From the pages of the McIvor Times

140 years ago

Published 26 September 1884

A TORNADO or cyclone passed over the Cornella, or Mount Pleasant, district on Saturday evening last.

It is stated to have travelled in a southeasterly direction, or apparently from the direction of Goornang to that of Graytown.

The wind, which was of terrific violence, extended to a width of about half a mile, being seemingly of greater force towards the centre, where nothing could withstand its violence.

This was shown by the more general uprooting of trees in the middle of the hurricane.

To the extent, however, of about half a mile in width, trees were either uprooted or denuded of their branches, in many instances nothing but the bare trunks being left standing.

As an indication of the wind partaking of the nature of a whirlwind, numbers of trees had fallen in an opposite or different direction to the course of the hurricane.

The roar of the wind is described as something terrible, it being heard for about 20 minutes during its approach.

We have not heard of any damage to dwellings by the hurricane, though it is said that no house could possibly have stood against it.

We are informed that the Sandhurst to Cornella road is blocked by fallen trees and branches for a considerable distance, the wind having followed it apparently for a long way, the Heathcote to Rushworth road being also blocked for some distance where the storm crossed it somewhere in the vicinity of Mr Walter Hamilton’s property this side of the Half Way House.

90 years ago

Published 12 September 1934

Travel for boys

(Edited extract)

At the request of the Melbourne Centenary Celebrations Council, the Young Australia League is now arranging an educational excursion for country boys to visit the city from October 18 to 25.

The Minister for Education has granted permission for exemption from school attendance to all boys visiting Melbourne for the Centenary Celebrations from the 18th to 25th October under the care of the Young Australia League. During the week’s Excursion the party will witness the arrival of the Duke of Gloucester.

The Premier’s Department have arranged to allow these country boys a special stand to witness the arrival of the Duke.

Negotiations are being made to allow each of the young tourists to personally meet His Royal Highness.

The Royal Agricultural Show will be visited and the boys will have a chance of seeing exhibits from country districts throughout the State.

The finish of the world’s largest air race will be witnessed and arrangements are in hand for the boys to meet Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

A welcome to the Royal visitor by the school children of Melbourne at the MCG, illuminations and decorations of the city, the Shrine of Remembrance and the famous Captain Cooks cottage, Point Cook Aerodrome, and HMS Sussex will be visited.

This is going to be a week crammed full of everlasting impressions for the boys and a week that only comes about once in the history of a nation.

Sites and industries of Melbourne will be visited and a day trip has been arranged to Mt Donna Buang, where many boys will see snow for the first time.

The cost has been set at £3 2/6, which includes meals, accommodation, sightseeing, admission to theatres, Royal Show, etc.

40 years ago

Published 5 September 1984

Heathcote Football Club Under 16 captain, Brendan Baker, has made the Carlton Football Club Scholarship Squad.

1984 has really been a great season for Brendan so far.

Recently he also won the league’s Under 16’s best and fairest award.

Because Brendan made the squad he was awarded a $100 scholarship along with a full Carlton outfit, dress jumpers and sports bag.

Brendan has also been invited down to Carlton to participate in preseason training.

However, at this stage he will be having an operation on a badly dislocated finger and this could interfere with the Blues preseason training offer.

Young Elmore footballer Gavin Appleby also made the scholarship squad.