Kyabram has been invaded by eastern koels.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Many Kyabram residents were treated to the unusual sound of these birds in all parts of the town last week.
The eastern koel — also known as the common koel, rainbird, cooee bird or stormbird — is black in colour with red eyes and is about the size of a magpie.
They come from the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea or south-east Asia, arriving in Australia each spring, mainly in coastal areas of eastern Australia.
But their Kyabram visit has been pretty special because they have never been seen in this area before.
Look out
Beware you mindless lowlifes, you are on camera.
Vandals continue to be active in the mural picnic area at the former Kyabram railway station and police are studying security footage to close in on the culprits.
Early Christmas present
Ky Lotto boss Miles Gould is pleased to report that some lucky Kyabramite has received a welcome early Christmas present — a division two prize in Tattslotto.
It’s an $11,000 pay day and Miles said the win was well deserved as the recipient ‘‘has had a bit of a rough time lately“.
Archies footwear
National TV (Channel 9) chose the Kyabram recreation reserve last week to do a segment on the booming Archies footwear business.
In the interview Kyabram podiatrist Jemima Draper sung the praises of Archies’ feet-friendly thongs, which are in demand worldwide at the moment, including at her Albion St business.
The owner of Archies Footwear, Moama-raised physiotherapist Daniel Jones, was also interviewed and revealed the company now had 2500 Australian outlets and 6000 in America.
Kyabram Football Club premiership players Mick Mattingly, Tom and Jack Sheldon, Jordan Williams and Brad Whitford work at the Echuca base of the business
Mattingly, the 2019 GVL Morrison Medalist, headed for South Australia yesterday and will continue to work for the business in Adelaide where he has been signed to play in the South Australian National Football League next season.
Memorial service
A public service to honour former Strathmerton post master John Burke was recently held outside the Strathmerton Public Hall and drew a large crowd of mourners.
In moving tributes, speakers spoke of Mr Burke’s ‘‘honesty, sense of humour and genuine nature’’.
Mr Burke died of injuries sustained in a late night incident at the Strathmerton Roadhouse on August 8.
A man from Numurkah and a woman have been charged over his death.
Mayor for five terms
Libro Mustica has made history in the Moira Shire by being elected mayor for an historic fifth term.
No other councillor has served two mayoral terms consecutively let alone five.
Long-serving Moira councillor Kevin Bourke stepped down at the same meeting as Cr Mustica was elected mayor and was thanked for his service in promoting the history and the western side of the shire.
Mural unveiled
Two murals painted by local artist Tim Bowtell have been unveiled in Benalla.
They are on display at the Southern Aurora Memorial Gardens and were opened by Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines.
Tim said he had received a lot of help from his sons in painting the murals, which feature scenes from the aftermath of the Southern Aurora train derailment near Violet Town on February 7, 1969.
The crash resulted in nine deaths and 117 people being injured in what is the second most fatal train crash in Australia’s history.
McDonald’s is hiring
The Echuca business of fast good giant McDonald’s is on the lookout for 70 casual employees to cope with what owner-operator Scott Moller expects to be a strong holiday summer period.
Positions to be filled include baristas for the drive-through, front counter staff and delivery drivers.
Anyone interested can receive more information at careers.mcdonalds.com/australia/jobs
Concert has council support
Free concerts at Rushworth and Nanneella will have the support of Campaspe Shire Council.
Stone & Wood (Sean Orr and Simon Marks) will appear this Saturday, November 27, at the Rushworth Hall from 4pm to 6pm and on Sunday, December 5, at the Nanneella Memorial Hall from 4pm to 6pm.
The concerts will offer the chance for the community to re-engage with artists live post-pandemic.
Campaspe Australia Day Awards
Nominations for the Campaspe Australia Day Awards close Friday, December 3. As of last week, no nominations had been received from Kyabram!
Australia Day Awards reward and recognise individuals that have made a noteworthy contribution during the current year, and/or give an outstanding service over a number of years, to a local community over and above normal employment duties.
Recipients must be a resident of Campaspe Shire and one whose achievements in service for others has had a significant influence in the local community or has made an outstanding achievement in an appropriate field of endeavour.
Square Dinkum
G’day
Two friends were talking during their lunch break at work. The first one asked, ‘‘So, what are you doing for your Christmas holidays?’’
The second one replied, ‘’I want to go to Italy, like last year.’’
The first one asked, ‘’Wow, you went to Italy last year?’’
‘’No,’’ said the second one. ‘’But I wanted to.’’
Hooroo!
Sports reporter