Named after a great man
G’day all, and welcome. Last week, there were some nice comments about Murray Slee and I thank you.
However, I got something wrong.
Murray has four daughters, which I knew but forgot — or perhaps I can’t count. Sorry about that one!
There was also an interesting fact that I didn’t know: Murray was named after Sir Murray Bourchier.
So, the timing was good, given that we had just installed Sir Murray’s statue. (And isn’t that bronze beautiful — and cleverly positioned?)
The dancing accident
The ‘under the clock’ mention of a dancing accident interested some — and there was scepticism.
How does anyone fall on their head while dancing, in 1914?
The Charleston was, as yet, unknown and rock ’n’ roll wasn’t even a glint in someone’s eye.
Stan suggested it might have been the Gypsy Tap.
There is a slide in this dance which, on the wrong floor, or with the wrong shoes, could send you over.
However, I asked Mr Google for its origins and it wasn’t designed/choreographed until 1920, by a Sydney dance instructor.
It seems the waltz and the tango (which originated in Buenos Aires, towards the end of the 19th century) were the only possibilities prior to World War I.
I guess if you fell backwards?
I’m sorry! I don’t know the outcome for the injured gentleman (Mr A. Callum); however, I’ll keep alert for any mention I can find — and, if you know, please share the info with us.
Our centenary, 1938
Many of you are aware that I hadn’t planned to write about this again; however, as far as Town Talk is concerned, our readers ‘run the show.’
And there is certainly much to be told.
The material from which I am working was supplied by Gaye (the photo of the centennial float), Rob and Linda.
And, perhaps we should start with the extremely successful centennial committee, which includes some wellknown names.
Councillor V.E. Vibert, Cr John Pick (Mayor), Mr G.S.A. Gaylard, Captain E.J. Rule, Mr J.F. Riordan, Mr F. Runge, Mr H. Byham, Mr Ray West, Cr E.P. Hill, Mrs H.J. Hatherley and Mrs F.O. Furphy. (There is one more gentleman whose name is not legible, and I apologise if you are a son, daughter or relative of any kind — please contact me.)
Aside from the ‘old Shepp’ names, there is one — less well-known — that stands out to me, although he has no descendants.
Ted Rule wrote a book about his experiences in World War I,
called Jacka’s Mob. From this book, about a Melbourne man who became known across the Empire and who won the Victoria Cross once (although his men thought he should have won it three times), John Gribben has written a play.
John doesn’t consider himself a ‘playwright’ — but I certainly do. I’d love to see it performed, or at least read. (Perhaps at the RSL next April?)
Ted’s book is no longer available but John has been told, by those that know, it is considered to be the book of World War I.
If anyone has any ideas of what we can do with the play, I’d love — repeat love — to hear them.
Much to celebrate
In addition to Blossom Town
(a song for the centennial),
History of Shepparton 1838 – 1938 was written by Mr C.W.S. James — and a poem was written by Mollie Hill, entitled
Progress through Courage.
I would like to share this with you today, because it gives us a real insight into the thinking of the time.
However, it is lengthy, and would take up much of our space.
I have put it into my computer (so I can return the material I’m using to its owners) and will give it space in the future.
But it is well worth having a look at what Prime Minister Joseph Lyons had to say.
He talked of the value of co-operation and said “Australia as a whole should follow Shepparton’s example”.
He also thanked and praised our town clerk (Ray West) for the work he had done to point out Shepparton’s value to the nation.
“He had taken the various important centres in Victoria and compared the value of the primary products, of those centres, and had found that, working on a 50-mile radius, the Shepparton district had produced — year ending June 1937 — primary products of the greatest value, £13,672,000.” (There was applause.)
He went on to say that with districts such as this and people such as the people of Shepparton, was it any wonder he was optimistic and confident about Australia’s future?
And he also wanted to emphasise what his Attorney General (Robert Menzies) had been saying: “We have to try to forget party and petty differences and work together as one Australian people.” (And the rest of us have been saying it ever since! It just gets worse! Representative government is but a dream.)
The News, while reporting the Prime Minister’s speech, recorded the following:
A few days ago, the calm atmosphere of Australia was broken for a while, when doubts entered our minds as to what the future held in store, and we feared that, in a few hours, perhaps, we might be involved in a catastrophe.
Then the article appears to be quoting Mr Lyons with this:
“As a nation we forgot all our petty jealousies and the differences between State and State and Commonwealth, and were preparing to face the issue as one united nation.”
This would have been a reference (I think) to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s “Peace for our time”.
The Munich Agreement was reached in our spring of that year.
To other matters?
There is much more to share about Shepparton’s great day — but I’m concerned about those of you with little interest.
The information is covering my desk.
In addition to information about the centennial, I also have an early map of Shepparton and I have to find the best way to share this.
And I also have a newspaper dated December 1896 and there are a couple of interesting items in that.
I am handling it with great care and respect.
After all, it is 126 years old. All of this, I will get to — I promise.
Lizzie’s legacy
A ‘must see’ pottery and art exhibition will open on Saturday at the Murchison Heritage Centre.
Sadly, the artist, Lizzie Ewart, is no longer with us, having passed away in 2017 at just 55.
However, her works of art are still here and on display daily from 10am to 3pm, until May 22.
The exhibition will be officially opened on Saturday, at 11am, by Heather Ewart (ABC presenter and Lizzie’s sister) and everyone is welcome. Your $5 entry fee includes a cuppa.
Please take note of the closing date.
This clever and tantalising exhibition is not one of those that will be around for a long time; however, I’ve included a picture of some of her work to make sure you go along at some point.
The work is superb, with much of it inspired by nature.
The Heritage Centre is at 4 Stevenson St, Murchison. Inquiries to 0475 018 743
To the mothers
I wish you all a wonderful Mother’s Day, whatever ‘wonderful’ means to you.
Perhaps it’s a peaceful Sunday with a book and regular cuppas; perhaps it’s a picnic in the park with the entire family.
Whatever you choose, I wish you love — and, perhaps, appreciation. (Often, our children aren’t fully appreciative until they are parents themselves and realise the complexities of parenthood.)
And I hope there are chrysanthemums in your day — and sunshine.
Take care, keep well and may it be easy, my friends.
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631. Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish)