Reflections from the past

The sole speaker was Mr Ross-Edwards, who was entrusted to pay tribute to the retired organiser and to make the ensuing presentation.

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Well known former TV newsreader, Eric Pearse will officially open the garden party at the Rochester Hospital on April 20.

Mr Eric Pearse is well known for his work for charity and he will be accompanied to Rochester by his wife. The committee feel they have been most fortunate in obtaining his services and it will undoubtedly add a touch of glamour to the occasion.

This year the garden party will commence at noon. In previous years the garden party has been conducted by the Easter Auxiliary, however they have found the task too big for them.

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Deakin Shire Councillors will next week inspect the site of proposed extensions to the Echuca aerodrome site so they may fully appreciate references to the area in the future.

The decision was made at the council’s monthly meeting on Monday after a letter for the Echuca City Council, advising of a meeting concerning the aerodrome next month was received.

Proposed extensions would be undertaken jointly by the Shires or Deakin, Rochester, Murray and the City of Echuca and will include upgrading of the present facilities and preparations for possible major extensions.

The suggestion by the Federal Department of Transport that land be set aside for a 4000 ft long east-west runway caused considerable concern for Deakin Shire as for Rochester and Murray.

25 years ago March 1999

The Eppalock dam wall is undergoing major repairs to stabilise the top section of the dam after specialist technical advisors traced unusual settlement of the embankment to uncompacted rockfill, placed during the construction on the early 1960s.

Approximately 70,000 cubic metres of rock is being placed on the upstream and downstream faces of the dam with total cost of the repair work estimated at $9.75 million.

The spillway road will be closed for approximately eight months, Headworks manager Ian Howley said.

‘’The nature and scope of remedial repairs to the dam leaves no option but to close the road. (It) will be mostly removed during the work to stabilise the upper section of the dam wall.’’

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Rochester Citizen Advisory Group has notified Campaspe Shire Council of its reservations regarding council’s decision to approve the sale of land in Echuca making way for the construction of a cinema and performing arts centre on the site.

At its last meeting, council resolved to sell 1200 square metres of land in High St to Southern Star Enterprises Pty Ltd for $210,000, or $175 per square metre. The matter was included as a late item on the council agenda.

Prior to its meeting, council met with objectors to the sale of the land and the report given to councillors included a list of residents’ concerns and the shire’s response.

At the Rochester CAG meeting last Tuesday evening, members raised concerns about council’s involvement in the development, particularly as the shire’s share of the cost was estimated at 45 per cent.

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Lockington students cut and pasted fake fur, pure silk, cotton and canvas for two days last week during a visit from the Reverse Garbage team from Melbourne.

Reverse Garbage Truck Inc is a non-profit Melbourne organisation who recycle 12 tonnes of waste every month.

Artist and teacher Penny O’Neill, who has been with the organisation for 19 of its 25-year existence, said factory outlets sent the organisation all their offcuts and waste products to recycle — products that were lapped up by schools, universities, pre-schools, TV studios and many other organisations.

10 years ago March 2014

District vineyard owners are reporting a good year for the grape harvest despite the heat wave in January.

Colbinabbin’s Whistling Eagle vineyard owner Ian Rathjen said the hot spell hit at a crucial time in the ripening process and vineyard staff responded by providing as much water as required.

He said the hot weather began at the start of the veraison process, which is when the sugar starts to develop and red grapes begin to change colour.

‘‘There was a little bit of damage but vines are tough things and battle through pretty well,’’ he said.

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The date for Rochester’s inaugural mural festival has been pushed from Melbourne Cup weekend to Labour Day weekend in 2015.

Committee 4 Rochester project officer Graeme Robertson said the postponement would allow the group to attract the sponsorship it needed and the event required much organising.

He said the festival needed $30,000 in sponsorship which would include prize money and setting up the mural boards.

He said the 2016 event would require sponsorship on a smaller scale.

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Rochester 1 claimed back-to-back Campaspe Tennis Association grand finals on Saturday, defeating Rich River.

The Rochester Lawn Tennis Club courts were under question due to bird damage heading up to the big day, but curator Jeff Bright had them in perfect condition.

With three Rich River sides at the courts, it was a sea of blue team shirts but that would not deter their opponents.

Todd Woodfine rallied the team around in a circle for a special moment before the start of play, getting out last year’s signed premiership tennis ball, giving the players a sniff of what was to come.