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100 YEARS AGO West Gippsland Gazette, February 22, 1921 TRESPASSING CATTLE
At the council meeting on the 10th inst. a letter received from a ratepayer complaining that cattle roamed the main thoroughfares of the town on Sundays without molestation by the herdsmen (Mr W. Polkinghorne) elicited the fact that this officer already works six days in the week, and that he justly claims one day of rest. Councilors fully concurred in this, but it was felt that some arrangement should be made to have a man appointed to make Sunday raids.
It was most discouraging to people who to the trouble of keeping the garden, to find the place ruined by trespassing stock.
Councilors were informed that even the beautiful grounds of the Warragul Hospital were not exempt from these depredations,’ and it was therefore decided to occasional employ an assistant herdsman on Sundays until stock owners realise that the Sabbath is not “close season” for wandering animals.
SCHOOL CHILDREN
A motion was passed at the last meeting of the Shire Council that the State School Committee should be asked to have an instructor or supervisor sent with the children attending the municipal baths and remain during the lesson, and it was decided to write to the School Committee on the matter.
The subject has been referred to by the headmaster (Mr. J Dickson), who takes exception to the request, as it implies a lack of supervision on the part of his staff. Mr Dickson points out that the scholars are always marched down to the baths until the children’s bathing time is up. On no occasion, when the baths available, has an opportunity been lost to take the scholars to the baths for their weekly swim, and not once have they gone without a teacher to supervise them.
Mr Dickson points out that the school has only recently opened, and only two or three bathing days (Fridays) had been held this season before the Shire Council met.
Mr Dickson wished to allay the fears of parents who allow their children go to the baths on Fridays by stating emphatically that that they are always accompanied by a supervisor, who remains with them while bathing is going on. It is obvious, of course, that both the council and Mr Dickson are actuated by the same motive – the safety of the children.
HAVE YOU TIDIED UP?
As suggested in our last issue, much can be done by individual householders in making the town attractive and tidy for the forthcoming “Back to Warragul” week by trimming up gardens, clearing away grass on the footpath side of front fences, and generally tidying up frontages of their homes. Already a number of homes (and churches) have received attention from the gardener in this way and look correspondingly neater.
OUR BEAUTY SPOTS
Regret was expressed by Cr Copeland at the recent council meeting that there should have been such a relatively poor attendance at the lecture recently given in Warragul by Mr. J Boyce, Director of the Tourist Bureau, when views were shown of the leading beaty spots of Victoria.
Cr. Copleland said it was surprising what a great variety of scenery could be seen in Victoria, and it was a pity that more people were not present to witness the pictures.
Mr Boyce had been taken around the Warragul district and was enthusiastic over the fine views and beautiful scenery which this part of Gippsland possesses. He suggested that the attractions of the district should be advertised in Broadbent’s Guide.
The proposal was thoroughly approved by the councilors, and the matter was left in the hands of the President and secretary to ascertain particulars.
50 years ago
The Gazette, February 22, 1972
80 PER CENT JUMP
Almost 400 people in the area covered by Warragul District Office of the Commonwealth Employment Service were jobless at the end of January.
This represented an increase of 80 per cent on the number of people seeking employment at the corresponding time last year.
District officer Mr D. Talbot said yesterday that the total of 381 registered for employment at the end of January included school-leavers.
He said there were 229 males and 152 females compared with 124 and 86 respectively at the corresponding time last year.
Mr Talbot said that the 55 males and 13 females were receiving unemployment benefits compared with 17 and 7 respectively at January 31, 1971.
There were 39 unfilled vacancies – 22 for males and 17 for females.
Mr Talbot said that current position was “slightly improved.”
“It has definitely been much harder this year to place the school leavers,” he said.
“Many have returned to school simply because there are no jobs available.”
The Warragul District Office areas includes the municipalities of Warragul, Bass, Buln Buln, Korumburra, Phillip Island, South Gippsland and Wonthaggi.
Mr Talbot said that about 400 new job vacancies were notified to the office during January.
EXCHANGE STUDENT
American exchange student Barbara Park has been in Warragul for only a week but has already “fallen in love” with the town.
Barbara,16 of Corvellis, Oregon, began her year of Australian study at Warragul High School yesterday. She arrived in Australia on Monday of last week with 16 other American exchange students who have been sponsored by Rotary Clubs.
Warragul Rotary Club has sponsored Barbara, who is currently staying at Nilma North with Rotarian Mr J.D.
Cumming and his family.
Barbara, who has three brothers applied for the chance to come to Australia through her father, a Rotarian for more than 20 years.
Before leaving home she met Warragul exchange student Helen Patison, who is currently spending a year in the USA>
“I had some idea of what Australia would be like before I left, and have not been disappointed,” she said.
“The people here are very friendly.”
She was impressed by the Gippsland Field Days during a visit there last Wednesday.
Barbara said she was eagerly looking forward to seeing a live Kangaroo.
Her hometown, which has a population of 35,000, is basically a residential town for the University of Oregon, at which her father is an agricultural engineer.
“It is somewhat similar to the Warragul district, although more mountainous,” she said.
UNDER FIRE
Drouin businessmen came under fire at Drouin Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting last Wednesday night.
Cr E. Grimes criticised businessmen for what he claimed was their “lack of concern for the town.”
Cr Grimes said he was most concerned at the waning of general interest in the Chamber and attendance at meetings in the past year.
He said he believed the Chamber could only function efficiently if all members abided by the rules.
“Our main function is to promote industry and trade in the district,” he said. “But this has not been observed by all members.
“What is done must be for the benefit of the area as a whole.
“There are only 15 or 16 people keeping the Chamber alive.
“Too many people are concerned about what the Chamber can do for them personally rather than for what it can do for the town,” Cr Grimes said.