Denis Lorenzi outside the 107-year-old doors to the Griffith Producers cool room that saved his life. Or did it?. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A Griffith granddad who was shoved into a cool room as a baby during the worst heatwave in the town’s history says he’s unperturbed by the recent hot weather.
At least 113 people died in rural NSW and Victoria during a brutal period of 11 consecutive days of more than 40 degrees in January 1939, when there was no air-conditioning and many rural properties didn’t even have refrigeration or electricity.
To reduce casualties, Griffith GP Dr Burrell proposed moving patients in Griffith Base Hospital and some babies into a cool room run by Griffith Producers, a local fruit and vegetable co-operative.
Denis Lorenzi is now 87, but was just nine months old when he was transferred from his Beelbangera farm to join the cool room kids.
“I don’t remember what happened myself, but I think I would’ve been fine even if I didn’t go in the cool room,” he said.
“My sister was aged two at the time; she was left out but coped with the heat OK.”
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) issued a public health alert earlier this week, warning the severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people and babies.
The MLHD urged people to use air-conditioning or fans to keep cool.
The doors to the cool room that saved so many lives. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Mr Lorenzi said he had to improvise when growing up with neither.
“When we were kids, we just sat under trees and made the best of it,” he said.
“When it was really hot we’d jump into our irrigation supply channel. But you can’t do that anymore; I’d advise kids to get to their local pool.”
He said there were many 40 degree-plus days on his farm in the 1940s and 1950s.
“It didn’t stop us from working. My dad and uncle grew vegetables; when I was 10 years old I had to go out and help with cropping grass, regardless of the temperature.
“There was no stop work order for heat.
“I don’t feel summers are much hotter now than when I was growing up. I’ve always taken after mum; I never complain about the hot weather.”
A newspaper called the Grenfell Record and Lachlan District Advertiser reported on the Griffith 1939 heatwave in its 19 January edition:
“Five babies who collapsed from the recent heat wave were, on medical advice, placed in the Griffith Producers’ Cool Stores, and appear to be recovering satisfactorily. A moderate temperature was specially maintained at the cool stores, and the parents sat beside their babies throughout the weekend.”
The Griffith Producers co-operative operated between 1916 and 1974. It was located on Banna Avenue, where a Red Rooster eatery stands now. The 107-year-old doors of the cool room were purchased by Mr Lorenzi’s brother-in-law, restaurateur Peter Piccolo, who recycled them for use on the Piccolo Family Farm.
If you have an interesting Riverina history story to share, call Oliver on 0498843181 or email: [email protected]
