Reflections from the past

He came to Rochester from Pyalong Primary School in 1966. He was acting principal in 1970 and generated tremendous interest in education by convening a public meeting at the school attended by 150 parents.

When he was president of the Rochester branch of the Victorian Teachers Union he chaired a public meeting to protest the condition of school toilets.

As a parent he was an active member of the parents group, involved with Rochester West Football Club’s under-16s, Rochester Swimming Club and Rochester Cricket Club’s under-16s.

He was Rochester Football Club president and secretary of the Lions club.

• Neil Gledhill was elected Rochester Football Club management committee’s new president.

He replaced John Knight in the role at a meeting that was also attended by Goulburn Valley League secretary Keith Wellman and president Alan Sutherland, along with Rochester secretary Jack Green.

Mr Gledhill, a farmer from Nanneella, was secretary of the club before accepting the role.

• Rochester bank manager Kevin Moylan was sworn in as the 19th president of Rochester Rotary Club.

He replaced Don McDonald at the changeover dinner, with his brother Eddie having been installed as president of Seymour Rotary Club only a week earlier.

Thirty members of the 32-member club attended the changeover dinner, including 13 past-presidents.

Five new Rotarians were welcomed — Leigh Milgate, Bob Metcalfe, Barry Griffin, Geoffrey Monotti and Jerry Riordon.

Jacqui Anderson was announced as an exchange student candidate who would be spending a year in the United States.

Past-president Aubrey Brown and his wife Betty were presented with a special memento as a tribute for their years of service, with Mr Brown having announced his retirement from the club.

— Rochester Shire announced it would take no action on a petition signed by 42 residents regarding changes to the southern boundary of the hospital service road.

Cr Michael Adam said council could not ignore a letter with 42 signatures, suggesting the council’s reputation was sinking “lower and lower’’.

• Rochester Hospital sister Pam Fry received recognition for her service to St John’s Ambulance Brigade and the community of Rochester.

She had been involved since the inauguration of the club 11 years earlier and received the award of Serving Sister of the Most Venerable Order of St John Of Jerusalem.

Victorian Governor Sir Brian Murray made the presentation to Miss Fry and 27 other recipients at Government House.

Miss Fry is not only a sister at Rochester Hospital, she is also a member of Rochester business and professional women, along with the State Emergency Service in Rochester.

• Rochester was sitting second bottom on the Goulburn Valley League football ladder with four wins, only one victory behind Kyabram which it had just beaten by 39 points.

An eight-goal-to-one third term by the Tigers set up the win in which Peter Fuller kicked five goals and David Williams and Rob Aitken four apiece.

Ruckman Ron Haring and Wayne Williams were other good players for the Tigers.

In the same round, Tongala’s Barry Nexhip kicked seven goals as the Blues had 12 goal-kickers in a 34.16 (220) to 24.12 (156) win against Euroa.

• Rochester High School student Andrea Houlden was selected to compete in an international sports week in Brisbane.

The 12-year-old swimmer won the freestyle, backstroke and butterfly events in her age group, having broken four records and anchored two relay teams at the Rochester High School event.

• Rochester Shire councillor Charles Wood announced he was retiring from civic life after 18 years of service to the shire.

He had served as shire president twice and attended a reception for the Queen and Prince Phillip during their visit, along with former US president Lyndon Baines Johnson and King Hussein.

1992

Rochester’s six-hour sale was a resounding success as shops offered bargains of up to 80 per cent off retail pices.

Auctioneeer Ken Oliver likened the day to Christmas, while Chamber of Commerce president Peter Anderson said the work of Mick Baker, Liz Rickard, Steve and George Roberts and Yvonne Smolenaars had ensured the success of the event.

The shire hall event had trestle tables laden with cut-price goods.

• Rochester silo closure was announced and farmers informed they would need to look at alternatives like Elmore for deliveries of canola.

Allan Brann’s father, William (who died in 1967), was a labourer who helped build the concrete silos, which were opened in 1942 by officer in charge Peter Davey.

Mr Brann said workers from out of town helping to build the silo lived in a two-room hut in Ramsey St and would often gather to play cards at the house where he and his seven siblings lived.

2002

Long-time Rochester Football Club supporters lined the boundaries of Moon Oval for a past players event which celebrated the 10th anniversary of the club’s first premiership in the Goulburn Valley League.

An all-stars match which pitted brothers Wayne and David Williams as opposing coaches was the key feature of the weekend.

All-stars: Wayne “Crowbar’’ Williams was hoping to have Peter Fuller, Bruce SInclair, Russell Holman, Geoff Ringin, David Eefting, Rob Else, Glenn Robinson and Nigel Van Der Veer in his all-stars team against the 1992 premiership team, who still had stars like Simon McCarty, Tim Cottam and Anthony McPhee playing.

• Rochester Secondary College was farewelling vice-principal Graham Willis after he announced his retirement following 19 years at the school.

He had been awarded his 35-year long service award at Bendigo not long before that.

Mr Willis was educated at Albert Park Primary School, before attending Brighton Grammar School and Monash University.

He had a far-reaching portfolio of subjects, including history, politics, English, social studies, physical education, home economics, photography and music.