Fox bounties and pipe assembly

100 years ago

BOWRING: An impressive memorial service was held for the Late Mr W. M. Bowring at the Mildura Methodist Church on Sunday. The preacher – Rev L. Wilkinson took his text from the Bible “The world passeth and the last thereof but be that death, the will of God, abideth forever”. Human prosperity has often proved a broken reed on which to lean; man has grown rich and prosperous and has surrounded himself with those things he loves – to lose all and begin the struggle over again. There are those amongst us in our settlement today – they are hard to find – who are learning that now and are finding the lesson is hard and bitter.

GOL GOL: The Gol Gol public school was honoured by a visit from Sir Dudley de Chair, Lady de Chair and party. After greeting the teacher and children and the presentation of a bunch of violets by little Miss Elsie Ablet, the children marched into school singing The Minstrel Boy. The morning hymn Oh God Our Help in Ages Past was rendered – their Excellencies joining in the singing and the pledge to the flag was given. The National Anthem and My Country by Dorothy McKellar were rendered. A beautiful floral bouquet was presented by Miss Edith Dring. Views embraced local activities, district wild animals, buck jumping, sheep crossing the river and drying apparatus on Mr Wynne’s block.

FIRE: The new Fire Station at Ouyen is 53ft x 28ft was opened by Captain Andrew (chairman) and Captain Chidlew of the Country Brigade Board. A smoke social was held on the occasion at which there was a large attendance. Lieutenant Oke presided.

75 years ago

DREDGE: Dredging of the Murray at Warrakoo Station, downstream from Wentworth has commenced to make the river more navigable for cargo and passenger steamers operating from Mildura to Morgan by a big 90 ft dredger. Within the last three weeks a steamer carrying a 350-ton cargo passed the site area with a little more than 3 ft to spare.

RED CLIFFS: A load of 37,000 gallons of crude oil to be sprayed on coal for use in the boilers at Red Cliffs Pumping Station. It will be sprayed onto the coal as it enters the boilers to provide more heat and will be stored in the former Air Force tanks at Yelta, Merbein, that were used during the war years.

BOUNTY: Mildura Shire Council has now paid a bounty of 6 shillings each on 320 fox skins. There was evidence that the bounty introduced on July 23 was having its required effect but not anticipated it would make such a difference to the anti-fox measures of graziers whose sheep were menaced. One Karawinna North farmer who bought in 50 skins said he was able to poison 20 foxes a night in his area.

50 years ago

PIPE: Laying one of the largest pipes handled in Sunraysia was completed yesterday. The pipe, 9ft 6in in diameter and 48ft long was bought to Mildura by the First Mildura Irrigation Trust arriving as 56 sheets of corrugated iron and 1600 bolts. It was assembled and now forms a culvert beneath the Melbourne to Mildura railway line near Ginquam Ave and replaces the channel previously running under the railway there.

BUZZ: The sound of a revved two-stroke motorcycle is often likened to a maddened mosquito but this year the sound of mosquitoes caused the bikes a few problems. The mosquito-encephalitis scare earlier this year was blamed for small crowd numbers at some of Mildura and District Motor Cycle Club meetings – especially speedway meetings. Many turned out to the club awarded trophies night during a dinner on Saturday including John Williams and Rod Lyons.

MARDI GRAS: Mildura Base Hospital Men’s Auxiliary has decided to drop plans for next year’s Mardi Gras which has been held annually for the past 23 years. Last year the Auxiliary handed over $1,200 to the hospital – this money was subject to a 3 for 1 grant. The public support has evaporated – 58 replies affirming procession entries were received then it finished up with 23 entries.

25 years ago

AMBULANCE: Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, ambulance officers are there to ensure people are in the best hands should an emergency arise. They must be prepared for any situation, the unexpected a constant companion during their shifts. They can get six heart attacks in a week then nothing for six weeks – most call-outs are medical emergencies though, as opposed to car accidents. Mildura Police Officers are first on the scene of the accident and administer providing life-saving treatment during the initial stages of accidents till the ambulance arrives.

RISK: More than half the women and a third of men over the age of 60 in Mildura will suffer an osteoporotic fracture – this is despite advances in diagnosing and treating this debilitating bone disease. This year alone 17,500 Australian women will suffer a hip fracture – it is never too early to start developing healthy bones – new medication can increase bone density helping to restore bone strength.

CLEAN: The First Mildura Irrigation Trust’s central district main pipes are having their first “spring clean” since the system was installed in the 1970’s. Using a swabbing system, cleaning pigs made of sponge material are placed in the pipelines and under water pressure pick up and push out the algae, slime and silk which has built up over the years. A special concrete lined swabbing pit has been constructed which gives the workmen access to the pig by exposing by exposing a specially built stainless steel section of pipe. At this section the pig’s progress is stopped by using a tracking system installed at the rear of the pit.