High drama at the hospital in July 1975
The Committee of Management of Waranga Memorial Hospital (all members named) published a notice “to advise that the decisions made to terminate the tenancy of Dr. G. Tai were unanimous, after full discussions and after advice from the Hospitals and Charities Commission”. It had been considered that the doctor’s demands associated with his practice and hospital admissions were excessive.
There was already optimism that a new doctor was interested to take up the appointment.
Long-awaited announcements indicated contracts signed to build new police station, new cell block and new residence at Rushworth. All up, $102,000 was to be provided. Tradesmen were appointed from Bunbartha and Eaglehawk.
Josef Szathmary and Keith Smith of Merrigum gave notice of intention to seek a lease of about a square mile immediately to the north-west of the Balaclava mine. They sought a lease for fifteen years, planning to expend up to $10,000 on “sinking and driving”, so shaft mining.
1974 had been a very wet year across the district, but 1975 rainfall was only six inches to end of June at Rushworth, against average yearly figure of twenty inches.
Community
Father Michael Morley returned to Rushworth to conduct Mass at St Mary’s church. He was presented with a silver serviette ring by Herb Barlow senior, on behalf of the congregation.
President of Stanhope Lions, Ross Murray, presented Waranga Shire President Cr. Bill Jacobson with a straw broom, to symbolise Lions involvement in national project to Keep Australia Beautiful.
Stanhope Guides Sherrie Gemmill, Shirley Brisbane, Mary Ann Bell, Karen Young and Debbie Lavery were busy sewing on uniform badges for activities like firefighter, accident prevention, hostess and camping.
Colbo Pub had installed a “colour” TV. Had a brown cabinet, with cream surrounding a screen which displayed in black and white!
The AGM of Rushworth Youth Club called parents to meet in the RSL Hall, then sitting on what we know as Hilders’ Block.
A Senior Citizens meeting had an attendance of 29 members. Senior Citizens euchre party prize went to Mrs Amy Jones. (Would euchre parties work today?)
Schools
Grades 3 and 4 at Rushworth Primary took off their shoes and Mr Ross measured the student heights, before making a graph of these measurements.
Gaye Sullivan of Grade 6 reported on a class wheelbarrow rubbish collection, while walking to the recreation reserve, “picking up two trailer loads of rubbish”. Michelle Borger showed the class a home-grown carrot weighing three kilograms.
At the High School a picnic area of log tables, seating, barbecues and lawns was planned, using $2510 grant, plus $100 of school funds. (Sounds high. My guess is $250 grant.)
Football
The paper’s editor Peter Davidson labelled Colbo as certainties for the flag in early July! He encouraged the flag-makers to prepare green and gold material. (Even in a five-team competition he was sticking his pen out! Colbo had lost one game, to Rushworth, and Rushworth had only lost two.)
He may have been basing his tip on Colbo beating Mounts by 137 points, 23-19 to 3-7. Wayne Egan was out of touch, only getting six goals, Brian Ellis with four, and named as best with Macs, McEvoy, McTaggart, McMurtrie, McCubbery, Abbott and Rodda.
Rushworth may have forced a re-think, going down by just one point to Colbo after leading by 21 points at the last change. On a wet day, 7-15 was enough to defeat 8-8, with four Colbo goals in the final quarter. Brendan and Paul Tuohey were given as best, with McCormick, and Lambden, Horne and Betson named for the Tigers.
Rushworth’s kicking for goal was “shocking” against Elmore. Half-time 7-14 to 2-7, and at the final siren 12-26 to 6-9. Alec Horne only got four, Bill Barlow two, with singles to Noel Lloyd, Rob Betson, John Bianco, Mick O’Sullivan, Maurice Clarke and Glen Heily (but I would have wanted to know who kicked the 26 points!) Mark Mackinder, John Lambden and Rob Raglus were shown as best players.
In the Seconds, Barry Thompson in the centre and John Raglus at centre half-forward were praised, along with Ian Cruz, Malcolm McLean, Wayne Hageman, Denis Ogden and Ken Risstrom.
Leading goal-kicker in KDL Seniors was Wayne Leppard of Merrigum, in the Seconds Brian Cresswell (Girgarre), and in the Thirds Russ Morgan, ahead of Laurie Casey and G. Halls (all of Girgarre).
Murchison 13-14 flogged Tallygaroopna 5-13, with Geoff Wall best afield until leaving the field injured in the third quarter. Praised was the umpire, former TV Ringside boxer Hilary Connally. Murchison Seconds “lacked interest” going under to Tally.
Still no luck for Stanhope in GV footy, down 6-11 to Kyabram’s 20-14.
Golf
Nearest the pin at Murchison golf was Lee Pinner, better known for his football, playing with footy teammate Frank Hogan. Playing the next week in the Murch men’s tournament, Ross Coyle of Rushworth was nearest the pin, Gordon McMaster winning an A-grade 9-hole scratch event. Ladies champion was Jan Dunlop.
Rushworth’s annual tournament occupied Friday and Saturday. Jack Laurie and Bob Barlow won a four-ball event, on a countback from Les Muir and Graham Bolden. Ivor Thompson and Jean Branson won the Mixed Canadian, while Ralph Barlow completed 27 holes in 134.
Jean also won the scratch event in the Associates tournament, from Glenda Prior of Valley View.
The Crosgrove Cup final went to Graham Spence and Reg McIntosh, edging out Les Muir and Alan Curnick 3 and 1. Juniors Noel Perry and Jim McIntosh did well in an event for stableford points.
Other sport
The same Ralph Barlow’s flying greyhound Sidanna scored another win at the Olympic Park track. The next week it was entered at Sandown Park.
A-grade netball ladder was headed by Mounts on 44, with Rushworth, Colbo and Heathcote way behind on 24 points. In B-grade Mounts were on top narrowly over Colbo. Unfortunately there were no reports of goal scorers or best players.
