is the short transport time, added Mr Sallman. If these goods were sent any other way, they would be worthless when they reached Tasmania. The tomatoes will be on sale in Launceston at 9 o’clock this morning.
FASHION PARADE: Business girls seldom have the opportunity of viewing mannequin parades, which are so frequently staged on week-day afternoons. Then again, matrons who are able to attend parades are often shown frocks suitable only for the young and slim. It is planned to cater for both these sections at the Garden Party and Spring Fashion Parade to be held on the lawns of the Kathleen Kelly Kindergarten. The parade is being sponsored by the Dorothy Skewes Frock Salon, and all proceeds will aid the kindergarten. Local mannequins will parade on a raised platform erected on the lawns, and will display formal afternoon frocks, day frocks, casual and sports wear, evening frocks and bridal gowns, and frocks in larger fittings will be modelled.
AG SHOW: An estimated crowd of 14,000 streamed into Mildura Recreational Reserve on Saturday to see the first agricultural and horticultural show at Mildura for 25 years. Gatekeepers collected more than 1000 pounds, and in many cases were unable to cope with the large numbers of cars and visitors entering the ground. Conducted by Mildura District and Returned Servicemen’s Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the show established attendance records for the district.
50 YEARS AGO
HOMESTEAD: Work on the old Mildura Station Homestead can begin, thanks to a $20,000 State Government grant. The grant was announced in Mildura yesterday by the Minister for Tourism, Mr Byrne. Mr Byrne said the reconstruction of the original station homestead and its outbuildings would be carried out by Mildura City Council in association with the Mildura and District Historical Society. The site for the building is beside the River Murray in Cureton Avenue. Total cost of the project would be $80,000, he said. Mr Byrne said the history of Mildura Station went back to the first settlement in the area in 1947. The famous old homestead building was erected later. “The thriving irrigated garden growing at the homestead in the middle of a harsh drought confirmed George Chaffey’s vision of the suitability of the district for irrigation farming,” the minister continued. “The property was occupied by the Chaffeys for a period during the development of the watering scheme. It is most fitting that it will be re-erected on almost its original site.”
FARES RISES: Alterations to air fares between Mildura and Melbourne have been made following the announcement of an 11.5 per cent increase. Australia’s two domestic airlines, TAA and Ansett Airlines, announced the average fare increases this week. The new single fare to Melbourne is $26.60. The return fare has increased from less than $50 to $53.20.
CARP THREAT: European Carp could completely take over the Murray River in 20 years. Fisheries and Wildlife Inspector at Mildura Mr W Kelly has said there would hardly be a native fish remaining by then because of the carp. He said they killed plant life and interfered with the spawning grounds of native fish. But an inspector with NSW Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Mr J Triffitt, of Buronga, said the carp was not a major problem. It was foolish to think they would take over because there was no proof, he said.25 YEARS AGO
SLICE OF LIFE: Ouyen is today the vanilla slice capital of the world. A total of 159 entries have been received for The Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph. As well as extensive local media coverage of today’s event, “In Melbourne Tonight,” the “Today Show” and Channel 7 will be incorporating highlights of the day into their programs. Both ABC Radio and 3AW have organised to hold outside broadcasts in the main street of Ouyen, Oke Street, throughout this morning’s events. Metropolitan newspapers and outlets will also provide coverage of the event.
PONTOON BAN: Wentworth Shire Council this week voted against allowing a floating pontoon downstream of the Chaffey Bridge at Buronga, even though the pontoon has been there for years. The pontoon is attached to Cafe Cappuccino, which is moored at a public recreation reserve, and operates as an “extra recreation area”. Although the owner has approval to operate the cafe, the pontoon has never been approved and is in contravention of current legislation. Legislation introduced in 1994 prohibits tourist related facilities in or on the river.
TORCH RELAY: Member for Mildura Russell Savage yesterday described as “rather unfortunate” the possibility of Mildura being overlooked for the torch route of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The Herald Sun newspaper claimed sources had indicated that the torch would enter Victoria through Mt Gambier, en route to Hamilton. The report claimed that the torch would spend much of its time in southern Victoria including two-and-half days in Melbourne. Mr Savage yesterday said that while he was not privy to “inside information” about the official torch route, “I would like to think that it will come through the most northern part of Victoria”. “There is nothing wrong with promoting your own region and this would be an ideal way to do that.”
