Stories

Martin DeVries YHS 1969wrote: 'l can still recall many of my childhood exploits with your brother, Martin Francis and my brother Ernie, racing billy carts, climbing the big tree in your front yard, going up the bush catching lizards - we used to take your dog - going to the pool, etc, etc. indeed, I still harbour many fond memories of growing up in Yallourn - it was a great place. Unfortunately, our family left in 1970 and moved to Perth (nicer climate but nowhere near as much fun). Since then, I regrettably lost all contact with everyone I knew in Yallourn. When I finished high school in… more

Marjorie Dickson (Ebsworth) YHS 1934 sent some photos of the stylish old Yallourn Buses in our last newsletter - now Marjorie has let us in to 'life as a bus driver' in those days in Yallourn. Marjorie's husband, Peter, drove the Yallourn buses in late 1930s to early 1940s. The owner was Andy Maxfield and he had several buses at that time. A usual day was rise at 6am, pick up the bus, take the men to work, then the children from Moe or Morwell to school, then home to Stzelecki Road for breakfast; then back to the town square to take people (mostly housewives) to Morwell or Traralgon for… more

Margaret Hinde (Mclnnes) YHS 1953 wrote - "l came across the enclosed photo, which was sent to me by Pam Hewitt (Tulloch) ages ago. I think it is our Grade 4 year at Yallourn Primary, but I am not certain. That would make it 1950. I met up with Pam again several (?) years ago at a "Back to Yallourn" gathering at the Moe racecourse. It was a real "blast from the past" as I had often wondered about her because I had warm memories of her from the primary years. I didn't have lots of friends, but I did remember Pam as being special. We meet for lunch when she is in town (usually for the tennis… more

YALLOURN: THE BROWN HOLE By Barbara Elliott (Park) YHS 1950 It started off a small country industrial town with people from countries all over the world, making a new home and life in its promises for them. My parents (Harold & Kítty Park) had come from England and Scotland to settle in Australia during the time of the great depression. Times had been tough for them, the sort of toughness that today we would think of as Just a story". Food was a luxury, and work almost a dream. My parents met and married in Adelaide, where the only big industry was the car industry. Dad could see that… more

Noelene Mays (Heskey) YHS 1966 wrote: "Terry and I still have the coffee shop at the steam railway station - he does amazing things with coffee and I must admit that my scones have a reputation too. The shop is open every day except Tuesdays. I am still chairman of R.A.l.L.co, the steam train company based here in Atherton. You can check out our website at www.steamloco.org.au and leave some feedback. As one of the hardworking volunteers that puts in probably 40 hours a week at least, I am looking forward to standing down as chairman at the AGM… more

Researched and written by Roger Spaull - a Tribute to Vic Lawrence...follow this link - http://boylesfootballphotos.net.au/article101-Vic-Lawrence-The-Big-Hear…

A FAMOUS BRITISH MP VISITS YALLOURN DURING WORLD WAR: 2

Throughout the history of Yallourn, the town played host to a long list of dignitaries and celebrities and 1944 was no exception. In June that year, one of England’s most famous women parliamentarians, Enid Summerskill, visited Yallourn as part of a British Parliamentary delegation that toured Australia on a fact finding mission.

Enid and her colleagues’ visit included a whirlwind tour to Yallourn and other parts of Gippsland. While at Yallourn, Enid inspected the power station, the Yallourn hospital, the health centre… more

DRAMATIC ARTS IN YALLOURN

Saul Rubinek once wrote…
“In the theatre, as anyone knows who's even done amateur theatre all their lives, you immediately find a family.”

It is true that the collective action of people involved in dramatic arts has the potential to forge lasting friendships, create harmony and lift the spirits of communities; and, in that regard, the Yallourn amateur theatre groups were no exception.

The origins of the dramatic arts in Yallourn can be traced back to the late 1920’s ; but it was the emergence of the ‘Methodrams’ and the St John’s… more

PETER HUTCHINSON
Readers of the Virtual Yallourn website will be deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Yallourn resident and identity Peter Hutchinson.
Peter passed away on 17th September 2016.
In an article regarding John Hutchinson and his family on this website in April 2013…the following comments were recorded regarding Peter …
“…Peter, matriculated at YHS and, like John, was a Prefect and also the House Captain of Mawson. Peter is one of the most celebrated footballers to have ever played in the VAFA. Peter played 363 games with Power House FC. He… more

A MIGHTY WIN FOR YALLOURN

In 1932, Yallourn was a special prize winner in the ‘Sun’ newspaper’s ‘Ideal Town’ competition. The results of the quest gained wide coverage in various country newspapers; and there was a great deal of prestige associated with the towns that featured in the awards.

For many country towns of Victoria, the competition was seen as important; and despite the hardship caused by the economic downturn of those times, the various campaigns conducted by rural communities, were successful in creating collective action and civic pride.

The ‘vision… more