Reflections on the past

Echuca’s Mayor Cr Geoff Evans couldn’t resist the opportunity to join the jazz band at the Alex Miller Supermarket opening on Wednesday.

He brought along one of his five saxophones and joined Miller’s director, Mr Neville Stribling, on the tray of an old Ford ‘T’ truck for a short session.

“I loved it,” he said afterwards.

STOP LAW — NO COMPLAINTS

Police will consider prosecuting any motorist caught in breach of the new stop sign law after next Monday, Inspector A. F. Stock, of Echuca Police, said today.

So far he said there had been no complaints and no convictions.

The new law, which requires motorists to give way to the left and right at the stop signs, came into force last Friday (June 1).

“We are not enforcing it very hard initially,” Inspector Stock said.

“We will go easy until the weekend to give motorists time to adjust to the new law.”

Drivers facing a stop sign must then allow vehicles on either their left or right to proceed without hindrance before they enter the intersection.

Previously motorists were only required to give way to the right.

NEW POST FOR PAPER MANAGER

The manager of the Riverine Herald, Mr John Dudley, leaves Echuca tomorrow to take up a new post in NSW.

Mr Dudley, who has been in Echuca for the past four years, has been appointed manager of The Eagle, at Cessnock, a major city in the Hunter Valley.

Mr J. A. Furnell has been appointed acting manager of the Riverine Herald until a new appointment is made.

FIRST CYCLE TOUR WAS SUCCESSFUL

Echuca Amateur Cycling Club staged its first ever road cycling tour on Monday and it proved highly successful.

The tour was held over a circuit of 90 miles and a field of 16 riders faced the starter.

Two sprints were held before the first stop at Kyabram before the tour continued through Lancaster and Merrigum to Tatura for another re-grouping and sprints.

The return journey through Rushworth, Colbinabbin and Rochester took a toll on the field and only four riders remained to contest the final sprint.

Steven Flower was both the overall tour winner and hill climb winner.

FUN FACT: Echuca Real Estate had magnificent river blocks of five acres each available to purchase. The blocks were close to town and on a good road with the Murray River at your door. They were priced to sell for $8000.

25 YEARS AGO

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 1998

UNIQUE BUSINESS

Last Friday’s opening of Shooga Gum Industries in Moama was the fulfilment of a dream of proprietor John Kerr.

His family has been involved in the timber industry for generations and he began learning young, under the guidance of his father, Dick.

Shooga Gum offers a unique range of kiln-dried red gum products including furniture, building materials, stick wood, slabs, burl arts and crafts and charcoal.

MURRAY TO MOYNE FUNDS EXCEED $45,000 TARGET

Fundraising efforts from this year’s Murray to Moyne cycle relay topped the $45,000 target.

Echuca Regional Health’s chief executive officer Peter Wallis revealed the final figure, $45,284, at a dinner at Echuca’s Cellar Door Restaurant on Friday night.

The money will be used to buy equipment for Echuca Regional Health’s Accident and Emergency Department.

HOUSES IN SHORT SUPPLY

Echuca-Moama is experiencing a shortage of available housing with an excess of buyers taking advantage of current low interest rates.

Real estate agent Gary Wood, from Charles L. King and Co, said the market had picked up in the past six weeks, tightening the available choice.

“We have a shortage of listings and plenty of buyers,” he said.

Mr Wood said the low interest rates had caused many people to consider property as a viable investment option.

ECHUCA HOLDS ON

The inter-town football rivalry between Echuca and Rochester has developed from many classic contests over the years.

This was no more evident than on Saturday when the Murray Bombers held on to win by six points in wet and trying conditions at Victoria Park.

Echuca 11.9 (75) defeated Rochester 9.15 (69).

Rochester went into the game with a seven match unbeaten streak, but three goals from Brett Hartman and best-on-ground showing by coach Simon Eishold lifted the Murray Bombers to victory.

FUN FACT: The new-look Coles Echuca was advertising these specials, Golden Ripe Bananas 98c a kg, 1.25 litre bottles of Coca-Cola and Diet Coke for 97c, Middle Bacon Rashers for $5.99 a kilogram and medium Barbecue Chicken from the Deli for $3.97.

10 YEARS AGO

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

CALLS TO CUT SPENDING

Murray Shire councillor Geoff Mackenzie is pushing for an independent audit of council spending.

Cr Mackenzie, voted to council after last month's by-election, said his election platform was based on promises of investigating council’s excess expenses.

Cr Mackenzie wants to look at where council can make savings in order to benefit its ratepayers.

He said every business or organisation could get to a point where it was comfortable with excess spending, but council should put its foot on the brake.

“I do see cars as a serious thing,'' Cr Mackenzie said.

“I understand there's 46 passenger cars all with fuel cards and most fitted with towbars.

“Approximately half have private use (permissions) attached to them.

“I don’t think it’s a huge amount they pay (staff with private use cars), which means ratepayers pay fuel and running costs.”

PAY AND DISPLAY A GOER

Campaspe Shire residents have backed a ‘pay and display’ system for parking in Echuca.

Eighty-two per cent of residents surveyed last month preferred a change to the parking system as Campaspe Shire plans to overhaul outdated parking meters.

Cr Adrian Weston said 175 people were surveyed between May 23 and 25, asking whether they preferred ‘pay and display’ or multi-bay parking.

‘‘The survey provided some invaluable feedback which will now assist in the further evaluation of tenders received for the replacement of 44 parking meters, covering 330 parking spots or 70 per cent of all metered parking in Echuca’s CBD,’’ he said.

ORGANISERS OVERJOYED WITH 50TH CELEBRATIONS

Crowds flocked to this year’s Steam Rally Echuca, with attendance numbers up on recent years.

Echuca Rotary vice president and rally marketing co-ordinator Chrissy Weller said organisers were pleased with this year’s event.

‘‘We had two gorgeous days,’’ Mrs Weller said.

‘‘It’s all fallen into place after 12 months of planning.

‘‘It was great to see it all (come) together.’’

Celebrating its 50th year, the weekend’s event saw its biggest turn-out of steam engines and clydesdale horse teams ever.

Forty big steam engines made the trip to Echuca, while 50 horses took part in the clydesdale team events.

KOUTA RUINS MATHOURA’S DAY

Former Carlton captain Anthony Koutoufides starred in his one-off match for Blighty on Saturday, booting 14 goals to sink Mathoura.

The Redeyes romped to a 34.18 (222) to 2.3 (15) win at their home ground, handing the Timbercutters their second loss by more than 200 points this Picola and District Football League season.

Blighty kicked 16 goals to one in the first half, but its 11-goal final term was the most traumatic for the Mathoura faithful.

Koutoufides was one of 12 goalkickers for the home side, which included Judd Barnes (three goals) and Brett Clarke (three).

FUN FACT: Television featured Packed To The Rafters on Prime7, Celebrity Apprentice on WIN, NCIS after MasterChef Australia on Ten and New Tricks on the ABC.