Two of the best known firemen in northern Victoria in 1975 would be ex-captain Garnie Lonsdale, of Elmore, and ex-secretary Charlie Boysen, of Rochester. Garnie (left) and Charlie had a wealth of stories to tell of bygone days at the centenary celebrations of the Rochester Urban Fire Brigade. Both Garnie and Charlie have passed the fireman's retiring age, and although no longer officially active firemen, they are still firemen at heart.
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Campaspe News
50 years ago November 1975
The Murray Goulburn Co-operative-sponsored study award to Canada for a Victorian Young Farmer member has been won by 24-year-old Elaine Hewlett, dairy factory laboratory technician.
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The final selection held at the Royal Showgrounds in Melbourne drew six Young Farmers finalists and was the second sponsorship by Murray Goulburn.
Elaine, who was named as runner-up in 1974, will depart for her 12-week study visit to Ontario in April next year.
In announcing the result, Mr W.I. Glassgow, deputy chair of Murray Goulburn, said Elaine was typical of the type of young person the dairy industry needed.
She would prove an excellent ambassador for Australia, the dairy industry and Murray Goulburn, he said when he presented her with a cheque for $1500 to cover travel and other expenses.
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The Rochester Apex Club, along with other Apex Clubs throughout Australia, will donate the proceeds of the sale of tinned biscuits to microsurgery research and the practise of microsurgery in this country.
The Microsearch Foundation is a fully registered charity administered from Sydney with top Apexians on its board, and will keep Australia to the forefront of world microsurgical developments.
Microsurgery is surgery performed under a specially designed, optically perfect, motorised, operating microscope.
25 years ago November 2000
The Pascoe St land at the centre of a debate over a proposed substation could be zoned ‘’low density residential’’ if councillors vote to initiate the amendment.
The land is currently zoned ‘’public conservation and resource’’ after a transcription error in 1998 that failed to carry over the land’s previous zoning of public use 7 (other)’’.
The previous zoning allowed for the State Electricity Commission, or other public utility, to use the land without the need for council planning permits.
According to shire strategic planning manager David Merrett, under the ‘’public use’’ category, Powercor could not go ahead with a substation without council planning permits as it is not a public company.
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It was hard to tell who was more excited last week — Kevin White, his parents, David and Jenny, or his former employers Karen and Phil Latter.
Last Tuesday, Kevin, 23, left Australia with his girlfriend Cory Chancellor, destined for London to take up a new position as the second pastry chef at the Conrad International Hotel in Chelsea.
Kevin White, pictured with girlfriend Cory Chancellor, has started a new job as a pastry chef at the Conrad International Hotel in Chelsea, London.
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Campaspe News
Conrad International is part of the Hilton chain, Kevin explained, and Chelsea — ‘’well, it's a bit like the Toorak of London’’.
Kevin completed his baker’s and pastry cook’s apprenticeship at the Rochester bakery under the guidance of Phil and Karen.
10 years ago November 2015
A Supreme Court appeal is being considered as a last-ditch bid to stop a chicken hatchery being built 1km south of Rochester’s town boundary.
Janet Gaist, the owner of Manner Lodge, which sits next to the proposed development site on Railway Rd, met with a barrister on Friday to discuss an appeal.
She was still considering whether to appeal yesterday.
Railway Rd resident Paul Butler believes his concerns about the Hy-Line Hatchery project have not been addressed.
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Campaspe News
It follows a decision from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last month ruling the Hy-Line Hatchery project could go ahead despite objections from nearby residents.
Concerns range from the noise and dust created by increased commercial traffic, to smell, the load the hatchery will put on the street’s infrastructure and environmental concerns.
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When Betty and Anton Gusak started building their home in Kerford St in 1998, the garden came first.
Tradesmen would have to duck and weave between cacti and succulents, trees and plants while building the home.
But that did not worry Anton, as long as his plants were okay.
Rochester cactus collector Anton Gusak is the grower of Australia’s champion cactus.
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Campaspe News
The 77-year-old has a prickly obsession: he is a cactus enthusiast, or as he says, a collector.
It is too bad he is not getting paid, because he is very good at cactus growing — walking away with the most prestigious title at the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia’s Spring Show.
