Blast from the past: Jack and Janie Davey with children Leslie and Gladys when Jack was licensee of the Kyabram West Hotel in the early 1900s. Photo: JT Walker
WHEN THEY RACED AT KY WEST
It’s spring racing time and a 118 year old medal passed down through the generations of a former licensee have revived memories of the days over 100 years ago when race meetings were conducted in a paddock opposite the Kyabram West Hotel.
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Monegeetta woman Laurel Miles’ great grandfather Mr John C Davey, who was presented with the medal, was licensee of the Kyabram West Hotel from 1901 to 1905 as well as the treasurer of the Kyabram West Turf Club at that time.
Mrs Miles recalls after Mr Davey died, her grandmother, Gladys, and her father had the medal as well.
The medal was originally attached to a fob chain and the initials JCD are engraved on the back within a horseshoe with a jockey cap on the top
History: The medal.
John C Davey, known as Jack, was known as a distinguished gentleman who took his role as a privilege. He did not like taking advantage of people down on their luck and often would not pressure those who didn’t or couldn’t pay their debts.
The year the medal was presented to Mr Davey, Augustus Kuhle took over as licensee of the pub and it could well be Mr Davey left around the time he received the medallion which may have also been a farewell gift as well as for appreciation of his services as treasurer of the turf club.
The Ky West Amateur Turf Club was known under a few different names over the years.
One was Meehan’s Amateur Kyabram West Turf Club named after John Meehan, the pub’s first licensee in 1876.
Race meetings at the Kyabram West Hotel go back further than 1893 when it was known as Meehan’s Kyabram West Hotel.
In those years the meetings were held on a Wednesday afternoon and in 1903 it was reported in the Free Press that the race meeting was held in the large paddock owned by a Mr Jack Harris which was opposite the hotel.
It was interesting to see in the Free Press report that a Mr W Slattery and Mr H Goddard were appointed judges for this meeting “and carried out the job satisfactorily” although this seems to hint that some people, presumably punters, may not have agreed with all their rulings.
The Kyabram Free Press account of the 1905 race meeting was:
“The races held at Davey’s Kyabram West Hotel on Wednesday last passed off very successfully. The entries were good and some good racing was witnessed.”
Following are the officers of the Kyabram West Turf Club who officiated at this meeting.
President: Mr Patrick Guinan
Judge: Mr J Griffin JP
Starter: Mr R B Ross
Handicapper: Mr W Hill
Secretary: Mr W Matthews.
It was interesting to see in the Free Press report that a Mr W Slattery and Mr H Goddard were appointed judges for this meeting “and carried out the job satisfactorily” although this seems to hint that some people, presumably punters, may not have agreed with all their rulings.
MELBOURNE CUP CALCUTTA
Melbourne Cup fever is building and will hit Kyabram big time next Monday night when the Kyabram Club stages its annual Calcutta on the race that stops a nation.
At the Calcutta auction huge money changes hands in ticket sales on horses running in the Melbourne Cup and the Calcutta is one of Kyabram’s best attended events.
SQUARE DINKUM
G’day
I now own a car that was built in Korea. I now own a lawnmower that was built in China. I now own a mobile phone that was built in Japan. I now own a computer that was built in Taiwan……….
Last week I bought a new television and it had a label on the outside of the box that said:
‘Built in Antenna’……
I don’t even know where Antenna is.
Hooroo!!!
Impressive feat: Kale Makeham, rode the motorbike pictured across the Murray River.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
KALE’S REMARKABLE RIDE
It’s a different way to cross the Murray River, but Echuca’s Kale Makeham did it last week - riding a motorcycle.
The stunt was hatched over a few beers with his mates and achieved by attaching a fin to the front wheel of the motorcycle.
But it’s probably not for everyone.
Makeham is a former motorcycle champion who has won national and state championships.
He turned the stunt into a money making exercise through a raffle and is donating the proceeds to motorcycle clubs around the country.
FIRE DANGER PERIOD IN CAMPASPE
Campaspe Shire’s fire danger period will come into force on November 11.
Starting an illegal burn could result in a fine of $21,000 plus or imprisonment up to 12 months.
To find out more about the restrictions visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or call the VicEmergency hotline on1800 226 226.
BILKEY DEPARTS COUNCIL
Murray River Council’s first Mayor has stepped down.
Cr Chris Bilkey handed in his resignation last week effective immediately because of ongoing health problems.
When NSW had council amalgamations in 2017, Cr Bilkey was elected Mayor.
He had served on the Murray Shire Council prior to the celebrations.
SPECIAL GIFT
The historical significance of the Royal Australian Air Force’s presence in Tocumwal is being celebrated through a gift of an Aermacchi MB-326H advanced jet trainer to the Tocumwal Aviation museum.
RAAF Station Tocumwal holds a special place in Australian military history, being the largest air base in the country and the largest ever operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.
PARADE IN BROADFORD
Puckapunyal’s School of Armour is staging a Freedom of Entry parade in Broadford this Sunday.
The event to be staged between 10am and 2pm marks the 82nd anniversary of the School Of Armours establishment in Mitchell Shre and will involve up to 20 amoured vehicles and soldiers.
There will be an official service, a tank display, a chance to meet the soldiers and a community day, including a sausage sizzle run by the Broadford RSL.
GRAND MILESTONE
St Malachy’s Catholic Church, Nagambie is celebrating a notable milestone on November 19.
It will be 150 years since the church it opened its doors to the public and the Bishop of Sandhurst, the Most Reverend Shane McKinlay will conduct a celebratory mass at 10am.
GET THOSE FISHING RODS READY
Kyabram Fishing Club is organising a “Come and Try” fishing day for Sunday, October 29.
It will be held between 9am and 1pm at the corner of McEwen and Gray Rds on the town’s south west border.
Co-ordinator John Martin said the day was aimed at family participation and there would be prizes and give-aways up for grabs.
If there are any queries John can be contacted on 0417 532 645.
A barbecue lunch will be available.
DID YOU KNOW
1. The most basic of Australian foods, a soda bread called ‘Damper’. Created with just three ingredients, wheat flour, water and salt, which are baked over coals.
2. Australia’s oldest chocolate bar is the Cadbury’s Cherry Ripe – and was first produced in 1924.
3. Aussies eat over 270 million meat pies a year.
4. The ‘long black’ and ‘flat white’ are Australian coffee variations.
