Reflections from the past

Bruce Lloyd, Member for Murray, said today the 90 delegates elected Ian Fowler, of Strathmerton - campaign chairman, and Lance Watters of Shepparton - campaign secretary.

Mr Lloyd said the Country Party had led the way with a litter free campaign last election and would do so again this time.

There will be no Country Party Posters or signs on trees or light poles or buildings. No leaflets will be left under windscreen wipers to blow off into the street.

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Seventy members of the Rochester RSL took part in the Anzac Day March from the Shire Hall to the RSL Memorial Hall.

The returned men were led by the Golden City Highlanders’ Pipe Band.

The colours, carried by two local ex-Vietnam members, Greg Walkley and Dick Pomeroy, were escorted by an honour guard from the 105 Construction Squadron of the local State Rivers Squadron under the command of Corporal Les Snelling, another ex-Vietnam member of the RSL.

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The Rev Alistair Orton, BA, of the Rochester Methodist Circuit has been invited to remain at Rochester for another year, his sixth.

The constitutes a record in the circuit as no former Methodist minister has remained longer than five years.

Mr Orton himself has established a record in the Methodist Church for he is the fifth generation of Orton preachers in Australia and is a famous name in Methodist circles.

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Vegetables, flowers and fruit can be seriously damaged by certain herbicides (weedicides) says Mr PG Slotegraaf, Department of Agriculture, Rochester.

Each year officers of the Department of Agriculture are requested to inspect gardens and crops, damaged by herbicides.

Extensive damage has occurred recently in a home garden when a neighbour carelessly used a hormone spray.

Also cabbages grown in a commercial crop were found badly affected with residues of weedasol when the grower used a contaminated spray tank.

This is always very disappointing or can create financial losses for the gardener and grower.

25 years ago April 1999

The controversial North Central Catchment Management Authority tariff has been slashed to $20 for most property owners for 1999-2000 - down from the existing $31 fee, introduced at the end of last year.

The announcement by Agriculture and Resources minister Pat McNamara on Wednesday comes after a 93.6 per cent payment response of the tariff by property owners.

The response was ‘’better than most local governments get each year,’’ NCCMA chief executive Jan Boyton said.

Of the 110,000 rate notices sent out by the authority, under 7000 remain unpaid, however this figure includes property owners who have been granted extensions or exemptions under a hardship clause.

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Dairyfarmers are advised not to ignore the issue of Year 2000 compliance, otherwise known as the Y2K bug, according to chairman of the Australian Dairy Equipment council Hec Alcock.

As an industry body we will verify that all on-farm equipment complies, he said.

‘’This covers electronic washing systems, cooling systems, electronic identification and feeding systems - in fact, any system that performs calculations or makes decisions based on dates.

‘’It is our understanding that all on-farm computerised systems currently in use comply, but we need to verify this.’’

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In 1969 the Rochester Irrigator changed its name to Campaspe Valley News — in the same year, the Echuca Lions Club chartered a Lions Club in Rochester and on Wednesday over 100 Lions, partners and friends met to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary.

Representatives from clubs in Tatura, Elmore, Echuca, and Lockington joined Rochester members. Eight past members, including four past presidents, attended the celebration.

Charter member Ray Powles, who is still a member of the group, spoke of the inaugural meeting of the club on April 16, 1969.

‘’I wrote in my journal it seems to be a good idea,’’ he said.

10 years ago April 2014

More than 150 people attended Rochester’s Anzac Day dawn service on Friday at the cemetery.

The community had not seen a dawn service since the 1950s.

Rochester RSL member John Glover said the community embraced Anzac Day and he was delighted to see the young and old show their respects at the Rochester cemetery.

‘‘I thought if we got 40, it would have been successful,’’ he said.

Mr Glover said there was a sense of solemnity at the service.

‘‘When we had a moment’s silence, it was total silence. You couldn’t even hear a bird singing,’’ he said.

‘‘We were glad it was dark because you couldn’t see the wet eyes.’’

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Rochester handcyclist Peter Hyden is asking motorists to show courtesy on the road.

Mr Hyden cycles 50km a day to keep his body fit after losing the use of his legs in a road accident in 2011.

He said being so close to the ground meant he is face-high with the wheels of cars, trucks and buses.

Cars speed past at 100km an hour, travel close to him and sometimes splash in puddles.

Mr Hyden said 99 per cent of drivers did the right things by leaving plenty of space on the road and slowing down.

‘‘It’s the one or two that don’t will be the ones to kill you,’’ he said.

He said truckies generally seemed to be the most courteous on the road but one near Lockington last month made his blood boil.

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Diners and wine drinkers filled the chairs on Moore St on Sunday for the annual Food, Wine and Music Festival.

Local band Albian drew a large crowd of interested onlookers, friends and family.

Shamrock Hotel owner Ian Crouch said sales were up by 30 per cent due to the festival.

He said the music was first-rate and Elmore solo artist Ella Spizzica’s performance was ‘‘outstanding’’.

Rochester Wine Tavern owner Mick Baker said he normally did not open Sunday nights but was busy all night serving pizza, platters and wine.

He said the festival was getting a good reputation and past visitors from Melbourne returned this year after an enjoyable time at last year’s festival.