By MARG STORK
IN A Moment with Marg on May 4, I wrote a snippet inspired by a much-read copy of the Journal dated August 6, 1941, about local farmers sending onion seed to Britain. It was a surprise to learn that innovative local land owners also grew flax.
I remember on our property at Ryecroft at Lyndhurst we grew maize, potatoes, Algerian and mulga oat crops, and barley , as well as rye grass and clover — but certainly not flax.
Flax is an herbaceous shrub with blue flowers that is cultivated for its seeds, and stem fibres. The fibre is made into thread and woven into linen — a lovely fabric for dresses. Over the years I have had a number of linen dresses but the problem always was that the fabric crushed easily despite its versatility.
The 1941 Journal reported about 120,000 pounds was spent by the flax production committee of the Department of Supply and Development on buildings, plants and equipment to establish the industry in Australia.
J A W Stevenson, chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Committee on Rural Industries, said that further plans for labour saving and new processes in the industry would involve an outlay of a further sum of about 200,000 pounds.
National Reconciliation Week
The history and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will be celebrated with events in Greater Dandenong and beyond as part of National Reconciliation Week.
The week commemorates the anniversary of the 1967 successful reconciliation and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision and is a chance to get involved in some family friendly activities.
Spend time with your children listening to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander music, drawing the Aboriginal flag, or reading dreamtime stories (all available at local libraries).
The week encourages reflection of our shared histories, contributions and achievements, and invites us to positively join in the reconciliation conversation.
Cornerstone serves the hungry
Cornerstone Drop In Centre in Dandenong served 30,000 meals to the hungry in the past 12 months, despite running costs higher than ever before.
Pastor Don Cameron thanked faithful supporters including the Lions Club of Dandenong for a $500 donation and Ho Hiep Bakery in Noble Park for donated bread and said with winter at their doorstep, Cornerstone’s heaters were on to keep the place toasty and welcoming.
Volunteers were delighted to have Rotarians run yet another steak night and to have new sponsors Impact Steel install a large splashback behind the Cornerstone kitchen sink.
Mr Cameron said Cornerstone was still running behind budget and generous donations from groups were an answer to prayers.
For information about Cornerstone, call Don Cameron on 0415 888 528 or email donindandenong@netscape.net
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A Moment with Marg, c/o The Dandenong Journal, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter @DandyJournal.
