50 years ago, August 1974
A senior sergeant in the Victoria Police Accident Appreciation Squad warned of dangers of magnesium wheels in an address to apprentices at the Echuca Technical School’s annual awards night at the ‘Verlyn’ on Tuesday.
He said that they were “all right ... in their proper perspective”.
Sen Sgt Don Robinson, officer-in-charge of the squad, told the apprentices that ‘mag’ wheels were dangerous.
He said that many fatal accidents had been caused by the wheels breaking down under the pressure of hard driving and abusive use.
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The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, has told the Member for Murray, Mr Lloyd, that the Commonwealth Government had received no approach from the Victorian Government for assistance with flood mitigation proposals in Northern Victoria.
The State Member for Rodney, Mr Eddie Hann, said today that he had, with other local members, Mr Stuart McDonald, MLC, and Mr Michael Clarke, MLC, made several submissions for funds for flood mitigation.
He said that they had been assured by the State Government that the funds would be provided from the State or would be sought from the Australian Government.
Mr Whitlam said that the Government had demonstrated by its co-operation with the NSW Government and in consultations with the Queensland Government that it was willing to discuss flood mitigation proposals with the states.
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Teams from St Mary’s school won the grand finals of both the Echuca and Moama Primary Schools’ A and B Grade netball competitions, which were played at Victoria Park courts on Wednesday.
Members of the winning A Grade team were Suzanne Arthur, Jonene Sait, Elizabeth Arthur, Jocelyn Kenna, Donna Burke, Maryanne Oliver, Elizabeth Crowe, Leanne Hazelman and Tracey Sait.
The B Grade team was made up of Carmel Fleming, Bernadette Speirs, Catherine Carr, Veronica Hogg, Elizabeth Doyle, Patricia Spedding, Cindy Maher, Bernadette Cassin and Glenda O’Nial.
25 years ago, August 1999
From its humble beginnings in an old wooden shed, the 53-year career of Echuca character Ivor Lawton has come to the end of the road.
The old bicycle he used to park out the front of the shop, signifying he was open for business, is no longer in the rack.
The Lawton’s Cycles sign has been painted over for the first and last time.
At the age of 15, Ivor realised his dream when his boss at the time asked him to paint, transfer and recondition his wife’s bike.
‘’After that, I gave him a week’s notice and set off to start up my own bike business,’’ Ivor said.
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The immediate future of Echuca’s proposed performing arts and cinema complex is to be decided by a hearing of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on September 3.
Construction of the complex has been placed on hold after High St president Dianne Clermont-Ferrand appealed the Campaspe Shire’s decision to grant a permit to developer Southern Star Enterprises.
Ms Clermont-Ferrand appealed on several points of concern including: amending a permit of an existing business (the Campaspe Child Care Centre), inadequate parking, fencing issues, the monitoring of the permit conditions, the impact on the health and safety of children using the CCCC and the conditions of the Southern Star Enterprises permit.
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In the first time it has sought public assistance, Campaspe Murray Community Care is about to begin a public appeal for donations.
The appeal will be launched by Campaspe Shire mayor Cathie Halliday.
CMCC co-ordinator Clover Wilson said the funds raised by the appeal would be used to help with the volunteer organisation’s administrative costs.
‘’We know the community of Echuca have been most generous in their support of the hospital appeal, but we hope the public still has a few coins in their back pockets,’’ she said.
10 years ago, August 2014
As the world commemorates the centenary of the declaration of World War I, Echuca Historical Society has honoured the efforts of Echuca-Moama soldiers and nurses who took part in Australia’s most defining moment.
Society members John Ferris and Janet Hollingsworth researched letters from the front which appeared in the Riverine Herald in their book They Fought the Good Fight, launched in Echuca on Wednesday.
Mr Ferris said the book showed the change in attitude from the six-bob-a-day tourists going on an overseas adventure to the stark reality of life on the front.
Major General Brian Dawson of the Australian War Memorial Museum officially launched the book, which had a strong personal connection.
Formerly of Rochester, Major General Dawson said the book featured a chapter on his grandfather and his two brothers, who were part of the war effort.
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Poppies created by district crafters will be part of a visual tribute to the country’s service men and women in Melbourne next year.
Campaspe and Murray shire residents have made 265 poppies, which are being displayed at Echuca Library until March as part of the 5000 Poppies Project.
‘‘We have knitted, crocheted and made poppies from lace,’’ library services manager Wendy O’Hara said.
Echuca’s Coralie Mulvahill has knitted about 50 poppies and is showing no signs of slowing down.
‘‘It’s a great project and gives you something to do,’’ she said.
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A judge could ultimately decide the venue for this year’s Picola and District Football Netball League grand final.
Mathoura Football Netball Club has started legal action against the league in an attempt to keep this year’s grand final in Mathoura.
The league, Mathoura and its landlord Murray Shire have been at loggerheads in recent weeks after the league stated that light posts at the club’s netball courts were too close to the playing surface.
Murray Shire refused to foot the bill to cut down and replace the poles, which would cost ratepayers more than $20,000.
Timbercutters president Tim McCormick said the decision was made after the board met on Tuesday night, hours after council said it would explore all options, including legal action.