Reflections from the past

This would mean the fire brigade could not control a major blaze.

And gaining another big water-using industry — a possibility the town clerk, Mr Kevin McCartney, acknowledges is on the cards — could run the city dry on some days.

The water trust has adopted a five-year works program to make more water available for summertime emergencies and to upgrade the supply in some areas.

***

Despite an average rainfall in May, farmers in the Echuca district need more rain for their crops.

Due to the long dry spell before the rain in May, another heavy steady fall is needed immediately to continue preparing the soil and sowing cereal crops and for pasture growth.

Many farmers are unable to go ahead with their cropping because the ground is hard.

A total of 200 points (50.8mm) was recorded in Echuca in May.

In the previous four years, rains recorded in May were 1974, 513 points; 1973, 272 points; 1972, 51 points, 1971, 186 points.

***

Echuca Pistol Club member Mick Skerry has been elected joint manager of the state team for the national titles.

It is the second time he has led the Victorian team.

The 19th Australian Pistol Championships will be held in Adelaide next Easter.

Skerry, a foundation member of the Echuca club, has been vice-president of the Victorian Pistol Association for three years.

He is a club committeeman and was president for three terms.

Skerry, who lives in Echuca, is a PMG supervisor in Rochester.

His wife is former Victorian pistol champion Ann Skerry.

25 years ago

June 2000

Moama’s Nancy Milgate remains unable to put the plaque she wants on her husband’s grave.

Murray Shire Council failed to make a decision yesterday about whether it would allow granite plaques in Moama Cemetery’s new lawn section.

Nancy’s husband Bruce died in early April, but his grave is still without a plaque because of continuing discussions over the use of granite plaques.

The Moama Cemetery Management Committee wrote to council requesting that people be allowed a choice of either bronze or granite plaques for the graves in the new lawn cemetery.

In the current lawn section, only bronze plaques are allowed on the graves.

At yesterday’s meeting, council was split over what decision to make.

***

Echuca United’s greatest export, West Coast Eagles footballer Michael Braun, returned to Echuca-Moama last week.

Braun, who is currently unable to play for West Coast due to injury, presented his former club with his away guernsey from last year.

Echuca United president Adrian Sanderson said the club was ‘’very proud of Michael’s achievements and very honoured to be presented with his guernsey’’.

‘’It’s fantastic that he can take time out of his busy schedule to talk with the thirds and help out the seniors.’’

Braun played two years with Echuca United, 1993 and ’94, while also playing with the Bendigo Pioneers during 1994, ’95 and ’96.

***

Low-income sole parents whose dependent children receive youth allowance can expect a drop in income from the start of July.

The Federal Government has abolished a range of benefits — including the sole parent rebate and the family allowance — and replaced them with the Family Tax Benefit.

However, sole parents who apply for the FTB part B will lose their child’s youth allowance and healthcare card.

This is despite Federal Government assurances that families will be better off under the new tax system, intended to compensate for increased prices under the Goods and Services Tax.

10 years ago

June 2015

The Echuca-Moama Rockets footballers will have the chance to step on to one of the biggest stages in the sport on Saturday night when they venture to Etihad Stadium for a half-time appearance.

During the North Melbourne and Sydney evening clash on Saturday, the Rockets squad will take part in the half-time game of AFL9s, the latest recreational version of the sport.

Essentially, Rockets club president Phil Evans described the style of 9s as a kind of adult social level of the primary school Auskick program.

‘‘As you can imagine our players wouldn’t knock that back,’’ he said of the opportunity.

An equivalent to touch rugby, AFL9s is played on a smaller-size field, broken into three zones that restrict player movement to avoid congestion and encourage freedom of passing of the ball.

***

Echuca’s Melanie Pyle will fight to keep a roadside tribute to her late mother, who was killed in a car accident six years ago.

VicRoads is considering new restrictions on roadside memorials, including rules about colour, size and how long they can remain.

‘‘I’d be devastated if Mum’s cross had to be taken down,’’ Mrs Pyle said.

‘‘I’d kick up a stink. I wouldn’t give up without a fight.’’

Mrs Pyle said VicRoads needed to deal with each case individually and in a sensitive manner.

VicRoads recently reviewed its policy to look at ways to improve roadside safety and manage conflicting emotions between grieving families and others affected by crash scenes.

***

Almost every 15-year-old girl wants to see her name published in teen magazine Dolly. So when Echuca College student Yvonne Southern had her artwork appear in its June edition, she was — understandably — jumping for joy.

And the Year 10 student did not just get a mention, she had a full page (the third page in) dedicated to her artwork.

Dolly wrote how talented Yvonne was, saying the proof was in her ‘‘ah-mazing’’ pictures.

‘‘I didn’t know it had been published until Mum rang and told me,’’ Yvonne said.

‘‘I didn’t think it was going to be a whole page. I thought it was just going to be something small.

‘‘It’s crazy to think I have been published and very exciting.’’

Yvonne has been drawing since she was three, according to mum Leisha Southern.