50 years ago, August 1976

Miss Christine McIntyre of Lockington has been named the top second-year hairdressing apprentice at a Bendigo ceremony.

Christine works at the Beth-Laine Beauty Salon, Rochester.

On Wednesday evening, Christine received a medallion, a certificate and a cash award at the White Hills Technical School in recognition of her feat in being top hairdressing apprentice.

***

Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of the Rochester Shire Council, Cr Fraser Caddy said that workers’ compensation insurance was beginning to look like a rip-off, when it was revealed that the council would have to pay a premium of $71,714.88 this year.

Mr Kevin Jackel of the shire's office had prepared the following figures showing the total premium was $58,468.41, plus a stamp duty charge of seven per cent.

Cr Caddy said the premium of $71,714.88 was virtually a rating of two cents in the dollar. How could they pass this on to ratepayers in a period of depression and drought?

***

The Campaspe Valley and District 60 and Over Bowls Group held its annual meeting last week at Echuca.

Ten of the 11 member clubs were represented.

Chas Boysen (Rochester) was elected president and Harold Thomas (Kyabram) senior vice-president. The other two vice-presidents are J.R. Hare (Gunbower) and D.D. Palmer (Lockington). J.D. James was again elected secretary-treasurer.

Retiring president Mr J.R. Evans said in his report that his three years at the head of the group had been most enjoyable and rewarding. This was made possible by the full co-operation of very good delegates, greens directors and green-keepers, all club associates and members clubs.

25 years ago, August 2001

Rochester and Elmore District Health Service will work to develop a three-year shared services agreement with Echuca Regional Health to ensure the continuing flow of vital health resources to the area.

The hospital board of management announced the proposed shared services agreement at its meeting last Thursday.

The board agreed with Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association representative John Bowman's recommendation to set a shared services agreement to ensure the hospital received the most appropriate services available to the area.

This announcement comes as Bob Skinner, a former deputy chief executive at ERH and senior health administrator with more than 20 years’ experience in the health administration industry, begins work with the board of management to develop the agreement.

***

A colourful portrayal of Rochester in the Centenary of Federation year is taking shape at Rochester Primary School.

Students have spent the past few months working on a six-panel mural that, when completed, will be mounted on the southern wall of the school.

Included in the mural are features such as the Shamrock Hotel, shire hall, the water tower and the horse trough in Rotary Park.

Corellas, palm trees, cows and sheep are pictured, as well as expanses of water, a milk tanker, a grain silo and a water wheel.

Students, from Prep to Year 6, have finished the initial artwork under the guidance of visiting artist Gai Maddams.

***

The North Central regional netball 17-and-under and 19-and-under squads were victorious at the Victorian Netball Championships held in Melbourne recently.

Players were selected from competitions throughout the region, with Lockington netballers Laura Hopkins and Lisa Maddison chosen from the Heathcote and District Football and Netball League for the 17-and-under squad after selection trials in Bendigo.

Echuca netball coach Jenny Dwyer oversaw the under-17 squad victory, which came after a gruelling 11 games on the Saturday and another five games on the Sunday, followed by two finals games.

10 years ago, August 2016

Rochester and district principals have called for changes to the controversial NAPLAN test after new figures revealed student progress had stalled.

The test — which was introduced in 2008 for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 — focuses on reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy.

Preliminary results from this year’s test became public last week, showing there had been no significant progress in the literacy and numeracy skills of Australian students since last year.

But district principals have played down the importance of the test and said there were better ways to improve student learning.

***

The next batch of sporting superstars in the Campaspe region will receive a boost after the launch of a new academy.

The Campaspe Academy of Sport was recently launched after Rochester Secondary College signed a partnership agreement with Elmore/Lockington/Rochester Community Bank.

The academy is a sports education and athlete development program aimed at helping students in their pursuit of sporting and academic success.

It emphasises the physical, mental and health benefits of physical activity and will include specialist coaches, guest speakers, sport science services and individualised training programs.

***

Rochester’s Splash ’N’ Learn swimming school has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years.

And last week it capped it off by winning one of the life-saving industry’s most prized awards.

The school was named Life Saving Victoria’s licensee of the year at a ceremony in Melbourne, pipping stiff competition from across the state including Geelong College and Campaspe Shire.

Owner Maree Macague said it was an emotional achievement for her and the team.

‘‘It’s big. It’s huge. It’s absolutely amazing,’’ she said.

Ms Macague started up Splash ’N’ Learn six years ago with a purpose-built pool in her Rochester backyard.

She started with 30 students and has seen the swim school balloon in popularity, now teaching vital swimming and water safety skills to more than 400 students.

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