Tragedy and heroism at Basin outlet
Two teenage girls spent a terrifying night in chest-deep water beneath the Waranga channel outlet regulator, after a car in which they were passengers plunged through road railings, then down the steep bank into the water. The male driver and one female passenger were drowned. All were from Shepparton.
Heading out just before dawn to shoot ducks, Ron Wootton spotted the damage, saw the stranded girls and rushed to get a rope, his brother Alan and his father Doug. The girls were dragged to the bank, where Ron’s mother Olive had blankets waiting. Though a non-swimmer, Ron was the hero for his quick thinking and action as the girls had been in the water for around six hours.
Shire of Waranga
The threat of staff redundancies loomed for Shire outdoor staff, unless more government grants could be secured to complete works projects, some of which were repairs following flood damage. (Grant money for flood repairs was later announced, an overall total of just $220,000 provided.)
Mr Tom Simpson received an Award of Merit from Shire president Cr. Bill Jacobson. Tom had been active on Shire staff for 24 years.
Court House
Court proceedings were disrupted when Sergeant Geoff Durston’s corgi dog rushed through the Court House several times before being arrested by Constable Peter Hromenko.
Schools
Grades 5 and 6 at Rushworth Primary School were studying old coins, especially a collection belonging to Lisa Crosbie’s mother. Her album of pennies had just 10 years missing, including the elusive and rare 1930 penny. Claire Meagher had brought along a coin dated 1860.
Preps and other grades were entertained when teacher Mr Bianco brought a real live bat to school, reported by David Coyle of grade 4.
Community
Slides were popular with Colbo Young Farmers, as Trevor Cheatley showed pictures from a trip to New Zealand. Graham Jonsson, a young visitor from Cairns, showed more slides at the home of young farmer Ken McMurtrie. Ian Laurie had extended home hospitality to the visitor.
Parents (and some brothers) of some Rushworth Guides travelled around the town to collect old newspapers left by arrangement outside homes. The papers were sold to a re-cycling company to raise funds for the Guides and Brownies.
Tenders were called to run the 5-days-per-week mail run Rushworth – Wanalta - Moora.
Personal
Moving down the aisle of St Lawrence’s Catholic Church at Stanhope were Michael and Noela Barlow, who minutes before had been Noela Flanagan. (Congratulations: Golden wedding anniversary.)
Peter Hammond of Murchison married Margaret Fleming in her home town of Mildura, with his brother Ian being best man.
Julie Walshe of Rushworth married Gary McKendry of Highett at St Paul’s, and followed up with a reception in the Shire Hall.
A daughter Vicky joined Carol and John Greenaway of Stanhope South, and Gary and Jan Simpson welcomed Martin or Dustin (the Chronicle printing was blurred!)
Graham McIntosh of Rushworth and Rosemary Hoctor of Junortoun announced their engagement.
Jenny Polkinghorne’s parents Don and Gloria arranged a barbecue and smorgasboard at Murchison to celebrate her 21st birthday.
Victor Cruz (snr.) died at Rushworth, aged 77. He had played music for dances in the Shire Hall and elsewhere for decades.
Tennis
Rushworth A-grade tennis team number 1 lost the final by just one game. In fading light the final mixed doubles (Bill Barlow and Alice Brown) were six-all against Toolamba’s Alan Gross and Pam Pogue when play was abandoned, as Rushworth could no longer overtake the Toolamba score.
Other sport
First home in the pigeon race from Numurkah was Craig Beck, or rather his pigeon, which had clocked 790 yards per minute. He just beat the Barbers, Raymond and Wendy’s bird finishing second, ahead of Dianne and Susan’s pigeon, then Arthur and Gloria’s warbler. The latter were the Barber parents.
Rushworth Golf Associates teed up and off for the 1975 season, Jean Jessup taking the C-grade event and Ann Anderson the winner of B-grade. Marj Johnston was nearest the pin.
Murchison footballers had match practice success over Lancaster with young Ron Burls named as best with R. Hammond, S. Roberts, R. Sloper, G. Brown, G. Wall, L. Pinner and D. Dixon. Murch Seconds won easily.
Rushworth welcomed Nagambie for a practice match, with the visitors on top. David Roberts and Mark Mackinder were mentioned. Not in the yellow and black were Ross Williams on a one-day permit with Stanhope, John Lambden and David Perry on the same arrangement with Tatura. Glenn Heily and Herb Barlow attended Mick Barlow’s wedding while Bill Barlow was busy losing the tennis final.
Appointments for the season were announced with Raymond Lloyd head trainer, Thirds timekeepers Geoff Beck and Herb Barlow (snr.), for the Seconds Alf Raglus and Doug Poulson, with Duncan McLean and Cec Bradley sharing that task for the Seniors. Noel Merryfull, backed by Herb Barlow (snr.) had scoreboard responsibilities (but Donald Clarke must have been warming up). In white around the boundary with whistles were Graeme Hageman (Seniors) and Simon Harrop (Seconds).
Lighting the fire to heat the showers were George “Bluey” Potter and Jim “Hooks” McArdle.
David Farrer was cleared to Lavington, Roger Barnes to Warracknabeal, Bob Hurley to Alexandra and W. Francis to Clunes. Declined clearances were John Schneider (Blackburn), Geoff Wall (Murchison), Ron McGuire (Goorambat) and Ian Robbins (Lavington). They were still required players.
Colbo footballer Stuart Hill broke a bone in his ankle in a practice match. On crutches for several weeks and able to do little work, the club supported the young farmer by accepting donations.
