2014
Emily relishes world cup efforts
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Kyabram’s Emily Lawson is all smiles after returning from a successful International Association of Athletics Federation’s Junior World Cup campaign that saw her secure a spot in the world top-20, under-20, 400m runners.
Returning last Wednesday, Emily ran half a second off her personal best in the 400m heat at the World Cup in Eugene Oregon before going on to compete in the semi-final and secure a position in the world top-20 in what Emily said was a tough race full of excitement.
“For the semi-final there was a packed crowd and we actually raced just after the Americans had won the track sprint, so the atmosphere was electric,” Emily said.
After experiencing the glitz and glamour of one of the world’s biggest junior sporting events, Emily said she was already making plans for the future.
“It’s given me a taste of what is out there,” she said.
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Shock closure
Kyabram District Health Service says it is too early to know the impact of a shock announced withdrawal of contact pathology laboratory services.
The health service’s pathology provider, St John of God Pathology, plans to close its laboratory at the hospital at the end of September, citing financial considerations, with four local scientists being made redundant or being relocated.
It also employs six collectors at the Kyabram laboratory, located on the hospital’s grounds.
In a memo to staff last Friday, KDHS chief executive Peter Abraham said the decision to close the laboratory had not been supported or driven by KDHS.
Mr Abraham said when contacted by the Free Press that as the hospital had not been informed of the detail it was too early to know how it would impact services.
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Kids mark 100 days
Prep students at Kyabram P-12 College had 100 reasons to celebrate last week.
Friday marked their 100th day of school and teacher Amy Brown said they had come a long way since their first day.
“It’s amazing what they’ve achieved in 100 days,” Ms Brown said.
Students celebrated their special day by making necklaces, creating crowns and glasses and taking part in a variety of literacy and maths “100” activities.
1994
Short-term Mayor
Kyabram’s new Mayor, Cr John Elborough, realises he will only be the town’s leading citizen for a short period.
But the jovial service station proprietor is not letting that prevent him from taking on the top councillor’s position with enthusiasm and a progressive outlook.
The election of Cr Elborough followed a two-year mayoral term by Cr Mary Bowman.
At a recent council meeting, Cr Elborough announced that he would seek election on the council of the new municipality in which Kyabram was placed from municipal restructuring.
Cr Elborough paid tribute to Cr Bowman for the way she had carried out her duties, often attending three of four events in one day.
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After 47 years Mick gives himself the chop ...
Mick Bourke has been somewhat of a Kyabram institution for 47 years.
That’s how long he has been supplying the people of Kyabram and district with their sides of lambs, cuts of the finest steak — and even those scraps of meat for the moggies.
On Tuesday Mick cut his ties with his livelihood for the last time. After nearly quarter of century as a butcher in Kyabram, Mick has hung up his knives for good.
“I always intended to retire when I reached 65 and I’ve done that,” he reflected as he took a few minutes off on his last day at work to recall one of Kyabram’s longest surviving business links.
“I always wanted to be a butcher and it’s been a good life.
“I never really wanted to do anything else.”
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Mayor reflects on two tough years
The retiring Mayor of Kyabram, Cr Mary Bowman, described her past two terms as a tough time.
Reflecting on the difficulties and financial restraints caused by the general economy, Cr Bowman delivered her report to the councillors and a large gallery of invited guests.
She said council had to change its way of thinking and its way of doing things and forecast more of this in the future.
1974
Following in his father’s footsteps
After working with his father as a hairdresser for 17 years, Bruce Johnson has taken over the hairdressing, tobacco and sporting goods business in Allan St.
His father, Mr Ken Johnson, has conducted the business for the past 23 years and eight months and retired from it on Saturday morning.
The new owner was born in Kyabram and has lived in the town all his life.
He commenced his apprenticeship in hairdressing with his father and the pair have worked together for the past 17 years.
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Dry time for the drinkers ...
Beer drinkers in Kyabram face a long, dry week.
Draught beer in Kyabram hotels ran out over the weekend, and supplies of bottled and canned beer dwindled quickly.
Hotels now must wait for the crippling transport strike action to finish before they can expect to be replenished.
Strike action by transport workers and oil refiners staff has caused the shortage of LP gas and there is no relief in sight.
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School children do it in style
Seventy-five country pupils who attend the Kyabram High School are really doing it in style these days — they’re travelling to and from school in a “$24,000 plus” luxury coach.
The new 38 ft 6 inch Bedord bus went into service last Thursday.
The gleaming green and white vehicle has been purchased by Brewster and Maddern.
Mr Bill Brewster said that the new vehicle would not only be used as a school bus but for all types of charter work.
Mr Brewster said the vehicle was ideal for long distance charter trips and he envisaged weekend trips to such places as the snow country and Swan Hill.
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Cadet Journalist