House fire at Moora in late March of 1975

A kitchen fire in a rental house owned by Alec Jackson at Moora, drew action from local brigades after the tenants had used an electric stove before leaving the house, and nearby papers ignited. The kitchen was badly damaged and the house was soiled with smoke.

Another road fatality was recorded, this one at North Murchison, when local youth David Elrington, 18, was thrown from his motorcycle while travelling to work in Shepparton. The terrible road trauma of 1974 continued.

A red car was left parked outside Rushworth Post Office for several days. Owner had lost the keys, and was red-faced to read about it on the front page of the Chronicle! He was not named.

Mr Gordon Brown, born at Rushworth in 1915 and living here until 1930, was appointed at 60 years of age to a newly-created role of Director of Planning Services within the Victorian Education Department. He had previously been a Fulbright Scholar in Vermont, U.S.A., so was a high achiever whose roots had been in Rushworth.

Schools 

Another high achiever from this district was Mr Adrian Sexton, District consultant for the Catholic Education office in the Bendigo area. He visited to address a meeting of St Mary’s School Mothers’ Club, but only a small number of mothers attended. Adrian was born and raised at Rushworth, later teaching at the local State primary school, and playing full-back in the local football team. He had the nickname of “Crowbar”! More than one of his sons played AFL footy, including Michael at Carlton.

St Mary’s School swimming sports winners were Woods House, Captains Peter Tuohey and Marilyn Barrette accepting the cup from Father Collins, while McKillop House Captains Brendan Barlow and Lynn Merryfull watched on. An award for most improved boy went to Peter Barrette, the most improved girl Noreen Tuohey. A special prize for most consistent swimmer was awarded to Kathy Tuohey.

Champion boy was Stephen Geisler, with a tie between Lynn Merryfull and Marilyn Barrette for Champion girl.

Grades 3 and 4 at Rushworth Primary reported that Mr Ross had bought them three new basketballs. (Very generous Graham.) One of the rocks Jamie Poulson took to school had a fossil in it. Grades 5 and 6 composite class was becoming like a zoo. “Darren brought a big tadpole that had almost turned into a frog and Stephen brought some mosquito wrigglers.”  

Grades 1 and 2 cooked scones with flour produced from a wheat-crushing activity done by the boys. (Sounds like a good learning experience.)

Community

140 boats entered Easter regatta at the Basin. Around 2000 people were expected in tents and caravans. Add visitors for the tennis tournament and the place was full to overflowing.

On fire plugs duty for Rushworth brigade were Ron McLeod, Ray Hilder and Les Perry. Fatigue duty was down to Ian Borger, Graham Roberts and Allan Perry. 

Mrs Heather Hawking was retiring from Guides after 12 active years as a leader.

Personal

Former Rushworth sportsman and Waranga Boat Club handicapper, Roy La Peyre, died in the local hospital. His siblings included Jack (decd.), Joyce (Mrs S. Colliver), Ellie, Mary (Mrs I. Silva) and Reta (Mrs S. Sulch).

Russell and Kathy Jones (nee Thompson) welcomed Sheree Nicole at Numurkah. The couple had met while students at Rushworth High School.

Dennese Moylan had a kitchen tea at the Fire Brigade Hall, receiving gifts in the popular autumn tonings. 

Tennis

Start times were published for players in the Easter tennis tournament, with a good mix of locals and visitors, but with overall numbers down on previous Easters. Euroa player Warren Mintern won the Under-19 singles, A-grade singles, and the Open Singles championships, so he may have been pretty tired by Easter Monday.

The women’s Championship was won by former Rushworth player Jenny Gordon (nee Meagher) of Canberra, after she beat her daughter Mandy in the final. Mandy is a cousin of Claire Campbell of Rushworth.

Norman Cahill and Denis Lenke won the veteran doubles event. Men’s doubles trophies went to Herb Barlow and Peter Flanagan after their opponents forfeited the final. The ladies B-grade doubles winners were Nola and Valma Pepperell, over Betty Buzza and Margaret Hoelter, 8 games to 2.

Bowls

Murchison Bowls Club held a charity day with the winning rink Bill Winnell and Nancy Harrison, both locals, joined by Clarrie Brasher and Floss Collard, both of Rushworth. Jim Hammond won the Easter egg.

Goulburn Valley Bowls Championships were at the pointy end, with Rushworth pairs champs Cec Bradley and Jack Pettifer taking out the title, a great result for a smaller club. Club’s best rink of Geoff Beck (s), Jack Borger, Jim Service and George Kolenaty scrambled through to the semi-finals. 

Just prior to semi-finals In the B-grade Championships, Ron McLeod and Noel Merryfull were eliminated by Murchison’s pair, and Mooroopna Golf out-bowled Rushworth’s rink of Dick Duke (s), Don Perry, Frank Richards and Cliff Johnson.

Ladies, or Associates as they were termed, held an event for 33 of their members. (Not so many females on the green these days.)

Football

In the ongoing squabbles in the Heathcote Football League about player eligibility, the league rescinded all earlier decisions, allowing all clubs to get players from anywhere, so long as the senior team had six local players.

Mount Pleasant looked set to lose former coach John Mullane, who had been recruited by Stanhope. Rushworth’s John Lambden had been approached by Stanhope and Tatura, and Herb Barlow had played on a match permit with Stanhope, which was still in the Goulburn Valley League. Noel Lloyd had played with Tongala. That G.V.L. club had spoken with other Tiger players. 

Rushworth had victories in two practice matches against Kyabram League club Girgarre in wet conditions, with goal-kickers Alec Horne, Mick O’Sullivan and Glen Heily. Craig Beck, Geoff Hawking and John Phillips found the big sticks in the Seconds. 

Stanhope had not started well In Goulburn Valley footy, with all three teams having big losses against Euroa. A long season of struggle lay ahead.

Correction

There was a gremlin on this page in the previous edition. Reference to the passing of Mrs Helen Weaver, known as Nell, in 1975, should have shown Barry and Judy Weaver as being her grandchildren. Tuddy still warmly remembers her daily habit of baking scones.