Re-telling history is not always a stroll down memory lane

For the early days of the pub, I worked from the information we had, which included a point form timeline – with a substantial gap after 1908.

I knew when the Avram family sold the building but not when they purchased it.

So, when I spoke to John Avram, I asked the wrong questions.

I told him I was okay for the early days but had no information at all about their ownership.

I did not ask if he could confirm my existing notes.

As I need to be as accurate as possible, if I’m giving you information – and because my friends at the Shepparton Museum are archiving Town Talk, I know it is my task to check everything I can.

Last week, I missed an opportunity because John knew a great deal more than I asked.

And he called me last Tuesday.

It turns out that John’s family lived at the hotel for some years, in the early 1960s.

He must have been a curious and interested child because he asked a lot of questions – and remembers the answers.

What he learned

The Shepparton Hotel remained in Welsford St until 1910-11 when there was a major flood and Welsford St buildings were inundated.

John was told that Wyndham St was also affected (to a lesser degree) and that there were marks on the post office bricks showing where the water reached.

And, because he was curious and interested, he went across the street and checked the marks were there.

My story last week said the hotel had relocated around the turn of the century and the top floor was added in 1908.

According to John’s information, the top floor was added during the depression, in the early 1930s.

Because so many people were out of work and the hotel was extremely quiet, Ted Maltby decided it was the right time to add the top floor and to employ as many people as possible to do so. (And hopefully, get some of it back over the bar!).

That makes sense to me.

How we learn

Some of our local information comes from a written memory and, with luck, over time, someone else confirms it.

Some of it comes from newspaper articles; some from stories our grandparents told us.

Geoff Allemand describes it as pieces of a jigsaw which are moved around until, eventually, they form a picture.

It’s not easy. I have a memory from early childhood, that I have never questioned.

Recently, while researching Murray Slee’s life and work, I realised that a part of it was wrong.

I said to my husband ‘But, I remember’ – as if that proved anything. I’ll tell you about it someday.

In this case, young John sat and listened to Mr O’Connor, who was originally employed by the Maltbys (Ted’s niece who was referred to as Auntie Ann) and retained for a few years, by the Avram family. So, his source was good.

But, who knows? (I’m much less sure of myself this week) Google does not mention a flood in 1910 or 1911.

It lists the following years of flooding: 1916, 1917, 1939, 1956, 1958, 1974, 1993 and 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the Shepparton, Mooroopna and Murchison areas.

However, that doesn’t make Mr O’Connor wrong. Perhaps there were no records kept in 1910 – as I’ve said, who can say for sure?

I have an uncomfortable feeling that, instead of clarifying, I may have confused.

The joys of re-telling history

For me, the joy is our readers – the people I encounter.

I was out of retirement and back at the newspaper, assisting with marketing, when I suggested Town Talk as a means of (hopefully) involving our readers.

I never intended to write it – and yet, here I am meeting, talking with, or emailing the kindest and most interesting of people – and John Avram is one of them.

He could not have been more helpful.

Our conversations ranged over many topics including our families.

He said: `‘Your family is your only true wealth – the rest is illusion’’.

I really like that and, when I asked if I could share it with you, he told me it had long been a part of his family’s philosophy and teachings; going back to a Greek village where they lived for almost 500 recorded years – before his grandfather Spiro settled in Shepparton in 1938.

And I am grateful for Spiro’s courage; so many Greek/Macedonian families followed, using their hard work, imagination and initiative to help build Shepparton.

Our city would not be the same without them.

Or, as I said to John last week, ‘’I’m really glad he didn’t go to Bendigo.’’

The future

It is planned, that on the second floor of the post office rebuild, there will be a special place to celebrate our original immigrants and their families, an immigration gallery.

Alternatively, there have also been discussions regarding a larger space – an immigration museum – in the same precinct.

It is an idea I love – some of the material John has sent me recently reminded me of the possibility – and would certainly warrant a place.

It would be wonderful for our city.

And what of that now empty block in Wyndham St?

Yesterday, as I drove past, it seemed to me that the ambience of the intersection is already changed – it is pregnant with possibilities, alive with potential, filled with hope.

We eagerly await the future.

Our photos this week

The ad is one I found in this newspaper dated Friday, December 4, 1896.

There is no address included but this would have been when the hotel was situated in Welsford St; before the flood (whenever it was) and before Ted Maltby purchased it.

I hope you can read it – the ink has faded.

The other photo is of the footy tipping board from the hotel.

There was a report in The News saying that Milvan Muto gave it to Woollards Panel Works.

I called Woollards to see if it is still there – but there have been many changes at this business and I couldn’t find anyone who knew anything about it.

Perhaps it is hanging in a man’s cave somewhere? Luke? Shorty? Please note that the lists of tipsters etc have been replaced by mirrors and the clock has stopped at 6.20. I’m wondering what year.

That’s it for this week. I haven’t quite run out of words but it is likely I’ve run out of space.

You are all very kind when I make mistakes, so I hope you’ll forgive last week’s whopper.

I will learn to ask the right questions, I promise you.

However some doubt remains, as I’ve now written around 86 ‘chapters’ of this column.

One would be excused for expecting me to have learned my craft! Methinks – I’ve just run out of excuses.

Stay warm. Stay well. And 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)