West of civilization

Hopetoun West Baptist Church sign

The Hopetoun West Baptist Church operated from 1906 until it was closed in 1965. Between 1933 and 1954 the Karkarooc Shire's population fell by 35%, due to farm mechanisation and the drift to larger towns, the droughts in the 40s and 50s. To say nothing of mouse & locust plagues, sand-drift, drought or farm income fluctuations.

The Church & its monument

This left the hopes and dreams of the church founders empty and abandoned. Fortunately for us today they built to last, and the remains of their stone buildings still stand today, abet somewhat shakily. The floor is a little treacherous, and sections of the roof have fallen in, but you still get the impression of what the church was like.

The interior with its pressed tin ceiling

The lead-light window panes have been destroyed

Likewise the Hopetoun West State School No. 3321. It opened in August-November 1898 in a hall with a porch built of pine plastered with lime and later an iron shelter shed.

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The school entrance to the school

 A new hall, built with local labour, was occupied in 1913. The Hopetoun West school closed in May 1947 due to falling attendance.
In this marginal land, schools opened and closed with remarkable frequency, with buildings moving from one site to another following the population flows. Of the 378 schools established in the Mallee region, only 100 remained open by the 1970s, and they have dipped even further since. 
Despite being unused for more then 50 years the building stands as testament to the efforts of the local families who erected it.

The interior with its fireplace and tongue & groove board ceiling

Locally for kids

It is not often that books are produced for children about the local area, but Bob Heddle has written three on the Mallee.
The trilogy about Zac and Ria and the Valemink family - 'The monster tower and the Gannawarra Goppo', 'The mischievous witch of Wychitella' and 'Chinkapook and the Manangatang mountain munyips' all take place in the Gannawarra area in the northern Mallee, where some of the strangest and wildest things in the world happen.

The books are aimed at the primary school 8+ age range, with a number of black-&-white and water-colour illustrations (also by Bob Heddle) scattered through the text.

Football 1912-2012

Recently the anniversary reunion was held for the descendants of Edenhope's 1912 football premiers.
In those early days players had no Saturday half-holiday and they had to beg the day off to compete. They rode wagons, bikes and horses to travel to matches, and when reaching the ground used to change behind trees as there were no dressing sheds.
The 1912 Grand Final was according to the press "the best game of football witnessed on the local ground for the season". The match was between Edenhope and Salt Lakes (Douglas). The final scores were - Edenhope 5 goals 13 behinds (43 points) to Salt Lakes 1 goal 12 behinds (18 points).
This was Edenhope's first ever premiership, they had had a team as far back as 1908. The presentation medals were awarded at a celebration at the Mechanics Institute in December. The president Mr S.H. Ramsden told how the football has been up to a high standard, the umpires satisfactory, and a creditable performance. He also said that while thanking those who were responsible for their success, they must not forget that indespensible portion - the barrackers.
Edenhope went on to win the 1913 and 1914 premierships, and after World War I the 1919 cup.
This year may also be Edenhope's premiership year too, as they are undefeated this season.

Back row: Jim Burns, Herbert Wynniat, Martin Cranage, Bill Burns, Bill Whittingham.
3rd row: Tom Robertson, Jack Ryan, Leo Kelly, Sam Burns, Henry Burns, Bert Robertson, Jim Robertson.
2nd row: Bill Bird, H.C. Carstairs, Charlie Whittingham, Jack Norris, Arthor Bird, Jack Marr.
Front row: Martin Ryan, Jack McDougall, Don Caldow (umpire), Alf Bird, Angus McDonald.