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When I look back at some of Shepparton’s best ideas, I think about the people who dared to dream, who saw something and imagined something else, something better.
Occasionally, this city took a big bite and, later, figured out how to chew it.
And this was the situation with our lake.
Back when Shepp was a pup, the lake site was a paddock, for the police mounted camp, and the pound.
In the 1880s, cows, belonging to householders, grazed on it.
Then, in 1901, following the death of Queen Victoria, the area was named Victoria Park in her honour.
Many must have thought that this swampy area, dotted with dead trees, wasn’t much of an honour for the late Queen.
However, it took 20 years before someone suggested an ornamental lake.
That ‘someone’ was Cr Cornelius Palling, and in 1928, the newly formed Borough Council proposed the construction of a lake.
This newspaper painted a word picture, saying that the swamp was “Complete with dead red gums, the gaunt trees and limbs of which are symbols of desolation and as bad an advertisement for Shepparton as can well be imagined’’.
The residents raised over 1000 pounds to help finance the scheme.
Dead trees and how to get rid of them
Everyone had an opinion — “Chop them down”, “Blow them up”, “You will never burn water-logged trees”. Raymond West, in his intrinsic style, wrote – “Two expert ‘blower-uppers’ were engaged and desultory explosions were heard for the next day or two”.
However, the trees remained.
Shortly afterwards, Cr Riordan and Cr Goyen were inspecting the site.
One of them picked up some dry grass and placed it in a crack in one of the trees and lit it.
The next day, the tree was down and had fired two other trees.
When the wood was cleared, a bank was constructed at the north end.
On the October 3, 1929, the water was turned in to the lake for the first time.
Houses fronting Wyndham and Sobraon Sts were purchased and the park was extended to those streets. (Would someone please remember; we must have a lake party in October 2029).
The fireworks
Throughout the ’30s, fund raisers were held for improvements to the lake — and one was a ‘Grand Fireworks Display’.
Skyrockets and Roman candles were purchased and an expert engaged.
However, when starting time arrived, the expert was found intoxicated and sound asleep under a gum tree.
It was determined that the show must go on.
Charlie Williamson, Cr Riordan and an unnamed town clerk would manage the display.
Charlie’s job was to row a boat into the water and light some of the Roman candles after each rocket.
There was difficulty with fixing the angle of the firing stick for the rockets. The first took a low arc over the lake and struck the bulk storage tank in the nearby petrol depot.
There was a loud cheer — if the operators continued to use the petrol depot as a target, the pyrotechnical display would be outstanding.
A Roman candle display settled everyone down – but the firing stick remained problematic.
The next rocket skimmed across the lake towards Charlie and, in an attempt to escape the fast-approaching missile, the boat was upset along with Charlie and his candles.
The gentlemen in control called an end to proceedings.
The crowd found the exercise “well worth the money” and here I again quote Raymond West, “The park was left to a few agitated mopokes and a snoring expert.”
How we have loved it
Victoria Park, which includes the lake, became a hub for sport and recreation.
Bowls, croquet, tennis, hockey, picnics, playground, water sports, fire brigade competitions, were all happening here.
And along came the swimming pool, with lawns for picnicking and its sand “beaches” for fun.
I think that, by the late 50s, everyone knew that the pool wasn’t as clean as it should be — but that didn’t seem to keep anyone (including me) away.
Let’s remember
The signage committee, led by John Dainton and a sub-committee of the Heritage Advisory Committee, has been working for many months on interesting and accessible signs for the lake area.
These will tell the lake’s story and be enjoyed by locals and visitors. Bring ’em on, guys.
Take care and may it be easy, my friends
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187