A true-blue Kyabramite is to be honoured.
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A gala function/testimonial to honour Peter Nelson’s contribution to both society and sport in Kyabram and district will be held at the Wilf Cox Complex on Saturday evening, August 22.
It is being staged to acknowledge and to show appreciation of Peter’s contribution to the Kyabram district community over the past 60 years.
The salute has been instigated by former Kyabram policeman Gary Storer, who got to meet Peter when he transferred to Kyabram in the force in 1987, before leaving in 1999.
“I got to know Peter well when I first came to Kyabram and have been in regular contact with over the years since I’ve been living in Bendigo,” Mr Storer said.
‘‘What Peter has done for the Kyabram community I felt needs be recognised, so I thought this was a good way to acknowledge it.
‘‘He’s been involved in many things which have benefited Kyabram greatly.“
Cost of the two-course dinner is $35 per head and bookings can be made on the Kyabram Football Netball Club Facebook site social calendar. Those without Facebook can contact club president John Guinan direct on 0418 324 020.
The function will be introduced by Mr Storer and will be hosted by Tim Nelson, Peter’s son.
Winter sets in
What the weather experts have been tipping, an El Niño, seems to be a long way off the mark given what’s been happening over the past week.
Bleak winter weather engulfed the Goulburn Valley and most other parts of the state last week, with 18mm recorded in the first two days of July and 28mm in the last five days of June at the Kyabram weather station.
The June total of 70.8mm was well above the June average of 41mm.
The latest falls have boosted Kyabram’s total rainfall for the year to 257mm.
Farewell to Charlie
The popularity of Charlie Mead was evident at his funeral in Benalla last week.
There was standing room only at a memorial service to recognise his contribution to the town and district and the generosity and compassion he displayed all his life.
Like meeting the last train at midnight in Benalla and offering blankets to anyone who was on hard times and sleeping rough. This act of kindness lasted 17 years.
Charlie was also a revered figure in the train industry in the north-east where he spent most of his working life working on the railways.
His efforts in the aftermath of the Violet Town train tragedy in 1969 were praised and a monument has been erected at the crash site to honour him.
Charlie became well known in Kyabram after his brother Jack died after surgery in the late 1940s.
Jack was a member of the 1948 Kyabram Football Club team that won the flag under coach Bob Hornbuckle, and Charlie became a generous donor to the club to honour Jack and Kyabram’s players — footballers and netballers — and was a regular at Kyabram home games for the next 55 years.
Charlie died after suffering a fall. He was 88.
Bridge on last legs
Historic Chinaman’s Bridge at Nagambie is doomed.
Strathbogie Shire Council has awarded a demolition contract to West Pacific Group after a tender process.
It was discovered the bridge had structural deficiencies and had deteriorated beyond repair.
Demolition works are due to start in August and completed by the end of the year. The works will include preserving identified features of the bridge alongside demolition and riverank rehabilitation.
The $1.31 million project is being funded through Council Flood Support Fund.
Funeral for Dogga
Steve Collins, who passed away last week, was a popular Kyabram citizen ever since moving to the town from Ballan years ago.
Known as Dogga, he worked as a barman at the Kyabram Hotel and Stanhope Hotel in his time in Kyabram and was known for his efficiency and dry humour.
Drinkers even voted him one of the best barman to pull a beer in Kyabram.
His funeral will be held at the Parkland Golf Club this Friday, July 10, at 1pm.
Memorial policy updated
Greater Shepparton Shire Council has updated its roadside fatality memorial policy, which supports the construction of memorials at fatal crash sites while maintaining safety for mourners and road users.
The policy review focused on safety, risk minimisation, clear construction requirements and inclusion of support services.
It outlines requirements that must be met to construct a memorial, such as choosing a location that would not cause danger to road users and using materials that would not cause injury if struck by a vehicle.
Gallery to open soon
The countdown has started for the opening of the new Moama Art Gallery after a handover from contractors.
The gallery was constructed off-site and moved to Moama in May where the 11 module building sections were lifted into place.
Since then contractors have focused on completing the internal fit-out, landscaping and connecting the necessary utilities.
The Bridge Art Project has been in the pipeline for 14 years.
A fundraising partnership with Morrison’s Winery is planned for September, and there will be a Father’s Day golf ball competition at Rich River Golf Club where 1500 golf balls will be launched from a cannon.
Hall to get roof
The historic Mitiamo public hall is soon to get a roof that doesn’t leak.
Believed to be one of the oldest halls — built in 1885 — in the region still standing on its original site, a grant of $26,022 from the Tiny Towns Fund has been received for the roof repair work.
Car crashes into old shopfronts
A heritage-listed Tatura shopfront was extensively damaged after a car smashed into it on June 27.
Police said a Holden sedan crashed into the former antique shop in Hogan St and another heritage-listed shopfront next to it.
CCTV revealed the car was allegedly doing a burnout and police later arrested an 18-year-old Tatura man, who was assisting with their investigations.
Body in bus
A man was found dead in a burnt-out bus near Tallygaroopna early last week.
It is believed the bus was being used as a permanent home.
Anyone who witnessed the fire or has any information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anger at rumoured cull
A rumoured kangaroo cull at the Benalla Golf Club drew a huge reaction from locals.
Protest groups were formed and Beechworth Wildlife Stays initiated a protest at the golf club.
But the golf club then released a statement confirming that no kangaroo harvest would take place and the club was seeking further advice from relevant stakeholders and experts.
Vote of confidence
Due to the success of its first ever event earlier this year, the Echuca Country Music Festival will be on again next year — and the year after.
Campaspe Shire Council has committed to support the festival in both 2027 and 2028.
Square Dinkum
G’day.
I’ve just been to the supermarket with my wife, and totally out of the blue she said, ‘‘What a lazy old ‘so and so’ you are.’’
I was so shocked — I almost fell out of the trolley.
Hooroo!