50 years ago, September 1975

Everything is in readiness for the 12th annual exhibition of the Elmore and District Machinery Field Days Organisation.

The exhibition is to be staged on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 7, 8 and 9.

Customary with previous years, the field days are staged in the delightful area known as Ayson’s Reserve on the eastern side of the Campaspe River, between Elmore and Rochester, near the Burnewang RSL home.

Secretary of the organisation, Mr Bill Duncan, speaking to the Campaspe Valley News, said there would be static and comparative demonstrations of many lines of machinery, and the field days would cover an area of approximately 30 acres, using Ayson’s Reserve and property owned by the Ledgerwood family and Mr W. Ayson and Sons.

***

Coming from behind, the Rochester Methodist Presbyterian Badminton Club snatched the A-grade premiership of the Rochester and District Badminton Association from the grasp of the Echuca Church of England Club, on the very last point of the grand final.

Played at St Andrew’s Hall, Echuca, on Wednesday evening, the Rochester Club trailed badly with one set to go, and faced the herculean task of winning 21-7 or better to take the premiership off their opponents.

When the score reached 15-7 Rochester’s way, Echuca appeared to have a mortgage on the game. The final score of the set was a Rochester win 21-7.

This levelled the scores at 144-144, and the winner was decided on a countback of sets won, with Rochester winning five sets to four.

***

Work has commenced on stage one of the plan to provide homes for the senior citizens of Rochester and district.

This first stage is to cost $80,000, of which $48,455 is provided by a Federal Government grant.

The site of the elderly peoples’ homes is just south of the Rochester War Memorial Hospital, and will face the Northern Hwy.

In October 1961, the Rochester Old Peoples Homes Society was formed by a group of public-minded citizens of Rochester and district.

Due to circumstances prevailing at that time, no progress was possible, and it was not until 1969 that the project was commenced again.

Under the supervision of the Hospital and Charities Commission and the Social Security Department, plans for the building were drawn and approved.

Once again there was a long delay, and it was not until within the last few weeks that tenders have been accepted and the erection work started.

25 years ago, September 2000

The jockey club rooms at the Rochester Racecourse Recreation Reserve have been placed under a demolition order less than six weeks before the Rochester Picnic Races.

The order comes after interior walls were damaged in a fire a fortnight ago.

The picnic race weekend is organised by Rochester Football Club and is a major tourism and business drawcard for Rochester traders.

The club rooms are a central point of the race day and the building also provides an elevated point for the race-caller, plus first aid and administration rooms.

***

The late Ray Ponton has been honoured as one of the inaugural members of a Hall of Fame instigated by the Rochester and District Umpires Association.

Also inducted were Vaughan Thomas, David Lofthouse, Ron O’Neill, George Garner and Leon Smith.

Between them, they umpired nearly 4500 games spanning many years, fellow umpire and MC Tony Cantwell told a packed audience at the recent awards night.

Ray Ponton, Vaughan Thomas and Ron O’Neill were founding members of the Rochester and District Football Umpires Association.

***

Mount Pleasant ran out emphatic 64-point victors over Colbinabbin in Saturday’s Heathcote and District League grand final.

Played in front of a bumper crowd at Elmore on Saturday, the Mounts applied pressure on Colbinabbin from the opening bounce and sealed its opponents’ fate with a blistering first quarter.

Colbinabbin came out firing after the half-time break, holding their Mounts opponents with some good work right around the ground but the final quarter saw Mounts break away again to finish the game with almost an 11-goal lead.

Scott Dean was outstanding for the Blues, leading many attacks, kicking four goals and winning best-on-ground.

Final score: Mount Pleasant 18.10.118 def Colbinabbin 7.12.54.

10 years ago, September 2015

Rochester’s gun midfielder, Ashley Watson, capped off a stellar year to poll 25 votes to win the coveted Morrison Medal at the Goulburn Valley Football League’s best and fairest.

A best-on-ground performance in each of the last two games catapulted Watson past Mooroopna’s Shane McDonald, who finished second on 20 votes. Seymour’s evergreen Paul Scanlon capped off his consistent season to finish third on 17 votes.

The reserves Abikhair Medal voting saw Rochester’s Tim Bubb finish equal third with 12 votes, behind Stephen Scott of Shepparton United with 18.

Rochester’s Matthew Palmer was a runaway winner in the under-18 competition, taking out the Pattison Medal with 22 votes from Matt Cordy of Shepparton United and Zach Norris of Kyabram both on 19.

Watson is the fourth Rochester player to take the Morrison Medal with Mick Keenan, Phillip ‘Toot’ Morgan and Guy Campbell preceding him.

***

Nanneella Estate Primary School took to the stage in Melbourne last week as a finalist in the Science Drama Awards.

Nanneella was runner-up after a performance, highlighted by fabulous costumes and make-up, and rapturous applause from the audience.

The school’s participation in the finals would not have been possible without the support of the entire school community.

Principal Ian Denson was thrilled by the performance of his charges.

‘‘They remembered all their lines and actions, sang beautifully and wowed the audience with colour and cuteness,’’ he said.

‘‘And special thanks to music/drama teacher Mrs Pearson and all involved for such a great achievement.’’

***

There was no wiping the smile off Dimity Pearson’s face after the Goulburn Valley Netball League presentation night earlier this week.

The Rochester under-17s A-grade netballer may have missed out on the most talented award to Shepparton’s Laura Ryan, but simply being named one of three finalists in the category was a thrill for Pearson.

‘‘I do enjoy my netball and I love playing at the higher level. It is a really good experience and all the girls in the team are really supportive and welcoming.’’

The 15-year-old had just returned from a camp in Queensland when she heard she was a finalist.

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