50 years ago August 1975
Lockington’s under-16 footballers continue to rule the roost in the Rochester Junior Football League, with their premiership win this season, and on Monday evening collected the Deneys Shield for the fifth time in six seasons.
Five of the six clubs competing in the league had their names on the shield, said league president Mr Reg Oliver. The only name missing was that of Bamawm, who were the narrow losers in this year’s grand final.
Mr Oliver, speaking at the league’s presentation night in the Lockington Memorial Hall, said the 1975 grand final was perhaps the best in the league’s history, dating back to 1967.
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‘’The proposed increases in postal and telephone charges strike at one of the basic means of progress,’’ Michael Clarke, MLC, has said following his call for a public ban on stamp buying on September 1.
‘’Improved communication by letter, telephone, telegraph or by newspapers within Australia or overseas, has aided the rapid spread of information in an economic form, necessary for progress,’’ he said.
‘’People and businesses are already preparing for the new 18c letter rate by planning hand delivery of their own local mail, which will mean once again a drop in the amount of mail being posted.’’
25 years ago August 2000
Rochester footballer Ashley Watson will play in the all-Australian under-17 team in the international rules match against Ireland next year.
Watson was among 30 chosen from the recent National Football Championships to receive a Australian Institute of Sport/Australian Football League Academy scholarship.
Watson, 16, was a member of the victorious Victorian Country team in division one of the championships.
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Rochester’s palliative care unit finally opened to patients yesterday, months after its official opening.
The unit at the Rochester and District Health Service had been scheduled for opening to patients much earlier but a number of setbacks had caused the delay.
Health service board member Derek Shotton said there had been some problems getting occupational health and safety approval of the building.
This included problems with being sent the wrong equipment to that which had been ordered.
10 years ago August 2015
Timmering Fire Brigade members are already proving themselves a beneficial addition to the communities between Rochester and Kyabram.
After an 18-month process, and last year’s fire season under their belt, the Timmering Fire Brigade officially opened its new fire station to the public in recent weeks.
A bumper crowd of more than 55 people, including CFA, SES and police representatives attended the opening of the new one-truck station, decked out with bathroom and kitchen facilities, as well as storage space and telephones.
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Rochester’s post office has been named the third best licensed post office.
Not just in the region, or even the state.
Owners Helen and Peter Holzer are now the proud managers of the third-best post office in Australia — and understandably said they were pleased to hear their hard work had been recognised by Australia Post authorities.
‘‘We receive a lot of support from locals which is great for a small business,’’ Helen said.