John Williams, Treasures of Nhill & District Facebook page, 17 July 2023, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times

Not Houdini, but another escapologist Ray Mondel performed a “thrilling feat” off the side of the gleaming 6-year-old Noske silo in October 1925.

Before a gasping crowd of 200, Mondel, known as the “Manacled Miracle” was tightly secured into a straight-jacket with four large straps and hauled feet first up some 100 feet to the top of the silo.

Before he was hoisted by 4 men via a pully and rope, Mondel allowed members of the crowd to inspect the straight jacket similar to that used at the Ararat “Lunatic Asylum” and other institutions.

While suspended, swaying to and fro, the seemingly double- jointed stuntman wriggled a bit and was able to extricate himself from the jacket in just minutes. The jacket fluttered to the ground and Mondel was then lowered to terra firma to amazed onlookers who were now beginning to suffer stiff necks.

Mondel admitted that it was a great strain on the nerves as hanging upside down is not easy with the blood rushing to your head however, he gave the performance as a gesture of goodwill with money collected at the event going to the Hospital.

And it was a good promotion as the Mondels touring troupe was appearing at the Theatre Royal in Nhill that night.

Maybe it’s something the Silo Heritage Project could consider to help promote the complex. There are escapologists currently performing in Australia. Just a thought….you can only ask!

This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 23 August 2023.