Reflections from the past

Lois, 17, took the lead from the start and was never headed. She covered the distance in nine minutes 51 seconds and was easing up over the last 400m after direction from coach Ian Colston of Nanneella.

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The ‘farewell Rochester’ races drew one of the biggest crowds for many years on Saturday, with gate takings exceeding $700.

Conditions were cold and a shower just after midday sent early racegoers scurrying for shelter.

Almost all racegoers were unanimous that it was a shame that this could be the last race meeting on the Rochester track, and the sentiments expressed by Mr Reg Kennedy when presenting his trophy for the Sir Eugene Gorman Trial Hurdle, “It’s a lovely country, it’s a lovely course and they’re wonderful people,” were largely acclaimed.

25 years ago, July 2000

It was up to the people of rural and regional Victoria to decide whether they wanted a specialist party to represent their interests, Member for Rodney Noel Maughan said.

His comment came after the Victorian National Party decided to sever its partnership arrangement with the Liberal Party as operation as a political party in its own right.

‘’Clearly the standing of the party suffered under the Coalition arrangements and the National Party, which had represented the interests of rural and regional Victoria for 80 years, needed to re-establish its identity and reaffirm its credentials as a specialist party that was best placed to understand and represent the interests of those living outside the metropolitan area,’’ Mr Maughan said.

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Some people retire so they can do a little gardening, but for Bob Andrews the process is reversed.

Bob may have retired from his position as Campaspe Shire gardener last Friday but he will continue to enjoy gardening, although at a more casual pace.

Starting as a gardener for the Rochester Shire Council — and later Campaspe Shire Council — Bob has been tending to the public gardens and flower beds around Rochester for the past 18 years.

10 years ago, July 2015

Elmore Primary School students and teachers were joined by Elmore RSL sub-branch representatives on Saturday for the planting of a Gallipoli oak.

In front of the school a short ceremony was held in honour of the Anzac Centenary and the Elmore residents whose lives were lost during World War I and World War II.

The names of 26 soldiers and one nurse were called out by Elmore RSL sub-branch president Jeff Crust as he passed individual small white crosses to students to place around the tree.

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Rochy locals walk off the winter chill while getting fit, healthy and enjoying a conversation with friends.

Every Wednesday at 9am, eight Rochester residents meet at Lions Park to enjoy a walk around town.

Co-ordinator Kate Rae said she and the other members walked, as it was important for their health.

‘‘Once you hit a certain age you have to keep moving or everything seizes up,’’ she said.