50 years ago August 1976

The Federal Government’s offer to underwrite dairy products to allow factories to pay farmers 50 a lb butterfat until December 31, 1976, has been criticised by the leader of the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria.

The president of the UDV, Mr Bill Pyle, said the government’s aid proposals had been dressed up to look like a magnanimous gesture, but in reality were a bloodthirsty hoax.

‘’It proves that the government is only masquerading as the farmer’s friend. Its true policy is to neglect and ruin with harsh, unrealistic and unwarranted policies.’’

Mr Pyle said the government had ignored the reasonable, realistic and justifiable call from the UDV for underwriting at 55c and had placed the dairy industry in a straitjacket of despair.

***

Prices described by some as ‘’incredible’’ were paid for items of furniture at a Rochester auction on Wednesday.

One lot, a medallion-backed olive velvet upholstered English walnut settee with two companion chairs, brought for $4600.

The settee was one of about 170 items accumulated over 35 years by the late Dr Laurie Nott and his wife. Aileen, to go under the auctioneer's hammer.

Auctioneer, Mr A W. Patten, of Bendigo, on said Wednesday's sale attracted about 400 people.

Mr Patten said the sale was interesting as items offered for sale were in first class condition.

He said buyers came from most parts of Victoria, with the result that bidding on nearly all lots was spirited.

High prices were paid for some of the choicest and rare pieces.

25 years ago July 2001

Traffic in Rochester's main business area will soon be restricted to 40km/h following VicRoads' approval of the suggestion put by Campaspe Shire.

Gillies St, from Moore to Mackay Sts and Mackay St, from the intersection with Elizabeth St to that with Fraser St, will be affected.

Rochester Citizens Advisory Group, backed by the local Neighbourhood Watch group and police, lobbied the shire earlier this year to seek VicRoads approval for the proposal.

Included in the proposal was a reduction of the speed limit in Moore St from Gillies St to Fraser St; however, this section was not approved as it is a main highway.

***

Rochester resident and past Australia Day Citizen of the Year Lionel Penny will feature in Australia's final event for the Centenary of Federation year – the Peoplescape.

Peoplescape – cut-out, decorated figures of around 5000 Australians placed on the slopes of Canberra's Parliament House and across the lawns of Federation Mall – will be brought together in Canberra on November 25 and will be one of the largest art installations ever undertaken in Australia.

Nominated by family friend Merryn O'Leary, Mr Penny received notification of his role last week, and is now awaiting his own life-size, person-shaped ‘template’ to decorate, to create a representation of himself.

The concept of Peoplescape is to celebrate the diversity and the contribution of ordinary Australians, providing a graphic reminder of the basis of Australia's wealth and prosperity – its people.

10 years ago August 2016

When a journalist phoned Rochester’s Bill Iddles to talk about his famous detective son for a new book, the 88-year-old had one wish.

He just wanted to be alive for the day it was published.

Last week, that wish came true.

The book, The Good Cop, centres on Ron Iddles, one of Australia’s greatest homicide detectives who was born and raised in the Rochester and Lockington area.

Within three days of its release on Tuesday, it had sold 10,000 copies as booksellers — including Rochester Newsagency — scrambled to find more copies to meet the staggering demand.

When author Justine Ford phoned him for an interview in November 2014, Bill had just been released from Rochester and Elmore District Health Service after a serious bout of pneumonia.

Bill told Campaspe News last week he and the family were incredibly proud of the book and of Ron’s career.

***

The Grade 5-6 Rochester Primary School netball team won through to September’s School Sports Victoria state championship after beating St Joseph’s, Bendigo, in Swan Hill on the weekend.

RPS staff member Steve Rasmussen called it an ‘‘unbelievable’’ effort to win the regional title after earlier beating the Campaspe District opposition in Echuca.

‘‘They played against the best of the Bendigo and Swan Hill Schools,’’ he said. And it’s the first time the girls have made it this far.

‘‘The girls actually lost to St Joe’s by four goals in the round-robin phase and beat them in the final by 16,’’ Rasmussen said.

***

Diabetes rates in the Rochester district continues to sit well above the national average as medical professionals scramble to address the problem.

According to the latest figures from Diabetes Australia, 5.9 per cent of residents in Rochester, Bamawm and Nanneella are registered with diabetes, while 6.7 per cent in the Elmore postcode are carrying the condition.

The national average is 5.1 per cent.

Ash Watson, a diabetes educator at Rochester and Elmore District Health Service (REDHS), said demand for services was increasing, but added he was not surprised the figures were so high.

‘‘It’s a massive issue throughout Campaspe Shire and in Rochester particularly,’’ he said.

‘‘But being in a rural location, rural figures are generally up higher than the metropolitan areas.’’

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