2015
Don’t cut rural cops
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The plight of one-man police stations reflects the plight of country police everywhere.
State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan is circulating a petition with a clear message to the state government – don’t cut country coppers.
The petition comes after new safety procedures, including requiring police to work in pairs or ‘two-up’, were introduced by Victoria Police in light of the Anzac Day terror plot.
The move caused a number of headaches for country officers, who complained it restructured them from performing basic duties and even threatened the existence of one-man police stations across Victoria.
A recent review of the policy, however, has allowed these stations the potential to exempt themselves from working ‘two-up’ and the ability to work at station receptions.
Speaking in Stanhope last week, Ms Ryan welcomed the news, but said the situation still highlighted the need for more country police officers and resources.
***
Budget talks
Kyabram Memorial Gardens, buses, Echuca, the town hall, pollution and even East Timor were all topics of discussion at a special public budget meeting at Kyabram Community Learning Centre last week.
More than 15 community members attended last Thursday morning for the budget discussion, with Campaspe Shire Mayor Leigh Wilson, councillors Carol Howell and John Zobec and resources general manager Allan Cochraine on hand to answer questions about the 2015-16 draft budget.
While topics of concern ranged widely from person to person, the most intense line of questioning came regarding money spent in Echuca-Moama.
Concerns were also raised about a perceived “lack of awareness” of issues affecting the shire among the general community.
As Cr Wilson pointed out, “people want us to help more, but don’t tell us what they want help with.”
***
Vick on the rise
Gun midfielder and former Kyabram Bombers Sam Vick is certainly making a name for himself in the top end after being selected to play in the Northern Territory Under-16 squad at the AFL National Championships on the Gold Coast in July.
Sam, 17, moved to Darwin in October last year and has been showing off his footy skills while playing for the Southern Districts Under-18 team.
But, it hasn’t always been easy, with the fast-paced NT game taking a bit of time to get used to.
“Down in Melbourne it is all contested footy, but in the NT it is a free for all. It is much more open and there is a lot of hard running.”
Sam’s ability to adapt quickly has paid dividends, with Sam acknowledging a change in his playing style really working in his favour.
***
1995
Broadening horizons
Two Kyabram Secondary College students are looking to broaden their horizons next year when they embark overseas as representatives of the Rotary International Exchange Student program.
Year 12 students Clare Phyland and Ingrid Hilton will represent the Rotary Clubs of Tatura and Shepparton South respectively and will also be ambassadors for Kyabram.
The young ladies have well and truly been bitten by the travel bug, as they participated in programs to Japan in 1993.
The girls were part of the school’s first program to Japan, where students visited schools in the town’s sister of Shiroui for 10 years.
Both Clare and Ingrid will take part in a district camp at Dookie on June 17 and 18 where a selection of countries in Northern Europe are chosen.
***
Clean and green winner
Kyabram Secondary College student Belinda Oldaker is the Goulburn-North Eastern region winner of the World Environment Day school poster competition.
Students at secondary schools in the estate’s seven school regions participated in the competition organised by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to highlight the “Victoria: Clean and Green” campaign.
The competition formed part of the activities celebrated on World Environment Day, June 5.
Belinda’s winning design features an airbrush painting of trees in a forest setting with the message: Plant new trees to absorb the gases.”
Belinda was presented with a cheque for $100 and Kyabram Secondary College with a cheque for $1000 by Member for Rodney Noel Maughan, who attended the school last Tuesday for the special presentation.
***
Cricket club to continue discrimination battle
Kyabram United Cricket Club plans to continue its battle with the Kyabram District Cricket Association over the issue of Sunday play.
This is despite the Equal Opportunities Commission’s decision to take no further action on a complaint of the unlawful discrimination claimed by the club against the Kyabram and District Cricked Association.
The commission recommendation followed an unsuccessful attempt to the Equal Opportunities Board by the Kyabram United Cricket Club to have a semi-final last season rescheduled from Saturday-Sunday to Saturday-Monday.
The club cited religious grounds for not wanting to play on Sunday.
“We believe the KDCA’s response to the commission’s request was inadequate in some ways, and we still believe our requests are not unreasonable,” Kyabram United Cricket Club president Chris Hunter said this week.
***
1975
Kyabram may get third kindergarten
A need has been established, and consideration is being given by the Kyabram Town Council for the establishment of a further preschool kindergarten in Kyabram.
This follows a letter from the Department of Health, Maternal and Child Welfare Branch, advising that consideration is being given to the provision of funds to the council towards the cost of establishing a preschool kindergarten and possible associated activities at Kyabram.
The department further advised a maximum subsidy of $70,000 is available, but before any consideration would be given, the council was to indicate what it, and the people of Kyabram, consider should be provided to meet local requirements in addition to the usual kindergarten service.
Any funds available will be moneys provided by the Commonwealth and state governments, and grants will apply to building costs, architects’ fees, equipment, playground development, etc.
***
State Royal Ranger commander visits Ky
State Commander of the Royal Ranger movement Ivan Kajweski, visited Kyabram last Friday night to present local rangers with the official memberships and first badges.
The presentations of membership cards were made the Mr Kajweski to the rangers, while some of the younger members, the buck-a-roos, were presented with badges.
At present, a group of 30 among the club are having a marvellous time.
The program is arranged into different, interesting and fun activities to give balance and variety, spiritual, physical, mental and social areas are covered including hikes, camp craft, games, first aid and bible stories.
***
Pennant win for VV Associates,
Valley View Golf Club’s A-grade team are premiers and champions of the GV associates pennant competition.
The team scored a convincing 5-2 win over Numurkah in the final at Numurkah last Monday.
The reserve team also played off in its section, but lost 4-1 to Shepparton.
The A-grade team’s win completed a double, as the team was also successful last year. The win also meant that the team emerged from the season undefeated
***
Journalist