50 years ago, November 1975
The whole Australian community owed its gratitude to the people of Echuca, a world authority on viruses said on Wednesday.
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Dr Ralph Doherty, director of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, was commenting on the research into viruses being undertaken at Echuca.
Headed by Dr Robert Fraser, of Melbourne University, the research team will move into the third stage of the survey next week.
The viral study is the first of its kind to be undertaken in Australia.
"What is found in Echuca will benefit the whole country," Dr Doherty said.
The first stage of research began in December 1974, when 900 Echuca people gave blood samples as part of a survey on virus infections.
In July this year, residents gave blood for the second time and will be asked to do the same again next week.
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Well-known football identity Bob Alison will coach Echuca Football Club's senior 18 in 1976.
Allison's appointment was announced at the annual meeting of the club on Friday night.
He takes control of the senior side from Mike Demaine, who originally applied for the position but withdrew his application for personal reasons.
Allison, 38, will be a non-playing coach.
He is well known at Echuca Football Club as he coached the reserve side to a premiership in the season just completed.
Supporters of the Goulburn Valley League know Bob Allison well, as he coached Stanhope for two years from 1958 and Tongala in 1973.
Allison also coached a team in the Maryborough District League and on three occasions led them successfully to premierships.
25 years ago, November 2000
St Joseph's College student Luke Raffin has topped the list of VCE results obtained in Echuca and district.
The 18-year-old from Cohuna achieved a remarkable ENTER score of 99.35.
He is one of eight Victorian VCE students to be awarded a University of Melbourne Rural Scholarship.
Luke is one of several district students to achieve VCE ENTER scores in the high 90s.
St Joseph's Sarah Jones, from Moama, achieved a score of 99.15.
Echuca High School dux Cameron Taverna obtained an ENTER score of 97.95. while another high school student, Anthony Froon from Bunnaloo, achieved 97.4.
Paul Lockyer is Echuca Secondary College’s dux with a score of 86.9.
Cohuna Secondary College dux Peter Farrant achieved 97.35. Rochester Secondary College dux for 2000 is Elissa Tobin, who scored a remarkable 99.25.
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Moama Bowling Club chief executive Phillip Johnson and life member Max Beaupeurt have been bestowed the 2000 Australian Sports Medal.
Both men have been instrumental in a number of major bowling events at the club.
These include the 1993 Trans Tasman Series, the National Sides Championship, the Australian Police Games and the Five A Side Super League competition since its inauguration.
The Five A Side was started in 1994 and attracts the top five players from each state and territory for the elite competition.
Mr Johnson and Mr Beaupeurt were also involved in sponsorship of the Victorian development squad for many years.
“This award is just reward for the hard work of the club and all those involved in these events,’’ Mr Johnson said.
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Hundreds turned out for the opening the new Tongala Community Bank on Monday.
School children joined with older members of the community to celebrate the event.
A plaque dedicating the opening of the site was unveiled by Bendigo Bank's Community Banking chief manager Russell Jenkins and long-time Tongala resident Bruce Lambert.
The ribbon officially opening the branch was cut by Tongala and District Community Bank Branch board chairman Richard Herbert and director Ian Johnstone.
Mr Herbert was excited that 18 months’ work in getting the bank had finally paid off.
10 years ago, November 2015
Matt Wickham has no problem grappling with his new standing as a gold medallist; grappling comes with the territory.
Wickham took out the gold medal in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Melbourne Open competition recently, beating his New Zealand opponent on a points decision to open up the possibility of a visit to America next year for the world championships.
‘‘A result like that gives me a fair bit of confidence and validation,’’ Wickham said.
‘‘It’s hard to get that regular training and coaching, I mainly coach myself, or I head down to Melbourne, so it feels good to win.’’
Wickham was also recently named the Instructor of the Year by the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Martial Arts Victorian Organisation, with his Echuca martial arts studio now training some 200 students every week.
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The district’s rural drug withdrawal service, Echuca police and Committee Against Drugs have welcomed a $300 million investment into tackling the ice epidemic.
The Federal Government will adopt 38 recommendations from the National Ice Taskforce report, aimed at improving prevention and treatment methods.
Most funding is expected to go to primary health networks.
Rochester and Elmore District Health Service chief executive Anne McEvoy was hopeful some of this funding would allow the drug withdrawal nurse position to continue beyond June next year.
‘‘Our statistics are showing that we have a minimum of two to three referrals and up to seven a week,’’ she said.
‘‘The demand is there and the service allows clients to withdraw at home or in hospital.’’
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Tongala Primary School council says its students will lose their library and arts space if the Victorian Government does not fund a new portable classroom.
It is a victim of its own success, with student numbers soaring in 2016.
The government recently refused a request to provide a Mod 5 portable classroom to cater for the school’s increasing student enrolments.
School council member and parent Louise Brennan said the need for another classroom was urgent, with the school set to start next year with 150 students — up from 125 this year.
‘‘The school desperately requires an additional portable to accommodate more students and ensure there is adequate space and facilities for everyone,’’ she said.