Leigh NewsFREE An Inverleigh Progress Association Publication ISSN 0313-8453 inverleigh.org.au MARCH 2020 Volume 46 Number 2 Read the full Story of the New Inverleigh Town Entrance Signs on pages 6 & 7 2 Leigh News WHAT’s ON 2nd March- Probus Lunch P25 12th March- Inverleigh seniors P25 18th March IPA @ Inverleigh Hall P2 21st March-Winchelsea Church Annual Auction P13 23rd March- Inverleigh Historical Society Photo Workshop P21 1st March- Dachshund Derby The Progress Association has been actively working towards improving the INVERLEIGH amenity of Inverleigh for over 40 years. Of course all such organisations need vol- PROGRESS unteers and the Association is no exception. Without them nothing happens. If you ASSOCIATION have some ideas for the town you would like to achieve, you are welcome to join us meet in the and help achieve them. Inverleigh Public Hall Some of the projects completed by the Progress Association include: on the 3rd Wednesday of each month @7 :30pm The Federation Bridge which was built to commemorate the centenary of (Except January) Federation in 2001. Walking Tracks were established with lots of support from the community, including VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME fencing and tree planting. Public Toilets Progress Association members worked for many years with Council President: Hilary Hamilton to have the old toilets removed and a new block built, which did not Secretary: Luanne Thornton detract from the entrance to our town. They are used more than any Treasurer: Tony Waayers other toilets in the Shire. Leigh News Editor: Peter Trevaskis The Clock a new clock was recently installed on the clock tower in our main street, clearly visable from the General Store across the road. The Inverleigh Historical Society was formed in 2004. It operates under the auspices of the Inverleigh Mechanics Institute and Public Hall Committee. Our Aims are to collect and preserve items of local historic inter- est and to promote research and interest in local history. We welcome all donations to our collection or the opportunity to meet in the Inverleigh Public Hall copy material. We are most grateful to the many people who have kept 0n the 4th Monday of each Month @ 8pm the Historical Society in mind as they sorted through their own collec- (Except December & January) tions. VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME We undertake many interesting projects and have enjoyable President: Katrina Robson meetings, which you are welcome to attend. Peter’s Editorial Summer is nearly over and it's getting cooler. Perhaps you would like a story to read? Well, I can help you out! On Page 41 is a story shared with me, which I felt was so well written and worthy of including here in the Leigh News. It was too long to include it all, so I will publish it in serial form over the next few months. I know you will enjoy it. The Leigh News exists to promote all that is local community, here in Inverleigh, Tees- dale, Shelford etc. and I include as much as I can each month (hence this month we are up to 52 pages again). If you have a story to share or a community event to promote, send it to me. [email protected] will find its way to my desk and I'll deal with it from there. I trust you all enjoy this issue. There is plenty for every type and taste to enjoy. Have a go at the crossword too. I have (without peeking, of course) and have got about 70% done so far. That's pretty good for me! Have a good month and hope to see you around the village sometime! Leigh News 3 Volunteer awards recently announced and many locals feature! Senior Citizen of the Year (Pictured to the right) Una Miller has been an active member of the Inverleigh community since moving to the town 13 years ago. A life mem- ber of the Country Women’s Association, Una is a mentor for younger members of the Inverleigh CWA, and goes out of her way to assist other members of the community. Una is also an active member of the Inverleigh Presbyterian Church, Inverleigh Progress Association and the local walking group. Community Group of the Year "Inverleigh’s Anzac Day Service" Pictured left are: (T to R) Michael Boernor, Russell Allan, Greg Vaughan, Mal Johns and Deema John- ston, all reresenting the Inverleigh RSL and collec- tively working to make the ANZAC Day Service the success that it is. Citizen of the Year Mary Foster (In photo far right) has been a resident of Mere- dith for more than 30 years, and is dedicated to the health needs of her community. A nurse, Mary was a foundation member of the Meredith Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a highly trained group of volunteers who are first responders for emergency medical care. Mary is also a member of the Lions Club of Meredith & District, and actively involved with St Joseph’s Church, Meredith. Young Citizen of the Year Minh-Chau Ho (2nd from left) of Dereel has a passion for learning English and Australian culture. Pictured above: (L to R) maths and languages, and is always Minh-Chau also spends her spare time Senior Citizen of the Year-Una Miller, happy to help her classmates, young- helping her parents with community Young Citizen of the Year-Minh-Chau Ho er students and neighbours in their fundraising events to support the Roy- Mayor of Golden Plains-Cr Owen Sharkey studies. She helps her Vietnamese al Children’s Hospital and the Ballarat Inverleigh RSL President- Mal Johns classmates with their school work, Foundation. Citizen of the Year-Mary Foster 4 Leigh News POLICE REPORT FOR MARCH 2020 Hello all, to collect the animal. disqualified drivers passing through I noticed recently some dogs It is great to see the town our area which I have initially roaming about the streets after the signage on the rock walls on either detected speeding. Please take care recent thunderstorms which can side of the town. Together with the over the upcoming Easter period be traumatic for some dogs and new playground and re vamped when we will have a lot of extra other animals. Some dogs become school crossing I feel that the amenity traffic on our roads heading to that distressed that they flee their of the main street has been greatly various holiday destinations. I am premises and run around the area enhanced. Congratulations to all normally very busy over Easter with making them vulnerable to vehicles. those involved in obtaining these motorists not obeying the various Please ensure if you own a dog that facilities/features. road rules. it is registered, it’s wearing it’s collar In relation to current Police Keep safe and also have a tag with owner details issues in the area it is still mainly Chris and contact phone numbers on it traffic issues that I am getting tied please so you can be quickly located up with. I have been getting a few WAR MEMORABILIA PRESENTED TO INVERLEIGH RSL George Haygarth of Inverleigh enlisted in the A.I.F. on 16/01/1916 and embarked to France where he served during World War One. The soldiers were given Christmas cards to send home. George sent the pictured card to his sister, Ei- leen, which is now on display at the Inverleigh RSL . George received the Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1914 Star for his Service, he was hospitalised in England with an illness and Repatriated and De-Mobbed after and worked for three months as part of his repatriation for W.J.Allen at Stratford, to gain further experi- ence as a "Shoeing Smith" prior to embarking back to Australia. As part of his employment, he was on full military rates of 22 shillings per week, given a suit valued at 2 pound 5 shillings and 6 pence, overalls 1 pound 9 shillings 6 pence and a cap 3 shillings. The medallion (pictured left) was issued to Mothers who had sons serving abroad, one bar for each Son. One bar is for George and one for his brother Joseph. Leigh News 5 McMillan Family Reunion in Inverleigh On Sunday 9th February three generations of descen- subsequently during the visit, armed with family records dants of Stanley Traill McMillan gathered at Inverleigh for a re- some of Stanley’s grandchildren were able to describe to union. During the early 1800s business ventures were created in younger generations what life was like at “Englewood Park” both Geelong and Melbourne by the family, moving to Inverleigh They were able to identify the site of the original and buying property in 1913. homestead, the 2 acre vegetable garden, the orchard, the Through the generosity of Geoff and Isobel Oliver, family croquet/tennis court, the water wells, the formal gates to the members were able to visit “Englewood Park” the first of two front garden (still in place) the bluestone tank (also still in properties owned by Annie McMillan and her two sons Stanley place) water from which was used for swimming and garden. and Leslie, for many years they traded as McMillan Brothers. For the older of Stanley’s grandchildren the visit This arrangement continued for some years after which they also to “Englewood Park” brought back special memories of purchased the “The Falls” which was ultimately occupied by Les family activities especially for John and Murray as they had and his family and the two properties were gradually managed the privilege of living on the property for their early years individually. The family became well known for their develop- whilst their father David developed a business and home in ment of Polwarth sheep and associated stud.