Over a long period soldiers and sailors making official visits to Melbourne, often, were invited to spend a day or more in Healesville. They included officers from the American White Fleet in 1906, French colonial troops in 1916, and sailors from the British Navy on several occasions.
In 1961 a group of seamen from Argentina came to Healesville, and as was the usual procedure were welcomed publicly by the current Shire President. The local newspaper had an opportunity which they delighted in, to record the amusing proceedings largely caused by neither party understanding the others’ native language.
The Shire President, Cr Mullett, introduced himself to the 100 assembled Argentinians with “As President I am extremely pleased to welcome you to Healesville.”
“Presidente!” was the response of one young sailor, immediately raising the councillor to Royal Rank in Argentinian estimation.
“You not meet ship in Melbourne?” queried another, mystified at the apparent Vice-Regal neglect.
Determined to complete his task, Cr. Mullett continued “I am doubly pleased to … “
“What that?” came the inevitable poser.
“Happy one, happy twice” persevered the councillor, holding aloft two fingers, “to meet people from a country with common interests in primary production.”
“What that?”, this time from a sailor cadet.
“I grow beef for a living”, said our valiant councillor. This evidently “rang a bell”, and some of the youngest present gazed admiringly. Obviously, Cr Mullett was not only a king but a cattle king to boot!
Continuing, Cr. Mullett announced “You will be going to the Sanctuary to see Australian animals; they do not live anywhere else in the world.”
“I saw them in New York Zoo interjected one sailor who could not let such a statement pass unchallenged, and in so remarking belied an earlier assertion that he “no speak Anglaise”.
“No Australian lions, bears, giraffes?” queried another sailor. Cr Mullett assured them that was the case.
After a number of other misunderstandings Healesville’s harassed No 1 citizen, alias King of Australia, alias Cattle King, was making ready to beat a hasty retreat, when the assembly scattered as if by magic by one word from their leader – a word understood by all – “Vamos”!
Cr Mullett was later the Director of the Healesville Sanctuary for twelve years, and was a very respected and very involved member of the community, especially in the Badger Creek area of Healesville.
