Pictured talking together soon after last week's meeting at Lockington, are Mr Peter Gill, the senior executive engineer from the Commission's construction branch at Tatura, Cr. Garnet Haines, chairman of the protest group and Rochester Shire councillor, and Mr Bill Bromfield, deputy chairman of the Commission.
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Campaspe News
50 years ago January 1976
Claims of inefficiency on the part of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission were met with disbelief by the Minister of Water Supply, Mr Granter, at an irrigators’ meeting in Lockington.
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Although he disagreed with the claims, Mr Granter suggested that the commission could have a statewide ‘’efficiency exercise’’.
‘’Perhaps we should |have one in every district throughout the State, and if we find any deficiency, maybe that would warrant an independent test in that district,’’ he said.
The claims of inefficiency were only one aspect of a nine point submission put to the commission and Mr Granter by members of Lockington Irrigators Protest Group.
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Interviewing the coach of the Rochester Football Club, Kevin Radley, one is left with the impression that Kevin has only one ambition in sight ... the Tigers to make the five in 1976, and go on and win the Goulburn Valley League premiership.
‘’It is now or never’’ said Kevin. ‘’Last year we moved away from the bottom of the ladder, this year we must reach the top. It will be hard, bloody hard, but we must get there.’’
Kevin started training and is rearing to go. This will be his second year as coach of Rochester and his second year in the Goulburn Valley League after coming from Glencoe in South-East South Australia.
Still in his early 20s, Kevin, who played a number of games with Collingwood seconds, is set to explode this season.
25 years ago January 2001
Rochester Cemetery has been transformed over the past three years by the efforts of a small band of workers.
Friends of the Cemetery was formed in February 1998 when a few concerned residents got together with a view to beautifying the last resting place of the majority of Rochester residents.
Their efforts have earned them the Australia Day Award of Community Group of the Year.
Monthly working bees by the 'Friends’ resulted in headstones straightened and cleaned, lettering restored and wrought iron repaired and painted.
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Ashley Watson's achievements in Australian Rules Football during 2000 were well-documented in the pages of the Campaspe News from mentions in Rochester Tigers’ team's youngest — and most talented — players, to selection in the All Australian under-16 team.
An all-round sportsman who enjoys numerous sports including cricket, athletics and football, Ashley has been named Rochester and District Sportsperson of the Year in the Australia Day awards.
Ashley Watson has been named Rochester and District Sportsperson of the Year in the Australia Day awards
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Campaspe News
As well as being a keen sportsman, Ash is commended for his sportsmanship in the nomination presented to the Rochester Australia Day committee.
10 years ago January 2016
Lockington’s Frank Dullard has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, mostly for being the kind of bloke who puts the needs of many others before his own.
Mr Dullard’s not the man he was.
In a couple of months he will turn 88 and he doesn’t hear anywhere as well as he used to, and getting around requires some careful navigation.
Frank Dullard of Lockington will receive an Order of Australia medal next week.
Photo by
Campaspe News
But the old bloke still has the most engaging little grin; part of a face he discreetly pulls when his wife Mary or one of his children is giving him too many directions (and/or orders) at the same time.
His nomination recognises seven areas of Frank’s life: Rochester Shire council, Lockington and district Lions Club, local historian, family historian, St Joseph’s Rochester parish, farmer and environmentalist and active life in the Pine Grove community.
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Netball at Lockington-Bamawm United has a new look this season, with first time coach Paige Randall taking the reins of the A grade side for 2016.
Randall has been a player at LBU for the past four seasons, and said the step-up to a senior coaching position within the club had her excited for the club’s future.
Lockington-Bamawm United’s netball coaching team get set for a big 2016. Brooke Gillies (Under17s), Emma Clark (B Grade), Paige Randall (A Grade), Kristy Roulston (Under 15s) and Narelle Bacon (A Reserve).
‘‘I love my netball, so I’m excited to share that with the girls and get everyone committed and hopefully that flows through the club,’’ Randall said.
‘‘I always thought coaching would be something that I’d progress to eventually, and it’s fallen into place this year, so I’ll give it my best.’’