The first sod in the Victorian Government’s ambitious scheme to generate electricity at Yallourn was turned more than a century ago (sometime around 1920); and for the next six decades the unique township of Yallourn ‘took root, prospered , bloomed, withered and died’….
“Yallourn was swallowed by the coal mine it was built to serve”… ‘The Herald Sun’ May 2016.
In this history series for the Virtual Yallourn website, various years in the life of the Yallourn have been researched and posted on the web site. The monthly news items, listed below, attempt to highlight some of the stories, about the township and its residents that made the local and national newspapers during 1929.
1929
JANUARY: A long awaited and important occasion took place in Yallourn when Sir John Monash officially opened the hospital on Sunday, 13th January. Approximately 2,000 people witnessed the event; and it was a grand occasion with ‘flags all aflutter’ and a procession of the fire brigade, scouts and guides, and the Yallourn Band. During his inspiring oration, Sir John Monash said…
“…that the hospital, with equipment ….had cost over £32,000 had been given as a gift to the people of Yallourn, by the people of Victoria, through the Electricity Commission. It was however, the duty of the residents to support and maintain the Institution. He also urged that working bees be arranged to carry out necessary work in improving and beautifying the hospital grounds, which comprised 15 acres..” Source: ‘Morwell Advertiser’ 18th January 1929. Page: 3.
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