50 years ago, June 1974
Australia’s largest dairy company, Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Ltd, believes it can pay its suppliers an all-time record 75¢ a pound of butterfat in the coming 1974-75 season.
This was stated by Murray Goulburn Co-operative managing director Mr J.J. McGuire, at a meeting of more than 500 elected Murray Goulburn supplier-delegates at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Mr McGuire said that provided there were no drastic changes in the present outlook and world prices remained favourable, Murray Goulburn expected to open the 1974-75 season in July with an interim payment to supplier of about 60¢/lb butterfat and lift this progressively to about 75¢ for the full season.
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The Rochester Play Centre has been forced to close, because of a shortage of children.
At an extraordinary meeting on June 13, it was decided that the Rochester Play Centre would go into recess until the proposed general meeting on July 4 when the full details would be discussed.
The Rochester Play Centre regrets this action has to be taken, as volunteers from the local organisations and the Rochester Presbyterian Church have been most generous with their time and availability.
But the lack of interest by parents, in not leaving their small children to be minded at the centre, has unfortunately forced this situation to occur.
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Just after the turn of the century, a young man came to Rochester and established a butcher shop in Mackay St and got married.
After 71 years, the butcher shop is still going strong, still on the same site and still in the same family.
The late Charlie Major established a thriving business and now a big family; his sons and grandsons are prominent business people in Rochester today and carry on the name of Major.
Over 71 years, there have been many changes in the butcher business. They no longer kill their own meat, they have electric-operated cutting instruments, the latest in refrigeration, the automobile has replaced the horse and the hours are considerably reduced.
25 years ago, June 1999
The Ted Horwood Memorial trophy is much travelled, having spent time in New Guinea as well as every state in Australia.
For the next 12 months, it will make its home in Lockington, thanks to the efforts of Lockington Lions Club secretary Frank Dullard’s efforts with pen and paper.
Mr Dullard, who compiled a history of the Lockington district prior to the town’s ‘’back-to’’ in 1997, wrote an article for the Lions Club national magazine, The Lions, detailing the achievements of the small community and the involvement of Lions in successful projects that have breathed new life into the towns over the past few years.
The article, which was given two pages of the June/July 1998 edition of the magazine, was singled out by the international organisation for the award for the best article submitted by a club.
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The disappearance of at least two 60-year-old palm trees from beside the highway at Corop has angered resident Trevor Speer.
‘’Council reckons the community were offered the trees but didn’t want them. I’m on the Citizens Advisory Group, and we weren’t told about their removal until after it was done,’’ he said.
“As far as I know only a couple of Corop residents were offered the trees — they’re worth about $2000 each — but they declined, and now the trees have disappeared.’’
What has angered him the most, he said, is that Corop had been pushing for public toilets for years and the sale of a couple of trees would have covered the costs of installing a toilet block.
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“Is money well spent on the space program?’’ Ask Rochester Secondary College students Kate Armstrong, Shaun Conell, Erin Lawford or Danielle Weeks — they’ll tell you it is and their argument is strong, strong enough to win the prestigious Rotary School Debating Team award at Moama.
Kate, Shaun and Erin, with the assistance from researcher Danielle and coach Bill Barkla, were pitted against St Joseph’s College Echuca for the final debate.
Over previous months they have competed against Echuca Secondary College and Echuca High.
10 years ago, June 2014
Committee 4 Rochester presented its Moore St redevelopment plans to Campaspe Shire Council last week.
The plans outline a toilet block, barbecue area and parking spots with the aim of encouraging passing traffic on the Northern Hwy to stop in Rochester.
The Rochester Planning Group conducted a survey which found 6000 cars passed through the town a day.
Member David Gilbert estimated if two per cent of the traffic stopped, the town stood to gain an extra $1 million a year.
C4R project officer Graeme Robertson said council seemed to support the idea.
Rochester Ward councillor Leigh Wilson said council was impressed with the presentation and would work together to develop a way forward.
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Looking after your mates is what the Lockington Men’s Shed is all about, even if it means watching each other’s diet.
The men have a piece of wood in the kitchen which shows how each member likes their tea or coffee.
‘‘If Dave thinks I should only have one sugar, then he would only put one in and not tell me,’’ member Steve Bond laughed.
When the men go to the local shop for lunch, they make sure those on a strict diet have a healthy meal.
Coordinator David Collett said most of the shed’s 20 members saw doctors on a monthly basis, but what the men spoke about between themselves made them look closely at their health.
‘‘Talking is the biggest thing you can do for mental health,’’ Mr Collett said.
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Rochester and Elmore District Health Services will continue its management contract with Dingee Bush Nursing Centre for a further six months.
The temporary management contract was due to cease on June 30, but will be extended until December.
REDHS acting chief executive John Davies confirmed the agreement had been reached, but said the document had yet to be signed.
DBNC independent chair Nigel McGuckian said the extension was good news for the centre, which was working towards achieving accreditation.
‘‘We need that level of management to maintain a high level of service,’’ he said.