PRESENTED by Mildura and District Historical Society and compiled by Judy Hyde for Mildura Rural City Council Libraries
100 YEARS AGO
GUN CLUB: The members of the Merbein Gun Club held another successful meet at their grounds on the Merbein Racecourse – there being good attendance of local and district shooters. Pigeon, Sparrow and Clay-bird sweepstakes were held and novice shooters of the club had a chance competing for the prize money. In all, seven sweepstakes were held. The First Sparrow Sweepstake, three birds, 10 shooters was won outright on the third bird by Mr F L Keens.
EXAMINATION: The following is the first batch of successes gained by pupils of the Mildura High School in the Intermediate Certificate Examinations: Drawing Selma Albert, Joyce Boyd, Nina Newton, Fran Dring, Jean Lilley, Dora Lloyd, William Bennett, Harold Crebbin, Jack Curtis. Geometry and Trigonometry, Selma Albert, Dora Lloyd, Harold Crebbin and Jack Curtis. Physics Selma Albert and Jack Curtis.
UNIFORM: The Chief Secretary, Dr Argyle, has asked the Acting Police Chief, Mr Warren, to recommend summer uniforms, particularly for police on point duty. Dr Argyle dislikes khaki drill on the police. The most suitable uniform, officials say, would be a dark fabric that is cool to wear. The problem is to find a dark material that is cool, yet durable and can still be made into a smart uniform.
75 YEARS AGO
CAMP: If migrants were to be sent to the former Mildura University Branch site, they would almost certainly be British migrants, said the Minister for Immigration, Mr Holt saying Mildura was ideally situated for migrants and the site would suit them. Meanwhile the former branch site is like a ghost town. Only a handful of people are left busily packing equipment to be sent to Melbourne. About 10 families associated with the University are still there and a small outdoor staff is carrying out maintenance – no alterations are being made to the buildings. However, there is some activity as the buildings are being kept in order for the new “tenants”.
DAMAGE: Glass from over 100 smashed windowpanes has been scattered about the schoolyard, flywire screens have been pushed in and ventilators wrecked at Mildura West Primary School. Earlier damage was done to the unoccupied house in the school grounds – the total damage by vandalism is now estimated at several hundred pounds. There is glass and bricks in the school rooms – over half the school windows have been smashed – a charcoal safe smashed and charcoal scattered everywhere, a mantlepiece ripped from the fireplace. Mildura Court dealt with 2084 cases in 1949 – its busiest year on record.
WIRELESS – Visiting Mildura as the guest of his sister, Mrs P Greatz, is Mr A H Treager, the man who developed the pedal wireless for use in the outback stations. Since 1927, when his first pedal wireless or transceiver was put into service, he has been engaged in making them for use in outback Australia. The transceiver was first used in World War 1, but the range was limited and machines were unreliable. When the Rev John Flynn started his Flying Doctor Service he saw the need for some means of speedy communication if the service was to be a success – he had been working on it since 1910 needing to increase its range and make it reliable. Then the Rev J Flynn “happened to cross his path” and the two worked together. Some of the original machines are still in use – most now replaced by more reliable sets. Stations sometimes go two to three years without a visit from a radio mechanic.
50 YEARS AGO
FIRES – About 40 volunteers from the Dareton and Coomealla Irrigation Areas turned out with tractors and spray tankers and helped fight a big bushfire on Womberra and Mallee Cliffs Stations about 35kms from Mildura. There were just a few hundred men fighting wild fires on dozens of properties at the weekend – the blaze near Balranald had covered an estimate 1 million acres and burning strongly. Volunteers are battling to save the Homestead on Mallee Cliffs Station 30 miles from Buronga. (6.1.1975)
DONATIONS – Cash donations, for the Darwin Disaster fund, will be received at the office of Sunraysia Daily. The Mayor of Mildura, Cr L Beasy, opened the district appeal with a gift of $50 – he had been approached by a great number of people wanting to help including businesses. Cr Beasy will organise a small group of trustees to administer the fund – all donations of $2 or more will be tax deductible. (6.1.1975)
WATER – Gol Gol’s water supply was a “joke” said incensed residents. The town had had no early morning water for almost two weeks – on Saturday there was no water till 4.45pm and the Paddle Wheel Hotel had 20 house guests – people couldn’t shower or use the toilet, there is no water for washing and the air conditioners are packing up. Staff were carrying water from the river 200 yards away to flush toilets. The townspeople have organised a deputation to see the Wentworth Shire Council.
25 YEARS AGO
RACE – Yesterday’s brilliant sunshine was enough incentive to draw hundreds of families to the Mildura races and the children weren’t left to stay at home to play with their now week-old Christmas presents. The special family day has all sorts of entertainment lined up for the kids and Yabby racing was one of the features with children lined up to cheer their own winner home. (5.1.2000)
TRUCK – The restoration with the 1952 Austin Series 11 fire truck in Irymple, the group’s latest acquisition, is just about finished. The 1952 Front Mounted Pumper was donated to the brigade by Geoff Izard, of Merbein Mushrooms about a year ago on the condition that it be restored to its original condition. Brigade members Steve Krohn and Danny Curran were quick to take up the challenge and their efforts are apparent. The truck had not seen active service for about 15 years – it had been bought for spare parts but too old to use so it sat in a paddock for years. It is now the pride of the Irymple fleet. (7.1.2000)
GARDEN– A Botanic Garden featuring a wealth of native trees and shrubs at Mildura’s Murray Pines Cemetery could soon become one of Mildura’s major attractions. Most of the immediate infrastructure has been established. With the trees and shrubs will come the birds and fauna. Many people do not realise we are self-funding – nor have we had any Government grants except the gift of the land. Ongoing developments will include garden seats, signage and beautification of the lake area. (8.1.2000)
