50 years ago December 1975
The first patients arrived at the newly completed Percival Hicks Day Hospital last week.
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Hospital manager Mr Macaulay said this was the result of special funding arrangements under Federal hospital grants legislation, whereby 100 per cent of the cost was met by Government funds.
He said the hospital was fortunate to receive these funds without any local contribution having to be made.
Five patients a day were being treated now, and he expected this to increase to 30 people a day in the new year.
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Fears that some housing developments are getting out of control were expressed at the latest meeting of Echuca City Council.
Cr L. E. Hart told the council of his concern over the rash of developments within Echuca. He said he was worried about the number of flats, home units and town houses that had been built and were being built in Echuca.
‘’Development in this area is nearly out of control,’’ he said.
Cr Hart said that in a land of so much, he was amazed to see so many buildings jammed into small areas.
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Electors for the Federal seat of Murray gave an overwhelming vote of confidence to the sitting National Party Member, Mr Bruce Lloyd, in Saturday's general election.
As the count stood last night, Mr Lloyd polled about 70 per cent of the vote to gain an absolute majority over his ALP and DLP opponents.
The figures were: Mr Lloyd 36,443, Mrs Margaret Gillies (ALP) 12,660 and Mr Pat Payne (DLP) 2978.
25 years ago December 2000
The former Echuca post office building is showing signs of neglect since it was vacated in July.
The 121-year-old post office this week had rubbish strewn through the old letter box area and over the steps, sauce spread on the walls and a clock that doesn't work. Until yesterday morning, there was also a broken window.
Despite vacating the building, Australia Post is still responsible for it, but little maintenance seems to have been done in recent times.
Following inquiries by The Riverine Herald, Australia Post yesterday said it would endeavour to take better care of the building.
"We are now putting in place some measures to ensure the property is maintained in good order,’’ Australia Post media and communications manager Linda Giddy said.
Ms Giddy said a caretaker would be appointed to ensure the property was cleaned and the damage repaired
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Echuca Central 208 Primary School's grades five and six cricket ram are the state champions of the Milo Super Eights Cricket Competition.
The team of nine was successful at statewide competition, held at Carey Grammar School in Melbourne.
The team defeated Sacred Hearts Primary School from Yarrawonga in a thrilling final, winning off the last ball by five runs.
Bating first, 208 primary set a very competitive total of 178. In reply, Sacred Hearts fell just short of the total, managing 173.
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Plans to establish a private 2.8km tourist steam tramway along Echuca's riverfront are back in the spotlight.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal sat in Echuca on Friday to hear a number of objections to changes to the original planning permit, lodged in December, 1996.
Objections were lodged by four residents of Watson St, Echuca (which runs alongside part of the proposed route) and the Echuca Historical Society.
Campaspe Shire first issued a planning permit for the tramway scheme in December 1996 at the direction of the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Victoria.
The original route for the tramway was through Crown Land starting at the Port of Echuca and ending at the Campaspe-Murray River junction, via Watson St and Victoria Park.
10 years ago December 2015
Fonterra — one of Echuca’s largest employers — has sold its yoghurt and dessert plants to Italian-based dairy rival Parmalat.
But managing director Judith Swales assured the Riverine Herald none of the 115 local jobs would be lost — or relocated — when the Denmark Rd factory was rebranded.
‘‘All employees have been offered positions of employment at the Echuca base,’’ she said.
The Tasmanian Tamar Valley factory was also included in the sale — expected to be formalised early next year.
United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) president Adam Jenkins said it would not affect farmers in the region for at least three years as a supply agreement had been signed before sale.
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Once upon a time Tongala’s Max Curnow would sit in Kanyapella Basin Wildlife Area and write poetry.
The 52-year-old would enjoy a leisurely drive in the forest, find a nice spot, set up his chair and let the words flow.
But those days are gone.
Because, according to Mr Curnow, the forest near Tongala has not been maintained in at least two years.
Scott and Warragul roads desperately need grading and the forest is overgrown — a deadly bushfire waiting to happen.
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Former Tongala footballer Tom Donnell will get the chance to impress at a high level in a different sport this weekend, with the talented cricketer to take on the touring West Indies in a two-day match in Geelong.
Donnell — who plays Premier Cricket for Dandenong — was selected as part of a Victorian Invitational XI to take on the Windies in their only match between their thrashing in the Hobart Test and the impending Boxing Day Test.
Due to most Victorian contracted players being tied to their Big Bash clubs, the Invitational XI is largely made up of established Premier Cricket stars and some promising junior talent coming through the ranks.