Bad accident at outlet bridge, September 1974
Bad accident at outlet bridge, September 1974
In light rain, vehicles driven by Mrs Joyce Heily (with passenger son Glen) and Graeme Perry (with passenger Ken Pearce) collided at the outlet bridge, with all four taken to Mooroopna Hospital by Rushworth-based ambulance with injuries less severe than the completely wrecked vehicles might have suggested. (50 years ago, Cass. Still no bridge action!)
Two cranes were used to lift the old water tower off its stand in Murchison.
Departed Constable Norman Conway received a valour award for his role when shot while attempting to arrest a man at a High Street Rushworth property in January 1973. The week of the award presentation in Melbourne, Norman’s wife Mavis gave birth to Kylie Louise at Footscray hospital.
Courts and crime
Criterion Hotel licensee, Arthur Harradence, was placed on a bond to be of good behaviour for twelve months after trading outside legal hours. (Difficult to believe. What will they think of next?) Two men on the premises had told police that beer to refresh Apex Club members on a Sunday bottle drive had been purchased on the Saturday night and they had just visited on Sunday to pick it up. The Magistrate formed a different interpretation of events and imposed the penalty.
Vandals in Rushworth caused over $300 damage to street signs, cisterns in public toilets, and wrecking newly-laid wet cement which had to be dug up subsequently. (Vandalism? No! Criminal damage.)
Shire of Waranga
Work commenced on the Senior Citizens’ building adjacent to the Shire offices, the cost estimate being $52,000.
New Councillors Laurie Tuohey of Colbo and Max Grant of Stanhope were photographed with Shire President Bill Jacobson, who was seated in the historic president’s chair. (See the seat of power in the Rushworth museum.)
Community
Moora Fire Brigade roster: Chief Perry, Tom Harrop.
Big news from Stanhope CWA branch when Mrs N. Buzza won a prize for her “set of unusual spoons”, edging out a set of spoons entered by Mrs Maidment. (Just thought you would like to know!)
Equally big was the change of venue for Rushworth-Colbinabbin Apex Club Beef and Burgundy night, listed for October. The Shire Hall was double-booked, so it was off to Colbo Memorial Hall.
Promotion ahead of Elmore Field days encouraged people to go and see a complete wire-strand cattle-yard! (That must have dragged the crowds in!) The event was still being held at Ayson’s Reserve, a bend in the Campaspe River, off Burnewang Road.
Rushworth Band was set to welcome Dandenong Band for a big performance at Rushworth oval. Instrumental (Ha! Ha!) in that arrangement were Alan and the late Bruce Collard, with links to both bands.
Schools
Rushworth Primary’s Grade 6 was hearing a serial story, The Hobbit, by Tolkein. The Grade 4 contribution to the weekly report was written by Veronica Martin, telling of a visit to the bush where they found insectivorous plants. (I had to look it up too. Insect-eating plants.)
Personal
Mrs Ruby McDonald’s 80th birthday was celebrated, and included a photo with daughter Jean Curtis and grand-daughter Nola Holland.
Rushworth Presbyterian church farewelled long-serving office-bearer Mr Farquhar McLean and organist wife Jess, ahead of their move to semi-retirement at Kirwans Bridge. (My uncle and aunt.)
Born to Ross and Beryl Coyle was Leonie Joan, joining Susan and David.
Mr Vic Whitford of Rushworth died. See Name from the Past in this edition. Mrs Muriel Jackson of Rushworth died at Mooroopna after a fall, leaving husband Alan, four children and seven grandchildren.
A letter to the editor from Mr Q. C. Binks of Bendigo, whose mother-in-law was Mrs Gladys Hill (formerly of Colbinabbin), told of Binks meeting with Grace Branson in August 1975 during a trip to England. Mrs Branson had lived in Rushworth during World War II, but had since married and lived in England.
Bowls
Murchison’s new President Ron Baker welcomed new bowler David Dixon. Ron’s wife Greta “threw” the kitty then veteran Dot Kenny sent down the first bowl, and the season was underway, with strong competition for places in the pennant team.
Golf
John Teasdale gathered 48 stableford points, to beat Bob Barlow (43) and Stephen Teasdale (42). Longest drive in A-grade went to Terry Cogan, while B-grade’s Ross Coyle opened his shoulders and whacked it a long way.
The back page of one Chronicle edition had a photograph of three Teasdales, father John the High School Principal, son Stephen, a third-year golfer though still a schoolboy, and son Craig, a first-year player. All had won trophies during the season, which was a fine effort.
Thank you
I have visited the district for a few events recently and have been pleased to hear from people, some being strangers (as they are newcomers to the area), telling me how much enjoyment and information is gained from reading 50 Years Ago. Thank you all, in return for your appreciation. Nice to know that the scrounging through old newspapers is worthwhile for readers, or at least for some of them!
