Presented by Mildura and District Historical Society and compiled by Judy Hyde for Mildura Rural City Council Libraries.
100 YEARS AGO
LETTER – Writing to an old friend in Mildura, Mr J T Grossman, so long well known to Mildura and district in his official capacity as inspector under the Vine Diseases Act, expressed a profound belief in the return to prosperity of the dried fruits areas. Every note of optimism in these days of temporary dark clouds is like a ray of sunshine and convictions of a return to prosperity by such a man as Mr Grossman should be an object lesson in the gloomy days.
SCHOOL – The presentation of a prize given by the ANA for the best kept school grounds in the inspectorate of Birchip was made to the Nichol’s Point School by the Senior Vice-President of the Victorian Board of Directors, Mr J Patterson. At the presentation were Mr J Lockhead (Chairman of the school committee), Mr A S Davy (correspondent), Mrs J Lockhead, Mrs T Wilkinson, Mrs Rawlings, Mr Crebbin, Head teacher, and his staff.
POST OFFICE – The contractor for the building of a postmaster’s residence at the rear of the Merbein Post Office is making good progress with the erection of the framework of the dwelling. Yesterday the work of fitting the walls into position was carefully completed. The fact that the dwelling is to be a wooden one is causing much comment among residents of the township, it being understood that Commercial Street and Railway Avenue on the corner of which the Post Office is erected had some time ago been dedicated a brick area by the Mildura Shire Council.
75 YEARS AGO
POOL – Merbein Swimming Pool is to be completely reconstructed at a cost of £3,000 which will include replanting a section of Kenny Park. Work on the pool will include a complete water filtration and purification plant, a children’s wading pool, diving boards of one, two and three metres high will be installed and the area of land around the pool doubled and planted with lawns, shade trees. General picnic amenities will also be installed. (21.7.1948)
RIVERFRONT – Mildura’s beautification scheme has gained another step by the Victorian Railways agreeing to lease the City Council land at a rental of one peppercorn annually if demanded. The land formerly used as a rubbish tip by Council runs between the Powerhouse and the Bowling Club. (23.7.1948)
CITY – Mildura could become the garden city of Victoria and greater interest should be taken by residents not only for next Spring, but in preparations for the royal visit of King George, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret next May. Mr P Malloch said not enough interest and pride was taken in gardening in Mildura by some and we could lead over Ballarat, now referred to as the garden city of Victoria. In Spring due to the climate and where Mildura is situated in the State, we have excellent opportunities to make colourful shows in our gardens. (23.7.1948)
50 YEARS AGO
MILK – Housewives who have a quart of milk delivered in Mildura are paying 18 cents a week more for it than what the same quantity can be bought for at the corner shop. If they get a pint delivered it’s an extra 6 cents a week, if the daily delivery is a pint they pay 1 cent more for it than what a pint of milk costs in the shop. But if the delivery made by the milkman is a quart that delivery jumps to 3 cents. The housewife on Sundays has to pay 6 cents more for a quart of milk than what a quart can be bought for at a shop. (23.7.1974)
BIKES – Mildura Post Office has taken possession of a new fleet of vehicles. The new vehicles are 13 red bicycles, all with carriers for mail. Other extras include thorn-proof tyres, bright paintwork, and comfortable saddles. The Posties say they are higher than the old ones – the delay was due to some parts having to be obtained from England. (25.7.1974)
CENTRE – Mildura City Council is pressing on with plans to have a Childcare Centre established in Mildura. Councillor Kaye Gambetta said the Council would have to present the Government with an in-depth survey into the need for one and an application for funds as soon as possible – it would be a marvellous asset for the City. (27.7.1974)
25 YEARS AGO
CHAIR – A former Mildura man could be sitting on a fortune with his ingenious sun protection chair called “The Shadee”. The epoxy-coated steel chair incorporates a Teflon mixture fabric which is UV and weather resistant. The lightweight chair and canopy fold out in one motion and after six years of hard slog the chair is ready to be launched worldwide and has projected sales of one million in the first year of its release. Mr Uchtman worked in Patterson’s Engineering, Mildura, he was motivated to design the sun protection chair after his wife Juanita (nee Retchford) developed a melanoma. She was a typical Mildura girl and spent too much time exposed to the sun while fishing, camping and yabbying. Mr Uchtman also designed the first mass produced mobile golf buggy. (21.7.1999)
SUCCESS – The PS Success may be remembered by those who lived through the 1956 Murray-Darling floods as “Noah’s Ark”, a vessel used to rescue stranded sheep from both rivers. The Rivers and Riverboat Historical Society had cause for double celebration with the official announcement that the Federal Government had granted funding of $12,463 and a major sponsor in the form of the Merbein Sawmills would receive close to $40,000 worth of select grade timber planking. The Merbein sawmills also donated all timber to the PS Ruby and will also donate to the Canally project. (22.7.1999)
STORE – A general store which has been an institution in Mildura for at least 75 years will cease trading. Dixon’s in Orange Avenue from its humble beginnings selling chaff developed into a trusted one-stop shop for produce, irrigation supplies and general merchandise. The entire business takes up 6 blocks, the rear section is believed to have been a blacksmith shop. Ben Burrows who has had a 47-year association with the business said old age is the main reason it is closing. The premises have never seen a forklift and some of the heavy bags weigh up to 65 kilograms. It is always a hive of activity on Saturdays when its usually standing room only in the produce section. (22.7.1999)
