Trouble brewing at Waranga Memorial Hospital
New doctor Dr Tai, Matron Cole and members of the committee were in disagreement as to which patients could be admitted to Waranga Memorial Hospital. At issue were public patients not covered by a medical benefits’ scheme and whether an honorary medical practitioner was available to treat them. It was developing into a very heated dispute, the doctor calling on the committee to sack the matron. Watch this space.
The push for Stanhope to have its Health Centre stepped up via a second public meeting, as a steering committee chaired by Phil Trist had advanced the project. $80,000 was the estimate, with plans on display at the State Savings Bank branch.
Shire of Waranga
Council submitted a bid for a State Government grant to complete repairs to headstones in the Whroo cemetery, which was then a Shire responsibility. A letter of complaint had been submitted by visitor Mrs M Stone of Canada.
Crime
Six months in gaol faced a Rushworth man following conviction for assault of his 75-year-old stepmother. The man’s long list of priors had included nine for assault, so six months was terribly soft by Magistrate Duggan.
Community
Not content with an Apex Club serving Rushworth and Colbinabbin since 1969, a Rushworth Lions Club was formed. (Stanhope already had both Apex and Lions.) Foundation Lions President Geoff Durston was in the grainy photo taken at a dinner in the Shire Hall, with Herb Barlow (snr.), Ray Hilder, Craig Robbins, Doug Poulson, Ron Risstrom, Stewart Nurse, Mario Fortuna, Ray Cheatley, Alan R Jackson, Brian Wallace, Graeme Bolden, Charlie Caygill and Tom Harrop.
District Guides Commissioner Mrs H Bertram was busy attending Guide meetings at Murchison and Rushworth. At the former, office-bearers were Mrs B Brisbane, Mrs A Musso, Mrs E Thomson and Mrs A Brown, while Mesdames Florence Perry, Joyce Robbins, Chris Wootton, Heather Hawking and Mrs K Bates were elected at Rushworth
Stanhope Catholic Ladies Club President Mrs Finnigan commended members Flo Ryan and Joyce Dodd for presenting wreaths back on Anzac Day.
A football social club barbecue and dance was set for the barn of Bill Raglus at Moora, tickets $5 a double.
Schools
Excitement was building in Rushworth Preps and Grade 1. An incubator was on loan and six eggs had been included, with children marking days on a chart until chicken hatching day. Teacher Mr Bianco was preparing to ‘marry Robyn on Saturday’. (I note Rushworth had the bye in the football!)
Grade 3 and 4 composite had the excitement of changing desk partners for the new term. Welcomed to the class was Wendy Jones from Benalla (now Wendy Pearce of Deniliquin, I suspect).
Grades 5 and 6 were watching the ABC education program ‘Behind the News’ and were keen to try to make kites after viewing one episode.
Business
Painter and wallpaper man, Aub Geisler, encouraged people not to delay their decorating until Christmas. Building and painting services were offered at Colbinabbin by Barry Duke.
Personal
Celebrations for Rhonda Sullivan’s 21st birthday were held in Brisbane, as her mother and brothers, John and Brian, drove from Rushworth for the party. Robert Wall of Rushworth flew to Brisbane to join in.
Well-known Wanalta grazier Oren Brown, 73, was found dead at his home. He had attended football at Colbinabbin on Saturday, had not answered his phone on the Sunday, and was found by cousin Frank Brown on the Monday evening. He was buried at Rushworth, and left a sister, Mrs Tom Spears of Bendigo.
Eric Hitchcock, father of Gordon, Ray, Cliff, Cobb, Harry and Jean, died at Mooroopna.
Football
Rushworth sneaked home by four points, 14-12 to 14-8 over Heathcote after being 1-0 to 5-3 down at quarter time. Tall full-back John McGillivray, with a novel kicking style, had returned for Heathcote after missing several seasons. Tiger coach Mick O’Sullivan starred with six majors, Kevin Mitchell six for the Saints. Lambden, Mackinder, W Barlow, R Williams, Horne and the other Alan McLean were named as best. Rushworth was in top place on the ladder.
Rushworth Seconds copped a spray. ‘Several players appeared to have no desire to get the ball.’ Heathcote 8-6, Rushworth 5-8, in the Tigers’ first loss for the season. Bill Cooper was named best player. Rushworth Under-16s beat Heathcote by one point.
Murchison footballers broke six years of losses to Tallygaroopna by winning 11-11 to 7-14 as John Orr booted four goals, Eddie Lee given as best. The following Saturday Murch went five goals down to Nagambie by quarter time, never recovering to finish 6-11 to the Lakers 10-16. K Delahey, B Sloper, R Normington, G Bell, G Wall, R Hammond and L Pinner got their names in the paper.
Other sport
The Homing Pigeon Club had an awards night in the fire station, with life membership presented to Mr and Mrs Tom Simpson for long and outstanding contributions. Tom also received a prize for his pigeon’s win in a sprint race from Tabilk. Craig Beck’s birds had won races from Craigieburn and Werribee.
Advancing to the second round of the Cosgrove Cup at Rushworth golf course were Ray Cheatley and Norm Geisler, John Borger – Max Richards, Les Muir – Alan Curnick, Peter Home – Rob Draper, Reg McIntosh – Graham Spence, Doug Poulson – Ron Risstrom, John Williams – Gordon Raglus, and Bill Cruz – Les Hoyling.
Terry Cogan won an A-grade event on handicap, while Graham Spence completed his eighteen holes with 72 off the stick.
Not to be outdone, Maree Cogan did well in Associates golf, as did Amy McIntosh, Doris Barlow and Lucy Barlow.
Most discussion time at Rushworth Bowls Club AGM was about the appointment of the selection committee for both pennant teams, with the possibility of a third team for season 1975-1976. The thankless task went to Jack Pettifer, Geoff Beck, Jim Service, Dick Duke and John Aitken.
