2021 in review: January to June

Theatre reopens: Due to COVID-19 restrictions and maintenance, the Ky Plaza Theatre was on hiatus since December 2019. January 2021 saw the return of the theatre and its 20 volunteers, with a screening of the Australian film Rams.

Denise and Jack made Kyabram’s top citizens: Denise Gemmill and Jack Norris were crowned the community’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day celebration for their contributions in the community.

February

Many hands make gallery an exciting attraction: Many Makers in Stanhope was established by Deb Dodd to be the newest addition to the art scene, with the gallery boasting a diverse range of arts and crafts made by local creatives. The gallery is open from Thursday to Sunday, at 27 Birdwood Ave, Stanhope.

Tonny job losses cut deep: HW Greenham announced 65 employees would be cut from its workforce — another loss in the war against COVID-19. The cuts were the result of the plant closing its cow-processing facility, an event that hit close to home for many Tongala residents.

Florists refuse to wilt amid Valentine chaos: When the state government announced Victoria would be going into a five-day lockdown from February 12, Valentine’s Day looked to be another casualty of restrictions. But Annie Dillon Florist and Flowers owner Annie Dillon and Fab Flowers owner Sue Walley turned it around. Providing contact-free deliveries and pick-ups, they made the special day happen.

Vaccine just weeks away: Goulburn Valley Health was getting ready to begin the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine for Monday, February 22, for 240 aged-care facilities. At this time, the Kyabram region and Shepparton were still being sat on the back burner of uncertainty of when the vaccine would hit the towns.

March

Grease gets the green light: After three postponements and over a year spent in production, the students of Kyabram P-12 College were finally able to Go Greased Lightnin’ on their production. Hitting the Plaza Theatre, the students performed their rendition of the 1971 musical Grease with gumption.

Water tank a work of art: Four years ago the Kyabram Project Committee began a mission to reinvigorate the town, with the Goulburn Valley Water Tank mural a part of its vision. Melbourne artist Jimmy Dvate, known for his work on the Rochester silos, worked 29 days with just one day off to bring the 500-square-metre tank to life with tributes to the local area’s wildlife.

Feminart takes Kyabram Town Hall: The timely collection of Goulburn Valley artworks exploring the world from a feminine viewpoint were shown at the Ky Town Hall. Feminart was the result of a collaboration between members of Splinter Contemporary Artists and Kyabram Town Hall Writers.

Squatting against cancer: With the business’s Andrea Morgan being a breast cancer survivor, Hinchliffe and Greed Real Estate raised $9231 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation through an Easter raffle, morning tea drive and the 55 Squat Challenge.

April

Watery end to drive: A driver walked away without any injuries after the van he was driving ended up in an irrigation channel on the outskirts of Tatura on Wednesday, April 7.

Vaccinations under way: The residents of Kyabram District Health Service’s Sheridan Aged Care took their first step towards normalcy on April 8, when they received their long-awaited first COVID-19 vaccination. Thirty-four of 38 Sheridan residents elected to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, with 96-year-old Joyce Amery the first in line.

Dominant era ends: Kyabram suffered its first loss in a home-and-away round since 2015 while Echuca ended a 10-year winless stretch against the reigning premier at the April 17 match in Echuca.

KDHS gives gift of health: Kyabram District Health Service sent off a truck full of unused and no longer compliant medical equipment to less-privileged areas. In collaboration with Kyabram Rotary and K&S Freighters, the shipment included equipment such as surgical theatre lights, hospital beds, wheelchairs and a humidity crib.

May

Cyclist blazes a trail for tourism: Kyabram man Nick Hansen loves the twists and turns of the Goulburn River; as a cyclist, it’s a dream path to follow. After losing his job during the pandemic, Nick created the Yellowbelly track, a 200km route spanning the Goulburn River from Echuca to Tallarook for cyclists, runners and walkers.

Building something special: Members of Kyabram’s Men’s Shed took up helping St Patrick’s School in Tongala by passing on their knowledge and life skills once a week to a handful of boys from grades four and five.

How Luke is winning his battle: When Kyabram’s Luke Dodd looks to the future he sees his daughter. Where he was once absent, he’s now by her side. Where there’e been despair, he now sees hope. Battling alcoholism for almost 30 years, Luke has dealt with his fair share of hopelessness. Undergoing rehabilitation at Teen Challenge in Kyabram, Luke spoke of how he was making progress towards living a healthy and clean life.

The grass is greener in Ky: Grand slam winner Todd Woodbridge visited Kyabram Lawn Tennis Club to celebrate it receiving a $10,000 grant and to have a hit with some future tennis stars. Woodbridge was impressed by the town’s lawn courts. He said it was where the “real Australian tennis culture comes from”.

June

Gig garden grabs $1.5 million: Girgarre celebrated one of its biggest funding allocations after the Victorian Government boosted stage two of the Gargarro Regional Botanic Garden development with a $1.48 million investment, funding a sensory garden, a welcome gateway, a water feature and a lookout.

Giving a lift to locals in need: As lockdown lifted, the community grouped together once again, with the Kyabram Community Learning Centre’s Giving Place providing assistance in the form of free food, clothing, toys and much more to those in need.

Service outages hit Ky: Businesses and residents were left without mobile reception for the better part of five days in Kyabram as Telstra upgraded its network to 5G, leaving people without reception for as long as 12 hours per day.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week: Kyabram District Health Service, in conjunction with the Kyabram Local Aboriginal Network, implemented Indigenous artworks being shown in shop windows across town to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Students from Kyabram P-12 College engaged with the theme of healing Country through creating their own art, reading books and listening to music.