Farming patience tried in early June 1974

Colbinabbin range farmers were persistent, re-sowing grain paddocks after heavy rains had created wash-outs. The ground was still very wet, tractors were regularly bogged and for the farmers involved, the re-plant was an act of hope rather than expectation. (These days most of those paddocks are vineyards.)

A shocking accident involving the PTO of Laurie Howell’s tractor took the lower portion of his right leg. The Stanhope farmer lay in his paddock for an hour, awaiting attention from a doctor.

There was very little room in Stanhope Hall for other dancers as debutantes waltzed around, including Twinkle-Toes Geoff Cruz partnering Karen Clover. In the queue were Elwyn Bohn (Peter Lloyd), Gwenda Maxwell (Neville Cowie), Margaret Price (Gary Elford), Gail Job (Colin Emmett), Julie Kent (Robert Anderson), Pamela Hancox (John Holschier), Debra Holschier (Peter Sherman), Carol Hancox (Geoff Goode), Wendy McGuire (Graeme Wall), Susan Miller (Kelvin Argus), Gail Ryan (Tony Trist), Leanne Howard (Peter Finlay), Michelle Lonie (Alan West), Kerryn Northausen (David Argus), Tracee Spiby (Roly Miller) and Julie Shaw (Tony Kilmartin). (I note that some of these couples later tied the knot.)

Police and Court news

There was news of “planning approval” for a new police station and residence at Rushworth. No timetable was announced so Sergeant Geoff Durston had to endure the dilapidation.

Stanhope dairy farmer was fined for three offences after evidence led by the Department of Agriculture. Officials had inspected and laid three charges that he had failed to keep a dairy clean, failed to keep yards clean, and for permitting an accumulation of manure. Farmer was fined $15 (yes, $15), with $68.16 costs for Department inspectors to attend the hearing.

Waranga Shire

After six years as Shire Secretary, Graeme Calder resigned, becoming Malvern Town Clerk.

Community

Rushworth Fire Brigade members were photographed after receiving awards at a dinner attended by CFA Assistant Chief Officer Harry Rothsay. Tom Moylan, Graham Hawking, Eddie Gleeson, Gordon Raglus, Aub Geisler and Alf Raglus looked very smart but Ron Wootton, receiving his 12-year badge, missed the memo about wearing his brigade uniform.

Colbo Guides had a trip to Puffing Billy in the Dandenong Ranges, as Julie Morgan was selected for a camp in South Australia.

Schools

Rodney Jones won High School cross- country open event for boys, sister Denise (now Snelling) winning the girls race. (All Bibby and Irene’s training paid off!) Primary School Grades 1 and 2 composite made a scarecrow of sticks, hay and old clothes.

Grades 2 and 3 were “finding out about life in science. First we are going to study plants, then we will get animal organs and look at them”. (Apologies to those reading over breakfast.) Submitting Grade 4 report about a stamp club was Craig Miller.

Personal

Jodie Perret’s brother Dean was born to Margaret and Trevor of Rushworth, as David and Bev Rogerson welcomed Julie to Stanhope.

Bill Lambden, believed to be recovering from a stroke in Kyabram hospital, died suddenly. Details may be found in today’s Name from the Past column.

Iris Anderson of Stanhope, wife of Bob, also passed in Kyabram hospital.

District residents were reported as recovering in hospital after health emergencies. Cr. Len Coyle was in Mooroopna hospital after a heart attack, and Sam Cheatley of Colbo in Rochester hospital after a stroke. Alan Jackson (snr.) had returned to Rushworth from Melbourne after “a 7-hour operation to transplant veins from a leg to replace diseased arteries near his heart”.

Wes Risstrom was reported to have “clutch and gearbox problems” but I assume those issues were only in his truck! Poor Murray Hitchcock had “a major re-build on his engine”! Again, I am guessing that this only took his truck off the road, while Terry Gleeson’s “diff broke on Macquarie Pass”. While Terry was getting help, some low individual stole $3000 worth of tarpaulins and fittings.

Terry loaded a trailer with camping gear, fuel and various other fluids, setting off for a chat in his car with Pluto Perry, Jim Perry, Stephen Brown and Ian Dunstall, and heading for Bourke to see shearer Graeme “Ginger” Perry in action.

Norm Smith commenced as manager of Stanhope branch of the State Savings Bank of Victoria. (Remember the SSB?)

Football

Colbo’s 15-15 was too much for Rushworth’s 10-12. All the Macs were best for the winners: McCormack, John McEvoy and Ken McMurtrie, together with Lundberg, Slimmons, Ken Wilson and Graeme Reid who kicked five goals after coming on as 19th man. (He must have gone to the wrong end of the ground! He was a full-back!) Farrer, O’Sullivan, Lambden, McKeown, Roberts and young Lloyd best for the Tigers, as Herb Barlow booted four goals.

20th man John Brown came on for Colbo in the final minutes, his 200th senior appearance.

Colbo Seconds kicked a goal with five seconds remaining, to win 7-8 to 6-8. Alf Raglus named Colbo’s best as Bill and Trevor Johnson, Glen Rathjen and John Brown. For the Tigers, he found Maurice Clarke, Trevor Hawking, Chip Hageman and Rodney Jones, the cross-country runner.

Opting out on a very windy day at Tooborac were John Lambden, Pluto Perry, Bill and Herb Barlow (all claiming injury), giving Chip Hageman his first senior game for 1974. He saw Tooby kick ten goals in the first quarter. Rushworth had an eight- goal quarter after Ross Williams went off, replaced by Twinkle-Toes Cruz. Tooborac 22-18, Rushworth 11-7. The reporter spotted Glen Heily, John Raglus, Alec Horne, Ray Cruz, Mick O’Sullivan and Noel Lloyd as best players.

Stanhope were struggling in the Goulburn Valley league, down 7-9 to Euroa’s 21-14. Stanhope had won just one game, the Seconds not being quite so successful.

Netball

Netball victories were shared; Rushworth easily in A-grade, Colbo narrowly in B-Grade, and Rushworth very comfortably in C-grade, Lyn-Maree Pearce and Denise Jones, the cross-country runner, shown as best. Against Tooborac, Rushworth B and C-grades were successful with mentions to Robyn Roberts, Bev Draper, Cathy Poulson and Debbie Harrop.

In a Sunday tournament at Tatura, star players were Gillian Risstrom, Debbie Cruz, Denise and Wendy Jones, Lyn Merryfull and Isabel McLean.

Golf

Ivan Jell won B-grade on handicap with nett 62, edging out Bruce Wootton nett 64 and Gordon Raglus 65. A-grade was won by Mal McLeod, with just 75 off the stick, 61 nett, so he was playing off 14 handicap. (Way too generous!)

The Associates event had Shirley Harrop knock it close to the pin, putting to get her birdie two! The day was won by Norma Bolden.