Free Press flashbacks

Teacher in training Lewis Noonan is calling for Dawes Rd Primary School to be brought back to life to combat rising class sizes and an exodus of students from the town.

Mr Noonan, a former Dawes Rd student himself, said Kyabram parents deserved the same quality primary education and choice they enjoyed when the school was opened in 1964.

Dawes Rd Primary was closed at the end of 2011 when the school amalgamated with Haslet St Primary and Kyabram High School.

The site was used for Year 9 students until the end of 2014, but has since stood empty, with its fate to be decided by the Department of Education.

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Minister’s whistle-stop visit

Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford paid a brief visit to the Kyvalley Dairy factory in Kyabram last Thursday while on a trip to northern Victoria.

There was no major political announcement, no handing out of cash or incentives and no promises.

Kyvalley Dairy’s chief executive officer Neil Longstaff said the meeting was an introduction to the business and provided an opportunity to highlight to Ms Pulford the areas of focus for the company.

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Lead slips from grasp

Kyabram piled on five unanswered goals in the first 12 minutes of its game against Seymour at King's Park on Saturday, but kicked just seven more in 95 minutes – including the last two in quick succession to slump to a nine and give win-loss record.

The 13.5 (83) to 12.8 (80) loss dropped the Bombers to fourth position, equal on points with Seymour (sixth) and Shepparton Swans (fifth) and two premiership points behind Euroa, who they host in a must-win encounter this Saturday at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.

When star midfielder Liam Ogden slotted his first goal from a Seymour turnover, the Bombers were chocker hoop.

They led by 32 points, just 12 minutes had elapsed, and it looked to be all Kyabram’s way.

But the Lions somehow clawed their way back into the game, and at the first change, were only behind by eight points.

2000

Olympic spirit engulfs Kyabram and provides magical moments

Michael Doherty proposed, Pam Matthews took a swipe at officialdom and the cold wind blew … but nothing, absolutely nothing, could stop and estimated 6000 people giving the Olympic torch a rousing welcome – and farewell – when it made its way into and through Kyabram on Wednesday.

It was really an unforgettable day, and the Kyabram and district community embraced the Olympic spirit in a way probably unequalled for any other events in the town’s proud history.

Huge, enthusiastic crowds from all walks of life lined the roadways to cheer on each of the 32 runners.

And it proved to be a day of the expected and the unexpected.

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Sisters to sing at MCG,

Two Byrneside sisters will have the highlight of their life on Sunday.

Alice and Polly Symons will be members of a choir to sing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as part of celebrations when the Olympic torch visits Melbourne.

A cauldron will be lighted by the torch at the MCG before the Melbourne-Geelong match.

The pair, who are both members of the Victorian State Singers, will join other members to perform Playing to Win.

Both girls said they were looking forward to the event and were very excited about performing in front of a big crowd.

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Torch delight

Angus Mason took the Olympic flame to new heights during his leg of the torch relay near Lancaster.

Angus had a practice jump with the torch moments before the Olympic flame reached him.

Then, at the urging of the media, he demonstrated his leaping prowess once more – this time for the camera.

A true character, Angus then broke into the ocker Aussie change “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie…. Oi, Oi, Oi.”

1985

Women win council seats

Two district women, Joan Bell and Jose Bohn, scored landslide victories in Saturday’s Rodney and Waranga Shire Council elections.

It was the first time either woman had stood for council, and both defeated retiring male councillors who were seeking to return to council for another term.

Mrs Bohn, a Stanhope housewife and mother of nine children, had a resounding victory in the Waranga Shire Council elections to gain the Northeastern Riding seat.

Mrs Bell romped home in Rodney Shire Elections to win the Tatura Riding seat from retiring councillor Edward (Ted) McCracken.

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Appeal to replace birds

An appeal has been launched in Kyabram to raise the $500-$600 needed to replace the bird stolen from the Kyabram Fauna Park two weeks ago.

The fauna park is unable to finance replacements at the moment because the committee of management is committed to spending on the Education Centre and new toilet block at the park.

An enclosure for Tasmanian devils was also to begin soon.

A member of the committee of management, John Sills and concerned resident Don Taylor, have started the appeal.

Mr Taylor said the loss of the birds was devastating and urged people to support the appeal.

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Former Bomber stars honoured

Kyabram Football Club and the GVL recognised two great Bombers of the past during the club’s reunion at the weekend.

Star defenders Bob Vick and Herb Prior who thrilled Kyabram fans in the late 40s and 50s received life memberships to the Kyabram Football Club and the GVL for the feat of playing 200 senior games with the Bombers.

This tally of fames automatically qualifies players for life membership of both the Kyabram club and the GVL.

The club life memberships were made on Friday evening at the past players and officials smoke night, which ushered in the club’s reunion.