Front page news with a difference in November 1975
Making the front page in early November 1975 was an upcoming sheep gadget show at Heathcote. Six types of crutching cradles were to be exhibited, with crutching able to be done by the relatively unskilled. Several types of shearing gear were to be demonstrated. Sheep yard design was to include consideration of sheep instinct and psychology. (I could not be making this up! Any specialists around who can explain the psychology of the sheep, beyond their style of following other sheep? Show organisers may have had to lock the gates. To keep the crowd in.)
Also on the front page was the headline “Stanhope quits G.V.L.” after a packed meeting in the RSL Hall voted the football club to affiliate with the Heathcote District Football League. The meeting was reported as having plenty of heat after Brian Auld moved and Gordon Emmett seconded that Stanhope re-affiliate with the Goulburn Valley League. This motion was defeated.
Speakers against GVL and pro HDFl included Paddy Meehan, Keith Sadlier, Kevin Thompson, Harry Boerkamp, Darrell Tuohey, Roy Barrett and Phil Trist. A big committee was elected under the presidency of Gavin Poole. Alex Green was elected secretary
Editor Peter Davidson thanked Rushworth’s Les Hoyling for his assistance at the meeting, putting names to the speakers so Peter could prepare his report.
Shire of Waranga
Health Inspector Astley Morris was to inspect a number of houses in the shire for suitability for occupancy and to assess availability. Cr. Bob Barlow said that teachers were reluctant to take appointments to local schools as housing was in short supply, particularly for married couples.
Crime
A Rushworth youth narrowly avoided gaol after repeated convictions for traffic offences and misbehaviour in the streets. Car and motorbike licences were suspended, a good behaviour bond was reset, and fines of $170 were decided by the magistrate. The youth’s mate was fined $60 after a road accident in Dunn Street.
A motorist from Rushworth recorded a .05% blood alcohol conviction after Constable Hromenko noticed him driving a car down High Street with a passenger sitting on the bonnet. The breathalyser confirmed what the constable suspected.
A Stanhope youth was fined $210 for riding a motorcycle without licence or helmet. Perhaps unwisely, the youth told the magistrate that he planned to apply for a car licence.
Another Rushworth man was fined $20 for driving along the wrong side of High Street, and a further $20 for leaving his car with engine running and keys in the ignition.
Schools
High School Form Six students were photographed sitting their exams in the Shire Hall, further away from school than the RSL Hall but much more suitable.
Community
Rushworth Youth Club signed the band Take 5 to play at a dance in the Shire Hall, Admission $1.
Rushworth Guides who travelled to Melbourne to stand in the rain while waiting to see Princess Margaret were Dianne and Susan Barber, Janet Hawking, Isabel McLean, Michelle Bates, Susan Robbins, Hilary Whitehead and Susan Coyle. (What a treat!)
Guiding Colbinabbin Guides were Mrs Nell McTaggart (President) Mrs M. Morgan (vice-president, Mrs D. Brown (secretary), Mrs L. Burge (treasurer) and Mrs T. Morgan (badge secretary).
Christmas cakes were available for purchase from members of Lions Clubs at Rushworth and Stanhope, $2.50 each. (So that sales tradition is at least 50 years old now.)
Methodist Ladies Guild held a big flower show, attracting 311 entries in categories such as pot plant in bloom, foliage pot plant, Australiana arrangement, modern arrangement, pot of cacti and a puzzling “arrangement of weeds”. Prominent prize winners included Mrs Peg Taylor, Mrs Goodwin, Mrs Radanov, Mrs W. Raglus snr, Mrs Heather Jones and Mrs Dorrie Jones, after two independent judges from Kyabram assessed the entries.
Susan Robbins, Wendy Jones and Ellen Goodwin enjoyed success in the children’s section.
The very active CWA branch held their annual meeting, noting that a year’s highlight was the Australia Day celebration back in January. The branch planned a Christmas lunch, each member to bring a gift for distribution to another member. Presents were not to exceed 50 cents in price.
The Catholic Ladies Guild elected Mrs Dodd as President, re-elected Mrs Comer as secretary, assisted by Mrs O. Kenny. The treasurer was Mrs Bazeley. Plans were advanced for the annual dinner at the Stanhope Motel.
People
Ross and Beryl Coyle added Sandra Elizabeth to the clan, joining Susan, David and Leonie.
G. and L. Blackshaw, operating their mixed business on the hill in Stanhope Road, were offering grocery savings by selling half-case lots.
Football
Colbinabbin’s premiership captain-coach Jeff McCubbery was appointed 1976 coach of Kennington, a struggling team in the Bendigo League. He had completed three seasons with Colbo, making the finals each year and winning the 1975 flag.
Tennis
Rushworth C-grade men had rather a bad day in local tennis, contributing just two games to the scorecard out of a possible 36.
Cricket
Wet weather had ruined the early season cricket. A scribe calling himself Cowdrey commenced reporting Rushworth cricket. In reply to Stanhope A-grade’s 102, Rushworth sneaked home with 105. Trevor Hawking 38 not out, Graeme Johansen 29 and Geoff Hawking 17 were mentioned, after Trevor had taken 4/36 and Geoff 2/27. Leading players for Stanhope were not mentioned.
In B-grade Charles Potter took 3/33, and in the juniors Danny Forte 3/24, both in losing teams.
The following week in B-grade Tony Hatters took seven wickets for 24 runs against Tongala, but eight Rushworth batsmen failed to trouble the scorers, within a team total of just 20. The duck shooters included non-regular cricketers Noel Lloyd, Noel Perry and Ian Rogerson. Regular player Donald Clarke was no help. He also made a duck. Top score was Charles Potter on 7 runs, followed by Ross Williams with 5. The following Saturday they fared better, making 107 in the second innings, Tony Hatters getting 34 and Donald Clarke 4, but Tongala won outright.
Bowls
Victorian Bowls held a pairs championship region by region. Eliminated in the semi-finals of the Goulburn Valley section were Stanhope ladies Mavis Meadowcroft and Jean Roulston.
Rushworth men’s pennant teams had comfortable wins in A2 and B1 sections, both against Mooroopna Golf, with B2 recording an uncomfortable loss to Mooroopna.
Waranga Boat Club
Races for 34 different classes of yachts attracted a record 171 entries in a two-day regatta on Waranga Basin, marred only by light breezes on the Saturday, when the courses had to be shortened. Almost all yachtsmen and women were visitors from well outside the district.
