50 Years Ago
Early March of 1976 saw quite a queue lined up at Rushworth Court House. A fire without a permit in long dry grass at a property on the corner of Wigg and Nicholson Streets, set the owner back $200, Sergeant Durston on the case. A motorcyclist was clocked at 150
50 Years Ago
Rushworth Primary enrolments were up as the school year started, boosted by 23 new starters in Preps. Mrs Jeanette Murray was a new librarian two days per week. The largest local primary school was Stanhope with 168, reported by headmaster Bernie Dreher. New teachers included Alan Calder, Mrs Georgina Wallace,
50 Years Ago
A Sunday afternoon cool change roared across the Basin, damaging yachts and campsites on the shore. Later in January, a Shepparton man was drowned at Greens Lake, Corop, after a squall capsized a 12-foot (3.5 metre) fibreglass boat. Three passengers in the boat struggled ashore to raise the alarm.
50 Years Ago
There was a horror weekend on roads within a 60-kilometre radius of Rushworth. Peter Bray of Girgarre died after his motorcycle collided with a semi-trailer on the notorious intersection of Midland Highway and McEwen Road. Mrs Bonita Campbell of Elmore died after a collision with a sportscar, with a passenger
50 Years Ago
Officials from the Mines Department, the Lands Department and the Shire of Waranga met to seek common ground to achieve the preservation of the Balaclava Mine at Whroo. Mr Les Garraway from Echuca, on behalf of the Tourism Department, addressed the meeting enthusiastically about preservation, in stark contrast to a
50 Years Ago
Making the front page in early November 1975 was an upcoming sheep gadget show at Heathcote. Six types of crutching cradles were to be exhibited, with crutching able to be done by the relatively unskilled. Several types of shearing gear were to be demonstrated. Sheep yard design was to include
50 Years Ago
Lively football discussion continued in October 1975 The well-attended Annual General Meeting of Rushworth Football Club at the former fire station (next to the Presbyterian church) came to a unanimous decision, rare in most footy clubs. Unless the Heathcote District League confirmed eight clubs for season 1976, the Tigers would
50 Years Ago
Cr. Ron Hickson opened the new Toolleen Sporting Centre, which had been a big achievement for a small district. The multi-purpose pavilion was to become the hub for local sporting clubs, community groups and for public meetings. A series of grants and ratepayer contributions had combined to enable erection of
50 Years Ago
Replacing the retired Senior Constable Ray Gavin at Stanhope was Senior Constable Harry Hoskin, transferring from Newstead near Castlemaine. An early assignment was getting down to business in the local pennant bowls team as a new recruit. At Rushworth the little old timber police station was removed by truck to
50 Years Ago
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.
50 Years Ago
Amid high excitement among supporters and former players, Colbinabbin defeated Rushworth at Toolleen to win the club’s first premiership since 1950, the cup accepted by captain-coach Jeff McCubbery and club president Mick Morgan. The score showed a comfortable win 17-15 to 10-13, after leading by 41 points at the
50 Years Ago
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