History uncovered
Kyabram historian Eileen Sullivan could not believe her eyes when she was sifting through some photos of Lancaster cricketers from the early part of last century.
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She picked up a clear photo of a Lancaster batsman playing a shot by the name of Clive Harcourt (not Harcourts as in photo) and it suddenly dawned on her the significance of her find.
When co-writing Kyabram’s Doctors of Endurance 1886-2025 on Kyabram’s doctors down the years Eileen’s exhaustive search for a photo of Dr Clive Harcourt was unsuccessful.
And those who know her, an exhaustive search by Eileen would have left no stone unturned.
Dr Clive Harcourt was one of the Kyabram’s earliest doctors, for a time working with one of Kyabram’s most famous doctors, Dr Cam Wight, during his time in Kyabram from 1908 to 1920.
One of Dr Harcourt’s first surgeries was the Kyabram Coffee Palace, on the corner of Union and Bradley Sts, now Knights Building Supplies.
He also operated from Miss Dowling’s Boarding House, the original home of Dr Wight, in Church St.
In 1915, Dr Harcourt and Dr Wight entered in a partnership, each having turns to work in Tatura to fill positions of doctors who had enlisted.
During the influenza epidemic of 1919, Dr Wight and Dr Harcourt distinguished themselves with their devoted commitment to the community.
They systematically visited every second home in the district to discover and forestall new cases of the disease.
X Copies of Kyabram’s Doctors Of Endurance 1886-2025 are still available and can be purchased from Eileen by phoning 0423 504 328 or at the Kyabram Historical Society library in Lake Rd.
Surprising sight
Well-known Kyabram identity John (Bluey) Roberts has seen some strange things in his time, but reckons the one he experienced last week takes the cake.
And by a long way.
While working in Stanhope, he was a bit surprised to see a guy in the main street walking around with something draped around his neck.
The ‘something’ was lunging and hissing at passers-by and when he got a closer inspection his suspicions to what it was were spot on — a snake.
A brown snake. And a big one.
‘‘It looked as though it was pretty keen to bite anyone who got near it except the guy who had it wrapped around is neck,’’ John said.
John said the guy and the snake entered a cafe but didn’t last long in there with staff not in favour of the visit of the unwanted customer and were visibly shaken by the experience.
The snake charmer was asked to leave the cafe with his unusual pet, but it’s yet to play out whether they will live happily ever after.
And, as Bluey said, “You don’t see something like that every day.’’
Hot town
According to ABC media outlets Kyabram was the hottest place in Victoria on Sunday.
The mercury at the Kyabram weather station nudged 45ºC.
It was expected to be the start of stifling temperatures for this week with 40-plus readings possible every day. Yesterday’s maximum was tipped to climb beyond 45ºC.
There will be no relief from the searing heat until Saturday is the prediction.
Rain is almost an extinct word at the moment in Kyabram and district with the last rainfall recorded over a month ago with 25mm on Monday, December 22.
Not one drop of rain has been registered since or in 2026 so far and fears are now mounting of water restrictions being introduced.
And, if you thought Sunday was reaching the unbearable stage, give a thought to many Echuca-Moama residents who had to try and keep cool in a lengthy power outage.
Book launch
Moama local Tracey Munn released her debut children’s book at Rich River Golf Club last Thursday.
Titled The Adventures of Gordon The Golf Kart, Tracey got the motivation to write the book when she moved to Moama in 2020 to be closer to family.
He son Lachie introduced her to playing golf and provided her with the urge to write a children’s book about a golf kart.
Did you know?
You know you are living in 2026 when...
x You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
x You haven't played Solitaire with real cards in years.
x You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
x You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
x Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
Square dinkum
G’day
My neighbour bashed on my door at 2.30am this morning. It didn’t bother me too much because I was already up and out of bed ... practising my bagpipes.
Hooroo!!!