Community
27 June, 2026
St Arnaud 100 Years Ago: interesting umpiring
What was making news in St Arnaud in June 1926.

100 Years Ago
June 1926
Football: After St Arnaud’s first win last week, the match against Donald who has not lost a game this year was eagerly awaited and 145 supporters joined the team on the special train to Donald.
Unfortunately what should have been one of the best matches this season was spoiled by the umpiring of Mr Biringham [the worst ever witnessed by many] How is country football to reach a high standard if players are compelled to play under men who either do not know the rules of the game or are indifferent as to how they are observed?
The Club pay £8/16/- per match for three umpires.
Scores for the Donald v St Arnaud match – ¼ time Donald 2-2 St Arnaud 2-2, ½ time D 3-2 STA 4-4, ¾ time Don 6-5 STA 11-4, last ¼ Donald 11-11 defeated St Arnaud 11-4 [St Arnaud failed to score in last quarter].
Best players for Donald - McConville, Power, H Goltz, Letts & Harris and for St Arnaud - Crone, McAuliffe, Walton, Kennedy and Edelsten.
Watchem 7-12 defeated Cope Cope 1-8 and Birchip 15-4 defeated Litchfield 3-1
Accident: While playing football Tom Marchment of Stuart Mill twisted his right knee when kicking the ball and will be unable to play again this season.
Death: Mrs Christina Penfold of Cope Cope died age ninety-one. She came to Australia seventy years ago and has a son Samuel Penfold of Cope Cope.
Farewell: Dr Allan MacInnes who has been St Arnaud for the past 15 months was given a farewell party by his friends prior to moving to Melbourne.
The party was held at ‘Inveravon’ the home of his sister Mrs J A McDonald of Gre Gre Central. He had been staying at Miss Golden’s boarding house with several young men who call themselves ‘The Golden Boys’.
New Residence: The tender of F Bawden has been accepted to erect a hardwood dwelling in Bowen Street for Mr Paul Kelly.
New Business: Mr G A Crone fruiterer and confectioner has commenced business next door to H T Edwards Pty Ltd and will have fresh fruit and vegetables delivered daily.
Children’s Hospital: The children of Sutherland have helped raise funds for the Children’s Hospital in Melbourne by holding a dance with music by Misses Mollie and Katie Hoye, Kathleen McKew and Mrs Percy Duggan. This is the first public appeal the hospital has launched and may become a regular event.
Sales: Mr John Ward is retiring and selling his Coach Factory on the corner of Alma and McMahon sts – land 132 ft x 82 ft with W B & iron building 60 ft x 60 ft and outbuildings. Mr H Wandel of Kooreh wants to sell a sleepout 8 ft x10 ft for removal.
Rain during June 230 points.
Read More: St Arnaud