Reflections from the past

Also, following negotiations with hospital authorities, an agreement has been reached for an increase in the number of beds from the initial 62 proposed to a new number of 69.

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When exchange student, Tammy Faries, found out the title of Echuca Music Group's next production, she just had to be in it.

The show is ‘’Oklahoma’’ and that happens to be Tammy's home state back in the USA.

Tammy will bring a touch of realism to the chorus of the show, due to be staged in Echuca on August 13 and 14 and in Tongala on August 6 and 7.

The producer, Mrs Gwynneth Harris, of Lockington, and her assistant, Mrs Joan Walsh, of Kyabram, are pleased with the progress being made at rehearsals.

Some of the leading artists are Gwynneth Harris (Laurey). Peter Turner (Ali Hakin), Paul Denham (Curly), Colleen Holman (Aunt Eller), Mel Velt (Jud Fry) and Rob Holman (Will Parker).

A large crowd filled Wesley hall when Echuca Judo Club held its championships.

Under the guidance of Carl Broeker members the gave a demonstration to an interested audience on the various tackles and holds in judo.

Carl also explained to the crowd how judo fights were judged.

The championships were next. Among the winners were Andrew McGann, who won the under 13 lightweight championship, and the girls' under 13 championship was won by Jackie Connellan.

The women's open championship was won by Sue Kirchhofer and the men's open championship was won by Pat Murray.

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25 years ago July 2001

Legal action beings today against some 200 Gannawarra Shire farmers for non-payment of outstanding rates.

Gannawarra Shire Council issued a final notice for the overdue rate payments on Tuesday with the due date down for 11am Friday.

However, the Gannawarra Ratepayers Action Group has resolved not to pay the increased rates after last year’s property revaluations and introduction of uniform rating system across the municipality.

The year-long dispute between the farmers and the Gannawarra Shire is now set to be sorted in the Victorian court system.

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The magnetism of the Murray River has bought river dwellers Terennce and Rhonda Hawkins back to Echuca in time for the Centenary of Federation Source to the Sea celebrations in August.

Leitchville-born Terennce and his wife Rhonda, who arrived in Torrumbarry about six weeks ago from South Australia, are on their third trip along the full length of the Murray River.

The Samuel Clements is the first boat to make way to Echuca to take part in the Source to the Sea Federation celebrations.

Low river levels may still cause trouble for the bigger vessels, which are on their way to Echuca for the August event.

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A camping ground off Pianta Rd has become rubbish tip and nearby resident Neville Dunque is disgusted.

Campers themselves thought to be responsible although the nature of some of the rubbish would suggest others are using the site as a cheap alternative to the tip.

Mr Dunque said the problem had worsened since council removed a bin from the area after the June long weekend.

‘’I go to the forest regularly, picking up cans and bottles which are left lying around by campers and other people using the area,’’ he said.

‘’A large council bin, a skip, is left at the entrance to the forest on long weekends for people to place their rubbish in when leaving the campsite.’’

Bins and rubbish collection falls under the control of Campaspe Shire Council, however, the cost means bins cannot be provided all year round at every camp site.

10 years ago July 2016

Murray is all but certain to return to the Nationals after 20 years in the Coalition wilderness.

In what was one of the Liberals’ safest seats in Australia until Sharman Stone announced she was stepping down, Damian Drum is on target to wrest back the jewel in the Victorian crown for the Nationals.

By yesterday afternoon, with more than 80 per cent of the vote counted, Mr Drum (55.9 per cent) led the Liberals’ Duncan McGauchie (44.1 per cent) after the distribution of preferences.

Although it would take an unprecedented late swing against him, Mr Drum has stopped short of claiming victory.

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Andrew Walker broke more than one record when he ran out onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground for his 200th senior match for Carlton on Saturday night.

Not only was he the first indigenous footballer to play 200 for the Blues, he also set a record for the number of free tickets for family and friends to watch his big match.

A fiercely proud family man, he couldn’t miss the opportunity to have his parents, siblings and grandparents there.

But sadly, for such a significant milestone, it went by almost unnoticed. Perhaps because, in the day of the sporting celebrity, Walker keeps a low profile.

Perhaps it was because the erratic Blues lost to the equally inconsistent Collingwood by 12 points in an incredibly low-scoring affair.

No matter what the reason, the magnitude of his achievement remains incredible.

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Campaspe Shire has ignored passionate pleas from Echuca east residents to further investigate their drainage concerns.

Three speakers fronted council at its meeting last week to argue the shire had a further role to play — and at least carry out more investigation — to address flooding concerns along Simmie and Benson roads.

Council employed an external consultant to complete an investigation, estimating the costs of works would be about $295,000.

And while it did acknowledge there was some water laying on some properties after heavy rainfall events, it did not meet council’s criteria to receive funding.

But local resident Anthony Barnes said that was not acceptable and council’s work as far from done.