Thin local papers and body found, November 1974
The Chronicle was not travelling well, one November edition reduced to just four pages! One large sheet, folded in half, printed on four sides. How am I supposed to find interesting stuff out of that now? The reason given was paper shortages, but there may have been other factors as regular contributors on topics like sport fell away.
Young Adrian Weston was travelling to school on the bus along Middle Road when he saw a body floating in the Waranga-Mallee channel. He told teacher Mr Don Fartch, who reported it to Sergeant Durston. A check recovered the body of retired Kyabram farmer, Robert Wood, who had been missing for over a week.
Shire of Waranga
A big rise in Shire rates for town properties was agreed by the Council, after a valuation conducted by Mr Peter Hann. Worse still were the projected rate rises of 20% for some farm properties. Similar rises were happening in nearby shires, but that was no consolation.
Crime
A young Rushworth man was given a stern warning in Rushworth Court House, after being found guilty of carrying a weapon, assault with an offensive weapon, riding a motorbike on a footpath, and carrying a pillion passenger, these events taking place at Murchison.
He was given a twelve-month good behaviour bond, fined $25 on each traffic offence, and his licence was cancelled. The weapons charge attracted a $40 fine, and court costs of $24.50 for the victim’s representation were also payable.
The magistrate imposed a series of fines for a long list of local and visiting motorists. Arms protruding from motor vehicles, unlicensed tractor driving, speeding in restricted zones, overweight trucks, and driving over .05. Constable Kevin Foley, formerly of Rushworth, had been stationed at Murchison at this time and had apprehended most of the offenders. Constable Peter Hromenko, stationed at Rushworth, also put a few in the dock after a road safety traffic blitz.
Community
An annual meeting of the W.S.C.P. was to be held at Colbinabbin in November. I will guess at Women’s Section of the Country Party (now the National Party). It was to be followed later the same evening by a meeting of the S.A.E.D.C. (and your guess will be better than mine. Perhaps the two meetings were needed prior to the busy harvest season.) An unnamed guest speaker was intended. Plus the mandatory supper.
Raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Rushworth – Colbinabbin Apex Club ran a pool (8-ball) competition at the two Rushworth hotels. Getting through to the final round were Criterion Hotel publican’s son Brian Harradence, Ian “Abid” Cruz and Ken “Yogi” Miller. Harradence was the winner of the prize, a book of photos of Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida! (A politically-doubtful collector’s item today!) The Rushworth Hotel publican at this time was Jack Hartney.
The editor’s father, Mr Ewan Davidson, M.B.E., a retired physical education teacher from Scotch College, was guest speaker at Rushworth – Colbinabbin Apex Club’s meeting at the Criterion Hotel. Mr Davidson had been Australian high jump champion in his youth, and played cricket for Hawthorn – East Melbourne in district cricket, and football for Old Scotch Collegians in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
Schools
Lunches available at schools were still the work of some of the mothers, a roster being posted for St Mary’s School. (As more mothers joined the paid workforce, that roster system came under pressure.) December mums listed included G. Barlow, G. Avard, P. Stewart, P. Barlow, M. Barlow, J. Ryan, E. Weppner, W. Barlow, J. Bourke, L. Newton, P. Casey and G. Cheatley. (There were many mistakes in the Chronicle. Some of the initials may be wrong!)
Needed at St Mary’s were three wall clocks, two extra second-hand sewing machines, and a cricket set. (Watch out for the windows in a relatively small playground!)
Personal
Vin and Georgie Hare, long-time operators of a mixed business at Murchison, retired to New Zealand. At a farewell they were presented with a silver embossed tray, a crystal decanter and six crystal glasses. (Good luck getting those safely to New Zealand!)
Marilyn Cruz of Rushworth was photographed on the arm of her father Tony, outside Rushworth Presbyterian church, prior to her marriage to Bill Porter.
Gail Sherman, of Stanhope, who had been a Kyabram Rotary Club exchange student in Japan during her secondary school days, was returning to Japan to teach English language to the staff of the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo.
John Maello, a migrant from Estonia with his mother and sister in 1950, had been educated at Rushworth High School while living with Mr and Mrs Jack Le Deux. He had been appointed as manager of Pattersons Pty. Ltd. in Footscray, heading a staff of 24 in the retail furniture business. John, 35 in 1974, had married and had four daughters, and the Chronicle told how his story was of a disadvantaged migrant lad who had “made good”.
Bowls
Stanhope A-grade bowlers defeated Mooroopna, thanks to the rinks skippered by Merv Emmett and Norm Hadfield. B-grade finished a poor second to Murchison, with only the rink of W. Adams finishing ahead.
Rushworth A-grade pennant team had two rinks well down, 16-34 (skipper George Kolenaty) and 9-31 (Norm Geisler), so the two winning rinks had too much green ground to make up against Mooroopna Golf. Rushworth’s team included Charlie Jackson of Colbo and Alan McMurtrie of Wanalta, as no bowls club existed at Colbinabbin in 1974.
Dick Duke’s B-grade rink had a massive 46-10 victory as the team had a 34-shot win overall against Hill Top.
Cricket
Rushworth Under-15s bowler Paul Gleeson took 4 wickets for 14 runs, helping dismiss Kyabram Methodists for 90 runs, in reply to Rushworth’s 175. Danny Forte took 3/14 off ten overs.
Rushworth B-graders had also made 175 against Kyabram Fire Brigade, who could only manage 59 in reply. Ted Shanks sent down seven overs for his 4/23, Stephen Teasdale 4/18 from eight overs.
In A-grade, Rushworth’s batsmen fell for 90, after Methodists had only made 125. John Raglus (3/42) and Alan Mee (2/17) did best with the ball. Season subscription fees were due; $5 for senior players, $2 for juniors.
