Hubert Opperman statue, Rochester
A small community on the Campaspe River which claims to have the largest dairy produce factory in Australia. It is also one of Australia's largest tomato growing areas. Rochester is famous as the birthplace of one of the world's all-time greatest cyclists, Hubert Opperman.
One in five people in this town are said to be aged 65 years and above. Agriculture plays an important part in the economy of Rochester. The Devondale dairy processing factory is a large employer, and there are several other smaller industries.
Location: 28 km south of Echuca, 75 km west of Shepparton on the Northern Highway.
Origtin of name: Rochester (via Rowechester) was named after Dr John Pearson Rowe, who had a hotel here before the township was gazetted in 1855
Points of Interest: Campaspe River; Greens Lake; Corop Lakes; Mt. Carmel Range (gem fossicking); Kow Swamp.
Built features: Kow Swamp reservoir; Campaspe Syphon, which takes water from the Warranga-Mallee irrigation channel under the Campaspe River; Field's Cactus Farm; The Oppy Museum; Random House; Shamrock Hotel (1912); former School No. 795 (c.1870); Shire Hall (1892); Devondale dairy processing factory