Town Talk

It had been quite some time since we had met — we figured just over 60 years — when he was an Apexian and I was a dancer in the ‘Apex ballet’.

Our last performance together is not something we remember with pride; in fact, we had a good, healthy laugh.

Partnering me in a ballet, with a hand each side of my waist, he was to lift me gracefully towards the ceiling of the old Star Theatre.

It didn’t quite work that way because we couldn’t quite co-ordinate my spring, from bent knees, and his lift.

It must have been like trying to lift a 50kg bag of potatoes — from a standing position.

It mattered little.

We were simply supporting the real talent in Apex Antics — Bert Lightfoot, Ted Malloy and Sid Curtis.

I’m sure some of you remember.

We eventually got to the real topic: his family.

E.J. Vibert

E.J. Vibert (Edmund John) established his business in Shepp in 1889.

He had been born on the island of Jersey; tried New York for a while and found it uncomfortably cold.

He returned to his island home and then came to Australia.

He checked out Perth and the Dandenongs and finally decided to come to a promising township in northern Victoria.

In 1896, he married Ada Gabeldu and they had three children.

At the age of 22, E.J. purchased two blocks of land at 396 Wyndham St, where he built his home and his business; then, in 1905, he built a larger premises on the western side of the street.

Ten years later, he purchased an extensive property back on the eastern side of Wyndham.

E.J. was a timber merchant, joiner, building contractor and manufacturer and, as his business grew, more space was required.

He was the successful contractor for several ‘large and handsome’ homes, made additions to the post office, the shire hall and various schools.

He also built St Martin’s Church of England.

Does anyone remember St Martin’s?

It was originally in Shepp East, was moved to Hayes St and later purchased by the Presbyterians.

It was our family church, as my parents had built in Hayes St.

It was convenient, so much closer than St Augustine’s — and, although it was dumped in the middle of a large block and no garden was ever encouraged, I grew very fond of it.

As the business thrived, the emphasis shifted from building to becoming major suppliers of materials.

E.J. worked until he passed away in 1938.

The business operated from 1889 until 1984 and, over those 95 years, gave solid employment to many people — both in Shepparton and Tatura.

However, it is Vince and Nancy Vibert that I really wanted to talk to you about.

Vincent Vibert

Vince was the youngest of E.J.’s children; born in 1905 and educated at Geelong College.

He returned home in 1923 to join the family business.

He met and married Nancy Northcott and eventually they had five children: Beverley, Peter, Tim, David and Mary (Elizabeth).

This sounds fairly standard, normal enough; however, if there was ever a couple to whom this city owed a debt, it was Vince and Nancy.

Let’s start with Vince.

He became a member of the Shepparton Borough Council in 1931.

He retired from the Shepparton City Council in 1970.

In other words, he worked for us for 39 very busy years.

He was Mayor in 1938, 1952, 1953 and 1954.

He was involved, and in many cases heavily involved, in everything that happened here for nearly 40 years: the building of the Borough Council Chambers (Maude St), the establishment of the sewage plant, the town becoming a city, the establishment of the Shepparton North Technical School (on the board for 25 years — 17 years as president), the planning and development of the Raymond West swimming pool and the planning of the city itself.

In the 1930s Shepparton was the fastest growing town in Australia and Vince was campaigning for a town plan.

In 1944, the council inquired into a planning scheme — the first town in regional Australia to do so.

In 1946, a draft plan was released for public comment — in 1949, the town became a city.

The plan was was submitted for approval in 1953 and gazetted in 1955.

In 1958, Shepp won first prize in the Town Planning section of the Premier Town Competition.

And, in 1965, Vincent was the first person outside Melbourne to win the James Barrett Award for planning.

These are just some of Vince’s projects and involvements over the years.

He was made an MBE in 1968; and passed away in 1980.

Nancy Vibert

Truly, I don’t know where to start.

Please remember that Nancy raised five children and supported her busy husband throughout his time on council, and for four years as Mayoress.

Let’s start with the Girl Guides.

She was Brown Owl (1st Shepparton Brownie Pack), executive member of the local association, district commissioner of Guides and president of the Girl Guides Association.

She was involved with the infant welfare centre in Welsford St as well as the Daisy Ford Infant Welfare Committee.

She worked for the GV Marriage Guidance Council, the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, the Tarcoola Village Auxiliary and the Shepparton Girls’ High School Advisory Committee.

Nancy was also involved with the Shepparton Musical Advancement Society — for 25 years — and helped organise the Australian National Piano Awards in Shepparton.

She was an executive (and foundation) member of the Professional Women’s Club.

And, on Sunday mornings, she taught Sunday school.

Are you breathless yet?

It is highly possible I’ve missed some of Nancy’s achievements.

Oh yes. She was president of the Save the Children Fund for 10 years and instrumental in the building of the Girl Guides hall, persuading her architect brother-in-law (Frank Vibert) to donate his design abilities and manage the construction.

She received an OAM in 1980.

Thank you — we remember

I really must say ‘thank you’ to Nancy and Vincent — and their family.

Reviewing the work they did for this city is quite mind-boggling and I find myself wondering how different Shepp would have been without them.

There is also more to the family story.

For example, I’d love to tell you about Tim Vibert’s hobby of collecting military memorabilia — and how it took him to Hollywood.

If I can persuade Tim to let me stick my nose into his life, I’ll get back to you on this one.

And also thanks to Peter.

I’d hoped he might remember me after 60 years — and he did.

But who could forget lifting a 50kg bag of potatoes?

I did so enjoy our coffee chat.

Next week

I totally understand how busy most of you are but, if you can find the time, I would love it if you could send me a text or an email — to tell us what Christmas means to you.

On December 20, what can I write about but the festive season?

I have thought about what Christmas means to me; however, some other voices would be fantastic.

It doesn’t need to be book length, just a few lines if you can spare a few minutes.

I have tried, over the past couple of years, to let you into my life, to be honest and open; I suspect that, by now, many of you know my opinion on just about everything — including Christmas.

And that’s why I need to hear from you.

I was watching a documentary recently, about the religions of the world, and the woman said “Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25”.

However, that seems to me to be only part of the story.

Of course, Christians celebrate Christmas, but so do millions of people who are not Christian — or who are no longer practising Christians.

My family, my husband and I are a part of this group.

And please, can I hear from people for whom this remains a religious festival?

I’ve heard from some of you previously, concerned about me — and my spiritual pathway.

Your letters were a wonderful example of what to me is true Christianity — no judgment, no anger, just a gentle concern.

I think — I hope — that I have reassured each of you; I am a long way from atheism. (Although two of my grandsons are not!)

And the week after?

Back in October, I wrote this:

This is a ‘centenary’ (of a kind) for us — and what I have written is not what I planned to write (when I stumbled across some dates).

I wanted to tell you my favourite story, about my favourite day.

It has nothing at all to do with our town — but has a great deal to do with a small village, more than 17,000km away.

I figured that some of you would be quite interested, some of you would be indifferent, and some of you would have hollered “She’s writing about WHAT?” and turned the page.

Well, your phone calls did you no good at all, did they?

But, when you are rolling around and still feeling fat — and when there is very little happening in this town, this country or the world — you’ll find out!

Remember Wrexham?

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about a documentary I’d watched.

Welcome to Wrexham is the story of a Welsh soccer team being purchased by two guys from North America; it is about the town and its people and the close relationship between the town and the team.

Last Friday night, I glanced up at the television screen and saw the Wrexham football ground — and saw the King and Queen shaking hands with the new owners.

Apparently, they also watched and enjoyed the documentary.

Perhaps I’m not quite as crazy as you thought me to be.

King Charles III is now also a Wrexham fan.

Take care on the roads — even our streets are feeling a little crazy on some days.

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.)