Even though she was the odd one out for cards on Wednesday, Mrs Myrtle Newton, of the Echuca Senior Citizens’ Club, did not really mind as she busied herself by knitting and preparing afternoon tea for the others. This photo, which appeared in The Riv in 1974, captured Mrs Newton pouring the teas at the new clubrooms in Landsborough St.
50 years ago September 1974
The concern of Pyramid Hill and District Association of Ratepayers at the possibility of the retrenchment of construction and maintenance employees of the States Rivers and Water Supply Commission in their area will be shared by people throughout Victoria unless an appeal to the Treasury for additional funds is successful.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
This was revealed by the Member for Rodney, Mr Eddie Hann, MLA, following the receipt of a letter from Mr F.J. Hill Granter, Minister of Water Supply, who has been informed by the Water Commission that unless the level of funds is increased retrenchments of up to 60 men in irrigation centres would be unavoidable.
***
More than 250 former residents of Gunbower have told the town’s centenary committee that they will be attending the ‘’back to Gunbower’’ next month.
A spokesperson for the committee said that more than 300 invitations have been sent to former families of Gunbower, and of these there had been 129 replies, which they felt was most pleasing.
The spokesperson said that those planning to wear period costumes to the centenary ball on Friday night, October 4, should make arrangements for hire through J.C. Williamson’s Cohen Place, Melbourne, at the rear of Her Majesty’s Theatre.
***
Echuca Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Mr Roger Makepeace as manager of the Echuca Tourist Bureau in Heygarth St.
Mr Makepeace takes over the bureau from Mr Jack Lord, who has acted as temporary manage for more than two years since the resignation of former manager, Mr John Dickinson.
Newly appointed manager of the Echuca Tourist Bureau, Mr Roger Makepeace (right), discusses business aspects of the bureau with Mr Jack Lord, who has run the bureau for the past two years.
Photo by
Riverine Herald
Announcing the new appointment, the president of the Echuica Chamber of Commerce, Mr Lloyd Hart, said that Mr Makepeace was keen to further develop the bureau as a comprehensive information centre for tourists visiting the city and surrounding areas.
25 years ago September 1999
Restoration work on the Hero paddlesteamer is progressing, with one side of the hull almost finished.
Work on the paddlesteamer has been going on for the past 18 months to restore it to working order.
Kevin Hutchinson is supervising the gradual restoration of the Hero at the Port of Echuca.
Photo by
Riverine Herald
The Hero operated between 1874 and 1956, including evacuating cattle at Boundary Bend between Robinvale and Swan Hill in the 1956 floods.
It operated until it caught fire and sank at Boundary Bend in February 1957.
It stayed there until it was brought by Strathmerton’s Gary Byford in the 1980s and refloated in February 1998.
***
The Lockington community has voted to set up a community bank.
Joy Weller for the Lockington Community Care Committee said last week’s public meeting showed full support for the ideas and everyone agreeing to establish a committee to pursue the bank.
Lockington’s only bank closed in August 1993.
The committee, which consists of four members including Mrs Weller, has to draw up a business plan to ensure the community bank’s viability and distribute questionnaires to residents in the district to gauge their financial support.
***
The registered clubs of Moama have called on members to vote no to the referendum on council amalgamations on Saturday.
The clubs, comprising Echuca-Moama RSL and Citizens Club, Moama Bowling Club and Rich River Golf Club and Moama Sports Club, said the current arrangement with Murray Shire was far preferable option to any proposed amalgamated Murray/Deniliquin arrangement.
Murray Shire council candidates also claim the future of the shire lies in its autonomy, not in amalgamating with its neighbours.
10 years ago September 2014
After about a decade of fierce campaigning, natural gas is now in the pipeline for 160 homes in Echuca’s east.
Member for Rodney Paul Weller confirmed a deal was struck with gas infrastructure business Envestra to supply natural gas to certain homes in Scott Rd.
Thrilled gas has arrived in the area after years of protest are (from left) Terry McLaughlan, Member for Rodney Paul Weller, Suzanna Barry, Alan Whitten, Lindsay Rankin and Rod Bennett.
Photo by
Holly Curtis
Mr Weller said government rebates on gas appliances, which had just ended, would be extended for Echuca to cover the project.
Engineering, planning and design works for the reticulation infrastructure has started and the first connections are expected in early 2015.
Mr Weller said negotiations first started in 2011 after developer Lindsay Rankin approached Mr Weller about a new development in the region.
***
What started as an idea for a fun week has turned into a potential money spinner for the region’s State Emergency Service.
Beechworth Bakery managing director Marty Matassoni thought it would be a good idea to ride to the bakery’s six sites — Beechworth, Bendigo, Ballarat, Echuca, Albury and Healesville.
His idea has grown to create the Tour de Beechworth Bakery, a six-day ride with between 20 and 30 riders taking part.
Taking part in the charity ride are (from left) Marty Matassoni, Bob Callander, Kylie Divola, Narelle Currey, Shane Howe and Dean Currey.
Photo by
Jayme Lowndes
Mr Matassoni said he then wanted to make the ride a charity event, choosing the SES as its preferred charity.
‘‘We wanted to raise money for a group which catered for all of our six sites,’’ he said. ‘
‘‘They are volunteers who give up their time to help in emergencies and they do an amazing job.’’
