PREMIUM
News

Reflections from the past

Pictured in 1974, dressed as swagmen, or men of the road, Simon Hanley, Perce Munzel and Dick Lawrence entertained at the seniors citizens’ birthday. Photo by Campaspe News

50 years ago,

August 1974

An urgent request has been made by the president of the Rochester Old Peoples Homes Society, Mr H.N. McMeeken, for organisations holding money for the homes to hand it over to the society.

Mr McMeeken said he believed some organisations were holding money in trusts, but as grant money was only available to match the amount held by Rochester Old Peoples Homes Society in its bank account, the society was missing out of necessary grants.

He said the society had been given permission to recall tenders for the first stage of the project on a rise and fall basis.

***

With his appointment as secretary of the Rochester Football Club, Mr Jim Knight is following the Knight family’s tradition of several decades of supporting the club.

Almost every member of the Knight family has been connected with the Rochester Football Club in some way.

Jim’s father Hughie is a life member of the club and was a staunch member, committeeman, vice-president for a very lengthy period and was a delegate on the BFL for many years.

Jim and this three brothers Bill, Bob and John all played for Rochester. Bob is still playing even in his 21st year with the club.

25 years ago,

August 1999

Rochester should reap large economic benefits when the Great Victorian Bike Ride tolls into town in November, according to Bicycle Victoria event manager Noel Reid.

Mr Reid spoke to a small meeting at the Rochester Shire offices to explain what was involved in hosting an overnight stop of the event.

He said it was important all groups in the community worked together to provide the 2000 to 3000 riders with good service and to reap the best rewards.

***

St Joseph’s Primary School students spent last Friday planting more than 1000 trees around St Joe’s oval in Pascoe St.

All 120 students from years Prep to 6 worked together, with the help of teachers parents, grandparents and friends to get the trees planted.

St Joseph’s students Josh Love (left), Melissa Kerlin, Sarah McKenzie, Laura Kerlin and Xavier Kerlin planted a tree last Friday. Photo by Campaspe News

School teacher and driving force before the planting, Peter Shorthouse, said the students had prepared the area to be planted on Thursday before returning on Friday with their families to plant the trees.

***

Rochester Secondary College lost by just eight points against Catholic College Junortoun in its second match in the SmokeFree Cup football competition.

Rochester came close to victory in a spirited last quarter comeback at the Rochester Recreation Reserve.

The final score was Rochester 10.2 (62) to Catholic College 10.10 (70).

The SmokeFree Cup is a competition for Year 10 students from around the state organised by the Victorian Football Development Foundation.

10 years ago,

August 2014

More than $18 million in flood recovery works across the district are finally complete.

Campaspe Shire completed the works, bringing an end to the massive clean-up, repair and rebuilding program following the floods of late 2010 and early 2011.

Shire flood recovery and emergency management spokesperson Leigh Wilson said the extensive works program stretched across the shire, with Rochester, the hardest hit, and parts of Echuca and Torrumbarry receiving the most intensive focus due to the extensive level of damage.

‘‘It’s been a long journey with many challenges along the way since the devastating floods of three-and-a-half years ago, and it is wonderful to be able to report to our community that works to repair the extensive damage is now completed,’’ Cr Wilson said.

***

A grant to buy musical instruments for Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School in Elmore will be a boost for its new community program ‘Let There Be Music’.

Funded by the Frances and Harold Abbott Foundation, the $9550 grant was presented on Friday at a ceremony in Bendigo.

School administrative officer Nerida Murray said the school was excited to receive the grant.

Zoe Cate and Cayde Hayes are excited their school has received a grant to fund a new music program. Photo by Graham Willis

The school is looking to employ a music teacher in the future and develop an in-school and after-school music program.

***

Rochester Secondary College Year 9 student James Bolitho recently travelled to Palikoodam in the south-west of India.

Along with Echuca swim coach Russell Parsons and fellow swimmer Jack Steele, Mr Bolitho spent his school holidays teaching Indian children how to swim.

James Bolitho with two of the students. Photo by Submitted

The trio spent two weeks in India, teaching 14 swimming sessions each day, starting classes at 6am and finishing the last class after 4pm.

Students from grade 3 to year 12 were taught various strokes and techniques, with classes ranging in size from 12 to 20 students.