1970
Kyabram shooter Greg Norris finished in the top 15 claybird shooters at the state titles and was selected in the Victorian team after a Geelong event.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
To win selection, shooters had to hit 30 birds in succession during qualifying, with either the first or second barrel. Greg had to use his second barrel on just four occasions.
In the final of the event, Greg shot his 50 targets with a minimum of fuss, using his second barrel on just three occasions.
⋅ Paul Rowlands, who was full back for Melbourne in the VFL in 1970, returned to Kyabram for his 21st birthday party. It was hosted by his parents, councillor Max Rowlands and his wife. Paul was presented with the traditional key on his coming of age.
Rowlands played 35 games in 1969-70 and was a famous umpire’s favourite in the last line. In 1969 he won 34 free kicks and gave away just 18, the following year having a 29-22 return. His best game was a 20 disposal (19 kicks and one handball game) from full back before players could play on out of the goal square.
⋅ After five rounds of Goulburn Valley league football, Kyabram was on top in the thirds, unbeaten in the early part of the season, while the reserves team was sitting fourth and the senior team was second.
They had just lost to sixth ranked Mooroopna when former Tongala star Stuart Florence kicked five goals and matched the exploits of Bombers coach Fred Wooller at the other end.
Tongala was fifth on the ladder after scoring its third win of the season against Shepparton United, ruckman Garth Honey kicking four goals in a best on ground display, with five goals from Cox and four from Pearce.
⋅ Geoff Sharpe had the district football world buzzing when, despite his 20 years of playing senior football, he was a star in the Kyabram team that was sitting near the top of the ladder.
Sharpe was recruited from Farrer League team Collingullie at the start of the season, having been in a coaching role for 13 years prior to arriving in Kyabram with his family – including two sons Craig and Stephen.
He had played six years in the VFA with Prahran, then four years with Murtoa in the Wimmera league, four with Camperdown in the Hampden league and then with Narrandera in the South West league.
1980
⋅ After seven rounds of the Kyabram district league season, Lancaster was second on the ladder and Merrigum third, both with four wins from their six games (having both had the bye). Steve Sharkey kicked four goals and Algie Tonkin was best on ground, supported by Terry Nepean, Peter Edwards and Shane Backway.
Top team Avenel beat Merrigum by 46 points, despite Col Robinson kicking three goals and being his team’s best player. Despite the work of Gary Thomas and David Pettifer the Avenel team remained unbeaten for the season.
Girgarre was on the bottom of the ladder, the only winless team in the nine-team competition. Merrigum and Lancaster were top of the ladder in the reserves, while Girgarre’s thirds team had performed well to start the season and sat third.
⋅ Kyabram coach Tony Bull led his team to a seven point win in the traditional clash with Tongala.
Trevor Coulstock kicked four goals, as did Merrigum recruit Sev Cortese, while Mick Souter kicked three for Tongala and Gus Wallis two.
Mick Shanahan had been assigned the task of tagging Kyabram star Laurie Casey and a $1500 gate was taken for the match.
David Long was a star for Kyabram, along with Barry Williams in defence and Bill Fry came on the ground late to have a big impact.
Wallis was playing in his 100th game for Tongala, but Tongala coach Peter Lyon was disappointed in the effort despite the work of Daryl Reid and Jake Cameron on Kyabram coach Rob Egan.
1990
The Taylor sisters joined forced to lead their netball side to the section one title in the Kyabram Night Netball Competition.
Sisters Judy (Ballantyne), Carmel (Warren), Denise (McCormack) and younger sister Marita Yaylor teamed with Denise’s daughter Trudi to help their side take the title.
Kerry West, Deanna Wilson and Tracey Donohue were the three foreigners in the side.
⋅ Alex Dennis played his 200th game for Merrigum and celebrated with a best on ground display in his team’s 76 point win against Yea. Mick Merrigum coach Robbie Walters was a star with eight goals in the win, while Troy and Jason McCormick dominated around the ground.
Phil Tucker had started the season well for Girgarre, with 22 goals (including nine in one game) in five rounds.
⋅ Kyabram’s State League netball team made it three wins in a row when Michelle Cussen and Di Hanslow combined in the goaling circle to produce a 40-26 winning scoreline.
Defenders Lisa Cullum and Sharon McHale were at their intercepting best, while Wendy Ryan, Leanne Berner and Ann Austin were good in the mid-court.
In the reserve grade Denise Knight, Sammy Lamberton and Debbie Yeates were the best players, with Sally Rupper, Ruth Slee and Alex Wheeler in support roles during the 13 goal win against Essendon.
⋅ Another win for Kyabram with seven goals from Chris Stuhldreier and five from Brendan Ryan, with Rick Demarte best on ground, supported by Steve Kewin, Peter Ryan and Nick Quirk.
Tongala lost to Mooroopna by nine points despite five goals from Mick Souter and four from Ged Atkins. Dave Connally and Russell Byrnes were the Blues best players, with Jake Cameron, Kevin Currie and Ricki Cipriani also rating a mention.
2000
Matthew, Corey and Barton Carver, aged 28 to 19 years, played together in the same senior Lancaster team, believed to be the first three-brother combination since the Salmon brothers of the 1950s.
It was the first time the brothers had ever played together, as Barton had won selection in the first round, but Matthew had a wedding and played in the early game that day.
Their parents, Barb and Col, were heavily involved in the club for many years and Barb was still a member of the ladies' committee. Col was a trainer for many years.
Contributor