Reflections on the past

Pete Murray was today announced as the headline act for Echuca’s Riverboats Music Festival in February.

Other acts are Clare Bowditch, Archie Roach, James Reyne, Tim Rogers, Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows, Mia Dyson, Gossling, Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes, The Bombay Royale, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, Better Than The Wizards and Talisa Jobe.

Held over three days from February 15 to 17 at Echuca Aquatic Reserve, next year will be the event’s second year in its new format.

TAXIWAY EXPANSION ON CARDS FOR COUNCIL

Campaspe Shire councillors will vote on whether to expand taxiways at Echuca Aerodrome at a meeting tomorrow night.

Councillors will also vote on whether to approve plans for an extension of Echuca’s SES building at Echuca South Recreation Reserve and whether to fund new multi-purpose courts for Victoria Park.

A recommendation before council asks it to approve spending $123,000 to resurface and expand a central taxiway and expand two northern taxiways to meet certain standards.

Councillors will also look to support plans to build a 20m by 25m building for Echuca’s SES unit.

Council had previously supported plans for the unit to expand at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, but the unit has come back to council with increased plans, including the new building, toilet facilities, a car park, disabled access and an internal fitting out of communications, turn out, kitchen and store rooms.

GALE COOKS UP A STORM IN COMPETITION

Morrisons Riverview Estate apprentice chef Vaughn Gale put his culinary skills to the test against some of the best apprentices.

Mr Gale, 17, won a bronze medal at the Australian TAFE Culinary Competition in Melbourne.

A first-year apprentice with Morrisons, Mr Gale said he was keen to show off his skills, with simplicity the key.

‘‘I had to complete a skills test, which was to make an omelette, and then I had to cook a meal for two using a lamb rack as well as a green component and a starch component, all for under $18 a serve,’’ he said.

‘‘I created a lamb rack with sweet potato puree, broccolini with a mint glaze, vegetable crisps and a watercress salad.

‘‘I tried to keep it simple. The judges said my food was seasoned well.’’

FUN FACT: Monday’s night fare across the range of commercial television channels featured The X Factor, Underbelly: Badness, Don’t Tell The Bride, Four Corners and MythBusters.

25 YEARS AGO

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1997

ROUNDABOUT FOR BUSY JUNCTION

A new roundabout has been scheduled to be built at the corner of Hare and Darling streets, one of Echuca’s worst accident hotspots.

The project will receive $120,000 under the Federal Road Safety Black Spot program following an application for funding by Campaspe Shire in March this year.

The funding was announced by Federal Member for Murray Sharman Stone on Thursday.

A FIRST FOR ESC: STUDENTS HEAD FOR INDONESIA

The first group of Echuca Secondary College students to go overseas on a school trip in the school’s 114-year history left for Tullamarine Airport yesterday.

The party of 20 was heading for Indonesia for 10 days’ travelling, learning and fostering international relationships — and hopefully a lot of fun.

The group comprises two teachers: Indonesian teacher and trip organiser Richard Kelly and Rhonda Clarke.

Among the 12 students are Nathan Gillies, who travels in a wheelchair, and Amelia Dohnt, who has been appointed to make the formal speeches on the group’s behalf.

The other students are Carrie Munro, Tim Morgan, Kelly Scrivener, Lyndal Britten, Jual Ciccone, Michelle Haynes, Laura Hobbs, Carly Grainger, Ross Ulloner and Dale Wayland.

The students are in Years 7 to 10 and all learn Indonesian at school.

Six other adults make up the group: parents Ricky Scrivener, Margaret Wayland, John Ullner and David Morgan, Nathan’s aide Linda Regan and primary Indonesian teacher Clare Clee.

MURRAY BOMBERS INTO GRAND FINAL

Echuca’s two senior football teams booked a berth in the GVFL grand final in a fortnight’s time with good wins in yesterday’s second semi-final at Tongala.

The seniors continued the reserves’ success with a 35-point defeat of Rochester Tigers.

Centre half-back Mark Heritage played a fantastic game to be unanimously best man on the ground.

Three goals apiece to Jay Norden and Simon Eishold proved pivotal in the 13.5 (83) to 6.12 (48) success.

The Echuca reserves won a thriller against Shepparton United, coming back from a 10-point deficit at three-quarter time to win 5.3 (33) to 4.6 (30).

FUN FACT: You could enjoy a hot barbecue seasoned chicken from Safeway for $6.99. Other bargains included porterhouse steak for $8.99 a kilogram, Decore shampoo and conditioner for $2.49 and a two-litre tub of Peters Original Ice Cream for $3.19.

50 YEARS AGO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1972

OPPORTUNITY IN ECHUCA

Echuca has the opportunity of procuring a knitwear factory, which would provide employment for 40 to 50 people.

In a joint statement by the Echuca City Council and the Echuca Regional Development Society, a call has been made to any people, male and female, with experience in the knitwear manufacturing industry.

Male or female knitting machine operators, female machinists, persons with knowledge of seam-sewing, buttonholing and pressing, and anyone interested in being trained for a job in a knitwear factory is asked to contact the Town Clerk, Mr K. F. McCartney.

$2.5M DAIRY PAYOUT TO FARMERS

Dairy farmers supplying Ibis Milk Products are receiving cheques totalling almost $2.5 million this week.

This was announced in Shepparton on Wednesday by the general manager of Ibis Milk Products, Mr D. J. Gardiner.

Mr Gardiner said that the record payout of $2,485,000 included payment for milk and cream supplied during the month of August, a retrospective payment covering the 12 months ended June 30 and the final government bounty payment for the 1971-72 season.

Prices paid for the 1971-72 season are 63.5 cents a pound for butterfat in milk and 49.5 cents for butterfat in cream.

Opening prices for the 1972-73 season have been announced at 56.5 cents for milk and 40 cents for cream, with the Dairy Board levy to be deducted from these prices.

MOAMA TO WIN PREMIERSHIP

Moama should bring Lockington’s run of Echuca Football League successes to an end by winning the grand final of the 1972 competition at Victoria Park tomorrow.

Lockington has won the past two premierships and gained a place in this season’s grand final with a victory over Mathoura in the preliminary final last Saturday.

FUN FACT - The Paramount Theatre hosted a Double Sidney Poitier Show by public demand. To Sir, With Love started the proceedings followed by Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.