Good read: Peter Nelson (centre) took the lead role in writing the Kyabam Club history, supported by co-authors David Collins and Chris Preddy.
Thursday evening’s simultaneous glass-raising by 120 special guests of the Kyabram Club was a fitting tribute to a 60-year history that started out as an “elitist’’ organisation and has evolved into the largest backer of community events and activities.
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Kyabram Club chair David Blake kicked off the official component of the Cheers to 60 Years event at the club, which was attended by current and former directors, life members, staff that had served 10 years or more and community members who had contributed to the re-build after the 1984 fire.
Mr Blake and club manager Greg Ryan took lead roles in the celebration, which was also atended by all three of the Kyabram-Deakin ward Campaspe Shire councillors, Deputy Mayor Colleen Gates, Cr Daniel Mackrell and Cr John Zobec.
But amid all of the signatories it was the lead author of the Kyabram Club’s 60th birthday production, Peter Nelson, who stole the show.
His sharp wit and dry humour had the gathering enthralled as he explained the story of the book’s production.
“In 2021 we had a life members’ lunch and I rasied the matter of a club history, and whether anyone had every compiled such a document,” Mr Nelson said.
“One of the people at the lunch said, ‘we have 60th birthday planned for October next year. It would be good to have it ready for that’, and there was no looking back.
“From there I enlisted the support of Chris Preddy and David Collins, my co-authors, which leads us to tonight.”
A July 27, 1955, town hall meeting of businessmen was the starting point in the history of the Kyabram Club.
Mr Nelson said slowly, but surely, the concept gained its roots from that point.
“They formally decided to form what was originally going to be called the Kyabram Men’s Club in 1960,” he said.
“At the time, for some reason, they decided to call it the Kyabram Club, not the men’s club.
“From our research it appears they needed a watering hole which was away from the local pub — enabling them to separate themselves from the riff-raff of the town,” Mr Nelson said.
He said the club concept moved slowly until they started to look for a location.
Kyabram solicitor Tom Tehan was the president of the hospital committee at the time and its planned relocation led to a site being identified.
“Between 1955 and 1960 the men behind the club’s formation had to prove they needed a club, so they were required to have meetings — but they were not permitted to have alcohol at those meetings.
“And the Kyabram publican of the day, Bill Hurley, was watching them like a hawk,” Mr Nelson said.
Eventually, at 8pm on October 6, 1962, 202 men celebrated the first beers at the Ky Club. There was a re-enactment of that toast last week.
60th celebration: Kyabram Club chair David Blake, former chair and author of the history book Peter Nelson and current manager Greg Ryan at Thursday evening's celebration dinner and book launch.
Mr Nelson’s father, Eric, was a member of that original Kyabram Club committee and they attracted 161 foundation members.
His father passed away while Mr Nelson was president of the club — in 1973.
It wasn’t until 1987 that ladies were allowed in the front room of the club (only until 7.30pm) and the billiard room remained off limits to females.
In 1980 Richard Hamer led a state parliamentary meeting at the Kyabram, but it was a fire in 1984 that created the biggest headlines.
While it took less than 12 months for the club to re-open it was tough going for the club to re-stake its claim in the community.
Chinese cooks, John and Helen Lee, led the revitalised club into its current era.
They spent 11 years in the kitchen and so popular was the smorgasbord two sittings were often required.
“In 1993 we secured five poker machines and whether it was a good or bad thing, it has seen the club through until today,” Mr Nelson said.
Mr Nelson’s various anecdotes, not all suitable for publication, included describing how — at one point — there was a cap on members and prospective members had to be nominated by two people, then be presented to the committee, before being allocated a membership.
He shared stories of former managers Richard Francis and Gary Storer before saluting all involved in allowing the club to become the icon for the community it is today.
Long-time director Terry Nepean and manager of 19 years, Mike Sweeney, hosted a question-and-answer forum later in the evening.
