How our mall has changed

I got a park not too distant; the temperature was 27°C; I’d put plenty of time on the meter and transferred funds to my bank card.

Ready to go.

It felt busy – or that may have been because of the circumstances.

I know there is no gain without pain, but shopping is very difficult just right now.

One lady asked me how she could get to Shop 221 and I explained as best I could: “Go to the Fryers St corner, cross Fryers St to Traffik. Then cross Maude St to the Aussie and back over Fryers St to Shepp Cameras and then it is just a couple of shops down.”

“Really?” She looked at me as if expecting a punch line.

We need and want this new-look Maude St and the inconvenience is to be expected.

But, as I walked with this visitor to Shop 221, I kept thinking how much it has changed – what used to be here? And what about here?

And, when I got home, having ‘run out of legs’ before I found what I was looking for, I did some research.

And, with the able assistance of Geoff Allemand (Lost Shepparton), I attempted to track the history of a couple of sites.

South-east corner (Maude and Stewart)

In a panorama shot of Maude St, in 1927, appears to be one of the earliest substantial buildings; occupied by Wm Dear Boot Manufacturer from 1912 to the 1950s.

The site was then occupied by Morrissey and Deane, solicitors.

The exact date is not known; however, it was purchased by the Lincoln family in the 1960s and became Lincoln’s Pharmacy.

Towards the end of the 1970s, Piccaninny Parlour relocated to the former pharmacy, from further down the street (currently Katies).

The relocation came about because Messrs Lincoln, Ramsay and Zappia wanted to establish a large pharmacy in the relatively new shopping centre (cnr Maude and High Sts) and the proprietor of the baby store agreed. (That was me).

However, by 1983, after 11 years in business, I wanted to move on – and Clyde Young Shoes wanted to expand.

Jeff Young Shoes has occupied the site since Clyde retired.

It is interesting that – from 1912 to the present (110 years) – the site has been a footwear store for about 80 of those years.

South-west corner (Maude and Fraser)

Referring, once again, to the panorama, there was no building on this site in 1927.

The council chambers opened in 1934 and it is likely this was where the first John Pick Art Exhibition was displayed (opened by the Prime Minister) in 1938 – the year of our centenary.

Clyde Young purchased the site; the chambers (at that time the C.E.S.) was demolished in 1995 and a new shopping area created.

The problem with a contemporary build – and Shepp learnt it the hard way – is that it is only ‘contemporary’ for a limited time.

I have a personal memory here that you might enjoy.

When I sold my lease to Clyde, I ran across to the C.E.S. to see if there was a position vacant that might interest me.

I’d managed retail stores, at this time, for 15 years and was in my 30s.

They helpfully told me I was unemployable. Such is life.

If you are at all interested in this (not very academic) approach to our history, I’ll try a couple more sites.

Or, I’d love to hear from you if I’ve got some things wrong.

Let’s get it as accurate as possible.

Truth – the first casualty

Vladimir Putin’s war is awful and there is little we can do about it.

I’ve found that I can’t watch it for long but feel I should at least keep up with the news.

A week ago, early in the morning, I turned on Sky News UK (because they are careful about explaining what information is verified and what isn’t).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was speaking; he said that 1300 Ukrainian solders had been killed and 600 civilians.

Same day, the Melbourne-based evening news told us 1200 civilians had been killed.

Then, before I went to bed, I watched a half-hour political show, direct from the United States. The presenter said 2000 Ukrainian civilians had been killed.

The following day, Sky News Australia said the civilian death toll was 634 – and I believed them.

Why is there a need to exaggerate death?

Perhaps they think that the more horrified we are, the more we’ll watch television.

For me, it’s the opposite. Seeing a baby’s body pulled from rubble is not something I want to see on a regular basis.

Under the clock

Opening of Borough chambers

The opening of the new borough offices was celebrated on July 6, 1934, in the evening, when the Mayor and Mayoress, Cr and Mrs James, gave a social and dance to about 74 guests (representatives of various organisations and their wives) at the council chambers.

Dancing and harmony was enjoyed in the foyer, and the supper was provided in the supper room on the ground floor.

As it was the night of the third Test match in England, a wireless set was installed in the committee room to add to the entertainment of guests.

Mr F. Young’s orchestra supplied music for the evening.

Prior to the adjournment to the foyer, the Mayor welcomed guests in the council chamber, all councillors being present.

The Mayor presented the gold key received from Mr Serpell (now framed) to the council to hang on the wall.

Mr Rasmussen, on behalf of Senator Elliott, handed over on-loan pictures from the Royal Art Gallery, as a nucleus of an Art Gallery.

Mr Fordyce, headmaster of the high school, presented the Mayor with gavel and block from *scholars at the High School.

These were made out of a pile taken from the old jetty.

At the direction of the Mayor, all councillors made short speeches suitable to the historic occasion.

* I have omitted a word here because I don’t know what a ‘sloyd’ scholar is.

*And, I have to ask – why was poor Mr Serpell framed? Whatever he did or did not do, surely he didn’t deserve to be hung on the wall. Oh! I see! They meant the key.

I’ve kept the words down today, to show you as many photos as possible.

Take care – and may it be easy, my friends.

— Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk, Shepparton News. PO Box 204, Shepparton, 3631.

Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish.)