EXTRACTS FROM THE TRARALGON "JOURNAL"  1932
Taken by John W. Davidson

January   1932

The Fish and Game Society held its 1st Annual Picnic, at Koornalla, with 300 in attendance, on Sunday 24th January.

February   1932

Traralgon Sharpe's Emporium closed on 13th February, after 3 years, and left clothing to be distributed to 50 children.

Councillor Andrew Breen died on 9th February.

Fred Hesse took over from Sharpe's, 26th February.

March   1932

Mrs. Murrel was the first lady rider to be seen at the Traralgon races, and she won the first 2 winners, on 3rd March.

Bob Cincotta sold his fruit shop to Joe Cincotta on 2nd April.  It was in the "Journal" block in Franklin Street.

April  1932

Mr. J.G. Marsh sold his chemist shop to Mr. F. Ward in April.

Mrs. Toner's house was burnt down on Sunday night, 24th April.

May  1932

The Brass Band reformed on 3rd May and renamed Traralgon and District Brass Band. First practice was held in the garage of Mr. J. Tanner, in Argyle Street, rent free.

3TR transferred from Trafalgar to Sale on 7th May.

The Royal Exchange Hotel Licence was transferred from Mary Cantwell to Albert Chenery, and the Traralgon Hotel Licence from Grace Annie Ford to Isabelle Wood, on 16th May.

June   1932

The new hall at Gormandale was officially opened 16th June.

On 9th June MacCubbin Bros. commenced business as Funeral Directors.

John Dwyer died in June.  In about 1882 he selected land on the Old Melbourne Road, known as "Maryvale" where he arrived from Geelong with his bullock team.  He later sold, and built his brick home in Grey Street, at the Tyers turnoff.

The first Mechanics Hall, on the South West corner of Franklin and Hotham Streets, was demolished in June.  The original blue gum sawn timber was cut at the mill owned by Anstey and Dr. McDonald, in the days before our township boasted a mill, and was built simultaneously with the Club Hotel, on the opposite corner.  On 25th June the Elm trees fronting the Club Hotel were removed, and replanted in Grey Street.

His Excellency and Lady Irvine arrived by train on their way to the official opening of the new Sale Hospital; they were driven about Traralgon by Roland Hill, while ladies of the C.W.A. entertained Lady Irvine.   They were later driven to the Bluff to see the high flood waters (28th June).    the Lieutenant Governor visited Grey Street School

July  1932

On 4th July, Mr. James Rogers purchased the Club Hotel from W. Widdis and M.C. Brown, in vicinity of £4,000 cash, with the licence surrendered to expire at the end of the year.  Mr. Amby Ryan was probably the most successful past Licensee.

The last dance was held in the old Tyers Hall on Tuesday 12th July.  The hall was opened in 1877.

Ex-maker, Capt. T.H. Gilbert, died 18th July, after 31 years service to the Fire Brigade. The last occasion for such a large funeral for a fireman was in 1893 on the death of Mr. Joe Owens.

August   1932

11th August. At 3.20 a.m. fire destroyed the Franklin St. paint shop of Mr.George White (Henning's today) with damage to the premises of H.C. Welch, jeweller, and Alf Brown, bootshop, on either side.

Traralgon Rifle Club annual meeting, 10th August, first formed in about 1909, with 1st Secretary,Mr. Woodruff, 2nd. C.H. Welch, and Mr. Morrow for the last 15 years.

A permanent concrete stock drinking-trough was erected in August, opposite the Grand Junction Hotel, a gift from Annis and George Bills Estate to all Victorian country towns. (I wonder what happened to it? J.W.D.)

September   1932

Foundation stone for the new Tyers hall was laid by Mr. H.F. Christensen on Saturday, 3rd September.

Edward Sydney Whittakers died 10th September, aged 73. He came to Loy Yang in the 1870s with his parents and served 6 terms as Traralgon Shire President.

October  1932

Layton Bros. celebrated 25 years in Traralgon, 25th October, after purchasing the store from Grogan Bros. Upstairs was used for living quarters for 3 years. Mr.Sam Hinde was the oldest employee, with Mr. Wally Skeels serving for 23 years and Mr. Quadroy for 18. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT LAYTONS IN TRARALGON, AND SEE THE PHOTOS OF THE LAYTON BUILDINGS BEFORE AND AFTER RENOVATION AND RESTORATION IN RECENT YEARS.)

The Band played in Kay Street Gardens on Sunday, 23rd Oct. under their excellent new leader, Mr. Collins. The newly formed boys' section received quite an ovation. They were Bill Hunter, V. and W. Curtain, Jack and Gordon Blair, Ivan Peck, Dave Wildenberg, Eric Peterson, George White, George Peterson, Stan Gladman, Jim Greenwood, Geo. Feldt., Roy Bayley, Ron and Colin Anderson, Norman Downie, Ron and Andy Pilkington, Bert and Ernie Channing and Drene Chenhall.

Mrs. Scarff, aged l07, gave a recitation at the State School Fair, 21st October. She was presented with a serviette ring by a pupil l00 years younger. Shire President Cumming opened the fair.

Jack Anderson, of Anderson Street, kicked the winning goal for Richmond at the Grand Final in October.

November 1932

Mrs. Scarff made headlines again when she went aloft with Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith in the "Southern Cross" on 2nd November and flew to an altitude of 1000 ft, over Wally Mackenzie's paddock in Hazelwood Road.    Picture  right,  Mrs. Scarff on her 99th birthday.  (We believe the spelling of her name on the caption is incorrect)

The new Tyers Hall opened on 17th November and the Traralgon Band repeated history of 50 years ago when it played at the opening.

The Sir John Monash memorial was unveiled at Yallourn on 27th November

December  1932

The Traralgon "Record" sold to Traralgon "Journal" after 49 years and will cease on 23rd December, owned by J.Guest. It was purchased by Mr. E. Barbor on lst December. The Journal office in Franklin Street closed down and moved to the Seymour Street Record office.

Traralgon Band travelled around Traralgon on a motor bus on Christmas Eve, playing at various places, carolling under Deputy Bandmaster Les Davidson

Mrs. Scarffe celebrated her 108th birthday on Christmas Day

A Carnival was held at the Sandbank on Boxing Day, 26th Dec. and Reg Davidson won the schoolboy championship and Journal sash, representing Traralgon High School and competing against' Morwell, Glengarry and Traralgon schools.

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