Reflections on the past

Goulburn-Murray Water has warned Gunbower residents unpopular decisions could be made regarding the future of Gunbower lagoons.

G-MW connections project director George Warne said the authority was in the process of an environmental study which involved talking to landowners about the environmental impacts of filling the lagoons as part of the irrigation cycle.

In September, G-MW unveiled plans to stop irrigation water flooding into 11 lagoons in the Gunbower region by piping water directly to farms.

It would instead deliver environmental flows to the lagoons.

With the plans being made in conjunction with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan being put through parliament, Mr Warne said plans for Gunbower were separate from the plan.

He said it was important for G-MW to look at water use and environmental benefits of the lagoon system, regardless of landowner opinion.

COUPLE’S QUICK THINKING, CPR SAVES YOUNG BOY

Echuca's Hayden and Susan Cox's recent holiday to Coffs Harbour quickly turned sour when a young boy nearly drowned in the hotel pool.

On the first day of their holiday, Mr Cox and his wife and two-year-old son went down to the hotel pool.

Mr Cox noticed a young boy in the pool waving to some other boys on the edge of the pool and initially thought they were just playing.

He kept an eye on the boy and then started to think the boy had been under water a little too long.

He asked another man who was in the pool with his young child asked if the boy was okay and the man indicated he was fine, before taking another look.

The man then pulled the boy out of the water and Mr Cox could see the boy was foaming from the mouth and nose and his eyes were rolled back into his head.

Mr Cox then jumped in and dragged the boy to the side of the pool and his wife ran inside to call an ambulance.

Meanwhile, Mr Cox started CPR, trying to clear the boy’s airways, which was difficult because his jaw had locked and his face was already “half blue”.

NEW PRINCIPAL FINDS HIS FEET

Echuca South Primary School’s new principal Karl Stenning is loving his new role.

Mr Stenning, who has previously been in the role of acting principal at the school, has recently taken on the role of principal for a five-year period.

He described it as a ‘‘huge sea change’’ as he had previously only worked within secondary schools.

Mr Stenning started his teaching career at the Echuca Technical School as a physical education, psychology and English teacher and continued at the school when it merged with Echuca High School to form Echuca College.

He held this role for 30 years.

Mr Stenning then became the campus principal of the school for three years, before moving into the role of assistant principal of VCE, a role he held for three years.

He said he felt very supported in his new role at Echuca South Primary School.

‘‘It’s a great little community,’’ Mr Stenning said.

‘‘The staff are fully committed to students and parents, and students are friendly and welcoming.

‘‘Parents have also been very supportive in my new role.’’

FUN FACT: Roma Pizza was running a competition which gave you the chance to win free pizza for a whole year! Once a week for a year the winner would receive two large pizzas, garlic bread and a 1.25 litre bottle of Coke.

25 YEARS AGO

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1997

TOURISM PLAN LAUNCHED

The Murray Regional Tourism Development Plan was officially launched in Echuca on Friday by Small Business and Tourism Minister Louise Asher.

The plan outlines a co-operative approach to Murray River tourism between NSW Wales and Victoria.

Ms Asher said the Murray Regional Tourism Plan, one of 13 tourism plans for Victoria, was the only plan to have an international goal, which was to have the Murray River regarded as “Australia’s greatest river”.

Also speaking at the launch was Campaspe Shire Mayor Mary Bowman.

Cr Bowman said council would continue to support regional tourism and acknowledged the state’s signage problem and tourism plan.

“The river is one of our greatest assets,” Cr Bowman said.

AMUSEMENT PARLOUR APPROVED

Echuca could soon have a centrally located amusement parlour.

At a meeting in Kyabram last Thursday, Campaspe Shire councillors voted to issue a notice of decision to grant a permit for an amusement parlour to be situated at 207 Pakenham St, Echuca.

The proposed amusement parlour would have 38 coin-operated amusement machines and a rack for six bicycles on the footpath in front of the parlour.

The building proposed for the parlour is currently vacant.

MAJOR CENTURY GUIDES TIGERS TO RESPECTABLE SCORE

An outstanding century from all-rounder Brad Major guided Rochester Tigers to a respectable score in round five of Campaspe cricket on Saturday.

Major belted 125 out of a team total of 214 against a slightly undermanned Echuca attack after the Tigers had won the toss and batted at Windridge Oval.

Spinner Shane Maddox finished with figures of 4-72 from 26.3 overs, receiving good support from son Simon (2-56) and John Bibby (3-25).

Next door at Rochester Recreation Reserve, South is in a strong position after posting a healthy 255 against United.

Openers Mark Pearce (58) and Tim Jefferson (59) made the most of good batting conditions early, while left-hander Ian Quanchi (54) also impressed.

A bold effort to secure outright points and jump back into finals contention is paying dividends for Moama.

The Mowers declared at 4-180 from just 58 overs, highlighted by a classy 75 not out from Jade Bennett.

Captain Kirk Teasdale’s declaration gave his bowlers 18 overs at Tongala and reduced the Blues to 5-27 at stumps.

Jason Seipolt took two wickets and Teasdale snared 2-0 from four maidens.

Bunnaloo’s lack of depth cost it dearly against Mathoura, the ‘Loo finishing at 187 after being set for a much bigger score when 1-119 at tea.

Jamie Murphy (4-30) and Jason Toomey (3-20) were the destroyers for Mathoura.

FUN FACT: Friday night on television consisted of Burke’s Backyard followed by the movie Tunnel Vision on WIN. Who Dares Wins, Home Improvement and the movie True Identity featured on Prime 7. Frontline was the leading show on ABC, with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure the movie on Ten Victoria and SBS broadcasting the final of Derrick, a German TV series starring Horst Tappert as Inspector Derrick.

50 YEARS AGO

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1972

ELECTIONS — TWO SITTING MPs SWEPT BACK

Bruce Lloyd was swept back into his Country Party seat of Murray by a sweeping 7000 vote majority in Saturday’s Federal Election.

In Riverina, Labor member Al Grassby had an absolute majority of 4002 votes over his Country Party opponent, Eric Kronborg.

Mr Lloyd said this morning he was very happy with the result of the voting.

“I figured that my vote on Saturday was two per cent up on the by-election 20 months ago,” Mr Lloyd said.

“Labor’s vote, of course, was up, but when the sitting member can increase his vote when there is a general swing to the Opposition, it is fairly good.”

Mr Lloyd said he had had 20 months to learn about parliament as a member of the government in the back benches and now he would continue his education as a member of the Opposition.

He said he would continue to keep in touch with his constituents in Echuca through regular visits here.

The first will be on Monday when he officially opens the new automatic telephone exchange in Hare St.

Final figures in Saturday’s poll were: Lloyd (Nationals) 21,207, Riordan (ALP) 13,914, Hunter (Lib) 7157 and Payne (DLP) 3359. Informal 753.

In the Echuca sub-division there were 2193 votes for Lloyd, 1744 for Riordan, 827 for Hunter and 329 for Payne.

MBE IN GARDEN

In a brief, but emotional ceremony, the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, invested Cr H. A Keele, MBE, JP of Rochester Shire, with the award of Member of the British Empire on Friday.

Sir Rohan carried out the investiture at “Burnewang North”, the property of Mr Michael Clarke, MLC, and his wife, Rochester Shire president Helen Clarke.

More than 100 residents of Rochester Shire attended the investiture which was performed during afternoon tea in the gardens of the homestead.

Cr Keele was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June for his outstanding service to local government and the community.

This year is Cr Keele’s 28th as a Rochester Shire councillor.

A telegram from Sir John and Lady McEwen apologising for being unable to attend the investiture was read.

CLUB TO CONTINUE IN BENDIGO LEAGUE

Under the leadership of a new president, Herb Haw, the Echuca Football Club will contest the 1973 season in the Bendigo Football League.

Mr Haw was elected at the annual meeting of the club on Friday night after a move to have Echuca move to the Goulburn Valley Football League in 1973 was defeated.

About 30 people attended the meeting, but only 21 of those present, not including the former president Lloyd Hart, were eligible to vote.

A motion moved at the meeting by Hec McCartney, the club’s auditor, “That the Echuca Football Club apply for admittance to the Goulburn Valley Football League,” was supported by six voters and opposed by 15.

In moving the motion, Mr McCartney said that as the club’s auditor he had a clear view of its financial standing, locally and in relation to Bendigo Football League.

“My only reason for moving this motion is the Goulburn Valley Football League appears in a better financial proposition for the Echuca club,” Mr McCartney said.

He said many old members still had friendships and contacts in the BFL, but he felt this bond had nearly eroded away with the younger players and members.

“I feel that the BFL is aptly named and that members should give serious thought to moving to the GVFL,” Mr McCartney said.

A committee member of the club, Gus Oliver, spoke against the motion pointing out that he had watched football in the GVFL for 10 years and found the standard far below that of the BFL.

Treasurer of the club, Kevin Woolnough, spoke strongly in support of the motion, suggesting that if the move did not take place this year, then it would in the next three.

“This notion was supposed to create interest, but the interest is no greater than in previous years and it appears to me that the people of Echuca don’t care what the Echuca Football Club does,” he said.

FUN FACT: Carry On Henry was the top billing movie at the River-Vu Drive-In.