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The more I talk to the people of Shepparton, the more books I come across (that I never knew existed), the more aware I become of the debt we owe; so many people have dedicated their lives to growing and improving our city.
We frequently complain that ‘this should have been done differently’ or ‘why didn’t someone fix this years ago’ and yet, from time to time, it is worth looking at where we’ve been and what we’ve become.
Occasionally, a ‘thanks, mate’ is appropriate.
Many of you know some of this week’s story about a local returned serviceman.
However, few will know it all.
A man for our time – and our city
Murray Slee turned 99 last Saturday and, prior to the family festivities, he and I had a coffee and a chat at Eastbank.
The years have been kind to him — and I’d forgotten how tall he was.
Despite some mobility issues, Murray has the appearance of a man content with his achievements and life choices — and yet occasionally, there is a glint in his eye, suggesting that — given half a chance — he’d go around again.
He was first elected to council in 1956 — and served Shepparton for the next 34 years — leading the way, as a dynamic mayor, for three terms.
He worked with the Agricultural Society, the Trotting Club, Sewerage Authority, Shepparton Club and the Rotary Club and was associated with community organisations including the councils of the Goulburn Valley Grammar and Shepparton Girls High School, the Good Neighbour Council, the Girl Guides and many sporting clubs.
He was behind the Fun and Food Fiesta and the Rookies Return (which was a reunion of those encamped at the Showgrounds during World War II).
As chairman of the Parks and Gardens committee, he nurtured Deakin Reserve and saw great potential, early on, for McEwen Reserve.
He was also involved with tourism, taking Shepparton ‘show bags’ to Melbourne’s Moomba.
He worked for the Back to Shepparton 1967, the Australia Day and Keep Australia Beautiful committees.
And, in 1956, organised a trip to the Olympic Games for the people of Shepp — just to make it easier.
He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2001.
A visionary
Murray has always seen things as they could be, which makes him a visionary.
He worked hard to get a standard gauge rail link between Shepparton and Mangalore and he was a force behind the construction of a swimming pool and diving board, at the lake. (The fact that he enjoyed diving had absolutely nothing to do with this project.)
We chatted for a while about the way the lake used to be — and the tens of thousands of us who enjoyed it.
Okay, so the water wasn’t as clean as it might have been, but no-one seemed to care.
We were all having too much fun.
Not all of Murray’s dreams for Shepparton became realities; and one of these was the creation of a lake development between Shepparton and Mooroopna.
He called it the ‘Howes Lake’ project and just knew it could bring tourists to benefit our economy.
Football
And we talked about the Shepparton Football Club.
I was raised, and groomed, to be a Shepparton supporter and remember Murray playing in the ruck.
However, until I read parts of Tom Carey’s book, I didn’t remember that he won the club’s best and fairest twice, and the Neal Hanlon trophy (now the Morrison Medal).
And I didn’t know he was captain and coach in 1949.
For me, there is a very distant memory of some sort of fundraising activity, at the clubrooms.
There was dancing and a barrel or two and the only thing to interest a small child, like me, was a spinning wheel, which I sat in front of all night, buying a ticket in every spin.
None of the prizes were of interest but I really wanted to win something, anything.
After some time, the footballers would groan every time I lost.
At some stage, Murray patted me on the head and told me to keep trying and my dad replenished my funds.
When I finally won the last spin, the place erupted in applause, and it is possible someone stopped the wheel inappropriately.
I think I won a plastic cake container.
The early days
Murray was born in Stanhope, educated at Assumption College and his first job was selling fabric for a tailor in Melbourne.
He played football with Caulfield before telling a small fib about his age, and going to war. It was 1941.
Over our coffee and chocolate cakes, Murray didn’t tell me much about his service, except that he was a Sapper in 2/23 Australian Field Park Company.
The first mention of him in Tom’s SFC book was 1946 and it must have been around this time, or a little later, that he met the attractive, vivacious Myra McLean.
They were married in 1949 and Myra was his chief supporter through most of his life, passing away in September 2020.
I asked him about Myra, who I remember well.
He said ‘she was very pretty’, and she certainly was. They had three daughters.
Murray had several businesses over the years beginning with an auction house in High St (now Finny’s) and ending with a real estate business also in High St.
There was a furniture store and an electrical service (automotive electrical specialists). For a time, the real estate business was situated in Maude St — on the corner of Fraser St.
This is something I missed from our Memories of Maude Street series.
Tribute
In 1992, a testimonial dinner (and roast) was held for Murray and Myra.
They were presented with a Ross Dainton painting and Murray was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Shepparton Central Rotary Club.
Peter Ross-Edwards proposed the toast. However, a number of other folk had some ‘roasting’ to do.
Bert Lightfoot dispelled the widely held belief that Murray was a crack shot.
Jeremy Gaylard invoked memories of an infamous agricultural ball and a German stripper.
Rich Trevaskis recalled Murray’s work as a self-appointed chairman of the High St Traders association.
There were many others with tales to tell, but I really can’t pass this one over.
Peter Ross-Edwards told of the enthusiastic raising of the Alexander Arbuthnot paddle steamer from the Murray — and the failure to lift a dray from the Goulburn, which was destined for our Historical Society.
Thank you, Murray
Murray looks well and, as I mentioned earlier, there is that occasional gleam in his eye; it is likely that he’ll be with us for some time yet.
However, I am delighted to be sharing this while he is still around.
On behalf of all our readers, I thank you, Murray, for your enthusiasm — and dreams — for our city, for your humour, for your passion and commitment, for your enormous contribution in so many areas, over so many years.
I am aware that I have missed some of your activities, such as the lamb raffle.
May God keep you well.
Under the clock
May 18, 1914
DANCER SERIOUSLY INJURED
A farm labourer, A. Callum, was seriously injured by a fall in a ballroom in Byrneside on Friday night.
Whilst waltzing he tripped and was thrown on to his head.
The injured man was taken to Tatura and attended to by Dr Ley, who ordered the young man’s removal to the Mooroopna Hospital.
He has not regained consciousness since the accidents, and his condition is regarded as critical.
Next week
Apparently, we are not yet done with the centenary of 1938.
This week some fresh material has been given to me. I’ll share it next time.
And a brief message to someone out there — I won’t be publishing any strange photos without knowing what they are and who has sent them (possibly C.J. Dennis?).
May it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
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)