Echuca Neighbourhood House
Echuca Neighbourhood House Community Lunches, held Mondays (dine in) and Wednesdays (takeaway) noon, at 390 Landsborough St premises.
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Phone: 5482 6914.
Cost: $2 a head.
Echuca Horticultural Society
Echuca Horticultural Society will meet at 10.30am on Wednesday, February 8 at St James Hall, Maiden St, Moama.
All welcome.
Contact: Cecilia Merrigan 0400 863 190.
Alton Gallery — ArtLife Exhibition
Echuca Moama Artists is presenting an exhibition of new works by Deniliquin group of painters ArtLife at the Alton Gallery.
Paintings on show are featuring landscapes, abstracts and still life, in various mediums including oils, watercolours, acrylics, pen and ink, graphite and pastels.
The exhibition will be open from February 4 until March 25, at 111 Hare St, Echuca. Gallery hours are Fridays, 10am to 2pm, Saturdays, 10am to 1pm, or by appointment.
Entry is free and all paintings are for sale. Inquiries: 0439 460 690.
Echuca Library
Book chat and cuppa
Come along and chat about the book you have been reading. First Thursday of each month at 2pm. All welcome, no booking necessary.
Wednesday Book Club
A monthly get together to discuss the book of the month. Please ask library staff for details of the discussion book. Third Wednesday of each month at 6:45pm. All welcome, no booking necessary.
Film afternoon
Free movie afternoon and a cuppa. First Friday of each month at 1pm. All welcome, no booking necessary.
Social afternoon for over 55s
Join us for a social chat and a cuppa, come along and meet new people. Every Monday at 2pm. All welcome, no booking necessary
Echuca Library Computer Group
Discuss topics and keep up to date with technology. First Saturday of each month at 10:30am. All abilities welcome, no booking necessary.
Mahjong Group
Learn to play or test your skills. Every Thursday at 2pm. All welcome, no booking necessary.
Rummikub Group
Learn to play or test your skills. Every Thursday at 10:30am. All welcome, no booking necessary.
Scrabble Group
Meet and enjoy a friendly game of Scrabble. Every Saturday at 10am. All welcome, no booking necessary.
Knitting and Craft Group
Bring your knitting or craft along. Every Wednesday at 12:30pm. All welcome, no booking necessary.
Card Group
Play a game of 500 every Thursday at 1pm. Bush rummy every Tuesday at 1pm. All welcome, no booking necessary.
After School Club
Free Lego, craft and games for primary school-aged children. Every Tuesday at 3:30pm. No booking necessary, just come along.
Storytime
For preschool-aged children. Held every Friday starting at 10:30am.
Saturday Storytime
For preschool-aged children. Held first Saturday of each month starting at 10:30am.
Toddler Rhyme Time
For children aged up to three years. Held every Monday starting at 10:30am.
Baby Rhyme Time
For babies up to 18 months. Held every Thursday starting at 11am.
ASA Echuca Discussion Group
The Echuca Discussion Group of the Australian Shareholders Association meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Caledonian Hotel Echuca, from 10am to noon.
Interesting guest speakers and discussions.
For more information contact convenor Geoff on 5853 1940 or email campaspeasa@gmail.com
Echuca Dance Group
Lessons for Absolute Beginners will commence on Thursday, February 16 at Echuca Senior Citizens Centre, 39 Landsborough St, Echuca at 6.30pm.
Cost is $5 per lesson. To register your interest or for more information, contact Dave on 0419 374 627.
The weekly social dancing program will continue each Wednesday night in the Parquetry Room at Moama Bowling Club with improvers’ lessons from 6.15pm and social dancing from 7.15pm.
Moama Cemetery Volunteers Group
Moama Cemetery Volunteers Group meets at the Moama Cemetery on the first Saturday of each month from 9am until around 11.30am, finishing with a cuppa.
The group helps keep the grounds and older graves tidy, helps in the general maintenance of the cemetery and researches older burials.
There is a job for every age and capability.
New volunteers are always welcome.
The Foundry Arts Space
The Foundry Arts Space is closed this week as the exhibitions team sets up the first exhibition of the 2023 program, featuring local artists Daniel Wein, Kathleen Watson and Barb Magnay.
The official opening of these exhibitions is on Saturday, February 4 at 11am.
Locals and visitors are all invited to come and meet the artists, and mingle with like-minded supporters of the arts in our region while enjoying a cool drink and strawberries.
Thunder DrillDance Echuca
*** Fundraiser alert ***
Grab your friends, some popcorn and maybe a nice glass of wine or two and support Thunder DrillDance Echuca in its campaign to get to the Australian Championships being held in April at Sydney.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance, screening Friday, February 10 at 6.30pm.
Tickets $25 — supper included.
We will also have some romance-inspired raffles on the night, with tickets available prior and also on the night.
You may be one of the lucky ones to walk away with a bottle of wine and some chocolates.
Please contact one of the members if you wish to purchase a ticket or two, or contact the Facebook page or call Angela on 0491 242 171.
Echuca-Moama Family History Group
Echuca-Moama Family History Group has moved to a new location at 6 Meninya St in Moama.
This building is part of the old Murray River Council buildings in front of the Sound Shell.
Our research rooms will be open for family history research from Friday, February 3 from 11am to 3pm. From this date we will be open every Monday and Friday from 11am to 3pm.
The relocation is due to the fact that our previous location at the Old Telegraph Station in Chanter St, Moama was inundated with
floodwater last October and the building suffered considerable damage.
Echuca Moama Uniting Church Makers’ Markets for 2023
Echuca Moama Uniting Church, corner of Hare and Pakenham Sts, Echuca
Markets for 2023:
Dates: March 11, June 10 — Winter Warmers, September 30.
Marketplace Fair — November 4.
For stalls, phone 0429 801 342.
Cost: $20 — table and chairs supplied — 9am to 1pm.
Save used postage stamps
Charitable organisations and places in crisis benefit from used stamps, which are sorted and sold overseas to stamp collectors.
Please save your stamps and give to Beryl Marshall, 2 Burns St, Lockington, or Anne Hutchinson at Lockington Business Centre.
Trim a surround of 3mm around the stamps.
Discard stamps that are heavily franked; torn or skinned; biro/pencil cancelled or covered in sticky tape.
If you’re not sure, and don’t want to trim, please cut a large margin (perhaps a quarter of the envelope), or give the whole envelope.
Volunteers with ‘Sammy Stamp’ in Melbourne will trim them.
Pre-franked envelopes?
Please give the whole envelope. Also stamp books are appreciated.
Two Men in a Boat at Echuca Historical Society
What is Two Men in a Boat?
It’s an exhibition of stereograph photos of Murray River scenes taken in 1862.
It is on display until February 28 at Echuca Historical Society Museum and will be open daily from 10am to 2pm.
Two photographers visiting Echuca from the Victorian Goldfields exchanged their wagon for a boat of river red gum planks and rowed from Echuca to Goolwa in 1862, taking photos of the many properties along the way.
They spent four months on the river and rowed 1700km.
One of the photographers was Edward W. Cole, who founded Cole’s Book Arcade in Melbourne, and his colleague George Burnell was also a photographer.
Ulysses Motorcycle Club Echuca branch
If you’re over 40, have a motorcycle licence and are looking for social motorcycle adventures, come along to a Saturday morning coffee at the corner of High and Leslie Sts at 10am and introduce yourself, or phone Terry on 0400 263 932.
Echuca Moama Model Railroaders
The Echuca Moama Model Railroaders is a group of model train enthusiasts who meet on the second Thursday of the month at Rotary Park at 7.30pm.
For more information, phone Bruce on 0409 520 116 or email emmrtrain@gmail.com
Support your community radio station
EMFM 104.7 has a new home at the Echuca East community precinct in Sutton St, Echuca.
EMFM broadcasts to Echuca, Moama, Mathoura, Torrumbarry, Lockington, Elmore and Kyabram.
It is on air 24/7 and is run by a team of dedicated volunteers.
You can purchase a membership at: https://radioemfm.org.au/membership
Echuca Wool and Craft Group
The Echuca Wool and Craft Group meets every first and third Wednesday of the month at Alton Gallery at 10am.
Members enjoy sharing skills and knowledge related to wool crafts, including spinning, weaving, knitting and crochet.
We also hold dyeing days, attend local wool shows and donate items to various charities.
If you have a passion for wool craft, phone Wendy on 0427 320 062 or Irene on 0419 844 088 for more information.
Moama Bowling Club indoor bias bowls
Indoor bias bowls are held each Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm at Moama Bowling Club.
Members and visitors welcome. Names to be in by 6pm.
St Vincent de Paul Conference, Echuca
St Vincent de Paul Conference, Echuca, has been offering welfare assistance to people in this area for many years.
It is at 11 Nish St, Echuca, next door to the Vinnies Shop, and provides food and household items to anyone in need, especially those affected by recent floods.
It is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 10.30am to 12.30pm (except public holidays).
The answering machine is always on to receive messages outside opening times.
Leave a message and you will be contacted on Tuesday or Thursday.
For more information, phone 5480 7621 or email echuca.conference@svdp-vic.org.au
Kyabram Croquet Club
Playing times up to March:
• Tuesday, 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
• Friday, 8.30am for a 9am start.
Campaspe Murray Probus Club
Do you enjoy meeting people in a happy and safe place?
Why not give Campaspe Murray Probus Club a try? You will be made welcome.
We enjoy many varied activities, including bus and caravan trips for the adventurers, coffee mornings, walks, cards and lunches.
It’s all about fun, friendship and fellowship for active retirees.
We meet on the second Monday of the month at 10am at Rich River Golf Club.
For more information, phone Michael on 0490 772 562.
Breast cancer support group
The Wild Orchids Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the last Thursday of the month at 10am at the Caledonian Hotel in Hare St, Echuca.
For more information, phone Jeanette on 0417 317 893.
Wild Orchids Walking Group
WOW meets at the Echuca Visitor Information Centre at 2 Heygarth St, Echuca, at 10am every Monday.
For more information, phone Maryann on 0438 812 339.
Echuca indoor bias bowls
Indoor bias bowls are held at Echuca Senior Citizens Centre on Friday from 9.30am to noon and Saturday from 1.30pm to 4pm.
New players are welcome.
Names to be in by 9am on 5482 4179.
Echuca Moama Stroke Support Group
The Echuca Moama Stroke Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the ERH Education Centre from 10am to 11am.
It is an opportunity for stroke survivors, carers and family members to attend for light-hearted chat and a get-together.
For further information, phone Dave on 0475 388 986.
Campaspe Quilters
The Campaspe Quilters group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Echuca Library meeting room at 7pm.
For more information, phone Deb on 0409 527 463 or Kris on 0407 029 895.
Echuca Bridge Club
Echuca Bridge Club has weekly duplicate tournaments on Wednesday and Thursday starting at 4pm, with hand records always available.
The club uses BridgePads, so scores are available within a few seconds of the end of each session and are then emailed to all participants and uploaded to the website.
For more information or to request a partner, phone Chris Turner on 0409 008 612.
Echuca Moama Twin Rivers Probus Club
Have you wondered what Probus is all about?
Put simply, it is a gathering of retired people wishing to make new friends and join with them on organised social outings.
We offer many activities in our club, including indoor bowls, cards, garden lovers, dining, coffee mornings, day trips to local attractions and short-break caravan/cabin trips.
You don’t have to join in with them all, just whatever takes your interest.
Does this sound like what you have been looking for?
We meet on the first Monday of each month at the Echuca Workers Club at 10am.
Phone Bruce Haines on 0428 862 217 for more information.
Mr Perfect
Join us to meet people from your own community.
It is a great chance to get out of the house and into the sun.
Family, friends, men, women and children are all welcome.
Mental health discussion is purely optional.
Free monthly barbecue is held on the first Sunday of every month from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Apex Park in High St, Echuca.
Free monthly coffee meet-up is held on the third Friday of every month from 1pm at Beechworth Bakery in High St, Echuca.
For more information, phone Andy Rogers on 0467 094 061.
Bendigo Gem Club
The Bendigo Gem Club will host its annual fundraising Expo 2023 at the Bendigo Exhibition Building, Holmes Rd, Bendigo.
It is a family-friendly event featuring a wide variety of quality stallholders, with rocks, minerals, fossils and hand-crafted jewellery.
See displays and demonstrations, glowing rocks, gem sifting and rock identification for children.
Speak with members about joining the club and learning to cut and polish your own stones, facet gemstones and how to hand fabricate sterling silver into original jewellery items.
Barbecue and refreshments are available.
Saturday, February 25, from 10am to 5pm; Sunday, February 26, from 10am to 4pm. Adults $8, under-12s free.
Bella A’Capella
Bella A’Capella is a small choir of enthusiastic singers who meet every Monday night at the Uniting Church Hall on the corner of Hare and Pakenham Sts, Echuca.
The harmonies produced are usually in four parts, without musical accompaniment.
Newcomers are most welcome, any Monday at 7pm.
We meet all year except for a six-week break in the middle of winter.
Follow the choir on Facebook or phone 0458 916 910.
Al-Anon meeting
A meeting for the relatives and friends of problem drinkers is held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10.30am to noon in the foyer of St Aloysius Catholic Church in Francis St, Moama.
For more information, visit: www.al-anon.org.au
Echuca TOWN Club
Echuca TOWN Club (Take Off Weight Naturally) meets every Monday at 5.30pm at the Echuca Senior Citizens Hall at 39 Landsborough St, Echuca.
For more information, phone Judi on 0477 120 158.
Echuca Moama and District Probus Club
Echuca Moama and District Probus Club is the founding club of four Probus clubs in the area and is looking to expand its membership.
The club meets on the last Monday of the month at Rich River Golf Club at 10am, with the exception of December.
It meets for morning tea on the first Monday of the month at various venues as it tries to support all businesses in the area.
It meets for lunch on the Monday before the meeting, again at a venue around town.
If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the club, phone Val Cosway on 0409 416 078 to find out where that month’s venues are.
Rich River TOWN Club
Rich River TOWN Club (Take Off Weight Naturally) meets at the Apex Park room in Echuca on Wednesday at 9.30am.
For more information, phone Helen Murray on 0409 333 366.
Echuca Moama parkrun
Echuca Moama parkrun is a free, fun and friendly 5km community event.
You can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate — it is up to you.
Echuca Moama parkrun takes place each Saturday at 8am from Lions Park (corner of Ogilvie Ave and Campaspe Esplanade), Echuca.
Each week members grab a post-parkrun coffee at a local café.
For more information, you can visit parkrun.com.au/echucamoama or email echucamoama@parkrun.com
Echuca and District Historical Vehicle Club Inc swap meet 2023
The car club is holding its annual swap meet on Saturday, April 22.
Although this has been an annual event since its inception in 2014, the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years has meant it hasn’t been held.
A total of 200 sites are available, although some have been booked by sellers since the very beginning.
It will be at Rotary Park and there are food vans, coffee, lots of car parts and collectables.
There will even be entertainment, with a band performing.
Any large or heavy purchases can be delivered to your car or trailer.
There is a ‘show and shine’ for your special car, with a separate section for lady drivers, with trophies for the best cars.
Gates open at 5am for sellers and 7am for buyers, and entry is $5. Kids under 15 will be admitted free.
If you are interested in a site, cost is $20 — phone 0456 010 665 or email echucaswap@outlook.com
Echuca Moama Uniting Church
Pre-loved Bookstall and Repair Cafe Saturday, February 4 - from 9am-12 noon.
Community Lunch - Tuesdays in the hall - Pakenham Street entrance. Food served at 12 noon. Good food and good company.
All welcome to Sunday service at 10am.
Thank you to all for your wonderful support for our community in this way.
Echuca Moama Artists
Echuca Moama Artists meet on the first Thursday of the month, at 1pm in the Alton Gallery, 111 Hare St, Echuca.
The next meeting, on February 2, will be the annual general meeting.
For more information, phone Barb on 0429 380 032.
Kyabram Tastes and Tunes Festival
The Kyabram Tastes and Tunes Festival will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 5.30pm to 10.30pm.
The event is being held in Allan St, Kyabram, with road closures in place along the main street.
The night will be filled with live music, food, drinks, children’s activities and entertainment for the family.
Live music will be provided on the night by Baker Boys Band, a five-piece act specialising in high-energy music for festivals.
Supported by Jayne Lilford, who makes her return to the stage in her home town, and Indi Gilmore, a young up-and-coming artist who is an active participant in local music and performing arts company Dillmac Entertainment.
The main street will be set up with tables and chairs, and local food vendors will have a variety of food on offer along with a liquor licence in place for the festival area.
This event is being organised by the Kyabram Development Committee.
There is no cost to attend the evening thanks to the fantastic support of the Kyabram Club, Kyabram branch of the Bendigo Bank, Gardiner Foundation and the Campaspe Shire Council.
The motivation behind this event is to create a community event that not only brings the Kyabram and district community together, but also supports our local businesses and community groups to thrive after a couple of tough years.
This event was originally scheduled for October; however, due to the evolving flood situation impacting our neighbours the decision was made to reschedule.
We look forward to seeing you in Kyabram.
River Voices Choir
River Voices Choir is a community choir with a wide selection of chorale music, singing in four-part harmonies.
The choir meets weekly on a Sunday afternoon during school terms at the Uniting Church chapel in Hare St, Echuca.
It is professionally led and has performed in concerts, Anzac Day services, aged care homes and its annual Christmas carols.
Choir members come from all around the district including Deniliquin, Tongala, Kyabram, Gunbower and Echuca-Moama.
The choir is seeking new members.
For information, phone Glenys on 0438 871 438 or email rivervoicesechuca@gmail.com
Special events at Echuca Library
Author events
Join Emotion Code practitioner Julie Roberts
Learn this simple method for energy healing. Realising trapped emotions may facilitate physical and emotional balance and recovery so you can live a healthier, happier life!
Wednesday, February 15, 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Bookings essential on 5481 2400 or at www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
Come and meet local author Susan Stokes
Drawing on family folklore and stories from her parents, Susan has written a tale of love, adventure, endurance and triumph.
Friday, February 17, 2pm.
Bookings essential on 5481 2400 or at www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
Meet author J. S. Davidson
Jan writes thrillers and fantasy as J. S. Davidson and drama and romance as Ella Stone. Come along and listen to this young Australian author talk about her craft.
Sunday, February 26, 2.30pm.
Bookings essential on 5481 2400 or at www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
International Women’s Day event
Join two engaging guest speakers: Caroline Beecham, a producer and director and historical fiction author, and Maya Linnell, a writer, baker, green thumb and Australian fiction author on Sunday, March 5 at 2.15pm.
Bookings essential on 5481 2400 or at www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
Repair Cafe
The Repair Cafe will be revived starting on Saturday, February 4 in the Uniting Church hall, Hare St entrance.
The hope is that our community members will consider whether an item can be repaired instead of being discarded and ending up in landfill. This is another way of preserving our environment.
Such things as an item of clothing with a small need of a button replaced, tear repaired or a hem half down to be restitched.
A clock needing a hand reattached, a knife needing sharpening or a screw replacing on an item.
Thought and a little time to bring it in is all it takes.
As the cafe progresses it is hoped to add more volunteer ‘members with the skills’ who are willing to spend a few hours of their time helping our community in this way.
It is planned to hold the cafe on the first Saturday of the month when the hall is open for the pre-loved book stall.
For inquiries please phone 0400 863 190 or 0429 801 342.
You can be a part of Community Billboard
If you are a community/sporting group or organisation then let us know about who you are and what you do.
Community Billboard is your chance to let the people of the region know about your club or group.
Email your news, photos and information to editorial@riverineherald.com.au
Gregor Mactaggart is the editor of the Riverine Herald.