Range ready: Inspecting the duelling targets at Echuca Pistol Club’s range. From left, Elaine Leetham, from Deniliquin, Helen Ryan, from Melbourne, and Ann Skerry, Echuca. Elaine and Anne are the only active women members of Echuca Pistol Club. Helen is a member of the Melbourne Pistol Club and is a reserve member of the Victorian Women’s Match Team.
50 years ago
March 1974
Proposals to establish a Mid-Murray Region for the purpose of obtaining Commonwealth grants have been abandoned for the time being.
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This follows advice that only four of the original 15 municipalities who showed an interest in being involved in a Mid-Murray Region, based on Echuca, are still interested.
Those still in favour of the proposals are the City of Echuca and the Shires of Deakin, Cohuna and Rochester. Rochester Shire first suggested the idea to base a region on Echuca, made up of municipalities with a common interest.
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Victorian Railways have offered Echuca City Council a 20-year lease on the locomotive shed in Sturt St on condition that the shed be removed from the site when the lease expires.
Council has referred the railways’ official proposition to its finance staff and general purpose committee, which is expected to recommend a decision on the shed at the next meeting of council on March 25.
Secretary for the railways, Mr N H Rashleigh, told council this week that his department was prepared to ‘’donate such shed’’ to council and seek the consent of the Governor of Council to grant it a lease of the site at a charge of $104 a year for 20 years.
It is understood the Echuca Regional Development Society is keen on seeing the shed used for the collection of old steam engines and other vehicles owned by Mr Tod Watson of Old Barmah Rd, Moama.
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A total of 115 shooters from many parts of Australia competed in events held at the Victorian Pistol Championships held at the Echuca range during last weekend.
The entries were less than for the championships held last year at Echuca and officials claim that scare publicity concerning Murray Valley encephalitis was the main cause for the drop.
Top performer in the championships was Norm Harrison, of Narrandera, who had an aggregate score of 2603 points.
On target: Two of the top shooters at the Victorian Pistol Championships held at Echuca during the weekend were Norm Harrison and his wife, nee Judy Trim, of Narrandera. They were not eligible to win Victorian titles but Norm won the interstate aggregate trophy and Judy was top scorer in the ladies match event.
Norm and other interstate shooters were not eligible for the Victorian titles and the Sir Rupert Clarke perpetual trophy for the championship aggregate trophy went to R Glew, of Melbourne, who scored 2558 points.
25 years ago
March 1999
Objections to the sale of the old Echuca Central (208) Primary School playground site in High St have been dismissed.
Campaspe Shire Council has approved its use for a proposed cinema and performing arts centre.
Council resolved to sell 1200 square metres of land to Souther Star Enterprises Pty Ltd for $210,000, or $175 per square metre, at its meeting on Thursday night.
Council met last Tuesday with residents who had lodged objections to the sale and the matter was included as a late item for the council meeting.
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Echuca-Moama needs to improve its infrastructure if it wants to continue hosting major events, according to Echuca resident Chris Biggins.
The problem caused by a large influx of visitors has been experienced first-hand by Mr Biggins as his O’Dwyer Rd property, about 10km west of Echuca, is close to Wills Bend, a popular camping spot over Christmas holidays and the Southern 80 weekend.
Although quick to say he is not against the events, Mr Biggins wants to see adequate resources put into the areas forced to carry the strain.
“I’m well in favour of the Southern 80. I hope all the pubs make a killing,’’ he said.
“The infrastructure needed to cope with these numbers must be put in place and residential ratepayers should not be forced to feel they are under siege when tourists are enjoying the area.’’
Selection: Echuca-Moama Polocrosse player Bill Rolfe with his brother’s horse Cigar. Cigar kindly stepped in for a photo while Bill’s horse Kevin was at the vet.
•••
Echuca-Moama Polocrosse player Bill Rolfe has been selected to attend a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
The selection came after 16-year-old Bill played for Victoria against a touring Irish team recently.
Only three players from each state were selected for the camp.
Bill said the AIS camp was ‘’for the most promising players“ in each state and he felt ”good, really excited’’ about being selected for the camp to be held in April.
Bill and his horse Kevin play polocrosse for Deniliquin-Moulamein in the New South Wales competition and for Ballarat in the Victorian league.
10 years ago
March 2014
Steve Huntley has taken the next step to bring his anti-violence message to the community.
Mr Huntley, who designed a logo and slogan hoping to stop one-punch attacks, now has the support of Echuca businessman Dean Oberin.
Mr Oberin, who owns the American Hotel, has agreed to get on board with Mr Huntley’s campaign.
He will display the logo and slogan — Stop — at the entrances to the American, encouraging people to enjoy their night out and avoid fighting.
Icon: Kevin Hutchinson celebrated 40 years at Port of Echuca in 2014.
Photo by
Holly Curtis
•••
As far as offices go, Port of Echuca stalwart Kevin Hutchinson believes he has the best view in town.
Mr Hutchinson spends his days running a steam engine display behind the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre.
Each day he can watch tourists stroll by on recently-built walkways, linking the discovery centre to the Port of Echuca wharf.
Forty years ago this month, Mr Hutchinson took a leap of faith, following his love of historic paddlesteamers to Echuca from Mildura.
•••
Echuca West School Rd is a danger zone and needs to be fixed, according to concerned residents.
Trevor Hall, Jason Harvey, Norm Visca and Keith and Toni Whaley are just some of West School Rd residents who have to deal with bone-rattling corrugation, deep holes, rock sprays, dust and vehicle damage every day.
‘‘This has got to be the worst road in the town,’’ Mr Hall said.
‘‘It’s dangerous. The corrugation is 100mm deep.
‘‘I’m worried a school bus could have an accident.’’
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