50 years ago May 1976

‘’Permits are not issued for the feeding of stock on shire roads in time of drought,’’ Mr Bill Reid, engineer, told Thursday’s meeting of the Rochester Shire Council.

Farmers were taking ‘’fence leave’’ and allowing stock to feed on the roads.

Mr Reid added that the council generally shut its eyes during drought seasons to the feeding of stock on its shire roads.

Before council were two letters, one from Mr G. Weller, and the other from Mr J. Vickers.

Mr Weller asked about the provisions of the council’s by-laws regarding wandering stock and questioned the effectiveness of such by-laws.

He also asked if the council did not enforce its by-laws, who was liable for any damages which may occur?

Mr Vickers asked if permits were issued for stock to graze on the roads.

He pointed out there was no feed left on the roads generally and grazing stock caused damage to fences. He asked if farmers were entitled to compensation for damages.

***

Mr Peter J. Donovan has taken up duty as manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Lockington.

He succeeds Mr P.J. Pearson, who is now an assistant regional manager in the chief manager’s office, Melbourne.

Mr Donovan joined the Wales in 1960 and has served in a number of metropolitan and country branches in Victoria and in the legal administration section of the chief manager’s office, Melbourne.

The Lockington appointment is his first as a branch manager.

***

The offer of the traditional gold watch after 20 years of service by a councillor saw Cr Fraser Caddy decline the offer as he felt the present serious economic position was against any such presentation.

Cr Caddy made his decision at Thursday’s meeting of the Rochester Shire.

It has been traditional with the Rochester Shire in recent years to make a presentation when a councillor has completed 20 years of service.

Tribute was paid to Cr Caddy by his fellow councillors.

25 years ago May 2001

Rochester's Federation procession and concert was hailed as an outstanding success with the procession swelling to almost 800 people by the time it reached the shire hall from the hospital grounds.

Preschoolers dressed in period costume followed the bright orange uniforms of State Emergency Service volunteers and the flag-bearing members of the RSL to lead the procession down the Moore St service road.

Other uniformed and non-uniformed volunteers joined in as the Salvation Amy band played a marching tune and the group moved along Fraser St to St Joseph’s, where the school population was decked out in costumes reflecting each decade of the past 100 years since Federation.

***

An astronaut attracted a fair bit of attention in Rochester — but while it was of the space age, it had its feet firmly planted on earth.

The Lely Astronaut robotic milking system was on working display at Lely’s Mackay St warehouse during the company’s open day.

Rather than dealing with real cows for a day, the system was demonstrated using a recycling unit filled with water.

Observers could see how the auto system sensed each udder for the cups to go on, then individually milked each quarter, dropping the cup off as a quarter was emptied.

Interestingly, said Lely Australia and New Zealand manager Tony McCurry, quarters could be minutes apart in releasing cups as quarters empty at different rates.

This factor alone led to better teat health and a reduction in mastitis, he said.

***

Goal umpire Frank Ralph clocked up 1000 games when he manned the flags at Kyabram for the Rochester Magpies’ under-14 game on Saturday — then made it 1001 when he travelled to Lemnos with the under-16 Tigers on Sunday.

Apart from the numbers, it was just a normal weekend for 65-year-old Frank, who has umpired junior football on both Saturdays and Sundays for the past four years. Before that, it was mainly just Saturdays with the Magpies, and prior to that (and this is going back to the beginning, 32 years ago), he umpired for the under-16 firsts and seconds.

That was in the days when the under-16 league consisted of sides from Rochester West, Rochy East, Nanneella, Lockington, Bamawm and Bamawm Extension.

10 years ago May 2016

Farmers and tourism bodies have slammed Canberra’s decision to go ahead with its backpacker tax.

Earlier this year the Federal Government announced its intentions to remove the tax-free threshold and slug backpackers on working holiday visas at a rate of 32.5 per cent from the first dollar they earn.

It led to a backlash from farmers and hostel owners around the Campaspe region, who feared the measures would turn backpackers away from Australia.

Following the uproar, 30 industry stakeholders made recommendations to the Federal Government, which included proposing an alternative tax rate of 19 per cent.

But Victorian Farmers Federation horticulture vice-president Emma Germano said their ideas were ignored.

***

The recently formed Elmore Equestrian Club hosted its inaugural dressage competition at Elmore Equestrian Park on April 16.

The event attracted riders from a wide area and classes consisted of good numbers of quality horses.

The small committee was kept busy all day but was delighted that the riders commented favourably on the facilities at Elmore, the organisation of the day and the fabulous prizes that were awarded to the successful competitors.

The Elmore Equestrian Club has been formed to enable local equestrians to compete locally in Equestrian Australia events such as dressage, show jumping, inter school and showing.

***

The first of a series of talks on the drug ice kicked off on Thursday in Elmore, with more than 100 people turning out for the event.

The Snowball Effect organised by Rochester and Elmore District Health Services saw clinical psychologist Cara Tucker discuss the ins and outs of drug addiction, intervention and support for users and their loved ones.

REDHS health promotion officer Crystie Ballard said Dr Tucker did an outstanding job as guest speaker.

‘‘There were quite a few young people in the room which allowed us to get that preventative message out there,’’ she said.

‘‘Cara really addressed what motivates people to turn to and continue using drugs and helped families understand the importance of intervening.

‘‘That means a bit of tough love, not putting up with certain behaviour and providing money.’’

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