50 years ago November 1974
With the announcement that Keith Oberin Jnr will study in South Africa next year, the Rotary Club of Rochester now has a four-nation involvement in its youth study exchange program, with Mary O’Hagen in Japan and Singapore’s Vivian Ang at Rochester.
The four nations involved in the study exchange program of the Rochester club are South Africa, Japan, Singapore and Australia.
In Japan, Mary, who is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Kevin O’Hagen, is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Kobe. To overcome a language problem, Mary has been given special tuition at a girls’ school she is attending.
Keith will leave for Mooi River on January 8 and fly direct to Johannesburg, before catching another flight to Durban and then proceeding by car to Mooi River.
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‘’One of the disturbing economic developments of recent years has been the march of inflation,’’ said Mr H.N. Warren, the secretary of the Institute of Public Affairs, at the combined dinner of the Rochester Service Clubs.
Mr Warren said prices had been rising rapidly around the world — it had been a case of too much money chasing too few goods.
Mr Warren told the members of the Apex, Lions and Rotary clubs that it was worth noting that of the industrialised countries, West Germany had the best record in coping with inflation, with an annual rate of depreciation of money in 1974 of 6.4 per cent.
Of the less developed countries, Mr Warren said two oil producers, Venezuela (4.7 per cent) and Iraq (5.9 per cent) did best.
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Inflation has been responsible for the decision not to continue with plans to construct a new canteen at the Rochester school.
It has simply become far to expensive a proposition. Instead, the present canteen will be renovated and improved.
Quotations have been obtained for some overhead protective roofing on the south side of the canteen to enable the use of the windows there as well as to provide protection for the students from the weather.
25 years ago November 1999
Rochester sports store owners Steve and Georgina Roberts have returned from Campaspe Shire’s Japanese sister city of Shiroi Machi as converts to the sister city program.
‘’To have that rapport with a totally different culture to our own is fantastic,’’ Steve said.
‘’I’m no expert on the economic benefits but the cultural benefits alone make the association worthwhile.’’
Steve and Georgina were among 14 delegates from across the shire, including council members, business and community representatives, who funded their own visit to Shiroi Machi to further strengthen the international friendship, begun as a student exchange by former Kyabram High School principal and Rochester resident Brian King.
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Light rain fell on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of those who attended the Rochester Picnic Races.
People of all ages went to the racecourse to see horses, children, draught horses and ponies race.
Punters laid bets on the local runners as well as Melbourne Derby Day and interstate races with the on-course bookies.
Youngsters enjoyed a jumping castle and ice cream stand while those a bit older drank champagne while placing bets, enjoying their picnics and watching the Melbourne races in the President’s Bar.
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Campaspe News has again been singled out for an award by the Victorian Country Press Association.
CVN journalist Janet Webb received first place in the VCPA photographic awards for papers up to 3000 circulation.
The award was for best photographic study, with the entry taken from the front page of CVN’s December 22, 1998, issue, which featured Rochester Primary School student Melissa Dodge joining in Christmas celebrations at the school.
Earlier this year, advertising representative Robyn Hopkins received two first places and an honourable mention in the association’s advertising awards.
10 years ago November 2014
The Rochester pool will open for its 62nd — and possibly last — summer on Saturday.
Campaspe Shire is reviewing the future of all its regional pools and could pull the plug on Rochester swimmers.
As rising rates remain a contentious issue within the community, the shire has reviewed all council pools in the Aquatics Services Review and identified their sustainability as a ‘‘major challenge’’.
Before opening in 2013, more than $230,000 was spent on the pool.
That covered repairing major pipe leaks, upgrading chemical equipment to improve water quality and adding a direct sewerage line from the backwash tank to improve the performance of the pool and meet compliance requirements.
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Swimming coach Les Sands said it would be a colossal loss for Rochester if the pool was to close.
‘‘I coached there for years and it’s an integral part of the community,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a real hub over the summer and most families won’t want to have to travel to Echuca to go for a swim, we can’t let them close it down.’’
Students from both Rochester primary schools also use the facilities and Rochester Primary School teacher Steve Rasmussen said it was imperative it remained open.
‘‘It’s where I learnt to swim and I suggest where most children in the community still do,’’ he said.
‘‘It would be a real shame to see it go.’’
The announcement comes on the back of YMCA Victoria calling on the government to make swimming and water safety compulsory in all Victorian primary schools.
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Rochester Elmore District Health Services aged care residents, volunteers and staff braved cold weather on Tuesday for a barbecue to thank the donors who contributed to the recent refurbishment of the REDHS hostel.
The original 20-bed Rochester and district hostel was built in 1993 and a further 10 beds were added in 2000 to support community demand for residential aged care.
The hostel’s decor had remained unchanged since the building’s construction and REDHS board member Kate Lee said a makeover was needed.
‘‘As you would appreciate, the furnishings over that period of time had become a little tired and, some would suggest, a little dated,’’ she said.
‘‘The feedback we received from our residents, families and staff was that a refurbishment was required.’’