Stories

MEMORIES OF THE YALLOURN TENNIS CLUB
By MURRAY FRENCH

Murray French grew up in Yallourn and is regarded as one of Gippsland’s greatest all –time tennis players. Murray’s name has dominated tennis circles for more than 50 years and he has won many titles and championships during his long and auspicious career. In 2015 he was inducted into the Latrobe Sporting Hall of Fame…

"Our first legend is Murray French, honoured for his outstanding tennis career. Murray has been a force in tennis since the 1950s claiming the Latrobe Valley Singles Championships twenty-five times… more

JOCK LAWSON AND THE YALLOURN BOWLING CLUB
This news report, regarding the opening of the new bowling green at Yallourn, was unearthed in the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ in 1936, nearly 80 years ago. It was a red-letter day in the history of Yallourn.
The origins of the Yallourn Bowling Club can be traced back to correspondence, from the General Superintendent (Mr Bridge), as early as 1927 regarding the possibility of the construction of a six-rink bowling green in the town.
It is recorded that the SECV handed over the green (then in Broadway) in November 1929 and a club house… more

When you are seven years old and at Primary School, you learn to follow instructions. This particular day was very hot and everything smelled of smoke. ‘Children you are to go straight home to your parents.’ My teacher told us after lunch. I was pleased because it was so hot and Mum would let me run under the sprinkler hose to cool down. I was only five minutes from home and as I started walking I noticed the sky was black as if it was evening. Smoke swirled around like a fairy dancing on the wind. I was the only child who lived in this direction and I wondered where all the other… more

The attached news article summarized a speech that General John Monash made to members of the press on a tour of the works area of Yallourn in 1922. The report was published in the "Morwell Advertiser" in November of that year.

In his remarks that day (more than 90 years ago), General Monash outlined his vision for Yallourn including coalmining, electricity generation, briquette production, housing and services for the workers and their families.

It is a most significant news extract in the history of Yallourn as it placed on public record the ambitious objectives of the… more

A NIGHT OF ACTION AT YALLOURN
The story on the Virtual Yallourn website, written by Winton McColl in June 2015, regarding amateur boxing in Yallourn, prompted a search of local newspapers. Several articles related to boxing were found including the following report regarding a program of events conducted by the Yallourn Boys’ Club in 1954.
In his story, Winton mentioned the prowess of John Backman in boxing contests in that era. The news report below refers to John’s victory (over Brian Edwards of Morwell); and also lists the results of other Yallourn boys who participated in… more

THE YALLOURN FLOWER SHOW
In May this year (2015), under the heading ‘Zygocactus Survives’, Inge Meldgaard posted a fitting tribute to Wilma and Ralph Wicks, her mother (Elna Lerche) and other residents of Yallourn for the interest and pride that was shown in the flower and vegetable gardens of homes in the town. In her article, Inge wrote…
“This is a tribute to both Wilma and Ralph Wicks, wonderful people who were my former parents-in-law, and also a tribute to the gardeners of Yallourn, who in its heyday created such a lovely, well-kept town...and finally, a tribute to my… more

THE MEMORIES OF JEAN AND MAX FOX
This is the story of Jean and Max Fox and their life and times in Yallourn and Newborough. Their memories give some insight into the transformation that occurred in the town of Yallourn from the 1920’s until its death knell some sixty years later.
During their lives Jean and Max have witnessed many changes in and around the district and it is hoped that this article, for the Virtual Yallourn website, will underline the reasons why Yallourn was regarded, by so many people, as an exceptional community for young and old alike. In 1976 Urszula… more

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