2016
Ky alive with roar of engines
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The annual Kyabram Vintage Engine Rally and Mack Truck Muster roared into town on the weekend, providing plenty for motor and engine enthusiasts alike.
Group treasurer Greg Ross said it was an excellent weekend for engine enthusiasts, with more than 200 exhibits on display for the public to view.
He said the feats of this year’s Villiers Engine Challenge matched those of last year.
‘‘We’d say we had an equal amount of equipment down there this year compared to last year, if not better,’’ he said.
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It’s purple power
Students and staff at Kyabram’s two schools turned out in style for The Gift’s Purple Day last week.
It was a sea of purple in classrooms and playgrounds, with St Augustine’s College on Friday and Kyabram P-12 College two days earlier showing their commitment to the important local cause.
The Gift is a Kyabram-based charity supporting people from the local community with cancer.
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Kyvalley does it again
Kyvalley made it back-to-back premierships in Kyabram and District Tennis Association on Saturday when it overcame Merrigum by 16 games in the season decider at Girgarre.
Last year’s premier went into the contest as the warm favourite having lost just one match this season.
However, that dropped match was against the second placed Merrigum out fit, and when one of Kyvalley’s key players Melissa Williams pulled out of the contest after injuring herself at training on Thursday night, the Bulldogs had reason for optimism.
But Merrigum never got a look-in.
The Kyvalley men of Andrew Cooper, Ryan Cooper and Joel Goulding swept their first three sets for a 20-10 result which put the result in their team’s keeping.
1996
Tatura fireman’s record-breaking ladder dash
If you were ever trapped in a fire on second story, the fireman you would most welcome coming up the ladder to try and rescue you would have to be Tatura’s Martin Rennie.
Nobody in Australia dashes up a ladder quicker than Martin.
He proved it over the recent long weekend when he won the prestigious ladder race at the annual State Fire Brigade championships in Bendigo.
Martin not only won the event from a field of about 100 rivals, but broke the magical six-second barrier in the process.
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Brigade’s hat-trick thriller
Fire Brigade just managed to thwart an audacious Cooma comeback to complete a hat-trick of KDCA A-grade premiership triumphs in a gripping finish to the season at the Kyabram recreation reserve on Sunday.
Anxious fans―and players―of both clubs were on tenterhooks for the last hour of the clash as the Cooma bowlers surged magnificently in a gallant but unsuccessful bid to pluck the premiership from under the reigning premiers’ noses.
The Brigade’s last two batsmen, Brett Catterall and Shane Jackson, were at the crease when Catterall lifted a full toss from Paul Ranson to the square leg fence to clinch the flag for his side in the pulsating finish.
Scenes reminiscent of a football grand final erupted as Brigade supporters rushed onto the ground to savour another premiership moment.
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Lions club gives Tongala juniors a boost
Tongala Cricket Club’s junior teams have received a $1000 boost, courtesy the Tongala Lions Club.
Lions Club president Ron Florence last weekend handed over a cheque for that amount to Ross Kelly, one of the club’s junior cricket coaches.
Other junior coaches in Ray Hughes, Des Nunn and Kim Elborough and senior club player Allan Davis were on hand to receive―and welcome―the cheque which will be used to help outfit the three junior club teams―one under-16 side and two under-14 teams.
Ross Kelly said the juniors would now be able to purchase new and more helmets which are essential for junior cricketers plus pads, batting gloves, wicket-keeping gloves and bats.
1976
The all-girls ride-a-thon
A six-kilometre ride-a-thon opened a fun day at St Patrick’s School in Tongala, on Sunday.
But the ride-a-thon was one with a difference.
Most of the starters were all female, including mothers, daughters and sisters of the convents.
The men were instructed to stay back and prepare a meal over a hot barbecue.
The day was well attended with about 100 people gathering to enjoy the ride-a-thon, barbecue and games.
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Tat Juniors are premiers
“Girgarre for premiers or Tatura for premiers.”
This has been the general attitude towards a most exciting junior cricket grand final.
On Saturday, this struggle came to an end with Tatura victorious.
Chasing a mammoth 232 it was sure Tatura were going to be tested.
They resumed in the precarious position of 3-121.
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Girgarre East centenary
Former pupils, teachers and district residents are anticipated to return to Girgarre East for the celebration of the school’s centenary on April 3 and an interest packed and full day’s entertainment has been arranged for their enjoyment.
The program includes the reunion get-together at 11am, a barbecue luncheon at noon and the roll-call at 1.15pm.
The official ceremony at 2pm will be followed by an exhibition of Maypole dancing by present pupils and the serving of afternoon tea.
A display of photographs and souvenirs of those early times and down the years should provide amusement and interest and the festivities will conclude with a grand dance in the Harston Hall.