2015

Ball a gift to cancer sufferers

The Kyabram and district community has once again come together for a good cause, raising more than $60,000 at the Gift Ball on the weekend.

Around 350 people saw the annual Ball sold out on Saturday night, with eight locals shaving their heads to raise funds and support those suffering from cancer in Kyabram.

The Gift chairwoman Liz Dillon said as always, she was overwhelmed by the level of support and the spirit of giving displayed on the night, with the shaves alone raising over $35,000.

“This weekend we have been truly blessed to have yet another fantastic Ball,” she said.

“As the founder and chair of our amazing Kyabram Gift Inc, I continuously find it extremely humbling the ongoing support we get from our community within Kyabram first and foremost but as far as Shepparton and even Melbourne.”

***

Rushworth confront Mayor, CEO about Mt Scobie rock

Campaspe Shire chief executive Jason Russell and mayor Leigh Wilson have fronted an angry Rushworth township over the use of Mt Scobie rock on Rushworth roads at a public meeting last week.

More than 50 residents attended the meeting to address the potential serious health implications and dust nuisance caused by the material.

Mr Russell apologised for what he deemed a “naïve” decision on the part of shire officers and “poor” consultation with the township about using the new rock, admitting that initial estimates to fix the affected roads would cost upwards of $100,000.

“There was no malice in it (the decision), they weren’t trying to do Rushworth ahead of somewhere else. They were naïve,” Mr Russell apologised.

“I apologise for the consultation. It was poor. When I found out about it I was pretty angry about it.”

***

Consistently on target

Lancaster ace archer Keelee Smith has earned herself a position most sportspeople can only dream of: the chance to represent their country.

Keelee, 10, will represent both Victoria and Australia next year after gaining entry into the World Field Archery Championships in Wagga Wagga.

Keelee was selected for the world championships after coming second in the Australian Bow Hunting Association State Finals last month, coupled with her second and third place finishes in the cubs’ A-grade (up to 13 years) national ABA ‘Australian Safari’ and ABA 3D competitions earlier this year.

The feat is even more impressive since Keelee only began competing in the sport three years ago after adopting it at the same time as her father Jarrod.

1995

Quick-build shelter for Ky Fauna Park

Have you ever been to the Kyabram Fauna Park Reserve on a hot or wet day and wished that there was somewhere to shelter?

Well, the Apex Club of Kyabram will soon change all that.

The club, in conjunction with the Fauna Park Committee, is about to embark on an ambitious construction project, culminating in the erection of an all-weather facility, capable of holding a bus-load of people.

Believe it or not, all this will be done in a weekend, but help will be needed.

Apex Service Director Colin Partridge said: “We will obviously need help to build this project, so we will be approaching local tradespeople to assets with the hands-on work and local suppliers to provide materials.”

***

Local products and recycled furniture a key in hospitals’ expansions

Kyabram Memorial Hospital’s $5 million building project is well under way with stage 1AS, consisting of the erection of a new 20-bed wing, expected to be completed within the next month.

The hospital’s largest expansion since it as built 35 years ago is expected to provide Kyabram with a first-class medical facility to match any in the state.

According to the hospital’s chief executive officer Alwin Gallina, management has endeavoured to fulfil two aims which aren’t necessarily easily achieved.

One aim is to recycle as much of the currently used furniture and accessories as possible to keep track with the hospital’s new decor.

***

Best of best for Bulldogs

Tatura Football Club’s memorable season finally drew to a close last week when the club staged its presentation night to celebrate its first flag for 42 years.

And two of its stars, Mick Gayfer and Garry Stevens, completed the fairytale story in full when they received their awards.

Stevens won the best-and-fairest award with Gayfer, the former Collingwood premiership player, runner-up.

Stevens was also voted best afield in the grand final

1975

New teaching areas will relieve schools

Contracts were signed at St Augustine’s Priory, Kyabram last Thursday morning for the construction of five new teaching areas at St Augustine’s School, Kyabram and a new teaching area and toilet block at St Patrick’s School Tongala.

The new teaching areas at St Augustine’s Kyabram will relieve overcrowding in the primary block where classes are being conducted in the St Augustine’s Hall, and in Tongala where class is being taught in the corridor.

The new block in Kyabram will also make room for newer teaching facilities at St Augustine’s Secondary School to meet the school’s expanding needs.

The contract prices are $148,644 for St Augustine’s and $41,000 for St Patrick’s Tongala.

It is expected that the buildings will be ready for occupation about the second term in 1976.

***

$1000 profit from fête at Merrigum

The handsome profit of over $1000 was raised at the Monster Fete held in the Merrigum school grounds on November 1.

The fête was the effort of the Merrigum school and kindergarten committees and proved an outstanding, successful day which is certain to become an annual event.

One of the highlights proved to be the tug-o-war battle, which resulted in a win for the Merrigum Hotel team.

The organisers would like to express their gratitude to all who assisted in making the day such a success, socially and financially.

***

Former world weightlifting champ coming

The man holding the bar and a can of Ky fruit in the photo once held 19 world weightlifting titles and was a world light heavyweight champion on two occasions.

He is Victor Veres, a Hungarian who was whisked into Australia last year and is now the Australian national coach.

This weekend, Veres will be in Kyabram with most of the state’s top weightlifters to compete in the Victorian titles.

Veres has retired from competitive lifting but will assist in the staffing of a clinic in the Youth Club Hall on Sunday morning at 11am.

It is the first time the titles have been staged in a country area.

The championships are being sponsored by the Kyabram Lions Club, which is being backed in the venture by the Kyabram Preserving Company.

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