Vinelander makes 500th journey

100 years ago

RED CLIFFS – A meeting of settlers in the north western portion of the Red Cliffs settlement was held at the residence of Mr Dickson of Block 601. Mr G Palmer who had conveyed the meeting said he had done so at the request of settlers who were handicapped by the journeying of four and a half miles for provisions and mail at Red Cliffs. They asked that a township to serve the west be built, and a school to service the north west area of Red Cliffs. (7.3.1924)

FREAK PIG – Mr W Hughes of Block 190, Red Cliffs, brought to the township a freak pig that had been littered overnight. It lived for only a few hours, was found with one eye in the middle of its forehead, a trunk-like growth above its eye and its feet had upturned claws instead of trotters. (6.3.1924)

PHONE ISSUES – Numerous complaints have been requested by residents at the Red Cliffs, Merbein and Irymple residents on the Victorian side of the Murray River and by settlers at Wentworth and Curlwaa that delays frequently occur in connection with telephone communications. They are sometimes forced to wait for connection to the exchange on the other side of the river, another telephone line needs to be added. Merbein and Irymple exchanges have their calls to Wentworth put through the Mildura exchange. (7.3.1924)

75 years ago

RAAF – With at least 20 recruits from this area, response to the call for new airmen conducted by the RAAF Southern Area Mobile Recruiting Unit has been successful, said Squadron-Leader A R Campbell. A large percentage of recruits were taken from men who came to the district for the harvest. Following preliminary trade tests and medical examinations recruits will go to Melbourne for final examinations. Of six major recruiting areas in Victoria, more men from Mildura responded than any other city. (1.3.1949)

SPORTS – Ten school records were broken and one equalled at Mildura High School swimming sports at the City Baths. Chaffey House won, obtaining 130 points, Hopetoun and Deakin Houses were equal second with 84 each and Sturt fourth, with 55 points. About 100 spectators watched. At the Merbein swimming event Kurrajong won from Grevillea in the Merbein Higher Elementary swimming carnival with Wendy Spruce winning the girls championship and her brother Harry Spruce the boys championship. (3.3.1949)

SUPPLY – An ample supply pf tobacco should arrive for retailers supplying tobacco for the harvest labour. Pickers had been compelling that tobacco was in short supply – growers had been ordering more tobacco than usually required. It was said some retailers knew many growers were collecting tobacco for themselves and also giving tickets to local pickers making this year’s requirements much higher than last year’s quota. (4.3.1949)

50 years ago

HOUSE – Mildura’s largest block of land in Eleventh Street came under the auctioneer’s hammer. The 1 1/2 acre site had one of Mildura’s largest houses built on it – more than four times the average house size. It was built for the Anderson family. The bidding started at $45,000 and jumped in $2,500 lots – the solid brick mansion has a number of detached bungalows and outbuildings – most of the huge site is covered by gardens. (2.3.1974).

SUNSHINE – Our sunshine is consolidating Sunraysia’s economy at the rate of about $2 million a day as the sultana harvest continues under excellent conditions. Deliveries of dried saltines to district packing houses is already close to 5000 tonnes. Throughout the district sultana growers are shaking down racks of good quality fruit to make room for more and to keep ahead of the pickers. Two ladies, Mary and Zona are picking up to 950 buckets a day. They have picked together for eight years and said that men don’t seem to like bending when picking. (4.2.1974)

TRAIN – “The Vinelander” from Melbourne to Mildura on Monday March 18 will be making its 500th trip to Mildura. It will take 20 minutes off the trip’s usual time run going via Bacchus Marsh instead of Geelong. This is the most gratifying result and indicates the faith passengers have placed in the Railways’ judgement to upgrade the service. (4.3.1974)

25 years ago

LADIES – Merbein Senior Citizens gathered together at the Merbein Centre for the 90th birthday of three of their members. The birthday girls were Mattie Smith, who has lived in Merbein since 1949, Mildred Griffiths, who has lived here since 1923 and Glad Beitzel, who has been here since 1911. They all shared their cake. (1.3.1999)

ASPARAGUS – IRAAK asparagus grower Geoff Minter is currently assessing new techniques in food technology to father guarantee shell life for his Asparagus. He exported about 250 tonnes last year which is a 30 per cent increase on last season. He currently has about 100 acres (40 hectares) planted to asparagus, he also grows Persimmons, citrus and almonds with annual crops between the permanent plantings. (2.3.1999)

CLUB – A record profit and ever-increasing membership meant there was plenty of good news at the Mildura RSL Club. Club secretary, Mr K Archibald, said the $438,000 profit was up $100,000 on last year’s total and paved the way for the final stage of a five-year upgrade. There were 900 members in 1992, now it is up to 5000 members. (2.3.1999)