From January to December, the Kyabram community gathered to celebrate, commemorate and connect.
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Here are the top moments the Free Press captured in the past 12 months.
January
Musos pitch tents and instruments in Girgarre
The annual and eagerly anticipated Girgarre Moosic Muster saw over 1000 musicians roll into town ready to pitch their tents and play their musical instruments.
From Wednesday, January 8 to Sunday, January 12, the town came alive with workshops, impromptu jams and soul-stirring concerts, delighting music lovers of all ages.
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Australia Day at home among the gumtrees
While streets were empty as many enjoyed a rare, but welcome, Monday morning sleep-in, hundreds of Kyabram residents flocked to John Pilley Reserve for the Australia Day celebration.
By 8.30am, a sea of chairs and picnic blankets dotted the gumtree-shaded reserve, with eager residents queuing for a hearty Australian breakfast of sizzling bacon, eggs and snags.
February
Tastes and Tunes’ sweet, sweltering success
Cool salads, shaved ice and cold beverages were all the rage at the 2025 Kyabram Tastes and Tunes festival as attendees battled sweltering heat.
But as the sun dipped on Saturday, February 1, hundreds turned to thousands, as Allan St filled with people in pursuit of everything from gluten-free lasagne and mini-sliders to rice bowls and cool, shaved ice.
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Sad to go, glad to grow: first day for new Preps
On Friday, January 31, the 2025 group of Preps took their first steps into the school ground, saying goodbye to parents — willingly or not.
Kyabram P-12 College welcomed 43 Preps, among the 908 students enrolled, and St Augustine’s College welcomed 24 Preps, with a total of 701 students enrolled.
March
‘Good bloke’ Gus celebrated by Kyabram
The words “remembered for a lifetime” rung out on Saturday March 1, when nearly 200 people who know and respect Gus crowded the Garry Lyon function room at the Wilf Cox Pavilion to celebrate the Kyabram sporting legend.
Sporting stars including Richmond four-time premiership footballer Dick Clay, Melbourne leading goal kicker for 1969 and 1970 Ross Dillon, and Australian Test cricketer Jim Higgs – all of whom had their start in Kyabram – returned to share stories of times with Gus.
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Laughter and charity in Kyabram
The 10th annual Kyabram Men’s longest Lunch was held on Friday, February 28 at the Wilf Cox Pavilion.
Around 180 attendees were treated to a two-course meal, drinks, a presentation by ex-AFL player Steven Baker and a stand-up set from comedian Dave O’Neil.
April
60 years young: CWA branch celebrates diamond anniversary
The Kyabram-Sheridan Country Women’s Association celebrated its 60th birthday on Wednesday, April 2 with more than 50 past and present members filling the Uniting Church hall for a birthday bash like no other.
On the menu for the afternoon, in true CWA style, was an array of cakes, sandwiches, scones and — of course — tea.
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The Anzac spirit lives on in Kyabram
After seven decades, James Studd unearthed a reminder of his Korean War service — his 75-year-old dog tags, once his only form of identification on the battlefield.
On Anzac Day, Mr Studd proudly wore those tags, embodying the enduring strength of the Anzac spirit in his home town.
He joined hundreds of fellow community members at Kyabram's Memorial Gardens for the commemorative service, organised by the local RSL.
May
Mums and daughters swim in tea with a purpose
There were plenty of pinky fingers up on Friday, May 9, when more than 100 tea-lovers piled into the Kyvalley Hall for the now annual Mother’s Day High Tea.
There was a lot to celebrate on the day for those who attended: many cherishing their mums, others relishing the success of an event that went perfectly.
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Same hands, new growth at Girgarre school memorial
A quarter-century after Max Webster planted the inaugural Lone Pine at Girgarre Primary School, he’s returned to plant its successor.
On Wednesday, April 30, he joined students, families and staff of the primary school, along with guests and community leaders who gathered on the oval in front of a sprig of green buried in a small green pot.
June
College ‘Bridges Now to Next’ at Reconciliation Mass
The St Augustine’s College held its annual Reconciliation Mass on Thursday, May 29, during National Reconciliation Week.
The mass commenced with hundreds of students walking through the cleansing smoke of a traditional smoking ceremony led by Uncle Rick Ronnan and supported by Aboriginal liaison officer Kasey Cooper.
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Ali’s locks of love for The Kyabram Gift
On a chilly, wet Sunday, June 15, Ali Wallace fulfilled her pledge to The Kyabram Gift, shaving her head after an intensive six-and-a-half-week fundraising campaign.
Ali was surrounded by family, friends and her students and colleagues from Kyabram P-12 College where she teaches — some in the audience even got in on the chopping action.
July
Stanhope’s tribute to a wartime tragedy
Around 90 Stanhope residents and visitors gathered on Tuesday, July 1 to commemorate Australia’s deadliest maritime disaster at Stanhope Community Hall.
The date marked 83 years since more than 1000 people (mostly Australian prisoners of war and civilians) lost their lives when the Japanese Montevideo Maru merchant ship was sunk in 1942.
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Holiday fun at the fauna park
Chilly weather and cloudy skies didn’t stop families from enjoying time at Kyabram Fauna Park.
Locals and visitors alike visited the various enclosures, taking advantage of the free entry for children during the school holidays.
August
Knits, jams and quilts, oh my! State CWA takes over Ky
The state’s Country Women’s Association members and admirers have flocked to Kyabram for a weekend of arts and crafts.
Over Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, a record number of 1780 entries from knitted cardigans, dogs made of gumboots, jams of every variety and more filled the Kyabram Town Hall Art Gallery.
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Female farmers swap stress for serenity at Blooming in the Dry
The Kyabram Plaza Theatre turned into a flower shop on Saturday, August 16 when the free Blooming in the Dry event took over its upstairs area.
For one afternoon, our region’s female farmers swapped their tractors for posies and worries for a hand massage in an event designed to show women the power of their mental health.
September
Schools commemorate the legacy of Lone Pine
Staff and students from Kyabram P-12 College and St Augustine’s College assembled to remember the Battle of Lone Pine before its namesake tree in September.
In remembrance of the Battle of Lone Pine, members of Kyabram Legacy and Campaspe Shire Council, and college staff and students, paid their respects to the fallen.
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Edis Park has tail-wagging debut
The opening of Kyabram’s first off-leash dog park was celebrated with canine treats and coffee for community members on Wednesday, September 24.
Around 50 community members visited Edis Park for the opportunity to have first access to the facility, with Campaspe Shire Council representatives welcoming them through the gates.
October
Stanhope festival delivers perfect spring cool down
The perfect way to cool down on the hottest day of spring so far was by heading to Stanhope, grabbing a drink and taking in the great atmosphere of the Stanhope Food and Wine Festival.
On Sunday, October 5, the street came alive with an array of gourmet food stalls and local wineries, offering a tantalising selection that drew crowds throughout the day.
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Dinos, dogs and dazzling displays at Kyabram Show
The glorious spring weather set the scene for a bustling 2025 Kyabram Agricultural Show on Saturday, October 16, with hundreds of visitors streaming through the gates.
Whether you were an adrenaline junkie, a motorhead, a dino-nerd, a sweet tooth, or just looking to take in the finest agricultural exhibits of the region, you were catered to this year.
November
Kyabram RV Country Music Festival ends on a bittersweet note
About 260 recreational vehicles rolled in from all over the country into the Kyabram Showgrounds over Monday, November 3 to Sunday, November 9 for the annual RV Country Music Festival.
Hundreds of festival-goers settled into their camping chairs, creating a sea of eager faces as they soaked up performances from beloved artists such as Sandie Dodd, Lance Birrell, Evan Platschinda and many more.
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Puddle-jumper paradise at Girgarre Open Gardens
Girgarre Open Gardens was held on Sunday, October 26, and while the rain didn’t let up for the whole event, the team made sure the show went on in any way it could.
Event committee member Sally Canning said the team was in high spirits throughout the event, taking the rain in its stride.
December
Hats off to the Red Hatters
Cafe Three620 was a sea of red and purple on Thursday, December 4 as the Kyabram Red Hatters took over for their Christmas break-up meeting.
Once again, each attendee brought at least one present to be donated to the Salvation Army for the organisation’s Christmas Cheer program.
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Spirits soar at Kyabram Carols in the Park
A last-minute date change couldn't dampen the holiday spirit in Kyabram, as record crowds turned out for a rescheduled — but spectacular — Carols in the Park.
Families crowded the Memorial Gardens on Monday, December 22, lying across picnic blankets or setting up camping chairs to watch the performances comfortably on the grass.