Rochester’s ‘breakfast business’

The flood-relief funds will be distributed to individuals and groups, who have no other option available to them.

She said the committee would discuss its support of organisations, such as Rochester Historical Society, which is in danger of disbanding after the flood because of financial and membership shortages.

Rochester Community House annual general meeting will be held on Monday, February 27.

Swimming pool

Rochester ward’s Campaspe Shire Councillor Paul Jarman told the breakfast on Thursday morning that the swimming pool was the number one subject “on the streets of Rochester’’.

“The word repair is the key when discussing the pool. That is the terminology being used, not decommissioning,” Cr Jarman said.

“We are still waiting on the final quote, but I'd like to see it come back — even in the short term.”

He said council officers had put anti-mosquito chemicals in the water to ensure it did not become a health danger, but nothing could be done about the discoloured water in the pool.

Historical society

Long-time Rochester Historical Society volunteer Kaye Speers signalled a potential end to the group if something could not be done in regard to fundraising and membership numbers.

“We have three active members at the moment,” she said.

“We have even had a discussion about closing the society and selling up what we have.

”It would be such a pity to see it closed down,’’ she said, explaining people were still donating historical items to the High St society.

“Once we re-open, which will be late February, we will operate on Wednesday and Friday, from 9.30am until midday, and would love to hear from anyone interested in joining.”

She said the group was finding its work “a bit difficult’’, with no photocopier or printer to complete its research.

Motoring club

President Merv Wild said the “healthy” status of the Rochester Motoring Club, which will have a display of cars at the Australia Day celebration at Lions Park on Thursday, January 26.

“We have 188 members of the club and 144 cars,” he said.

New church arrival

Uniting church Minister Brian Morgan welcomed “new colleagues’’ to the town, in the form of Presbyterian Church Minister Michael Riske, and his wife Lauren, who have just arrived in Rochester.

The uniting church hall is now open. The church is months and months away, but the congregation is now meeting in the hall. Contact John Boyd, Hedley moon or Brian Morgan to book the hall.

Nanneella Hall

Nanneella Hall, in the wake of several Rochester facilities being unavailable for community use, has offered up its facility to Rochester residents.

The hall is available for hire by contacting Jo Gibson on 0434 946 030. It has been in strong demand recently and is available for everything from group events to birthday parties.

LtoP program

Cohuna Campaspe Local Learning and Employment Centre (CCLLEN) executive officer Jane Reid is constantly on the look out for recruits to assist with the L2P driving training program.

“The service is more important than ever, because lots of people lost vehicles, which has a flow on to teenagers not being able to learn to drive,” she said.

Ms Reid said her group was working on securing a vehicle that would be based out of Rochester, while also maintaining its focus of recruiting for people to be part of the learner driving program.

“We want to ensure that all our teenagers have a chance to get their Ps,” she said.

Flying Doctors service

Rochester’s Flying Doctor Community Transport service is expecting to soon establish a new “home base’’ in the town.

The service is operating well beyond its usual 20km radius because of the exceptional circumstances facing many people due to the October floods.

Co-ordinators of the program are working two days from the Heathcote office and three days from home in Echuca. More information is available by phoning 1300 887 678.

Caravan count

A two-hour drive through the streets of Rochester shocked former Campaspe Shire Mayor, and leading Rochester Flood Recovery Committee member, Leigh Wilson.

“My wife and I did a drive around town. We counted 250 caravans in two hours, that we could see, that people are living in,” he said.

Mr Wilson said the breakfast discussion filled him full of hope for the future.

“Just hearing all the groups, what everyone is doing, this gathering of the community is a valuable information sharing event,” he said.

“I am focused on having contact with the media groups to reinforce that we do not want to be forgotten and to ensure that more tradesmen are attracted to the area.”

Northern neighbours

Echuca and Rochester have not been forgotten by Rotary District 280, despite being the two most northern groups within the region — which starts at Brighton in Melbourne and spreads all the way to the Murray River.

Carlton-based member Keith Ryall was at the community chat breakfast last week with another offering — after the district’s clubs had already made a contribution of bicycles at Christmas time.

“We know the libraries of the region have been affected. We have cartons of books in our possession and would love to help,” he said.

He said it was ironic that when he first became involved with Rotary he was assisting the Rochester region during a drought year.

“We are thinking of Rochester and being here this morning I am amazed by the community spirit,” he said.

Mr Ryall was District Governor of Rotary District 9800 in 2011-12.

Staying informed

Passionate Rochester resident Shelley Nichol, a teacher at Rochester Secondary College, said her recent interaction with community leader Cate Ward had calmed her frantic state.

“Until I spoke to Cate I really wanted a community meeting to update people on what was happening in the town,” Ms Nichol said.

“That was until she informed me there were only 30 per cent of people living in Rochester.

“It is vital we let everyone in the community know what is happening, we need to give people hope.

“There are so many older people telling me they are putting their houses on the market. And planning to leave the town.”

Ms Nichol said a lot of people were so busy during the recovery effort that they just did not have time to attend mornings like this.

“Because I am a teacher a lot of people talk to me. I felt so good after I spoke to Cate Ward,” she said.

Rochester Community House is creating a newsletter for people to update them of services on offer in the town during the flood-recovery process, particularly important given that several are not users of social media.

Cr Paul Jarman said he recognised the shire needed to have some traditional points of contact, the recently published newsletter among those.

“We can’t just rely on the socials. There are a generation of people that don't necessarily engage with that medium,” he said.

Permit costs waived

Campaspe Shire is waiving the necessity of some planning permits in Rochester to hasten the process of re-building homes and businesses.

Last week Disaster Relief Australia returned to Rochester and is focusing on removing household items, building waste and assisting with the cutting of trees, particularly those that are limiting access to properties.

People interested in gaining assistance from the organisation can contact the flood recovery hotline on 1800 560 760 to access their services.

Love Rochy campaign

Glenda Nichol announced Rochester Business Network’s $20,000 Love Rochy Campaign was well under way, thanks to the support of the state government and Campaspe Shire.

“We are asking people to support Rochester businesses,” Mrs Nichol said.

“While there are some businesses that won’t be open for another six months, several others are now operating.

“We also have the services of business advisors, who are here every week.

“We’ve been lucky to get support from these advisors and Campaspe Shire has given us access to their submission writing person.

“She wil play an important role as everyone seems to have received the $5000, but there are problems with the $20,000 secondary grant.”