50 years ago

LACK of public support is threatening the future of the Penshurst and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s annual show. A public meeting has been called for Monday night to find out public opinion on continuing the show. Despite good support from exhibitors the show has lost about $100 a year in recent years. Show society president, Mr. Ray Burger, blamed the lack of public support for the show’s poor financial record. “We’ve got a very active and keen show committee who do a lot of work to organise the show,” he said. “But we’re just not getting enough support at the gate from the community. “We go down the drain by about $100 a year and have to make up the difference by other fund-raising efforts. Mr. Burger said the society had increased prize-money and this had added to costs.

HAMILTON Racing Club officials are amazed at a decision of the Mulleraterong committee this week not to go on with the promotion of the club’s charity meeting next month. The decision is staggering in the light that it was made days after HRC president, Dr. W. McVicker, gave a personal guarantee of a $1000 profit from the day to Mulleratarong president, Mr. Arthur Tew. HRC secretary, Mr. Lloyd Allen, said yesterday the VRC was now certain to take the date off Hamilton and give it in the future to some other club in the state where charity funds were needed. Last week Mr. Tew informed the race club that Hamilton business houses had already offered more than $1200 towards the expenses of staging the meeting on February 17.

25 years ago

HAMILTON’S abattoir, Grange Burn Meats, will close down for three weeks to give it time to get it’s financial restructure in place. However, fears are held for its long-term future. Abattoir manager, Bill McDonald, confirmed the three weeks’ shutdown yesterday. “We are just assessing the position here and organising some refunding.” Mr McDonald said he was confident the abattoir would re-open. The Australian Meat Industry Employees Union has given Mr McDonald until next Thursday to pay employees accrued entitlements during the three-week  shutdown. The abattoir’s future has been the subject of many rumours, and its kills have been intermittent during the past weeks.

CAVENDISH Football Club has appointed Hamilton on-baller, Paul Barnes, as the club’s skills coach for the 1998 South West District Football League season. Barnes has been a stalwart at the Hamilton Football Club for a number of seasons and will add plenty of experience to the Bloods’ line-up. Cavendish has also secured the services of Sandford defender, Lachie McCrae, who is now living in Cavendish. McCrae has been the backbone of the Villagers defence for a number of seasons and will leave a big hole in their side. Club president, Allen Huf, said Cavendish was very pleased to have picked up the two players and both would add depth to the senior team. “Both players are leaders on the field and they will play a big role as the club tries to climb up the ladder this season,” Mr Huf said.