1979
Minister for Tourism, Digby Crozier unveiled a plaque at Kyabram Fauna Park’s Alec Cook observation tower.
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Mr Cook was a founding member of the park development, serving as president on the inaugural Lake Reserve Committee from 1966-70.
Chairman of the Fauna Park Committee, Jim Nelms, explained the project started out as an aquatic reserve but expanded to a fauna park due to the need to secure further finances.
While at the opening Mr Crozier was presented with a submission to develop three major projects at the fauna park.
• Kyabram Council and Chamber of Commerce were debating the future of the rail motor service in the town with VicRail General Manager Ian Hodges.
The potential closure of the rail service and introduction of a bus service was the main meeting topic.
Chamber of Commerce president John Todd was involved in the meeting along with several business leaders — Peter Lyon, Cam Thomson, Bill Westerveld, Howard Allen, Jack Richards, Alex Atley and Richard Isaac.
At the time, about two dozen people were using the service on a daily basis.
• Dewi Jones was guest of honour at a combined farewell and surprise party, making his retirement after 30 years service to the Knights Store of Kyabram.
Wally Gorman compered the evening, where general manager of Knights, Maurie Wood, spoke of his work for the company.
Mr Jones received a gift from staff, represented by Dominic D’Augello and explained how he he progressed from the grocery department to become the Company Secretary in charge of accounting services.
• An informal group of knitting enthusiasts descended on the Singer Centre in Kyabram to begin the year for Kyabram Machine Knitting Club.
Betty Evans, proprietor of the Singer Centre, had led the club of about 16 members for the last four years.
• Keith James was farewelled after 32 years with the Water Commission at a special ceremony in Tongala.
The head water bailiff had started out in Cobram and had spent the last 14 years at Tongala, right up until he retired on his 60th birthday.
He was planning to travel Australia with his wife Jessie May and visit his two daughters at Montmercy and Bathurst.
1989
Kyabram solicitor Alison King had departed for the United States as part of the Rotary international Group Study tour.
She was chosen from the Kyabram Rotary Club contingent to travel to Houston, Texas and was part of a four strong representation from the region.
She was planning to study the American legal system while on her seven week trip, returning to the US for the first time since she was 11 and had visited Disneyland.
• A confidential report recommended Kyabram Research Institute should be closed and merged with the neighbouring Tatura facility.
The town was preparing to fight to keep the facility after it had successfully lobbied a year earlier not to have its SEC office closed.
Kyabram dairy farmer Terry Makin was part of a 16-strong committee responsible for the decision, while Kyabram Development Officer, Adrian Millane, said he was ready to fight to keep the research institute open.
The institute had 32 staff, including 12 scientists, and was estimated to be worth $1.25 million on an annual basis to the district. The Tatura site had 100 staff, including 45 scientists.
• About 1000 people watched the most successful Kyabram Airshow ever held, with 54 aircraft flying into Kyabram airport when Antique Aeroplane Association members fathered for the third annual convention.
Kyabram Rotary Club played a pivotal role in running the event, with keen Kyabram flier Vic Kuhle showing off his newly acquired Tiger Moth.
He had secured his pilot’s licence in 1968 and had purchased the 1941 aeroplane from northern New South Wales after it had been wingless for four years.
The annual show was conducted on a Mt Scobie property owned by Dr Ernie Miles.
• Deakin Shire Council had agreed to help Tongala Football Netball Club to draw up plans for new $200,000 club and social rooms.
The current rooms were described as disgusting by Councillor David Jones, saying he was amazed a club of Tongala’s standing had to cope with such antiquated facilities.
Cr Geoff Kerr said the rooms could be built as an extension of the Tongala Leisure Centre and shire secretary Greg McKenzie explained a proposal for funding would be presented to the relevant government authority.
1999
Kyabram real estate agents were optimistic about the housing market after Kyabram had registered a 51 per cent increase in the median house price from the last 10 years.
From 1996 the price of a home in Kyabram had risen from $83,750 to $103,750, with a home in Tatura also going up $25,000 in the last two years.
Victorian Producers agent John Fanning, said Kyabram was still a good place to spend your money and Lionel Walker, from Walker Real Estate, said the prices would continue to rise.
Cliff Moore, of Settlers Realty, said it was an excellent time to buy a residential or rental property as the town continued to grow.
Ray Hinchcliffe, an agent with Hinchcliffe and Green for 50 years, said the mini-boom had not surprised him as the strong dairy and fruit growing industries made the town highly attractive.
• Dawes Road Primary School students had a huge hit an an Older Adults function, where students performed a dance routine to the Elvis Presley song Jail House Rock.
Nick Prior and Bernadette Ryan also performed a similar routine at the school concert and as part of Senior Citizens Week the group decided to visit the club of Nick’s grandmother.
• Cathie Halliday was elected as the third Mayor of Campaspe Shire, the second woman to take the role after Cr Mary Bowman of Kyabram was the first Mayor of Campaspe.
The Mayoral allowance was set at $36,000 and the Councillor allowance at $12,000, with the council busily preparing for the arrival of the Olympic torch to the region — as part of the relay for the 2000 Sydney games.
• Kyabram Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal collectors were hoping to do their bit to increase on the 1998 total of $1,651,848.
Kyabram Fire Brigade was again leading the charge and had about 14 junior fire brigade members preparing to knock on doors, having secured $9000 in support from the community the year before.
Stanhope’s Colin Emmett, Tongala Fire Brigade member Mark Hill and Rushworth pair Geoff and Mary Beck were in charge of their respective town appeals.
2009
Kyabram’s record breaking 12th annual Vintage and Machine Rally at the Kyabram Showgrounds was being celebrated by secretary Robin Grogan.
He said it was easily the biggest ever event, an estimated 4000 people pouring through the gates over the two days.
The inaugural swap meet attracted 75 site holders and the iconic McDonald brand engines were the theme of the big engine rally on Saturday evening.
• Kyabram P-12 chaplain Liz Spicer was continuing her work with bushfire victims and had gained great support from the Kyabram district.
Among the recipients of the support were schools which had been temporarily established to allow fire victims to continue as normal a life as possible.
Along with a $2000 donation from Merrigum Lions Club, Kyabram Rotary Club, the Kyarbam Evangelical Uniting Church and Dawes Road and Kyabram Prayer and Rain Group had also been received for the appeal.
Kyabram Free Press and Campaspe Valley News editor