Community
19 April, 2026
St Arnaud 100 Years Ago: popular man competition and Stewart Lodge
What was making news in St Arnaud in 1926.
Accident: Mr Jack Urasin an employee at builder F Appleby’s workshop in Alma st fell off a pair of steps injuring his back and was taken to hospital.
Farewell: Coonooer Bridge residents farewelled Mr and Mrs George Hamilton who had lived there for forty-four years and were moving to St Arnaud.
George was born in Kyneton and selected land at Yeungroon fifty years ago and moved to NSW three years later. Then he went to New Zealand were he married before returning to Coonooer Bridge and raising a family.
Fishing: Connie Foster caught two fish weighing 8½ lbs and 15½ lbs at Campbells Creek.
W Hicks, J Matthew, T Thompson, F Sanderson and H Taynton spent a few days fishing in the Avoca River where they caught an immense cod weighing 45lbs, which is on display in Crone’s butcher shop window.
Popular Man Competition: The St Patrick’ Day Committee held a competition to raise funds for the St Patrick’s Primary School and ladies ran social evenings to raise money [votes] for the men.
The results were announced at a concert held at the Town Hall and the winner was presented with a silver cup - 1st P McKew 11,881 votes, 2nd A Brady 3,386, 3rd M Driscoll 3,264, 4th P J O’Donohue 1,728.
Death: Mr Charles Martin of Navarre died age 58 at the St Arnaud hospital after accidentally being burnt some time ago.
He leaves a grown up family, his wife having died years ago.
Stewart Lodge: On Thursday evening Bro T B Ritchie was installed as Worshipful Master of the Stewart Lodge No 61 St Arnaud.
The attendance numbered over 200 brethren. The Installing Master was Wor. Bro. F Dower and the investiture of officers were conducted by past masters of the lodge.
Football: At a meeting of delegates held at Donald it was decided that the name be changed from North Western District Football League to North Central District Football League, comprising Birchip, Watchem, Litchfield-Carron, Donald, Cope Cope and St Arnaud clubs.
Admission to games will be 1/6 for gents, 1/- for ladies and children 6 pence. The League games will commence on May 19th when St Arnaud will travel to Watchem, Cope Cope to Litchfield and Donald to Birchip.
Hospital Sunday: The St Arnaud Band entertained at Moolerr where they raised £40 for the St Arnaud Hospital.
Sale: The estate of the late Mr John Boyd sold his homestead and 589 acres at Traynors Lagoon to an adjoining neighbour Mr John R Coates; then held a huge clearing sale and sold another 677 acres by auction, in 6 lots.
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