50 years ago, February 1976
There's a need for improved flood mitigation works in northern Victoria, but they shouldn't be carried out piecemeal.
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That's what Mr Eddie Hann, MLA for Rodney, has been told in a reply to a letter he sent to the premier, Mr Hamer, about flood protection in the Murray-Goulburn River catchment areas.
He had asked whether more permanent levee banks could be built in the area.
The answer came from the acting premier, Mr Thompson, who said that the Parliamentary Public Works Committee had recently completed its report into flooding in northern Victoria.
The government had considered the report and generally agreed with the committee's finding that better flood mitigation works were needed, but they should not be carried out in isolation or on a piecemeal basis.
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There may be action soon on the development of Echuca's Paramount Theatre site in Hare St.
This follows an approach to the premier, Mr Hamer, by the Liberal candidate for the Legislative Assembly seat of Rodney, Mr Graham Arthur.
Mr Arthur made the approach after strong criticism of the Paramount Theatre by a member of the group that accompanied John Paul Young for his concert at the theatre earlier this month.
Mr Arthur said yesterday: “As an Echucaite, I love hearing praise of our city but when I hear criticism, like us all I become disturbed to the point of asking what can be done to correct the situation.”
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Twelve young Echuca swimmers have been selected in a district team that has a chance of reaching state finals in Melbourne during March.
The swimmers, all members of Echuca Amateur Swimming Club, will swim with the Central Victorian District Amateur Swimming Association district No. 15 team.
They will compete in the inter-district eliminations against the Goulburn Valley District team in Kyabram on Saturday, February 28.
If the team the Echuca swimmers compete with is successful, then they will go on to swim in the inter district finals in Melbourne in March.
25 years ago, February 2001
Organisers have hailed this year’s Our Club's Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival a success.
Thousands of locals and visitors alike spent the weekend sipping fine wines and eating the best food the region had to offer, while relaxing to the sounds of jazz bands.
The weekend kicked off with a record 800 children attending the Teddy Bears Picnic in Moama.
The Riverboat Shuffle saw many people cruise on the paddlesteamers to the newest winery on the Murray, Morrisons Riverview Estate, where they wined and dined the evening away.
The hit of the night was definitely the performance of world famous Australian jazz maestro Don Burrows and his quartet at the Jazz Concert in the Park.
According to Echuca-Moama Tourism tourism manager Maureen Bennett, Mr Burrows praised the Aquatic Reserve as one of the best natural amphitheatre venues he had seen.
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Echuca Neighbourhood House is raring to go — but first wants to hear from the community.
The new co-ordinator of the house, Carol Binnie, wants people to let her know what activities, events and classes they would like the house to provide.
‘’We can put on everything from playgroups to social gatherings for older, retired people,’’ Carol said.
‘’In the future, we will have computers for teenagers to use for their homework.’’
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Unprecedented tonnages of rice will be harvested by Victorian rice growers this season.
With harvest just weeks away, northern Victorian rice growers are preparing for their biggest crop in the state's 10-year history of rice growing.
Industry analysts say the harvest will topple past seasons’ record tonnages, with yields also eclipsing previous years.
Echuca Village rice farmer Martin Van der Sluys said he was on track to produce a good harvest.
He said the ideal climatic conditions for most of the season had ensured an early rice harvest in Victoria, to begin in late February and take about 10 weeks.
10 years ago, February 2016
Local food and wine producers are eagerly preparing for the first Sun Country Food and Wine Festival, launched yesterday by Moira Shire Mayor Gary Cleveland and Murray Regional Tourism Board chairman Wendy Greiner.
Barmah National Park will host one of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s signature events, with an Aboriginal-themed dinner among the world’s largest stands of river red gums set to blow visitors away.
Scheduled to run from March 4 to 14, the festival will showcase a range of local producers and attractions and give visitors the opportunity to explore the diverse food, wine and tourism opportunities across Moira Shire.
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He’s been batting for Moama’s under 16s, Moama’s A grade and Goulburn Murray in both regional age and Junior Country Week championships.
And named captain for half that lot, too.
And now he’s moving even further along in the cricketing world.
Todd Murphy has probably seen as many shirt changes in a season as a Sheffield Shield regular who’s also on the Matador Cup and Big Bash Twenty20 payroll.
And he still maintains that he’s not confused as to who he’s playing for on any given day.
So long as he bats and bowls, he’s doing his job.
But this weekend he’ll miss Moama’s under 16 GMC final — between Moama (Black) and Moama (White), at Moama — by pulling on the blue hue of the Big V at the national under 15 championships in Brisbane.
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Campaspe Shire is on a mission to make Echuca’s Aquatic Reserve one of the most popular places in the region.
Which is why on Tuesday council endorsed the reserve’s infrastructure and services plan outlining an array of infrastructure and environmental improvements to enhance visitor experience and optimise the site’s potential.
Mayor Leigh Wilson said the plan was the result of a comprehensive review and feedback received by key stakeholders from an extensive community consultation process.
‘‘The draft plan identified a number of issues for the site, including low water quality, high maintenance requirements and inadequate access for people of different abilities,’’ he said.