Free Press flashbacks

And all to make one little girl smile.

That is the trip mother-of-two Kristy McGrath, 32, will start this weekend as she rides from Stanhope to Noosa to raise funds for her seriously ill god-daughter Ellie.

Ellie Topliff, 18 months, has been diagnosed with the extreme rare Tay-Sachs disease, a degenerative brain disorder with no treatment, no cure and a life expectancy of between two and five years.

It was during this period that Mrs McGrath had the idea to rise to Noosa to raise funds and awareness.

“I just thought ‘what can I do?’ I don’t know why, but I said, ‘How about I ride my bike to Noosa to raise money?’ I just thought it was something I could do, even though it’s crazy,” she said.

“Hopefully, we can raise anything between $10,000 to $15,000, which will go towards both Ellie’s treatment and then Brain Foundation, who are also supporting the ride and who, we hope, might one day find a cure.”

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Mitch steals show

Kyabram-born Mitchell Wiltshire is all smiles after taking home the Wee Willie junior Clydesdale handlers award at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show.

Mitchell, 16, took home the award after an impressive display with the ever-trusty Valmont Vienna, his three-year-old Clydesdale.

“It was a great win, probably because I didn’t think I would win, so I was very happy when I did,” Mitchell said.

“I have been doing it for three years now, this is my third Melbourne show. Every year we go down and have a crack and I came second last year and fifth the year before.”

The Year 11 student said he would continue to compete in shows, but he wanted to spend some time at home.

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Truck with a tale

The Kyabram owner of a lovingly restored vintage truck has decided it’s time for someone else to enjoy its charms.

Ian Dunn acquired the International A2 1933 truck from his grandfather’s estate at Ariah Park, NSW, after her died.

He said the original owners used it as a car and farm truck before trading it in to his grandfather’s dealership — LR Dunn and Co, International Dealers — in 1960.

“(My grandfather) kept it as a work truck and a farm truck. When he retired, the truck sat at his mate’s place,” Mr Dunn said.

The vintage truck is listed on Gumtree for $23,000, and Mr Dunn said there had been some interest.

“The vintage truck scene is very strong. In the 20 or so years we’ve had it, I’ve only ever seen one other one of this particular model.”

1994

It’s show time again!

Fine and warm conditions have been forecast for the Kyabram Show tomorrow.

On a weekend that in recent times seems to have attracted rain, plenty of fun for the whole family has been planned.

A favourite of the show is the Miss Kyabram Showgirl Competition.

This year, single women aged between 17 and 24 can enter, with prizes totalling $500.

Taking the agricultural spotlight this year will be the Ayrshire Feature Show, which has attracted entrants from as far away as Wagga.

Conducted by the Northern Ayrshire Cattle Club, the show carries prizes and trophies valued at a total of $3000.

More than 80 head of cattle are expected to be entered in the event.

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Hospital dispute over

The dispute that disrupted services at Kyabram District Memorial Community Hospital during September and October has been resolved.

The settlement was announced in a joint statement on Wednesday by the Board of Management and Kyabram’s doctors.

Hospital chief executive officer, Mr Alwin Gallina said it would be fair to say the resolution of the dispute has been a long and difficult task; however, goodwill on both sides had resulted in an agreement which required compromise on the part of both parties.

“The board is optimistic that the hospital team, both staff and visiting doctors, will now work together in the best interests of the community,” Mr Gallina said.

“We are now able to concentrate on what we do best, that being to provide comprehensive and quality health service to residents of Kyabram and District.”

***

Helping hand from Henry Jones Foods

A group of Shepparton people watched Australians pledge money to the Rwanda appeal and felt that something should be done for Australians doing it tough, particularly those suffering from the drought.

A national appeal was started, and this gave the locals more incentive to do something to help.

Aussies for Aussies was formed, and this group has been rallying the locals to help people in northern NSW and Queensland, many of who have suffered from drought for four years.

The group has so far sent two truckloads of water and three truckloads of food and care packages to fellow country Australians.

Henry Jones, of Kyabram, heard of the group of volunteers and their fine work and John Hausler contacted the group to make a donation.

1974

Miss Australia Quest hits the Goulburn Valley

Two local women, Sue Christy and Sandra Brown were among the six women who faced the judges when the Goulburn Valley section of the Miss Australia Quest was decided at Shepparton on Wednesday night.

The quest was won by Numurkah entrant Miss Rosemary Austin (18).

‘You’ve got my support,’ says water minister

“You’ve got my support 100 per cent,” the Minister of Water Supply, the Hon F.J. Granter MLC, said in Kyabram on Thursday.

The minister was speaking to a group of fruit grower representatives and district municipal council members after being taken on a 35-mile tour of the area to view the damage being done to properties by the rising water table.

“What I have seen today causes me a great deal of concern,” Mr Granter said.

The minister’s visit was organised by the Hon. Stuart McDonald MLC and Mr Eddie Hann MLA at the request of the Goulburn Valley Drainage Committee.

Later, Mr Granter said what he had seen in the Lancaster and Merrigum areas caused him a great deal of concern.

3000 ‘witnesses’ at convention

For Jehovah’s Witnesses in western and southern NSW and northern Victoria, all roads led to Wagga last weekend.

Nearly 3000 Jehovah’s Witnesses, including a delegation of 40 from Kyabram, attended the District Convention at Wagga Showgrounds.

All accommodation was booked out within a radius of 30 miles of Wagga, and over 100 caravans were parked at the Showgrounds.

They came from all walks of life, farmers, businessmen, clerks, shop assistants, housewives and no generation gap was visible at the gathering as young and old mingled freely, enjoying one another’s fellowship between the sessions.