Presented by Mildura & District Historical Society and compiled by Mildura Rural City Council Libraries.
100 YEARS AGO: 1924
FLOCKIN: Nearly 3000 sheep from Mallee Cliffs passed through Mildura yesterday. They were entrained from Tailem Bend, which they will reach this morning, and thence they will be taken to “Nalpa” (South Australia), crossing the river at Wellington. Both of these stations belong to Mr A R Withers, who saw them trucked when passing through Mildura in his car yesterday. Some weeks ago, Mr Withers transported nearly 2000 sheep from his Mallee Cliffs station to “Nalpa” and he may do so again shortly, as he has better feed on his South Australian property.
OLD PRESSED: Mildura’s well-known Little olive oil factory in Deakin Avenue, run by Mr Walter Matthew and supervised by Mr Ley, is now in full swing for the olive-crushing season. The local olive crop is estimated at 16-tons, and about 1200 gallons of oil will be made. Mildura olive oil has a reputation second to none throughout the Commonwealth. Olives are, despite neglect of them, a good side line in Mildura. The price this season is nine pounds per ton.
ON TRACK: Yesterday the first truck load of coal was taken over the new light railway line from the siding north of the Red Cliffs railway station to the main pumps. As the locomotive for the line is not yet in hand, the string of trucks were drawn along the track by horses to the end of the completed section, a short distance from the main pumping station. It is expected that the locomotive will pull its first load over the new line tomorrow. The completed project in connection with the light railway provide for a system of storage bins at the siding and a mechanical unloader or “grab” at the pumping station.
75 YEARS AGO: 1949
YOU’RE KIDDING: It is possible that visits to children in Mildura Base Hospital will be banned in the future, Matron of the hospital (Matron R Wilson) said last night, commenting on an article in Sunraysia Daily yesterday. The article contained the views of two psychologists on children. “Visits by parents upset children,” she said. Matron Wilson said she could not see how children could be starved of affection during their stay in hospital, as suggested by one psychiatrist. “They are all so happy,” she said. “There is something happening around them all day to draw their attention and interest.” Commenting on a suggestion that doctors and nurses paid little attention to “good” children, who were possibly pining for their parents, Matron Wilson said that nurses in the children’s ward treated all the children the same.
BANG!: Mildura City Council last night granted permission to the trustees of Mildura Methodist Church to shoot “offending” pigeons on the church roof. Trustees of the church applied for permission to shoot the birds after being informed by police that there was no police control over the proposal and that the matter should be referred to council. When the application was read to Council last night, Councillor McKendrick asked: “What is an offending pigeon.” A voice said it could be stool pigeon while the Mayor said it was apparent that it was a pigeon that offended. Councillor Jenkins, said there would be no real danger in shooting the pigeons with a .410 or 12 gauge shot gun, and suggested that the application should be approved. Councillor Mansell asked who would be liable if persons were injured by falling pellets, “What goes up must come down,” he said, “and someone might be stung.” Councillor Linton said no harm could be done if shot no larger than No. 8 was used. It was agreed that this should be a stipulation of the approval.
BIG TIME: Miss Norma Farnsworth, who has been nominated for the Hollywood Star Quest by Wentworth Ozone Theatre, is one the six entrants in the quest. Other entrants are Mary Lindner, for Mildura Ozone Theatre, Dawn Stubbs, Merbein Ozone Theatre; Dorothy Adams, Red Cliffs Ozone Theatre; Iris Clarke, for the Eastor Theatre; and Elvie Hunter, for Gol Gol School Committee. The girl who raises the largest amount of money will be crowned Hollywood Star at the Movie Ball at the Old Mill next Tuesday.
50 YEARS AGO: 1974
WHEELY GOOD: A Robinvale firm wants to establish a roller skating rink in Mildura. Haultip Pty Ltd, of Latje Road, Robinvale, has applied to Mildura City Council to build a rink and administration block on a vacant site on the corner of 7th Street and Lime Avenue. The company would also like to include an off-street parking are in the complex. Council has advertised the firm’s application for a building permit, giving residents a chance to object to the plans if they want to.
SKILLED: When Mildura Technical School introduced girls to the panel beating section of the school’s trade courses some of the staff were sceptical. But now panel beating instructor Ray Allen has them eating their words. After six months of theory and practice the girls on the course can manufacture model mudguards from 20-guage automotive metal better than some of the men. Mr Allen has praised the fine workmanship shown by the girls throughout the model-making process.
WARMING: Mildura Amateur Swimming Club will support any moves to get a heated pool in the city area. Mr Middleton, Club secretary, said such a pool could be of great benefit to all swimming clubs in the district. A grant of $30,000 from the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation would be available towards its cost of construction. One Mildura businessman had promised $1000 a year for five years towards Mildura’s share of the cost if a heated pool were built here.
25 YEARS AGO: 1999
EFFORT: The Friends of Hattah are currently working to restore a unique part of local history. Formed in 1985 to help revegetate the 120,000-hectare Hattah-Kulkyne National Park – located about 70 kilometres south of Mildura – the group has recently taken on some other projects within its boundaries. Jim Moore, of the Friends of Hattah, said one of these projects was the restoration of a historic railway water point in the park, established in 1922 when the railways came to Carwarp. Mr Moore said a large tank has been installed at the station, a diesel pump on Little Lake Hattah, and a pipeline to connect the two. He said when the diesel engines were introduced in the 1970s the tank was sold, but the pumps remained in the park. The Friends group have taken on the responsibility of restoring the trellis which held the suction line – work which involved replacing original material with new redgum. The project has been financed by a grant from Parks Victoria.
RAZZLE DAZZLE: Las Vegas style cabaret dancing has come to Mildura. Last night at the Mildura Arts Centre the curtain was raised on “The Company”, an umbrella group of the Mildura Ballet Group, whose nine talented dancers are offering a unique form of entertainment to the district. Ranging in age from 17 to 23, “The Company”, is all linked to the ballet guild and has been practising for about six weeks for its debut performance. “The Company” is already being flooded with bookings and has been booked for the Mildura Arts Festival Ball on September 11 as well as the gown of the year. The dance troupe is also a means of providing exposure to the ballet guild, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
GROWTH: As the Botanic Gardens 10th birthday celebrations draws closer, The Friends of the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens are encouraging interested people to enrol as members. Group spokesperson Wilma Bowring said a weekend of functions was being planned and it was hoped that most people who were instrumental in the garden being established would join the celebrations. Wilma said enrolling as a member would help to ensure the future of the Botanic Gardens. “The committee is very busy at the moment putting together the history of the gardens which will be published in the form of a book and launched on the birthday weekend next year.”
