Reflections from the past

Cr Chris Wood said the Rochester Jockey Club did not want a large sum of money spent on the course, they wanted a fair go.

The Jockey Club had decided not to race at Echuca, or on any other course when their own course was delicensed, and he believed the whole of Rochester was behind the decision not to race anywhere else.

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Rochester’s new postmaster, Mr Kenneth Langdon, will take charge of the Rochester Post Office.

Mr Langdon, who comes from Sea Lake, replaces Mr John Mulqueen, who was promoted to Ararat.

Mr Kevin Fitzpatrick, who has been relieving postmaster since Mr Mulqueen’s departure, leaves on promotion for Numurkah after serving at Rochester for almost six years.

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Bamawm Extension player Ray Moore was disqualified for four weeks when he appeared before the Echuca Football League independent tribunal at Bendigo.

Moore was reported for striking P. Thomas at Echuca East on the right side of the face during the second quarter of the match.

A league spokesperson said that the tribunal was determined to stamp out rough play.

It was hoped that penalties might act as a warning to any players who might want to indulge in rough play.

25 years ago

The Olympic torch relay will include four cycling legs between Echuca and Rochester in honour of cycling legend Si Hubert Opperman, Campaspe Shire tourism manager Frank Ryan revealed.

Mr Ryan, accompanied by AMP representative Alan Green, was speaking at Lockington Consolidated School, while giving students a preview of the specially made cauldron that will house the Olympic flame during its overnight stop in Echuca on July 25.

The cauldron tour paid surprise visits to several communities, including Rochester.

The Lockington students were treated to a hands-on experience when the cauldron was set up in the school yard.

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Cups were raised across the state on Thursday to aid cancer research. Groups in Rochester met at the shire chambers and at the Shamrock Hotel for the Cuppa for Cancer morning, raising close to $600.

Guests at the Shamrock also enjoyed a display by Elmore community nurse Anne McEvoy, who showed video of the children’s farm safety day held at Campaspe Run in Elmore last year, as well as some slides of follow-up activities conducted by Anne and fellow community nurse Tracey Roney.

Hosts of the morning teas congratulated the efforts of those who attended or who donated elsewhere.

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Fairyland was the theme of the Lockington Bamawm Netball Football Club debutante ball.

Fairy dust strewn into a wishing well by eight little fairies was magically transformed into eight debutantes who were escorted from the Lockington hall stage by their partners.

Wishing well attendant Carl O’Brien turned the handle of the well to reveal debutantes Emma Offord, Jackie Simms, Kate Johnson, Kellie Sims, Cara Jenkins, Hannah Wood, Katrina Millard and Charmaine Galea.

Partners were Phillip Gritty, Warwick Holt, Simon Portwine, James Hann, Matthew Walker, David Keele, Nick Jackson and Clint Kirchhofer.

10 years ago

Campaspe dairy farmers could bear the brunt of higher container costs expected to come with the privatisation of Port of Melbourne.

Powdered milk is the biggest bulk export commodity going out of the port, which means farmers who supply milk to Murray Goulburn, Tatura and Fonterra are facing almost certain cost hits at the farm gate.

Port of Melbourne privatisation will lead to higher rent costs, which will be passed on as higher container costs for milk powder.

Early estimates predict prices will rise $80 for every 20-foot container moving through the port, costing $1200 more a year for many farmers.

Rochester dairy farmer Tom Acocks hopes it will not come to that.

‘‘I would be disappointed if the full cost of rent fee hikes were passed on to the farmer,’’ he said.

‘‘Of course, it will have some impact, but I think it is up to the processing plant to cop a bit of the force and curtail the effect on farmers, otherwise many could suffer.’’

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More than 80 veteran cyclists from around the state gathered in Rochester for the 2015 Oppy Grand Prix on the weekend.

Men and women aged 35 to 80 took part in the 75km course.

Central Victorian Veterans’ Cycling Club president Rick Mitchell said the ride was equivalent to the AFL grand final.

‘‘We are at the higher end of cycling, it’s the veterans’ league with big prize money and a challenging course,’’ he said.

‘‘It is a very prestigious race.

‘‘We had world and national champions competing.

‘‘It was a great way to honour Oppy.’’

Darren Roberts from Northern Vets took out the top prize with a time of two hours and 32 minutes.

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The proposed Campaspe motorsports track, which progressed to the second phase of the Rochester recreation grants program, will boost the economy and keep children healthy, according to Bendigo Motorcycle Club spokesman David Kellett.

The Rochester resident wants the community to know any funding received from the Campaspe Shire as part of the grants program will go straight back into Rochester and not to Bendigo, despite the name of the club.

‘‘We are simply under the auspices of Bendigo Motorcycle Club to utilise its contacts, economic power and accredited coaches,’’ Mr Kellett said.

‘‘There are 140 active members from Rochester and, in the future, we may even form our own club, but for now it is simply a matter of having a peak body to be accountable to.

‘‘All money received will go straight to the site and used on Rochester facilities for Rochester locals.’’

The Campaspe motorsports and recreational complex will go next to Rochester go-kart track and covers 33ha.