Looking Back

The then-Holt MP Anthony Byrne after getting a Covid vaccination in 2021. (Supplied)

100 years ago

18 March 1925

Dandenong Swimming Baths

On Friday evening at the Town Hall, Crs Tharle and Butler conferred with Messrs Walden, Russell, Box, Ordish, Kerr and Roulston, members of the Improvement Association Baths’ committee, the Shire President presiding. Various details in connection with the construction of the proposed baths were discussed, eventually the appended resolution being agreed to. “That it be a recommendation to the Shire Council that separate tenders be invited for (a) Construction of baths; (b) construction of buildings, at a cost to not exceed 2,500 pounds.”

50 years ago

18 March 1975

DFC scored a winner

Dandenong Football Club scored a winner last Wednesday night when it had Australian cricket team captain Ian Chappell as its guest speaker at a sportsman’s’ night at the Windsor. One of the highlights was a competition for a bat autographed by Chappell and won by Buckley Ridges player Michael De Silva. There is a picture of De Silva facing up to Journal cameraman Barry Palmer, with Dandenong Football Club captain-coach Travis Payze, Ian Chappell, the Mayor Keith Miller and Football Club President Geoff Tucker.

20 years ago

21 March 2005

Council denies claims over tie-up with Chinese

Senior Greater Dandenong Council officers have defended the city’s sister city relationship with Xuzhou, but conceded it was yet to yield one direct economic benefit to ratepayers. Next month, the council will send a delegation to the Chinese industrial city – for the seventh time. Greater Dandenong hosted a three-day visit by a 14- member delegation earlier this month. The latest trip will cost ratepayers about $25,000 for airfares, accommodation, corporate gifts and an interpreter. Dandenong Residents and Ratepayers Association secretary Janet Cox said the association did not approve of “unnecessary junkets.” “There are some trips that are probably quite worthwhile, but given the lack of results this relationship has produced in 10 years you’d have to say it is a total waste of time and money.”

5 years ago

17 March 2020

Push for national centre for disease.

Federal member for Holt, Anthony Byrne has called for a nation-wide Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to be established in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking at a Federal Parliament sitting, Mr Byrne said an Australian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would act as a “vehicle for preventing misinformation or conflicting information emerging in the Australian community.” He said in the era of “fake news”, the CDC would be the” best way forward” in co-ordinating and disseminating “vital public messages” regarding the Coronavirus. There are more than 80 cases of Coronavirus in Australia and currently 21 confirmed cases in Victoria, eight of which are recovered, one in hospital and the rest are recovering at home.

Compiled by Dandenong & District Historical Society