PS Etona set to return to the river
After a long three-and-a-half years, the PS Etona is set to return to the water before September ends.
The paddlesteamer has been on the slipway since January 2021 and has had extensive work done.
Owner Rob Symons said the paddlesteamer has been completely rebuilt under the waterline as well as on the top.
All that remains now is putting the paddle blocks back on, the remainder of the caulking, one more plank to put on and a few minor jobs before she is in ship shape condition to return to the river.
Mr Symons’ love of paddlesteamers started with his father, who worked as a crew member on the PS Adelaide with his friend, Ian Stewart.
After enjoying their time aboard the PS Adelaide, they decided to purchase the Etona in 1961 for about £380.
Goat-ing out of hand
Residents in the east of Echuca have been struggling to ward off wild goats, causing chaos in the residential area.
The goats normally reside in the forest behind Pakenham St, Echuca, but have been venturing to nearby properties and causing damage in the yards.
One resident, Ray Cross, said the goats had caused hundreds of dollars of damage on his land.
“These goats have been wrecking our electric fences, eating our trees, pulling branches down, and they’re going into our front yard and eating my new fruit trees that I’ve just put in,” he said.
“I just put in brand new electric fencing in the back, and they have ripped it all out, it's about $500 worth of electric fencing and if they keep eating the trees they’re going to get ringbark, and it will kill them.”
Mr Cross said he was concerned about the threat the wild goats posed to children in the area, too.
Residents have tried to contact authorities, including Parks Victoria, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Campaspe Shire Council, but the issue has not been dealt with.
According to council, its local law officers can respond to requests when animals are on roads or public spaces but are not authorised by law to investigate wild animals on private, crown or other government land.
Open day marks milestone
The Rochester Historical and Pioneer Society successfully hosted its open day and common school building 150-year anniversary.
Held on Sunday, September 1, which was also Father’s Day, the event attracted around 80 to 90 people.
Linda Belot baked a cake for the sesquicentenary of the common school building, the oldest brick building in Rochester.
One of the founding members, Lindsay Nelson, was also able to call in with his wife Essie.
Vintage cars and trucks rolled into town, remaining for most of the day.