100 Years ago
MEMORIAL: Throughout New South Wales schools an effort has been made to raise a memorial statue to the late Mr Henry Lawson, Australia’s patriot and poet. The children of Gol Gol contributed their share which had been raised by daily sales of sweets and a penny concert at Mrs Richardson’s residence. As a result, over 5 pounds has been forwarded to the Lawson Fund. As an incentive, the publisher of Lawson’s works have agreed to donate one of his 11 publications for every pound raised and 20 specially illustrated volumes have been set aside as prizes for schools of the same classification as the Gol Gol School.
BURNT: Another dehydrator was burned last night. The fire bell rang at about 6 o’clock and the fire brigade turned out, but when it was found to be outside the town area, the fire motor returned to the station. The fire was at the property of Mrs Arnold on the corner of Eleventh Street and Sandalong Avenue. A larger shed containing half a ton of fruit was burned to the ground. A crowd of spectators gathered and willing hands helped stop the fire from spreading to the house. No water could be obtained from the mains – water was got from an underground tank and two iron tanks by buckets.
COLLEGE: Many growers in Mildura are lease-holders of what are generally known as college blocks. Some mouthing complaints were made by some of these growers that as their lease was expiring they were called up to decide whether they would abandon their blocks, and thus lose the improvements they had put into them, or renew their leases and pay what they considered an enormously high rental.
75 years ago
BALL: A crowd of more than 600 watched the presentation of 10 debutantes at the Merbein Diggers Ball in the Ozone Theatre, Merbein. Debutantes presented to Mrs N Barclay and Mrs C McNally were Misses Gwen Storer, Ruth Storer, Dulcie Brown, Norma Beitzel, Beryl Whitford, Joan Davis, Phyllis Brown, Evelyn Knight, Dawn Woodberry and Gwenda Griffiths. The debutantes were trained by Mrs Melschell, they danced the Pride of Erin with their partners and were preceded by little Sandra Zaetta as flower girl.
LIBRARY: Expressing the wish that the Mildura Carnegie Library would be of even greater benefit to Mildura than before, the Mayor, Cr G Leigh Penreath, re-opened the library which had been closed for more than three months. During that time, extensive alterations and many new books were bought and classified. Tributes to the work of Mrs Parker, librarian for many years; Mrs Goldring, children’s librarian; and Miss Coral Pavelach, assistant librarian, were made.
SCHOOL: Children enrolled for admission to Mildura West School next month cannot be received until an additional classroom is ready a few weeks from now. The headmaster Mr W Pascall said about 30 children approaching the age of six years were awaiting admission. The department had been requested to construct a new brick and tile wing containing three rooms.
50 years ago
TRAIN: Mildura Jaycees over the weekend used gallons of primer paint on the Old K Class Locomotive at the Cureton Avenue site which they are developing as a children’s playground. The engine has been scraped clean of grime built up over years and now sports a coat of primer.
SHOES: The Mildura footwear business of Shoeper Market announced its annual list of donations that will benefit 14 district organisations, who will watch receive $100 as thank you for the local support through the year.
PICTURE: Patrons of the Mildura Crossroads Drive-in will see a much clearer and brighter picture from now on. The drive-in has been closed for three nights – the longest it has ever been closed said the manager, Mr Len Nulty. Projector operator Mr Chris Mitchell said it uses bigger spools of film that only have to be changed once an hour – previously it was every 20 minutes.
25 years ago
MIGRANTS: It seems that in recent times multiculturalism has worn the brunt of unfavourable criticism, deep resentment and hostile feelings. Multiculturalism is a coming together of many national cultures through immigration. These cultures have brought into this country a myriad of diverse foods, festivals, music and numerous interesting things making this nation the colourful and vibrant country it is today. In a way we are all migrants here.
THEFT: On an average there are about three cars stolen every week in Mildura, according to car theft figures provided by Mildura police for the past 12 months. One hundred and forty-seven were stolen during the past financial year, 26 more than the same time last year. On the list were 46 Fords and 38 Holdens, indicating the two major Australian makes remain the most popular among thieves. Of the stolen cars, 28 had not been recovered.
PADDLEBOATS: The Paddle Steamer Melbourne has undergone a range of renovations over the past three weeks, including the addition of paddlewheel windows, airconditioning and a kitchen upgrade. The acquisition of a 20-horsepower steam engine has brought the restoration of the PS Ruby at Wentworth a vital step closer. Cr R McKenzie, through luck and goodwill, contacted a Sydney-based collector who sold the engine for a heavily discounted price – the engine, in excellent condition, ended its days at a sawmill in the Blue Mountains.
