50 years ago
WESTERN District reaction to the Federal Budget has been a mixed bag of approval and condemnation. While there has been general support for the re-structuring of income tax, the Government has been criticised for offering nothing to the rural community. But the most consistent criticism levelled at the Budget is that it will do nothing to eliminate the twin troubles of inflation and unemployment. Mr. Bruce Chamberlain (Lib., Dundas) said he welcomed the extra Federal funds for schools, hospitals and health. “But I deplore the continued downgrading in emphasis on the defence of this country, which has led to a decline in real terms in expenditure in the field,” he said. “I also deplore the continued attempt by the Government to make life difficult for independent schools.”
KEVIN Douglas has won the best and fairest medal in his first season with the Western Border Football League. The West Gambier utility player polled 21 votes when the medal count was taken at Mt. Gambier on Monday night. This was two better than Coleraine’s Bob Ferrier. Next were Gary Lazarus, Bob Murray, Barry Smith and John Beaton, each with 16 votes. There were no surprises among these to poll best, although several big-name players did not fare as well as expected. Shane McKew did best of the Hamilton and Imperial players. This was a mighty effort as the Bulldog skipper missed the first half of the season. Mt. Gambier players dominated voting in the seniors, but Hamilton did clinch one of the three medals when Robert Templeton won the best and fairest for the thirds.
25 years ago
A BACHELOR of Nursing course is to be established at Hamilton Base Hospital. The three-year course will be run in collaboration with RMIT University with the first semester due to start with an intake of 20 students early next year. President of the Western District Health Service board of directors, Richard Walter, said preparations were already under way for the appointment of a course coordinator. Advertising for the course will start immediately. WDHS chief executive, Stuart Schneider, said students would be selected and interviewed using RMIT guidelines. “The Bachelor of Nursing course in Sale at East Gippsland Institute of TAFE is now in its third year and running very successfully,” he said.
EXCITING Hamilton Imperials defender, Brad Mawson, is the new coach of Dunkeld Football Club after agreeing on Wednesday to lead the Roos in Mininera and District Football League for the 2000 season. Mawson said yesterday morning a burning ambition to coach was his reason for the move while his departure from Imperials was a long and hard decision after having such a good time at the club. “Imperials have been fantastic to me and I want everyone to know I am not leaving on bad terms at all, I’ve been open and honest with them from the start and they have known my every intention.” Mawson developed a brilliant reputation in the Western Border league since being recruited to Imperials from the Wanderers in 1996 as a creative half-back, and will be missed by many supporters in the league.
