Looking Back - November 2024

By Leo Billington

Parts of Morwell’s history worth recalling

For this month, rather than write a single story drawing on our local history, a collection of historical snapshots is provided. Each one portrays parts of Morwell’s history using information gathered by your scribe over almost 20 years.

Tarwin and George Street corner

Built in 1884, and opened in the following year, with some alterations made in 1906, the Morwell Mechanics Institute occupied this corner. Providing a place for public meetings, being a picture theatre and a public library, this magnificent building was reduced to ashes being destroyed by fire in 1935.

During the early hours of Thursday January 10, 1935, huge flames dominated Morwell as its’ citizens were awakened “from their slumbers.” Assistance was even sought from the Traralgon Fire Brigade - a long way to come in these early years.

Morwell’s community leaders argued and debated the pros and cons of again building a hall on this corner. It is a long story, and a short version is that a new town hall was built on the corner of Commercial and Hazelwood Roads, and opened on October 27, 1936.

During the 1950’s, a Maples Furniture store was built to occupy the corner site. In the intervening years, houses fronting both streets were built to use the site; and subsequently removed to make way for Maples. Some readers may recall the Maples slogan - ‘There’s a Maples store right near your door.’

At least two of these houses were relocated to the western end of town - Driffield Road and Avondale Crescent neighbourhood.

George Street

Ernest William Miles was formerly a garage proprietor in Morwell, located at 50 George Street. This was about where the carpark for Cheap as Chips is today.

For just over 18 months after coming to Morwell, Ernest owned and operated Morwell Auto Greasing Service. Born in London, in about 1905, he arrived in Australia in 1924. After farming in Western Australia, he pioneered the “transport run” between Melbourne - Mildura - Broken Hill. Locally, Ernest was employed at the SEC and joined the Morwell Chamber of Commerce and the Masonic Lodge.

Ernest lived in Langford Street, and after his death in November 1954 from a short illness, he was interred in the Yallourn Cemetery.

Some years later and located at about the same George Street address was M J Connells Garage. This family business sold Shell petrol, Dunlop tyres and provided a lubrication service for vehicles.

Today, that business is commemorated in a wonderful, accurate mural in Morwell, and that house as portrayed, was shifted west further along in Ann Street.

Many will recall Connell’s Garage being well known selling new cars - Wolseley, Mini Minor (with the revolutionary east-west engine), Morris 1100 and the Morris Major Elite - being featured in early 1964 advertisements in the Morwell Advertiser.

Ted Nash and Richard Thomas Noy

Ted Nash was born in Mathima, North Eastern Tasmania. Going into partnership with Richard Noy, in November 1912, a general store was established by taking over the McDonald and Hone store in Commercial Road, Morwell.

Close on age 40, Ted enlisted for military service at Morwell on June 24, 1942. His next of kin was recorded as his wife, Alice Nash and their address was 34 Church Street Morwell - and their house is still there. Later in 1942, Ted became a member of the Volunteer Defence Corp, listed as “for part time duty.” Officially, he was discharged in September 1945.

By this time, Ted had his own grocery business at 182 Commercial Road, (currently the Viva Shoes and Bags store). He and Alice had shifted to 41 George Street, approximately today’s Manny’s Market carpark.

Ted and Alice are interred in the Hazelwood Cemetery along with their son, John Edward Nash.

Richard Noy passed away on Saturday, April 1, 1950.

He was well-known and highly respected through Morwell. The Morwell Advertiser, printed an obituary on April 6, 1950 which in part read:

‘His first employment was with the late Mr. John Rintoull, blacksmith, from whom he transferred to McDonald and Hone, storekeepers, the latter of whom is still alive and resident at Morwell.

After some years with this firm he entered into partnership in the business of Noy and Nash. When this partnership was dissolved, he worked in several grocery establishments in the town, until he again set up in business on his own account ten years ago next to the post office, corner of Commercial Road and Tarwin Street. He retired in 1947, when his health commenced to deteriorate.’

We should remember Richard for his strong involvement in community services. One of his strong contributions over 25 years was with the Morwell Fire Brigade. He was a foundation member in 1915 and played a leading role to have a fire station built opposite today’s Post Office. Unfortunately, he did not live to see a new, second station built in Church Street in 1953.

When I wrote the centenary history of the Morwell Fire Brigade, one anecdote about Richard showed just how humble a person he was - the push bike was his usual mode of transport throughout town. His luxuriant white moustache was also a stand-out feature.

It was during this long period of service Richard, with bountiful enthusiasm and determination pushed to obtain, what was then, elementary facilities for firefighting. He is interred in the Hazelwood Cemetery.

There is a Noy Court in Morwell, but no Nash Street, or even a court. It seems that we have been scrooge-like in memorialising significant contributors to our local history.

Next month, there will be a short story about the Hazelwood North bridge.