Colin Sinclair Kokoda Scholarship recipient Oakley Tarrant with Colin sister-in-law Hilma Sinclair.
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Special Kokoda connections
It is impossible to know how emotionally Rochester soldier Colin Sinclair farewelled his family as he left their embrace for World War II, not knowing it was the last time they would see each other.
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But it was a different farewell as Year 11 Rochester College student Oakley Tarrant treated Colin’s family, who is still living in town, to his homemade lemonade scones before heading to Brisbane and then Papua-New Guinea last week for his trek along the Kokoda Trail, where the 28 year-old private died in 1942.
An inaugural recipient of the Colin Sinclair Kokoda Scholarship, Oakley’s trip has been sponsored by the Freemasons Foundation Victoria, organised by Wing Commander (Retd) John Glover. He joined four other Year 11 students at Tullamarine last week to begin their journey.
Oakley thought he had been honoured simply by receiving a Colin Sinclair Scholarship, but after meeting all the soldier’s family members still living in Rochester, the trip has become as much a pilgrimage as a physical challenge.
“I had afternoon tea with Hilma Sinclair, Colin’s sister-in-law, and the Sinclair family on Friday and Hilma loved my scones,” Oakley said.
“The scholarship means a lot to their family and I am pretty humbled to be playing a part in that story. I am so glad I will be able to visit Colin’s grave on their behalf.”
Colin Sinclair was a member of B Company, among the first to journey across the trail and confront the Japanese at Kokoda.
This portrait of Colin Sinclair is one of the last images his family has of the soldier who fought and died on the Kokoda.
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MP calls for upgrades to one-lane bridge
The Waranga Basin Western Channel’s notorious one-lane bridge was the location of a tragic fatal crash in 2023.
Now, a local politician is calling on the Victorian Government to make much-needed upgrades.
State Member for Northern Victoria Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell has made an urgent appeal to the government to upgrade the bridge crossing on Rushworth-Tatura Rd.
The speed limit has been reduced to 30km/h; however, Mrs Tyrrell argued that the safety issues remain unresolved.
In a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, June 19, Mrs Tyrrell addressed Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne, pressing the need to upgrade or replace the bridge.
She urged Ms Horne to “consult the local community” to find solutions to make the bridge safe for everyone who used it.
Member for Northern Victoria Region Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell MLC is calling on the Victorian Government to make upgrades to the infamous Rushworth-Tatura bridge at Waranga Basin.
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Suspicious store fires
Detectives from Taskforce Lunar are investigating two arson attacks at tobacco stores at the weekend, including one at Cohuna.
Emergency services were called to an incident just before 3am on Sunday, July 7.
Police believe a car was driven into a King George St business in Cohuna before it was set alight.
Nobody was inside the premises at the time, but the building was destroyed and neighbouring businesses sustained minor damage, police said.
The other incident occurred just after 1am on Saturday, July 6, in Ingor St, Ararat.
The investigations into both incidents remain ongoing.
Anyone with information or dash cam/CCTV footage is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
