Reflections from the past

Mr Bob Knight, who formally moved the acceptance of the committee’s recommendation on the life members, said Stan Cochrane had worked hard for many years for the Rochester Football Club.

Mr Cochrane’s main work was in fundraising.

Both Alex Howe and Wallace Moon had been great assets as the club endeavoured to get back on the map in the Goulburn Valley and fully deserved this award.

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The MLA for Rodney, Mr Eddie Hann, of Lockington, has hit back at criticism of the National Party, by Housing Minister in Victoria’s Liberal Government, Mr Dickie.

Mr Hann said in a statement that the National Party was the only political party in Victoria which truly represented the voice of all country people living outside metropolitan Melbourne.

Population statistics showed that seats held by NP members were growing throughout Victoria, while the population in many Liberal-held seats was declining.

25 years ago February 2001

Rochester celebrated the appointment of two Order of Australia Medal recipients on Australia Day.

Neville Menzies (Bill) Jackson, 92, and Merle Carr, 71, were named among the 686 Australians on the Australia Day Honours List, 536 of whom received the OAM.

Both recipients were congratulated by the community at Australia Day celebrations in Rochester on Friday.

Mrs Carr said she was still having trouble believing she had been awarded such an honour.

Mr Jackson was also modest about his award saying it was an honour for the Rochester community rather than for an individual.

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After 23 years and six months, and millions of meals, Yvonne Andrews hung up her apron and chef's hat at the Rochester hospital kitchen on Friday.

She has willingly handed the reins over to Wayne Kelly, who comes well qualified to take over the 240-meal average day in the kitchen.

Wayne's fresh from three years at the Green Olive in Bendigo.

Prior to that he cheffed at his parents' Bendigo restaurant, where he originally served his apprenticeship before travelling to Melbourne and Perth to gain further experience.

Yvonne said she wished him all the best in his role and as much happiness, friendship and team spirit as she had enjoyed over the years.

10 years ago February 2016

Rochester’s town centre is set for a facelift after Campaspe Shire Council endorsed funding for two key projects.

More than $200,000 will be poured into Rochester Skate Park and the Moore St road reserve to upgrade facilities and make the two areas more attractive to visitors.

But it was not all good news for the Moore St project committee, with just two of its 11 requests being endorsed by council.

The gravel car park near the Opperman statue will be replaced with a landscaped lawn area, while a crossing point allowing for disabled access on the adjacent service road was also approved.

But other requests — including new street furniture, a footpath and town information sign — missed out on endorsement.

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Rochester has a new set of ministers in town.

Ben and Leisl Clapton arrived in mid-January and were officially welcomed as the Salvation Army’s new corps officers at a ceremony last week.

The couple come into the role after two years in a similar position in Devonport, Tasmania.

Mrs Clapton said their first impressions of Rochester had been overwhelmingly positive.

The lieutenants, who are originally from Perth, were appointed to the role as part of the Salvation Army’s regular ministerial changeover.