Presented by Mildura & District Historical Society. Compiled by Heather Moser for Mildura Rural City Council Library Service. 100 years ago
FRUIT PRICES: The total advance in prices for dried fruits deserves attention (says the Argus). In two years, advances were 1/4d per lb. on currants, 1 ¼d to 1 ½d on sultanas, and ¼d to ½d on lexias. (7.2.1912)
SHIRE OR BOROUGH?: A meeting was held at the Coffee Palace on Friday evening to receive the report of the sub committee appointed to inquire into the advisability of forming the town of Mildura into a Borough. Mr H.F. Levien presided. Councillors were in favour of the proposal. (7.2.1912)
DRAINAGE: Shire Council accepted a tender for setting reinforced concrete channelling in Ninth Street and certain lanes leading therein, with the idea of draining away the offensive surplus water. The whole cost of the job will be about 500 pounds. (7.2.1912)
75 years ago
JAIL AND FINE: A man, who pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny of one bag of sugar valued at 23/6, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. Another man, fruiterer of Eighth Street, was fined ten pounds on a charge of having received a stolen bag of sugar. The matter had been investigated successfully by First-Constable Frank Henderson. (5.2.1937)
FORTITUDE: Despite the fact that one arm was broken, and in a sling, K. Caffrey, playing in one of the Sunraysia Boys’ club cricket teams on Saturday, did the “hat trick”. He took the wickets with the first three balls of his first over. (8.2.1937)
50 years ago
BRIDGE COUNT: Sid Moore is a man with an odd job. An employee of NSW Department of Main Roads, his job from 4pm until midnight was to count cars, trucks and pedestrians going over the bridge in either direction. He needs to be quick to count the number of axles a semi-trailer has as it passes. It is believed if the census is favourable the bridge may be widened and a pedestrian way constructed. (6.2.1962)
NINE YEARS’ WORK: Tomorrow the Bishop of St Arnaud (Rt Rev A.E. Winter) will consecrate one of the most beautiful churches in Australia – the new St Mark’s Church of England at Red Cliffs. Parishioners have worked for nine years to raise it from the foundations to a remarkable architectural achievement and a landmark in the history of Sunraysia. From the outside the church looks ordinary – but the beauty is contained within. (7.2.1962)
25 years ago
‘KOOKA’ LINK: One of the crew aboard Kookaburra III on which Australia’s hopes had ridden for retaining the America’s Cup has ties with Sunraysia. Paul Westlake, starboard trimmer aboard the Taskforce Syndicate’s yacht, spent his early childhood here. He is the son of Wal Westlake, a solicitor who worked with Arnold, Wright and Co., for several years. (5.2.1987)
QUALITY IMPORTANT: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs warns that dried fruit quality is vital this year. Growers have been urged to make the most of expected good returns of up to $1200 per tonne for dried sultanas. Berries which have been treated with gibberelic acid for table production produce larger dried berries causing higher processing costs. Other deductions are for excessive burrs which will lower returns. (6.2.1987)
ORDER NOW: Time is running out for district sports to order centenary medallions for presentation during 1987 – the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Mildura Irrigation Colony. This fabulous medal offer could link this year’s fixtures to the centenary events. The medals were designed by local artist Joy Scherger. (7.2.1987)
This article appeared in Wednesday's Sunraysia Daily 8/2/12
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