THE TRARALGON & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC |
DOCUMENTED EXTRACTS FROM THE TRARALGON
"JOURNAL" - 1939
Taken by John W. Davidson, in 1968
January 1939 |
| Friday January 13th. Raging holocaust of fire swept through the hills south of Traralgon; believed to have started west of Jeeralang it destroyed Jumbuk, Jeeralang, Koornalla, Callignee South, and Carrajung. |
| 19th January - 772 residents, against 250, voted "yes" for the adoption of sewerage. |
| New cell installed at the Police Station, and the old one sent to Melbourne. |
| Doug. Lindsay, headmaster of Traralgon H.E. School commenced at Yallourn. |
| NO RAIN fell for the whole month of January. |
February 1939 |
March 1939 |
| Grandstand built at the swimming baths for 300-400 people and a carnival held on Saturday night with competitors from Traralgon, Yallourn, Leongatha, Sale, and Maryvale. Five circus performers and Melbourne divers gave displays while the Traralgon Town Band played during the evening. |
| Rev. D.H. Wicking's last appearance with Scouts; Mr. Bill Reid took over as Scout Master. |
| Rev. A.W. Smith took over at the Baptist Church. |
| Mr. Tom Mackey sold his farm at Tyers after 20 years, to Ron Sawyer and purchased the "Snuggle Inn" from Jack Hunter. |
| In the old coaching days, the road leading to the subway from Melbourne was known as "Littlejohn's Hill" and Kay Street down from the R.S.L. to the cordial factory as "McLean's Hill". |
| Ted Lawrence (brother of Marjorie Lawrence, the celebrated singer,) was elected president of the Gold Club. |
| Mrs. J.A. Smith left Traralgon after several years in the bakery business. Miss Woods in charge of Callignee South School left after 18 months. |
| April 1939 |
| Frank Anderson sold his land in Anderson Street and Mr. T. Johnson began building on 6 blocks. |
| A stone tomahawk was found in a Latrobe River bend at Gidney's Estate. |
| Mrs. Farmer and Miss West held a meeting to form a Ranger company and a Brownie pack. |
| May 1939 |
| Dr. Cranswick, Bishop of Gippsland, laid Foundation Stone for new St. James Hall. It was made and presented by Mr. W. Bird. Register showed 950 Anglicans (including children). Cost of the hall was £1,285. |
| Hearne's Oak officially became the new name for Haunted Hills. |
| Scout Week, and huge torchlight procession with 250 guides and scouts etc., led by Band, from Richmond (Hotel) corner and down Franklin Street to a roaring campfire in Victoria Park behind the bandroom. The "Spreading Chestnut Tree" dance was introduced at the Scout Ball. |
| Mr. Kaye Brady left Traralgon H.E. School for Smithesdale. "Welcome to Traralgon" a huge sign painted on west end of baths. Mr. J.S. Manfield , from Port Fairy became new headmaster (Of H.E. School). |
| June 1939 |
| July 1939 |
| August 1939 |
September 1939 |
| Prime Minister R.G. Menzies announced that Australia, along with Great Britain, was at war with Germany. |
| Mr. J.B. Robinson bought the property at corner of Franklin and Seymour Streets for about £80 a foot, from Mrs. Laufer, daughter of Mr. Kleesattel who had a pharmacy 40 or 50 years earlier. |
| October 1939 |
| Mr. Roy Hastings completed attractive R.S.L. Past Presidents' board, and E.V. Klemki did the gold lettering, to hang in the Mechanics Hall. |
| Miss J. Butler, Mr. A. Feiglan and Edna J. Bliss were transferred from school and Miss M. Douglas, Miss Mary Henry and Mr. Thomas Palmer replaced them. |
November 1939 |
| New Infant Welfare Centre commenced in Kay Street. |
| Capt. Claude Lewis in charge of 37th Battalion marched from the Drill Hall to the Soldiers' Memorial and back, led by Traralgon Band playing their Regimental March "The Moray Firth". |
| Traralgon "Journal" published another special Saturday 54th Show edition. Gate takings over £260. Dave Anderson attended his 50th Show - he was one of the first car owners in the district, having had a licence since 1908. Walter Lindrum gave a billiards exhibition. |
December 1939 |
| After matriculating at Scotch College, Ron Gilmour commenced at State Savings Bank in Hotham Street. |
| Hubert Opperman passed through on his Malvern Star from Mt. Gambier to Bairnsdale in 24 hours. |
| Dave Fullerton fell through Paper Machine ceiling and was badly injured. |
| Proficiency Certificate introduced at H.E. School (9th year). School had total of 516 pupils; 9 out of 10 pupils who sat for Intermediate Certificate passed. |