Formal education at Rushworth for 150 years

In 1872, after Victoria introduced free, compulsory and secular education, Rushworth School was established. Most of the school’s graduates will be able to calculate that 2022 marks 150 years of schooling in the town, drawing students from across our district.

History on the front page in April 1972

Making front-page news in April fifty years ago was an article by Rushworth Historical Society secretary, High School geography teacher Robert Olston, reporting on 1100 visitors to the museum in the Mechanics Institute over the Easter weekend. The feature exhibit attracting keen interest was a windlass, panning dishes, a sluice trough and a gold cradle.

Hotel drama in March 1972

Rushworth Hotel licencee Kevin Kerrins was the victim of an assault by a patron who was fined just $40 by the Magistrate, Mr. A. J. Curtain. Supporting Mr Kerrins in warding off the out-of-town attacker were Kevin and Jack Clarke, who happened to be in the pub at the time. Criterion Hotel licencee Peter McCann, defending a charge of illegal gambling on premises, told the magistrate that he had been assisted by the TAB operator at Stanhope, who supplied him with betting sheets and settled up every Tuesday. Kevin Kerrins made a similar claim on the same charge. Both said they were told by the Stanhope operator that it was “Okay, because Rushworth will get a TAB agency soon”. Both publicans were placed on one-year $100 good behaviour bonds, with similar surety.

Shocking coincidence to start 1972

Fifty years ago, 1972 started badly for a local (bottom) publican and twelve of his drinkers. In a remarkable coincidence, their watches must have stopped simultaneously, just before closing time. All were found guilty and fined for selling or drinking liquor outside legal hours! Three are still living, and mates of mine, so best we leave the story there.