Reflections on the past

Another move has been made towards resolving the need for a town hall and auditorium in Echuca.

A three-man sub-committee was appointed by Echuca City Council on Monday night to fully investigate all aspects associated with the siting, planning and construction of a town hall for the city.

The committee comprises Crs Les Garraway, Frank Moore and Don Oberin, and was appointed on the resolution of Crs John Quinn and Lloyd Hart.

Speaking during the ordinary business section of the meeting, Cr Quinn said he raised the matter “with some trepidation”.

“We have, of late, been accused of wasting time in lengthy debate on matters regarded as unimportant in some quarters while matters of gravity attract little discussion,” he said.

“Whether matters are important or not is probably the concern of ratepayers with an axe to grind, disgruntled councillors or members of the press who want to get home early from council meetings.”

WOOLWORTHS TO AUCTION ECHUCA VARIETY STORE

Woolworths (Vic) Ltd will auction its Hare St, Echuca premises on Friday, March 23.

Victorian state manager for the company, Mr J. Levinge, announced this yesterday.

Mr Levinge said the sale of the premises by auction was part of a rationalisation of activities being undertaken by Woolworths.

“The small variety store such as that in Echuca is not part of our business these days,” he said.

“The company’s future lies in larger supermarket type stores, and we have been moving in this direction for some time.”

BASKETBALL POSTPONED

Heavy rain caused the postponement of three Echuca Men’s Basketball Association matches on Tuesday night.

Three of the six matches scheduled for the night had just been completed when the rain started and the remaining games are to be played later, probably on a Monday night.

FUN FACT: Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre was highlighted by the new movie The Italian Job starring Michael Caine and Noel Coward. The advertisement was underlined by “not suitable for children”.

25 YEARS AGO

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1998

TELETRAK GIVEN THE NOD

TeleTrak is set to proceed in the Murray Shire, with 70 per cent of residents voting to support the concept.

At a planning and development meeting in Moama yesterday, council moved to sign and seal formal agreements with other participating shires.

The decision means the shire will allocate $30,000 to fund the next phase of feasibility and environmental impact studies in the area.

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Lachlan McKindlay said as an individual he would not dig into his personal pocket to contribute funds to TeleTrack, so felt it unfair to allocate $30,000 of ratepayers’ funds.

“We’re dealing with a $2 shelf company ... the history of these sorts of companies is not good,” he said.

BERRY THEME AT SCHOOL FAIR

Echuca East Primary students are busy preparing for their Merry Berry Fair on March 20.

The school’s major fundraising fete will have a strawberry theme this year ... there will be super duper strawberry milkshakes, showbags including berry bars, Devonshire teas with strawberry shortcake and much, much more.

“Strawberry” the clown will be in attendance to entertain the children with shows, face painting, balloon sculpture and magic show.

She will also judge the kindergarten clown competition.

SHANKLIN ARRIVES IN ECHUCA

Import for the Nestle Echuca Pirates, Randy Shanklin has arrived in Echuca.

The Los Angeles-born player finally arrived on Saturday after a series of immigration problems.

Randy is the new development officer and is expected to play a key role in the Pirates’ season.

He has met players and association members.

FUN FACT: A 24-pack of Hahn Ice stubbies was on special for $24.95 at Echuca’s Shamrock Hotel.

10 YEARS AGO

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013

A fly in, fly out shopping stop

Justin Crawford raised plenty of eyebrows when he landed his small Robinson R22 helicopter on the bare patch of land in Annesley St, where the old rice mill used to be, at lunchtime yesterday.

The Queenslander’s decision to land where he did was not unusual, for him anyway.

‘‘I had a look at the airport and thought ‘That’s way too far (from town)’,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a different concept. Up there (in Queensland), helicopters are like Landcruisers, they’re everywhere.

‘‘I saw the clear spot here (in Annesley St) and thought, ‘That’s close enough’.’’

The reason for the stop? He was cold and wanted to buy a jumper.

Living in Julia Creek, near Mt Isa, jumpers are not all that common because the weather is generally hot year-round.

Asked if it was his only jumper, Mr Crawford’s reply was ‘‘Let me put it this way, it’s the first I’ve bought in about 10 years’’.

‘‘It was 42°C when I left (Julia Creek on Wednesday),’’ he said.

However, on picking up his new two-seater helicopter — which does not have any doors — in Melbourne yesterday morning, bound for Swan Hill,

Mr Crawford said he realised pretty quickly he would need warmer clothing.

Warmer than the jeans, T-shirt, vest and thongs that he was wearing, that is.

‘‘I realised nearly straight away I’d made a mistake,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t like to fly too high.

‘‘I fly about 1000-feet above the ground.

‘‘It’s about 17°C on the ground and about 14°C up there.’’

Just under an hour into the journey, Mr Crawford was flying over Echuca when he spotted Big W from the air and decided to pop in and buy a jumper.

While he didn’t find what he wanted there among the autumn clothing range, he was quickly pointed to a shop with heavier clothing.

After his brief stop in Echuca, Mr Crawford headed off to Swan Hill to pick up a mate.

Today, he is off home to Julia Creek — where no doubt he will not have any more use for his new jumper.

STRATEGY IS UP IN THE AIR

Campaspe Shire councillors are still unsure whether a rescission motion on the controversial Regional Rural Land Use Strategy, passed last week, is legal.

Councillors voted to rescind the motion, but Campaspe Shire Mayor Ian Maddison said council was still seeking advice on whether the motion was valid after former mayor Peter Williams questioned its legality.

Cr Maddison said councillors met this week to discuss the motion and establish what it would like changed in the strategy, which governs development on farming land.

MAJOR FUNDS RAISED FOR MINOR ST PROJECT

Echuca-Moama’s Community Living and Respite Service’s Minor St project took a major step forward on Tuesday night.

CLRS’ annual fundraising dinner attracted 286 people at Moama Bowling Club’s The Venue, raising $70,000 for the project.

Chief executive Suzanna Barry said the organisation’s seventh annual dinner was its biggest yet.

‘‘Last year we raised $52,500 and that was a record,’’ she said.

‘‘This year was bigger again thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses and support of the local community.’’

FUN FACT: Home and Away actor Steve Peacocke was the guest star for the Millewa Spa Ladies Day Marquee as part of the two-day Echuca Cup Carnival.