Reflections from the past

On Sunday, their two congregations will become a co-operating parish.

The first service for the co-operating parish will be in St Andrew’s in Hare St.

It follows a tradition of fragmentation of the Protestant churches since the 16th century.

Over the past two years the churches have been debating unity proposals, congregations have voted on the issue and church officials have been working out arrangements for a united church.

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Ballet teacher, Mrs R. Field, is a strict taskmaster — and her pupils reflect her demands for grace and precision.

Mrs Field is preparing more than 20 young girls in Rochester and Lockington for the Royal Academy of Dancing examinations in October.

Mrs Field has completed a course with the guest teacher at the Audrey Nicholl Ballet Academy in Melbourne, Martin Rubenstein.

She said ballet was a disciplined art and some children found it hard to accept.

‘’But those who persevere will find ample reward,’’ said Mrs Field, whose pupils are aged from seven to 13.

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Hospital services in Echuca are not yet involved with Medibank except with regard to the diagnostic services of x-ray, pathology and ECGs.

The hospital’s manager, Mr Eeon Macauley, said charges for x-ray, pathology and ECGs should be claimed through Medibank.

But charges would have to be claimed through a patient’s existing benefit organisations for in-patient bed charges, physiotherapy, dental and the difference between Medibank refunds and total charges for x-ray, pathology and ECGs if patients have additional insurance.

Stickers will be attached to all hospital accounts to identify which categories they come within.

25 years ago July 2000

Months of planning for the Goods and Services Tax by small businesses reached a crescendo on Friday night.

On Saturday morning, the start of a new financial year, the GST became a reality.

For many businesses, the close of trade on Friday night heralded the start of a frantic effort re-pricing items and ensuring computer systems and scanners were operating correctly.

Supermarkets were among the busiest. Grays Friendly Grocers in Haverfield St, Echuca, was one of no doubt a number of district businesses which experienced last-minute teething problems.

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A transformation is taking place inside Moama Bowling Club.

The old bistro has been demolished to make way for the club’s new $4.5 million food court.

Expected to be finished in September or October, the food court will have seating for 330 people.

The bistro’s seating capacity was 170.

***

It seems inevitable that the unleaded petrol price in Echuca-Moama and district will soon hit $1 a litre.

Yesterday the unleaded price in Echuca-Moama was 96.9c a litre.

But the world parity price jumped a cent a litre yesterday and this will eventually flow on at the bowser.

Tonkin Petroleum area marketing representative Ray Hamilton said the GST’s introduction of Saturday accounted for the unleaded price rising from 95.9c to its current mark.

He said the world crude price was continuing to rise and there was no let-up in sight.

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Finally Fame was the winner of the Echuca heat of the Silver Bowl series.

The horse and rider came home in good fashion with a comfortable win.

It was Matt Allen’s first ride on the mount and he was happy with the performance.

The horse has now qualified for a place in the final of the $40,000 Silver Bowl Final to be held at Moonee Valley and Allen is a chance to ride the horse in the final.

10 years ago July 2015

Echuca Regional Health asked for just $350,000 a year to implement an action plan and add two staff to fight the region’s worsening ice epidemic.

But the Victorian Government said no.

The funding requested was a ‘drop in the ocean’ when set against the Victorian Government’s $45.5 million budget for its Ice Action Plan.

Yet a government spokesman said Bendigo, Shepparton, Mooroopna — even Rochester and Elmore — were given a slice of the pie, but Echuca despite being significantly impacted by the ice scourge, was snubbed.

ERH had asked for two staff members to carry out counselling services for ice-affected patients, as well as funding to establish a community ice action program.

***

Essie Nisbet knows the course of the PS Canberra’s trip along the Murray River like the back of her hand.

And it’s no wonder, after all, she’s navigated it more than 20,000 times.

The former hostess — and longest-serving deckhand of the 102-year-old Canberra — is now also one of the Women of the River Country.

Essie came to Echuca in 1972 with her husband John and their three children.

Keen to return to work after many years as a ‘stay-at-home mum’ in 1976, she applied to become a hostess on the Canberra.

It was the start of a 30-year-career which saw her wear out 32 captains and clock up 20,360 trips.

She did it all in that time — yes, that means she also took the helm if the skipper needed a break.

***

Echuca-Moama’s Archie Reid tore the record books apart as he blitzed his age division in the 10km race during the Gold Coast Marathon at the weekend.

The 13-year-old cut a whopping 30 seconds from the 12-14 age record, finishing in a sizzling 33 minutes 51 seconds.

This latest win just adds to his extensive list of achievements.

The long-distance runner and Echuca Triathlon Club member completed the 10km event in just 33 minutes and 51 seconds and finished 44th overall in a field of more than 5000 entrants.

Echuca-Moama long-distance runner Brady Threlfall also completed Sunday’s half-marathon.

Threlfall finished eighth overall and was the fifth Australian to cross the line in a time of 1:06.48, just 20 seconds short of his personal best.