50 YEARS AGO
Warragul Gazette – Tuesday, January 19, 1971.
FARMERS REJECT CHANGE-OVER
Seventeen Bona Vista suppliers of Petersville Milk Products Pty Ltd have rejected the proposed changeover to refrigerated bulk milk systems.
The suppliers unanimously rejected the move at a meeting. They prepared a signed statement to be forwarded to Petersville’s Warragul factory manager.
Suppliers at the meeting disputed the accuracy of the company’s figures quoted in its December newsletter.
The following points about the statement were raised:
The vat quoted for this “average farm” is 300 gallons. This is too small to hold the milkings, and also allow for an increase in production for 12 years, about the life of the vat.
This “average farmer” would find it impossible to provide a surplus of $1500 per year required to repay the loan over a three-year period. A longer period would require higher costs.
The close proximity of farms to the factory make refrigeration unnecessary, because the milk can be picked up and delivered to the factory quickly.
START ON CENTRE FOR SENIORS’ SOON
Erection of a senior citizens’ centre at Warragul will begin soon.
Warragul Shire Council has made the project possible by providing the additional $5000 needed for the $31,175 building.
At its meeting, the Council accepted the tender of Warragul builder Mr W. H. Bloye.
Acting Shire engineer Mr G. Payne told the council that several tenders had been conferred with an effort to eliminate non-essentials.
Earlier a deputation of the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Committee had told the Council that it was imperative to act now before building costs rose even higher.
Committee secretary Mr E. C. Patison told the Council that delays which should be “laid at the door of the Department of Health” had resulted in increased building costs of at least $5000, the amount in which the committee was short of its requirements.
Mr Patison said the relatively small committee was proud of its achievements in raising approximately $13,000 – or actually $23,000 as its efforts attracted a Government grant of $10,000.
New coach arrives
Warragul Football Club’s new coach Graham Gahan has arrived.
Gahan, who played more than 100 games with Richmond, has spent the past four years coaching in Tasmania.
Gahan, a big, fast utility player, is anxious to begin training and club officials are hopeful that the 1971 season will see the start of the club’s climb back to the top in the LVFL.