Late April start for footy in 1975
Front page news in April was all about local football upheavals, as the Heathcote League commenced without Tooborac, which had been on-again, off-again, right up to the first bounce. The withdrawal left just Elmore, Heathcote, Colbinabbin, Rushworth, and Mt Pleasant which was given a bye in the opening round.
Photographed at the opening match were a group of youngsters including Nicole Fullarton and the Cheatley sisters. The footy ladies at Rushworth were pleased to use the tea rooms within the new pavilion, which has since been replaced by the current larger building. Win Hageman, Joyce Robbins, Shirley Raglus and May Risstrom were photographed in action.
Ibis Milk Products at Stanhope welcomed new manager Brian Sadler from Longwarry in Gippsland, along with wife Pauline and children Fiona, Mandy and Bernard. (Brian was well qualified. There are quite a few dairy cows in Gippsland.)
Shire of Waranga
Shire secretary Terry Larkins announced that the Pound for wandering stock was to be relocated, still within the town boundaries of Rushworth. Graham Roberts will know about the move, as he advised that 94 Shorthorn-cross cattle --- six bulls, 29 cows and 59 steers --- had been impounded. The owner needed to claim them and pay the feeding expenses, or they would be auctioned on 17 May. (Who owned them? Did the owners not notice that they were missing? Who arranged their impounding? Were they claimed, or sold? One of the district’s great mysteries!)
Crime
Fined for taking fish out of Wanalta Creek by means other than a rod, and for shooting and possessing wild ducks were two Rushworth men. The drum-net charge only netted a $50 fine, against the maximum available to magistrate Curtain of $500. Jim Crosier was the prosecuting Fisheries Officer. His vehicle around town usually prompted the (temporary) retrieval of drum nets from district waterways, hidden in farm barns (so I am told).
Schools
Grades 5 and 6 of Rushworth Primary were welcomed by railway station-master Mr Kolenaty who explained freight weighed in kilograms and tonnes. On the station scales the girls weighed 629 kilograms (that was altogether) and the boys just 292 kilos. “Our grade weighs nearly 1 tonne.”
Grade 5 received a visit from Mrs O’Sullivan, who had taught them in preps when she was Fran Barlow.
Graeme Morgan, on behalf of grades 3 and 4, reported that his class had the trampoline at the school fete. New playground equipment was now in active use.
Community
Country Fire Authority’s Assistant Chief Officer visited to inspect the Rushworth Brigade. Members were to be in uniform, which of course were not the outfits worn to fight fires.
Lone Persons’ Units were nearing completion in what the Chronicle said was Esmonde Street, but I still think it was Phillips Street.
The Apex Club was to hold a debate with Broadford Apex. Debaters Slim Perry, Ralph Barlow and Peter Davidson were to argue the negative case to the proposition “that marriage is out of date”. (Interesting topic 50 years ago.)
Rushworth Caravan Park (now Miner’s Pick) was exhibiting a new mobile home, purchased in Kyabram by Mr and Mrs Stan Kinder. This was a new variation from caravanning, and had luxury fittings.
Rushworth Homing Pigeon Club euchre night offered $20 for first prize. Five joint winners had to take home $4 each.
Rushworth Historical Museum reported that 340 people had signed the visitors’ book in 1974, not counting Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Nixon.
Colbo Football Club promoted its dinner dance, to feature Leon Kinder’s Band, with doors not opening until 7.30 p.m.
Personal
Dennese Moylan of Rushworth, daughter of Tom and Lorna, married Norman Lee of Benalla in the Rushworth Methodist church, now the Uniting.
Rosalie Hawking of Rushworth married Brian Harrap of Mooroopna, and their wedding party included Leayne Hawking, Janet Hawking, Gail Wootton, Pat Mahoney, Allan Prater and flower-girl Amanda Rosan.
Jeweller Carl Williams was congratulated on 54 years in business in Rushworth, operating from what is now the Ice Cream Shoppe.
Bill and Marilyn Porter (nee Cruz) welcomed Lorien, the first grandchild for Nancy and Tony Cruz. Bill and Rosemary Salter (nee Owens) of Stanhope South announced the arrival of Nicholas William.
Stanhope’s Greg Emmett was engaged to Rosemary Pattinson of Bendigo.
For lease by auction held at the Colbinabbin Hotel were farm lots near Colbinabbin (on account of Lewis Burge) and at Burrumbeet East (Allan Curnick).
Sport
Wild celebrations in Colbinabbin after the C-grade tennis team were premiers, winning 4 sets 44 games over St John’s Rochester, 5 sets 42 games. Led by Colin McTaggart, serving it up were David Ivey, Mark Kelly, Bernadette McArdle, Margaret Morgan and Carol Tuohey. It seems most of Colbo played in this team across the season. Toni and Terri Ryan, Kathleen Jackson, Julie Morgan, Julie Francis, Joe Kelly, Mark Tuohey, Jimmy Morgan, Phillip McEvoy, Bill Wright and Ian McTaggart all had a swing. (How did they pick the team for the final?)
Rushworth’s John Williams, Peter Meagher and Terry Cogan were burning up the golf course, with B-graders Ross Coyle, Ron Risstrom and Rob Borger smouldering along also. Associate golfers doing well were Dot Aitken, Norma Bolden, Jan Ross, Nan Jessup and Ann Pearce.
Winners of an early round of the Perpetual Cup were Bill Barlow and Slim Perry, shown as defeating Mal McLeod and J. Moylan, though the latter may have been Tom. (Bill and Slim are still golfers, and might nearly be getting the hang of it by now.)
Football
Colbo was licking its wounds after its opening score of 13-15 was no match for Rushworth’s 22-9. O’Sullivan booted seven for the Tigers, Pinniger getting six for Colbo. A dog ran onto the field but was passed to a spectator by new player Alan McLean (not me, the other one, from and still at Warracknabeal, and who worked in the Colbo bank but was more attracted to Rushworth!). Primary teacher John Bianco was named best for Rushworth, McCormack for Colbo.
The Tiger Seconds kicked 5-8 to beat the Grasshoppers 3-5. Alec Jones was best player named for the winners, Terry Morgan with the honours for Colbo. W. Cooper kicked a goal for Rushy, but was it Wally or Billy?
Murchison 11-12 beat Merrigum 7-13 in “a low standard game”. Bertram kicked four goals, John Begg the best player. Murchison Seconds 7-7 to Merrigum 3-4, as best player Peter Halbert took a “specky”. The Thirds were narrowly beaten, S. Bell named as best.
