50 years ago February 1976
The convenience Bankcard offers shoppers would be welcomed by both residents and visitors to Rochester, a banker predicted today.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
He was Mr Barry Watt, manager of the Wales Bank’s Victorian Bankcard Centre, who was addressing a meeting of Rochester Lions, Apexians and Rotarians, held under the auspices of the Rochester Lions Club. Bankcard is scheduled to commence operations in Rochester next month.
Mr Watt said visitors to Rochester, and those passing through on business or pleasure, would benefit from being able to use their Bankcards to make purchases or to obtain cash advances.
Affiliated merchants would be able to offer their goods and services to a wider market — a factor which could mean increased prosperity for the district if merchants made full use of the advantages Bankcard provides.
***
The executive of the Rochester Junior Football League has convened a special meeting at which league officials will discuss with club officials and all parents, suggestion of modified rules for under-13 players.
President of the junior football league, Mr Reg Oliver, was hopeful all parents of under-13 footballers would attend.
He especially extended an invitation to all the mothers to be present, as well as fathers.
Mr Oliver stressed the league executive was extremely happy with rules for the under-16 division and had no intention of modifying these rules.
***
Taking keen interest in a debate at the annual meeting of the Rochester Football Club were committeemen George Milne and Alex Howe.
Alex was one of three stalwarts of the club who were honoured at the meeting with life membership. The others were Stan Cochrane and Wallace Moon.
George has a son, Geoff, playing with Rochester; whilst Alex’s son Stephen also plays and he has a family interest in Kevin Hansen and David Watson.
Both the Milne and Howe families are keen Tiger supporters and are hoping for more success in the coming season.
25 years ago February 2001
Elmore citizen Roger Trewick was awarded the Elmore Progress Association Community Service Award at the recent Australia Day ceremony.
Elmore's awards are judged independently in Bendigo and City of Greater Bendigo councillor Maurie Sharkey made the presentations in Elmore, congratulating Mr Trewick on his outstanding community work, which stretches back over decades.
The list of organisations Mr Trewick has been associated with is extensive.
Last year, Mr Trewick was also recognised for his voluntary community work when he was selected to run with the Olympic torch.
Mr Trewick said he felt proud, but humbled, by the award and gave tribute to his wife, Dianne, and family for their support.
***
Local skiers had mixed results in Sunday morning’s session of the Club Marine Southern 80 at Echuca-Moama.
In SMOC Social, Rochester boat Caterpillar, with driver Ian Oliver, observer Barry Cuttriss and skiers David Maddison and Daniel Dullard, was in second place in a time of 44:45.
Oliver was happy with the race.
‘’There’s so many boats that don’t make it through, just to make it (to the end) is a real bonus for us — to do well is terrific,'` he said.
In the 175HP Outboard Social class, Nanneella boat High Roller, with Bill Gibson as driver, Alexia Gibson as observer and skiers David Gibson and Stuart Mitchell, was fourth in a time of 45:49.
Bill Gibson said they had a good run but the boat was not fast enough even with full throttle.
‘’We had a good run,’’ he said. ‘’It’s good to finish without any mishaps.’’
***
Extra beds and a building linking Rochester’s existing aged care facilities could result in huge increases in efficiency, Member for Murray Sharman Stone heard on Thursday.
Dr Stone was in Rochester to present accreditation certificates to staff and patients in the nursing home and hostel.
Both units gained three-year accreditation last year after achieving glowing reports from accreditation assessors.
Dr Stone’s visit comes just weeks after REDHS learnt it had been unsuccessful in its bid to gain seven extra beds to bring the total number of aged care beds in the community to 60.
Currently there are 30 beds in the hostel section, with 10 of these dementia specific, and 23 beds in the nursing home.
10 years ago February 2016
It is always the ones who give the most who expect the least.
And that certainly is the case for a group of women who spend their days helping the children of Rochester Primary School.
They’re not teachers or parents or carers.
They’re the Rochester Grannies — five retirees volunteering their time and love, pitching in everywhere they can, just to help out.
Wyn Hodgens, Lorraine King, Raylee Willis, Leah Weston and Jessie Wilson have become part of the tapestry at the primary school.
Whether it’s bringing in some morning tea, listening to reading, organising activities, helping the teachers out with photocopying or just having a chat with the students, the Rochester Grannies’ do it all.
***
Rochester’s Mural Festival is only weeks away.
The artists are locked in, a launch dinner is scheduled and almost all of 2015’s murals have been sold.
But the rural committee doesn’t like rest.
Members of the group and some solid community men were busy pouring concrete on Wednesday, making room for two new shelters.
To add to the existing displays, two new shelters will line the reserve to display the last year’s winning artwork, future winners and the mural story.
Following from last year’s inaugural success, the mural festival will again bring thousands of people to town to witness eight stellar artists create larger-than-life pieces of art.
***
Rochester Little Athletics members and their families ran 37.8km in just three hours this month, raising hundreds of dollars for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.
It was part of Little Athletics Victoria’s state-run Relaython — with thousands of clubs taking part across the weekend.
Windridge Oval was marked and lined for those ready to pull on the runners. Organiser Amanda Logie said even parents got involved.
‘‘Everyone had so much fun,’’ she said.
‘‘It was quite competitive, especially with a group of kids who continued to run almost every time they got a break from their regular events.