10 deaths in tragic weekend on district roads
There was a horror weekend on roads within a 60-kilometre radius of Rushworth. Peter Bray of Girgarre died after his motorcycle collided with a semi-trailer on the notorious intersection of Midland Highway and McEwen Road.
Mrs Bonita Campbell of Elmore died after a collision with a sportscar, with a passenger in that second car also killed, and several teenagers injured. Other fatal smashes were near Wyuna and Nagambie, taking the total killed in the district that weekend to a truly shocking ten.
Politics
Local Federal Member for Murray, Bruce Lloyd, was easily re-elected in his seat with a big win for the Coalition in the election that followed the sacking of the Whitlam Labor government.
Waranga Council announced a reduction in rates for properties including farms, but Rushworth residents faced a 33% rise in their water rates. Receipt of flood grants and indexation to regulate wage rises were said to have enabled the Shire to make the cuts. In a separate and independent decision, Rushworth Water Trust announced the big lift in water rates.
Cr John Hammond of Murchison resigned from Council as he was moving to Woodend.
Court
A driver picked up by Sergeant Durston blew 0.248% blood alcohol, the equivalent of 16 7-ounce glasses of beer. The man said he had drunk half a bottle of perfume, his defence calling up a chemist to say perfume was 80% alcohol. A soft magistrate fined the man only $150 with loss of licence for three months, after accepting the beer version ahead of the perfume story.
Schools
With additional staff appointed to Rushworth High School for 1976, an urgent call went out for more houses for teacher rental in Rushworth, nearby towns or vacant houses on farm properties.
Community
Singer Bill McCormack was the star attraction at the annual Apex Club Christmas lunch in the Shire Hall. Club President Ralph Barlow guided his elderly grandmother Bessie, the oldest Senior Citizen, for the cutting of the cake.
Rushworth Lions welcomed District Governor Geoff Burrell to their regular meeting at the Criterion Hotel.
Local swimming pool roster for December included Peg Taylor, Howard Hawking, Ron Risstrom, Jenny Baldwin, Helen Clarke, Bev Hitchcock and Marj Morgan.
Colbinabbin Fire Brigade roster for December listed Tom McEvoy, P. Stewart, D. Brown, Len Purvis, John Morgan, Brian Eliis. Frank West, Joey Ellis and J. Mason.
People
The other Alan McLean and Lynette Perry were married on 6 December in Rushworth’s Anglican church. Counting the flower-girl, 11 people made up the wedding party.
Lionel Johnson and Frances (nee Kennedy) added son Graeme to Matthew in Shepparton. Eddie and Isobel Gleeson welcomed two grandsons on 2 December, Marcus for Linton and Lynette Gleeson, Haig for Neville and Wendy Varcoe.
Another Haig, Poulson of Rushworth, became engaged to Mary-Lou Reilly of Numurkah.
Former Rushworth dry cleaner Ron Pengelly died at Castlemaine, and Waranga Memorial Hospital’s Matron Cole resigned to take a role at Kyabram.
Within a major family squabble, a Wanalta man used a public notice to disassociate himself from his four named sisters, three of them living locally.
Carl Williams, Rushworth jeweller, published a notice headed “Compliments of the Season”, beneath which it read “To one and all thanking you for your support over the past 50 years.”
Other local traders extending greetings included Ampol Service Station (Peter and Colleen Draper), Hilders’ Garage (Eric and Ray) and Muirs’ Motor Engineering Works (Greg and Denise). (Bardy McLeod was also selling bowser petrol, making four service stations, with at least five others in Rushworth selling by the 44-gallon drum.)
A big Saturday night was looming for one unnamed couple. “Wanted. Child Minder, for Saturday night. Phone Rushworth 132”. Which family, and who were the kids?
Cricket
Rushworth A-grade 60 runs (C. Hageman 16 G. Hageman 11), Tongala 4/94, with Rushworth saved from outright embarrassment by a washed-out second day.
Rushworth B-grade were in trouble against Ky Fire Brigade (R. Hageman 3/18) but that match was also washed out. (Some of the Hagemans were pretty handy cricketers!)
Stars for Rushworth juniors were bowler Danny Forte, and batsmen Peter Schade (37 runs), Don Potter (30), Gary Hitchcock (23) and Craig Beck (14) in an easy win over Tongala. Against Kyabram, Craig took five wickets for 44. Craig, Peter and Don were selected to represent Kyabram Cricket in Junior Country Week in January 1976.
Star greyhound Sidanna
Sidanna, bred and raced by Ralph Barlow of Wanalta and trained by Ray Pyle of Mooroopna, had 19 races for 11 wins, three seconds, and the thirds, to be named one of Victoria’s best greyhounds.
Auto Club
President Arthur Garvey won a District C-class perpetual shield, after success in a number of races on tracks across the Goulburn Valley.
Waranga Boat Club
Locals were getting into the sailing habit, Max Richards (Shire engineer) joined by Terry Larkins (Shire secretary), Tony Crosbie (Lands Department) and Alan Mackinder (Primary School headmaster).
Bowls
Rushworth Associates Nell Pardy, Lucy Munsey and Florence Perry won trophies in early December, but pennant teams had mixed fortunes. Saturdays were wet apparently, as the men were again washed out. The club’s annual tournament was planned for 3-5 January, 1976.
Murchison Gold v Murchison Green had a big build-up of excitement. Washed out! Don Polkinghorne, W. Winnell and E. Jackson won a club competition one dry evening.
Tennis
Rushworth B-grade lined up against Murchison Gold, with Neville Thompson, Colin Barlow, Chris Geisler, Rob Raglus, Doreen Wall, Pauline Wootton, Wendy Meagher and Catherine Poulson. The result was not published.
Football
I should not mention football in December. Despite a well-attended meeting of members having just voted for Rushworth to leave the Heathcote League, the elected committee voted to remain! Apparently Stanhope joining the league, and the return of Tooborac, making seven teams in all, had brought a change in committee thinking.
Greetings
Like Carl Williams 50 years ago, I extend season’s greetings to all Waranga News readers, and to the team who put this fine little community newspaper together. Thank you to readers who sent me messages of appreciation. And even those who had a crack at me about something on this page deserve a safe and happy festive season!
