Stories

70 YEARS AGO
1945- THE OPENING OF YALLOURN HIGH SCHOOL
This story was published in the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ and reports on the opening of the Yallourn High School in 1945. The article also lists the names of the teachers of the school and their qualifications. Like the history of schooling in all country towns, Yallourn was no exception to the various changes that transpired in Victorian education following the end of World War :II.
From the most humble of beginnings in 1922, the Primary School (4085) opened with 15 students; pupil enrolment increased and some six years… more

A FAMOUS BRITISH MP VISITS YALLOURN DURING WORLD WAR: 2

Throughout the history of Yallourn, the town played host to a long list of dignitaries and celebrities and 1944 was no exception. In June that year, one of England’s most famous women parliamentarians, Enid Summerskill, visited Yallourn as part of a British Parliamentary delegation that toured Australia on a fact finding mission.

Enid and her colleagues’ visit included a whirlwind tour to Yallourn and other parts of Gippsland. While at Yallourn, Enid inspected the power station, the Yallourn hospital, the health centre… more

1942 - A SOLDIER FROM YALLOURN WINS RECOGNITION
This news report was written during World War:II and tells of a letter which was forwarded to the Chairman of the Apprenticeship Committee of Yallourn regarding Geoff Williams and his outstanding work as a tradesman and soldier.
The letter was written by Captain Bardsley of the Australian Army Field Workshops and was published in the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ on the 22nd January 1942.
The footnotes that accompany this story may assist readers in appreciating the nature of Geoff’s duties and also refer to his family who lived in… more

A FAMOUS CANADIAN VISITS YALLOURN

In 1938 the British Empire Games were held in Sydney and a well-known Canadian sports star, Lynda Adams, was a foremost competitor in the diving events. Following the games, Lynda travelled to Yallourn to participate in a diving exhibition at the Yallourn (Lake) Pool. This brief article, published in ‘The Argus’ in May 1938, tells of Lynda’s visit to Yallourn….
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May 5th 1938 ‘THE ARGUS’ Page: 14
CANADIAN GIRL… more

JOCK LAWSON AND THE YALLOURN BOWLING CLUB
This news report, regarding the opening of the new bowling green at Yallourn, was unearthed in the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ in 1936, nearly 80 years ago. It was a red-letter day in the history of Yallourn.
The origins of the Yallourn Bowling Club can be traced back to correspondence, from the General Superintendent (Mr Bridge), as early as 1927 regarding the possibility of the construction of a six-rink bowling green in the town.
It is recorded that the SECV handed over the green (then in Broadway) in November 1929 and a club house… more

YALLOURN BRANCH OF THE HOUSEWIVES ASSOCIATION
The following article, related to the AGM of the Yallourn Branch of the Housewives Association, was published in the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ on the 15th February 1934.
The names of the elected office-bearers are listed and brief mention is made of Rachel Robinson who spoke at the meeting. Rachel was secretary of the Victorian Housewives Association for thirty years and was an unsung heroine in advancing the quality of life of families in earlier times.
‘Morwell Advertiser ‘ 15th… more

This extract from the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ reported on a visit to the Yallourn State School by Father Christmas in 1934. The brief article was published in the newspaper on the 10th January 1935 (Page: 9)…
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10th January 1935 Morwell Advertiser Page 9
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Yallourn State School
MOTHERS' CLUB
A happy afternoon was spent at the Infant School on Tuesday, the 19th December, when Father Christmas again visited the… more

FROM THE NEWSPAPERS - 1934 - ADVENTURE WITH A SNAKE
Meeting with venomous snakes in Yallourn was not uncommon and, in the early days, such stories made exciting reading.
The following brief news report was found in the ‘Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate’ which was published on the 12th January, 1934. There are two aspects to the story which are indeed interesting…
• It is curious that the story was newsworthy so far from ‘home.’
• The journalist (unknown) didn’t waste any words in describing the demise of the tiger snake.
… more

A MIGHTY WIN FOR YALLOURN

In 1932, Yallourn was a special prize winner in the ‘Sun’ newspaper’s ‘Ideal Town’ competition. The results of the quest gained wide coverage in various country newspapers; and there was a great deal of prestige associated with the towns that featured in the awards.

For many country towns of Victoria, the competition was seen as important; and despite the hardship caused by the economic downturn of those times, the various campaigns conducted by rural communities, were successful in creating collective action and civic pride.

The ‘vision… more

THE LOST BOY FROM YALLOURN
This newspaper extract, regarding young Harry Rickard’s journey to Melbourne, was published in the ‘Traralgon Record’ in 1932. The story began when Harry, who was just four years of age, attended the celebrations associated with the opening of the Sir John Monash Memorial Monument in the Yallourn Town Square gardens.
Harry’s adventure to the ‘big smoke,’ on that day in 1932, would have been a major topic of conversation around Yallourn that week…it would certainly be big news nowadays.
… more