The Riverine Herald
Wonderland waltz
Performers in captivating colours were spotted at the Port of Echuca on Saturday, January 17 as part of the Wonderland on the Murray event. Two of the FireLily Dance troupe ― Olive Dip and Jessy Spin ― waltzed by the sculptures on the trail, adding to...
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Surprises await around every corner
If you thought you’d seen a giant snail in the Port of Echuca recently, you were not seeing things. Miriam Ceh, on Gastropodia the Roving Snail, was touring the port as part of Wonderland on the Murray.
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New docs on the block
Five new interns — John Macaulay, Ariane Khoo, Aishani Tomar, Sandali Weeranga and Olivia Putland — have started their careers at Echuca Regional Health. Journalist Ryan Bellingham spoke to the new team members.
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Circus comes to the port
A morning of circus and science play kept Isabelle Humphrey and other children entertained in the pop-up park and the wharf recently. Activities planned for today are on hold due to heat.
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Sizzling summer
Locals and visitors will again be flocking to Moama Beach this week, with the temperatures set to soar. This week, sunny days with temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s are forecast for Echuca-Moama region. After an overnight low of 14ºC, the...
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Spectacular end to 2025
Moama welcomed the new year with a bang as 2500 guests gathered at Brick Alley Oval for the inaugural Moama Glow on the Grass festival. The sold-out event offered those attending a range of activities and entertainment to enjoy. Organiser Lisa Groves...
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Veteran volunteer honoured
Echuca resident Margaret Shinns is of the belief that in life, you have to give back. But when the Echuca Regional Health volunteer received a special honour for her dedication to healthcare and her community, it was the health service’s turn to give...
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Community teamwork keeps magic alive
The Boys to the Bush will be out and about in Echuca and Moama this summer, helping make sure everyone can continue to enjoy the Wonderland on the Murray. Among those patrolling are Jack Evans, Lincoln Charles, Henry Williams, Leigh Haw and Nick Kilborn.
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Festive fun for families
Locals and visitors gathered at Lockington Lions Park for a night of carolling and Christmas shopping on Thursday. Among those braving the heat were Matt, Thomas, James and Tamryn Lettey.
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Christmas cheer at Nanneella
Celebrating his first Christmas, Levi and his mum and dad, Damian Froon and Stacey Dickerson, posed for a family photo at the Nanneella Christmas party recently. Pictured with the family are Santa and the Grinch, who, along with a sneaky Elf on the...
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Walk through wonderland
A team of five sculptors, including Peter Redmond, Kevin Crawford, Yves Geraedts and Jino R van Bruinessen, from Sandstorm Events have spent two weeks crafting eight intricate sand sculptures. Guests gathered at the Riverboat Dock Echuca on Friday for...
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Colourful celebrations
International Day of People with Disability aims to promote awareness, understanding and inclusion for the 5.5 million Australians living with disability. Among events held across the region was a colour run at Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School,...
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Go packs a-go
Some of the region’s more vulnerable residents will wear green to be seen during natural disasters thanks to the launch of emergency ‘go packs’. Local healthcare services and Campaspe Shire Council co-designed the packs alongside people with...
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Ballet en pointe
Suzanne’s School of Ballet, a staple in the Echuca-Moama community, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. The school was founded in May 1980 by Suzanne Eacott, not long after she moved to Moama. In Melbourne, Mrs Eacott had danced with a...
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McMahon is the man
Moama’s bowling unit, particularly Anthony McMahon, was on song in round eight crashing through Rochester for a meagre total in Goulburn Murray Cricket’s round seven. The McMahon Shield clash at Moama Recreation Reserve looked to be an intriguing one,...
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Paddling for a stronger future
Massive Murray Paddle participants paddled into Moama beach on Wednesday, finishing day three of the annual event. As part of the five-day event, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation has teamed up with its regional counterparts, local schools and NSW Police...
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Historic homecoming
After 60 years away, the PS Melbourne is back in Echuca. The paddlesteamer made its return on Thursday afternoon and was joined by fellow ‘capitals’ the PS Adelaide and PS Canberra for the final leg. A crowd of hundreds welcomed the vessel back to the...
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Age of Steam
Moama is back on top of the bowls world after the Steamers claimed a fourth Bowls Premier League crown in Brisbane last week. Locals Cassandra Millerick (far right) and coach Kevin Anderson (far left) helped the franchise surge to the top of the...
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Further upgrades
Weeks after officially unveiling its new oval, St Joseph’s College’s Kildare campus is preparing for additional improvements. Stage 3 of campus projects will include more sporting facilities as well as support for the performing arts.
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Major upgrade
Having grown from 16 students to more than 700 within 20 years, Moama Anglican Grammar School is no stranger to expansion. Now, the latest addition to its Kirchhofer St campus will be a new preschool, made possible by a $3.36 million grant from the...
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Inclusive venture
After sustaining injuries from a helicopter accident, Phil Kennaugh was faced with the undesirable reality of early retirement. Having previously enjoyed working long hours at O’Connors in Echuca as a manager, he found the change to being idle...
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Touching tribute
Colourful rocks laid at the base of the blue tree on Warren St, Echuca, are slowly piling up. Each one is a tribute to a life lost by suicide, commemorating loved ones in their favourite colours or with paintings that represent hobbies and cherished...
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Fighting for funding
With 200 neighbourhood houses across the state in danger of closing, the Echuca Neighbourhood House has joined the fight for more funding. Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government through the Neighbourhood House...
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Heartache and hope at riverside café
Watson St Pavilion owners Rosie Scott and Dom Garden endured a heartbreaking series of events, but have drawn comfort from locals’ support.
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Nothing beats hands-on experience
Aspiring medical students from across the region came together at Echuca Regional Health on Wednesday, October 8, to take part in the first ever Rural Doctor Careers Day. The program, led by the Victorian Rural Generalist Program in collaboration with...
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Heartwarming spectacle
A spectacle of young talent, Echuca Moama Theatre Company’s Frozen Jr is sure to thaw even the coldest of hearts. Echuca Paramount has been transformed into the Scandinavian kingdom of Arendelle, complete with impressive sets that will bring the...
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Creative canvas
Local artists have transformed a drab concrete slab into a mural marking historic flood high water lines. The mural, commemorating the 2022 floods, has come alive beneath the Moama bridge, with further artworks sought to accompany it.
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Platinum celebration
The magic of a humble hall cannot be underestimated. Barbara (née Anderson) and Lindsay Vagg met at a dance at Bunnaloo Hall in 1954, and next week will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. Decades of marriage, children, grandchildren and even...
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Expo a spiritual success
Echuca-Moama residents and visitors have embraced all aspects of the first Spiritual and Wellness Expo. Suzi Shane, Kerri Leeson and Annette Prendergast were all smiles at the event, which was held at Echuca Neighbourhood House.
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Happy 100th birthday
Dorothy (Dos) Hanson may be only days off her 100th birthday, but she still charges full steam ahead. Born Dorothy Selma Milgate on September 21, 1925 in Gilgandra, NSW, she was one of 10 children. The Milgate kids grew up on a property about 30km...
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Local educator honoured
With a smaller group of children to take care of, Echuca family day care operator Michelle Oellerman is able to meet the unique needs of each child. And this dedication has seen her named Mildura and Murray Region Educator Award winner in this year’s...
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Spotlight on digital dangers
Experts in mental health, neuroscience and psychology joined Phone Pledge founder Stephanie Challis to discuss a range of issues regarding the impacts of social media and technology on youth at an event on Wednesday. The Phone Pledge’s ‘It Takes a...
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It was not to be
Another possible premiership sadly slipped away from Echuca on Sunday as the Murray Bombers lost to rival Rochester. Pictured are Rochester’s Hamish Hooppell and Echuca’s Kane Morris during Sunday’s semi-final clash. It was a mixed weekend for locals...
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Parents unite for digital safety
The Phone Pledge committee members Kate Hunter, Jackie Austin, Steph Chalis, Lauren Rankin, Leila Campbell and Emma Taylor are calling all parents of young children to attend its biggest parenting event yet.
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Cup glitters in Gunny
Gunbower Racing Club hosted this year’s Melbourne Cup trophy as part of a regional tour. Among those who took the opportunity to check out the iconic cup were Di Allman, Molly the horse and Danielle Garden.
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Cold reality of homelessness
Community members are invited to put comfort aside for one night to witness the harsh existence many experience in the region. The Cold Reality Rural Homelessness Awareness Night Sleep Out at St Mary’s Catholic Church is an event that aims to raise...
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Program to drive home road safety
Local police will again host the Cool Heads young driver program, featuring real-life experiences to educate young drivers about road risks. Speakers will address factors contributing to collisions such as speed, distractions and alcohol. The event...
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Characters come to life
Students and teachers from across the region have been celebrating Children’s Book Week. This year, the beloved tradition celebrates 80 years with the theme ‘’Book an Adventure’’. There was no feeling blue for this group of smurfs at Tongala Primary...
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The gift of dignity
Every year, a group of local women, including Julie Moyle, Michele Uebergang and Lisa John, come together to collect feminine hygiene products as part of Share the Dignity. During the year, Share the Dignity has two main events — Dignity Drives in...
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Déjà vu for family
Kymm Grotto is facing a big battle, involving a serious health condition, and will travel thousands of kilometres for treatment. Kymm’s (centre) support network, including mother-in-law, or ‘nonna’, Giacomina, daughter Kyla, husband Sam and daughter...
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100 days of fun
St Mary’s Preps, including Isabelle Castle, Murphy Read, Tori Plant, Arlette Neal and Darcy Brown, brushed off their aches and pains of 100 days of school, celebrating the milestone by donning their best '100' costumes.
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Bank cashes out
From Friday, October 17, Bendigo Bank will no longer offer face-toface banking services in Mathoura. The agency is one of 28 offices set to shut later this year due to declining transactions, expanding costs and regulatory requirements, and increased...
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Blues in the port
The Port of Echuca will be joining in on the WInter Blues festivities this year with an all-new light display for visitors to enjoy. The light display has been brought to life by the Campaspe Port Enterprise and organised by the Port of Echuca for the...
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Caring for the carers
Bill Kitson, Juliet Kitson and Colleen Fehling were among 60 people taking a break in Echuca last week. The ‘Take a Break’ event, hosted by Lockington Bush Nursing Centre, was open to carers of all demographics, including carers of primary school...
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Smile, school’s still out
Despite the chilly days, children of all ages, including Rose Robinson, Chloe Vassalla, William Robinson and Val Assaw, have been finding ways to enjoy the winter break and keep warm in the process.
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Chilly challenge for a good cause
If you want to support Special Olympics Echuca, come down to Moama beach and take the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge on Sunday, August 10. The event, which helps raise funds and awareness for athletes with intellectual disabilities is the...
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Introducing the modern media app with a local view of the world
This is about much more than where you get your news. This is where your community and the wider world come to life. Stories that matter. Voices that inspire. Podcasts, playlists, videos, puzzles — all in one perfectly simple place. For staying close....
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EXCEPTIONAL ELDER
Uncle Gilbert Wanganeen has been recognised statewide as the 2025 Victorian Male Elder of the Year for NAIDOC Week. Echuca Regional Health, where Uncle Gilbert works as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer, celebrated his achievement during a morning tea...
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STEVE’S OFF THE BEAT
Echuca police Leading Senior Constable Steve Shellew clocked out for his final shift on Friday. Having spent the past decade at Echuca, he said it felt like it was the right time to retire. Among the highlights of his time in the role has been working...
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OPEN FOR LEARNING
Echuca Primary School Kindergarten is now open, providing modern facilities and quality early childhood education to children in the region. Students, staff and guests, including Parliamentary Secretary for Children Nathan Lambert, assembled for an...
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Uniting generations through art
St Joseph’s College students and Cunningham Downs Village residents came together on Friday for the unveiling of a colourful new mural. Celebrating Echuca’s rich history, Cunningham Downs Village received the mural thanks to a collaboration between...
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Culture and community
The Goulburn Valley League round 12 clash between traditional rivals Echuca and Rochester also marked a special occasion for Echuca Football Netball Club. On Saturday, members of the Walker family, including former Echuca coach and player Andrew Walker...
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SPIRITS, ROCKETS SOAR IN TEXAS
Locally raised Freddy Mcloughlan and his RMIT teammates have returned from the United States after a challenging, yet winning trip to the world’s largest university rocket engineering competition. Despite the trip being marred by challenges, the team...
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Super shavers
The Echuca Shave, held on Sunday at Echuca Hotel, saw 25 brave volunteers, including Jordan Court, lose their locks to raise vital funds. While organisers are still counting additional donations, $24,000 had so far been raised for local families...
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CREATIVE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
A crowd gathered outside of Vivid for the unveiling of its collaborative mural with Shine Bright Echuca South Kindergarten on Friday, June 20. The colourful mural is the culmination of 10 weeks of work by Vivid’s clients and children at the...
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HELP SECURE VICTORIA’S TOP TOURISM CROWN
Fog rising above the majestic Port of Echuca is among the beautiful sights locals and visitors can enjoy in the region, with the port and its paddleboats some of the many wonderful attractions that set Echuca apart from other tourist locations. Whether...
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BRAVE SOULS SUPPORT FIGHTMND
Max Ogilvie was first into the pool at Sunday’s Big Freeze event in Moama. Max led the group of daring community members into the chilly water all to help the FightMND cause. The plunge at Tindarra Resort raised $7500 for FightMND and was again well...
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STEPPING OUT IN STYLE
These dazzling debutantes and their well-dressed partners, enjoyed dancing the night away at a recent RivADance Studios deb ball. The young couples from across the region gathered at Rich River Golf Club Resort, enjoying the events, with one held on...
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Fog blankets the region
Winter has certainly arrived in the region, with the chill factor rising and misty fog greeting commuters this week. It has been a welcome, wet start to winter with 17.8mm in the gauge since the start of the month, all falling over the King’s Birthday...
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MURAL COMES TO LIFE
Bunnaloo Public School staff and students have worked with Mathoura artist Zowie Crump to bring their mural designs to life — and the result is a colourful, creative piece. Students designed individual elements before Ms Crump combined them to make the...
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Weekend of steam
Steam enthusiasts have flocked to Echuca for the King’s Birthday long weekend, enjoying all things steam. Steamrail Victoria’s Echuca Overlander chugged through the region on Saturday, with passengers and spectators turning out to enjoy the steam and...
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INSPIRING WOMEN OF THE MURRAY
The Women of the Murray display is now open at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre. The exhibition tells the story of seven women, including Jenny Watson, who helped shape the history of the Murray River. The women were everything from captains to...
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COFFEE AND A CHAT
Echuca residents took the opportunity to have a coffee and a chat with some local police officers yesterday at Echuca library. The Coffee With a Cop sessions help police officers prioritise the concerns of community members. Dorothy Lyons, Bill...
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FIGHTING COLD WITH KINDNESS
As the cold sets in, the team at Echuca Moama Community Projects, including Julie Langdon, are spreading the warmth to those in need. They will be hosting their annual coat and blanket drive throughout the month of June for those doing it tough this...
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CREATING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Community members joined representatives from various services for a Wellbeing Day on Wednesday. Njernda hosted the day to foster connections between community services and the local First Nations community. The day featured various information stalls,...
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KIDS NEED YOUR HELP
Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School students, including Save Ratawake, Nevaeh Milne-Smith, Zayne Cardilini and Ollie Appleby, have been working hard to create a short film they are hoping will win them a trip to Werribee Open Range Zoo. Now they need...
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BATTLE PAYS OFF
Years of perseverance has paid off for Sherri Cincotta. The dream of moving her son, Tom, into a home that meets his needs has finally become a reality after a four-year battle. The Riv spoke to Ms Cincotta about her long journey to this outcome and...
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SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE
In an initiative aimed at supporting the region’s most vulnerable, Campaspe Shire Council, Victoria Police, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and Anglicare Victoria are working together to deliver lockers for rough sleepers. Housed beside Echuca police...
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HEROES IN ORANGE
Australians will be donning orange today in celebration of ‘Wear Orange Wednesday’, or WOW Day. The day is a chance to recognise local SES units, such as Echuca’s, and to give thanks for their service. WOW Day is held in conjunction with National...
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COMMUNITY UNITES TO SUPPORT LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS
Community members came together on Friday to recognise International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The day — officially recognised each year on May 17 — is a chance to reflect on progress made and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+...
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STEEPED IN SUPPORT
Guests gathered at the Lockington Historical Complex yesterday morning to support the fight against cancer. The historical complex’s committee joined more than 19,000 Biggest Morning Tea hosts and raised about $500 through admissions, raffles and...
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