Another road fatality and more accidents in early December 1974
A spate of fatal car accidents in the district continued with the tragic death of Colin Speers on the Midland Highway west of Stanhope, outside his home. Colin was aged just seven, and there was great sympathy for his family and for the local driver of the car.
Ted Smith, the Murchison postmaster, was involved in a very serious car accident, on the highway south of Shepparton.
Brian Rogerson of Rushworth was taken to Mooroopna hospital after his car left the road and struck trees near the second deviation around the Basin, on the Murchison road. He suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries, and his vehicle was wrecked.
Murchison finally secured a doctor after the last-minute withdrawal of an Englishman whose wife got cold feet after the appointment seemed finalised. The newspaper report failed to name the new man, so I will need to look at Chronicles from the following year, 1975.
Community
Bill Barlow and Kay Branson were photographed in fancy dress at an Apex Club event held at the home of Robbie and Maxine Ryan. Noting the Italian theme, Kay appeared as a peasant woman, while Bill looked the part as Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, agriculture and fertility according to whichever search engines you use. (It only leaves me to observe that Bill was very well suited in these roles, and what an outfit!)
An Apex Club concert for the Senior Citizens Club featured a noted singer Telford Jackson. The oldest senior in attendance, for a number of successive years, was Mrs Bessie Barlow. If all of her grandchildren then and her great grandchildren and great great grandchildren now, were to be named, this edition of Waranga News would not be large enough!
Moora Fire Brigade roster: Ned Schade and Alf Sleep. A training exercise for local brigades involved an oil fire at Rushworth tip and a simultaneous fire at Corop. Stanhope CFA captain George Gemmill was photographed directing brigade members at Corop. A district de-brief was then held at Colbinabbin Football ground ahead of the fire season
Local Christmas carol singing “by candlelight” was planned for Rushworth Primary School. All grades were rehearsing for their performances at the event.
Schools
The year was winding down and a farewell was given to High School headmaster John Teasdale after six years in that office. Several teachers were also farewelled, including a number who had been at the school for part of my time there (1967 – 1972). Roger Barnes, Warren McKeown and Bob Hurley were included.
Grade 6 at Rushworth Primary School reported, with some excitement, that a snake had come out from under the school and “Mr Mackinder killed it with a shovel”! (He might be locked up for this today.)
After school one day, sixteen fathers and six mothers attended starting construction of “an adventure playground and they painted the garden seats”. The building work involved cutting up logs for stepping blocks and a climbing frame. “Mr George McLeod bought a tractor along and dug about 40 holes for the poles.”
Personal
Rushworth man Jack “Pipes” Donovan was admitted to Waranga Memorial Hospital. Concerned friends asked about his condition and he said he was mainly there so he “could listen to the Test cricket in peace”!
Football news in summer
Rushworth Football Club declined to re-affiliate with the Heathcote District Football League for the 1975 season as the club’s Annual General Meeting had not been held. This caused the HDFL meeting to be adjourned after the transaction of other business.
Up for debate in the HDFL were sixteen rule changes proposed by Colbinabbin Football Club, the effect being to reduce the number of ex-radius (outside) players for all clubs and to ban them altogether for Heathcote and Rushworth. Debate on this was “spirited” and not concluded in the report.
It being the AGM, the position of secretary was filled by David Roulston, ex-Mt Pleasant. John Holmberg of Elmore and Tom Morgan of Colbinabbin both declined to stand for the position of presiden favouring Sam Cheatley of Colbinabbin to remain for one more season.
The league was still reeling from the discovery on the eve of the finals that Tooborac had played a newcomer who was a disqualified player using a false name for much of the 1974 season and discussion addressed ways to prevent a repeat.
The Rushworth club AGM was subsequently held, with only 17 people in attendance, despite over 100 taking out club memberships in 1974. Few players attended and some committee members were also absent. Criticism was directed at local businesses for alleged failure to support the club.
Seeking a successor for Eddie Gleeson stepping down as president after heart health issues and three terms, six men were nominated. All declined to accept the role. League delegates elected were Chief Perry, Tom Moylan, Tom Harrop and Eddie Gleeson (any two to attend), and they were given licence “to vote as they saw fit”!
Stanhope Football Club held its AGM and announced its 1975 coach as Tony Payne who had played with the club previously, and coached Lemnos (now Shepp Swans). Former coach Noel “Bones” Langley became the secretary and the meeting elected Gavin Poole as president for a third term after a rival nomination from Barney Maidment.
Treasurer Constable Ray Gavin was re-elected after reporting a turnover of $11,000 for the 1974 season and a trading loss of $1,134, leaving just $7 credit balance to start season 1975.
Bowls
Murchison associate bowlers had their bowls blown off their bias in high winds but rinks skippered by Dot Kenny, Nell Halbert and Nancy Harrison got home by six over Merrigum.
