50 years ago, September 1975

Echuca City Council has for the second time refused to give its approval to an application for funds by the local YMCA youth clubs.

The Echuca and District Youth Clubs have twice requested the council to approve its application for funds for a proposed drop-in leisure centre.

Council first refused the request at its ordinary meeting about a fortnight ago, and then agreed to adhere to its decision at a meeting on Monday.

In letters to council the YMCA explained that it is seeking about $8000 for equipment for the drop-in centre from the Australian Assistance Plan Capitation Grant.

At the first meeting, council appeared pleased that the YMCA was attempting to establish the drop-in centre, but as it is also seeking funds from the same source it would be unable to approve a second application.

***

Amounts ranging from $2 to nearly $1600 were paid for lots at an antique auction sale held in Echuca.

A Wagga collector paid the top prices of the sale for the cedar ‘Alcock’ billiard table and attachments, for which bidding ended at $1550.

About 500 lots were offered for sale and the agents, Galvin Graham and Co. Pty. Ltd., reported a good clearance.

Many interesting items were offered for sale, including a 1923 International truck ($675), Venetian tea set ($300) and a 1914 Douglas motorcycle manual ($60).

25 years ago, September 2000

Supplies of fuel to the Echuca-Moama district will return to normal after a truck blockade of three major Melbourne refineries was lifted.

Blockades were removed after a statement supporting calls for a code of conduct was released by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks.

The blockades were instigated after a rally in Footscray Rd on Sunday organised by Moama-based owner-operator Jerry Brown-Sarre.

Fifteen Echuca-Moama district owner-operators attended the rally and some of them were part of the blockades.

The rally aimed to draw attention to the plight of owner-operators going to the wall because of skyrocketing diesel prices and low kilometre rates.

***

For 19-year-old Private Justin Gibb, his first taste of overseas military service will be in East Timor.

Justin, from Moama, is part of the latest group of Australian troops to be deployed to East Timor as peace keepers.

Justin, who is based in Townsville with the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, said his deployment to East Timor was what he had been waiting for since he joined the service full-time last year.

For more than 1000 troops from the 1st Battalion, this latest deployment will be an extremely tough assignment, as the country is still unstable.

Justin attended Echuca Secondary College before joining the Australian Army full-time last year.

10 years ago, September 2015

He may be only 15, but Isaiah Firebrace’s voice shows experience beyond his years.

And if his latest stint on Channel Seven’s X Factor is anything to go by, he has a successful music career ahead of him.

Among the judges touting him as the next big thing, Guy Sebastian told Isaiah his ‘‘tone was incredible’’.

‘‘I didn’t sound like that when I was 15, that’s remarkable,’’ the Australian Idol singer said.

Rock star Chris Isaak told Isaiah: ‘‘All I wanted to do was find someone who was real — and that’s you.’’

While Dannii Minogue said ‘‘your home town better get ready to party!’’

But the Moama boy broke fans’ hearts on Sunday night when he was knocked out of the competition after forgetting the lyrics to Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car.

He said the setback would not stop him from reaching for the stars, and he has already recruited a following of passionate fans.

***

Dianne Henss has always been creative in her work as a singing teacher, choral conductor and storyteller.

Now the Patho woman — who spent much of her life living in Echuca and teaching at local schools — is a published author.

Her children’s book Amelia’s Amazing Dream Adventures was inspired by her granddaughter Olivia, who would often talk about flying in her dreams.

‘‘I still remember my dreams as a child,’’ Mrs Henss said.

‘‘I would have the same ones; where I would be flying — I always wondered what it meant.

‘‘I wanted to feel closer to Olivia as she was living interstate, so I started illustrating stories for her.’’

Before she knew it, Mrs Henss had compiled a series of tales of flying Amelia — enough to fill a 50-page paperback book.

Earlier this month, Amelia’s Amazing Dream Adventures was launched online, two years after Olivia was first gifted a homemade version.

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