A bird somehow found its way into the Kyabram Historical Society Town Hall Walkway Window on Sunday.
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The bird was hiding in the Christmas tree in the window’s Christmas display when Marg Smerdon was called upon to try and release it. Luckily it did not do too much damage when it knocked a few items over.
Last August a duck found its way into the window, so an investigation is needed to find where they are getting in.
Speed limit change
I’d like to think that driving into the Free Press office from Tongala on a daily basis would allow me to be fully aware of my surrounds.
On Friday (December 23) I noticed some new speed limits, at least I hope they were, installed on Graham Rd (at about Palmer Rd) just before the sweeping bend onto McEwen Rd and into Kyabram.
I believe the speed limit used to be 100kmph all the way around the bend and then dropped to 70kmph at the water storage facility on McEwen Rd.
The speed limit now drops to 80kmph well before the channel on Graham Rd and then drops back to 60kmph on the entrance to town.
Not sure if I missed the notices, but for those that aren’t aware — as I wasn’t — the speed limits have changed on the entrance to the western side of town.
Netball uniform options
The humble netball skirt has fallen by the wayside in recent years, but a new, more inclusive uniform policy will offer participants in the sport an array of options for the coming season.
The new uniform policy will come into effect in netball leagues across the nation after Netball Australia announced new guidelines last week.
The new guidelines will officially be introduced in the new year and Netball Australia said they would “recognise the various individual preferences and religious beliefs of netballers’’.
As a result, players and umpires will be given more choice as to what they are able to wear on court.
The options provided include dresses, singlets, bodysuits, short sleeve or long sleeve shirts, skirts, shorts and long pants.
Big Summer Read
Campaspe Library Service is participating in the statewide “Big Summer Read” program between now and Monday, January 23.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos said all people needed to do was collect a reading log and a Big Summer Read bag from one of the library branches.
“The kids read at least 10 books over the holidays, complete the reading log, and return it before January 23 to go into the draw to win some awesome prizes,” Cr Amos said.
Campaspe Library Service’s school holiday program features some fantastic activities, including the popular CJ Puppets live performances at the Echuca and Kyabram libraries.
Bookings are required for all activities in the school holiday program. You can book by phoning 5481 2400 or by going to www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
Today at the Kyabram Library (Wednesday, January 4, at 3.30pm) is Grass Heads making while Tuesday, January 10, at 1pm is Rainbow Mobiles and Wednesday, January 11, at 3.30pm is the NGV Make a Sculpture program.
Other events are: Tuesday, January 17 (1pm), Moon Phases; Wednesday, January 18 (3.30pm), NGV Make a Collage; Thursday, January 19 (2.30pm), CJ Puppets; Tuesday, January 24 (1pm), Chinese Lanterns; Wednesday, January 25 (3.30pm), NGV Make a Creature and Big Summer Read Celebration.
Tongala Library: Tuesday, January 10, at 3.30pm — Rainbow Mobiles; Tuesday, January 17, at 3.30pm — Moon Phases; Tuesday, January 24, at 3.30pm — Chinese Lanterns.
Son shows how it’s done
A well-known Kyabram businessman with investments in a couple of racehorses, took his son to the Moonee Valley races on Christmas Eve, eager to show his son how to tip winners while also getting to see his own horse race.
While this horse (Cantolago) did well, running third, the so-called expert tipster was not in the same form.
However, his so-called apprentice tipster son was backing winners at whim!
Come “the get out stakes”— the last race — the dad rather reluctantly resorted to a low point, asking his son for a tip.
“Number 6 for sure dad!” was the advice.
“That’s got no chance,” he retorted, “Number 7 will win it!” he added and putting his hard-earned money where his mouth was.
Coming down the straight number seven was out in front and looking all over a winner but in the last 100m it was run down… and no prizes for guessing which horse? Yes number six — his son’s tip.
There happened to be a large Kyabram contingent also at the races on this day watching and listening to the father-son tipping banter, and boy didn’t they give it to JJ at the end of the meeting.
Nice work Tom.
Family’s flood struggle
A story and photo on page two in The Age on Boxing Day featured the continuing struggle for Rochester residents trying to get back on their feet after the destructive floods.
There was a lovely photo of Ash Watson and his wife Eliza and young family to run with the story.
Ash had had seven moves since being washed out in the floods and are currently living in a caravan on their home property.
Ash is well known in Kyabram as he works for Kyabram Health Services. He is also well known for his footballing prowess being a Morrison Medallist in the Goulburn Valley League and who is preparing to coach Rochester in a non-playing capacity this year.
Echuca stereograph exhibition
Those who like photography and history can get a dose of both with a fascinating exhibition in Echuca starting on Friday.
Two Men In A Boat is an exhibition of stereograph photos of scenes along the Murray River in 1862.
Two men — Edward W Cole and George Burnell — were visiting Echuca from the goldfields and decided to exchange their wagon for a boat made of redgum planks.
They then rowed from Echuca to Goolwa, a distance of some 1700km, which took four months to complete, taking photos along the way.
Edward W Cole later founded Cole’s Book Arcade in Melbourne while his colleague George Burnell was a photographer
There is a free family friendly open day to launch the exhibition this Friday (January 6) from 10am and the exhibition will run until February 28 at the Echuca Historical Society Museum at 1 Dickson St Echuca. The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 2pm.
Council ethanol ‘failings’
Murray River Council has been accused of failings in relation to a proposed Moama Ethonal Plant.
The report details significant breaches of the Local Government Act, the failure to keep adequate records and also mismanagement.
Council’s purchase of $1.2 million of land for the proposed site and a $900,000 loan to Murray River Energy is also under scrutiny in the report.
Shopping complex ‘bun fight’
Bit of bun fight going on in a proposed IGA shopping complex in Shepparton’s north.
Greater Shepparton City Council is not impressed with the developers request for more time to start the development, but the developer has countered by applying to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Council, accusing the council of not making a decision on its plans to build a supermarket-based shopping centre on the Numurkah Rd site.
New Tocumwal attraction
Tocumwal has another tourist landmark to go with its giant Murray Cod.
A new foreshore $2.1 million multi-purpose building, constructed as part of the Berrigan Council’s Tocumwal Foreshore Revitalisation Project, was recently officially opened by shire Mayor Matt Hannan.
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