Another VFL player with Ky connection

Kyabram has a strong connection with another footballer who has made the big time.

Roan Steele, 23, who made his debut for Collingwood against Carlton in round 17 and held his place in that team which was beaten by Gold Coast Suns last Friday night, is the grandson of former Kyabram footballer, the late Max Murley, and a nephew of Max’s brother, the late Ron Murley, also a talented Kyabram player.

Max Murley, who played with the Goulburn Valley League Bombers in the 1960s and 1970s holds the distinction of being the only player to win four Abikhair medals for the best-and-fairest player in the GVL reserves competition.

He won his first Abikhair in 1969 and then again in 1971, 1972 and 1973.

Steele’s mother Megan, is the daughter of Max and Wendy.

After heading west this season Steele kicked five goals from his seven WAFL matches with West Perth and was averaging 21.1 disposals a game which caught the eye of Collingwood recruiters.

He impressed immediately after being recruited by Collingwood and in his four outings at VFL level averaged 20.3 disposals.

He also averaged 21 disposals from his seven WAFL games for West Perth prior to being selected in the mid-season draft by Collingwood.

Originally from Frankston he previously played for Casey in the VFL from 2022 to 2024.

He is only the third debutant for Collingwood this year.

Collingwood’s national recruitment manager Shane O'Bree said the Pies were seeking players that could make an instant impact upon arrival and Steele had achieved that.

Did you win?

Miles Gould of Ky Lotto and Toys reports there was a second division winner a couple of Saturdays ago.

It was in the Super 66 draw and was worth a handy $6,666.

Rain finally falling

Kyabram has received 12.44mm of rain in the past week up to Monday.

Last Wednesday and Thursday 8.4mm was recorded and a further 0.6mm was recorded at the weekend.

The weather has been chilly, but so far there has been no sub zero temperatures this month.

The coolest reading was 0.6°C on Friday, July 4 and the highest on Monday, July 7 when it reached 16.7°C.

Man identified

A man found dead on the side of the Newell Hwy near Jerilderie on June 17 has been identified.

He was 44-year-old Mark Akers of Brisbane.

Post-mortem results have revealed he was hit by a vehicle.

His body was found by the side of the highway at 12.30pm on June 17 after last being seen at a service station at Jerilderie at 2.30am the previous day, driving a Toyota Landcruiser 200 series with distinctive pink stickers.

His death is being treated as suspicious and his father Mark described him as the ‘‘kindest soul who would do anything for anyone’’.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Finley Police Station on 5898 4860 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Officer retires

Long serving policeman, Leading Senior Constable Simon Hutchings is retiring after 40 years in the force.

In his many appointments as a police officer, Simon had a stint at the Kyabram police station in his early years in the force.

He’s been on the job for 43 years and has been Dookie’s sole law enforcer in recent years.

Company charged

A farming business has been charged after a worker was killed while working with machinery in June 2023.

A 23-year-old was carrying out maintenance work on a skid steer loader when he became trapped between the bucket attachment and cabin, causing fatal injuries.

The company is facing two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide or maintain a safe working environment.

Cost of dying rises

People won’t be dying to hear this.

The price of graves at Pine Lodge Cemetery east of Shepparton has increased by $730 in new sections of the cemetery.

A standard lawn grave at the cemetery cost $2870 in the past, but has now risen to $3600.

The rise has drawn criticism from State Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell.

New jobs for region

Seventy-five new jobs will be created at LS Precast in Benalla to support the production of massive concrete sections that will be used to support Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop.

More than 96,000 concrete segments will be produced at the Benalla plant to build a 16km section of twin tunnels in the rail loop which will slash travel time and take thousands of cars off local roads.

Highway works start

Stage two of the $10 million upgrade of the Newell Hwy in Finley’s town centre started last week.

The work involves upgrades of footpaths, pedestrian crossings, stormwater and water mains and accessibility upgrades on Murray St.

Interim chief

Former Baw Baw Council chief executive Mark Dupe has taken over as interim chief executive of Berrigan Shire Council.

He replaces Karina Ewer who recently resigned the position and will fill her vacancy until her replacement is appointed.

Mr Dupe has had 20 years experience in local government administration.

Square dinkum

G’day

I was researching my family tree, but I couldn’t afford an Ancestry DNA test kit, so I just announced to everyone that I had won Tattslotto.

I soon found out who all my relatives are!

Hooroo!!!

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Wednesday, 8th April 2026

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