50 years ago, November 1974
Six members of the Upper Murray Shire Council and the shire clerk and engineer were in Echuca as part of a study tour.
The purpose of the study tour, which was held over two days, was to inspect small industries and tourist facilities in several centres.
The councillors and their executive officers travelled in two cars owned by the shire and their first stop was Myrtleford where they inspected a paper mill.
They afterwards travelled to Echuca and were entertained by Echuca councillors and staff members.
***
After several months of work the Echuca Central School’s $18,600 library will be opened officially by Mr Stuart McDonald, MLC, for Northern Province, when a special gala day will be held at the school.
Although the opening will not begin until 12.30pm, it is hoped that people will begin arriving at noon so they may enjoy some of the planned activities for the day.
School principal Mrs Pat Gardiner said she hoped people would come to the school after finishing their shopping and join in to have a large family barbecue.
She asked anyone wishing to attend to come along, especially past pupils, and said any books donated to the library would be inscribed with the donor’s name for future reference.
***
Murray Shire Council has adopted a recommendation by the health surveyor, Mr B. McMillan, that funds be made available for the purchase of a suitable site in the Bunnaloo area for a rubbish tip.
Cr K. Berryman told council he had inspected the present tip and was appalled at its state.
Rubbish was lying on the surface and papers and water were blowing around the area. It was also too close to the school and recreation area.
Cr R. Selleck moved that immediate action by taken to clean up the tip and this will be done as soon as shire equipment is in the area.
25 years ago, November 1999
The Tongala community was taking an enormous step if they chose to pursue a community bank, Bendigo Bank representatives have advised.
However, it is a step that has the support of most of the 110 people who attended a public meeting in Tongala to learn more about the proposal.
The concept of pursuing a community bank was raised by Tongala traders after the closure of the town’s Commonwealth Bank in May.
Bendigo Bank representatives and David Matthews, chairman of the inaugural Rupanyup/Minyip community bank, told the meeting of the inner workings of a community bank.
***
A duel Georgy award winner will play Captain Hook in the Echuca Musical Theatre Company production of Peter Pan next month.
Paul Denham has been involved with EMTC since it began, on stage for all but one production and also building sets.
His roles include Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Curly in Oklahoma!, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Fagin in Oliver and the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance.
He has again donated his skills as a carpenter to build the sets for Peter Pan.
In the show, Paul is the villainous pirate Captain Hook.
***
Gold pins fell as Campaspe Shire Mayor Cathie Halliday sent a ball flying along a bowling lane on Saturday to officially open the King Pin Bowling Alley.
Echuca’s new family sports and entertainment complex looks set to strike a popular note with the community, judging by the enthusiasm shown for the opening celebrity teams games.
Owners Mike and Pauline Thill — who have been coming to Echuca regularly for many years — have already shown their commitment to the community by employing local trades people to build the Annesley St complex.
The 12-lane bowling alley incorporates a licensed restaurant, snackfood bar, licensed area, children’s play room and electronic games room.
10 years ago, November 2014
It takes a lot of guts and training to successfully complete a marathon.
But for Echuca’s Sharon Briscoe, running the New York Marathon was not enough.
Instead, she endeavoured to add meaning to every step of the 42.2km she was about to complete.
And in a marathon performance of organised events, tin rattling and those good old Bunnings sausage sizzles, she raised almost $10,000 for the Heart Foundation.
After being approached earlier in the year about taking part in the New York Marathon, Briscoe was offered a guaranteed ticket if she pledged to raise a minimum of $7500 for the cause — a feat that will not go unnoticed by her community.
So earlier this month she packed her runners, sportswear and courage and travelled to the Big Apple with 500 other Australians as part of a group called Travelling Fit.
***
Echuca-Moama Theatre Company picked up two accolades and Echuca College also had a win at the Georgy Awards in Shepparton on the weekend.
Connor Deakin, 18, and Angela Favaloro, 14, picked up the best junior male singing award and a certificate of excellence, respectively.
Group secretary Lesley Summers said Connor picked up the win for his performance in A Christmas Carol as Scrooge.
‘‘It was a real shock,’’ Connor said.
Angela picked up her win for her role in Lil’ Abner in May.
She played Scarlett, a young child from ‘Dogpatch’ (where the show was set) and later played cousin to Daisy Mae Scragg, as well as being part of the ensemble and dance scene.
***
Riverine Herald photographer Jayme Lowndes has received the Victorian Country Press Association 2014 Photography Encouragement Award for her photo ‘Keep Going’ from the 2013 Sweat versus Steam event.
It shows junior runner Harry Oliver heading for the finish line with one shoe in his hand.
‘‘I could not resist this shot because I was covering the finish by then and had photographed all the stars when suddenly I saw these two boys sprinting to the finish and Harry lost his shoe,’’ Jayme said.
‘‘He grabbed it and kept running and looked as determined as the race winner to get to the finish line.
‘‘I think this photo is what the event was all about — people from every level having a go.’’
***