ROCHESTER
Rochester is a small but vibrant town,
on the main highway north heading to Echuca. The highway is busy and
this gives the town a hectic feeling. Rochester is also a heritage
focused town.
The area around the Campaspe River was known as
Yalooka, and for thousands of years was home to the Pinpandoor, the
local tribe of Aboriginees.
Rochester (via Rowechester) was named after
Dr John Pearson Rowe, who had a hotel here before the township was
gazetted in 1855. The Post Office opened on 11 May 1863 and the town
was reached by the railway line from Bendigo in 1864.
The town is famous as the birthplace in 1904 of
Australian racing and endurance cyclist, Sir Hubert Opperman,
affectionately known as Oppy. There is a museum dedicated to
Oppy in Moore Street, and a statue of him winning the 24-hour
endurance race Paris in 1928. On his 90th birthday Oppy donated
one of his trusty Malvern Star bicycles to the museum.
Agriculture plays an important part in the economy
of Rochester. Primary agriculture includes dairy, tomatoes, cattle and
sheep. There are also some grain and seed farms. The Devondale (dairy
processing) factory is a large employer, and there are several other
smaller industries.
The Catholic Church is the centre piece building in
Rochester. This is a magnificent cathedral like building.    
The United Churches are 100 year plus buildings. Not
to sure about the Anglican??
The Rochester Hotels likewise are really old and
heritage listed.   
The Rochester War Memorial is on the northern
fringe of the cbd.
The Rochester Museum is at the southern entrance to
the town.
Rochester is an easy place to stay a while and an
overnight could be a consideration.
Heritage diary 
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