Reflections from the Past

The Society is delighted to announce this for it means that the difficulties that have plagued it for so long have been overcome.

The only remaining problem is finance.

Local contributions to date total $25,000; but more money will be necessary if the Committee is to receive the full Federal Government two for one subsidy.

•••

‘’A pleasant occupation for girls leaving school and for young women will be found at the Neat ‘n’ Trim factory at Rochester.’’

Mr Peter Cumming, Production Manager for Neat ‘n’ Trim, said this at Rochester yesterday.

The firm already employs 45 young girls in Rochester and is seeking another 30.

‘’We need people,’’ said Mr Cumming, ‘’and we will train them for employment with us.’’

At present, the factory is operating in a room on the top of the Shire Hall, with additional rooms further down Mackay St.

But by next month, May, the firm will take over the new 10,000 square solid brick factory on Bridge Rd.

•••

The Murray Goulburn Rochester factory has, in the words of manager, Mr Ian Coughlan, received ‘’a tremendous honour.’’

Rochester won a major award in the annual milk products competition conducted by the Institute of Dairy Factory Managers and Secretaries.

Mr FW Patterson, President of the Institute, presented the prize to Mr Coughlan on behalf of the factory at the Institute’s annual conference in Melbourne.

With a total points score of 93.522 the Rochester entry was a clear winner.

Rochester also received a hundred per cent true to grade export butter certificate and first prize in the class for export quality spray dried buttermilk powder.

25 years ago April 1999

Public support is crucial if a suspension bridge over the Campaspe River in Rochester is to become a reality, according to Campaspe River Reserve Committee secretary Jeannie Woods.

The idea of a pedestrian bridge over the river has been around for some time but the committee has decided it is time to make it a reality — if the Rochester community agrees to support the concept.

Former president of the river reserve group Norm Michener investigated the type of structure and the proposed costs involved prior to leaving the district late last year, current president Paul Poort said.

After an initial application for federal funds for the project was rejected, the committee put it on hold.

However the recent visit of industry development officer Neil Hamilton from Business Victoria in Bendigo, to a Rochester Citizens Advisory Group meeting, gave the committee incentive to try again.

•••

Safety Houses came to Rochester over 15 years ago. Many district children don’t know what it’s like not to have a safe place to go on the way home from school if they feel frightened, threatened or sick.

The Safety House stickers prominently displayed on letter boxes and front fences also prove a real deterrent for undesirable people.

The Rochester Safety House committee is in need of extra committee members and house monitors to continue the Safety House project in town.

Meetings are held every second month and generally last from around one hour, so the time commitment isn’t great, secretary Donna Mundie said.

•••

It’s not too late to get involved with this year’s Murray to Moyne fundraising efforts for the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service.

Last week, Rochester’s St John’s Masonic Lodge sponsored the team for $200 and the Elmore Field Days committee donated $500 to the effort.

Health service employee and Murray to Moyne co-ordinator Bronwyn Griffith said she was ‘’absolutely delighted’’ with the response in the lead-up to this weekend’s 24-hour ride.

‘’People are really becoming aware of the event and giving so generously.’’ It’s fantastic.’’

10 years ago April 2014

A $1 million water regulating structure that the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority plans to install near Corop’s Lake Cooper may not benefit the lake.

Lake Cooper flows into Gaynor Swamp which is eligible to receive environmental flows.

The Cornella Local Area Planning group has been campaigning for environmental flows to Lake Cooper due to its rising salinity and dropping water levels.

Group member Tait Hamilton said without fresh flows the lake could be dry by November.

In January the Victorian Environmental Water Holder ruled out topping up Lake Cooper with environmental water because it was not considered a priority for environmental watering.

•••

Victorian Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells will meet Campaspe Shire representatives and district SES units to discuss the future funding of SES units.

The meeting in Echuca on May 27 will seek to address how four SES units based in Campaspe Shire will be funded after 2016-17 when the shire winds back its annual contribution.

Earlier this month, Member for Rodney Paul Weller told the Victorian Parliament a blurred line between state and local government policy created ambiguity as to where the onus of responsibility lay.

He then wrote to Mr Wells seeking ‘‘clear direction with regard to the expectation of local government in relation to the housing and funding of SES units’’.

•••

Rochester Golf Club will have green fairways from the middle of May due to a new water connection.

Women’s president Jenny Major was looking forward to the improved health of the course.

‘‘It will improve the course for the district and holidaymakers,’’ she said.

Men’s president Ian Clarke said the grass had been healthy until summer, when the dry conditions caused it to discolour.

‘‘We would like to build on our strong membership base,’’ he said.

He said the course was in full use from March to October, but the club would like to offer a year-round 18-hole facility.

In the other months, only nine holes are open to members and green fee players.

The club’s water supply was disconnected two years ago due to the closure of the Campaspe irrigation system.