Pirates on Waranga Basin in August 1975!
A boat belonging to licenced professional fisherman Mr Irvine Lloyd was removed from its mooring in the Basin on two occasions, Mr Sam Cleary retrieving it first from Sapling Point, Mr Lloyd finding it under a bridge the second time. Rushworth police were on the case (which might still be on-going).
Postmaster Bruce Carrotte and Australia Post fought a legal battle concerning payment of rent on Australia Post premises. Magistrate Curtain ruled that the Australian Government “can charge up to 10% of an employee’s wage for rent of a dwelling occupied by an employee”. Mr Carrotte claimed that he had to give permission or approval for any rise in the rental charge.
Shire of Waranga
North Eastern Riding vacancy on Shire Council attracted not one candidate. Cr. Len Armstrong voiced disapproval that some outspoken residents were “not prepared to put words into action”.
Schools
All classes were busy at Rushworth Primary, preparing for school sports. The bigger kids were throwing a “shot put made by Furphys in Shepparton”. Katrina and Robert from grades 2 and 3 reported studying New Zealand for Social Studies.
At Stanhope, netball and football were contested involving the schools from Merrigum, Girgarre, Rushworth and St Mary’s.
Not so much a school as university. The Chronicle reported that “former Rushworth High School student Alan McLean studying at Melbourne University has turned up interesting information about early hotels and licencees in the district”. The report referred to Luke Mullany (Criterion), Henry Wootton (Cricketers Inn), W. Johnson (Football Club Hotel, Rushworth), Maria Darby (Rushworth Hotel), Geo Brice (Royal Mail Hotel, Rushworth), Jno H. Roberts (Roberts’ Store Hotel, Rushworth), Ellen Geyle (Telegraph Hotel, Rushworth), Jeremiah Dooley (Imperial Hotel Rushworth), Joseph Keogh (Foresters’ Arms at Waranga), William Walsh (Travellers’ Rest Hotel, Waranga), Chas Baud (Balaclava Hotel, Whroo), Niels Nielson (Whroo Inn), Bright Singleton (National Hotel, Moora), John Froome Jnr. (Waranga Hotel on Moora Road), John McInnes (Wanalta Hotel), and A. M. Bockholt (Colbinabbin Hotel).
Strange the things you forget. Until reading the 1975 Chronicles to prepare this page, I had forgotten finding these details at Uni, much less passing them to Chronicle editor Peter Davidson. (Thirsty locals and travellers back in the 1880s and 1890s!)
Community
Tony Ford, Chairman of the Waranga Interim Committee for Social Development, submitted a letter addressing rumours and controversy around a youth coffee shop in Rushworth, denying claims that it was a sly grog shop, and noting that the premises were always under adult supervision.
Rushworth and Stanhope Lions Clubs had members tidying up and planting trees at Green’s Lake Reserve near Corop, after bad flood damage. Photographed were Brian Wallace, Chief Perry, Craig Robbins, Stewart Nurse and Doug Poulson, assisted by local cubs Darren Nurse and Jamie Poulson.
Rushworth Football Club Ladies Auxiliary raised $600 with a big dinner dance in the Shire Hall, decorated by Chris Wootton and Mary Beck. Judy Lambden (Mrs Ogden now) was credited with most of the ticket sales. Mesdames Win Hageman, Leila Cruz and Hazel Risstrom were mentioned by secretary Mrs Harrop.
Young Farmers decorated Colbo hall with old posters and black and white streamers for what was called a “Back To” Ball. Judges Ken and Mrs Ingram of Elmore and John and Mrs Gunston of Goornong selected Yvonne Hill (now Tuohey) as Belle of the Ball, Ann Marie Bradley the Princess. Club members visited Fortuna Mapping of Bendigo for a demonstration of computer mapping.
People
Mrs Laurenia Wootton, mother of Doug, Phyllis (Mrs Spence) and Gordon, died, aged 95. Andrew Charles Anderson, always known as Charlie, of Rushworth, and father of Ian, also passed away.
Karren Clover of Stanhope and Geoff Cruz of Rushworth, high school sweethearts, announced their engagement.
Julie Jones and Trevor Mason of Rushworth were married. (Golden wedding celebrations coming up in Mooroopna.)
Jack and Betty Thompson (nee Anderson) celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with children Kathy, Barry and Neville.
Football
Mount Pleasant knocked Heathcote out of the finals race in the first semi-final, winning 16-10 to 14-8. Colbo Seconds kicked a massive 20-16 to thrash Heathcote 3-5. Veteran Gerry Brown led the way with five goals, Martin Tuohey named best with G. Maddern (four goals), Les McMurtrie, Mick McArdle, Trevor Johnson and John Brown.
In the second semi-final at Heathcote, Rushworth went down to Colbo, 18-23 to 13-13. Stars Egan and Slimmons did not play for Colbo but McCubbery returned with six goals. Ian Williams missed for Rushworth, nursing a broken wrist. (He tells me the wrist still gives trouble, but he is able to bend his elbow quite freely.) Eight goals in the first quarter won the match for Colbo, Len Rodda getting four himself. He and McCubbery were named best with Bill Johnson, Paul Tuohey, Ivan Abbott and Alan Hammond.
Alec Horne kicked four goals for the Tigers, well served by Ross Williams, Bill Barlow, Rob Betson, Dave Roberts and Glen Heily.
Strangely, Rushworth Seconds struggled to even field a team for the second semi, Elmore winning 11-13 to 3-3. Ken Risstrom, Barry Thompson, Charles Potter, Denis Ogden, Geoff Hawking, Chris Hageman and Tim Barlow were mentioned.
Murchison beat Girgarre by fifteen points. Darryl Wright’s six goals put him in the best players with Lee Pinner, G. Bell, P. Morris, S. Roberts and R. Sloper. The Seconds lost to Girgarre, but still made the finals.
Poor old Stanhope had not managed a win in 1975, sitting on the bottom of the GVL ladder, Euroa the runaway leaders.
Tennis Club
Bill Barlow, who is always on this page, was elected to succeed Ted Whitehead as Tennis Club President. Vice-presidents were Graeme Wall and Glen Heily. Judy Meagher became secretary, assisted by John Brown. Delegates to Tatura and District Tennis Association were Bill, Graeme, Ted, and Glen Rathjen. Courts 5 to 8 were to be ripped up, topped up, levelled and re-sown. (These days the space is used for cricket practice.)
Other sport
Murchison Golf Club President Tom Bourke had an upset win over reigning club champion Gordon McMaster, in a club championship semi-final. Stuart Shepard beat Brian Brady in the other semi. In B-grade, John Dunlop and Ian Clarke won through to the final.
At Rushworth, Colin Barlow took the A-grade event with 82, less his handicap of 24, ahead of Les Muir. Les Hoyling’s 89 less 34 was good enough to take B-grade, over Stephen Brown and J. Borger, probably being John (Tacky), not his uncle Jack.
Champion Associates were Doris Barlow (A-grade, over Beryl Home), Norma Bolden (from Nan Jessup in B-grade) and Lorraine Barlow winning C-grade over Pat Cleary.
Peter Geisler’s pigeon raced home first from Deniliquin.
