So take a big, big bow organisers of Kyabram’s 150 th birthday bash.
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Every second you put into marking this anniversary milestone has proved worthy of the effort.
When an occasion like this is being put together there are so many scenarios, but on this occasion there were no negatives.
The weather gods played a significant role by dishing up an almost cloudless, warm evening.
The venue – the Kyabram recreation reserve – was a big winner with its carpet of green providing the space for the hundreds who attended to watch the entertainment in comfort.
The variety of food on offer was another huge plus.
It was an occasion which focused on family, and it delivered in every way.
And the huge crowd respected the occasion without incident which was hoped for but in these times not always guaranteed.
Even the security team praised the behaviour of the hundreds of people who attended.
And the entertainment matched and even exceeded the high expectations of the throngs.
Most of the entertainers were people with Kyabram connections and would not be out of place on any stage at any venue in the world.
They were all class acts.
The MC Andrew Moore was a last-minute recruit, but with his musical background slotted into the role like a true professional.
Not many occasions like this, or similar to it, could boast the success this milestone enjoyed.
Organisers worked so hard for so long to bring it all together and it was an evening Kyabram can boast of long into the future.
Bring on the 200 th anniversary.
We’ve got the chain again
One of the most significant revelations at the 150 th birthday bash was the announcement Kyabram is to get its mayoral chain back.
The campaign reached a crescendo at the 150 th dinner celebrations the previous week when five of the six living former Kyabram mayors advocated for giving a Kyabram home to something which is very much ours.
Just where the chain will now be displayed or homed for eternity is still being debated but has come home, news which the reunion crowd reacted to with loud applause on the night to remember for a proud town.
Cooks caught out
A good lesson to be learnt here.
Cooking breakfast outdoors on a total fire ban day has proved costly for two men.
They recently fronted the Seymour Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to pay a combined $1500 to the CFA.
The Melbourne men lit a campfire which was found burning near Seymour.
Under Total Fire Ban conditions lighting fires in the open air is illegal which should be noted with the weather now conducive to camping.
Bridge gets $4m facelift
A win for the locals – Kirwans Bridge near Nagambie will get a $4 million makeover.
The bridge has been out of action to all traffic since the October 2022 floods, turning the 5km trip to Nagambie into a 15km journey through back roads.
Canberra has confirmed it will commit the $4 million to design and deliver the renewal of Kirwans Bridge under the Safer Local Roads Infrastucture Program.
The project will cater for passenger vehicles but further funding will be needed to achieve a higher load limit.
Sad end to search
The body of a fisherman missing in the Murray River near Tocumwal was discovered last Thursday after an extensive search.
The 39-year-old was last seen at Pebbly Beach campground on the Victorian side of the Murray River about 10am on Saturday, October 17.
Whatever next?
There is just about a competition for everything these days and this is one of them.
Recently at Barellan in NSW a new record was set by camels pulling a wool wagon in the Good Old Days festival.
Cosgrove’s Peter Hodge formed part of the team of cameleers which harnessed the 32 camels that broke the previous record set at the same festival two years ago.
The party rolls on
There seems to be a lot of 150-year milestones being celebrated this year, of course the town of Kyabram being one of them.
The latest to celebrate the anniversary will be the Deniliquin Town Hall, built in 1876.
A week of activities from November 23-27 culminates in a commemorative civic reception and community celebration.
The mercury’s rising
Summer is sneaking up on us as you have probably realised.
Temperatures were on the rise with four days late last week – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – all peaking above 30C, with Friday hitting a high of 33C.
But rainy weather arrived again on Sunday with falls varying from 9mm to 19 mm throughout the district.
Tower’s last stand
There is now a gaping hole where one of Echuca’s former landmarks once stood.
The Echuca Water Tower on the corner of High and Pakenham streets has been dismantled.
It was built from an estimated 646 tonnes of reinforced concrete in 1915-16.
A significant volume is expected to be recycled and repurposed.
Hit the track Jack
The Kotta railway trail recently had a memorable christening with nearly 100 runners hitting the track for the 8km route from Lockington to Kotta.
The trail has been a victory for community spirit and dedication in the past decade, with Kotta resident Neil Haines sharing the rich history of the railway line and the hard work behind the trail’s creation at the celebrations.
Brigade is hot
Echuca Fire Brigade’s firefighting armoury has been boosted with a $543 000 funding windfall.
The grant will allow the CFA to replace its current ultra-light tanker with a new medium tanker.
The new vehicle will increase the brigade’s capacity to respond to emergencies and ground support crews.
SQUARE DINKUM
G’day.
Yesterday I tested myself to see if I had any psychic abilities.
I started with a simple project, to see if I could melt an ice-cube with my mind.
It worked but took a really long time.
Hoo roo!