Community
15 March, 2026
100 YEARS AGO: fishing competitions and fire brigade demo
What was happening in St Arnaud 100 years ago?
100 Years Ago
March 1926
Water Restrictions: The water supply is getting lower and residents are ordered not to use hoses for any reason. Depth of reservoirs, Teddington 7 ft 4ins, Goldfields 8 ft 9 ins and Government Dam 3 ft 6 ins.
Farewells: St Arnaud Band member for the past 25 years Richard Sweetman was presented with a wallet of notes at a farewell held at St Patrick’s Hall prior to his moving to Melbourne.
For the past 12 years Richard worked for tailor James Mathew who gave Richard and Miss Sweetman who also worked for him a farewell gift.
After three years service at the National Bank ledger keeper Alan McGee was presented with a travelling bag prior to moving to Birchip. Alan will be succeeded by Mr O Orr from Richmond.
Fishing: St Arnaud residents J McNicol, W Taylor, C McPhee, H Murrells and J C Dunstan camped on the Murrumbidgee River for a week, near the home of ex-Winjallock resident George McDonald.
They caught 40 fish on the first day, with a final tally for the week of 5 cwt with the biggest fish weighing 20 lbs.
Their boat struck a snag causing a hole in the bottom and quickly sank.
The men had three guns worth £50 with them, which they were unable to retrieve from the 11 ft deep water.
They went to Balranald where they hired a man who dived in and soon recovered the guns.
Hospital Sunday: The St Arnaud Band entertained at Marnoo East where they collected £106, the Donald Band collected £116 at the Donald Park and the Birchip Band Collected £16 at Barrapur and £17 at Birchip West
Fire Brigade Demo: St Arnaud travelled to Bendigo for the annual Fire Brigade Demo where the only prize for the day was a second place by W Kennedy in the ladder race, which was won by J Trengrace who won this event for the eleventh time since 1906.
Coonooer Bridge Sports.: The annual sports day was held in J Williams’ paddock and consisted of six horse races and a wood chop.
Maiden Plate and Coonooer Bridge Cup were both won by R Evans’ “ Bon Lace’ ridden by Bill Moore - Cup prize a gold medal and £8.
Maiden Trot won by G Dalrymple’s ‘Lucy’ driven by owner.
Open Handicap Trot won by W Lanyon’s ‘Peggy’ driven by owner.
Hack Race won by C McKew’s ‘Lillie’ ridden by P McKew.
Novelty Pony Race won by J Muir’s ‘Viewy’ ridden by Baker.
Hospital Report: During February there were 51 patients admitted, 45 discharged, 43 remaining, 12 treated in outpatients and one death Emilie Casboult.
New Business: Mr J H Wheeler commenced business as a chemist and Druggist on the corner of Napier and Alma sts.
Mrs F Wandel has taken over the Commercial House [next to chemist] and has rooms for boarders, plus a café with meals and a parking area for cars.
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