100 years ago
BRIDGE: Although the official announcement that Messrs Armstrong, Whitworth Pty Ltd of Melbourne had secured the contract for a bridge over the Murray at Mildura was made only a few days ago, the firm had a representative on the spot yesterday to make preliminary arrangements for a start with the work. Mr J W Young, one of the firm’s engineers arrived yesterday and spent the day inspecting the site and transferring business connected with the undertaking. There are four contracts relating to the new bridge.
NAME: Suggestions have been received that a new name is desirable for “Sunraysia Daily”, one that adequately describes the publication, and it has been decided to consult the readers of the paper. Voting coupons have been printed, and subscribers can vote for a continuance of the name or adoption of a new one. Ten pounds will be given for the best suggestion. Directors will make the final decision.
BOAT SHED: The official opening of the Mildura Rowing Club’s new boat-shed took place yesterday. The weather was hot and the attendance large. Crews from Wentworth and Merbein participated in the various events. Seats were put along the bank near the boat-shed and the power-house wood-stack provided welcome shade, which was added to by means of a hessian roof. Afternoon tea was served and cool drinks and refreshments were obtainable at a stall near the entrance to the shed.
75 years ago
BOOTMAKER: Mr Jock Lee, surgical boot maker, of Walnut Avenue, said last night he had not been told he must vacate the premise which he uses as a workroom but he had been told by the owner that the sheeting tin lining was required and “naturally took it as I was being told to vacate”. The owner had told him that he had found other premises for him, Mr Lee said. However, they were unsuitable to Mr Lee. The owner of the room which Mr Lee uses as a workshop told Sunraysia Daily last night that he had told Mr Lee he wanted the lining. He said he was prepared to replace it with fibro-plaster.
ROOM: One of the first aluminium prefabricated classrooms imported from England will be erected at Mildura West State School. This is stated by the headmaster Mr W Pascall. During the year a section of a classroom had to be accommodated in the teacher’s room. Next year space will have to be found for 77 new pupils. Half of these will be placed in the disused Tiega School, which will be ready for occupation at the end of January. The new fabricated classroom will not be a temporary expedient but a modern classroom which should be seen by the public generally.
PLAY: St John’s Church of England Merbein was packed on Sunday evening when a Nativity Play was presented after Evensong. A deeply reverent role was maintained throughout as against the background of the music provided by the children’s choir and individual items, about 20 members of the congregation presented the scenes comprising the play. The earlier scenes were taken from the Old Testament history pointing forward to the Messiah. The play reached its climax with the adoration of the shepherds and wise men at the birth of Christ.
50 years ago
FIRES: It has been another busy weekend for firemen around Sunraysia and the Northern Mallee. Firefighters were called when outbreaks occurred in bushland at Ouyen, Robinvale, Buronga, Merbein and Manangatang. The efforts from seven brigades were rewarded by early Saturday afternoon when a scrub fire destroyed several thousand acres of speargrass and small mallee growth near Carwarp was distinguished. The bushfire burning on five stations north-west of Balranald since Tuesday was also put out at the weekend.
FOOD: The Murray River fish and yabbies were the only ones to benefit from the latest Mildura bridge hold-up when about four large bins of oranges spilled into the Murray River waters when a truck passing a bus on the bridge became stuck a short distance from the lift span. The truck became wedged and a section of the bin torn away, Buronga police directed traffic and workmen from the Mildura Co-op came to render assistance to the stricken truck – traffic was banked up both sides of the river.
FLY: Fruit flies can fly and have been recorded as travelling more than 20 miles but there is little doubt that the way they move around Australia is by car or caravan. With the rise in home garden foods many people with are tempted to take along – tomatoes, capsicums, peaches and other fruit rather than leave them to rot – chances are they will have fruit fly maggots in it.
25 years ago
STUDENTS: Two year nine students from Merbein Secondary College received outstanding results in the National Subject Competition. In the Australian Mathematics Competition Paul Cavallo excelled with a high distinction placing him in the top one per cent of 427,000 students, which involved a two-week problem-solving exercise on six tasks completed in his own time out of school hours then a four-hour exam. More than 20,000 students from more than 700 schools throughout Australia and New Zealand in the Asia-Wise Competition saw Kate Guy as one of ten students, achieve an outstanding Performance Award answering 49 out of 50 questions on social sciences in developing essential research, interpretation and analytical skills.
BAND: Mildura District Brass Band has followed success at this year’s South Australian Brass Band Championship with further performances across the border. Under the guidance of director Steve Packer, the band won the D Grade and came second in the combined C and D Grade sections. They also participated in the Renmark Christmas parade with performances in Mildura City Heart, the Prince’s Court Homes and the Wentworth Carols to come.
PUDDINGS: Roy Burr and his dedicated family are preparing to show the true spirit at the Salvation Army Hall this Christmas Day. The Annual Family Christmas Dinner for almost 20 years – a long-established local tradition – will again spread some festive cheer to the lonely and less privileged members of the Sunraysia community. Last year’s function attracted a crowd of 172 people with small gifts for people and toys for children.
