2024 in review

Ten of the major events are featured below.

Please be aware, some of these stories mention death.

Echuca Moama Tourism closure

Echuca Moama and District Tourism Association officially closed with a final members’ meeting on Tuesday, September 3, voting almost unanimously.

Following the announcement of its closure in May, and the official ceasing of operations on June 30, the board was in discussions about the organisation’s next steps.

At Tuesday’s special general meeting, two resolutions were presented to members, being the distribution of existing assets and cancellation of EMT’s incorporation and ABN.

Remaining assets were proposed to be distributed to the Committee for Echuca Moama, following pitches from various groups after EMT’s closure was announced.

“Our goal is to conclude this meeting with the assurance that EMT’s assets will be responsibly transferred to another community organisation that has demonstrated the ability to manage and enhance these resources,” EMT chair George Santos said at the meeting.

Both resolutions were considered and voted in favour by 25 out of 26 members in attendance.

By approving these motions, the organisation can officially cease to exist and C4EM will take on the digital assets and a small amount of cash.

While the outcome of the meeting was a success for the board, allowing for a smooth transition, Mr Santos highlighted the disappointment of being in this position.

“It brings to an end 40 years of what was once a vibrant community association,” he said.

“Everyone on our board is extremely sad that that happened, and I guess that’s the overwhelming feeling right through.

“We wish we could have resolved it in a different way ... there was no hope left for us to continue.”

The two organisations are facilitating the transfer of assets from one to another.

Mr Santos is looking forward to seeing how C4EM will support destination marketing and tourism for the region.

“It’s the turning of a page in the tourism book,” he said.

“It will be interesting to see how it all develops.”

– by Emily Donohoe

Legislative Council sitting at Echuca library

The Victorian Legislative Council met on Thursday, April 18, for the first time at the Echuca library to discuss important issues and engage with communities in regional Victoria.

Victorian Legislative Council president Shaun Leane then led the proceedings and thanked the Echuca community and Echuca library for hosting the meeting.

“It’s fantastic for us to be in this region; we are very privileged to be welcomed so warmly; it’s a wonderful part of our great state,” he said.

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell also thanked Campaspe Shire and Echuca for their hospitality during the Legislative Council’s visit to the region.

“I would like to thank Mayor Rob Amos and the community of Echuca for their warm welcome. We are very lucky to be here,” she said.

Throughout the meeting, the members discussed an array of topics, including recovery efforts in the wake of the 2022 floods that devastated Rochester, tabling petitions for new infrastructure, residential aged care facilities in Campaspe, the high level of regional health services offered in Echuca and continued funding to support water projects in northern Victoria.

Then-Victorian Attorney-General and state Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes was thrilled to have the Legislative Council in Echuca, a town where she spends a lot of time.

“Echuca is a town I have loved to visit as a child, and now, as a councillor, it is great to meet here in this beautiful regional town and Campaspe Shire,” she said.

“I am very proud of this shire, and to showcase this area to my fellow councillors. We have a large presence of members visiting Echuca.

“I think it’s great to have regional MPs in regional towns. I do it every day, so to be able to share it with our metropolitan colleagues is fantastic.

“Everyone really enjoys visiting regional Victoria, and Echuca is certainly a great place to visit. We have felt very welcome.”

– by Oliver Shedden

Record funding for Vic Park

The $13 million upgrades for Victoria Park are supported by the Federal Government and Campaspe Shire Council, which are looking forward to seeing the project begin.

More than $11.3 million has been committed by the government for the park’s redevelopment, while council will contribute a further $2 million.

Council active communities manager Kerrie Hawkes said master plans for the site had been in progress for many years, and that the first stage of the project was ready to begin.

“The revised master plan ... it’s been in the making for over a decade,“ she said.

“The current plan is the redevelopment of the sporting precinct, and also the passive, open space which is the scenic trail area.

“The first stage is the multipurpose facility (and) the oval resurfacing is another project that we’re looking at, hopefully at the same time.”

Council has worked alongside key stakeholders in the creation of the master plan, including Echuca Football and Netball Club, Echuca Cricket Club, St Joseph’s College, CFA, Southern 80 and the Yorta Yorta community.

The football and cricket clubs are working with the council on the timing and options for the oval’s development.

“We're working with both clubs regarding their options for home games and training opportunities,” Ms Hawkes said.

“(It’s) short-term pain for long-term gain. They’ve been very receptive.”

Federal Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart believes the project will provide a boost to the region, particularly as an important meeting place for residents.

“We know that the projects funded through the Growing Regions Program will help bring communities together. Whether it’s a sporting club or a community hub, these places are often the source of connection for people in our regional communities,” she said.

“They are part of what makes our regions so great, and it’s vital we continue to invest in them.

“This will make a real difference for the Echuca community, and I look forward to seeing the benefits flow as works get under way — supporting local jobs and the local economy.”

– by Emily Donohoe

Holden Museum closes

The National Holden Motor Museum has closed its doors to customers for the last time after a final farewell on Sunday, April 14.

Co-owner Tony Galea said he had mixed emotions leading up to the end.

“I’ve been having two main feelings: relief and sadness. Relief because ever since we announced it four months ago, we’ve been very hectic,” he said.

“But I also know that when we close the door to the public, I’ll be pretty sad. I think it’ll really hit me after we leave.”

This was a sentiment shared by the other owner, Mark Galea (no relation to Tony).

“Even after we close to the public and stop having people coming in, we still have a lot to do to prepare for the auction in May,” he said.

“We’ve been so busy I haven’t really had a chance to sit down and process it. There is still a lot of work to be done before (Tony and I) say goodbye.”

Tony and Mark Galea have been running the museum since they took it over seven years ago.

They first announced the closure via social media in January, when they said they could not find a buyer for the business and had no choice but to close.

A passion for cars convinced Tony to move from Melbourne and buy the business.

“I’ve always been into Holden. I’ve got a collection of my own,” he said.

“I’m a collector of memorabilia and cars. I have quite a few.”

Giving everyone months of notice about the closure, so final visits could be planned, was important to the two men.

“It allowed everyone to come and see the museum for the last time or rearrange their holidays or whatever. I think that was a good thing we did that, even if it was hard work,” Tony said.

“We had lines out the door and people travelling to see us on the weekends.”

Mark agreed and said people came from far and wide to see them again.

"We got a lot of support in these final months,” he said.

“We’ve had people come here from all over the place. Not just from across the country but even from New Zealand.”

– by Shannon Colee

Community mourns Tongala brothers Benny and Luke Smith

The community of Tongala is in mourning following the tragic passing of brothers Luke and Benny Smith on Saturday, November 16.

Luke, 20, and Benny, 16, died in a plane crash at Tinamba West in Gippsland. Their 15-year-old cousin Dusty Daly was also on board and died at the scene.

The Smith family have received an outpouring of emotion and support from the Tongala community, with Tongala Football Netball Club, Tongala Cricket Club and Moama Cricket Club paying their respects, among others.

Luke, Benny and their brother Ryan all played for both Tongala football and cricket clubs, with Benny also playing in Moama’s under-17s side in 2023, where he won a premiership, and in 2024.

“The Tongala Football Netball Club, together with the Tongala Cricket Club and the broader sporting community, is devastated by the tragic loss of two of our much-loved players and brothers, Luke and Benny Smith, along with their young cousin, Dusty Daly,” Tongala Football Netball Club president Daniel Cox said in a joint statement with Tongala Cricket Club president Travis Johnstone.

“We offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Alistar (AJ) and Leonie, Ryan and Olivia, Amy and Mathew Daly, and their families.

“We also offer our unwavering commitment to support them all as a family during the unimaginable days ahead.”

Mr Cox and Mr Johnstone reflected on the individual character of the brothers and emphasised their kind and generous natures.

“Luke was an exceptional young man whose smile could light up any room. Known for his drive, intelligence and unwavering love of friends and family,” Mr Cox and Mr Johnstone said.

“He had a cheeky sense of humour that was infectious — a charm that could lift anyone’s spirits. He was generous, caring, and someone his friends could always count on.

“Benny was a quiet achiever, naturally shy, with extraordinary talent and a bright future ahead of him.

“A humble yet fierce competitor, he was the ultimate team player who always gave his best. He had an exceptionally kind nature, and like all the Smith kids, he was polite, friendly and warm.

“Beneath it all, Benny was a gentle soul with a heart full of compassion. He had a beautiful gift of making everyone around him feel better — he was truly uplifting.”

– by Oliver Shedden

Murray River Council parks saved

Murray River Council decided against the proposed reclassification of community land to operational land at its Tuesday, June 25 meeting.

A strong local contingent was in attendance at the meeting, with around 100 residents watching on from Moama Recreation Reserve Pavilion, a venue upsize to account for the crowd.

Then-Mayor Frank Crawley voted in favour of the rescission, citing the community’s opposition to the proposal and community activism as his motivation.

“This tells us, as a council, that an overwhelming number of Moama residents don’t want to see any parks sold off,” he said.

“There were a number of passionate speakers at the Highlands Park meeting talking about the physical and mental health benefits of green spaces and playgrounds as well as environmental benefits to flora, fauna, the air we breathe and social benefits of community cohesion.

“As a councillor who is committed to community consultation, I was particularly pleased that so many members of the public came out to be heard.

“I think that the importance of existing parks and green, open spaces to the community cannot be underestimated.

“I’m going to support the rescission motion, knowing that we’ll have a lot of hard work ahead of us to be financially sustainable.”

Cr Crawley delivered a mayoral minute calling on then-chief executive Terry Dodds to apply to the Independent Pricing And Regulatory Tribunal by February 2025 to potentially increase council rates.

If approved, the special rate variation will be determined and come into effect for the 2026/27 financial year.

The special rate variation was raised by councillors during the rescission motion as an alternative to reclassifying and subsequently selling the parks. The mayoral minute was passed unanimously.

– by Emily Donohoe

Local government elections — Murray River and Campaspe Shire councils

On Tuesday, November 19, Cr Daniel Mackrell was officially elected as mayor and Cr Jessica Mitchell as deputy mayor at the first unscheduled Campaspe Shire Council meeting of the term.

The results of the Murray River Council election were declared on Tuesday, October 1.

In the Greater Murray ward, Joy Allan, Kylie Berryman and Geoff Wise were elected, while in Moama, Gen Campbell, John Harvie and Bianca Hurn were elected.

In the Wakool ward, Dennis Gleeson, Neil Gorey and Gary Pappin were elected unopposed at the close of nominations on Saturday, September 14.

Cr Gleeson, Cr Gorey and Cr Wise retained their positions on council, Cr Campbell returned after a stint out of council, and the remaining five councillors are new to the role.

Cr Harvie was elected as mayor at the first meeting of councillors on Tuesday, October 8. Cr Gorey was re-elected as deputy mayor.

Campaspe Shire Council enters a new era with a blend of experienced and new councillors, poised to navigate the region through the recently implemented unsubdivided ward system.

On Thursday, November 14, Campaspe Shire welcomed its new council group, with six re-elected members bringing valuable experience: Crs Rob Amos, Tony Marwood, Daniel Mackrell, John Zobec, Paul Jarman and Adrian Weston.

They are joined by three fresh faces: Crs Jessica Mitchell, Luke Sharrock and Zoe Cook.

Campaspe Shire Council chief executive Pauline Gordon expressed confidence that the blend of returning councillors and new members would infuse the council with fresh perspectives and reinvigorated leadership, driving strategic initiatives for the region.

– by Emily Donohoe and Jemma Jones

Echuca Moama Flood Study endorsed

After nearly five years of consultation and research, the Echuca Moama Flood Study Report came before Campaspe Shire Council.

The councillors unanimously voted to endorse the flood study report during the March meeting.

“The adoption of the Echuca Moama Flood Study Report marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance community safety and resilience,” then-Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos said.

“We have carefully considered the feedback received during the consultation process and believe that the final report comprehensively addresses community concerns while providing valuable insights for future flood management.”

The report was also endorsed by Murray River Council in 2024.

Flood mapping and the report can be accessed at campaspe.vic.gov.au/Plan-build/Works-projects/Echuca-Moama-Torrumbarry-Flood-Study-Project

– by Shannon Colee

Ashlee Good a victim in Bondi mass murder

A woman from Echuca was one of the six people killed in a stabbing attack at a Sydney shopping centre on Saturday, April 13.

Ash Good, 38, died at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney on Saturday, April 13.

She grew up in Echuca and attended St Joseph’s College.

Ms Good was with her nine-month-old daughter, Harriet, at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday, April 13, when the attacker leant inside the pram Harriet was in and stabbed her, before attacking Ms Good.

Two brothers heard Ms Good’s screams before she ran to them with her injured baby and begged for help.

Bystanders then ran to the mother and daughter with anything they could find to compress the bleeding, including towels and blankets.

The men caring for Harriet were ushered into a nearby store by staff, while others in the area went to Ms Good’s aid, kneeling beside her to keep her calm.

Ms Good was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney by ambulance under police escort, but tragically she passed away shortly after arrival.

On Sunday, April 21, Harriet was discharged from Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, following her admission from stab wounds sustained during the violent attack.

A GoFundMe for Harriet and her father, Dan Flanigan, received over $800,000 in donations.

In a statement on August 12, Mr Flanigan thanked the support of the community and emergency services following the tragedy.

“There are so many people to thank for their support, strength and kindness over the past months — from emergency service workers to doctors, nurses, family, friends and kind strangers,” he said.

“To the thousands of people who have left messages and generously donated through this page, which was kindly set up by Steve Foxwell of Isagenix Australia and New Zealand for Harriet and myself, thank you.

“Please know that you’ve provided us with both comfort and strength during this difficult time, and that every message and donation has been read and received. To say they’ve been deeply appreciated would be an understatement.

“Nothing will ever dull the pain of losing Ash, but reading your messages and seeing what an impact Ash has had on so many people has provided a lot of comfort.”

– by Djembe Archibald, Campbell Kirwan and Emily Donohoe

Echuca tobacconist raids

On Tuesday, September 17, local uniformed police and Criminal Investigation Unit executed simultaneous search warrants at two premises.

Stores at 240 Pakenham St, Echuca, and Allan St, Kyabram, were targeted around 2pm.

A Tarneit man, 26, and a Taylors Lakes man, 23, face four tobacco-related charges, and have been bailed to appear at the Echuca Magistrates’ Court later this year.

Police said they seized 19,960 sticks of tobacco with the street value of $19,960 and a large amount of cash from the Echuca store.

This had an estimated tax excise revenue loss of around $5400.

From the Kyabram store, 7834 sticks of tobacco with a street value of $7834 were allegedly seized.

Police said these had an estimated tax excise revenue loss of around $10,700.

A further 105 e-cigarettes with a street value of $5250, 1.2kg of loose tobacco with a street value of $360, a large quantity of cash and 32 grams of cannabis were allegedly seized at the Kyabram store.

The loose tobacco had an estimated tax excise revenue loss of around $2522.

This was the third search warrant at the Pakenham St store and the second warrant at the Allan St location.

Since August 22, police also allegedly seized 39,097 sticks of tobacco with a street value of $39,097, 312 e-cigarettes with a street value of $15,600 and 36kg of loose tobacco with a street value of $10,800 from stores on Hare and Nish Sts, Echuca.

Police estimated a tax excise revenue loss of around $53,400 for the sticks and of around $75,700 for the loose tobacco.

The total seizure amount since August 22 is 212,951 sticks of tobacco with a street value of $212,951, 1989 e-cigarettes with a street value of $99,450 and 75.7kg of loose tobacco with a street value of $22,710.

The sticks of tobacco have a total tax excise revenue loss of around $290,900 and of around $159,100 for the loose tobacco, police estimate.