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As we go about our busy lives, few of us give a thought to creating history.
Certainly not the young men who gathered in 1933 to form the Shepparton Apex Club, nor the hundreds of young men who became Apexians over the next 80 years.
And the people who participated in Apex Antics, over the 34 years of its existence, weren’t thinking about history either.
And yet, sadly, the Shepparton Apex Club — and Apex Antics — have been consigned to Shepparton’s history.
A celebration
Recently, a celebration of Shepparton Apex, and in particular Apex Antics, was held at the Shepparton Heritage Centre.
Memories were revived, and a great deal of fun was had by all.
John Foster was the MC, and Patrick O’Connell and Peter Johnson entertained with tales of the past.
Each phase of the life of the show was covered.
Four Apex Antics Super 8 movies were shown, and greatly enjoyed by the audience. Afterwards, many enjoyed a lunch at The Aussie.
The heritage centre is becoming more and more a valued part of our lives, and I congratulate Kristy Rudd for her energy and enthusiasm.
Apex — a brief history
Apex was ‘born’ in Geelong in 1931 and soon spread.
Shepparton Apex began just two years later, at a meeting held at Dr Arthur Dickman’s home.
A motion for the formation of a club was put by Mr Feltham and seconded by Mr Harwood, and was unanimously passed.
Service was to be the basis of all enterprise.
However, there would also be opportunities to form enduring friendships and help build a stronger community.
It is not possible to put a value on the work of Shepparton’s Apexians.
However, in 1990, at their 1000th meeting, it was estimated that the club had donated $3,775,000 in labour and finance.
If you consider how much work was involved in raising $100 — in the 1940s and ’50s — and how much the value of money had changed over six decades — this was quite extraordinary.
The last meeting of Shepparton Apex was held in 2013.
Apex Antics — another brief history
This popular show was first performed in 1938, the same year Shepparton celebrated its centenary.
There was a wartime hiatus, but it was enjoyed by many until 1972.
Originally, the driving creative force was Bert Lightfoot, who became a life member of Apex.
His awareness of the shortage of entertainment in Shepparton, his instinct for what was funny and what wasn’t, and perhaps his love of vaudeville, resulted in a show that was enjoyed, indeed loved.
He was strongly supported by Sid Curtis, Ted Malloy and, of course, the Apexians.
All of the performers were local and familiar to the audience.
However, many were behaving in a strange and unfamiliar manner.
It was funny to see your accountant or solicitor dressed as a woman — or attempting a Highland fling.
This just might have been its greatest strength.
Apex Antics was performed annually at the Star Theatre until it relocated to the newly built Civic Centre.
The Apex Antics Super 8 movies were included in the performances from 1968 to 1972, adding a fresh and innovative twist.
Accuracy is elusive
Town Talk often includes small ‘bites’ into our past — and I have a horrible fear of getting dates wrong.
What if someone comes across it in our future and is grossly misled?
As a result, I have spent almost two days searching for two dates: When did Bert Lightfoot retire from Apex Antics?
What year did the show move from the Star Theatre to the Civic Centre (Eastbank)?
It feels to me as if half of Shepparton has been involved in the conversation.
The suggested dates for the building of Eastbank stretched over a decade from 1958 to 1968.
Memories, and sometimes documentation, can lead us astray.
In addition, the Civic Centre was built over two or three years.
Conclusions reached: Bert retired from the show in 1967 but continued to promote it on his radio program (for his paint business); Eastbank was available for its first wedding in 1963 — therefore available for a show.
But the completed Civic Centre was opened in 1965.
The Star Theatre became the Star Bowl in 1963.
I thank the many people who helped me with this search.
Apex Antics is gone — but not forgotten by its audience.
You are invited
The Congupna Tallygaroopna Landcare Group invites you to join its members for an afternoon with Greg Moore.
Dr Moore will share his knowledge and expertise on native trees — as heard on ABC radio.
It will be an informative talk, followed by light refreshments at the Congupna Community Centre, in Katamatite Rd, Congupna. It will be held at 1.30pm on November 26.
However, organisers need to know numbers for catering purposes, as soon as possible. So please give Rob Slee a call on 0492 956 857.
Heritage open days 2024
Whether you live in Shepparton, Murchison, Tatura, Mooroopna, Dookie or in-between, on November 29 and 30 you can take a walking tour of the historic areas of your town — with an informed history enthusiast.
In Toolamba, you can join the Twilight Tramp and discuss the area’s history, followed by dinner at the heritage-listed Junction Hotel.
Bookings are required.
Please note that the Dhurringile Mansion tour is booked out and the Dookie tour is reaching capacity.
In Shepparton, four churches welcome your visit on Saturday, November 30, as does Philippine House and the Bangerang Cultural Centre.
In our other towns, there are museums, wartime camps, churches, cemeteries, and halls — all open at various times.
At SAM, you can hear about Sir John Longstaff’s contributions to our museum.
Please pick up a program — 24 colourful pages of things to do and places to visit, with all the details you’ll need.
They are available at the council office, post offices and museums around Greater Shepparton, retirement villages and aged care facilities, libraries and community houses and groups.
Some secondary colleges and universities, including Dookie College, also have copies.
That’s it for this week.
I’m attempting to leave space for some photos — and there are many.
May it be easy, my friends,
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.
Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187
Town Talk