BLAST FROM THE PAST
The recent death of Kyabram funeral director and philanthropist Clive Coventry has brought back memories for one Traps reader.
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He recalled the night Clive, the best billiards player Kyabram has produced, and a stranger played a game at the Kyabram Billiard room, at that stage the meeting place for many Kyabram footballers rather than the pubs after games.
This stranger came into the room, took a seat and watched some games of snooker and billiards being played.
He then asked could he get a game with someone, and sensing a bit of fun, a local promptly suggested Clive would be a suitable opponent.
Clive obliged and quickly asserted his superiority in a game of billiards.
He was in a position to close out the game, needing only a few points with the stranger lagging some 50 points or more behind.
Suddenly the stranger started playing some unbelievable shots and in one break scored the necessary points to win the game, leaving the locals dumbfounded.
The stranger then announced “I suppose I better tell you who I am. The name’s Cleary. Tom Cleary.’’
Yes, the Tom Cleary who was the Australian and world champion billiards titleholder who made a billiards break of 100 when 16 years of age.
The Traps reader also pointed out Cleary wasn’t the only billiards champion to show his skills in the Kyabram Billiard room, which was situated in the former Kyabram Town Hall.
The legendary Sir Walter Lindrum and his brother Horace also treated the locals to an exhibition game in the room.
CRACKING YARN
Rochester woman Jan McInnes was eggstatic to say the least about a recent discovery.
While collecting eggs from her chickens she was surprised at the shape one of the eggs.
‘‘I thought it was hilarious when I first saw it. I thought who’s playing a trick on me,” she said.
‘‘I’ve been living in Rochester for 32 years and I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.
‘‘I don’t want to break it, I want to keep it as long as I can.’’
RAIN DIFFERENCES HIGHLIGHTED
The variations in last week’s rainfall were certainly evident in these parts.
On Wednesday of last week Kyabram received 4mm of rain.
Up at Deniliquin on the same day there was a real deluge with a whopping 135mm recorded.
It took Deni’s total rainfall for November to 185mm.
Kyabram’s total rainfall for November was 32mm.
But even the Deni downpour pales into insignificance compared to the the wettest 24-hour period ever recorded in Australia.
This record belongs to a place called Crohamhurst in south east Queensland.
In 1893, some 907mm of rain was dumped on the town in a 24-hour period.
Now that’s what you call decent rain.
FAMILIAR FACE LANDS TOP JOB
A familiar face has been appointed Greater Shepparton City Council’s new CEO.
Fiona Le Gassick will take the reins from Peter Harriott in mid January.
Ms Le Gassick previously worked with the council before taking on the role as future students and industry with TasTafe.
In her previous stint with the council over a 10-year period, serving in several roles at management and director level.
TOM’S TERRIFIC VISIT
Finley’s future footballers were treated to a visit by home town footy hero and Geelong champion goal kicker Tom Hawkins recently.
Hawkins was back in his old haunt on business, but still found the time, as he always has, to have a kick with the kids who thought Christmas had come early with his gesture.
HELPING SMALL TOWNS GROW AND PROSPER
Smaller communities from across northern Victoria can now apply for grants to create more projects and stronger local connections through the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes has encouraged community groups to submit their ideas and apply for a Tiny Towns Fund grant.
“Our tiny towns have so much to offer and we’re helping them unlock new reasons for people to visit, explore, work and live in them,” Ms Symes said.
From barbecues at the park to community centres, these projects will make a difference to those who need them.
Many communities in northern Victoria qualify as ‘tiny towns’.
The fund will offer grants between $5000 and $50,000 to deliver infrastructure projects, such as hiking trails, splash parks, playgrounds, community hall and library upgrades, public art and more.
Eligible applicants include community and non-profit groups and councils in towns with a population of under 5000 people.
To find out more about the fund, visit: rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund
SQUARE DINKUM
G’day
The boss asked me, ‘‘Do you think you could come into work on Saturday morning? I know you enjoy your weekends, but I really do need you here.’’
I replied, ‘’Yeah. No problem. However, I will probably be a bit late as public transport on the weekend is not very reliable.’’
The boss answered, ‘’That will be okay, when do you reckon you could get here?’’
‘‘Monday morning,’’ I replied.
Hooroo!
DID YOU KNOW …
1. The Big Five is a group of animals of Africa: cape buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino.
2. The oldest breed of dog is the Saluki.
3. The bee hummingbird of Cuba is the smallest bird in the world.
4. An ostrich can run up to 70 km/h.
Sports reporter