50 years ago

RURAL regional librarians will mount a campaign to get $2 for $1 subsidies for regional libraries from the State Government. Convener of the Rural Regional Librarians’ Group, Mr. Gordon Dadswell, said in Hamilton on Monday the group would concentrate its campaign for more cash on the State. Mr. Dadswell, who was addressing a meeting of the West Victorian Libraries Association, said this decision had arisen from a feeling that regionalisation had been pushed by the State. “Libraries have been pushed into regionalisation, but have been given no financial incentives to do so,” he said. “There is a feeling if we are to be regional operations, the State should bear the brunt of the finance because the State says it is a good thing.

HAMILTON has an Under 17 football competition…. And it will have more teams than the Under 18 league which went into recess last week. Seven teams have already indicated they will join, while a further three teams are looking at prospects to have a team; if not next season, then in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, St Mary’s have been forced to mark time on their bid to try and enter a district minor league as those leagues have “shut up shop” for their summer break. The new Under 17 competition will be part of Hamilton Junior Football League. The Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 will operate under the one administration.

25 years ago

PENSHURST’S progress association, Advance Penshurst, went into limbo this week when its annual general meeting failed to appoint a new committee. Nominations were sought at Wednesday night’s AGM, but those put forward declined to stand. Eight to 10 people attended the AGM, as well as a couple of Deakin University academics and Southern Grampians Shire representatives, Mayor, Cr Howard Templeton, and Cr Marcus Rentsch. The former president of Advance Penshurst, Marie Ewing, yesterday made it clear she had only ever intended to hold the position for one year. Ms Ewing said she believed the current situation to be healthy in that it now meant people had to question how and if the organisation could be more effective, and in what structure it would exist.

HAMILTON Football Club is leaving no stone unturned in its attempts to strengthen playing stocks for the 2000 season. The club is committed to bolstering its player numbers for next season. The Magpies were more than competitive this year when they fielded their strongest side, but when they were hit by injuries it highlighted the fact that the club lacked depth in its reserves side. Club secretary, Kevin Riley said recruiting officer, Tony Malseed had sent somewhere in the vicinity of 80 invitations to players with anyone else interested more than welcome to attend. The Magpies will have their initial run on December 3 consisting of a meet the coach night for Darrin Findlay, with a barbecue and social gathering at Pedrina Park following a light training session.