The death of Jeff Howard rocked Kyabram last week and has left the town and district without one of its best tradesmen.
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The born and bred Kyabramite, 61, was acknowledged by his peers as a master of his trade as a builder and has left many legacies of his work in the town and district and beyond.
The father and grandfather did his apprenticeship with Kyabram builder Frank Findlay and branched out on his own in 1983 to establish the highly successful business of JB and MJ Howard Constructions.
One of Jeff’s passions away from his work was water skiing, which he excelled at. He willingly passed his knowledge on to anyone who cared to seek it.
After his racing days, he excelled as an observer and his skills and passion led him all over Australia and internationally to compete.
He won the Victorian Water-Ski Association’s Cam Wymer Memorial Observer of the Year award in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
Jeff’s funeral was held on Monday at the Kyabram recreation reserve and drew a large crowd of mourners.
Wayne Ewert dies
Kyabram is also mourning the loss of a long-serving Free Press employee.
Wayne Ewert lost a brief battle with cancer last Saturday. He was advertising manager at the Free Press for nearly two decades and prior to that conducted Ewert’s Jeanery in Allan St.
He finished his working life as a salesman for Jayell Ford, Kyabram.
Wayne was an easygoing and helpful human and popular with workmates and clients alike. His passing came three years after his wife, Sue, also lost a battle with cancer.
Campaspe compromise
There has been a slight compromise in the heavily criticised withdrawal of funding by the Campaspe and Murray shire councils from the Echuca-Moama Information Centre.
While the service ended last week and the doors closed on the centre’s Heygarth St building, the two councils, in conjunction with the Campaspe Port Enterprise, will run an interim tourism service from Shackell’s Bond Store location, starting in the middle of this month.
The whisper is that two of the former visitor centre employees will be involved in this new venture, which will operate from 10am to 4pm, seven days a week.
Police station worry
Plans by the Victorian Government to strip small country towns of their one-resident police officer have brought a scathing attack from state Nationals leader Peter Walsh, who says he is ‘’appalled and deeply troubled’’ by the proposal.
Some 98 one-officer stations, including Tongala and Stanhope, are set to be rostered into larger hubs and centres, which leaves these communities unprotected and exposed, according to Walsh.
Brothers hit jackpot
A northern Victorian man and his Melbourne-based brother who share the same Tattslotto numbers both hit the jackpot in a draw last week.
They both had the winning system eight ticket, which was a windfall of more than $1 million.
The brothers have been using the same numbers since the late 1970s and were the only Victorians to share the first prize.
A trip to Hawaii for a family reunion is now a reality for the local winner’s wife.
The winning ticket was purchased from Echuca Lucky Lotto, which, in its 45-year existence, has now sold 34 division one-winning tickets.
Tocumwal Airshow
Those who like aircraft and flying will be in their element on Sunday, September 17 when the third Tocumwal Airshow is staged.
Aircraft both new and vintage will be performing flying displays.
On show will be aircraft from the Vietnam War and World War II, including the P-40 Kittyhawk, Cessna 0-1, Bird Dog and Cessna A-37 Dragonfly.
To purchase tickets, visit www.tocumwalairshow.com.au/
Grants deadline
The deadline for grant applications for Greater Shepparton City Council’s 2023-24 Heritage Conservation Grants Program is nearing.
Applications close on Friday, September 8, with $150,000 available on a dollar-for-dollar basis, including financial or in-kind contributions.
Owners of properties within the heritage overlay, both individually significant and contributory to a heritage precinct, are eligible. Funding from last year’s grants program was used for a variety of projects across the region, including works at St Germains Homestead at Undera and Mooroopna’s original post office.
To make an appointment with a heritage adviser, phone 5832 9700.
Allegations dismissed
An independent panel has dismissed allegations of bullying and serious misconduct within Benalla City Council.
Cr Punarji Hewa Gunaratne made six claims against fellow councillor Peter Davis, but they were dismissed by the tribunal, with no findings of serious misconduct against Cr Davis.
WorkSafe charges
WorkSafe has charged Benalla Health after an aged resident suffered a fractured rib when a reclining chair allegedly failed while she was sitting on it.
The 93-year-old fell backwards when the chair allegedly detached as a staff member tried to move it in October 2021. She died a week later.
Benalla Health faces a single charge under section 23 (1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that persons other than employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
The matter has been listed for a filing hearing at Benalla Magistrates’ Court on September 19.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by car
A 32-year-old pedestrian from Shepparton hit by a car on the Shepparton-Barmah Rd on Wednesday of last week, died at the scene.
There was also a tragic end to a search for a Yarroweyah man who went missing last week.
The 78-year-old was found dead in his vehicle, which had left the road and plunged into a channel at Burramine.
Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed or has dash-cam footage of it to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Council restructure
A final recommendation for the restructuring of Greater Shepparton City Council is to be considered by the Victorian Government — but all is not well.
The council itself is not sure about the recommendation, which follows a review of the council’s structure, which was required after changes to the Local Government Act in 2020.
Under the changes, council is required to change from its unsubdivided structure of nine councillors without wards to a structure of single councillors representing between five and 12 wards.
Did you know?
1. Australians eat both of the animals on the country’s coat of arms (kangaroo and emu).
2. Brisbane holds the World Championship of Cockroach Racing each year (On Australia Day no less!).
3. An Aussie man once tried to sell our neighbour, New Zealand, on eBay!
4. Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke set a world record for sculling 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds.
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