Heathcote in the 1950s

AS Heathcote entered the 1950s, the McIvor Times turned its attention to local matters.

Major public works projects, which resulted in the new RSL hall and the refurbished Shire hall, were the biggest stories of the decade.

Meanwhile the CWA gained their own clubrooms and the town invited former residents back for another Back to Heathcote event.

 

A new public hall from a generous bequest

A fire destroyed the interior of the ageing Shire hall in early 1951, but the substantial stone walls were left standing.

The reconstructed building was opened in 1953 and contained an office for the council clerical staff, a room for the Shire president for official business, a strong room, council chamber, a supper room and a kitchen.

The Heathcote RSL sub-branch took on the task of building a hall to house larger events and it was opened in late 1955.

Published Wednesday 10 January 1951

 

Shire hall destroyed by fire

The residents of Heathcote were awakened from their slumber at about 3am on Monday morning when the fire bell started ringing, and on investigation discovered that the Shire Hall was ablaze from front to back.

It appears that Alan McDonald, son of Mr and Mrs WB McDonald, of the Commercial Bank, which is next door to the hall, was wakened up by the glare in his bedroom and the crackling of burning wood. He quickly raised the alarm.

By the time the Fire Brigade went into action the hall was a blazing inferno and thoughts went to saving the Shire Offices and Court House which adjoins the hall.

The shire staff aided by many helpers cleared the offices of filing cabinets, books, valuable papers and furnishings.

With the engine pumping off the 9 inch water main, a pressure not previously seen in Heathcote before, the Brigade managed to prevent the fire from spreading and eventually put it out, although the building was completely destroyed.

All that remains is the brick walls and they show signs of cracks caused by the terrific heat.

Apart from the serious loss of the hall, piano and seats, the two ante rooms at the rear contained Council furniture and cupboards where crockery was stored by the CWA and Try Club were also destroyed.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

 

Published Wednesday 26 October 1955

Opening of the RSL Hall

Friday evening saw a ceremony very important to the town of Heathcote and the Shire of McIvor generally – the official opening of the new public hall.

The history of the origination of this building is that the late Mrs Christina Kilroy, a former resident of Spring Plains who retired with her husband (Mr Robt Kilroy) to live in Heathcote, made provision in her will of some £5000 to be used for purposes associated with Heathcote sub-branch of the RSL.

As a result the members decided on the erection of a modern hall which would serve town requirements.

After acquiring the land which was municipally held, and overcoming many obstacles, the RSL finally made the proposal an accomplished fact.

Heathcote now possesses a long needed public utility which will serve the major entertainment requirements of the shire for some time to come.

 

Dental health woes

A 1955 report into the state of children’s teeth provides a glimpse into the mouths of Heathcote’s children.

A 2012/14 report into Australian the dental health showed that fewer than one in four Victorian children had experienced decay in a permanent tooth, a steep reduction from the six teeth per child figure quoted below. 

 

Published Wednesday 22 February 1956

Children’s Holiday Camp

The Dental Report of the 1955-56 series of the Lord Mayor’s Country Children’s Holiday Camps contains some interesting information on the dental condition of Heathcote children, who took part in this Camp.

357 children – including eight from Heathcote – being examined, the following statistics are given:- 1025  permanent teeth required filling (46  being in the Heathcote group); 117  permanent teeth to be extracted (Heathcote, 4); 718  permanent teeth already filled (Heathcote, nil); 355  permanent teeth already extracted (Heathcote, 29); 302  deciduous teeth to be extracted (Heathcote, 8); 156  children had green stain on their teeth (Heathcote, 3); 144 children had inflamed gums (Heathcote, 3);  172 children had overcrowded teeth (Heathcote, 3);  144 children had inflamed gums (Heathcote, 3); 2 children had or needed artificial dentures (Heathcote, 1);  24 children were dentally fit (Heathcote, nil): and 5 children had never had decay in the permanent teeth (Heathcote, nil).

The report stated:  this means that 2315 permanent teeth have, at some time or other decayed – or approximately 6 permanent teeth per child.

Country women get new digs

The CWA had lost both equipment and meeting space in the 1951 shire hall fire.

By 1959, several years of hard work had paid off and they finally celebrated the opening of a dedicated facility.

 

Published Wednesday 28 January 1959

Opening of CWA clubroom (edited extract)

The old billiard room in the Mechanics Institute presented a transformed and attractive appearance to about eighty women on Friday afternoon last, when it was officially opened as the clubroom of the Heathcote branch of the Country Women’s Association.

The branch president (Mrs GA McLean) expressed pleasure in welcoming everyone and especially the Shire President (Cr FL Hill) thanking him for his interest in giving his time to attend such a very feminine gathering.

To Mrs Hill, who accompanied her husband, Mrs McLean said very warm word of welcome, and presented her with a lovely shoulder spray.

Mrs McLean went on to tell briefly how it became possible for the Branch to achieve its aim to have a room of its own, beginning almost nine years ago.

The group president (Mrs Burne) spoke in high praise of the work done in so short a time, to transform the room.

Having seen it just two months ago “in the nude”, she realised the effort made, and wish the members many happy days and years, congratulating them on their courage and initiatives in the step they had taken.

All present really admired the room which looked fresh and cool, with its primrose walls, white and green doors and windows, and cool and fresh white and green cotton curtains.

Welcome back

Heathcote staged another “back to” event in 1956, although the program was considerably more restrained than the festivities of the mid 1920s.

 

Published Wednesday 1 February 1956

Back to Heathcote (edited extract)

Preparations are preceding satisfactorily for the Easter “Back to Heathcote” celebrations and the secretary (Mr J Rosendale) reports that enquiries are streaming in from former residents, who say it is their intention to “come back.”

Anyone who is willing to make rooms available to visitors is requested to contact the Secretary.

Restrooms during the celebrations will be in the foyer of the new Hall and the Mechanics Institute.

The Committee proposes to obtain quotes for “Back to Heathcote” badges. It has also been decided that only one place will be used for “Back to School” on Easter Monday morning.

Arrangements are pending for a visit of the Dhurringale Boys’ Pipe Band on Easter Monday and for Highland Dancing to be held on that day.

Entries are invited for a Popular Baby Competition, to be finalised at the Gymkhana on Easter Monday.

There will be no judging, and prize-winners will be decided on the number of 3d. popularity votes received by each entrant. Babies must be under 2 years of age.