In eight senior games with Hawthorn in the 1962-63 seasons Curley roved to Beck, one of the tallest VFL/AFL ruckmen of that era, standing 200cm.
Curley was recruited by the Hawks from Kyabram in 1961 and was a mobile 5ft 6ins (168cm) rover who could kick the ball a long way, but not always accurately around goals.
Recruited from Stawell Football Club Beck made his league debut in 1962, the year after Hawthorn’s historic win.
He was a regular member of the team during the 1960s and was a reserve in its 1971 premiership side.
The 1972 season was Beck’s last with the Hawks and he was elected captain of the reserves.
His last game was the VFL reserves grand final in which his side won the premiership.
After his brief VFL stint Curley returned to play with his home club Kyabram.
Although credited with playing eight senior games with Hawthorn he said in fact it was 11 counting night games.
“I remember in one of those nights we played in Tassie,’’ Curley recalled.
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Kyabram Football Club at the moment is preparing for not one, but four premiership reunions.
The heroes of the 1975 drought-breaking senior side and the 1965, 1985 and 1995 thirds flag winning sides will be crammed into one celebration day on Saturday, June 14 when the Bombers host Shepparton Swans.
The 1965 thirds side was coached by John Roberts and captained by Greg Caldwell.
The side made it back-to-back wins in 1966 under Roberts with Greg Brunt the captain this time.
Peter Lyon was in charge of the 1975 senior side which beat Euroa for the flag to end a 17-year flag drought at the top Goulburn Valley League level for the club.
Mick Ryan coached the 1995 thirds premiership side to a 20-point win over Shepparton United.
Michael Glover captained that winning team.
Another reunion of Kyabram footballers and netballers will take place before June 14 when coach Des Campbell’s years as coach in 1992 and 1993 will be celebrated.
Players from all grades of football and netball in those two years will meet to reflect on what happened at the reunion on Saturday week (May 3) when the Bombers host Mansfield.
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One of the best and most respected cricket umpires to officiate in the former Kyabram and District Cricket Association was farewelled last Thursday.
Kyabram’s Norm O’Brien passed away last week and his funeral took place last Thursday.
Norm was a long serving umpire in the former KDCA and usually the first umpire picked when captains voted for umpires to officiate in finals.
He was renowned for being firm and fair and unflappable with his decision making when umpiring and won a lot of respect from the players.
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Kyabram footy fans should be aware its May 10 blockbuster GVL clash with Echuca is being played at Kyabram and not Echuca.
In some season draws the game is listed to be played at Echuca, but an agreement between both clubs has resulted in a swap.
The return clash will be at Echuca on August 16 in the second last home and away round.
“Originally it was to be played at Echuca, but when major works on the infrastructure at their ground was put back a year and we were uncertain what was happening at Ky, both clubs agreed to the swap which should be a benefit to both clubs,’’ Bombers secretary Paul Shortis said.
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A Kyabram-bred pacer has figured in the South Australian 2024 Horse of the Year awards.
Pacing mare Summerdays bred by Kyabram’s Greg Caldwell was a finalist in the Five-Year-Old Pacing Mares category after winning eight races last year for trainer Ingrid Smith. One of her wins was at Mildura.
Summerdays didn’t win the award, but Caldwell, who was accompanied by his wife Helen to the awards function at Gawler, said the surging trotting industry in South Australia had put on a night to remember.
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Moama Murray River residents and golfers can now swing into action for the environment, thanks to a new partnership between Rich River Golf Club and Golf Ball Recycling (GBR), Australia’s largest golf ball recycling program.
The initiative aims to tackle the environmental impact of discarded golf balls, which often end up in landfills or local waterways.
“There were no recycling solutions for end-of-life golf balls in Australia, so we decided to do something about it,” Golf Ball Recycling managing director John Harrington said.
“We’re excited to continue exploring new ways of recycling discarded golf balls.”
Golfers and residents can contribute to sustainability by recycling their old and damaged golf balls at Rich River Golf Club.
The collected balls are then given a new lease on life, being transformed into various useful products, including outdoor furniture, safety bollards and even creative arts projects.
Recent projects include a new pathway incorporating recycled golf balls at Melbourne Golf Park and a trial of golf ball stormwater filtration covers at a local primary school.
With the backing of major Australian golfing organisations, such as the Australian Golf Industry Council, Golf Australia and the Professional Golfers Association of Australia, GBR is gaining momentum nationwide.
Next time you’re at Rich River Golf Club or cleaning out your garage, remember – your old golf balls can be recycled into something new and sustainable.
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