Presented by Mildura and District Historical Society. Compiled by Mildura Rural City Council Libraries.
100 years ago
PYJAMAS: The matron of the Mildura District Hospital has received a donation of 20 pairs of pyjamas from the Merbein Voluntary Aid Society, per Mrs Alex Killborn. This is a very handsome donation and comes at a time when it is greatly appreciated, as the stock of pyjamas is practically depleted.
PUNTED: A mishap occurred at the Mildura punt on Saturday, when a new model double-seater Hupmobile motor-car burst through the gates at the further end of the punt and went into the river. The car was the property of Mr Randall, of the Nine Mile, and he was bound for Mildura when the accident took place. Fortunately, one of the wheels caught on to the punt cable, and this made the task of hauling the car back to dry land much easier. The passengers were also lucky to get clear of the car before it sank. When it was brought into Mildura the head lamps, windscreen and hood were smashed, but otherwise the car had not apparently suffered a great deal of damage.
SPARKLES: This year the New South Wales bank of the river opposite the Mildura power-house has been frequented by many bathers, who have observed a sparkling substance mixed in the sand at the water’s edge. This is said to be mica. Its presence in the river sand is particularly noticeable in the vicinity of the springboard erected near the hessian huts. The sand there probably contains at least one per cent of mica. No doubt if an easy method of separating it from the sand could be devised, a fortune would await the inventor, as mica finds a ready market, being used to no small extent in the manufacture of motor-cars. The quantity in the riverbed is unlimited, and the mica as it is being washed on the bank sparkles brightly.
75 years ago
PUMPING: Water consumption under the Urban Water Trust reticulation is rising so rapidly that the present equipment can barely supply sufficient water to meet the demand. This was stated last night at the ordinary monthly meeting of the trust. It was stated that by the time Irymple is added to the water reticulation area – probably next summer – the trust will be “sailing close to the wind” in supplying all the water necessary. Increase in water consumption was shown in the figures of the pumping hours. In December the pump worked 720 hours. It was the first time in the history of the trust that pumps had exceeded 700 hours.
POLICEWOMAN: This week Mildura joined the few provincial cities and towns in Victoria which have auxiliary policewomen as members of the local police force. The auxiliary policewoman here is Miss Elaine Farmer, a local girl, who until recently was employed as a stenographer at a Mildura accountant’s office. Miss Farmer joined the force at Mildura on Monday after having been sworn in for service before the Chief Commissioner, in Melbourne. She is believed to be the first woman ever to be employed on police duties in Mildura. Miss Farmer’s duties will consist mainly of office work in the offices of the inspector and sergeant-in-charge. She will receive her police training here.
PARKING: Mildura City Council would have to obey the law concerning angle parking, the Mayor (Councillor A R Mansell) said last night. He was commenting on a statement by the Chief of Police (Mr Duncan) that angle parking was illegal throughout Victoria. Angle parking is at present in use in many Mildura streets. Councillor Mansell said that the council could do nothing about it if angle parking was against the law. Personally, he said, he believed angle parking was all right as far as cars were concerned but did not think angle parking should be allowed for trucks. Argument over angle parking arose when inspectors in Bendigo were instructed to enforce parallel parking, and people were fined for angle parking in Bendigo.
50 years ago
LOCKED: Lock Island is above water again but it’s not yet open to the public. Mildura Lockmaster, Mr Cliff Taylor said yesterday the floodwaters which covered the island for seven months have caused many hazards. There’s also a lot of cleaning up to be done. The water has scoured out most of the island’s pathway, damaged lawns and ruined flower beds. It also dumped heavy deposits of sand on the island.
MOZZIES: A light plane is expected to arrive in Sunraysia today to continue the battle against the encephalitis-carrying mosquito. Mildura City and Shire health authorities hope that the chemical, Abate granules, will be dropped on breeding grounds along the Murray riverfront for the second time. Mildura City health inspector, Mr Greg Francis, said yesterday the forestry reserve at Chaffey and Johnson’s Bends would “definitely” be covered, and the Red Cliffs pumps was a possibility. The Victorian Health Department’s aerial campaign against encephalitis mosquitoes began three weeks ago today. Aircraft spread Abate over an estimated 2500 acres in Mildura City and Mildura Shires from a height of 50 feet.
FIREBUG: Police and firemen are seeking the help of Sunraysia people to try to prevent any further lighting of fires by a firebug believed responsible for 22 separate fires this week. They are wanting anyone who sees a suspicious vehicle or anyone lighting fires at the sides of district roads to report immediately to the nearest police station. The fires were started in long grass at the sides of roads within 28 kilometre radius of Mildura on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Station Officer Les Smythe, of Mildura Fire Brigade, said brigades had been called to what they believed were single fires only to discover when they got there that there were strings of fires. Mr Smythe is one of only three full-time firemen in Sunraysia.
25 years ago
PICNIC: The traditional Lethero Station New Year’s Day bush picnic was yesterday described as a “smashing success” by committee member Stella Barnes. Mrs Barnes, who has lived on the station for 54 years, said the event was attended by well over 300 people. The event, which is held at Lethero Station – 88 kilometres north of Wentworth on the Pooncarie Road – was established 103 years ago. Mrs Barnes said the event is similar to that of the Lake Cullulleraine Sports Day in that people participate in an array of races and novelty events. “But that’s where the similarities end,” she stressed. “The Lake Cullulleraine is a more professional event, where our bush picnic is just that – bush style fun.” Mrs Barnes said people were encouraged to bring their own picnic lunch and tea but the committee supplies afternoon and supper if required. Riverside camping is also available.
CRICKET: Yesterday produced an historic sporting milestone as Sunraysia’s first women’s Super 8s cricket competition got under way at No.1 Oval. Not even the stifling summer heat could deter the eight Mildura West and Coomealla Wentworth female cricketers who braved the conditions to take the field and make a name for themselves in their newest sporting venture. The SCA Women’s Super 8s competition comprises two sections playing three preliminary rounds, with the sectional winners to play off in the final.
BIKES: Mildura’s BMX track at the Aero Ovals is being upgraded using a mixture of working bees and Mildura Rural City Council funding. BMX president Peter Stewart said yesterday the work being done at the site would stimulate interest in the sport and attract more participants. “Currently, we have 40 registered riders, and we hope to boost that number substantially,” he said. “By our first meeting for 2000 we want to have the track in good order and shelters (carport style) constructed at the starting line.” He said Mildura Rural City Council provided $2000 of funding to build the shelters. The track is open to all, and young people were encouraged to give the sport a try.
