50 years ago, November 1974
About 500 people, including 62 women employees, were guests of the management of Neat n’ Trim Uniforms Pty. Ltd. at the official opening of its new $200,000 factory by Rochester Shire Councillor Mrs Helen Clarke at Rochester on Friday.
Opening the factory, Cr Clarke said that it was a ‘’momentous occasion’’ for Rochester because of the importance the factory had and would play in the community of Rochester and district.
She said that it was important for secondary industries to develop in conjunction with established primary industry and said the factory was serving the community by giving positions to 62 women at present and a planned 100 when the plant was in full production.
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After the first full week of the Rochester District Nursing Service, the committee of management is bitterly disappointed at the lack of support for the nursing service.
The apathy of district people to make inquiries regarding the service has been most disheartening.
The committee of management of the Rochester hospital received letters from a number of organisations requesting that this service be commenced.
25 years ago, November 1999
A security-fenced dam of around 25 megalitres will be built adjacent an existing dam at the far south-western end of the Rochester Racecourse Recreation Reserve as part of the new Diggora Rd drainage scheme, according to Fisher Stewart design engineer Bill Stockdale.
The confirmation of the dam’s location came after a week of speculation that the proposed dam would eliminate the hockey field, part of the racecourse and the Picnic Race Day social area.
‘’Nothing could be further from the truth,’’ Mr Stockdale said.
‘’We won’t be touching the hockey ground or the racecourse area — there is no way the reserve committee of management would have supported an idea like that.’’
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Lockington has the most excellent pre-school teacher in Victoria.
Even though parents and committee members of the pre-school say they've known that for years, on Friday night their beliefs were confirmed when the centre’s directress, Jeanne Aitken, won the state’s ‘Excellence in Kindergarten Teaching Award 1999’ ahead of 14 other finalists.
The Lockington Pre-school committee nominated Jeanne for the awards several months ago and were thrilled when she was shortlisted.
10 years ago, November 2014
One of the biggest days on the Rochester calendar — KidZcapers — may have been held for the final time.
The event’s future was evaluated at the annual review meeting, which found unless the committee could recruit new team members, it would likely fold.
KidZcapers chairperson Casey James has been on the committee since the event was launched three years ago, but could not continue in her role due to conflicting commitments.
Mrs James was calling on the community to get behind what has quickly become a major drawcard for the town.
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Australian netball legend Sharelle McMahon officially opened the Opperman Sports Museum at the Rochester library on Saturday.
McMahon, who grew up in Bamawm and went to school at Rochester Secondary College, was presented with a corner of the museum, which has been dedicated to the retired champion.
‘‘It’s fantastic to come home and see so many familiar faces,’’ she said.
‘‘When I started playing here 20 years ago I never thought in a million years there’d one day be a section of a museum in my name.’’