Police news prominent in early October 1975
Replacing the retired Senior Constable Ray Gavin at Stanhope was Senior Constable Harry Hoskin, transferring from Newstead near Castlemaine. An early assignment was getting down to business in the local pennant bowls team as a new recruit.
At Rushworth the little old timber police station was removed by truck to allow work to commence on the new station and residence. The plan was to re-position the old building at the Rushworth Park.
There was a collision on the Old Lead Road involving the Rushworth police car driven by Sergeant Durston. Both drivers escaped injury, but not so the vehicles.
Constable Peter Hromenko of Rushworth was promoted to Senior Constable. He was the attending officer after Shepparton used car dealer Jim Hook collapsed and died while water skiing on the Basin.
Waranga Shire
The Shire gave permission to close Hume Street Rushworth for half a day to enable the district Scout troops to hold a billy-cart derby. (Can you imagine the red tape which would be associated with a similar event today?)
Farming
73 acres (30 hectares) of basic farmland midway between Rushworth and Murchison fetched $11,325, about $155 per acre in the old money, at auction. (Land prices seem to have changed since 1975.)
Operation of the grain silos where the fire station now stands was governed by a committee. Elected as chairman was Jim Barlow, Peter Meagher as secretary, with the committee being Jim’s sons Kerry and Anthony Barlow, Bill Barlow, Bob Barlow, Michael Barlow, Bruce Laurie, Jim Laurie, Bryon McIntosh, Ian Borger, Denis Ogden and Bob McLean. (The Barlow Silo Committee?)
Farmers adjacent to Reedy Lake had pressed for an enlargement of the outlet drain to the Goulburn River so that when the lake filled, water would not back up and flood nearby farmland. Under the authority of the Forest Commission, the move was rejected and the already-long debate was set to continue. The Commission attitude was based on its desire to see the red gums on the lake’s margins regularly supplied with water, as the lake was quite often dry or holding very low levels.
Schools
Australian National University in Canberra made early announcements of offers of places for 1976 to Rushworth High School Form Six students Catherine Poulson, Brett Cheatley and Geoff Burge.
The High School competed in the Goulburn Campaspe Secondary School Sports Association athletics carnival in Echuca. Brendan Sullivan and Susie Hitchcock (now Emmett) scored most points for Rushworth. Others doing well were Trevor Johnson (400 metres), Dianne Allen (high jump), Greg Holschier (800 and 1500 metres), Brendan Clarke (long jump), Bev Hancox (high jump), Glenys Hancox (discus), Trevor Hawking (triple jump), Denise Jones (now Snelling, 200 metres) and Isabel McLean hurling the under-15 discus.
Community
The Elmore Field Days were held in Sam Ayson’s paddock, in a bend in the Campaspe river near Elmore. Exhibitors were encouraged to show labour-saving devices in various types of farming.
All sporting clubs using the park at Rushworth were encouraged to send members to a special working bee to achieve a general clean-up.
At Murchison, a building in Stephenson Street, formerly used as the State Savings Bank of Victoria as an office for the Chronicle, and substantially renovated by Mr Ern Jackson, re-opened as the Trading Post. Hardware, hard-to-get fittings, drapery, softgoods and handicraft materials were included in Mr Jackson’s stock on display.
The Rangers section of Murchison Guides were photographed in their new uniforms. Leader was “Scotty” Muirhead, with Rangers Jenny Henderson, Cathy Hastie, Kay Revell, Louise Bourke, Jane Begg and Caire Seymour.
Rushworth Guides Fiona and Vivian Taylor were prominent with arts and crafts displayed at a guiding event in Melbourne.
Colbinabbin Guides met at the home of Mrs Avard, a report given by District Commissioner Mrs H. Branson. A group of guides had enjoyed the Gang Show in Melbourne. This was an entertainment event for all guides and scouts across Victoria.
People
Dr Knox Jamieson commenced his practice in Esmonde Street, now the home of Peter and Lyn Reade. (Phone Rushworth 12 to make an appointment.) Joining the doctor was his wife Sheila. Together they had worked in several States of Australia, and in New Guinea when it was part of Australia.
Mrs Lillian Budd returned from three months in Canada, where she visited her daughter Annette.
Frank “Meggsy” Hageman retired, aged 65, from the Forest Commission after 28 years of service. Work colleagues farewelled him with a party, his family giving him another.
The sudden death of John Mason, born and raised at Rushworth, came as a shock to all his friends and relations. He was just 21.
Mr Percy Leake was found dead in his caravan at Rushworth Caravan Park. He had been in poor health for some time.
Football
Committee of Rushworth Football Club called a public meeting to consider which league might be appropriate for the club in 1976. Would Stanhope leave the Goulburn Valley League? Might Stanhope join the Heathcote League? Would Rushworth then stay in the Heathcote League, as Stanhope would make a six-team competition? Irrespective of any decision by Stanhope, would Rushworth be better off in the Kyabram District League? (It was like a game of chess!)
Golf
Associates at Rushworth played their final game for the season and the AGM which followed elected Peg Jell as President, vice-presidents Norma Bolden and Joyce Heily, Anne Pearce as secretary, assisted by Maree Cogan (also treasurer). Captain and handicapper: Doris Barlow. Vice-captain: Nan Jessup.
Bowls
Rushworth had teams of four rinks in each of A2, B1 and B2 grades of Goulburn Valley bowls. Several bowlers were from Colbinabbin as there was no green or club there in 1975. Reserve players not selected for pennant played social bowls each Saturday, the winner to receive a spoon. Allan Hammond won the first spoon, ahead of promising new bowler Cliff Johnson.
All three teams lost their opening matches, only Vic Cruz’s rink successful in A2, Dick Duke’s four winning in B1, while new man Jack Cooper’s rink won in B2.
Stanhope bowlers fared little better, despite skippers Norm Hadfield and Syd Linford getting their teams up in A1. In division A2, Stanhope went down by a big margin to Murchison Gold.
Clay target shooting
Competition shooting was popular at Colbinabbin where Bob West was the energetic club secretary. Alternate Saturdays over summer were listed for events at the recreation reserve on the hill, near the crossroads.
