50 years ago August 1976
Roberts, Lloyd and Snow ... that's the outcome of Saturday's poll to fill three vacancies on Echuca City Council.
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In a vote count that stretched well into the night, Mrs Mary Roberts romped home first followed by Mr Evan Lloyd and then retiring councillor, Cr Robert Snow.
Saturday's result ended the 15-year career in local government of the second retiring councillor seeking re-election, Mr A. E. Rosendale.
Mrs Roberts is Echuca's first woman councillor.
Mrs Roberts said she was both pleased with the outcome of Saturday's events and that her name was out early in the vote count.
Asked if she was excited over her success, Mrs Roberts said that so far she had accepted everything on a ‘’low key’’.
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Preliminary plans outlining proposed redevelopment of Echuca's Paramount Theatre as an arts activity centre are on public display.
Five drawings prepared by architects, Gunn Hayball Pty Ltd, of Melbourne, can be seen at the Theatre in Hare St.
The drawings show in detail developments envisaged to give Echuca one of the first centres of this type in Victoria.
Many Echuca people have inspected the plans on public display.
People interested in the proposals to redevelop the theatre as an arts activity centre would be well advised to check the plans.
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Echuca East ruckman, Rick Armstrong, last night won the Echuca Football League's best-and-fairest award.
Armstrong won the P. M. Evans Memorial Award with a total of 26 votes, only one vote ahead of his nearest opponent, Jim Hartshorn, of Bunnaloo.
League president, Mr Jack Cahir, presented Armstrong with the award at last night's vote counting and presentation night.
With all the one and two votes counted, Armstrong had only five votes — a proven point in his favour — while several other players were nearly double his score.
Armstrong polled slowly with the counting of the three votes, but finished strongly to end with seven three votes, two more than his closest opponent.
25 years ago August 2001
Proposed rezoning in Echuca East threatens to slash the value of about 30 homes.
The land, in Goulburn Rd, backing onto Banyule Forest near the Murray River, will change from flood fringe overlay zoning to urban flood zone if amended, as proposed, under changes to the Campaspe Shire Planning Scheme.
The residents affected have no idea why the change is being proposed and have banded together to fight for the zoning to remain as it has been.
If the zoning is altered residents fear their property values will fall, with banks unlikely to lend money for alterations and extensions, nor for anyone wanting to buy an existing home.
Properties which previously complied with building regulations of a one-in-100-year flood, will no longer do so.
Insurance policies could also be affected as a result of the proposed changes.
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Culture, creativity and design have merged to produce a mural celebrating Aboriginal heritage at Echuca High School.
Graphic and design students Brody Atkinson, Meghan Kiely, Luke Egan and Noelly Atkinson with the assistance of Neva (Binki) Atkinson have recently completed the mural.
The painting was part of a Department of Education, Employment. Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) program.
Koori educator Linda Wordie said the project was aimed at getting parents involved with the students.
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Echuca's Phil O'Connell loves running.
Tomorrow he will compete in his 10th Adelaide Marathon earning himself a prestigious South Australian Warrior title.
O'Connell first competed in the 42.2km Adelaide Marathon in the early 1990s.
He has only missed one due to injury.
He keeps going back to Adelaide to compete because he found the conditions there suit him.
‘’It's not too hot, and it's just so scenic,’’ O’Connell said.
As if competing in Adelaide isn't enough, O'Connell will also be competing in his 10th Melbourne Marathon in about six weeks.
10 years ago August 2016
Banksia Securities investors still reeling after the non-bank lender’s spectacular $660 million collapse in 2012 have clawed back another two cents in the dollar in the chase to recoup losses.
It follows a Victorian Supreme Court decision last week by his Honour Justice Ross Robson in regard to action taken by the receivers/liquidators and the Bolitho class action against Banksia directors and solicitors and auditing firm RSD.
This decision should enable a further return to investors of about two cents in the dollar in the next few months.
However, Kyabram Banksia Debenture Holders Action Group co-founders Doug Crow and Don McKenzie said they were “extremely disappointed” with the result.
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Our abused women could soon access a family violence service in Echuca.
With Campaspe Shire having one of the highest rates of family violence in the state, two women are campaigning to create a hub for victims of domestic violence in Echuca and Kyabram.
Crossenvale Community House coordinator Natalie Walker and Kyabram Community Learning Centre manager Jennifer Savage have launched Echuca-Kyabram Family Violence Action Group, which they hope will become a credible domestic violence stakeholder for the towns.
Ms Walker, who moved to Echuca in April, said she was compelled to start the group.
During a Neighbourhood House cluster meeting, Ms Walker met Ms Savage, who also wanted to do something about the area’s family violence crisis.
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The United States and Ireland are some of the places competitive shooter Steve Atkins has visited lately.
The 54-year-old shooter has been collecting trophies at international competitions.
A Tongala local, Atkins visited Banagher, Ireland in July to compete as part of the Australian Open Down The Line Team. He finished the competition in 12th position out of 450 shooters.
Also in July, Atkins competed at Brittany Shooting Park, Bunker Hill, Illinois, United States in the Central Zone Shoot. He won the zone handicap with a score of 124/125 and won the All Around Championship with a score of 396/400.