Heavy penalties decided at Rushworth Court House
Magistrate Curtain explained to a defendant that it was bad enough to be driving without a licence, but to be swaying all over the road and testing positive to alcohol when Sergeant Durston pulled him over, was completely unacceptable. The defendant’s solicitor applied for an adjournment of the case. The magistrate was not in the mood to adjourn, sending the defendant to gaol for a month.
Local men were penalised for unroadworthy vehicles and speeding while another pair were fined for carrying and firing a rifle on a Sunday at Whroo.
A farmer was fined $100 for failing to carry a knapsack on a tractor while slashing grass. A spark had started a fire.
A Camberwell solicitor was placed on $100 bond to be of good behaviour for twelve months for lighting a fire without a permit on a bush block near Rushworth. (A few years later, in 1999, well after his bond had expired, the same solicitor was convicted of importing and trafficking cocaine worth $2.7 million!)
Shire
Waranga Shire called tenders to operate the pan service, after the contractor sought a rise in the $31 per week paid for his collection service in Rushworth, $33 per week in Murchison. In the previous contract period, 30 homes had converted to sewer or septic systems. Properties still using the pan service faced a Shire levy increase.
Shire officers welcomed two State Government officials to “talk tourism”, visiting Whroo cemetery, the puddling-machine, the Balaclava mine and the aboriginal waterhole. With recent interest from people seeking to purchase abandoned Whroo township blocks, and Shire hopes of gathering rate revenue from new buyers, the next step was to confer with the Forests Commission, seeking its views on possible residential re-occupation of Whroo.
Community
Waranga Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary applauded two generous donations. Mrs Cole, mother of the hospital’s Matron Marion Cole had contributed $30 to assist the Auxiliary’s work and the Golf Club Ladies had raised $43 through the holding of a Charity Day competition on the local course.
People
“Popular Chronicle office girl and typesetter, Sharon Jones, announced her engagement to Allan Perry at a party at her parents’ home in Murchison Road on Saturday night. The party was attended by 120 friends.”
Murchison Guide Lynda Bertram received her Queen’s Guide award from the District Guide Commissioner at a ceremony in the RSL Hall. The Commissioner was her mother Helen!
Ownership of Colbinabbin Supply Store passed from Fred and Nora Reed to John and Irene Gibbs, bringing their family of three children from Katamatite.
Rushworth Hotel (the Bottom Pub) had new licencees Bob and Christine Waugh, in partnership with George and Janice Saynor.
The Greenaway brothers offered “a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who has been tampering with our tractor and property on our land on the Stanhope Road”.
Schools
Rushworth High School started third term with new arts and craft teacher Miss Ursula Betka from Warracknabeal, and taking up his first teaching post was Mr Alan Akerstrom, from Seattle, Washington, in the USA. He was to teach Geography and History, “and likes basketball and soccer”.
Miss Anne Marie O’Connor attended Rushworth High to explain the processes to apply for various tertiary courses to the Form Six class. She was photographed with students Noel Tuohey and Geoff Burge.
St Mary’s School received a donation of a stove for school use from Mrs Blackshaw, together with a steam and dry iron to feature as a raffle prize. Sister Nora asked whether any mothers could assist in teaching the children to crochet and to sew.
Football
Murchison Seconds lost the Kyabram District Football League Grand Final, down to Tallygaroopna 9-15 to 15-10. The senior flag went to Nagambie 10-19 over Merrigum 9-13. Girgarre won the Thirds premiership 10-6 to Lancaster’s 7-3.
At the Grand Final there was discussion among KDFL officials, hoping that Stanhope would join if the club left the Goulburn Valley League. Some Rushworth players expressed concern about continuing in the five-team Heathcote League, and angling towards the KDFL. The discussion was to continue through much of the summer which followed.
Rushworth Under-15s had their grand final a week later than the men after a draw during the finals. On a miserable wet day, Heathcote won easily, with pats on the back to Tiger brothers Greg and Malcolm Cruz, cousins Peter and Alan Hawking, Joe Barlow, Anthony Fullarton, and Craig Beck returning from injury.
At the presentation night, Mrs Eileen Lambden presented the Lambden trophy for the senior best and-and-fairest to Mark Mackinder, and the Ladies Auxiliary President Mrs Win Hageman handed over a big cheque to Club President Don Perry.
Golf
A-grade champ at Rushworth was David Heily, defeating Graham Spence, Norm Geisler taking out B-grade over Aub Geisler. D-Grade champion was Rob Borger, ahead of Noel Perry. The C-grade final between Gordon Raglus and Ralph Barlow had been delayed. President Ivan Jell selected a President’s team for a contest against the Captain’s team, the latter taking the honours. In a stableford event, Peter Meagher and Jack Borger led the field home in A-grade, the promising young Slim Perry taking the B-grade contest.
Breaking their handicaps at Associates golf were Maree Cogan and Elsie Laurie. Leaders in the Frank Richards Trophy were Alice Brown and Marj Johnston.
Bowls
The opening of Rushworth bowls season had capacity numbers on the green (when there was only one green). President Geoff Beck called on wife Mary to roll the first kitty, Associates president Mrs Linda Duke sending down the first bowl. Winners on the day were Bill and Mary Furphy with Joan Whitehead the third member of the rink.
Ron McLeod was commended and warmly thanked for all his work to brighten up the clubhouse.
Tennis
With the season fast approaching, only ten girls and two boys had signed up to play junior tennis for Rushworth. Made it difficult for the club to advise the Association how many teams it would field, with a fixture still to be created.
