Eagles and electric car make news in May 1975!
The debate about eagles attacking ewes and their lambs was heating up, farmers pointing to recent serious loss of stock, and Phil Dalziel of the Forests Commission explaining that dry forest conditions and few rabbits had created unfortunate eagle activity on farmland.
Editor Peter Davidson wrote “Residents of the Rushworth district will be able to see an amazing little car which is noiseless, pollution free and uses no petrol! It is one of five Enfield 8000 two-passenger cars brought to Australia by Chloride Batteries Australia Limited….. The little car costs less than one cent a mile to run.” (A battery-powered car, fifty years ago! Who would have guessed that in a quiz question today?)
Shire of Waranga
The new Senior Citizens Club building was well under construction, shown in a grainy photo. A full-time manager was sought to prepare meals-on-wheels from the clubrooms. A paid driver was also to deliver the meals.
The Council supported a request by Stanhope’s Ibis Milk Products to defer payment of Shire rates. Also endorsed was a proposal to create a large regional saleyard serving the Shires of Goulburn and Waranga at Murchison East.
Crime
Sergeant Geoff Durston from Rushworth and Senior Constable Kevin Foley of Murchison joined the chase for a car and trailer following a burglary in Numurkah. During the hunt the car was found to have crashed into the bridge over the Cattanach canal south of Murchison, submerging the trailer. The driver was placed under police guard at Mooroopna Hospital.
Schools
May school holidays brought a lull in reports. Mrs Mary Beck had provided dancing lessons for students of grades 5 and 6 at Rushworth Primary, as an end-of-term evening treat, ahead of supper provided by the Mothers’ Club.
From grades 2 and 3 came news that “Anthony split his head on the railway line”, while grades prep and 1 had a cuckoo clock, with the cuckoo appearing every half hour. (Just thought you might like to know.)
Community
Max Richards of the Apex Club presented a cheque for $300 for Guide and Scout activity, received by leaders Heather Hawking and Keith Taylor in their uniforms.
Alma Jackson thanked people who had assisted after the home she shared with her sons had been destroyed by fire.
Business
Colour television was new. Criterion Hotel installed a 17-inch model but licensee Arthur Harradence quickly ordered a 21-inch replacement. Jack Hartney at the Bottom Pub had already fitted his 21-inch giant television in the bar. (Yes, about half as big again as your laptop screen!)
Arthur donated his old black and white TV to the Football Club to watch World of Sport on Channel Seven over the Sunday lunch period, while washing the dust off the back of throats.
Personal
Robert Betson married Kaye Francis ahead of informal celebrations in the Shire Hall. Both had been raised and educated at Rushworth, Robbie a player and coach of the local football team.
Mrs Dora Nolan, formerly joint licensee with late husband Syd of Murchison’s Caledonia Hotel, died. Their children had included Marj (Mrs Sweet of Shepparton), Lorna (Mrs Gosling, St. Kilda) and Sydney Nolan, the famous artist.
Football and netball
John Orr starred at centre half-back as Murchison 21-9 easily beat Girgarre 14-8. Captain-coach Sloper kicked six goals. Girgarre supporters were accused of knocking the ball out of the umpire’s hands after the game. Eddie Lee was best for Murch Seconds in a 12-7 to 3-1 victory, but the Thirds only managed one goal. The Girgarre lads were too big.
The following week Murchison kicked 17-19, belting Ardmona 8-7, as young Ron Burls kicked three goals.
Rushworth’s 19-19 was too much for Mt Pleasant’s 10-16. Best for the Tigers were Alan McLean (the other one), David Perry, Noel Lloyd, Alec Horne (only four goals and just one spectacular mark), Trevor Hawking, Maurice Clarke and David Roberts. For Mounts, Barney Tuohey, Mickey Gee, T. Frawley, C. White and D. Shawyer.
Rushworth Seconds 10-13 beat Mounts 5-3, with Neville Clarke, Chip Hageman (3 goals), Charlie Potter, Barry Thompson and Geoff Hawking named best. Mentioned for Mounts were J. and B. Nihill, J. Tuohey, L. Kennedy, G. Mulcair and B. Griffen.
A tomato-picking day on Mick Barlow’s property raised $66 for the football club after six bins were filled. Only six men showed up, and Ray Hilder was the leading picker.
“Colbinabbin and Elmore staged a very dull and crowded game at Colbo on Saturday. The first half was a combination of dropped marks, and bad kicking.” Things must have improved for Colbo to finish on 20-11 and Elmore 12-8. Kicking goals were Pinniger, McCubbery, Rodda, Brown, McCormick, Alan Hammond, Brian Ellis, Brendan Tuohey and Ken Wilson. Newly-wed Ian Micheel got three for the Bloods.
Some editions had netball scores, but no details. Colbinabbin A and B-grades had wins over Elmore. Then Colbo 30 goals beat Heathcote 22 in A-grade, while Mounts threw 42 against Rushworth’s 22.
Other sport
Pennant golf was in full swing (Ho! Ho!), with David Heily, Mal McLeod, Peter Meagher, Les Muir and Wes Risstrom selected to play Kialla. Reg and Amy McIntosh won on a countback from Sam and Jean Jessup, in an event called a Mixed Canadian, which sounds confusing. Reg, who started golf at Rushworth in 1954, and with a handicap of 15 in 1975, scored his first hole-in-one after 21 years. This was on the fifth hole.
Mal McLeod could play a bit of golf. He won an A-Grade event 6 up, Aub Geisler taking B-Grade 9 up and C-grade going to Ross Coyle on 3-up, on a countback from Ivan Jell and Bill Barlow.
Recruiting new members for the Homing Pigeon Club were Arthur Barber (president), Aub Geisler (vice-president) and H. Fleming of Harston (secretary).
Auto Club elected Arthur Garvey as President, with Senior V-P George Colliver. Junior V-P was P. Linke, secretary Ray Lloyd, treasurer Peter Draper and the track committee was George Colliver, George Jones and John McGillivray.