Members of the Order of Australia Association Loddon-Campaspe region paid a visit to Rochester for the day on Friday, April 4. Photos: Emily Donohoe.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
The Order of Australia Association Loddon Campaspe regional group spent the day in Rochester on Friday, April 4.
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Beginning at the Rochester Sports Museum, around 20 members were treated to a tour by sports museum volunteer and Order of Australia Medal recipient Bob Knight.
Lining up their trip with the Rochester Mural Festival, the group headed over to the mural park to see the finishing touches be applied on the final day of painting.
After enjoying some of the sights in town, they enjoyed lunch at the Rochester Hotel.
Rochester was added to the list of local places to visit, with the sports museum and mural festival highlighted as main attractions to chair Alex Stoneman.
“We had a brainstorm among the members, seeking suggestions of where could have a social event,” he said.
“(A member) mentioned Rochester, and it was the sports museum that they had been to, and they thought very highly of it.
“The mural festival was on for a short-time, so that’s why we’re doing a double header.”
The OAM Association's Loddon Campaspe group regularly travel around the region together.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Mr Stoneman was looking forward to visiting the sports museum, particularly to see the displays about Sir Hubert Opperman, who he knew personally.
He was also hoping to learn about the success of the region’s sports stars.
“My mum and dad handed out ‘how-to-vote’ (cards) for him,” Mr Stoneman said.
“I like to see people who have achieved a lot recognised.
“It’s terrific that it’s not in a Melbourne museum, or it’s not in the MCG, it’s in a regional place.”
The group members enjoyed a tour of the Rochester Sports Museum, led by volunteer Bob Knight OAM.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Each member has received an Order of Australia Honour, and together they support statewide initiatives, including university bursaries.
This year, the Loddon Campaspe group has also introduced a secondary student scholarship.
They are looking to support a Rochester Secondary College student for the inaugural honour.
“That’s a $500 bursary for a VCE student somewhere in our region, and obviously (we are) looking to give it to a worthy recipient,” Mr Stoneman said.
“We’re looking at small locations generally, where they’ve had to deal with natural catastrophes or events.”
The group regularly travels around the Loddon Campaspe region, calling into destinations like Hanging Rock in the Macedon Ranges, the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo and will head to Maldon later this year.
“It brings a bit of money into Rochester,” Mr Stoneman said.
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