Town Talk

Hello Marnie,

I've been reading about the boat in the Nettlecoe Estate.

When I came to Radio Australia in 1958 I met the owner. He, like myself, was on the staff and was known as Hans. The surname was pronounced as Stroover!

I never once heard him claim to be ex-German navy, but that's not unusual.

I would describe him as pro-Germany, often reminding me (and others) what Germany had and Australia had not. He often was told, “then go back!”

He kept to himself, although we often discussed various problems he was having with the construction of his boat, and how he overcame those problems.

I left Radio Australia to go to Goshen Television station (Swan Hill) in 1964 and later heard that Hans had moved his boat to a berth in Port Melbourne. Told he was having problems there as well.

I'm sorry that I have no more!

Good wishes,

Don

Thanks, Don. You know, as welcoming as we are to new residents to our country, it irritates Australians to hear that their country of birth was much better. Many of us find ourselves being somewhat uncharitable, asking – “Well, why are you here?”

Mr Google told me that ‘Hans’ was originally short for Johannes (John); perhaps Aussies found Guinta difficult – if that was, in fact, his name.

However, it does sound like the end of our story and we will never know the true conclusion. All we can do is wish them well in their country of choice (which, by the way, now has a coalition government featuring the Greens – and is currently re-opening coal mines all over the country, in desperation).

I am hoping to work with Don on a totally different story – when my calendar clears a bit.

G'day Marnie

Just a quick note regarding your page this week. Why include the Indigenous Voices in the Constitution? Because this will provide certainty. Much as we like to trust our governments, we can't. As for our Indigenous population, we have let them down too often.

I missed your page on the McMillan family until recently. The Regal Cinema in Benalla failed to get a mention. My wife was a full-time employee there whilst myself and several of my in-laws were part-timers (ushers). Very popular in its day. If you wanted to attend the Saturday night offering you needed to be booked by Wednesday.

All for now.

Bill

The history of McMillan Cinemas

Hi Bill. I’m going to answer the second part of your letter first (because it’s easier!).

I’m sorry about missing the Regal Cinema, Benalla, part of the story. I did know about it and it was in my original draft. However, it was a long and quite complex history, covering well over a century, and I did what I frequently do — and over-wrote it. When I realised it wouldn’t fit on the page, I deleted around 150 words — thinking, quite wrongly, that no Sheppartonians would notice, or care. I then ran my final draft past two people who were actively involved in the story. But there you go, Bill! I do apologise to you, your wife and in-laws.

The Indigenous Voice

Bill, your response to this dilemma is clear, concise and positive — whereas I remain in a quandary.

I think that our First Peoples should all share our quality of life, if that’s what they want. And I believe that, all decisions made on their behalf should be made with empathy, compassion, a high level of debate, and with the agreement of our First Nations people. But that is easier said than done.

I am thinking of the cancellation of the cashless card — introduced by the former Federal Government and cancelled recently. It is my opinion that the cancellation was made with compassion and (probably) empathy — but with no debate outside the government — and without the agreement of the people involved. The Elders of the areas using the card wanted it kept — because it was working for the women and children, even if some men had less beer than they wanted. There was food on the tables — and sober parents in the homes.

So, the compassion/empathy was with the people denied their freedoms. There was considerable debate when the card was introduced and discussion with the Elders. What is right and what is wrong? I simply don’t know. I have just written that First Nations families should share our quality of life — and we can drink too much if we choose.

In an instance such as this, an Indigenous Voice would be useful.

When we have the detail, I will certainly be clearer about my feelings. But we must have the detail because, if we don’t, the referendum will surely fail — despite most Aussies wanting to act with compassion and empathy.

Just as a matter of interest, there have been 25 referendums held in this country since the end of WWII. Only five of them were carried. I have just spent a couple of hours researching them and some, which we declined, seemed perfectly innocuous to me. The result of one appears to have been ignored, but until I have more time to investigate, I will say nothing more. (The footy will be on television in half an hour and you’ve got to get your priorities right!)

Local business

For businesses around the globe, the past couple of years have been difficult — even the major supermarkets struggled with supply and staffing, and they still struggle today. Remember that particularly difficult time for Greater Shepparton? Well, how could you forget! Almost one third of our people were in quarantine! The News front page said ‘We need help!’ and made national news broadcasts. The supermarkets couldn’t deliver and 20,000 people couldn’t leave their homes.

However, it is the smaller, locally owned retail stores that truly suffered — and are of great importance to our city. These businesses make our shopping centres different; they add colour to the tapestry of our towns — and they employ others.

This week, I had a chat with some of them — to learn their survival stories. More than once I was told that their homes were on the line; that they very nearly lost everything — and not all want their stories published. Over the next few weeks, however, I will share the stories I have permission to tell.

Under the clock

September 14, 1914

THROWN FROM HIS HORSE

A very narrow escape from serious injury was experienced by Mr Harry James, of Mr J. P. McLennan’s drapery establishment, and well known in local musical circles. Early yesterday morning he was enjoying a ride on horseback, and when proceeding along the road between the river and the Chinese gardens, coming in a southerly direction, the horse suddenly shied at the Chinese pumping plant, which was in operation. Mr James, who was totally unprepared for such an action by the animal, was thrown from its back, and though not losing his hold of the reins, was unable to prevent a slight injury to his knee, which twisted under him as he landed on the ground.

After a brief respite, Mr James was able to remount the horse and proceed homewards.

Question. Would the road between the river and the Chinese Gardens be The Boulevard? I think the Gardens were situated in the north.

October 26, 1914

WEDDING PRESENTS

Additions to the Kittle-Thorn wedding list: Mr and Mrs H. Coldwell, cheque; Miss E. Graham, silver jam spoons and butter knives; Mr and Mrs Powles, cheque; Mr and Mrs Pither, cutlery; Mr H. Rankin (Melbourne) hand-painted mirror: Mr and Mrs T. Jones, tea set.

Comment: I just couldn’t resist this one!

That’s it!

On Sunday, I ‘bumped into’ a bunch of yellow roses. I couldn’t resist them; they look like spring and brighten my desk. A celebration, perhaps, of Richmond’s strong win and the fact that I now have a working fridge/freezer. The repair took exactly 67 days. Hopefully, one day soon, we’ll have a ‘normal’ functioning economy, in which businesses have enough staff and parcels arrive in a timely manner. Until then — God bless us all!

See (some of) you at the Heritage Lecture tomorrow. 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)