Reflections from the past

And those at the rally backed the speakers and unanimously agreed to support a $40 million plan by the Water Commission to evade the ‘’crisis’’ facing the valley.

Wednesday's event, described by some as possibly the most important rally ever staged in northern Victoria, attracted a crowd of about 80 people.

Promoters of the rally were the Victorian Irrigation Research and Promotion Organisation with the Victorian Farmers Union (Water and Land Committee) and the Victorian Private Water Diverters' Association.

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Sunday's Little League grand final at Echuca's Victoria Park oval looks set to be a heart-stopper.

Both teams, Echuca East and St Mary's, have rightfully earned their place in the final and are both confident of success.

Coaches, Ned Keegan (St Mary's) and Alan Evans (East), have given their sides intensive training schedules during the past week.

Following the match, a perpetual trophy donated by Echuca Football Club will be presented to the captain of the successful team. Also individual trophies, donated by Geelong Football Club, will be presented to players from the winning team.

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New accommodation must be found for Echuca's playgroups.

The groups have lost their present headquarters – an Army house on the corner of Haverfield St and Ogilvie Ave.

They had been renting the house from the Army, which now needs it to house an officer from next December.

Mothers discussed the notice to quit and the need for the accommodation at a meeting.

The meeting decided to investigate the possibility of renting various places in Echuca, particularly somewhere with facilities for children to play outdoors.

25 years ago July 2001

Moama's three clubs signed a no smoking accord last week, banning smoking on their premises.

There were mixed reactions to the smoking ban at Moama clubs.

Visitor to Moama Bowling Club, John Bastow from Langwarrin, said he smoked a pipe and always asked people around him if it was alright to light it up.

‘’I'm a true believer in having smoking and non-smoking areas,’’ he said.

Mr Bastow said he agreed there should be no smoking in eating areas anywhere, but around poker machines there should be separate areas for smokers and non-smokers.

Bar attendant at Moama Bowling Club, Paul Cooper, who is a smoker, said he believed the ban would be better for staff and patrons alike.

‘’It’ll be a cleaner environment,’’ he said.

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There's no relief in sight for aged care waiting lists in Campaspe Shire.

The Federal Government's 2001 aged care approval round for new aged care places has not allowed for any submissions from aged care providers in Campaspe Shire.

Business manager for Echuca Community for the Aged, Stan Barker, said he was disappointed with the allocation of beds in the approvals round.

He said Engelbert Lodge in Echuca had a waiting list of 44.

‘’It is the highest it’s been in a while,’’ Mr Barker said.

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District netballers were among those in the North Central Netball Region 17-and-under and 19-and-under teams who became state champions in Melbourne on the weekend.

The North Central Masters team made the preliminary final but were not successful.

The 17-and-under team, included Echuca and district netball players Melanie Crowe, Ashley Campbell, Elke Long and Belinda Muir, as well as Lockington's Lisa Maddison and Laura Hopkins, who both play in the Heathcote and District League.

The North Central team won 15 out of 16 games during the state championships to take top position on the ladder and a slight advantage going into the finals.

The team’s combination of intense defensive pressure, skilful ball placement and positioning, complemented by prolific goal shooting throughout the qualifying rounds, showed the opposition teams they were favourite to take the title.

10 years ago July 2016

A new multi-purpose community centre, a barbecue/picnic area, a junior sports oval, a mountain bike training area, walking and cycling tracks and a dog obedience zone are all part of a major redevelopment of the Echuca East Recreation Reserve.

Campaspe Shire Council endorsed the nine-year master plan for the project at its meeting last week and will now embark on costings and funding applications.

The plan estimates the total costs of works in the order of $2.3 million.

It has taken almost two years to develop the master plan but that has been after a decade pushing for something to happen.

Echuca East Recreation Reserve management committee president Adrian Richardson and committee member Peter Murphy are excited about the redevelopment.

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Suzanne’s School of Ballet has once again proved its place in the ballet world with 19 of its 30 exam students blitzing their recent Cecchetti ballet exams in Melbourne.

After months of demanding training, the dancers travelled to Melbourne in June to perform in front of esteemed examiner Faye Johnson.

‘‘The students have been working hard since the start of the year and attended extra classes in preparation for the examinations, in which a high standard of professionalism and performance was expected,’’ principal Jodie Joyce said.

Cecchetti follows the classical principles of grace, balance and line which form the basis of a sound training syllabus to meet the needs of young dancers.

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The Echuca-Moama Senior Rockets will take on a number of local names in the All-Abilities football game during the 2016 One and All Football Netball Inclusion Day on Sunday.

The Rockets will go head-to-head against the One and All Stars in a footy game that will be coached by Andrew Briggs and Jason Lehmann, with Luke Teasedale coaching the Rockets.

This is the fourth time the Inclusion Day will be run and has received reasonably large support in the past with the program changing each year to involve different members of the community.

This year will include winner of Melbourne marathon Brady Threlfall, local musician Benny Walker, The Riv’s own Trent Horneman and Campaspe Shire mayor Leigh Wilson.