50 years ago, July 1975
The bell tower at St Mary’s Church, Echuca, which was removed on March 15 for safety, was re-erected near the sacristy of the church.
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It now faces Percy St and will be used regularly.
The bell tower was put up in 1893.
The bell itself was cast in Castlemaine in 1893 by J.V. Horwood and blessed in December of that year.
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Six Echuca district girls are entrants in the Rich River Festival Charity Queen quest.
The one who raises the most money will be crowned Miss Charity Queen at the Apex Club ball in September.
But that’s not the end of the judging — a festival queen will be chosen at the Hopwood ball, which starts the festival off in October.
The girls, who are already hard at work raising funds, believe the quest to be a valuable promotion for the festival.
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Echuca parking meters returned $1371.88 during June — about $200 less than for May.
The meters brought in $1933.40 for May and $1578.60 in April. The meters average about $350 a week.
Tickets were issued for 41 infringements in June, compared with 34 in May and 27 in April.
Payment was received for 24 of the 41 notices by July 10 and city officials decided not to take action on two of them.
The city will soon gain more parking revenue. A ticket machine is to be installed in the Nish St car park.
25 years ago, July 2000
Echuca Lions Club has helped with the cost of The Paddock’s new shed — and has challenged other service clubs to find the balance.
Lion Tom Chadwick raised the matter of a donation with his club, after reading about The Paddock in The Riv.
The Paddock provides a creative outlet for young people who aren’t doing well in school or who are unemployed.
Paddock co-ordinator Mick Mulvahill bought the $6000 kit before July 1 to avoid GST. He then had to find a way to pay for it.
So far, the project has been given $5000.
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Trucks will be out-of-bounds in Echuca-Moama for an hour on Tuesday afternoon to alleviate congestion for the Olympic torch relay.
Between 4.45pm and 5.45pm trucks intending to cross the Murray River bridge at Echuca-Moama will be stopped on both sides of the river.
In Victoria officers from VicRoads and the Echuca-Moama Traffic Management Unit will man truck blocks on the Murray Valley and Northern highways.
A similar truck stop will be manned on the Cobb Hwy by Road Traffic Authority personnel.
For those that don’t want to stop, it will be suggested that they cross the Murray River at Barmah.
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Campaspe Shire is to play a major role in Heinz-Wattie’s Australasia’s future, as the Trans-Tasman food processor completes a re-organisation.
However, Echuca and Girgarre’s gain is to be Dandenong’s loss.
HWA announced the completion of the process that involves the closure of its Dandenong plant in November and moving its regional corporate office to Melbourne.
The company is consolidating its operations around Echuca’s new $10 million baby food centre of excellence, along with existing manufacturing sites in Wagga Wagga and Hastings in New Zealand.
10 years ago, July 2015
Echuca’s Jayden Gulson has just been named in the senior Victorian Country hockey team — he is a star on the rise.
And why wouldn’t he be? His father, Mick, has just been named in the Victorian veterans (45+) side.
The Gulson duo are the perfect pairing for some serious father and son bonding because they both live for the game.
But right now Dad reckons he is one step ahead — his nationals will be played in Cairns in September but Jayden only gets to go as far as Wollongong next month for his title tilt.
And while the Gulsons agree on most things, the heated rivalry between these two gets icy once they step out on to a hockey field if they are playing on opposing teams.
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A contingent of University of the Third Age members descended on the Port of Echuca with a list of suggestions to rejuvenate the port precinct.
Following a brainstorming session at a meeting last month, the social group presented a list of ideas to the Riverine Herald to ‘‘inject life back into the historical port’’.
‘‘We are concerned we are losing what seems to be the biggest drawcard to our town,’’ U3A deputy president Nola Parrish said.
The team drew inspiration from other Murray River towns and past features.
The list included:
• A horse and coach tour to do a longer route along the river through the redgum arch followed by a fire with billy tea and damper and old-time yarns told by a ‘swaggy’ type person.
• Wanderers in costume to pace up and down the port area talking to tourists as historical characters.
• A regular race event with cardboard paddlesteamers similar to the Todd River race in Alice Springs.
• Use the gazebo at Hopwood Gardens for era-relevant band performances and mock soapbox speeches.
• Constant music (either live or recorded) through Murray Esplanade to set the mood.
• Jester character welcoming people to the port area.
RIV Herald