Half-centuries were quite common to Ted Clapham in his younger days as a hard-hitting cricketer. Now he has exceeded a half-century with the Northern Timber and Hardware Co., in Rochester. Ted also registered more than 100 games with the Rochester Football Club.
50 years ago
‘’Three years ago I pledged myself to represent all the people of the Rodney Electorate and my vote in this election shows the people of the electorate must be happy with the efforts of the National Party and its parliamentary members.’’
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These were the words of the successful candidate for the Rodney electorate, Mr Eddie Hann, of Lockington, who was speaking at the declaration of the March 20 poll.
The returning officer, Mr Stan Cochrane, told the gathering at the declaration that Mr Hann had polled 15,182 votes; Mr Graham Arthur (LP) 4002, Mr Michael Smith (Labor) 3547 and Mr David Kane (DLP) 924.
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Mr Ian Coughlan and his wife Edith are heading to New Orleans, in the United States, where Ian will be inducted as District Governor of Rotary District 278, at the annual worldwide convention of Rotary International.
Ian is well known throughout northern Victoria as the manager of the Murray Goulburn complex at Rochester and is the past president of the Rochester Rotary Club.
Rotary District 278 covers a vast area from Echuca on the Murray River south to the metropolis of Melbourne and west to the South Australian border, and includes the South Australian clubs of Mt Gambier and Millicent.
25 years ago
A working party comprising members of the public and several Rochester and District Health Service board of management members is confident of putting together a package to attract at least one more doctor to the Rochester district.
A new intake of overseas doctors is expected in Australia in June or July.
The doctors have been recruited by the Federal Government specifically to work in rural areas, particularly those previously identified as ‘’areas of need’’.
Rochester was identified as an area of need some months ago but earlier this year was given a top priority ‘’area of need status’’.
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Rochester’s supermarket has taken out the Victorian 2001 Retailer of the Year title for IGA Everyday stores.
Major’s IGA Everyday was also named produce merchandiser of the year, as well as being a finalist in the meat merchandiser of the year and liquor merchandiser of the year.
David, Brad and Donna Major outside their award-winning store, heralded the best IGA Everyday in Victoria.
The result means the Rochester store, run by David, Donna and Brad Major, was a finalist in four of the six categories, competing against 108 other Victorian and southern NSW Everyday stores.
10 years ago
One of the biggest tourism weekends for Corop is gone — forever.
And that could be the death knell for the town’s only business.
Police have confirmed Green’s Lake will never reopen on New Year’s Eve.
Authorities have shut down the popular lake during the new year period for the past two years, citing anti-social behaviour making it unsafe for people to attend.
But Corop General Store co-owner Haylee Chisholm said the closures were having a major impact on the viability of her business.
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It was a big day at Bamawm Extension Fire Station on Sunday.
The station officially unveiled its upgraded shed alongside a new office and storeroom, while two local firies were handed prestigious National Emergency medals for their efforts on Black Saturday.
Bamawm Extension Fire Brigade captain George Calleja (left) and Rochester firefighter Brett Kyne (right), pictured with CFA board member James Holyman, were awarded National Emergency medals for their efforts on Black Saturday.
Photo by
Lisa Brettschneider
The $42,000 upgrade followed a Victorian Government grant — with the station contributing $14,000 of its own money — and brigade captain George Calleja said it would have a profound impact on the community.
‘‘The new storeroom allows us to put our quickfill pump and trailer out of the way now,’’ he said.
The unveiling coincided with national emergency medals being awarded to Mr Calleja and Rochester firefighter Brett Kyne.
