A request by a multi-millionaire financier in England with Kyabram connections has been fulfilled by Kyabram Historical Society librarian Eileen Sullivan.
Richard Farleigh was born Richard Smith in the Kyabram hospital in 1960, one of 11 children of itinerant workers.
After a family breakdown Richard and his siblings were taken by the authorities — against their parents’ wishes and to their distress — then sent to a notorious children’s home in Sydney called Bidura.
Richard stayed there for three months before being placed with a foster family, the Farleighs.
Richard – or Rich as he is popularly known — went on to become a guru in global world trading and finance who also excelled at mathematics and chess.
In 2001, former Free Press editor Gus Underwood tracked down Richard’s natural father, Dick Smith when he was a on a visit to Kyabram and leading a nomadic life, virtually as a swagman.
Gus wrote an article on Dick under the banner head of Is this Man Victoria’s Last Swaggie?
Four years before Gus wrote a story after another Kyabramite Joan Hill had bumped into Dick when on a visit to Deniliquin and she wrote a letter to the editor on their meeting accompanied by some photos at the time.
Richard Farleigh’s rags-to-riches life has figured in the popular ABC series Australian Story and features some well known Kyabram and Echuca venues.
It is well worth a watch and can be accessed at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Az7YWCkj75o.
Dick Smith’s final resting place is the Kyabram cemetery where he was buried in 2004.
· Richard Farleigh is in the process of having two books published which will hit the streets next month.
One is a book of business stories called Taming the Dragon and the other one is a fiction book for young adults about business titled Ricky Means Business.
The business book has some personal experiences relating to his father.
Muster a roaring success
While no records were broken, the annual Deni Ute Muster was a still a roaring success.
Some 7991 utes made it through the gates — 42 more than last year — but still short of the 9736 record.
The Blue Singlet count of 4298 came in just short of last year’s record total or 4367.
The offer to ‘tie the knot’ in the muster’s inflatable church was snapped up by 24 couples.
What really pleased organisers though was the amount of families that attended the muster.
Council recount
While on Deni, the recent Edward River Council has had two photo finishes on its hands after its recent election.
After the election unsuccessful candidate Airlie Circuitt asked for a recount when he finished four votes behind Shannin Sampson.
The NSW Electoral Committee conducted the recount and discovered Mr Circuitt had not lost by four votes but in fact a tantalising two votes.
Quite a hike
Our petrol price watcher reports big discrepancies in Melbourne and country prices.
Last week unleaded petrol was selling as low as $1.51 a litre at some Melbourne outlets, while Kyabramites were paying at least $1.73 or more for the same fuel at local outlets.
New hospital chief
Rochester and Elmore District Health Services has a new chief executive.
After an extensive selection process Mary Manescu has landed the job.
Ms Manescu holds a Master of Health Services Management from Monash University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Currently the chief executive of Omeo District Health, Ms Manescu starts her new job on November 11.
Bridge concerns
Priorities have been raised over the renovation of Seymour’s wooden wonder — the historic old Goulburn bridge.
Some locals have expressed concerns of Mitchell Shire Council financing the renovations, questioning costs and the priority given to the project.
Community support needed
At least 10 locals may be needed to ensure plans for a Tocumwal Community Emergency Response Team can be effective for the community.
NSW Ambulance has said other CERTs operating within the state have started with 10 to 12 volunteers to optimise coverage and service delivery.
Volunteers would need to complete a minimum nine months of training with NSW Ambulance to serve their community.
Discussions of forming a CERT at Tocumwal have been launched as an interim way to address the needs of Tocumwal in emergencies.
Cast a line at Seymour
Young anglers should keep in mind the Seymour Fishing Festival coming up on Sunday, October 27.
It’s a learning to fish and family day at the old Goulburn Park pool and the pool is stocked to the brim with trout to make for an easy catch.
More information can be gained by phoning 5734 6200.
Back in public hands
Giant food producer SPC is back in public hands after merging with dairy company Nature One and the Original Juice Company.
Nature One is based at Carrum and the Original Juice Company has a factory at Mill Park in Melbourne.
SPC Global chairman and chair of the merged company Hussein Rifal said the transaction was a critical step in advancing global strategy that had guided SPC since its divestment from Coca Cola Amatil.
Square dinkum
G’day
I was abducted by aliens. They made me wash my hands, clean my room, and eat my vegetables ... turns out I was on the Mothership.
Hooroo!!!