GREGOR MACTAGGART
WELCOME to the latest instalment of Looking Back Through The Years.
Here’s what was making news in the pages of The Express during these points of our proud history.
50 YEARS AGO
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1971
THREE PRONGED BID – ANTHONY
Local government, state government and federal government have got to get it together if there is to be an effective decentralisation policy.
This opinion was expressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Doug Anthony, during his visit to Moe last Thursday.
Mr Anthony was in Moe to open the new store and office building at the Moe Co-Operative Dairying Company Limited.
Mr Anthony said that at present, the whole responsibility for decentralisation was with the state governments.
“There is going to be need for Commonwealth involvement,” he said.
HOMES FOR TRARALGON
Five new houses are to be built on the Traralgon East estate, Traralgon City Council was told at its meeting on Monday night.
The proposal was confirmed in a letter received at the meeting from the Housing Minister, Mr E.R Meagher.
Mr Meagher said the Housing Commission has agreed to transfer five houses, which were listed for the 1971/72 programme from the Hazelbank Estate to the five vacant
allotments in the Traralgon East Estate.
PRECIOUS ROBE RETURNS
Gippsland champion Precious Robe was returned to his owners, Mr and Mrs Bill Lotton’s property at Briagolong last Friday.
The gelding had been at the Werribee Veterinary Clinic for a month, recuperating after an operation on the tendons of his near hind leg after being galloped on in the Handicap at Moe on October 23.
“The plaster cast was removed last Tuesday and the doctor told he would probably never race again,” part-owner and trainer Bill Lotton said on Sunday.
FUN FACT: Steve McQueen in Le Mans held top billing at the Moe Village Drive-In Cinema.
40 YEARS AGO
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1981
‘VIP’ CENTRE: $3m AGED PLAN
Traralgon Rotary Club has earmarked 10 acres of land in Traralgon City for the development of a prestigious total care retirement centre which may cost up to $3 million.
The club yesterday took an option on the land and will start a three month feasibility study before starting construction in March on the complex, which would include 75 to 100 two bedroom villa-type units, a hostel, nursing home, community hall and possibility a bowling green.
The Rotary Club has undertaken the massive community development as its 40th anniversary project, and the launching program, scheduled for March, will coincide with the club’s anniversary.
‘FREE’ CARS FOR CITY BOSSES
Traralgon City Council’s new managers will have full and free use of council vehicles anywhere in Victoria.
But their vehicles will not be readily identified during private use.
Council last week formally adopted the new management structure and set the salary for the administration manager at $25,000 per year plus the use of a council vehicle.
UNEQUALLED BATTING EFFORT – AND MORWELL BEATEN
Round 8 of Central Gippsland cricket was highlighted by a brilliant 123 not out by Erica opening batsman Keith Roberts and the downfall of Morwell in their bid to continue an unbeaten run.
Roberts again established himself as a prominent name in CGCA scorebooks.
His innings included 12 fours and three towering sixes in a batting display unmatched in recent years as Erica overhauled Newborough’s total of 178 in comfortable fashion.
FUN FACT: Local DJ Glenn Ridge, later to become the host of Sale of the Century, was the special guest at a celebration as Clotheshouse in Morwell became Eastcoast.
30 YEARS AGO
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1991
JOBLESS SKYHIGH – OUTLOOK IS GRIM
Unemployment in the Latrobe Valley is running higher than national, state and regional averages, and is unlikely to improve, according to a report released today.
In fact, the independent unemployment survey is “pessimistic” about hopes for a recovery.
The report shows the Valley’s
unemployment level at 13.5 per cent at June this year, suggesting even this figure is conservative.
In June last year, unemployment was at 9.6 per cent.
The SEC’s current downsizing policies have had a major impact on the figures, says the report.
CHAMBER THUMBS DOWN TO MORWELL CITY COUNCIL
Morwell Chamber of Commerce passed a vote of no confidence in Morwell City Council on Tuesday night.
Continued anger over the controversial decision to site Morwell’s new multi-million dollar leisure centre at Norman Brookes Park has fuelled the Chamber’s latest move.
But the vote means little according to one Morwell councillor who says relations between the City and the business community will be “business as usual.”
SUPPORT NEEDED TO SAVE ROSEDALE FOOTY CLUB
Rosedale Football Club, one of the region’s oldest, is in danger of folding.
Two recent attempts to form a club committee have failed, prompting some current officials to fear for the Blues survival.
The latest attempt to arrest the situation was on Monday night when it was decided to give locals a last chance to save their 105-year-old club.
A ‘crisis meeting’ has been called for Wednesday night when it will be decided whether Rosedale lines-up in the North Gippsland Football League in 1992 or not.
FUN FACT: You could zip up a bargain at Wights Nissan in Traralgon with a new Nissan Pulsar Q Auto Hatch on sale for $16,990.
20 YEARS AGO
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2001
RARE TIGER QUOLL FOUND
The rare and endangered Tiger Quoll has been found at Rawson.
Despite three unconfirmed sightings since March this year, the Tiger Quoll has not been seen in this area in 15 years.
Related to the Tasmanian Devil, the Tiger Quoll was examined by both a vet and biologist before being released back into nearby bush.
MOE GIRLS WANT TO PUT THEIR TOWN ON THE MAP
Moe’s image is about to take a turn … for the better, according to a group of Moe women.
The town has had its ups and downs over the past few years but the Moe Girls are determined that from now on, the town’s image will be positive.
And they’re hoping the Moe Girls calendar will do the trick.
GOING WHERE THE SOCCER IS
Jeff Hopkins goes to where the soccer is.
It is what brought him to the Latrobe Valley a few years back to play for and later coach the Gippsland Falcons cum Eastern Pride.
But it is also what will force him to eventually leave following the death of the National Soccer League club earlier this year.
For a man with his soccer credentials, the Latrobe Valley is no longer the place to be.
In the short term, however, Hopkins and his family are staying put, and while still here, plan to continue contributing to soccer in the region.
The former Welsh international has been appointed coach of Gippsland’s Under-17 team which will compete in the newly-formed Victorian Soccer Federation country championship league.
FUN FACT: Abba tribute band BABBA was locked in to play at Morwell’s Italian Australian Club on Thursday, November 29.
10 YEARS AGO
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011
TIME TO ASSESS FUTURE
In a hard-hitting message to the Latrobe Valley, a federal minister has said it was time for the region to seriously assess its economic future after years of relative inaction.
In a candid interview with The Express, Federal Resources, Energy and Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said he believed all levels of government, in years past, had failed to prepare the Latrobe Valley for inevitable transitions and it was now time to fast-track practical outcomes.
Mr Ferguson and high-level government departmental personnel spent Friday speaking with local power industry and other business leaders as well as council about opportunities for collaboration during the Latrobe Valley’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
SKATE PARK PLANS UNDERWAY
Plans for the proposed Morwell Skate Park have been ramped up, with a second workshop to discuss the design of the park to be held this week.
The community are invited to attend the design workshop on Wednesday at the Senior Citizens Centre Community Meeting Room in Maryvale Crescent, Morwell from 5.30pm.
Latrobe City Mayor Darrell White said feedback from an earlier workshop in May had contributed to the proposed design currently on display.
“Council engaged world-renowned skate and BMX park designers, Convic Design, to assist with the proposed design,” Cr White said.
“In particular the feedback from young participants about the angles of banks and ramps has been taken into consideration for this preliminary design.”
AUSTRALIANS SERVE THEIR WAY TO THE TOP
Western Australian Casey Dellacqua and Queensland teenager Ben Mitchell lived up to their status as number one seeds for the 2011 Traralgon Tennis International by taking out the women’s and men’s singles titles yesterday.
In what developed into a day of Trans-Tasman rivalry, Dellacqua overcame New Zealand’s Sacha Jones in straight sets 7-5 7-6 (6), while Mitchell accounted for Michael Venus, also of New Zealand, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (2), 6-0.
FUN FACT: A three-bedroom brick veneer home with built-in robes in each located in Chamberlain Road, Newborough was on the market with John Kerr and Associates Real Estate in Moe for $249,000.
