100 YEARS AGO: 1925
MOVING: In the presence of many spectators, particularly children, the third and last portion of the Convent of Mercy primary school was moved on Saturday morning from Walnut Avenue to the Catholic church grounds in Eleventh Street. The whole school weighs between 60 and 70 tons, and the work of removal has been so successful that the three sections remain in perfect condition. The work of assembling them will therefore only be a matter of a day or two, and the pupils, who have been temporarily attending classes at Saint Margaret’s Hall, will be able to go back to their own building very soon.
THAT’S GRAPE: According to the latest viticultural statistics issued by Mr A M Laughton, the Government statist, there are 3047 growers of vines in Victoria. The number in each viticultural district is given as follows: Ararat 28, Stawell 37, Wimmera 57, Mildura 1719, Swan Hill 481, Rodney 93, Shepparton 93, Tungamah 14, Benalla 21, Wangaratta 12, Rutherglen 122, Chiltern 36, remainder of the State 334.
CARS: Messrs J H Bayliss Pty Ltd, Langtree Avenue, Mildura yesterday took delivery of nine motor vehicles. This is believed to be the largest consignment of its kind in the history of Mildura and is evidence of the progress of the town despite the depression in the dried fruits industry. The procession of vehicles through the town caused considerable interest. It was headed by a Chevrolet motor-bus and following the motor-bus were three cars, two light delivery trucks and two 1-ton trucks (all Chevrolets) and one Oldsmobile Six. (24.2.1925)
75 YEARS AGO: 1950
NOT HEALTHY: Because of Mildura Base Hospital’s serious financial position, prospective patients will have to pay a booking fee for a bed in the intermediate or private sections. This amount will be deducted from the first account rendered. Hospital manager Mr Ewan Evans said that because of the serious increase in the overdraft of the hospital, the committee has also been instructed to reduce the amount of outstanding patients’ accounts to as low a level as possible. Accordingly, accounts were now payable weekly while the patient was in hospital, with the payment of any balance immediately on discharge. Mr Evans said that all outpatient services, including X-Ray and pathology, were also on a cash basis, and patients were requested to pay before the necessary treatment.
IN THE DRINK: The old river steamer Murrundi, sank at its moorings at Murray Bridge yesterday. It has been used as a home by Captain R M Randell and Miss Randell. Miss Randell was on board at the time and set the pumps going but was unable to prevent the vessel from filling. She escaped in a rowing boat. It is not known what caused the inflow of water.
ON THE CASE: Fifty-eight arrests – one less than last weekend were made by district police on Saturday. Mildura police were unable to have as many men on patrol on Saturday afternoon because five were on duty at Sandalong Park racecourse, where Mildura Racing Club conducted a meeting. At Mildura on Saturday, 32 men and one woman were arrested. Red Cliffs police arrested 13 and there were four arrests at Merbein. The eight arrests at Wentworth included one charge of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence.
50 YEARS AGO: 1975
THE BIG O: The appearance of international singing star Roy Orbison at Mildura on Friday night was a great success. Mr Bruce McLean, Manager of STV8 – which organised the appearance – said about 1500 people attended the show at Mildura Basketball Stadium. The audience was entertained by Roy Orbison with his own group from Nashville. Mr McLean said the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the show and received phone calls from people congratulating STV8 on bringing Orbison to Mildura. (24.2.1975)
DRINK IT IN: A group of thirsty, disgruntled women have decided to try where men have failed. The executive of the Victorian Branch of the association of Civilian Widow’s agreed to support the introduction of some kind of refreshment service on Mildura trains when they met in Sunraysia on Saturday. Many of the 80 delegates travelled from Melbourne on The Vinelander express train – and were most put out to find they could not buy a cup of tea or coffee during the journey. The State president, Mrs Kidd in her address asked the Mayor of Mildura, Councillor Beasy what the community had done to try to get refreshment facilities introduced on the trains.
FIRE UP: Gol Gol has formed its own bush fire brigade. This followed a public meeting held recently at Gol Gol. Secretary of the brigade, Mr Dennis Mills, said that although the meeting had only been attended by 11 people, it was successful. The brigade would cover the area from Gol Gol to Monak and would take a lot of extra work away from the Buronga Fire Brigade, but would still work in conjunction with it. A captain and deputy captain have been elected. (24.2.1975)
25 YEARS AGO: 2000
ALL ABOARD: Local residents have been urged to have their say on the return of a passenger rail service to Mildura. “Transport Minister Peter Bachelor has stated a passenger service will be returned to Mildura if there is sufficient community support” said Member for Mildura Russell Savage. The one-page questionnaire asks residents to outline how often they might be likely to take the train to Melbourne and the main reasons for doing so.
OFF THE AIR: The SBS satellite receiver at Red Cliffs has been stolen for the second time in two years. And chairman of the SBS Self Help Group, Vic Matotek, from Mildura, is fed up. “I hope the full weight of the law is brought upon these thieves” he said. Mr Matotek said a meeting of the group next week would determine if Red Cliffs residents would be asked to again fork out money to maintain their service. He said the receiver was valued at “several thousand dollars” and was stolen from a padlocked building.
HOME TIME: A proposal to convert the Lake Hawthorn Caravan Park to exclusive residential allotments could help meet demand for local properties with water views. Roccisano Real Estate principal Tony Roccisano said, “it would result in one of the most up-market subdivisions in Mildura, with all blocks being 4000 square metres in size and having views of the lake”. “There is a big trend with purchasers looking at properties with a particular aspect – people like to be able to sit in their lounge rooms or decking and watch the sun set.”
