History & heritage

They’re not old time-travellers, they’re old-timers, travelling! The largest vintage car tour in Victoria, and possibly Australia, travelled through Muckleford and Maldon last week as part of the 2024 Golden Oldies Tour. It was a marvellous sight to see all these Roaring Twenties transporters...

Stuart McLean. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Naracoorte would like to invite the community to attend the induction of the Reverend Rudi Schwartz who is returning with his wife Heila. Rudi and Heila lived in Naracoorte for many years from 2000 taking an active part in the community as well as the church.

A history of Camellia Shows, Camellia Festivals and the Narrandera District Garden Club (last updated 1996) has been provided to the Narrandera Argus. Narrandera’s reputation for the production of top quality camellia blooms has been growing over a period of 23 years ... It began in 1973 when the ladies of the St John’s P.W.A. changed from their traditional Annual Fete to an afternoon of "Flowers and Fashion"...

The 8th Light Horse Indi Upper Murray Troop inaugural training day on Sunday at Tintaldra was a mixture of professional instruction and the sheer enjoyment and enthusiasm of participants. Professional tent pegging judge, Terry Phillips, provided tent pegging and skill at arms instruction while Keith Sheather from Adelong set the tone for the training day in his beautifully maintained great-uncle’s Light Horse uniform and his horse Clancy.

Chris Murray. The loss of Qantas Catalina VH-EAX at Lord Howe Island – Sabotage or misadventure? ... Hudson Fysh – Qantas: “On the 23rd June, 1949, our Catalina and one of Trans Oceanic Airways were riding at their moorings on the lagoon when in a ‘blow’ our flying boat broke her moorings and went ashore."

Back when Kookaburra was young and out for adventure, he used to jump into a car and drive overnight to the Western District of Victoria, traversing half of New South Wales and then half of Victoria to get there. A nap at a truckstop near Tocumwal was about the only break as the miles signs (in those days) clicked by. The sun rising near Maryborough whilst the car thrust its way forward through the ranges and down to Beaufort signalled the journey was nearing its end. A quick pit stop and then out on that last stretch to Stockyard Hill and my destination – a poll Dorset sheep stud owned by some old family friends – who always managed to find a spare room for the blow-in.

Last weekend the Donald golfers celebrated a milestone in the club’s history when they hosted their annual three day tournament which was also their 100th – and what a weekend it was! ... Eighty golfers and ex-golfers celebrated Donald’s 100th golf tournament at a dinner on Saturday night with many of them coming back to Donald especially for the occasion.

A very significant local football photograph has come to light from Narrandera resident Ian "Rat" Rankin who found it from the period when his great-grandfather coached Narrandera in 1900. Only his great-pop’s name was on the back - Edward Armstrong ... Before this photo his great-grandfather coached the Australian Rules team at Gillenbah.

West Wimmera Shire Council is embarking on a project to professionally record the rich history of the historic Serviceton Railway Station. The project involves creating a high-quality audio recording of local historian Les Millikin as he narrates the detailed history of the Serviceton Railway Station, capturing his extensive knowledge and personal insights about this significant heritage site.

Maldon RSL Sub-Branch hosted a moving service to observe Vietnam Veterans Day ... at the memorial cenotaph in Maldon Gardens and welcomed Veterans, family members and others who wished to pay their respects.

Jenny Pollard. The battle of Long Tan and the belated acknowledgement of Vietnam veterans were the touchstones of an address given by MP Jade Benham at the Charlton RSL Sub-Branch commemoration to mark Vietnam Veterans Day last Sunday.  The ceremony marked the fifty-eighth anniversary of the decisive battle and included the unveiling of four freestanding silhouette figures in the Branch’s reflective space.

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM came to Nobby last Friday to honour the work of Sister Elizabeth Kenny with the official opening of the Nobby Museum’s Timeline panel depicting the development of Sister Kenny’s work over time. It was standing room only inside the Nobby Museum as an excited crowd estimated at around sixty people waited for the arrival of the Queensland Governor and her husband.

Volunteers have been kept busy at the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre (NAHC) ... During the week members of the NAHC Board entertained the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor Margaret Gardner AC and her entourage.

Situated on Harwood Island, overlooking prime agricultural land and the majestic Clarence River, is one of the oldest continuously operating sugar mills in the country. The Harwood Sugar Mill and Refinery has been crushing cane since 1874, and is one of three facilities in the state owned and managed by Sunshine Sugar … In 2024, the Harwood Sugar Mill and Refinery is proud to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

This week, we share the story of Cohuna Vietnam Veteran, Bob Maud ... as Corporal in 30 Terminal Squadron (nicknamed Termites), Royal Australian Engineers, he began a 12-month posting at Middle Head in Sydney ... “You’ve got to be trained like a stevedore,” he said, saying you had to know how to stack, pack and use things, especially munitions ...

For those who rock, we salute you! Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar  hits Ballarat this October.  Exclusive to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the exhibition features  40  iconic  guitars on loan from the National Guitar Museum (USA) alongside  an awe-inspiring assemblage of photographs, paintings, drawings,  illustrative designs, and  objects.