Campaspe News
Short-form kings
Bamawm-Lockington United went back-to-back on Thursday, defeating Kyabram Fire Brigade in a final-ball thriller to take a second straight Goulburn Murray Cricket Twenty20 crown. The pendulum swung towards both sides at stages, but the Lions had the...
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Knight’s tale: Rochester turns out for a legend
It is impossible to fit Robert ‘Bob’ Knight’s decades of service to the Rochester community into a single display case, but the exhibition at the Rochester Sports Museum offers a powerful glimpse into a life defined by commitment. More than 100 people...
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Community spirit shines bright in Rochester
Rochester and district residents came together to enjoy the annual tradition of carols on Sunday night. Among those attending the event at Windridge Oval, Rochester, were Elisha, Murray, Caleb and Gabriel Sibbison. More Lua Ikenasio photos, page 8
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Design endorsed
The $12.9 million final design for the new Rochester Aquatic Facility was unanimously endorsed by Campaspe Shire Council at its most recent meeting. On Tuesday, December 9, a recommendation to support the design and continue advocating for funding...
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Snaps, smiles and Santa
Santa Claus and the Grinch brought plenty of Christmas cheer to Rochester at the weekend, posing for festive photos with local families. While families were mostly excited on the day, the children were curious — and a little cautious — around the two...
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Three cheers for a top pub
From near closure a few years ago, the Lockington Hotel and its committed patrons have been recognised at the industry night of nights. Another award has been added to the mantel in the pub following a huge win at the Australian Hotel Association’s...
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Future in good hands
While a win was not to be for Rochester Cricket Club’s A-grade side on Saturday, there was still plenty of highs for the side, including junior Judd Cuttriss’ catch to take the wicket of Bamawm-Lockington United’s Josh Cairns. Cuttriss, pictured with...
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Colourful workout
Aged care residents at the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service enjoyed a lively afternoon of fitness and fun during their colour fun walk on Friday. Residents completed a 1km course at their own pace, while staff added bursts of colour to...
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A house in need
The Rochester community has rallied behind the Rochester Neighbourhood House in its call for increased funding to support Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria. As part of Neighbourhood House Victoria’s Keep Our Doors Open campaign, community members...
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Uncomfortable run for a cause
Ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann (second right) came into town on Friday to personally cheer on the ‘Rochy Runners’, Kody Lees, Mattia Curry and Jordy Bruton, taking part in Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge. The challenge encourages Australians to do...
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All OK in Rochy
Hundreds of visitors from near and far flocked to Rochester on Saturday for the return of OK Rochester. The event offered something for everyone — from browsing the town market, like Anna Greene and Lillie Reeves, to marrying friends at the Hall of...
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Field days fun
Georgie Oliver, Lucy Adams and Bobby Oliver were among the attendees at the 62nd Elmore Field Days, popping in on Wednesday, October 8. It is one of the biggest agricultural events in Victoria, with plenty of stalls and demonstrations from a range of...
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Shooting for the stars
Chance Powles and Kaylah Moon will depart for the trip of a lifetime in December, heading to the United States for a basketball tour. The pair will take part in a two-week tour of Texas and Los Angeles, shooting hoops and sightseeing along the way....
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St Joe’s GEMs
St Joseph’s Primary School students made it a colourful last day of term three, inspired by the Resilience Project values. The four GEM Heroes created a vision of gratitude in orange, empathy in green, mindfulness in purple and emotional literacy in...
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Mounts at the peak
On the final day of the Heathcote District Football Netball League season, Mount Pleasant showed the full extent of its grit and determination, weathering a late goal barrage by North Bendigo to be crowned the 2025 senior football champion by five...
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Countdown to spectacular show
Performers from across the state, including Rochester Primary School, are warming up for the Victorian State Schools Spectacular on Saturday, September 13. Rochy students will sing their hearts out in the mass choir, after spending the past few months...
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Mitigation on the minds of residents
Nothing was off the table at Campaspe Shire Council’s Rochester Flood Study drop-in sessions. Three sessions were held on Monday, August 25, in the morning, afternoon and evening, to gather community input around flood mitigation measures. The study,...
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Modern local media that’s right for the times
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to the new Campaspe News app — a multimedia platform many months in the making. This sophisticated new app not only looks at the world from our local perspective but offers features that capital city media don’t. They...
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Dig deep for DAffodiL DAY
It’s hard not to smile when you see a bunch of daffodils — they are just such a happy flower and brighten your day. For many, daffodils symbolise renewal, hope and new beginnings. They are also the ‘face’ of an important Cancer Council fundraising...
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Sixty years of love
Rochester’s Shirley and Mervyn Yates are still as in love today as they were on their wedding day 60 years ago. The couple married on Monday, August 16, 1965, at the Inglewood Church of England, having met three months earlier in nearby Wedderburn....
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Students welcome grandparents to class
At St Joseph’s Primary School in Rochester some very special guests were welcomed for grandparents’ day. Students showed their grandmas, nans, pops and grandpas around the school, sharing a liturgy and morning tea together. There was craft, games and...
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Holidays full of creative crafts
Olivia Hehir-Laurie, Katie Hehir-Laurie and Hamish Jemison were among the crafty kids at Lockington Plumbers Shed on Wednesday, July 16. Enjoying one of many sessions held by the Campaspe Libraries team, creativity was on display at the nature...
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Bridging generations
An intergenerational program is connecting Rochester Secondary College students and Yalukang Aged Care residents. The Community Connections program was recently launched by Rochester and Elmore District Health Service and will see students visit...
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SPLASH OR SWIM?
It was a busy two days at the Rochester Shire Hall as a steady stream of residents rolled in to share their thoughts on the Rochester War Memorial Pool’s future. Kate Maddock and Ben Bainbridge from Otium Planning led three drop-in sessions on...
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MAKE A SPLASH
Friends of the Rochester War Memorial Pool spokesperson Peter Romer is urging residents to have their say on the future of the pool. Mr Romer has been consistently encouraging residents to complete the survey and attend the drop-in sessions which will...
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BUDGET GROWTH
“The cost of growth” is how councillor Tony Marwood described the outlook for the 2025-26 budget that was adopted at a Campaspe Shire Council meeting on Tuesday, June 17. In a marathon three-and-a-halfhour council meeting filled with a debate on the...
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SIXTY YEARS SIDE BY SIDE
Pat and Barry McAsey have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, marking 60 years of marriage on Thursday last week. The couple married on June 12, 1965, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rochester. They now live in Echuca and enjoy a peaceful...
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FARM APPROVED DESPITE PROTEST
Approval for Cooba Solar Farm was fast-tracked by Victorian Planning Minister Sonja Kilkenny on Thursday, June 5. The Cooba Solar Farm project involves the construction of a solar farm and battery energy storage system on a 1147-hectare site at 124...
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A SUPERHERO EFFORT
What do a tiger, Deadpool, Donald Trump and Wolverine all have in common? Well, they were all in Rochester on Thursday night. The interesting array of characters, brought to Rochester by Nicole Duckworth, Cody Hartshorne, Justin Cleary and Leigh...
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Rochy’s ‘red dirt’ band
Members of three-piece band Born n’ Bred have brought their ‘Australian red dirt’ sound to Rochester. Band members Paul Colyvan, Glenda Bancell and Moama’s Sandro Susigan are enjoying producing music in the decked-out former Rochester squash courts,...
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Rochy does it for Dolly
Do It For Dolly Day was embraced at Rochester Primary School and Rochester Secondary College on Friday, May 9, and at St Joseph’s Primary School on Friday, May 16. The day promotes friendship and support, fundraising for the anti-bullying charity...
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WIN FOR LABOR
Incumbent Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters has retained her seat after a close race with Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean. Ms Chesters achieved a two candidate preferred count of 51.40 per cent, with all votes returned. On Saturday, all of the 66...
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CLOSE RACE
Despite being considered a safe Labor seat, the Division of Bendigo saw a shift away from incumbent member Lisa Chesters at Saturday’s federal election. Ms Chesters has represented the seat since 2013, and the Labor Party has held it since...
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LEST WE FORGET
The community of Rochester and surrounds gathered to reflect and commemorate on Anzac Day. Anzac Day began one day early with a dusk service, held at the Nanneella Soldiers’ Memorial Hall by the Rochester RSL Sub-Branch Friday, April 25 was marked...
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CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF LOVE
Few couples will reach an anniversary like Rochester’s Tom and Carmel Murphy have. They marked seven decades of wedded bliss on April 16, 2025. Some of the couple’s local friends gathered to celebrate the platinum milestone with a lunch at the...
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HAPPY EASTER
The Easter bunny is all set for another visit to Rochester this weekend after bouncing in for a quick stopover at St Joseph’s Primary School recently. Happy to show off their Easter hats and receive a treat from the Easter bunny were students (back...
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Masterful murals
After six days of painting, the Rochester Mural Festival wrapped up on Saturday. Artists were asked to respond to the theme of ‘Life, Love and Music', painting from Sunday, March 30, right up until the final minutes on Friday. Experienced artists...
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YOUTH REPORT NOT ‘JUST A DOCUMENT’
The young people of Rochester are front and centre in Rochester Secondary College’s Youth of Rochester: A Voice in Flood and Recovery situation report. Shared with the community at an event on Tuesday, March 25, students and staff reflected on the...
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COUNCIL PUSH BACK ON LEVY
Following the Victorian Government’s announcement of the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund in late 2024, Campaspe Shire Council will advocate against its implementation. At the Tuesday, March 18 council meeting, councillors unanimously voted in...
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FLIPPING GOOD FUN
Students and families from Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Elmore and St Joseph’s Primary School in Rochester enjoyed pancakes and community spirit on Shrove Tuesday recently, ahead of Lent’s 40-day fasting period. Among those enjoying pancakes recently were...
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SINGERS SPARKLE AT SILOS
The GrainCorp Silos created a beautiful backdrop for opaera soprano Eleanor Blythman, pictured singing the aria Soave sia il vento from Mozart's Così fan tutte on Saturday night at Songs at the Silos event. More than 500 people packed out the event,...
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CUT FOR A CAUSE
Paul Butler parted with his crowning glory for the sake of a good cause. Inspired by a group of Year 12 Rochester Secondary College students, including Jordy Rasmussen, Paul got the big chop at The Town Barber. Raising a combined $6000, Jordy and Paul...
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Fun at the show
The young and young at heart flocked to the Rochester Recreation Reserve on Friday and Saturday, enjoying the sights and sounds of the annual Rochester Show. Among those enjoying the action, which included sideshow alley, face painting and fireworks,...
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INQUIRY TABLED
The Victorian Government tabled the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee Inquiry into the 2022 flood event in Victoria on Thursday, February 6. The final report for the inquiry was released in July 2024, identifying 73...
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JUMPING INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR
Students across the country have returned to classrooms for another year, including those like Ruby Pierson at Elmore Primary School, where this tradition has clocked 150 years. The school community will mark the 150th anniversary of the school with...
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URGENT CARE RETURNS
After almost 840 days closed, Rochester Elmore District Health Service staff opened the doors to the urgent care clinic on Tuesday, January 28. By noon on Tuesday, staff had already treated five patients. REDHS chief executive Mary Manescu and nurses...
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Citizens recognised
Community members across the region gathered on Australia Day to recognise and thank hardworking citizens from within their own towns and regions. Often working behind the scenes, these community members go above and beyond over and over and deserve to...
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OUR TOP CITIZENS
The Rochester Australia Day award winners have been named ahead of Sunday’s celebration. Nominated by members of the community, the Rochester Australia Day Committee has assessed the applications, narrowing down a winner from each of the six...
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Almost show time in Rochy
The Rochester Agriculture Show is back, bigger and better, over two days at the Rochester Recreation Reserve, with everything you love about a good old country show. Rochester A & P Association Inc secretary Maxine Weigand wants to make the Rochester...
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FINAL STROKE FOR MURAL FESTIVAL
After a decade of painting the town, the Rochester Mural Festival will mark its final chapter this year. The festival began in 2014 as a way to rejuvenate Rochester after the destruction of the 2011 floods. Long-time organiser Judy Anderson said the...
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Season’s greetings
Santa has invited the community down to the Rochester GrainCorp Silos tonight to celebrate the festive season and sing along to some Christmas classics. The Salvation Army will host the Salvos @ the Silos Christmas carols event from 5pm to 7pm,...
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TOP OF THE CLASS
Rochester Secondary College’s Jude Ryan has 95.05 reasons to be proud of himself, achieving the highest ATAR for the class of 2024. VCE results were released at 7am on Thursday, December 12, with students across the state opening their emails bright...
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SUPPORT FOR SHOP OWNERS
Following Thursday’s shop fire on MacKay St, Rochester, GoFundMe pages have been created for Maxavily for Hair owner Angie Simpson and The Town Barber owner Matt McMillan. Emergency services responded to the blaze about 5am on Thursday, December 5,...
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FUTURE FOCUS
In collaboration with Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning and Employment Network, students from Rochester Secondary College toured businesses around town to get a taste of life after school. Year 8 students joined walking and bus tours to explore a range...
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CLUB MILESTONE
The Rotary Club of Rochester celebrated its 60th anniversary on Saturday, November 23 — and then bestowed the organisation’s highest service honour on a non-member. An “incredibly stunned” Judith Gledhill was made a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary...
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Maddi shares her journey with alopecia
This Alopecia Areata Awareness Week, Rochester born and raised Maddison Staley reflected on her journey being diagnosed with the autoimmune condition and now volunteering for Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation.
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LEST WE FORGET
Well-attended by the community, Rochester RSL Sub-Branch held its Remembrance Day service on Monday, November 11. A strong crowd, including Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, Rochester 1st Scouts Group, primary school students, Victoria Police,...
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A big truckload of fun
The first ever Lockington Heritage Transport Display was held on Saturday, November 2, and Sunday, November 3. The two-day event was a static display of show and work vehicles including trucks, cars and motorcycles. Lockington Living Heritage Complex...
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Game on: summer sports heat up
District residents have dusted off the bowls and re-strung the racquets for the summer sporting season. Junior and senior tennis players, bowlers and cricketers have been out enjoying the competition and the spring weather. Among those hitting the...
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Probus clubs unite
Probus clubs from across the Goulburn Valley convened at the Parkland Golf Club in Kyabram on Thursday October 17 for their annual probus combine. The gathering consisted of the Rochester, Kyabram, Moroopna and Tatura probus clubs, making up a total...
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CRIME DECLINES
Crime decreased by 4.3 per cent in Campaspe Shire in the year ending June 2024, but not all offences saw a decline. The Crime Statistics Agency revealed the results, which showed there had been 2807 criminal incidents — a decrease from the previous...
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ROCHESTER WELCOMES MELBOURNE CUP TOUR
Rochester is one of 39 locations on the 2024 Melbourne Cup tour, with the cup arriving in town on Friday. Melbourne Cup-winning horses Prince of Penzance (2015) and Twilight Payment (2020), renowned horse trainers, racing industry experts and Melbourne...
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CUP IS COMING
Rochester will be buzzing with excitement on Friday, October 4 as the $750,000 18-carat-gold Melbourne Cup trophy will be in town. Rochester was named among 39 destinations across Australia and worldwide that will have the chance to host the...
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ROCHY AMBOS FINALLY HOME
The new Rochester ambulance branch officially opened on Monday, September 23, marking the first time crews have been able to operate out of the space. More than two years after construction began, the site has been welcomed by paramedics and ambulance...
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