Thirty years on
Thanks to ex-Shire Engineer Bill Moore for this article about the old Shire of Maldon, which was swallowed up by Mount Alexander Shire 30 years ago ... This year is the 30th anniversary of the demise of the Shire of Maldon. Yes, it’s 30 years since we were ‘Jeffed’ by the newly elected Liberal government led by Jeff Kennett. Who can remember what this previous Shire was like before it was amalgamated with the Shires of Newstead and Metcalfe and the City of Castlemaine?
Family history looking for a writer
It has taken her three years to stitch it all together: former Maldon resident Leigh Jacobs has meticulously compiled an album of photos and documents that tell the story of her father Keith Laity’s life. The [Tarrangower] Times had the privilege of looking through Leigh’s tribute to her father ... In demolishing the old building on Bank corner and building a new garage, Keith changed the face of Maldon forever.
The Malayan Emergency
As an Australian military history nut, I like to think I know at least something about most of our major military actions since the late 1800s ... So what better opportunity to fill in that missing piece of my history puzzle for myself than to try and explain to you what it was all about? So here we go, the Malayan Emergency.
The close of an era – Cambooya Uniting Church’s final service
There was not a spare seat in sight for the closure service of the Cambooya Uniting Church ... over 70 people filled the church, to hear the Passion of Christ and give thanks for this tiny church’s contribution to Cambooya and the surrounding districts ... Rev. John said there was no more appropriate day in the Christian Calendar than Good Friday to allow ourselves to grieve.
The autumn draft to Corryong
Anonymous. A thousand head of ‘forward steers’ are listed for the sale - cold country reared, good doers, to go forward without fail. So runs the stock advertisement and buyers from the plains are on their way to Corryong to beat the winter rains. Away in far-off Groggin and out near Buenbar, the mountain lads are mustering the cattle, near and far ...
30 year celebrations for Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network
Firsthealth Limited who delivers the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, is celebrating 30 years of the organisation’s role in primary healthcare. The organisation’s history dates back to July 1993 ... Firsthealth Limited Board Chair Dr Jodi Culbert said the longevity of the organisation demonstrated its commitment to primary health in the Murrumbidgee region and a willingness to adapt to an everchanging environment.
Nhill air pageant a “roaring success”
John Williams. 65 years ago, it was marked as "our best air pageant ever" when a Canberra Bomber and Meteor jet buzzed the 3,000-strong crowds at the two-day event in March 1959. The RAAF display was a highlight with the Canberra fly-over on the Saturday and the Meteor staying overnight for another demonstration which ended when the jet rocketed up to a height of 23,000 feet to disappear into the wide blue yonder.
Letter to The Riverine Grazier editor
... Upon discovering the ovens on his property Mick Cattanach along with local Waradgery man, John ‘Gubba’ Woods decided to fence off approximately six acres of land to protect it from stock degradation and to make it a private reserve for the generations to come ... What happened next is an example of how everyday Australians can voluntarily help the ‘Close the Gap’ initiative with practical and sustainable outcomes, with the use of volunteer labour.
Greetings from Nhill
John Williams. It came in the form of postcards, and here are just a few from the early days, well before emails and even when the telephone was a novelty. On one side of a postcard, there is usually a brief note to a friend or relative, but on the other, it’s Nhill’s history….
Archaeological dig
As part of the weir project Water Infrastructure contracted to an archaeological consulting firm to conduct excavations on a number of sites that may fall with the footprint of the weir and construction zones ... Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Barkindji Native Title Group were consulted and a number of members received training on how to sift the soil from the holes...
Not the usual cyclist’s story
Coming back from Newcastle a couple of weeks ago we passed him somewhere between Nyngan and Cobar. Just poking along, and we thought, another person with time on their hands to cycle, not drive ... Mic Whitty’s story is not the usual push bike rider's adventure story ... he hatched a plan to cycle and follow his grandfather's footsteps around the Western Front in France.
Shearing legends to be honored at 11th Festival of the Blades
Five notable shearing legends will be honoured at Shear Outback’s 11th Festival of the Blades over the October long weekend, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th ... “These legends are famous in the world of shearing, and should be acknowledged for their outstanding contributions and achievements to the shearing industry,” Shear Outback board chair, Sam Barnes said. They are Deniliquin’s Brian Sullivan, Alan Williams (Moama), Peter Black (Dongara, WA) and Damien Boyle (Broomehill West, WA).
A century of country wedding dresses
Roz Jones. Lawrence Historical Society presents ‘A Century of Country Wedding Dresses’ as part of the April Plunge Festival. Visitors can expect to be delighted with an array of beautiful wedding dresses, from the past 100 years.
Banjo notebook found in hall cupboard reveals Kyogle was meant for Clancy, professor says
Kevin Markwell. Workers involved in the refurbishment of Kyogle Memorial Hall have made an incredible discovery. When they pulled out an old timber cupboard in one of the dressing rooms, they discovered an old notebook sitting among the rat nests and dust.
James Phelps Memorial and replica plough: history for all to see
Maureen Donnellon. James Phelps established his blacksmith’s foundry at Birchip’s five ways in 1890 ... Both plough and monument were first unveiled for the Centenary of Birchip in 1982 and it is wonderful to see them back where they belong, this time, together ... The replica plough has been painstakingly restored by the Birchip Men’s Shed
Church reaches milestone
A decade ago the future of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Cudgewa looked bleak. The floor was riddled with white ants and the inside was in great need of patching and painting. Much discussion was held on whether it would remain open considering the nature of the repairs needed and dwindling church attendance.
Surveying past the icy pass
Wayne Hawthorne. It was interesting to hear that the South-East of South Australia was home for one of the great surveyors and explorers of Polar regions. The little-known exploits of John Rymill (1905-1698) were outlined to members of Naracoorte Men’s Probus Club recently.
Reflecting on our Rod Run history
Narrandera's Easter Rod Run actually originated in a modest kitchen of Narrandera milkman Mal Christie. In Graham Smith’s fourth edition of his full colour glossy magazine The Australian Hot Rodder, Christie told Smith that it all began on Boxing Day 1970 when Victorian drag racer and show judge John English stopped over in Narrandera with his family on their way to Queensland.
Harmony Day 2024
Approximately 100 people of various cultural backgrounds attended the 2024 Harmony Day celebrations held at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre on Thursday 21 March 2024, marking it as one of the largest Harmony Day celebrations in Hindmarsh to date. Attendees were treated to a range of entertainment and performances including singing, dancing, demonstrations and talks that were provided by local and visiting artists.
Mark’s artwork soars to new heights
Shaun Hollis. A decorated RAAF officer who commissioned a painting to commemorate the moment which inspired his naming of the iconic Boeing E-7A Wedgetail defence force aeroplane said he could not be happier with the result. The painting, by Minlaton artist Mark Short, depicts a wedge-tailed eagle taking flight.
“In the Mood” to “Boogie Woogie”?
The Pacific Belles will perform at the Nhill Airshow on April 13. Swing to their dulcet tones as they sing these war-time classics. Their vintage repertoire includes songs like "Don't sit under the Apple Tree" and "We'll Meet Again." The Pacific Belles are Australia’s hottest retro-style singing trio, inspired by the music of the 1940‘s and have been referred to as "Melbourne's very own Andrew Sisters'.
WalkOn, RideOn, Maldon
After the MaldON WalkON booklet was launched mid last year, all printed copies ran out the door. Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve Group Spokesperson Lee Mead said, “Due to the booklet’s popularity and value to Maldon, we have been successful in gaining a community grant from Mount Alexander Shire Council to reprint lots more copies.”
