Former Kyabram Citizen of the Year winners were guests at a luncheon held at the Kyabram Blue Brick Hotel in 1996, which was the start of the Australia Day celebrations organised by the Kyabram Rotary Club for that year.
First Nations art workshops were held at the Kyabram Fauna Park from 2pm onwards and the park was opened from 6.30pm. The Kyabram Theatre opened for the screening of the Australian classic Little Princess at 2pm.
The main Australia Day celebrations at the Pilley Reserve at the Kyabram Fauna Park started at 7pm. There was a free sausage sizzle, First Nations dancers and the recital of Australian poetry before the awards were presented by Shire Commissioner Doug Crow. Commissioner Crow also performed citizenship ceremonies where Davina Postma and James Steven became fully fledged Australians.
A huge crowd attended the events in 1996 where Val Carland was awarded Kyabram Citizen of the Year, the Plaza Theatre Committee received the Committee Group of the Year award and Grant Davies was named Kyabram’s Junior Citizen of the Year.
The Kyabram Rotary Club announced the winner of the Window Dressing Competition, which went to Rat’s Motorcycles, with a high commendation to Terry’s Electrical Supplies.
Compiled by Eileen Sullivan, Kyabram Historical Society voluntary librarian.