Cr Les Garraway gets to know a 9ft Queensland python held by aquarium owner, Mr John Gerrand, at a preview on Wednesday night.
Photo by
Riverine Herald
50 years age September 1974
Echuca’s newest tourist attraction opened its doors in High St this morning.
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Mr John Gerrand, a retired Bendigo plumber, has set up Echuca Display Aquariums in a completely modernised and once condemned building formerly occupied by a panel beater.
Thousands of dollars have been spent to make the aquarium one of the best of its type in Australia.
Eighty-five live snakes from a 9ft Queensland python to small carpet snakes are housed in glass-front enclosures more in keeping with elaborate museum displays than an aquarium.
About 22 large aquariums hold a magnificent array of tropical, native and cold water fish including a Mexican walking fish.
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Victoria’s Director-General of Education, Dr L. W. Shears, told representatives of the Echuca Technical School that he was unable to say when rebuilding of the school could be carried out.
Dr Shears said he had informed a deputation from the school in April that rebuilding of the school could possibly be achieved in four years and he was not prepared to suggest an alteration to this time.
Principal of the Echuca Technical School, Mr Arthur Cook, is using a scale model of the school to show the Director-General of Education, Dr L. W. Shears, problems being experienced with the existing buildings. In the background are the Mayor of Echuca, Cr Don Oberin, and Mr Ern Reynard, a member of the school’s executive council.
Photo by
Riverine Herald
‘’There are factors such as more money becoming available that could bring the project forward but I am unable to say that this will happen,’’ he said.
Dr Shears made these comments following submissions by the school principal, Mr Arthur Cook, and the president of the school’s executive, Mr Cec Inglis.
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Murray Shire Council will register a strong protest to the Grants Commission in regard to the small amount of $6000 received from the Commonwealth Government for financial assistance.
The total amount given to Local Government in Australia for 1974-75 was $56,345,000, of which NSW will receive $21,359,000.
Region Five, which includes Murray Shire, will receive a total of $640,000.
Apart from Holbrook and Windouran Shires, which received no monies at all, Murray Shire with its $6000 is the lowest in the region.
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The serious problem of the rapidly increasing population of European cap in the Murray and Goulburn river systems, will not be solved in the near future, because of the limited amount of scientific knowledge of the species in Australia and other countries.
Answers to the Questions of Notice submitted in the opening session of the Victorian Legislative Assembly by the Member for Rodney, Mr Eddie Hann, were received on Tuesday from the Minister of Conservation, Mr W. A. Borthwick.
The first question from Mr Hann on behalf of the many organisations concerned with the problem was whether any research had been carried out by the Fisheries and Wildlife Division with regard to the eradication of the European carp from Victorian streams and if so, the results of such research.
25 years ago September 1999
National Party MP Noel Maughan has kept his grip on the seat of Rodney despite the voter backlash against the coalition in Saturday’s Victorian election.
In a shock result, an estimated swing of 4.4 per cent across the state has seen the ALP drastically reduce the coalition’s mandate to the extent where neither can claim victory.
As voters vented their frustrations on his colleagues, Mr Maughan maintained his substantial margin, with only a small movement towards the ALP.
Mr Maughan said it was gratifying that the electorate had continued to give him their support.
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Echuca’s MON Beverages celebrated 100 years of business on Friday.
MON was first established as a cordial factory by James O’Neill and Thomas Manger in a building in Annesley St, now used as a syrup room in the expanded business.
Descendents of James O’Neill were represented at Friday’s celebrations by (from left) Dot (formerly O’Neill) and husband David Young and Joan O’Neill. Dot and Joan were the wives of Kevin and Ira O’Neill respectively, two of the four sons of MON co-founder James O’Neill.
Photo by
Riverine Herald
Victorian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Mark Birrell was special guest at a celebration to mark the event, along with managing directors Chris Popovski and Tom Radevski and staff, descendants of James O’Neill and invited guests.
MON manager Kip Potenger outlined the history of the company, for the partnership formed by two young men, then working as delivery boys for opposition cordial factories.
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Echuca pilots are concerned with safety problems that could occur as a result of fuel being siphoned from their aircraft.
Four aeroplanes had petrol siphoned out of them by unknown offenders in a recent overnight incident at the Echuca airport.
One of the aeroplanes was almost completely drained of the aviation high octane fuel, while the others had large amounts taken.
Pilot Ralph Guerry (left) and Echuca-Kyabram Aero Club president Kevin McCarney inspect the fuel tank of Ralph’s six-seater Piper Lance from which fuel was siphoned recently.
Photo by
Riverine Herald
It is estimated that between 200-250 litres of fuel, worth about $200, was stolen.
Ralph Guerry, who was one of the pilots affected, said it wasn’t just the fact the fuel was stolen that was the concern.
Mr Guerry said in his six seater Piper Lance it was impossible to tell exactly how much fuel had been taken.
10 years ago September 2014
Simmie Rd residents are one step closer to a safer school commute for their children.
Resident Peter Clinnick originally penned a petition for a section of the 100km zone to be pulled back to 70km; but after discovering VicRoads was phasing out 70km zones, the submission was revised to 80km.
‘‘I think 80km is probably a little too fast, but something is better than nothing to reduce the danger to pedestrians,’’ he said.
The section of the road between the Murray Valley Hwy and Kelsh Rd has seen an increase in traffic since the Echuca Livestock Exchange opened in 2007 and was often used by pedestrians and commuters at both ends of the day.
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Echuca Workers and Services Club has been flushed.
The bright purple toilet of Relay for Life team, Kiss Angels 50 Shades of Hope, appeared at the club after being nominated by an unknown business.
The toilet aims to help raise money for cancer research and raise awareness of next month’s relay in Moama.
Club manager Erin Langman said they would have the toilet for about 48 hours before nominating someone else.
Echuca Workers and Services Club supervisor Ron Branch.
Photo by
Jayme Lowndes
‘‘It’s certainly created a bit of interest,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s a very unique way of raising money.
‘‘Because we’re a community-based club we’re happy to support it.
‘‘We’ve got a fair idea of who to pass it on to, but we won’t disclose them.’’
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The Echuca-Moama housing market has got buy, buy, buy written all over it.
With record low-interest rates and no immediate signs of them being raised, the banking industry is fighting hard to lure customers by offering even lower rates for fixed-interest loans.
Prices in Echuca-Moama relative to Melbourne are offering good value for first-home buyers and property investors.
But the yellow-brick road leading to your next house is not necessarily paved with gold, according to financial adviser Paul Glennen.
He has warned potential buyers to make sure they fully understand the commitment of a 25-year, or longer, mortgage and the costs of getting into, and out of, the market.
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