General News
16 February, 2026
St Arnaud 100 years go: clearning sales and how many went into hospital
Here's what was in the paper in St Arnaud 100 years ago.
100 Years Ago
February 1926
Water shortage: The continuous hot weather has seen the water storage levels fall with Teddington Reservoir only 10 ft 6 ins deep, Goldfields Reservoir 8 ft 10 ins and the Government Dam 6 ft 2 ins. To avoid St Arnaud running out of water the Teddington pipeline supply will be turned off between 7 pm and 7 am every day until further notice.
Farewell: Dr Charles Fleming, his wife and her sister Mrs Mansfield are leaving for a trip to Europe and will be away for twelve months. Dr Fleming was given a formal farewell by the Hospital Committee and a surprise farewell afternoon tea party by the present nurses and many former nurses who presented him an ever-sharp pencil. Another farewell was held at the Town Hall attended by a hundred brothers of the Masonic Lodge who presented the Worshipful Brother C H Fleming with a Past Master’s jewel. Mrs Fleming and Mrs Mansfield were given a farewell at the home of Mrs H W Dunkley in Queens Ave where their many friends gave them both a leather travelling cushion.
St Arnaud Hospital: During January 51 patients were admitted, 44 discharged, 37 remained, 9 outpatients treated and there was one death 21 year old Amy Harman. Dr Fleming officially handed over the charge of the hospital to his locum Dr Salts for the next twelve months while he is on an overseas holiday. Dr C Fleming who has been in St Arnaud for over twenty years has been House Surgeon for the past eleven years, taking over from his brother Dr Harloe Fleming who died in 1914 age 55. The St Arnaud Brass Band entertained at Logan where they collected £25-1-4 for the hospital.
Golden Wedding Anniversary: Mr and Mrs D Wells nee Hannah Howard of Swanwater West, who were married 10-2-1876, celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with a party at Deane Wells’ residence. A life-long friend Mr W Fyffe proposed a toast to the happy couple and on behalf of their many friends presented them with an armchair each. Mrs Wells was recovering from a recent illness and her husband was on crutches due to an accident the previous week
Death: On 5th February former St Arnaud North resident, Mrs Eliza Jane McRoberts died at Boulder City W A. She was the eldest daughter of the late John and Elisa Crowle and leaves a grieving husband and four children.
Business Updated: Mr J Olds coach and motor builder in McMahon st has added to his business a motor paint shop constructed on up-to-date lines with fibre-plaster dado, Wanderlich steel and fibre- cement ceiling thus making the 35 ft x 35 ft work shop dust proof.
Cricket: Laen 265 defeated St Arnaud 219 with the most runs for Laen by E Baring 78 and for St Arnaud W Walton 63. Kooreh 222 defeated Logan 102 with the most runs for Kooreh by H Sutherland 101 and for Logan C Gallagher 41.
Sales: On 6th Feb, Miss Maud Bray sells 4-room W B house on ¼ acre block corner Alma and Bowen Street. On 6th Feb Mrs Peterson sold 12 acres at St Arnud North adjoining T Anderson and J Phillips to Mr T Devitt for £4-5-0 acre.
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