What is it about Yallourn that draws ex-residents, students and workers to return up to 30, 40, 50 and even 60 years after being there?  We need more people to join our Association to help keep the history alive as this is not a renewable resource - once it's gone, it's gone forever.

 

Where are all the Marching Girls, Cubs, Scouts, Rangers, Sea Cadets, Guides and Brownies .the Youth Club members, Basketballers, Netballers, Cricketers, Footballers, Hockey players, Croquet players, Bowlers, Badminton players, Tennis players, Junior Firemen or representational teams or groups for the town of Yallourn as in the Town Band or the Athletes?

 

Where are your anecdotal stories, where was your favourite taddy pond?  Where was your paper round, where did you wag school (they can't hurt you now), where did you hang out after school, either organised or otherwise?  Don't be afraid of the concept of School Reunions as such, because the gathering that we have ends up being totally unlike the way reunions are perceived on media presentations, just a bunch of friends and acquaintances getting together for a chat and a drink and a meal, all too soon it finishes for another year, mostly with the best feelings.

 

Your memories, even the smallest recollections, are of interest to others so write them down or tape or email them to Yallourn Old Girls' Association (YOGA). Better still, join YOGA and catch up with old friends and neighbours.   Why not join your friends and siblings up as a gift with one of our Certificates.  The Association is open to all who lived, worked or were educated at Yallourn and Districts, as in Hernes Oak and Yallourn North.

 

 

Back in 1976, little did June Jardine (Blenkiron) and Lucy Bathurst (Crowe) know that the dinner they had planned for six to eight classmates would become 126 girls from the 1920s, 30s and 40s; and that they would continue to meet each year for the next 30+ years.

 

This may have been a once only event, as very few married names or addresses of the 'girls' were known, and as many had moved away from Yallourn when they married. Fortunately, June collected, in a school exercise book, all the names, addresses and telephone numbers of those who attended the dinner. Following many requests for a copy of the list, Nancy Smith collected money for its copying and postage. Later, Val Kerr had the list typed.

 

Many of the girls also expressed their desire to view the photographs that John Jardine had taken of all present. The 8th of May 1976, at the Northern Reserve Hall, Holmes Road, Morwell was the date and venue chosen to meet and view the photographs. The list was sent out to all the 'girls' advising them of the meeting, and asking everyone to bring a plate.

 

At this meeting, it was decided to meet again for dinner in 1977. On the night, June went to Sonja Bates' (Ostlund) home in Holmes Road, Morwell to telephone the Yallourn Hotel to make a booking, but with no success. George, Sonja's husband, said: "Don't worry June, you can have the dinner at the SEC Visitors Centre, Morwell and we will pay for the dinner,” which they did. Thanks George.

 

An election was held and a committee was formed. The members of that very first committee for the Yallourn Old Girls Association (YOGA) were:

Tess Gray suggested the name Yallourn Old Girls' Association, which has the acronym YOGA. The Association later became incorporated in 2005.

 

The first official dinner was held at the SEC Visitors Centre, Morwell on the 5th of March 1977, and so YOGA was born!