Reflections of the past

Sister Bowen trained at Echuca under Matron Baker in 1938, and did her midwifery at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, in 1941.

After nursing in hospitals at Rochester, Swan Hill, Wedderburn and Tatura, Vera returned to her training school in Echuca and has been on the staff ever since.

For the last nine years Sister Bowen has been charge sister of the Memorial Wing which cares for the elderly folk.

Achieves ‘fire chief’ status

Echuca life assurance representative, Mr Eric Mann, has achieved “Fire Chief’s” status with his company, the AMP Society.

He had the status conferred on him at the Society’s annual conference in Melbourne recently.

Mr Mann attained the certificate award because his agency had produced an annual premium income in excess of $10,000 in the fire and general department of the society.

Time to pause

Australia Day gave Australians time to pause and wonder about their achievements in past years, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Ian Sinclair, said at Rochester on Monday night.

“The pioneers of yesterday are reminded today - their will, their dedication, and their hopes. They struggled against adversity, they achieved great tasks and set our generation and future generations, also great tasks,” he said.

Of all the pioneers that had been neglected in Australia’s history, Mr Sinclair believed it was worthwhile drawing attention to one group of pioneers - the women - who were often overlooked when the story of Australia was told.

Mr Sinclair was speaking at an Australia Day Dinner at which Mr Jack Hart, a Rochester businessman, was presented with a local Citizen of the Year award.

Johnson country week captain

Echuca selectors have named their team for the Melbourne Country Week matches which begin on February 11.

They were chosen after the Echuca Deniliquin clash at the Victoria Park Oval on Monday.

The team, which play in A Grade matches on district grounds at Footscray, Carlton, Northcote and Albert Ground is as follows:

Alan Johnson (capt.), Mike Blundell (v.c.) Geoff Pitts, Neil McCann, Les Garraway, Graham Arthur, Julian Vise, Drew McMurdo, Lloyd Rosenow, Jim Coull, Ray Murphy, Russell Shawcross.

Echuca A and B Grade teams will be playing in Murray Goulburn Matches on Sunday. The ‘A’ side will play Kyabram at Echuca and the “B’ side will meet Kyabram at Kyabram.

February 1999, 25 Years ago.

Jet ski use in doubt

Jet skis could be banned on sections of the Murray River.

Murray Shire councillors are at odds over the use of the small water craft after receiving complaints about the behaviour of some jet ski users on the river in the past few months.

Councillors on Tuesday debated a total ban or possible limited use of them on sections of the river.

Mental attitude

Victorian schools have been urged to put student mental health high on the curriculum this year.

Vic Health chief executive officer Dr Rob Moodie said a survey of 100 schools showed students, parents and teachers were becoming increasingly concerned about mental health issues, such as bullying, competition, stress and grief, in addition to educational pressures.

The survey found 60 per cent of participating schools identified student mental health as an area requiring more professional development.

Money available

Federal grants are available to promote best practice in partnerships between business and community organisations.

Successful projects could involve corporate-community partnerships such as loan schemes, mentoring and education projects.

Applications close March 15. Contact federal member Sharman Stone on1800 633 421 for details.

Freestone, rising star

Since the age of 16, Echuca’s Dean Freestone, 20, has been playing basketball at Echuca’s elite level.

The power forward for the Echuca Nestle Pirates is about to start his fifth season with the team. He is as fit as ever and is enjoying every second of court time he can rustle up.

However, basketball isn’t just about Dean’s own court time. He spends much of his free time on the sidelines helping juniors with their games.

February 2014, 10 Years ago.

Council survey under way

Phones are ringing around Campaspe Shire to find out what residents think about how the council is doing its job.

Four hundred randomly selected residents and ratepayers will be able to have their say in the 2014 community satisfaction survey.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller encouraged people who were called to share their opinion on Campaspe Shire’s performance.

Exhibition will put amateurs in picture

Amateur Mathoura photographer Zowie Crump will work on the unique street art exhibition Faces of the South West.

Co-ordinated by South West Arts, the exhibition will involve nine amateur photographers from across the south-west region being mentored by professional photographers to create ‘‘larger than life’’ images of those who are the face of our community. Faces of the South West aims to tell the story of individuals in our community who aren’t necessarily noticed.

Bowlers step up to plate

District bowlers are preparing for a big week of competition with Campaspe Valley Bowls Division pennant sandwiching next week’s Australian Open.

Fourteen bowlers are guaranteed some action at the national tournament, which starts in Melbourne on Sunday, while Steve Glasson was attempting to qualify for the men’s pairs yesterday.

City of Echuca’s Veronica Kelly and Moama’s Sandra Connolly are the only players competing in the singles, which kicks off on Sunday afternoon.

Extremes hit grape harvest

The region’s vineyards are in full swing with harvest ahead of what winemakers believe will be a lacklustre year.

Early frosts and late heatwaves have taken their toll on grapes, particularly white varieties, which are starting to be harvested.

David Johnson, who owns The Carriages at Kotta, said he left half of his white grapes on the ground after weeks of scorching heat.

‘‘We hand pick our grapes and we are only interested in quality fruit.

‘‘About 50 per cent of our grapes were wiped out.‘’