From the pages of the McIvor Times

150 years ago

Published 7 January 1875

TO the editor of the McIvor Times

Dear Sir,

Where were the police on New Year’s Eve, when a mob of half-civilised larrikins was parading the town, shortly after 12 o’clock, and rousing respectable people from their beds by battering at their doors and roofs and breaking their windows, occasionally enlivening these interesting proceedings by pulling palings off fences…?

The police might surely do something towards showing these “sweet children of nature” that British laws are not to be thus infringed.

Roused by the passage of a brickbat through my window, I went out to look for a policeman, but I might as well have tried to find “a needle in a haystack.”

After walking nearly a mile through the heart of town I could find abundant traces of the larrikin raid, in the shape of broken fences and unhinged gates, but not a vestige of a policeman, and the same fate awaited me at the barracks, though I made “noise enough to wake the dead.”

Is there no remedy for such riots as this; must peaceable citizens waking amid the sound of crashing windows, be obliged perforce to “grin and bear it.”

I am, Sir, yours, & c.,

ONE OF THE SUFFERERS

100 years ago

Published 30 January 1925

Mr Tom Ellis killed a five-feet feet brown snake near his house on Saturday evening at about 8pm, which proves that even snakes stay out beyond their usual hours.

This reptile has been seen about the property on several occasions during the last 12 months, which points a good moral to some human beings: sooner or later you’ll get caught!

***

A mishap occurred on Monday which only by a fraction was not attended by serious consequences.

Mr W Binney was riding on top of a load of millwood on a motor-truck driven by his son, when a projecting log caught in a sapling as the vehicle preceded through the bush.

The other end of the piece of wood struck Mr Binney in the ribs, knocking him from the lorry almost under the wheels, which grazed him as the truck went by.

50 years ago

Published 22 January 1975

Clean up those old car bodies

“Old car bodies that are lying around the town are an eyesore and should be removed by the owners,” Central Riding councillors said.

Councillors were concerned at the number of old car bodies lying around in backyards.

Heathcote has many wonderful trees and many people take a pride in growing shrubs of all varieties to beautify the place, but in many cases the beauty is spoilt by unsightly old car wrecks.

These relics would look better on the tip than in someone’s backyard.

If you are unable to remove these “bodies” then contact the local council who will be only too pleased to remove them for you.

Published 29 January 1975

Holy Rosary Heathcote — equipment

The school possesses a large number of technical aids to assist in the process of education.

The list includes: a photo copying machine, Gestetner, three record players, one television set, one projector, one tape recorder, one cassette player and three sewing machines. As well as a school bus.

It was proposed by the new principal that the school purchases a mini computer for the standardisation and consequent rationalisation of a marking system.

This received support in principle by the School Board.

***

New Classroom at Mia Mia School

A new classroom has been erected at the Mia Mia Primary School and will be operational at the start of the current school year.

Cr James Anderson, who lives in the Mia Mia area, told the McIvor Shire Council that this building is overdue as the present school is overcrowded.

He said that about 36 pupils would be attending the school this year.