1945 - BASS HOUSE WINS THE YALLOURN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

The following extract was published in the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ in October, 1945 and reports on the inaugural athletics day of the Yallourn High School. The Yallourn High School, previously known as Yallourn Higher Elementary School, first ‘opened its doors’ in February 1945.

In 1945 there were about 300 students enrolled at YHS and each student belonged to one of four ‘houses’. House systems were common in Australian schools in earlier times and their existence can be traced back to the traditions of many English schools.

Note: At YHS, the four houses were named after famous Australian explorers: Bass, Flinders, Phillip and Mawson. The house banners of YHS were noted for the colourful and distinctive designs (Bass: Yellow, Flinders: Green, Phillip: Red and Mawson: Blue).

There were more than forty events on the sports program that day; and they were grouped into three main divisions for boys and girls: Junior, Intermediate and Senior.

Points were awarded in each event; and the ‘novelty’ events would have provided a few laughs during the action-packed day. The Girls’ Early Morning Race is somewhat of a ‘mystery’ and perhaps one of readers can clarify what that event entailed.

In 1945 Bass House won the athletics sports with Mawson finishing in second place, 30 points behind the winner.

Note: My apologies for spelling errors of any family names when transcribing from the original newspaper article (Roger).

OCTOBER 25th 1945 ‘MORWELL ADVERTISER’ PAGE :4

YALLOURN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS.

The first annual sports meeting of the Yallourn High School was held on Thursday, October 11th. There was a fair attendance of parents and visitors. The events were keenly contested throughout.
The results were:
• Boys' Junior High Jump: H. Chessum (F) 1, P. Ashley. (B) 2.
• Girls' Senior 100 Yards: S. Brooker (B) 1, M. Burley (B) 2.
• Boys' Senior 100 Yards: M. Chamberlain (M) 1, G. Matfin (P) 2.
• Girls' Inter. 100 Yards: G. Gilchrist (F) 1, J. Pollock (F) 2.
• Boys' Inter, 100 Yards: J. Nix (M) 1, A. Burrage (P) 2. Girls'
• Sub-Inter. 100 Yards: A. Davis (B) 1, J. Wiggins (F) 2.

• Boys' Senior Long Jump: G. Matfin (P) 1, M. Chamberlain (M) 2.
• Girls' Junior 75 Yards: A. Burne (P) 1, A. Tonkin (B) 2.
• Boys' Inter. High Jump: A. Turnbull (P) 1, J. Watt (F) 2.
• Girls' Sub-Junior 75 Yards: G. Ahlstrom (M) 1, P. Esler (M) 2.
• Boys' Junior 75 Yards: H. Chessum (F) 1, P. Ashley (B) 2.

• Girls' Junior Cross-Ball: Flinders 1, Phillip 2.
• Girls' Inter. Cross-Ball: Flinders 1, Bass 2.
• Girls' Junior Cross-Ball: Mawson 1, Flinders 2.
• Boys' Senior 220 Yards: G. Matfin (P) 1, K. Cooper (B) 2.
• Girls' Senior 75 Yards: S. Brooker (B) 1, M. Burley (B) 2.
• Boys' Inter. 75 Yards: A. Burrage (P) 1, J. Watt (F) 2. Girls'
• Inter. 75 Yards: G. Gilchrist (F) 1, F, Lawson (M) 2. Boys'
• Junior 100 Yards: H. Chessum (F) 1, L. Castanelli (MI) 2.
• Girls' Junior 50 Yards: A. Burne (P) 1, E. Jacgung (B) 2.
• Boys' Senior High Jump: G. Matfin (P) and A. Leviston (B) equal first.
• Boys' Inter. Long Jump: R. Selby-Hele (B) 1, A. Burrage (P) 2.
• Girls' Sub-Junior 50 Yards: G. Ahlstrom (M) 1, P. Esler (M) 2.
• Girls' Sub-Inter. 75 Yards: A. Davis (B) 1, J. Wiggins (F) 2.
• Girls' Senior Skipping Relay: Bass 1, Mawson 2.
• Girls' Inter. Skipping Relay: Bass 1, Mawson 2.
• Girls' Junior Skipping Relay: Bass 1, Mawson 2. Boys' Junior Long Jump: P. Ashley (B) 1, L. Glaister (P) 2.
• Boys' Senior 440 Yards: G. Matfin (P) 1, K. Cooper (B) 2.
• Boys' Inter. 220 Yards: A. Burrage (P) 1, J. Nix (M) 2.
• Girls' Senior Leader Ball: Bass 1, Flin ders 2.
• Girls' Inter. Leader Ball: Bags 1, Phillip 2.
• Girls' Junior Leader Ball: Flinders 1, Mawson 2.
• Boys' Slow Bicycle Race: W. McIntyre (F) 1.
• Girls' Open Hockey Dribble: Mawson 1. Flinders 2.
• Girls' Open Potato Race: K. Hayes (B) 1, G. Gibson (F) 2.
• Girls' Early Morning Race: B.' Minor (B) 1, C. Garvin (B) 2.

• Boys' "A" Circular Relay: Mawson 1, Bass 2.
• Boys' "B" Circular Relay: Flinders 1, Phillip 2.
• Girls' Senior Flag Race: Bass 1, Phil -Mawson 2.
• Girls' Inter. Flag Race: Mawson 1, Bass
• Girls' Junior Flag Race: Bass 1, Phillip 2.
• Girls' Slow Bicycle Race: B. Ferguson (B) 1, V. Hamilton (F) 2.
• Boys' 880 Yards Handicap: H. Chessum (F) 1, L. Castanelli (M) 2.
• Boys' Inter. 440 Yards: A. Burrage (P) I, A. Morrison (B). 2.

House totals:-
• Bass House: 173½points, 1st
• Mawson House: 143 points, 2nd
• Flinders House: 137½ points, 3rd
• Phillip House: 125 points, 4th

FOOTNOTES…
1. Although not stated in the article, the sports were probably held on one of the two major ovals of the town.

2. On the first day of the 1945 school year at the YHS, it is documented that 300 students enrolled and this number increased rapidly in the post-war years. Figures show that by 1953 the enrolment of YHS had almost doubled.

3. When the Yallourn High School opened for first time on 6th February 1945, John Menadue was the Headmaster and Ms A. Callinan was the Senior Mistress. Other staff at the school, in that inaugural year of operation, included: Mr E. Graham, Miss A. Jensen, Miss J. Stephens, Miss K. M. Hewitt, Miss K. Rumbold, Miss I. N. Kemp, Mrs M. Scherm, Mr L. Young, Mr J. Coffey and Miss E.J. Barclay.

4. In the boys’ events, the name J. Nix appears on several occasions. In 1945, John Nix lived in Trafalgar; and he was just one of 140 students who travelled, by bus each day, from Morwell, Moe, Traralgon, Brown Coal Mine (i.e. Yallourn North), Yinnar and Trafalgar to study at the Yallourn High School. John Nix was a brilliant athlete who later played 95 games with Richmond Football Club; and, in time, won a handsome reputation as a football coach at Sale, Mornington, Koo Wee Rup, Dromana and Richmond Reserves.

5. Jim Watt (see above - Intermediate boy’s events) is featured in a story about the Yallourn Football Club which was posted on this website in 2012.

6. With the Japanese surrender, to the Allied Command on September 2nd 1945, World War:II thankfully came to an end. The Yallourn High School sports day was held a month after that significant moment in world history; and it is fair to assume that it would have been a very happy occasion for students and teachers as the heavy mantle of dread was lifted from everyone’s shoulders and all people looked to the future with greater optimism…
“ When we got the news on the wireless that the war was over, everyone gathered together at the town centre singing, laughing, crying , talking , all so happy having a wonderful time.” Source: Marge (Ebsworth) Dixon- YOGA Publication 1996. Page: 48.

7. As can be seen from the above newspaper article, school athletics meetings have changed markedly over the years. Events such as cross-ball, skipping relay, potato race, flag race, hockey dribble, slow bicycle race and leader ball are reminders of a by-gone era. Hurdles and field events such as discus, javelin, shot putt and triple jump became part of secondary school athletics programs in later years.

8. The 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games were a catalyst to a greater emphasis in athletics in school sports programs and local clubs (e.g. Yallourn Amateur Athletics Club which was formed in 1951).

9. Younger readers may not be aware that, in 1956, Yallourn hosted a ‘Mini Olympics’ and it was imposing sporting spectacle. It is documented that some thirteen thousand people visited Yallourn to watch the program of events which included numerous international Olympians.

10. According to Richard Bush (ex-Yallourn High School student), Mr Keith Hollingsworth, former teacher, provided great impetus to the athletics program at YHS in the early 1960’s. Mr Hollingsworth is given credit for purchasing new sports equipment (e.g. hurdles, javelins, discus etc.). Richard spoke very highly about the role that Mr Hollingsworth played in lifting the profile of athletics at YHS.

11. In modern times, school athletics meetings are highly organized and coordinated; and the winners of given events at school level have the opportunity to then compete at regional, state, national and international level. Brenda Jones, a former student of Yallourn High School, won a Silver Medal (in the 880 yards) at the Rome Olympics in 1960. A photo and story regarding Brenda can be found on this website.
“ Brenda Jones (born November 17, 1936 in Leongatha, Victoria) is a former Australian middle distance runner, who after her marriage became known as Brenda Carr. At the 1958 Australian championships Jones won the 440 yards and 880 yards races. In 1960 she only managed a fifth place in 440 Yards but won a silver medal in 880 Yards. The same year, the 1960 Summer Olympics were contested in Rome, and Jones won a silver medal in 800 metres behind Lyudmila Shevtsova…” Source: Google Books

12. Yallourn High School had a proud history of developing successful sportspeople; and there are numerous stories and team photos on this website. To read more about he achievements of YHS students in athletics and other sports ….TYPE in the word: ‘athletics’ in the search field, at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and then press: ENTER.

‘THANK YOU’ TO RICHARD BUSH & BARBARA BUNTING ( DAVINE)
• Thanks to Richard Bush (ex-YHS) for the information about Mr Hollingsworth and other aspects of sport at Yallourn High School. Richard was an enthusiastic member of the YHS Athletics Team in the 1960’s and he can be seen in several YHS photos of that period. Richard was also the vice-captain of Bass House in 1960.
• A ‘thank you’ also to former YHS student Barbara Bunting ( Davine) for kindly providing the Virtual Yallourn website with the photos which accompany this story. Barbara has many fond memories of her times and friends at YHS.

The above story is part of an on-going project regarding the history of Yallourn. The story was researched and written by Roger Spaull and presented and posted by Julie George for the Virtual Yallourn website in February 2018.
The above article from the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ newspaper has been faithfully reproduced. The only amendments to the original copy are the font style, font size and spacing, so as to enhance the article for purposes of posting on the Virtual Yallourn website.

Everyone with a connection to Yallourn WELCOME. For more information, go to www.yallourn.org and click on "Reunions". See who else has paid up so far by following the link.
Pre-booking is essential by Friday, 16 February

A Stromberg-Carlson A.C. Dual-Wave Radio Model 635 from Yallourn – by Ken Tate

In 1936 my grandfather, Sid Tate, bought a new Stromberg-Carlson A.C. Dual-Wave Radio Model 635 from the local radio repair man in Yallourn (a nearby neighbour), with the money he earned from working overtime at the Yallourn Power Station. This provided news and entertainment for the family and was very useful during the War listening to the BBC on the short wave band as they had family in England. When the radio repair man retired, he let my father Ray who was experimenting with radio, to help himself to anything he wanted from under the house in the way of valves, components, etc.

My grandfather was a welder by trade but experimented in making his own pickup cartridges to enable him to play records through the PU input of the radio, however the radio audio amplifier did not have enough gain to be successful and would have required a preamp. Eventually he converted the Stromberg into a radiogram by splitting the cabinet and widening it to add a turntable.

The now Stromberg radiogram was eventually handed down to my father and when a new Precedent Radiogram was purchased the Stromberg was retired to the back shed. This is about the time I remember the Stromberg Carlson shortly before the radio chassis was extracted and kept whilst the remainder went to the tip, as we were shifting house.

I set up the Stromberg chassis in my bedroom as a teenager in the late 1960’s, as I was dabbling in electronics which had rubbed off from my father after he made me a two transistor bedroom radio in my younger years. We used a 15W globe in place of the power supply filter choke on the Stromberg as I only had a permanent magnet speaker at the time. I managed to get an electric shock from the exposed terminals on the tuning signal strength meter, which dad promptly removed.

In 1975 we shifted house again and the Stromberg ended up in the garden shed at the new house for many years. In the early 1990’s I placed a wanted advertisement in the HRSA newsletter for a cabinet or photos and dimensions so I could have a replica cabinet built for the Stromberg Carlson but no one come forward.

I also remembered Arthur Hamilton from Yallourn used to have a Stromberg Carlson hanging up on the wall of his open fronted garage which had severe weather damage down one side, this was around 1971 as I used to be friends with his sons. However the SECV town of Yallourn was demolished for the brown coal under it to supply the Yallourn Power Stations and all the residents had to move out. I tracked down Arthur’s youngest son and asked him about the radio, he did not remember it but said his father moved to Bendigo and would most likely still have it. I contacted Arthur and he agreed to sell me the Stromberg Carlson for $75 and even delivered it as he was coming down my way in the near future. I don’t know how I knew or remembered from 20 years earlier that Arthurs Stromberg Carlson was the same model as my grandfathers but it was… maybe the dial, tuning indicator and knob layout was the clue burnt into my brain.

I then had a friend who was handy with timber refurbish the cabinet, most of the veneer was missing on the weathered side plus other damage and it was missing one leg. Then when my parents went on their annual Queensland holiday I secretly removed our original Stromberg Carlson chassis from their garden shed. I replaced the necessary caps and the detector/1st audio valve (75) as it was missing its top cap and then fitted our original chassis to its new cabinet.

Then on my father’s 65th birthday I presented it to him gift wrapped which was quite a surprise and it now resides in his study and the chassis from Arthur's set is safely stored in a cupboard in my shed.

1955 - LOCAL STARS DICK SAGAR AND KEN GRANT
PLAY AGAINST ENGLAND AT YALLOURN
The following extract, regarding the M.C.C.’s visit to play a cricket match against a combined Gippsland team at the Yallourn Oval, was published in the ‘The Argus’ (Melbourne) in February 1955.
When the Gippsland XI was announced, two well-known and popular cricketing identities of Yallourn, Dick Sagar (wicketkeeper) and Ken Grant (fast bowler), were named in the team.
The local cricket clubs were buoyed by the inclusion of Dick and Ken; and the fact that two Yallourn cricketers were playing against the tourists added another dimension to the eagerly anticipated event. The people of Yallourn were chuffed that the Australian Cricket Board had chosen ‘their oval’ as the venue for the tour match; and it is fair to say that Dick and Ken were ‘local heroes’ around town.
The visit by Len Hutton’s team generated a deal of interest in Yallourn; and, as a consequence, there were several articles regarding the town and the picturesque oval in the local and metropolitan newspapers.
Yallourn’s Curator of Parks and Gardens, Jock Lawson, received accolades for the outstanding job that he (and his staff) had done in preparing the turf pitch, outfield and surrounds …
“The English cricketers, visiting pressmen and commentators, Australian and international, had nothing but praise for the Yallourn Oval, which they described as the best country ground they have ever seen on tour.” ‘Morwell Advertiser.’
In 1970, Jock Lawson was awarded an MBE for his services to the town of Yallourn; and he will always be remembered, by cricket lovers far and wide, for the world-class standards of the pitch and outfield for the match that year.
Thousands of spectators witnessed the match; and it was necessary to erect temporary ‘scaffold stands’ to accommodate the crowd that attended one of the most famous sporting events in Yallourn’s history.
Former Yallourn resident, prominent local cricketer and administrator, John White (a recipient of the coveted Cricket Victoria Award in 2013) has included a complete score-sheet of the match in his book ‘Coaldust and Cricket’ which was published in 2012.
The photograph of Ken Grant and Dick Sagar, which accompanies this story, was included in John’s book; and other photos and articles regarding the Yallourn Cricket Club can be found on this website.
Note: A story about Jock Lawson and his family can also be found on this website.

____________________________________________
FEBRUARY 5TH 1955 ‘THE ARGUS’ PAGE:4

CRICKET FANS STAMPEDE INTO YALLOURN
Yallourn, Friday. Country people will travel hundreds of miles to see England's triumphant Ashes winning team play a Victorian Country X1 here this weekend.
A half-holiday has been granted on Monday, and the subject cricket was on the lips of almost everyone here today. District banks and schools will be closed from noon, and the few business houses which remain open are likely to be short-staffed. It is estimated that between eight to 10 thousand people will see the match.
The weather is now perfect and warming up.
The curator ‘Jock’ Lawson and his assistant Alf White vow they will have the wicket in first-class condition. Covers will be used before and during the match in the event of rain.
Elaborate preparations have been made to cope with a big crowd, including the erection of a new stand for an additional 1,200 people and a spacious parking area. At their request no civic reception was held when the Englishmen arrived today.
Teams are:
England: Hutton (Capt.), Edrich, Evans, Appleyard, Compton, Wardle, Simpson, Wilson, Graveney, Loader, Bedser, Andrew.
Country team: G. Bath (Rutherglen), R. Walker (Dandenong), L. Holyoak (Ballarat), N. Chapman (Geelong), R. Milne (Traralgon, capt.), C. Miles (Leongatha, vice-capt.), L. Baker (Leongatha), B. Tozer (Warragul), W. Young (Stratford), R. Sagar (Yallourn), K. Grant (Yallourn), R. McIndoe (Leongatha), 12th man.

FOOTNOTES
1. The Victorian Country XI made 182 runs in the first innings with Bill Young, from Stratford, making a well complied 56 against some fine pace bowling. Bill also played 94 games with St Kilda Football Club and was regarded as one of Gippsland’s finest all-round sportsmen.

2. England’s opening fast bowler Peter Loader captured five wickets and spinner Johnny Wardle snared the wickets of four ‘Gippslanders.’

3. Yallourn’s representatives in the match, Dick Sagar and Ken Grant, faced world-class bowling that day; and, in the first innings, Dick made two runs and Ken was bowled by Johnny Wardle for a duck.

4. Dick Sagar was the wicket keeper for the Country XI that day. Throughout his cricket career, Dick’s glove work was superlative; and his sure hands and nimble footwork gave all bowlers great confidence. Prior to the selection of the Gippsland team, Dick received praise for his brilliant performance in the CGCA match against Morwell Imperials…
“ Yallourn Keepers Stumps Three - One Catch …With three stumpings and a catch, Yallourn keeper, Dick Sagar, on Saturday must have gone a long way to clinching his place as 'keeper for the Country XI scheduled to meet the English tourists at Yallourn on February 5th and 7th.” ‘Morwell Advertiser’ December 13th 1954.

5. England’s star studded batting line-up included: Sir Leonard Hutton ( 75 runs), Tom Graveney ( 50), Bill Edrich (36) and, one of England’s most famous sporting heroes, Denis Compton made 24 runs. The M.C.C. batsmen compiled 300 runs with comparative ease; and, although Yallourn’s big-hearted opening bowler Ken Grant failed to take a wicket, he took a catch to dismiss Godfrey Evans.

6. In the second innings, Johnny Wardle cast a spell on the Gippsland batsmen and claimed seven wickets for 45 runs in a superb exhibition of spin bowling. Johnny was a slow left arm orthodox bowler and could bowl the ‘Chinaman’ with great effect. He captured 102 wickets in Test cricket. Johnny, from Yorkshire, had a wonderful sense of humour; and his interaction with the crowd at Yallourn was unforgettable.
Young and old alike, crowded along the boundary fence to talk with Johnny and he became an ‘overnight celebrity’ in Yallourn. Locals enjoyed his sense of humour and his rapport with the crowd was memorable. Godfrey Evans and Reg Simpson also proved very popular characters with the spectators.

7. One of the highlights of Gippsland’s second innings was when Yallourn’s Ken Grant lofted a ball from Johnny Wardle ‘high, wide and handsome’ over the fence. It was a ‘big six’ and it gave the spectators at the Yallourn Oval something to remember despite the Gippsland team’s disappointing performance at the batting crease.

8. One of the BBC’s finest cricket commentators, Charles Fortune, was in the visiting party. The commentators broadcasted the match from a table, under the shade a large gum tree, on the hillside overlooking the ground. It is documented that Arthur Gilligan and the ABC’s renowned sports commentator of that era, Noel Bailey, were also at Yallourn for the match…
“…A.B.C. commentators will be Charles Fortune, Arthur Gilligan and Noel Bailey. Four special enclosures and tables will accommodate the pressmen.” ‘The Argus’ February 3rd 1955.

9. As mentioned in ‘The Argus’ the school children of Yallourn were given a half-day holiday to attend the match; but is known that some students ‘lost their way’ and ‘ended up’ at the Yallourn swimming pool.

10. The M.C.C.’s stop-over at Yallourn also included a special Cricketers’ Church Service at St John’s Church and the pews were packed…
“Following the service, the congregation enjoyed a social hour and a welcome was extended by Don Francis (St John’s CC), Dick Sagar (Yallourn CC) and Dick Swainsbury (Monash CC). Appreciation of the welcome received at Yallourn was given by Arthur Gilligan, Alec Bedser and Vic Wilson.” Source: ‘Coaldust and Cricket’ by John White. Page: 94.

11. Mr Don Francis, as mentioned above, is the father of Julie George (Secretary of Yallourn Association and administrator of this website). Not only was Don Francis actively involved in local cricket but he was also an enthusiastic member of the Yallourn Golf Club. Don Francis and Arnold Sambell were instrumental in initiating an ambitious project to extend the buildings at the golf course in 1965.

12. There were two very competitive cricket clubs in Yallourn in that era (St John’s and Yallourn). In the mid 1950’s, a new cricket team, named the Yallourn Colts came into being. In 1957, the Colts, captained by *Norm Byrne (owner-manager of the Yallourn delicatessen-see below) defeated the Yallourn-St John’s XI to win the CGCA Grand Final. In 1958-59, St John’s merged with Yallourn CC.

13. Yallourn was probably the only place in the world where cricketers, requiring a new bat, would need to visit a delicatessen. Norm Byrne always had on hand a selection of bats and cricket gear in the storeroom of his shop.

_____________________________________________________________
The above story is part of an on-going project regarding the history of Yallourn. The story was researched and written by Roger Spaull and presented and posted by Julie George for the Virtual Yallourn website in January 2018.
The above article from ‘The Argus’ newspaper has been faithfully reproduced. The only amendments to the original copy are the font style, font size and spacing, so as to enhance the article for purposes of posting on the Virtual Yallourn website.