Resident Mrs Rita Coburn makes welcome Tom Ferral, giant mascot of Elanora.1 coloured photograph and negative of Mrs Rita Cobura and catResident Mrs Rita Coburn makes welcome Tom Ferral, giant mascot of Elanora.association for the blind, elanora home (brighton), rita coburn

Melton State School Photograph Junior Classes May 3rd 1917 Thomas Lang was the Head Teacher from 1896 - 1917 Back row: William Kilpatrick Bill D Whiting John Flynn Archibald MacDonald Arch Edward Radford Ted John Radford Jack Keith Beardemore Second Back Row: Percival Cook George Nixon Frederick Myers Bill ? Coburn Jim Coburn Bill ? Coburn [Arthur 06 Geo, William 06 Frdk Thomas 06 F James F] Second Front Row: Rita Wilson Mary Coburn Frdk Ivy Prickett - Winifred Barrie Marie Jongebloed Mary Phyllis Pearcey E. Waller Front Row: Kenneth Beaty John Parker Margaret McDonald Mary Kilpatrick Greta Jongebloed .. Norman Minns Francis Shelly Juniors classes with headmaster Thomas Lang. education, local identities

Mabel nee Abraham Rogers produced, wrote and acted for the “ Melton Amateurs” theatrical group established in 1950. The group performed Revues, Pantomimes, one and three act plays, Musical Comedy and Melodramas. In 1960 it lapsed for a time and from 1967 onwards more shows were successfully produced by Mabel. A creative producer and writer, audiences at the Melton Mechanics Institute enjoyed the performances of Gilbert and Sullivan and excerpts from the many Musicals of the era. She skillfully wrote scripts interweaving with songs and topical local dialogue successfully drawing out the talents of all the cast members. About “Melton Amateurs” and forerunners….. Melton people have always been Active in giving and enjoying Concerts and Amateur Theatricals presented by local talent. Wile is it not possible to mention everybody; names like George Gardiner, Stan Hardy, Jim Murchison, Rita Summers, Annie Riddell, Ethel MacPherson, Harold Bainbridge, Jack Mcguire, Greta Jongebloed, Mary Coburn, Elsie McCorkell, Linda Cameron, Marjorie Myers, Aggie Ross, Bob Butler, bring happy memories to older residents. Over the years, the names change, but the talent is always there, and freely used to give pleasure to others. the Caledonian Society was active about 1925. The Melton Competitions, 1937-37 were very successful and attracted much local and outside talent. The Melton Social and Dramatic Club was operative during the same years, and gave several shows. The first “Melton Amateurs” production was a Revue, in 1950. This was followed by other Reviews, Pantomimes, One-act and Three-act plays, and Musical Comedy. Do you remember Bessie, bob and Barrie Bardsley, and Shirley and Marie Jongebloed, Shirley Wallace, Bill Abraham, Joan Jenkins, Peg Arandt, Winifred Fraser and many other? "Comedy Tonight" prrogramme by the Melton Amateurslocal identities