Reflections from the past

The new company will be presided over by Abderrahim Cherkaoui, Mr John A. Connell will be vice-president, and George W Fuller and Azzedine Bennani will be joint managing directors.

George Fuller is the elder son of Mr and Mrs A. G. Fuller of Echuca Rd, Rochester, and resides in Lisbon, Portugal with his family.

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Stepping from a revolving wall, seven young lasses and their partners made their way gracefully to be received by Mr Bruce Lloyd, MHR, and Mrs Lloyd, at the recent Nanneella Hall Debutante Ball.

A touch of colour was given to the debutantes’ individually styled long white frocks by a snowball of green centred white daisies held at the wrist by green ribbon falls.

After making their curtsies, the debs and their partners danced the Lucille Waltz for their ‘’coming out’’ dance.

The ball was a memorable one for the Nanneella residents, as it was the last formal function held in the original hall. Work has commenced on replacing the building with a larger, modern brick hall.

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VFU members have been told that the average age of farmers in NSW is 55, and a similar situation exists in Victoria.

Members of the Victoria Farmers’ Union Zone 14 Bendigo District Council were informed of this at their recent annual meeting.

The district council agreed with the urgent need to attract young people into primary production.

High interest rates coupled with increased freight rates were deterring young people from entering primary industry.

25 years ago June 1999

Rochester will gain the first stage of the Diggora Rd drainage scheme, funding for streetscape works in the Moore St shopping centre and, along with Lockington, partial funding for the re-surfacing of netball courts, from the Campaspe Shire draft budget.

But all ratepayers face a 6.8 per cent rise in rates and charges in the coming financial year. General manager of corporate services Mick Jaensch said rate-raising was just one of the methods needed for Campaspe to become a stronger council.

‘’We’re not that badly off now, but in planning strategically for the next two, five and 10 years, we aim to become a better organisation,’’ he said.

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Months of planning has finally come to fruition, with work beginning on Rochester and Elmore District Health Service palliative care suite.

Workmen have gutted four rooms at the eastern end of the Rochester hospital campus to make way for a bedroom, sitting room and ensuite for terminally ill patients requiring palliative care.

A State Government grant last year put $50,000 towards the project, however the total cost is expected to be around $85,000.

Many district organisations have fund-raised for furnishings and equipment for the suite, with around $13,000 raised so far, said health service finance manager Shaun Eldridge.

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Children and people over 60 are at greatest risk of an accident on a farm, said WorkCover’s Ron Ruff at the Farm Safety Day held at Campaspe Run in Elmore.

One hundred and twenty grade three, four and five students from five district schools attended the safety day, which incorporated displays and presentations on resuscitation, tractor safety, a farm safety model and a video entitled ‘A Child’s Perspective’.

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The recent Customer Service Measurement survey conducted by Campaspe Shire shows ratepayers to be dissatisfied with the degree of community consultation between ratepayers and the shire.

The 409 survey responses, from the 800 sent out to householders, showed while 80 per cent of respondents considered community consultation important, they rated the shire’s performance in this area as low and customer satisfaction as very low.

10 years ago June 2014

Campaspe Shire is developing a vision for the future and a plan to achieve it.

Mayor Ian Maddison said the development of the Campaspe: Our Future plan, will run from June to November.

‘‘This project is about gathering all the visionary aspirations of our community, known industry demands and trends, the community’s changing needs and wants and putting them in a document called ‘Campaspe: Our Future’,’’ he said.

‘‘The new long-term plan will analyse the current state and strategic directions of the municipality, as well as the future physical, social, economic and environmental requirements necessary to increase sustainable economic activity and maximise the wellbeing and quality of life of our residents.’’

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Rochester Leading Senior Constable Steve Dempsey will retire next month after 42 years in the police force.

His parting request to the community was to bind together to stop methamphetamine, or ice, destroying society.

He said the drug could quickly take hold of people to the detriment of families.

Leading Senior Constable Dempsey said it was a challenge for police and residents and encouraged everyone to play their part.

‘‘Dob in anyone who you know is using ice even if it’s your kids that have a problem,’’ he said.

He said the police were not just law enforcers and could help families get the necessary help.

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Rochester resident Jed Wilson may only be 17, but he is now a qualified pilot.

He received his single engine aircraft pilot’s licence in Shepparton last week, which means he can fly without an instructor present.

He will take his father as his first passenger on Sunday and said he felt a bit nervous.

He has been hooked since his first flight, on his 12th birthday. To gain his licence, he had to fly 10 hours solo. Mr Wilson said his first solo flight was more exciting than getting his licence.

‘‘It was one of those experiences like a dream. You have to pinch yourself. . . I’m so proud I did that,’’ he said. ‘‘Flying is like juggling,’’ he said.