Town Talk | Recollection of history retold

Dainton’s Stock Agents was added to our list. Our reader suggested they were at 341 Wyndham from the 30s to around 1960 when they relocated to Fryers St.

We then added McLennan’s Department Store and Goulburn Gowns, which Helen placed on the east side of Wyndham, near Fairley’s doorway. But I think it’s possible they relocated to the west at some point.

Adler’s Dress Shop was also in Wyndham before relocating to Maude.

Enter the McNiell family

Glenice Holmes (nee McNeill) lives in Numurkah and doesn’t have email. So she contacted her sister-in-law, Millicent had asked her to contact me.

In 2002, Glenice’s sister Heather Gribben published a book entitled Recollections of a Shepparton Girl 1930-1960. Heather called it ‘a social history’. It contained information about the major streets in Shepparton and might be helpful to us.

Millicent said she had a copy somewhere but thought the museum would have one.

I called the museum and discovered that Maralyn Gribben (the author’s daughter) was volunteering that day. She had a copy and would lend it to me.

The passion for our city and its history was obviously in the DNA of the McNeills; if you include the fact that Bruce, Heather’s ‘little’ brother, was mayor of Shepparton from 1992-1994, you’ll have the whole story. Or almost, because we can’t ignore Maralyn’s paternal family!

And then, the ladies from the museum delivered the book to me because, just like Christmas – with its storms – my week had gone off the rails.

On Monday, my husband was not feeling well.

On Tuesday, we saw his doctor, and the condition was diagnosed and prescriptions made up. However, his recovery took some time; he was confused and off-balance. Add that to his lack of sight, and the result was he couldn’t walk anywhere without my assistance. He’d put his hands on my shoulders, and I’d make engine noises in an attempt to make him laugh – but, by Thursday, my legs were giving up.

Fortunately, by Friday, when the book was so kindly delivered, there was some improvement in his mobility. And his conversation was starting to make sense.

I had some reading time.

Recollections of a Shepparton Girl

Heather’s book is a gem; in fact, it is a gold mine. There are times when she has taken a walk down a street and pencilled in the businesses she saw. And that assists accuracy. She has also made personal notes about the families she knew and where they lived — and when she noticed a new street.

She started high school in 1943 and listed the teachers’ names. I noticed that two of the teachers were still there when I began 11 years later (Miss Pat Beckwirth – sports teacher – and Mr Downer – science teacher).

Heather remembered the day we celebrated the end of World War II.

“The local citizens seemed to gravitate to the main shopping areas, and there were crowds of people, whistles, horns, singing and dancing in the streets. Our mother allowed us to go and be part of the celebrations, and later, she came down to join us and bring us home quite late into the night. I remember the crowds were thickest in Maude, Fraser, Fryers and Wyndham streets, and I especially remember people dancing in crocodile fashion and the sounds of hooters and tin cans on the cars.”

Her description of the celebrations reminded me that this is my earliest memory. We lived in Corio St, and my mother put me in the pusher and ran. It was a very bumpy ride, but we were soon in Fryers St – not that my two-year-old brain knew that. But somehow, that tiny brain knew that this was an important memory and allowed me to keep it. I saw a lot of dancing legs and shoes – and then I went to sleep.

I hope to be able to share more of Heather’s book, but first, I must talk to the family members to see how they feel about that. It is now Sunday, and I don’t want to bother people today.

Australia Day

It is clear from our conversations that there is confusion about this – so I’ve done some research around the subject.

Since the prime minister gave councils freedom of choice in this matter, 81 councils have cancelled their ceremonies. My initial thoughts were that Shepparton is one of many.

Then I discovered that there are 537 councils across the nation, and I can assume, therefore, that 85 per cent of councils are holding their ceremonies on January 26. We are in the minority.

You would also assume that the ‘cancelling councils’ are in ‘progressive’ areas, for example seats with majority Labor voters, in the big cities. Here, even a quick glance at our voting records tells us that we are a conservative bunch; we have never voted for Labor and are unlikely to start now. In fact, we are one of the most conservative regions in Australia.

Surely, our councillors are aware of this. This was a choice for them; they could have waited until the Federal Government made a decision. However, they chose to move forward. Do they truly believe they are representing the thoughts and feelings of the residents? Is it a wise decision to make, in an election year?

And surely these nationwide figures have given the PM reason to pause?

Yes – Australians have voted Labor from sea to shining sea. But that didn’t save the Voice.

And it may not save the prime minister – or Victoria’s current government.

Whenever there are rumblings about local government, someone raises the fact that all local councils are unconstitutional and function under state law. However, not one prime minister has ever suggested a referendum to add local government to the constitution (at least, I can find no evidence of this) and Australians are not rebellious by nature, in my view. Though they grumble about rate increases, in truth they want someone local to take care of rubbish and roads

On the whole, I am not critical of our council. Our community is well represented by a diverse group of people – in experience, in age, in background. And most of the time, they serve us well.

But, in this instance, I agree with the people who are calling me. They don’t want to ‘make a fuss’; in fact, some of them don’t think their opinions matter or that anyone will listen – they want to express their feelings. In the midst of a conversation, a lady said, ‘this Australia Day stuff is driving me crazy’.

None of us want division, but this decision is quietly but definitely divisive.

As far as Australia Day is concerned, it is the day – and the date – that matters.

Did you see this?

A zucchini grower on television says that it costs him $2 per kilo to grow his produce, and the supermarkets pay him $2.20 per kilo. I just checked local prices at the big two, which range from $5.90 to $7 per kilo.

Until we chat next week, take care of yourselves 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 to 0418 962 507 (Note: text only. I will call you back if you wish).