50 YEARS AGO
FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1973
MINISTER SEES IMPORTANCE OF THE MURRAY
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Murray is an important river and there will be a need to guard its towns against pollution when the Albury-Wodonga twin city development is established the Minister for Water Supply, Mr Granter, said in Echuca yesterday afternoon.
He said organisations like the Murray Valley Development League would make sure the river is not polluted by a big-city population living near it.
“I wondered what hit me when I had to deal with the Robinvale gastro enteritis outbreak not long after I was named Minister for Water Supply,” he said.
“But it made me aware of the importance of the Murray River and the need to improve the quality of the water.”
Mr Granter was speaking at the Echuca Civic Centre where he officially opened the 29th annual meeting of the general council of the Murray Valley Development League.
The meeting, which ends tomorrow morning, is being attended by about 50 delegates from centres throughout the Murray Valley.
WARNING TO MOTORISTS IN ANSTRUTHER ST
A warning to motorists against parking on the school crossing between Miller’s new store and St Mary’s School in Anstruther St was issued today by Echuca Traffic Officer, Mr Bill Chequer.
Mr Chequer said infringement notices had been placed on nine cars this week and more would have been booked except for the efforts of the patrolling officer in finding the owners.
He said the officer had arranged for the registration numbers of the parked cars to be broadcast in Miller’s store to avoid having to book the owners, but this could not be continued.
Cars must not be parked within 60ft of the crossing between 8.30am and 9.15am, 11.45am and 1.30pm, and 3.30pm and 4.15pm.
Mr Chequer said to assist motorists, the gutter kerb for the complete length of the crossing had been painted yellow.
SHEEP THEFT
Echuca CIB is investigating the theft of six two-tooth Border Leicester Merino cross ewes from the property of Alan Tonkin, of Diggora Road, West Rochester.
The theft is believed to have occurred last weekend, only days after Mr Tonkin had bought the sheep from a sale in Bendigo.
The sheep, in full wool, were valued at $120.
IN PENNANT GOLF FINAL
Echuca Golf Club’s A Grade associates team will play in the final of their Goulburn Valley pennant competition on Monday.
The team finished at the head of the premiership ladder after winning their final home and away match this week and will now play Shepparton at Valley View on Monday in the final.
Players to represent Echuca are E. Tonkin, A. Howe, I. Hicks, N. Newitt, N. Smith (s), M. Mason and A. Johnson (emergency).
FUN FACT: An Austin 1800, described as a beautiful family car, red in colour with a bone interior and only 36,000 miles on the clock, could have been yours for $1690 at C.P Healey and Sons in Echuca.
25 YEARS AGO
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1998
SHIRE FINANCES BOOSTED
Campaspe Shire Council has increased its cash flow rapidly by about $1.8 million.
An auction of surplus and unwanted equipment at the Tongala depot on Thursday yielded about $1.2 million.
Campaspe’s manager of Corporate Services, Mick Jaensch, said on Friday, that council had separately sold a large number of cars to a leasing company and would lease them back.
This was estimated to bring in about $570,000, which would mean an increase of about $1.8 million to the cash flow.
Mr Jaensch said this would bring long-term benefits to the shire.
A debt restructure would be done, putting the council in a better position for the future.
BRIGADE ATTENDS GAZEBO FIRE
Echuca Fire Brigade was called to the lawn tennis courts at Victoria Park about 8.20am on Saturday when residents saw flames rising into the air.
The fire turned out to be the deliberate burning of an old, wooden gazebo.
Brigade spokesperson Warren Dwyer said the person in charge generally contacted the brigade before burning off, but on this occasion thought the fog was too thick for the fire to be seen.
SCARE FOR PIRATES
Echuca Nestle Pirates survived a huge scare from the unpredictable Bendigo Chieftains in front of a large crowd in Echuca on Saturday night.
The Pirates 104 defeated Bendigo 101.
The Pirates twice had leads of 17 points, but Bendigo continued to fight back and almost took the game.
Craig Wattie scored 41 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Carey Rogers finished with 29 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Echuca’s three-point victory took their record to 9-2 and moved them second on the Terril Conference ladder in the Victorian Basketball League.
SCHOOL WINS CSSSA FOOTY TITLE
Echuca Secondary College’s intermediate (Year 9 and 10) football team won the Campaspe Secondary School Sports Association football title.
The title became the school’s after two conclusive victories at Victoria Park over Kyabram Secondary College and Echuca High School on June 11.
In fine conditions, ESC was too accomplished for Kyabram, easily winning 12.13 (85) to 3.2 (20).
ESC’s game against EHS was essentially a final, with the winner progressing to the next round.
Final score: ESC 9.6 (60) defeated EHS 7.2 (44).
Throughout the two games Quinton Burke, Ben Johnstone, Jarrod Platfuss, Ben Mason, Matt Long and Scott Hammett were consistent performers.
FUN FACT: A terrific three-bedroom brick veneer home situated in a good area, next to kindergarten, heated pool and shop. Evaporative air conditioning and gas heating, was priced to sell at $98,000 with The Professionals real estate agency.
10 YEARS AGO
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2013
APPEAL AT IMPORTANT TIME OF THE YEAR
Veronica Brown admits her eyes were opened when she started volunteering for St Vincent de Paul Society.
‘‘You don’t realise until you work here how desperate some people are,’’ Mrs Brown said.
‘‘You don’t realise some people are in these situations.’’
This is one message that comes to the fore during the annual St Vincent de Paul Society winter appeal, which will run in Echuca until mid-July.
Those who need food donations range from the unemployed, to people who have had a bad run with sickness, people with unexpected bills they cannot afford to pay and those who have escaped domestic violence.
In the two hours volunteers manned the office on Friday, there were seven clients who picked up food, some of whom represented families.
The Vinnies office is open on Monday and Thursdays from 10am to noon.
Those who phone on other days can leave a voicemail message and staff will return their call to arrange an appointment to pick up food.
PRICE HIKE FELT AT PETROL BOWSER
Echuca-Moama residents have been slugged at the pumps after a 15 cent price hike for unleaded petrol on Thursday.
Prices at many of Echuca-Moama service stations jumped from 139.9 cents/litre to 154.9 cents/litre from Thursday afternoon.
Other petrol stations followed suit with price hikes.
Independent pricing analyst David Cumming said the jump in price was due to an increase in wholesale prices.
Mr Cumming said the Caltex wholesale price was 143.3 cents/litre for unleaded petrol on Thursday, 10 cents more than a month ago.
Mr Cumming blamed lack of competition and the drop in the value of the Australian dollar as reasons for the price rise.
FUTURE RATE DROP POSSIBLE
Campaspe Shire Mayor Ian Maddison said lowering rates was a priority for next year’s Budget.
Cr Maddison said it was obvious ratepayers could not keep absorbing annual 6 per cent rate rises.
Council has proposed a 6 per cent rise in this year’s draft Budget, which includes a 0.6 per cent adjustment for water unbundling.
He said while it would be popular to drop rates to match CPI, it was not good policy.
‘‘We could be real heroes and lower rates to 3 per cent. But in order to do that, it would mean cutting money elsewhere,’’ he said.
‘‘As a council this year we have worked hard to close the asset gap and be financially responsible for future generations.’’
MURRAY BOMBERS TROUNCE BEARS
Echuca finally broke through for its first win of the Goulburn Valley Football League season on Saturday, thrashing Shepparton Bears 11.15 (81) to 3.11 (29).
Played at Deakin Reserve, the match between the two bottom sides often looked as much, with the teams struggling to maintain a fluid game.
Tom Stevens had his best game for the season, kicking four goals to go with his 23 disposals, while Simon Buckley’s rich vein of form continued with a superb game.
The former Collingwood and Melbourne midfielder continues to impress since gaining full fitness and his work rate saw him earn 37 possessions for the match.
FUN FACT: The Echuca-Moama Relay For Life organising committee thanked all of the wonderful businesses that supported their ‘Paint The Town Purple’ campaign. The winner of the best decorated window was Deblus with a very colourful front window and dressed staff.
Gregor Mactaggart is the editor of the Riverine Herald.