Gazette September 2024 pg24 final

Girgarre Gazette 

September 2024 pg 

July 2020

Girgarre Gazette September 2024 pg 2 

GIRGARRE COMMUNITY NEWS 

SPRING COLOUR FOR YOUR GARDEN 

Are you looking to give your garden a colourful lift 

now spring is here? Pick up a barista quality coffee 

from Brandon at the Gargarro Café while you 

peruse the potted colour on offer at the Gargarro 

Green Thumbs Nursery. Looking for that special plant 

is now more pleasurable, thanks to the new raised 

stands built by volunteer Rob Axen. Rob’s engineering 

skills have served the nursery very well. Both the staff 

and visitors are very appreciative of the new layout. 

While you’re there, pick up some pretty acquilegias or 

ribes (flowering currents), always a showy addition to 

any garden. Multi-coloured kangaroo paws and a wide 

variety of other flowering natives suitable for gardens 

in this district are also in stock, as are those elegant, 

and very hardy named hellebores. The nursery 

volunteers will have a wide selection on hand at the 

Girgarre Market, Green Thumbs stall on Sunday 8 

September. Or come and visit the nursery during open 

hours – Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. 

I Labbette

Co-ordinator’s Catch-up 

Greetings all, 


I hope this finds you healthy and happy as I have been neither. The dreaded flu hit me 

last Sunday and knocked me off my feet, 8 days later and I am still not feeling great. I 

sympathise with anyone who may be experiencing the same dreaded lurgy. 

There is lots of information scattered throughout this 

edition, so please take your time and enjoy the read. As 

previously mentioned, we now have a website, so go 

and have a look - Jamie did a fabulous job and we cannot 

thank her enough. Remember though, keep an eye on our 

Facebook page to check the current standing on any 

programs or events listed on the website. 

Our AGM is Monday the 16 of September at 6.30pm and 

we would love to see you there. If you are attending 

please RSVP on 5854 6482. 

I am going to love and leave you now as I can feel myself 

fading. Stay safe and please stay healthy. 

Take care, Kezia.


A TOWNSHIP AT MOUNT SCOBIE? 

If James Mirams’ vision had been realised a township would have been established near Mount Scobie, possibly 

in the vicinity of the photographed location. James Mirams had established himself in the 1870s and 

1880s as a promoter and politician, being a member of the Victorian Parliament between 1876 and 1889. He 

was involved in various ventures including the Premier Permanent Building, Land and Investment Association, 

Freehold Farms Co. and the Essendon Land, Tramway and Investment Co. Ltd. 

In February 1888 Mirams purchased about 9000 acres of William Winter’s Mount Scobie Estate for between 

£4 and £5 an acre. His plan was to offer allotments from 10 to 320 acres on a time payment principle, similar 

to that adopted by the building societies. There was also the enticement of the availability of irrigation water 

to be supplied by the channels of the United Echuca and Waranga Water Trust. Newspaper reports of 

the time were comparing the venture to that of the Chaffey brothers at Mildura. The land was subdivided 

into 60 farm allotments ranging from 75 to 320 acres, 150 orchard and vineyard blocks from 10 to 20 acres 

in size and 100 town and suburban allotments ranging from a quarter of an acre to two acres. 

The newly surveyed township, which was advertised as being at the centre of the Mount Scobie Estate, was 

to be named Mirams. As was reported in the Riverine Herald, 11 Jun 1888, the situation for the township of 

Mirams is a very beautiful one. It is on a pleasant ridge at the foot of Mount Scobie, over-looking the estate, 

and the site is perhaps the prettiest in the district. The streets are wide and the natural drainage perfect, and 

as there is an unlimited supply of stone for roadmaking purposes on the Mount, Mirams promises to be one 

of the cleanest towns in the North. The Leader newspaper, dated 21 Jul 1888, featured the following – a 

township…has been laid out on rather a pretty site at the intersection of two crossroads and almost at the 

foot of Mount Scobie, a hill high enough to command a tolerably extensive view of the surrounding level 

country. A good portion of the estate is timbered, but there is also a plain about five miles in length by a 

width of from half a mile to two miles, on which no timber has ever grown, with the exception of a clump 

here and there, which serve to give the plain a pretty appearance. 

From the above descriptions of the site of Mirams it’s probable that what is now known as Moss Road, was 

connected in some way to the proposed township. The Climax Fruit and Vegetable Evaporating Company, 

managed by A. F. Spawn, had purchased 200 acres of the land with the intention of establishing an orchard 

and evaporating works. Advertisements for the sale of the Mount Scobie Estate land, to be sold by public 

auction on 26 Jul 1888 at Echuca, featured Mr Spawn’s estimates of profits to be made from every 10 acres 

of land planted with various fruit trees, grapes and berries, claiming that income would exceed that from a 

150 acre farm planted with cereal crops. It was also suggested that whilst the orchards were maturing, vegetables 

could be grown between the rows of fruit trees and sold to the Climax Evaporating Company to be 

processed in the proposed evaporating facility. 

There was a very large attendance at the sale but bidding was slow with only around 700 acres being sold. 

About two months later another 23 allotments were sold, the majority of which were bought by Daniel 

McDonald who purchased about 2000 acres. Rather than fulfilling Mirams’ dream of smaller farms and orchard 

blocks Daniel’s purchase was used for broadacre farming. 

By the end of 1888 Melbourne’s land boom had collapsed and Mirams had resigned from the position of 

secretary of the Premier Permanent Building Association which was later liquidated in 1890. 

A second public auction of the Mount Scobie Estate was held on 12 Mar 1889 at Kyabram. On offer were 10 

farms ranging from 75 to 320 acres, 100 orchard and vineyard blocks of 10 to 20 acres and 50 building sites 

of 2 roods in size in the township of Mirams.


No mention was made of the evaporating works in the sale advertisements, suggesting that the project did not 

eventuate. It is not known whether any of the land was sold at the auction but in June 1889 it was reported 

that the Mount Scobie Estate of 6,500 acres had been leased, indicating that not much, if any, land had been 

sold at the auction. 

In March 1890 Mirams filed a petition in the insolvency court and soon after his estate was placed in liquidation 

with total liabilities of £373,485. Mirams was further disgraced when in Dec 1890 he was found guilty of 

making false entries in a balance sheet with intent to defraud and was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. 

Yet another auction of the Mount Scobie land, this time by order of the trustee in the estate of James Mirams, 

in liquidation, was held on 16 Apr 1891 at Kyabram. On offer were 6,500 acres of land with blocks ranging 

from 50 to 230 acres. An advertisement for the sale in the Argus, 11 Apr 1891 featured the following – THE 

MOUNT Having been found to be HIGHLY AURIFEROUS, Will greatly enhance the value of all land in this estate. 

This followed a report that a man had found gold in a stone he was breaking for roads in Kyabram. The stone 

had been carted from Mount Scobie. Obviously, the report did not influence buyers who were not prepared to 

bid up to the reserves at the auction. Since then, no further finds of gold have made the news and the roads of 

our shire are not paved with gold! Perhaps though, the real gold mine has been the quarry on THE MOUNT! 

Two more auctions were held – one in 1892 and the other in 1909, when 4,500 acres were on offer in lots 

from 70 to 615 acres with nine of the sixteen lots sold on the day of the sale. 

In 1913 Daniel McDonald’s land of around 3000 acres was purchased by the Victorian Government as part of a 

closer settlement scheme in the area. Known as McDonald’s Estate, the land was made available for settlement 

late in 1915. So perhaps it could be said that Mirams’ vision did partly eventuate in one area of the original 

Mount Scobie Estate with smaller acreage blocks being taken up by settlers, availability of water for irrigation 

and the establishment of a township (Girgarre). Jenny Wadelton 

Below: Looking south from Webb Rd at the foot of Mount Scobie


SHEPPARTON WORKWEAR & SAFETY 

189 – 197 High Street SHEPPARTON VIC 3630 

FOR ALL YOUR WORKWEAR CORPORATE WEAR 

AND EMBROIDERY 

Ph.: 5831 4838 

Fax: 5831 1696 

Email: sales@sheppartonworkwear.com.au 

Website: www.sheppartonworkwear.com.au

Girgarre Gazette September 2024 pg 7


Group Name Details Contact name Contact number 

The Girgarre Community Group Inc. President Allan Ohlin 0429 130 906 

The Girgarre Community Cottage 

3rd Monday 7pm 

Manager Kezia Talbot 5854 6482 

0404 686 344 

Girgarre Seniors Tuesdays 10:45am Debra Stelzer 5854 6482 

Words on Wheels 

Girgarre Cottage 

Discuss chosen books 

1st Tuesday 11am 

The Cottage 5854 6482 

Gargarro Green Thumbs Nursery Nursery Sales Loraine Warde 0438 546 237 

Girgarre Open Garden Committee Open Garden Festival Loraine Warde 58546236/0438 546 237 

Girgarre Playgroup 0-5 years 

Monday 10-12pm, 

Jigarre Ukulele (J-Ukes) 

Wednesdays 1:30pm 

Located Girgarre Kindergarten 

Begins 2nd week of term 

Supper Room, Memorial 

Hall $3 

Caitlin Godwin 5854 6482 

Lyn Cosham 5859 0297 

Girgarre Patchwork Quilters 

Fridays 9:30am 

Quilters and sewing group 

Memorial Hall $3 p/session 

Nola Williams 0438 552 546 

Girgarre Line Dancers 

Thursdays 2pm $7 

Girgarre-Stanhope Land Protection 

Group 

Memorial Hall Gloria Atkins 0400 539 778 

Secretary 

Bernadette 

Fitzpatrick 

0458 576 917 

Girgarre Community Kindergarten Lead Educator Beth & Kerrie 5854 6368 

Girgarre Primary School Principal Ashleigh Buckland 5854 6275 

Girgarre Returned Services League 

1st Tuesdays 7pm. Feb-Nov 

Girgarre Country Fire Authority 

1st Monday 7:30pm 

President 

RSL Club Room 

Captain 

CFA Meeting Room 

Gary Kitt 0458 548 224 

kittbagg@hotmail.com 

Shaun Halls 0487 740 001 

LIONS caravan for hire Please contact... Avis Weller 5854 6383 

Girgarre Community Church 

Sundays 9:30am 

Christian Church Ron Gregory 0427 546 382 

Stanhope and District Men’s Shed 

Mon, Wed, Fri. 9am-12 

Have fun and create. 

3 Tivey Rd. Stanhope 

Merv Andrew 0457 300 321 

Girgarre Facilities Committee 

Girgarre Memorial Hall 

Girgarre Recreational Reserve 

Memorial Hall (Bookings) 

Recreation Reserve 

Jenny Bassett 

Darren Butler 

0427 522 816 

0427 546 332 

Girgarre Development Group (DGD) 

Last Tuesday, Jan-Nov 7:30pm 

Girgarre Improvements 

Memorial Hall 

Jan Smith 5854 6283 

Gargarro Project Gargarro Botanic Gardens Athol McDonald 5854 6324 

Friends of Gargarro Garden - 

working Bee 4th Sunday of month 

Chairperson Loraine Warde 58546236 

0438 546 237 

Girgarre Craft Market 

2nd Sundays. 8:30-12 

Bookings/enquiries Jan Smith 5854 6283 

Girgarre Farmer’s Market Bookings/enquiries Jan Smith 5854 6283 

Jigarre Jammers. Feb to Nov 

4th Saturday 10:30-4pm $5 

Acoustic Music Irene Labbett 0429 149 246 

Girgarre Living History 

Book title “Girgarre” 

Record of local history 

Athol McDonald 

Jenny Wadelton 

5854 6324 

5852 2301 

Girgarre Football/Netball Club President Daniel Arnold 0400 214 693 

Girgarre Cricket Club President Mick Coyne 0488 296 566 

Girgarre Tennis Club 

President 

Secretary 

Jason Saunders 

Fiona Smith 

0400 299 942 

0408 502 274


SERVICES & FACILITIES 


FRIENDS OF 

GARGARRO 

CATERING AVAILABLE 

Need catering for a 

function? 

Well, the Gargarro 

Gardens 

Catering Team will be 

more than happy to cater 

for your needs depending 

on numbers. 

Phone Bernie Ryan for 

more info if you are 

planning a function. 

Ph: 5857 2407


Girgarre Community 

Kindergarten 

To keep updated on all Kinder 

information



20 

The above is a paid advertisement.


AGMs 

Girgarre Facilities Committee Inc 

AGM Wed 11th September 2024 

Girgarre Hall Supper Room 7pm 

All Welcome 

Contact: Jenny 5852 2816 

Girgarre Community Car Inc 

AGM Tuesday 24 th September 2024 

Girgarre Hall Supper Room 6:45pm 

All Welcome 


Girgarre Development Group Inc 

AGM Tuesday 29 th September 2024 

Gigarre Hall Supper Room 7:30pm 

Supper Provided 

All Welcome 


Friends of Gargarro Botanical Gardens 

A.G.M. Sunday 20th October 

Green Thumbs Nursery at 10.00am 

All Welcome 

Contact Marlene 0437 125425


Jigarre Jammin’ Music Camp Weekend 

September 27-29 th 

No, NOT 

The second of Jigarre Jammin’s camp-overs for 2024 is 

coming up on the weekend of September 27-29th. The 

weather will be warmer by then and the company is 

always friendly and very musical. Both halls are 

airconditioned and comfortable. Local residents are 

welcome to attend the open mic sessions on Friday and 

Saturday’s events, including the evening’s concert (from 

7pm) and the Sunday morning old-time gospel singalong 

concert (10-11am). 

Concerts are free. Weekend fees are $25 per person 

attending and campers need to be self-catering. Cost for 

the Saturday only program is the usual $5. Otherwise – it’s 

yet another of Girgarre’s popular events, attracting happy 

folk from near and far to our small community. 

More information : Irene Labbett. Mob: 0429 149 246 

BUT AN 

OLD TIME GOSPEL 

Singalong 

Come and join 

the Jigarre Jammers 

on 

SUNDAY 29 TH SEPTEMBER 

From 10- 11 am 

in the Girgarre hall, 

Morgan Crescent Girgarre 

It’s fun and rousing 

and a 

Free Event 

(followed by morning tea) 

Everyone welcome.


CONTACT THE COTTAGE 

Girgarre Community Group Inc. 

(The Cottage) 

A1601 ABN: 66 944 230 131. 

27 Olympic St. (P.O. Box 35), Girgarre, 3624 

Phone: (03) 5854 6482 Fax: (03) 5854 6484 

http://girgarre.com.au/girgarre-community-cottage 

E-mail: girgarrenh@bigpond.com 

Coordinator: Kezia Talbot 

Connect with us on Facebook. Girgarre Community Cottage 

www.girgarre.com.au 

The Girgarre Gazette 

Do you have something you would like us to share? 

Deadline for publication is the 20th of the month 

Email: girgarregazette@yahoo.com.au 

Proudly sponsored by 

ADVERTISE WITH US 

The Girgarre Gazette is published and distributed 

electronically as well as in print to over 400 people via the 

Girgarre Post Office. It is also available at: Rob Varcoe’s shop, 

228 Allan St Kyabram; Nanneella Store, Rushworth & District 

Community Bank; Stanhope and is published on the Girgarre 

Website. www.girgarre.com.au 

The Gazette is produced for the benefit of the wider 

Girgarre community by the Girgarre Community Group Inc. 

(The Cottage). 

Join our email list! Drop us a line 

EMAIL: girgarregazette@yahoo.com.au 

Advertising 

Advertising space is available. 

Contact the Cottage or the 

Gazette for details. 

The items published and the views expressed in this publication are those 

of the contributors, and not necessarily those of the Editor or the 

publisher of the Gazette

KYABRAM TOWN HALL 

Writers’ Group 


I Knew There Was Something Wrong … 

I knew there was something wrong with him the minute I saw him. 

He was too good-looking, too suave, too sophisticated. He was the sort of guy that you were meant to 

like – but I didn't like him. 

I tried to talk to my sister about him but couldn't put my finger on what was wrong. I just kept saying 

he was too good to be true. She kept saying that I was just jealous because she finally had a great guy and 

would soon be moving out to live with him, while I was single and back living at home. 

I begged and pleaded for her to listen to me, but she wouldn't. She went so far as to talk to Mum and 

Dad about it. They told me, unless I could show a reason why there was a problem with him, to leave it 

alone and be happy for them. So I backed off. 

I sat and watched and waited while they spent more and more time together and planned their new 

apartment. The night before they picked up the keys, he stayed over at our place so everyone would be 

ready early to move them. It was a Saturday. 

Normally we'd have bacon and eggs on a Saturday, but – no time to cook today. Too busy, too much 

to be done. So, it was just coffee and cornflakes. 

Then it happened! 

I had just sat down at the table with my coffee and poured the cornflakes into my bowl. Then I 

swapped them for the milk he had just put down. I looked up when he asked me for the cornflakes. 

Er – hadn't he just put milk in his bowl? 

He had! He had a bowl full of milk! Now he was adding the cornflakes! Oh, no! Oh, my God! It can't be 

true! 

My sister's going out with a cereal killer! 

© Sunshine Parsons 2023 

Sunshine is a member of the Kyabram Town Hall Writers’ Group. We have some very interesting and informative discussions 

while sharing stories, poetry, and the problems of the writer’s craft. The KTHWs’G has produced a book – Celebrating 

Women – a collection of original written works and art from the community – a great birthday GIFT or SOUVE- 

NIR of the area – for sale at $20 from the Kyabram Town Hall and online from the writers’ group link on Facebook and 

the KTH website: kyabramtownhall.com.au Direct contact: kyabramwritersgroup@gmail.com




Principal: 

Ashleigh Buckland 

Our Year 4-5-6 students finished Term 2 with a 3-night, 4-day camp at Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff. Students 

explored the area with their peers from Lancaster, Stanhope and Merrigum Primary Schools and participated in a 

variety of activities. As we had received a grant from The Bates Foundation, this trip was fully funded for all our students. 

We are preparing for 2025 which will be a bumper year for Prep enrolments – we are expecting 8-10 students in our 

Prep cohort which will be a lovely boost to our student population. If you know of any kindergarten students seeking 

enrolment, please let them know that we are still taking enrolments for 2025 and encourage them to contact us 

to arrange a school tour. 

On Friday 2 August, our students went to Shepparton to celebrate their school-wide positive behaviour goal of 

achieving 600 raffle tickets for the year. Raffle tickets are awarded when student display behaviours that align with 

our school values, such as including others in games, being on time to class, wearing school uniform and returning 

borrowed equipment to the shed. Students chose the reward that they’d like for achieving this milestone and we 

spent the day ten pin bowling, having hot chips for lunch and playing on the equipment and flying fox ant Victoria 

Lake. Due to a generous donation from Kyabram Club, this excursion was free of charge for all students. 

On Friday 9 August, we hosted our annual athletics carnival. This year, we invited our cluster schools to participate 

and we had a spectacular day. While there was a little more preparation involved to host 80 students, the community 

support we received was incredible. Girgarre Football and Netball Club were more than happy for us to use 

their facilities, Rod Dickman ensured our sand pit was ready to use for the long jump event and Greg Fitzpatrick lent 

us the BBQ trailer for the day so we could comfortably feed the 100+ people in attendance. Our parent community 

were an incredible support and led the cooking on the BBQ and supported the running of events. Sturt (green team) 

were victorious on the day with a total of 196 points and will have their name added to the athletics shield. 

Finally, our school council is organising a trivia night. This will be held at GFNC rooms on Friday 15 November. 

Watch this space, and our social media, for updates in the coming months. 

Below: Flynn, Amelia, Vitani and Isaack during our 

SWPBS excursion 

Right: Ryan, Harry and Jayden during the SWPBS 

excursion 

Puzzle answers from page 13: gin, imp, lip, nip, pig, pin, limp, ping, piling, limping

Girgarre Football Netball Club 


The home and away season is now over, and we are heading into the finals series. We are so 

excited to have 6 of our eligible 7 netball teams in (all senior grades, Under 17s and Under 

15s). Our football sides missed out, however the Reserves were close finishing in 7 th position. 

Both of our A grade and Under 13s finished as Minor Premiers on top of their respective ladders which is an amazing 

effort for both teams. Therefore, they get the first week off and move straight into the 1 st Semi-Final which is 

played at Girgarre Recreation Reserve on Saturday 31 st August. Obviously this will have played by the time this publication 

goes to print, and we hope they have both taken the win and subsequently move straight into the Grand 

Final on 14 th September. 

B, C, C Reserve and U15s have faced their competition in the first week of finals, with C Reserve and U15s winning 

and now moving into the 2 nd Semi-Final on 1 st September. Stay tuned for the next edition to see results or follow 

along on our Facebook page. 

Presentation Night will be held on Saturday 21 st September at the clubrooms. It will be a fantastic night where we 

celebrate all of our teams and present our award winners for season 2024. The League Presentation Night is also 

coming up on Thursday 19 th September and we expect a number of our players to be invited along and to poll well 

in their respective grades. 

It has been a very exciting year for Girgarre FNC and we look forward to the opportunity to cheer along at least one 

team, hopefully more in the KDL Grand Final. 

If you are interested in volunteering at the club, please contact President Daniel Arnold on 0400 214 693. We welcome 

all new members and volunteers. Our AGM will be coming up soon, so keep an eye out for details to be announced. 

Keep up to date with everything that is happening on our Facebook page Girgarre Football Netball Club. 

Grades 4-6 on Queenscliff camp 

Girgarre Community Cottage 

Keep up to date with 

future events and 

local information. 

Join us on Facebook.


Girgarre Fire Brigade Sizzling in Style 

Girgarre Fire Brigade have welcomed a new workhorse into their midst with the construction of a brand-new 

BBQ trailer. The trailer was made possible thanks to a Community Bank Rushworth & District community grant 

of $10,000. It features two BBQs which slide out of the trailer body, overhead fridges to keep fresh product 

cold, a hand wash station and room to carry tables, marquees and, of course, gas bottles. The trailer is the 

brainchild of Brigade Captain Shaun Halls with all parts and labour for its construction sourced from local businesses. 

Branch Manager Alek Stokes was blown away with the trailer and the thought that has gone into its construction. 

“Every detail was thought of to ensure that anyone using the trailer doesn’t have to strain to reach things 

stored inside or lift things unsafely. I’m so pleased we were able to assist with its construction” he said. 

The trailer appears at Girgarre Market, the major fundraising activity of the Brigade, where they have been 

attending every month for the markets approximate 20-year history. It can also be utilised during lengthy turn 

outs in the fire season and is available for other events, volunteers dependent. 

Community Bank Rushworth & District welcomes grant and sponsorship applications from community groups 

year-round. Applications can be made at communitybankrushworth.smartygrants.com.au. For more details or 

to discuss your application options before you apply, contact Charleen, Marketing and Local Engagement Manager, 

on 0408 572 808 during business hours.

Gazette September 2024 pg24 final

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?