Anzac Day in Kyabram last week literally started with a bang — the peace in the early hours shattered by a fireworks display.
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It’s all hush-hush because its illegal, but there are a few theories on those responsible.
Memories of Maree
The death of Kyabram’s Maree Matthews on April 26 no doubt would have touched a lot of locals.
Maree, 95, was a much-loved teacher at the Fenaughty St Kindegarten for 15 years from 1973 to 1988.
She is the mother of Kyabram’s only Olympian, javelin thrower Pam Matthews, who represented Australia in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Jenny, Peter and Wendy were other children of Maree and her husband George.
Maree’s funeral was held in Kyabram on Monday before a private cremation.
Roadside carnage
Just what was it that demolished a large portion of the median steel fence on the Midland Hwy just west of the Tatura-Undera intersection?
The small steel posts dividing the highway have been flattened for a lengthy period and all sorts of theories have been put forward as to how it happened.
While mentioning roadside carnage, the intersection of Allan St-Dawes Rd-Saunders St has also had its moments of late with signs flattened, one by a large truck that obviously had got lost and found turning a tricky feat in the confined area.
Big chill and less rain
Kyabram has received only 1.2mm of rain in the past week but has experienced its lowest minimum temperature for the year.
On Sunday the mercury dipped to 5.3ºC.
Kyabram’s rainfall for April was 47.4mm which is more than the long term average of 38.3mm.
Kyabram’s yearly rainfall total for 2023 stands at 118.8mm which is below the average or 130.5mm.
At this time last year Kyabram had received 182mm of rain.
Shearing school
Tiny Conargo is set to become a shearing industry hub in with the pending launch of a shearing school.
Learner Australian and overseas shearers will attend the school at the Faulkner Memorial Field Station, which is being developed by Australian Wool Innovation.
On-site accommodation for 15 to 20 fledgling shearers is included in the project, which comes 12 months after it was mooted to try and ease the Australian shearer shortage.
Conargo is a whistlestop about 30km north-east of Deniliquin at the junction of the Billabong and Yanco creeks waterways.
Has the horse bolted?
Moira Shire Council has installed a temporary warning sign for motorists at the intersection of Labuan Rd and the Murray Valley Hwy, the recent scene of a horror crash that killed five people.
Council is also working with the Department of Transport and Planning and the police to install more permanent warning measures, but a lot of locals believe it is a case of shutting the gate after the horse had bolted and the intersection needs a total revamp.
On April 26 a candlelight vigil was held in Cobram in memory of the lives lost and affected in the tragedy.
Population doubles
Tiny Devenish’s population more than doubled on April 22 at an unveiling ceremony to honour World War II nurse Vivian Bullwinkel.
More than 400 people attended the ceremony, which featured the 20th Lighthorse VMR and 8th Lighthorse Brigade Indi and the Wangaratta Air Cadets.
Nurse Bullwinkel was a young army nursing sister who was the sole survivor in a World War II massacre by the Japanese.
Back in business
It’s been six months since floods caused its closure, but Coles Seymour is now back in business.
The doors were opened again on April 21 and staff gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
The Victorian Parliament’s Flood Inquiry Committee will tour the region in September and October and hold public meetings in Rochester, Echuca, Shepparton and Seymour.
Council rate rise
Edward River Council ratepayers won’t be impressed with a report that rates will need to rise 42 per cent over the next six years to improve a deficit in the council’s general fund.
This is according to an independent report on the council’s financial stability.
The same report disclosed that council’s general fund is projected to produce a net operating deficit of $2.88 million in 2023-24.
Did you know?
1. Lobsters pee out of their faces. Even more interesting, they do this as a way to attract mates.
2. A blind chameleon can still adjust to the colours of its environment. The way it changes colours is because of its special cells, not eyesight.
3. Freddie Mercury has a pretty memorable smile. But did you know it's because he had four extra teeth in his upper jaw? That’s why Rami Malek had to wear prosthetic teeth while working on Bohemian Rhapsody.
4. Clocking in at 1560 words, Rap God by Eminem is the song with the most words.
Ky Famous People File
GARRY LYON
Garry Peter Lyon was born in Devonport in 1967, but spent all of his younger days in Kyabram when his family moved to the town in 1974.
Recruited as a 16-year-old from a premiership-winning Kyabram thirds side in 1983 he debuted with the Melbourne Football Club in 1986 at 18 years of age.
He retired 14 years later with several best and fairest and leading goalkicker awards, Victorian and All Australian selections, and 226 games.
He captained the Demons for seven years, as well as Victoria, and coached the Australian International Rules Team against Ireland for four years.
Selected in three consecutive AFL All Australian teams during his peak years of 1993 to 1995, Lyon was also a natural leader, on and off the field, and captained the Demons between 1991 and 1997. In 1994 he was chosen as skipper of Victoria for a state of origin game against South Australia.
Twice Melbourne’s leading goalkicker, Lyon probably provided teammates with at least as many goals as he procured himself.
A chronic back injury limited Lyon’s appearances during his later years and he was finally forced to retire in 1999, after which he became a prominent football media personality.
He is now a media personality and anchor man for Fox Sports footy.
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