from the Newspaper Files
100 YEARS AGO
West Gippsland Gazette – Tuesday, February 8, 1921.
TIMELY WARNING
To the Editor of the Gazette
Sir – it is now evident that the period of artificial prosperity is coming to an end. The Premier of Victoria has written a very solemn warning to his people to the effect that national and citizens incomes are waning; that taxes must be extremely heavy owing to the State’s commitments and the higher rate of interest to be paid on each renewal of loan. So, that hateful word Economy is becoming tediously familiar in our Press but is shunned like the leper by our members of Parliament and shire councils. Out politicians, State and municipal seeing the writing wall look askance at one another, but still suffering the effect of the drug expenditure, permit their country to sink deeper into the quicksands of debt and perhaps dishonor.
Have we not one councilor who is strong enough to take a stand for economy and honor? The shire rate is 2/3 in the £ on valuations at boom values that cannot last.
I appeal to those in power to clench their fists and fight for our common good. – Yours, etc. resident
FIREMAN’S RECORD
What is claimed to be a record for a six men hose and reel event was established at Leongatha on Foundation Day holiday by the Wonthaggi team. The time registered was 30 seconds, which is understood to be a reward for country demonstrations.
Bishop of Gippsland
The Bishop of Gippsland is announced to preach at St. Paul’s Warragul, next Sunday morning and evening and in the afternoon at Ellinbank. Dr Cranswick recently returned from a visit to London, where he attended the
Lambeth Conference. He has just been presented with a buggy and handsome pair of ponies by his admirers in Gippsland diocese.
50 YEARS AGO
Warragul Gazette – Tuesday, February 9, 1971.
NOW IT’S BACK TO WTS
More than 300 Warragul Technical School students returned to school today after missing the first week of the 1971 school year because of an acute lack of accommodation.
The students – from forms two and three and representing half of the school’s total enrolment – were sent home last Tuesday by the principal, Mr W. Ryan.
They all returned to school this morning but face the prospect of spending the first term in at least “makeshift” surroundings.
The school also has a teacher shortage in the maths-science, humanities, art and physical education classes.
Mr Ryan said the major problem had been created by “unforeseen delays” in a $1/2 million renovation and extension program at the school.
Work on a new trades wing has been delayed by several weeks because of wet weather.
The trades wing, currently being constructed on the former Revell Oval, is not expected to be ready for occupation before the end of the first term. Extensions and renovations to existing wings were also delayed during the Christmas school holiday period.
Mr Ryan said it was intended that additions to existing wings would be completed before work began on renovating other rooms.
However, almost one complete wing was unavailable for classes last week.
The extensions to the academic wing include three drawing rooms and an agricultural science laboratory.
Mr Ryan said the form 2 and 3 students were sent home “simply because there was no room for them.”
SHIRE MARKS TIME
Buln Buln Shire Council decided to defer its plan to construct new Shire offices.
Shire secretary Mr K.A. Pretty said yesterday the council had decided to defer the project after considering difficulties in the dairy industry and current financial problems.
Council made the decision at a special meeting last Thursday to discuss Shire finances following recent wage rises.
The meeting also decided against proceeding with the purchase of land for the offices at the corner of Lampard and Main South Road, Drouin.
Mr Pretty said that a house would have to be demolished for Shire Offices on Lampard Main South Road site.
He said council considered that an unimproved site in Drouin would be more suitable for new shire offices.
Mr Pretty said that Council decided it would review the proposal to build Shire Offices annually at its estimates meeting or at a special meeting near the time of estimates.
The Shire currently has a special “new Shire offices account” containing $13,000 toward the project.
Mr Pretty said the money had not been allocated to any other project.
Part of the money could be spent on buying a site for the offices, he added.
Aboriginal art
A display of aboriginal art and craft will be a feature of the 1971 Summer Festival at Shelley Memorial Hospital, Bunyip on February 20.
The display will be from a comprehensive collection of aboriginal work owned by Mr R. White, of Garfield, who spent some time in the Northern Territory.
Another added attraction at the festival this year will be an art exhibition and sale.
The exhibition will be for all mediums and entries will be received at the hospital up to 11.30 am on the day of the festival.
Entries in a flower show will also be received up to 11.30 am.
Warragul Combined Schools Band will play several items during the afternoon.
Plant and cake stalls, lucky dips and a spinning wheel will also be attractions.
The festival will begin at 2pm.
Proceeds from the festival, organised by Hospital Auxiliary, will go to the hospital’s general funds.
A “lead-up” to the festival will be a Hospital
Auxiliary Baby Show in Bunyip Hall next Saturday afternoon. Entry fee is 20 cents a child.
Prizes will be awarded in several sections.
BIG CROWD AT DANCE
A crowd of 840 attended Longwarry Dance last Saturday night. Mis Marilyn Price, 18, of Catani, was chosen girl of the Night and will compete in the first quarter final of the 1971 Girl of Year Quest on March 26.
Phillip Malcolm, of Catani, was awarded the title of “Popular Boy.”
Dancers enjoyed music supplied by Clyde House and West End.
Popular regular band Purple Haze and Noggins and Bats will provide the music next Saturday night.