General News
15 December, 2025
Charlton 100 years ago: new motor repair shop, grain shed and more
What was happening in Charlton 100 years ago?
100 Years Ago
November 28 - December 2, 1925
New Motor Repair Shop: Mr J. M. Smith announces to the public that he has severed his connection with Mr H. Dew, for whom he was foreman mechanic for over six and a half years, and has now started a motor repair shop on his own behalf opposite the Foundry. Having had 21 years practical experience in every class of trade he is prepared to undertake all classes of motor, tractor, oil and steam engine repairs, and hopes to get a fair share of public patronage.
St Joseph’s Tennis Club: A general meeting was held in the School Hall. The object of the meeting was to discuss improvements to the courts. Mr L. Jenkins offered to erect new seats if the club would supply the timber. All members are asked to assist to erect seats etc. at a working bee on Dec. 9th. A tournament consisting of ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles will be held on Xmas Day, Boxing Day and Monday, Dec. 28th. Entrance fee will be 1/- each player with prizes for each event of £1/1/ winners and 10/6 runners-up. Partners will be drawn for.
West Charlton Grain Shed: The annual meeting was held at the Vale of Avoca. The caretaker. Mr J. T. Dwyer stated that about 12,320 bags of wheat and about 2,300 bags of oats were received for storage. Mice were fairly numerous and are doing considerable damage to the oat stacks. The shed is in good repair except for the doors, platforms and spouting.
The 1925 season balance sheet shows a credit balance of £11. The following officers were elected: President, Mr G. Parish; Treasurer, Mr W. B. Wood; Auditor, Mr P. Spain.
Methodist Fair: The Annual Fair was held in the Victoria Hall. The hall was tastefully decorated. A bevy of fair and willing helpers coaxed the very slightly reluctant men folk to participate in the various competitions and into purchasing for their wives and lady friends the many beautiful and inexpensive articles on view.
The Band contributed good music on each evening and also Miss Irene Carroll. Performers were Miss Lois Procter, Mr Jack Tippett, Miss Florence Edwards, Miss Edie Curnow, Messrs W. Wood, F. Edwards and H. Gamble. The fair was most successful financially and socially and expected to clear over £200.
St Joseph’s Annual School Concert: Those who attended were loud in their praises of the talent and organisation. It was a great tribute to the training by the Sisters of the Convent. The program opened with a musical selection on the violins. Next came the song and drill by the junior girls. An action song given by the “tiny tots’ was loudly applauded. “The Hobby-Horse Brigade” by the junior boys provided much amusement. The star turn of the evening was the drill with brass rods by the senior girls. A drama concluded the excellent programme. As a finale, the pupils rendered the “Australian Anthem.”
New Season’s Wheat: The first load was delivered at West Charlton on the 4th Dec. by Mr H. E. Wood, from his Wooroonook farm. The wheat was a good sample of Federation and was purchased by J. Dwyer for the Bridgewater Milling Co.
PLEASE:
We wish the Council chaps would meet,
And take a walk up Armstrong Street:
Too true – in a most shocking way,
This street has been for many a day.
To see the cars go bouncing by
Would almost make a mummy sigh,
We often hear the neighbors say
What happens to the rates we pay?
We feel that strangers passing thro’
Must wonder what our “wise ones” do.
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