2016

Remember with ‘pride and courage’

A clear blue sky greeted all who marched in Tongala for Anzac Day on Monday.

Veterans, families and various groups and organisations marched from Tongala RSL to Tongala Memorial Hall where a commemorative service was held.

Tongala RSL president John Rogers said more than 200 people attended the 6am dawn service, while more than 250 attended the 11am march.

‘‘Well, we had enough seating for 250 people, and there were a lot standing up at the back of the hall,’’ he said.

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Bombers back on top

Kyabram Bombers are back on top after dismantling Shepparton United 42-29 courtesy of a 20 second-half goal haul by Emily Atkinson in the Goulburn Valley Netball League on Saturday.

The Bombers’ undefeated run this season continued following a strong performance against United, which only trailed by four goals at half-time.

Coach Belinda Lees’ decision to promote Atkinson from the bench into the game saw the Bombers tear the game apart in the third quarter, outscoring United 15 goals to eight.

***

Driving growth

A volunteer learner driver mentor program has allowed eight disadvantaged Kyabram youths to secure their probationary licences since 2013 — and local businesses are jumping in the back seat to offer up support.

The L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program recently received sponsorship from Salter’s Motor Panel Repairs and Jayell Ford, with the businesses pledging support to cover maintenance costs, servicing and insurance for the program’s Kyabram-based car.

L2P project coordinator Liz Smith said the program opened a world of opportunity for disadvantaged teens facing difficulty in obtaining their licence and securing access to employment, education and training.

‘‘When you live in rural and regional communities, it is almost impossible to hold down a job or access education and training if you have no means of getting from A to B,’’ she said.

1996

Vince and Dennis plan long walk for life

Imagine walking eight hours per day, for eight days and in the process covering a distance of 240 kilometres.

Tongala’s Denis Wood and Tatura’s Vince Phelan will once again take up this challenge as part of Right to Life Victoria’s annual “Life Walk” project.

Theirs, like more than 100 others who will participate in this year’s walk, is a protest against abortion, euthanasia and embryo experimentation.

They also intend to raise money for Right to Life Victoria’s life-saving work.

***

Age no barrier to success in croquet ... just ask the Basset brothers

Kyabram brothers, Trevor and Craig Basset, have proven age is no barrier to success when it comes to the refined sport croquet.

The two teenagers, who play for the Kyabram Croquet Club, recently winning a Goulburn Valley Championship in their respective divisions.

Trevor, 15, took out the division one championship, defeating Victorian Croquet captain Ken Boal.

While Craig, 17, defeated all comers in division three to take out the championship.

***

Mildura 100 success for local skiers

Local water skiers did well in the annual Mildura 100 at Easter.

Tongala’s Craig Cox, skiing with Melbourne’s Justin Cadden, took the honours in the smoc expert class event in a meritorious effort behind the boat Smoke, driven by Darren Robertson.

They covered the 100km in 45 minutes 42 seconds, averaging 124.6 km/ph.

Craig also placed second in the same section at the Robinvale 80 on Labor day weekend in March.

1976

Ky teachers attend Canberra rally

Teachers from Haslem Street Primary School, Jon Hall and Damien Walsh and Pat Guinan from Dawes Road, flew to Canberra yesterday.

Parent representative Keith Hilder, also attended the day.

The Tongala branch representative was Anne Wadelton, and Andrew Kennedy went on behalf of the Tongala school.

Teachers are concerned that education may suffer as a result of rumoured widespread cuts in federal spending.

***

It was just great, Glenda

Glenda Prior has been playing golf for only five years, but this week at Green Acres course in Melbourne, the fighting qualities and ability of Kyabram teenager won her place on the list of the state's best known women golfers.

Glenda showed outstanding match temperament, class and courage to win the title.

At no stage of the 36 hole play-off for the title did her opponent wrest the lead from her.

After nine holes the scores were square, Glenda had one up after 18, and it was all square again after 27.

***

Lee Loves Horses

How many 14-year-old girls in Kyabram would be prepared to rise at 5.30am these chilly mornings, pedal a bike through the dark to the Kyabram trotting track to muck out stables and get the occasional drive of horses stabled at the track?

Not too many.

But one who does is Lee Hawkings, daughter of Kyabram CBA Bank manager George Hawkings.

As George puts it “Lee just lives for each morning to get up to the trotting track and help out. It is all she talks about at home.”

Lee has always been fond of horses and has had a special interest for trotters since Jack Powles of the Moorabool River Stud, Meredith gave Lee a five-year-old gelding called Major Moorabool.

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