PRESENTED by Mildura and District Historical Society and compiled by Judy Hyde for Mildura Rural City Council Libraries.
100 YEARS AGO
TRAFFIC – The Town Council warns motor-car drivers and drivers of other vehicles to limit their speed in the section between Deakin and Langtree Avenues. The council desires to permit traffic while the road construction of Eighth Street is proceeding one half of the road at a time. This will mean the concentration of all traffic on the northern side. All drivers are to strictly obey the request and thus ensure safe travelling. Legal proceedings will be immediately instituted against offenders. A Mr H Cox was fined one pound for driving a motorcycle up Langtree Avenue at a speed dangerous to the public.
PUNT – On Monday morning a jinker and 3 or 4 motor cars were held up on the Victorian side of the river at Abbotsford punt for exactly two hours while a concrete pile was being conveyed across the water punt. The concrete pole was for use in the construction of the bridge that is to be built at Abbotsford. Speculation was rife as to the length of time it will take to construct the bridge if such slow methods of crossing material over the river are used and how much valuable time will be lost. The loss to Mr Blount, a well-known builder will be one pound per hour in wages alone. Several accidents were narrowly escaped by motorists owing to the awkward position the concrete pile was left in after being taken from the punt. Mr Blount’s motor-lorry nearly capsized trying to go around it and another nearly skidded into the punt gate.
RAIDERS – An incident, the sequel of which is not without its humorous aspect occurred at Curlwaa under the auspices of the committee of the recently formed Curlwaa Rowing Club. A party of young Wentworth residents paid a visit to one or more horticultural blocks at Curlwaa. The spot light of a car was directed on a luscious pear tree – the car’s occupants were unaware the lady of the house was observing them enjoy their fruit supper. The owner of the raided block visited the dance in the Curlwaa Hall, admired some of the splendid pears which he had grown and which were stored in the visitors car. The unwelcome visitors were interviewed and informed that they must make their peace with the horticulturist – the value of the fruit and damage to the trees was assessed at 10 shillings- which when duly handed over was given to the Wentworth Hospital – accredited to “The Midnight Raiders”.
75 YEARS AGO
FIRM- One of Wentworth’s oldest family businesses, the 40 year old grocery firm of A E Davis, changed hands this week to a Mr Tulloch of Dareton. The founder, Mr A E Davis died seven years ago, his son Lionel and daughter Mrs V Flynn have since carried on the business. Mr Davis senior came to Wentworth 42 years ago from South Australia, he was employed for two years in the grocery department of Bowring’s Wentworth then he set up a small business where Wentworth Motors now stands and later bought premises opposite the Wentworth Court House, remaining there for many years before transferring in 1932 to the present site in Darling St.
RESEARCH- – Mr A V Lyon, Officer-in-Charge of the Commonwealth Research station at Merbein, has announced his intention of retiring from his post at the end of the year. Mr Lyon has supervised the experimental and investigational works and advised growers on problems in every phase of viticultural and citrus production since the station was established. The position which will be vacant on his retirement has been advertised abroad and applications are now being called for in Australia. Qualifications are a university degree in science or equivalent qualifications- salary will be dependent on qualifications and experience.
TRIBUTE- State and District leaders last night paid tribute to the memory of Mr R D Elliott, CMG, chairman of directors of Sunraysia Daily, who passed away in Melbourne on March 6th. The tributes, which included those printed in full in the March 7 Sunraysia Daily are from the Premier and the Leader for the Labor Party including tributes from M J Cain, MLA, Councillor C E McNally, Mr N Barclay MLA, The Mayor of Mildura Councillor A Mansell, The Mayor of Wentworth Alderman E Whyte and Mr C Stoneham MLA for the Midlands and Minister for Decentralization in the Cain Government.
50 YEARS AGO
AID – A stretcher, which gives accident victims more comfort, has been fitted in all ambulances in Victoria. Known as a Jordan lifting frame, it eases little movement to patients when being lifted into an ambulance. If required, the patient can be X-rayed at the hospital while still on the stretcher- a great benefit to accident victims with back injuries. The frame is placed around the patient then straps are slid under the patient and connected to the frame Two of the stretchers were used at a recent accident involving a motor cyclist, his pillion passenger and a car. (8.3.1975).
FOOTBALL- A former player with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League has been appointed reserves coach for Red Cliffs. Mr Ian Hinks, a former captain-coach who led Red Cliffs to a premiership in the 1960’s, returned to Sunraysia this year as a schoolteacher after being transferred to Melbourne. Being an experienced player with great knowledge of Sunraysia Football League conditions, Hinks should be a great asset to senior coach Wayne Norton. (6.3.1975).
BROWNIE- The quick-thinking and alertness of Tammy Chapman, of the 3rd Brownies, was awarded yesterday at a special presentation made by the assistant Regional Commissioner for Girl Guides, Mrs Beryl Baker. While visiting her grandmother in Red Cliffs, Tammy was sent to a neighbours with a message. On arrival she found the dog kennel on fire and beginning to burn the house. She found a bucket and kept refilling it with water till she had put the fire out. When the owners of the house arrived home they realised a mosquito repellant coil had been left burning on the roof of the dog kennel by one of their children and had fallen on a hessian bag covering the kennel and set fire to it and the kennel. The owners gave Tammy a gift for her calm behaviour. (6.3.1975).
25 YEARS AGO
VOLUNTEERS – The Vision Impaired Self Help Group has paid tribute to two long serving volunteers Mrs Win Wallace and Mrs Clarice Ferguson, both who passed recently. Win gave nearly 30 years’ service to the Association for the Blind, a member of the group that formed the first the first auxiliary when Ken Nichols was appointed the first Welfare Officer, and a day centre began in Wesley Hall. Win and Rene Holcombe became familiar sights with their “blanket drive’ raising large amounts of money. Win and Clarice organised many trips to Hattah Kulkine National Park, Renmark Rose Garden, the Fuchsia Gardens, Woodsie’s Gem Shop, Paddle Steamers, Bowling Greens, Wentworth and Coomealla Clubs and the Orange grove where Day Attendees were treated to a fantastic meal after a stroll through Ralph’s rose garden.
GAMING – Residents in the Mildura municipality have spent more than $80 million on gaming machines since 1982 – or almost $2500 for every adult in the region. Mildura municipality had increased spending from 3 1/2 million in 1992-1993 to almost 17 million in the last financial year. The total spent on gaming machines last financial year was more than Wodonga and Wangaratta combined and twice as much as Horsham. Gambling is a hidden epidemic that is affecting the local community, money that would normally be spent on groceries etc. (3.2.2000).
TAFE- The Sunraysia Institute of Tafe has enrolled its 1600th forklift training student since the program began in 1980.The training manager Mr Frank Piscioneri said it was essential that all drivers were highly skilled to ensure that workplaces are safe. He said that in January this year three people were killed in industrial accidents involving forklifts. (4.3.2000).
