| CLASS OF MHS '62 & MPS CLASS OF '61 |
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| Posted: Monday, 10 August 2009, 4:33 PM |
| Just noticed Ralph Fletchers idea for the Back to Schools on the 22nd thats another way we could catch upElaine (Ward) Rowe |
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| CLASS OF MHS '62 & MPS CLASS OF '61 |
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| Posted: Monday, 10 August 2009, 4:16 PM |
In respose to Joy Milne and Lindsay Cupper maybe we could meet at the 'Meet & Greet' at the Merbein Hotel at approx 5pm as Bernadette Wells(Miss O'Connor) and Bronwyn Zrna are launching their publcation 'Merbein 100 Years in Pictures'( to be launched by John Arnold) at this time. Maybe we could then stay on for a meal or a drink, others might like to join us aswell and catch up.It was great to read Vicki Thompson's note I remember her well also Ralph Fletcher especially his antics outside the Civic Hall after a hypnotist show - that was an experience ! and 3 way telephone conversations from the exchange,also remember Greg Norman! and Ken West -who was good enough on a number of occasions to give me a lift home from the" Rowers" dance on a Sunday night as there weren't any buses at night. In reference to the dunny stories I bet Lindsay Cupper didn't know he was in the centre of a heart on the back of our dunny door! As you can see I have just read the messages for the 1st time. I look forward to catching up with class mates and others who may be around at the time of the Centenary Celebrations. Maybe someone has a better idea to catch up - open to suggestions maybe Lindsay's Film & Exhibition Night or the next Friday between the Parade and the Merbein Sawmills Centenary Fireworks.
Elaine (Ward) Rowe |
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| Hello from Judy (Keens) Comley |
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| Posted: Sunday, 09 August 2009, 6:58 PM |
I've loved reading all the messages from people associated with my early years in Merbein. Dianne Cameron's piece about 'Dunny Lanes' brought a rush of funny memories.
I used to live in Box St next door to Russell Punton (hope to see you soon, Russ!) and attended Merbein PS/HES till the new High School opened in 1962.
I now live near Colac and recently caught up with Bill Golding in Portland. We had lots of laughs reminiscing about our treasured memories of Merbein HES - form parties down the river, dance practices for school socials, embarrassing class moments ...
Sandy McInnes has already named my classmates and I'm hoping lots of you will be there for the celebrations. I'll be staying with my cousin, Jan (Foreman) Erskine for the week 14-21 August.
My sister Jenny who now lives in the Adelaide Hills,regrets she won't be there as she is currently travelling in WA, but my brother Ian (Nangiloc) and I are both looking forward it.
Can't wait to catch up with everyone.
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| Diane Cameron |
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| Posted: Sunday, 09 August 2009, 6:31 PM |
| I will be in Merbein on Friday the 21st - Sunday 23rd August.Looking forward to seeing the village at a great time of celebration.Diane |
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| Dunny Lanes of Merbein |
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| Posted: Sunday, 09 August 2009, 11:33 AM |
| Watch for a float in the parade depicting this. Thankfully Don Wilson has collected much old machinery and equipment and saved it from the dreaded slow boats to China. We thank him for his efforts. Kevin McCarthy. |
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| Dunny Lanes of Merbein |
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| Posted: Sunday, 09 August 2009, 10:31 AM |
Residents of Merbein today that have access to their properties from the back lanes are no doubt pleased they can put their caravans,boats trailers etc into the back yard of their properties.
Many would not be aware these lanes were constructed for the dunny man. Prior to Merbein being sewered residents had their dunny on the back lane. Each residence had a dunny opening on to the back yard. The dunny man would once a week change the pan through the back flap. Many a resident had to hurriedly depart as the sounds of the dunnyman doing his work approached.
As many of the properties in Merbein were 66ft by 144ft or bigger the trek to the dunny was a major exercise. In the night it was extra perilous as red backs particularly liked dunnies.
The housing commision area of Game Street was not so fortunate to have a back lane. The dunny man had to come down the driveway and was known to slop the contents of a very full can.
Memories of thankfully a bygone era.Diane Cameron
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| Hi Dianne Chivers (Fleet) |
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| Posted: Saturday, 08 August 2009, 9:03 AM |
| Look forward to catching up. Regards Sandra Stevens (Lansdell) |
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| Hi to Sandra Stevens |
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| Posted: Friday, 07 August 2009, 7:18 PM |
Hi Sandra Hopefully will be able to catch up with you during the Celebrations - it's been long time since we have seen each other.
Dianne (Chivers) Fleet |
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| Grade 2A 1961 |
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| Posted: Friday, 07 August 2009, 7:15 PM |
| It was great to read Marion West message. I certainly do remember Marion. I have the photo of the class in 1961. Mrs Dowsley is still alive in a local nursing home. I remember being very envious of Marion - she was chosen to travel to Melbourne to met the Queen- hope I have this right- it was a long time ago. Dianne (Chivers) Fleet |
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| Bowrings Merbein |
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| Posted: Friday, 07 August 2009, 3:35 PM |
| Bowrings Merbein was a department store. My father Angus Cameron was the manager from 1953 to the closing of the store. He also ran and served in the Hardware Department.Ted Cox ran the Men's Wear Department. When the store closed Ted went on to manage Bowrings Mildura.Rene Evans ran the Ladies Wear Department.Laurie Henderson ran the Grocery Department. Biscuits were stored in tins and sold by weight. As a child I gave the chocolate Teddy Bears a hammering! Chook food and dry dog food were stored in the back room in large bins. These were sold by the weight also.Flour, sugar and rice were also stored in large bins and sold by the weight. Groceries were home delivered on the store delivery bike.The store also had a cellar where morning tea merriment took place. Ray Walder doing the J Arthur Rank impersonation with a tea tray stands out in my memory.Window dressing and store signage were done by the store window dresser and sign writer based at the Mildura Store.The store also had a resident black cat named Lily by I think Ray Walder.At the end of the day I would accompany Dad into the strong room with the day's takings.In those days trading was 9- 5.30 Monday to Friday and 9.00 to 12.30 on Saturdays. A far cry from todays trading hours. Dad would come in the back gate and have time to chop the wood or have a game of football or cricket with us before tea time.Bowrings was taken over by Cox Bros and then Foy and Gibson. When they went broke in 1967 the Merbein store closed.Diane Cameron |
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