Community
30 November, 2025
Look back on St Arnaud from 50 years ago
What was happening in St Arnaud in 1975?
50 Years Ago
November 1975
The St Arnaud Sports Stadium was officially opened on 21st November by the Hon A J Hunt MLC, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Planning.
Three years previously the Lions Club conducted a survey, which showed there was the need for an indoor sports stadium in St Arnaud.
A Committee of Management was formed, with Ron Phillips as Chairman and fifty Life Memberships were issued at $100 each. The Town Clerk Don McKenzie who was also a member of the Lions Club carried the brunt of the project.
The Lions Club guaranteed the Council they would raise $10,000 from the community, James Malcolm & Co donated $5,000 and the Kara Kara Shire Council contributed $10,000.
After the official opening school children spent the afternoon giving exhibitions of basketball, table tennis and pool. An exhibition of squash and the rules of the game were explained by ex-resident Terry Moore.
There will be 20-minute time limit on the use of the 7 ft pool tables.
Correct footwear must be worn by all players, soles of shoes must be of non-mark white material or approved rubber. Squash courts must be booked at Hec Lardner’s sports store and racquets are available for hire.
That evening St Arnaud ladies played basketball against the Navarre ladies who won and the following evening the St Arnaud men defeated the Navarre men at basket ball.
Then two top ‘A’ grade basketball teams from Melbourne gave an exhibition match.
Also on Saturday night a Round Robin table tennis tournament was held with players coming from Melbourne, Geelong, Kerang, Stawell, Murtoa, Maryborough and Horsham.
Admission - adult 60c and children under 16 years 20c.
Stadium attendant Norm Hedger and his wife Kath were kept busy selling refreshments in the kiosk.
The Angling Club travelled the Learmonth where the prize for the biggest fish overall went to Lola Fletcher, gents biggest fish to Dutchy Prior, ladies biggest fish to Mona Robinson and the secret weight to Neil Medlyn.The swimming pool opened on Saturday 29th November and closed the next day due to the bad state of the water however the pool reopened the following week.
Entry fees for a year – family $16 single adult $8, child $6, and per day - single adult 40c, child 20c and groups of school children 10c per child.
Scout News – It is the Bob-a Job week so if you have a job for the scouts ring G Pearse or for the Cubs ring G May. Geoff Cornwall gave instructions on the management of sailing craft, Mrs Elvie McDonald showed them how to identify wild flowers and Graeme Allen passed the animal keepers badge test.
Participating in occupational therapy under the guidance of the Red Cross at the hospital Mr Sparrow has made 300 stools with woven sea-grass seating in the past two years.
Recent rain has caused a break in the spillway at Teddington Reservoir and the pipeline has subsequently been broken thus water is going to waste.
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