Reflections from the past

The farmers had assisted the Rotary Club in a calf-rearing scheme.

Three teenagers, Miss Vivian Ang and Messrs Trevor McNaught and John Kneebone, were the guest speakers at the dinner.

•••

The Rochester Alex Club urgently wants wood or old posts to complete their annual wood drive for the pensioners of Rochester.

Because of the went conditions, the Apex Club cannot get wood from the usual sources.

Apexians supply wood to over 40 pensioners and the amount of wood required is considerable. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

Persons with wood should ring Apexian Vern Rehe on Rochester 369 or Apexian Brian Murphy on Fairy Dell 241.

•••

The following letter was received from ‘’Old Timer’’ to the Campaspe News in 1974.

‘’Having read your coverage of the recent floods, I feel sorry for those who had the dirty waters from the river through their homes.

‘’Only those who have had this experience realise just how unpleasant this can be, and it is this that prompts me to write this letter in the hope that it may be of some use to future builders.

‘’Long experience has convinced me that we live in a prone flooded area, and those who are building in the future would be wise not to put their flood level below the 24 feet gauge level at the Campaspe bridge (our recent flood level was 22ft 7in).

‘’Since the beginning of the 20th century, many floods have come our way, only three have exceeded the 23 feet level, namely 1906, 1916 and 1956.

‘’Because the building of high roads and banks, etc., the distribution of flood water varies from flood to flood.

‘’I remember one flood which washed away 100 yards of railway line directly opposite the hospital.

‘’Many locals believe that since the Eppalock dam was finished there would be no more high floods.

‘’I have never accepted this, I believe that our biggest floods come from the catchment area between Axedale and Rochester, and if four to seven inches of rain falls within a 24 hour period, I say get ready for the big one.

‘’Let’s hope it won’t be 24 feet.’’

25 years ago May 1999

Rochester’s historic rotunda is under siege from vandals.

The building again suffered damage last week when portions of the timber ceiling were ripped away, allowing access to the roof cavity.

Two years ago, $10,000 was spent restoring the rotunda to as-new condition.

Timber fretwork was replaced and iron cladding beautified.

Urns, closely resembling the original, were replaced at the entry. Within weeks, the urns were smashed off.

While they did exist, Campaspe Shire gardener Bob Andrews said he planted and replanted them 12 times, but each time the plants were torn out and strewn around the park.

•••

Elders VP Rochester has been officially launched, completing the successful merger last moth of Elders and VPC.

Announcing the new name, Elders VP Rochester manager Tony Hooppell said there would be several changes for clients of both companies.

‘’There will be a new logo which reflects the partnership between Elders and VPC,’’ Mr Hooppell said.

‘’There will also be new uniforms and account statements, but these are branding and administration changes. The real change people will notice is that out service will get even better.’’

•••

Historic Burnewang House will be one district venue for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea with district residents filling their cups, along with hundreds of others across Australia, to raise funds for cancer research.

Morning tea hostess Maree Slatter said everyone was welcome to come, with the Romeo family donating not only the use of the Burnewang mansion but also the team coffee, milk and sugar for the day.

Guests are asked to give a gold coin donation towards cancer research as they enjoy morning tea in the Burnewang House drawing room. There would also be an opportunity to tour the grand mansion, built in the late 1800s.

10 years ago May 2014

Campaspe Shire councillors promised services would not be cut in the 2014-15 Budget following a Federal Government grant cut.

The cut could see a loss of $24.5 million throughout the duration of Campaspe Shire’s 15-year plan.

The shire receives about $10 million in Federal Assistance Grants annually, with a 4 per cent increase each year.

The government put a freeze on the increased amount, which will mean a $460,000 loss to the shire this financial year and $2.7 million over three years.

Councillor Paul Jarman said the announcement of the freeze came eight hours after Campaspe Shire released its draft Budget.

•••

Rochester Secondary College student Belinda Adams had the opportunity to watch the delivery of the Federal Budget at Parliament House earlier this month.

She watched Labor’s reaction to the budget and had a bird's-eye view of Tony Abbott’s face.

Ms Adams said Mr Abbott’s grin quickly disappeared from his face as Labour responded.

She found treasurer Joe Hockey to be an interesting speaker and enjoyed the heated debate between politicians.

She kept an open mind about the different political views and learned how the system operated.

The group of students from across Australia had the opportunity to create a mock budget and debate the issues arising from it.

•••

Rochester and Elmore police are increasing patrols following a spate of opportunistic thefts from vehicles and properties.

Rochester police changed its roster, so members could patrol the district at all hours of the day and night.

This month, dozens of tools were stolen from the back of utes, unlocked premises and unsecured sheds.

‘‘It would assist us if (residents) would please lock away their personal items and deter opportunity thieves,’’ Sergeant Dale Sim said.

Leading Senior Constable John Atley said he noticed a 25 per cent spike in crime this month.

He believed the crimes were being carried out by a small number of people who may be new to the area.

Elmore’s Senior Constable Dave Rowland echoed the sentiments.