The Adviser 1521

Letterbox delivered to an estimated 60,000 people weekly

44 PAGE GREAT ESTATES GLOSS MAGAZINE INSIDE TO SELECTED AREAS

Great Estates OF THE

mGagouazlbinue rn Valley August 2020

Your comprehensive

SOCIAL GOLF IN FULL SWING

TRAINS STILL ON TRACK PAGE 3

No 1:1521

WEEKEND GETAWAY NOT SUCH A DISTANT DREAM PAGE 21

keepsake guide to land for

sale, new homes and

home improvements .

INSIDE: Property infastructure firm on the rise

Sport Adviser

Page 13

INSIDE: Enriching education in the South Page 18

PAGE 27

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020

INSIDE: Move from Melbourne to Shepparton proves a winner Page 16

TATU RA

INSIDE: Land sale boom in the Goulburn Valley

MO

Page 10

OROO

PNA

SHEP PART ON

Brought to you by

www.sheppadviser.com.au | ADVERTISING HOTLINE: 5832 8900

Looking after Shepparton’s great heritage

SHEP PART EAST ON

Positive COVID-19 cases

THERE is something to be said about stopping for a moment, lifting our eyes up off the ground and taking an interest in what else might be in our line of sight.

Shepparton may not have the grand buildings that populate regional towns like Bendigo and Ballarat yet is does have a number of points of interest that we tend to overlook.

From a recognised heritage perspective, there are some 190 listings in the Victorian heritage database that include all manner of significant placements around the shire.

Continued on page 18

in Shepparton

AGED CARE RESIDENT TESTS POSITIVE... Interim CEO of Shepparton Villages, Greg Pullen reports on resident and staff members testing positive. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

Reporting by Steve Hutcheson and Struan Jones WHILE many in the community have lamented the restrictions that have been imposed by the State Government, the positive testing of two staff members and a resident at an aged care facility in Shepparton clearly indicates that all effort must be made to restrict the transmission rate through individual isolation.

Shepparton Villages, the largest aged care group in the region has advised that all from Maculata Place are now isolating and the facility is in complete lockdown.

Greg Pullen, the interim CEO in a st atement said , “Un for t u nately, a second staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. However, the Commonwealth Department of Health has confirmed that the second staff member has not worked at Shepparton Villages during their infectious phase. So, I want to reassure you that we still have only the original single exposure.”

Outside of the aged care home, there are several other people who have tested positive.

Continued on page 18

NEWS

CONTACT US: Reception: Telephone: 5832 8900 Fax: 5832 8920 Address: Newspaper House, 219-225 Wyndham St, Shepparton, Victoria 3630 Editorial: editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au Advertising: mspencer@sheppartonadviser.com.au Classifieds: classifieds@sheppartonadviser.com.au Production: production@sheppartonadviser.com.au www.sheppartonadviser.com.au facebook.com.au/SheppartonAdviser CAB Audited to 29,588 homes, farms & businesses weekly on Wednesdays The Adviser is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association The Goulburn and Murray Valleys’ largest circulating newspaper

Growing concern over shortage of harvest labour GOULBURN Valley orchardists are concerned about a shortage of labour during this summer’s harvest, with international and state border restrictions expected to limit the number of workers available to pick fruit.

While the local fruit harvest is still at least three months away, Fruit Growers Victoria (FGV) grower services manager, Mick Crisera, said the issue was a concern right across Australia.

According to FGV, up to 70 percent of seasonal labour on Goulburn Valley farms can be made up of expat workers in the country on two-year Working Holiday visas or bridging visas.

Mr Crisera said he would be in favour of a reintroduction of the 2018 Seasonal Work Incentives Trial (SWIT), which was an incentive for Australians receiving Newstart or Youth Allowance to earn up to $5000 engaged in short-term, seasonal work without affecting their benefits.

The SWIT program didn’t see a strong take-up in 2018, however with youth unemployment in Shepparton, Moira and Campaspe shire areas at around 30 percent, as reported in The Adviser last week, Mr Crisera said the trial may be more successful this time around.

According to data from industry body Apple and Pear Australia Ltd, nearly 2500 workers are required for the February peak apple and pear harvest alone in the Goulburn Valley.

Harvest officer at employment agency MADEC, Brandon Coughlan, said the issue of potential labour shortages was a big concern which could stretch over the next two years.

While significant numbers of working holiday makers remain in Australia, numbers are dwindling as people return to their home countries, and the usual arrival of workers has all but halted.

In the Northern Territory, a seasonal worker program may see

Page 2 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

ABOVE: MANY HANDS NEEDED...

There is concern that closed state and national borders may lead to labour shortages on Goulburn Valley orchards come harvest time.

LEFT: ESSENTIAL WORK... Finding workers to work on orchards this summer will be a challenge in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos: APAL/Rosalea Ryan

up to 170 workers from Vanuatu under a pilot program aimed at filling labour shortages in the mango industry.

Mr Coughlan said he was unsure whether a similar program could be used in the Goulburn Valley.

“There has to be a longer-term commitment from the farm,” he said.

“But it is a concern. People simply aren’t planning two-year trips to Australia right now.”

NEWS

Trains are still on track OVER the next several months, we are likely to see an improved rail commute service to Melbourne begin to take shape. VLine are currently undertaking the contracting for Stage 2 infrastructure work on level crossings as well as some stations.

The contractor will build platform extensions, stabling to suit VLocity trains, up to 59 level crossing upgrades and an extension of a crossing loop to allow VLocity trains to run on the line for the first time.

Two consortia have been shortlisted to deliver these critical upgrades: • VicConnect, comprising UGL Limited, Decmil and Arup • A joint venture between Coleman Rail and KBR Rail Projects Victoria (RPV) is expected to appoint a contractor to deliver these improvements in the coming months, with construction due to begin late this year and finish in late 2022.

The Victorian Government has invested $356 million in the first two stages of the Shepparton Line Upgrade.

In delivering Stage 1 to provide passengers with additional services as soon as possible, an extra 10 weekly services were introduced on the Shepparton Line in April 2019, almost a year ahead of schedule.

Stage 2 of the project will provide the infrastructure required for modern VLocity trains to run to Shepparton for the first time, improving service reliability and providing passengers with more comfortable journeys.

A team of dedicated rail specialists at RPV is continuing its detailed analysis to identify the additional upgrades required to support nine return services a day between Shepparton and Melbourne.

Sam Birrell, the CEO of Committee for Greater Shepparton recently pointed out in an article in The Age, that increased service to the Melbourne is not a reality for people living in regional cities.

GROWTH IN SHEPPARTON NEEDS BETTER RAIL ACCESS... CEO of the Committee for Greater Shepparton, Sam Birrell. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

“People don’t all want to work in Melbourne, they want access to it. We have new industries burgeoning in the regions and a need for many more professional workers here,“ Sam said.

At the same time, the Federal Government is discussing the need to expand on an inland rail service between Queensland and Victoria and how that might impact on future development along the way with much of the current road transport being shifted across to rail. Shepparton has not been included in the inland rail line project however, with the increased development taking place in the region, commercial rail transport may well become a necessity as other probable aspects such as increased road traffic, carbon taxes, increased freight costs and the like come into play.

Call for firefighters for the next bushfire season

MORE than ever, the need for trained firefighters is becoming more evident. Fire chiefs from around the country have made a call for an increased level of professional firefighters at the recent Royal Commission into Bushfires.

Now the Victorian Government is recruiting forest firefighters who are ready to step up and help protect their communities and the environment this bushfire season.

The recruitment drive offers employment, training and pathway opportunities for suitable applicants in regional communities. Successful applicants will join a highly skilled team

of more than 1,000 frontline forest firefighters ready to keep Victorians safe.

As well as their crucial frontline duties, forest firefighters play an important role in bushfire prevention and preparedness, conducting planned burns, undertaking roadside vegetation and fire trail maintenance and other fuel management activities. They also support other emergency work.

Applications for Project Firefighters are open from Friday 31 July and close on Sunday 23 August. For further information and to apply visit ffm.vic.gov.au or call 136 186.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 3

NEWS

The outlook is good on the Murray River T HE outlook for the 2020 -21 year is looking more positive compared to last year according to the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) Annual Operating Outlook released last week.

M DBA executive director of R iver Management, Andrew Reynolds, said the full range of scenarios from extreme dry to very wet have been considered, but river managers are cautiously optimistic that 2020-21 will be a better year than 2019-2020.

“The outlook is better than the same time last year because we’ve got the trifecta we’ve been waiting for—catchments are primed after the wet autumn, we’ve got more

water in storage compared to the same time last year and the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting higher than average spring rainfall,” Mr Reynolds said.

As of July 22, 2020, southern basin storages are at 51 percent compared to 40 percent at the same time last year.

“We’re still a way off filling the storages, but the critical mid-Murray storage at Lake Victoria is close to capacity, thanks to good winter flows from the tributaries downstream of Hume Dam. This means less of the supply to South Australia will need to come from the Hume as it’s sitting there in Lake Victoria now, ready to go.

This year the Annual Operating Outlook

THE WATERS ARE FLOWING... Good rains and high water storage keeps the channels flowing. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

considers the shortfall risk to be greatest in late summer and autumn under ‘moderate’ or ‘near-average’ rainfall scenarios, due to the Barmah Choke, intervalley trade constraints and other limitations on the system’s capacity to meet the anticipated

demand for water.”

The 2020-2021 Annual Operating Outlook is available on the MDBA website at www. mdba.gov.au/publications/mdba-reports/ river-murray-system-annual-operating-plan.

Local businesses may close without JobKeeper changes CURRENT arrangements will provide the JobKeeper extension will be based on turnover in the June and September quarters for 2020.

“Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg hinted this morning that the Commonwealth Government is open to changing that to just the September quarter for businesses and notfor-profits in light of these new lock-downs in Victoria,” Member for Shepparton District, Suzanna Sheed said.

“No-one would deny that Victorian businesses are suffering more than any other in the country due to the latest outbreak and the necessary need for lock-down measures which I fully support. But it also needs to be acknowledged that many of us in regional Victoria are effectively collateral damage for what is going on in Melbourne. Greater Shepparton has nine new active cases and my community has shown a fierce respect for the

Page 4 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

social distancing rules and lock-down measures which are clearly working here.”

“We already have the highest unemployment rate in regional Victoria. Our local economy has been severely impacted by the first round of lock-downs. We need all the support we can get and easing the JobKeeper 2.0 eligibility requirements is one of the most obvious and easiest to implement.”

NEWS

One week down, five to go

Students settle into remote learning

LOOKING out for students’ academic and mental wellbeing will be the primary concern for teachers as the region looks ahead to five more weeks of remote school learning, according to Greater Shepparton Secondary College’s John Sciacca.

Mr Sciacca, principal of the school’s McGuire Campus, said the return to remote learning was far from ideal, but said the school was better placed this time around compared to lockdown number one.

“We learnt so much from term two, everyone did a great job the first time around,” he said.

“It was an incredibly weird experience, but as humans we adapt and change but we work together and solve problems.”

The campus, normally home to more than 500 students from years seven to 12, has been reduced to about 30 students attending school in person, whose parents are essential workers who cannot reasonably facilitate home learning.

With assistance from the Department of Education, hundreds of laptops have been handed out to students, along with 4G Wi-Fi dongles to students who need them.

Mr Sciacca said teachers were affected by the changes, too.

“We’re in a profession where you’re

ADAPTING TO CHANGE... A Greater Shepparton Secondary College student logs in from home. Goulburn Valley schools face five more weeks of ‘remote and flexible learning’ as part of Stage Three restrictions due to expire on September 16. Photo: Supplied.

surrounded by people, and that’s what we signed up for, but at the same time our teachers have been able to adapt to the circumstances well,” he said.

With the normal immersive social lives of secondary students evaporating almost overnight, the changes risk leaving many with a sense of isolation and loneliness.

Mr Sciacca said keeping an eye on students’ wellbeing would be a priority.

“You can’t pick the ones who need support and the ones who don’t,” he said.

“Some students are quite resilient and

they can adapt and change and see the good in things, but some students require added support.”

Mr Sciacca’s advice to students and parents was simple: reach out if you need support.

“We’re in this together, and we’re doing the best we can,” he said.

“The assurance is we’re here and we’re working through this together.”

The lockdown period is due to end on September 16, with term three finishing on September 18.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 5

NEWS

‘Lockdown fatigue’ takes toll on youth mental health AS the Goulburn Valley pushes deeper into another six weeks of lockdown, mental health experts are experiencing a further spike in calls for assistance from young people.

Headspace Shepparton, which provides counselling and support to people aged from 12-25, have reported seeing a near 40 percent increase in enquiries over the past six months compared to the same period last year.

Community awareness officer at Headspace Shepparton, Leah Farnham, said the impact of social isolation has severely affected young people, as socialising with peers makes up an important part of their day-to-day lives and their development.

As an immediate result of stage three restrictions, many young people had their weekly sport schedules wiped and have been sent home from school for the rest of term three, fracturing the structure most young people live their lives by.

“The older we get, the more likely we’re able to just sit with ourselves. We are not so reliant on our peers for that connection,” Ms Farnham said.

“But when you’re in year 11 or 12, this is all a hugely isolating and lonely change.”

Ms Farnham said thankfully, the current generation of young people were largely open to discussing their mental health and seeking help.

“In one sense we have a group of young people savvy around their mental health, but then help services might be overwhelmed in times of crises,” Ms Farnham said.

“For them, it’s the age of VCE, university, meeting partners, moving house, getting first jobs, but all of those things are up in the air or on hold right now. It can cause anxiety.”

Ms Farnham said people should be mindful of the amount of news they are exposed to in a time of unrelenting

Page 6 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

ENQUIRIES UP BY NEARLY 40 PERCENT...

Shepparton’s Headspace centre, which provides support for 12-25 year olds, has seen a surge in demand since the Coronavirus pandemic hit. Photo: Struan Jones.

headlines. Staying connected with friends and family and getting active is more important than knowing the latest COVID-19 case numbers.

“Importantly, abstain from alcohol or drugs. It may seem like a coping strategy but it doesn’t help in the long run,” she said.

If you, or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Anyone aged between 12-25, or parents, can call Headspace Shepparton on 5823 8800.

NEWS

Seven children treated in hospital every week for farm injuries FARMS typically combine the family home and an industrial workplace, which means children are exposed to a wide range of hazards that aren’t present in urban home environments.

Common injury hazards for children on farms include vehicles (e.g. tractors, motorbikes and quad bikes), animals, water hazards (e.g. dams, rivers, creeks and animal drinking troughs), machinery and poisons.

Hazards such as vehicles, machinery and animals can’t be permanently removed from a farm, so it’s important that practical measures are put in place to help protect children. Establishing a safe play area that is securely fenced, as well as ensuring that children are always actively supervised by an adult, are effective ways to separate children from these hazards and provide a clear boundary between the home and work spaces.

Statistics from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) reveal that 388 Victorian children aged 0-14 years were treated in hospital in 2018/19 due to a farm related injury (302 emergency department presentations and 86 hospital admissions/transfers) – approximately 7 per week.

Farm safety tips include: Have age appropriate jobs for children and restrict their involvement in dangerous tasks.

FARMS HAZARDS CAN BE ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE...

Hazards cannot be easily removed so effective supervision of children’s activities on farms is needed to stay safe. Photo: Supplied

Ensure children are always buckled up appropriately for their size and age when travelling in vehicles on the farm. Don’t allow children to ride in trailers or in the back of utes.

Kidsafe does not recommend that children under 16 years old ride or be a passenger on a quad bike.

Ensure all poisons are kept in their original containers and stored away in a locked area out of the sight and reach of children.

All families and farm workers should know correct first aid procedures to ensure they are prepared in the event of an emergency.

COVID-19 information for Greater Shepparton According to the Department of Health and Human Services, as of Tuesday, August 11, there were 9 active COVID19 cases in Greater Shepparton.

Campaspe Shire had 1 active case.

Benalla Rural City, Moira, and Strathbogie Shire Areas had 0 active cases.

For up to date case numbers, follow GV Health on Facebook.

Greater Shepparton testing sites: • Goulburn Valley Health – Shepparton Campus, 2 Graham Street, Shepparton, (03) 5832 2322 • Shepparton Respiratory Clinic, 172 Welsford Street , (03) 5821 9655 What you need to keep doing: • Practice good hygiene • Maintain physical distancing, keep at least 1.5 metres away from others • Take care wherever you go, assume others may be carrying the virus • Understand the risk and symptoms • Help slow the spread of COVID-19 by getting tested, even if you have mild symptoms • Stay home and avoid contact if you’re feeling unwell Get tested, even if you have mild symptoms, such as: • Fever • Shortness of breath • Chills or sweats • Runny nose • Cough • Loss of sense of smell • Sore throat Stage 3 restrictions are now in place for Regional Victoria: There are four reasons that you can leave home: Shopping for food or other essential items To provide care giving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment For exercise (applies to outdoor exercise, and with only one other person or members of your household) Work or study, if you cannot work or study from home The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 7

NEWS

STAYING PUT... Damian Drum will not be travelling to Canberra for the scheduled sitting of parliament later this month. Photo: Supplied.

Drum avoids twoweek quarantine by staying home FEDERAL member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, will stay put in Shepparton while parliament sits in Canberra later this month.

C om m o nwe a lt h p ol it i c i a n s f rom

Victoria have faced a dilemma over whether to relocate to the nation’s capital for the scheduled eight sitting days, starting on August 24.

A move to the ACT is only permitted after completing a two-week quarantine period, either in Canberra upon arrival, or at home immediately prior to leaving Victoria. Several other Victorian MPs have decided not to leave the state.

Mr Drum said he believed he’d be of greater use to the electorate by choosing to work locally.

Under parliament rules, voting on legislation must be done in person.

However, we’re likely to see a scaled-back parliament, with a ‘pairing’ system used to even out MP numbers.

Mr Drum’s absence will be matched by an absence, likely from an opposition Labor MP from Victoria, to keep numbers in the House of Representatives fair.

“Although I’m working more from home now, like many other people, there’s still a lot I can do in the community, and it’s better for me, in my opinion, to stay in the electorate,” Mr Drum said.

Call to get on the roll and vote R E SI DEN TS and ratepayers of Greater Shepparton are reminded to check their enrolment on the Victorian electoral roll ahead of October’s general council election.

The election, to be conducted by postal vote this year, is on October 24 with ballot papers mailed out in early October. Nine councillors will be re-elected or elected in the election to the Greater Shepparton City Council for a four-year term.

Eligible voters have until 4pm on August 28 to check and update their details, with a particular emphasis on postal addresses.

Electoral commissioner, Warwick Gately, issued a call to Shepparton residents and ratepayers to be ready to have their say.

“If you’re an Australian citizen and you’ve recently turned 18 or moved, and you haven’t enrolled or updated your address, or if you’ve just closed your post office box with Australia Post, you can enrol or update your details online at vec.vic. gov.au/enrolment.’

More information is available by calling the Victorian Electoral Commission on 131 832 or at vec. vic.gov.au.

Page 8 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 9

NEWS

Are we near the end of the cash economy?

CASH has been around since 600BC but are we getting closer to the end of its lifecycle?

Throughout time, we have had a need to exchange something of one value to something else of equal value but as we move further into the twentieth century, a greater proportion of all transactions are now being done electronically, nominally, many small transactions are being done through the use of a credit cards.

According to recent surveys by Toluna Analysis, 62% of Australians now use credit card for everything where possible.

With cash payments now frowned upon for hygiene reasons, it seems the majority of Australians prefer digital or card payments.

Similarly, 60% of respondents said

they are very comfortable managing their financial affairs online.

At the same time, governments around the world are seeking to attain better control of the cash economy or the black economy, Australia has recently prohibited cash transactions more than $10,000.

The black economy refers to people who operate entirely outside the tax and regulatory system or who are known to the authorities but do not correctly report their tax obligations.

It encompasses a wide range of practices, including understatement of takings, the payment and acceptance of cash wages off the books, welfare fraud, sharing economy contractors not declaring their income, moonlighting and phoenixing (where businesses deliberately liquidate to avoid

paying employees and creditors). Complex interactions with illegal activities, including money laundering, must also be taken into account. Other terms used include: the shadow economy, cash economy, underground economy or the cheating economy.

Participation in the black economy penalises honest taxpayers, undermines the integrity of Australia’s tax and welfare systems and creates an uneven playing field for the majority of small businesses doing the right thing.

With the pandemic restrictions likely to become a way of life for some years to come, people will be more inclined to engage in online transactions and as such, move more towards electronic transactions and be less inclined towards cash.

Gym-goers still giving what is due LOCKED OUT... Gyms in the region are closed again until at least Wednesday, September 16 under current Stage Three restrictions. Photo: Supplied.

By Struan Jones WELL, we’ve been here before. We’re one week into Lockdown Number Two, and for many people, not being able to get to the gym is what they’ll miss most.

Per capita, Shepparton has more gyms than any other town in the country. Okay I haven’t fact-checked that one, but to a newcomer to the town, it does seem that way.

Last Wednesday evening, only hours before restrictions came into place, I watched on as dozens of keen Crossfit enthusiasts at Shepparton’s Nemesis Strength and Conditioning lined up to receive their share of take-home kettlebells, dumbbells and medicine balls.

It had the feel of soldiers arming themselves for a six-week deployment.

Gym sessions here haven’t stopped, they’ve just moved online.

If Lockdown One was about stocking up on Prosecco, Lockdown Two has the feeling of a campaign.

Head coach at Nemesis, Tareke Le Lievre, said his gym’s patrons had reluctantly accepted their fate.

For many, gym sessions are as much about providing structure to your week and socialising than sweating and waking up the next day wondering if you’d been hit by a bus.

“At least for us, this time we know what we’re in for: It’s six weeks,” Tareke said.

“That’s the shining light for this one. It’s a positive, it helps heaps with programming. The first one we didn’t know when it would end.”

Tareke said he saw a bunch of new members come on board immediately following the first lockdown and months of sitting at home.

“A lot of people realised how beneficial it is - not just the physical side, but the mental benefits of coming in and meeting all the different people there,” he said.

“It’s what stands out. You create these relationships.”

The current lockdown is scheduled to run through to Wednesday, September 16.

Page 10 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 11

NEWS

Tatura pharmacy closed after positive COVID-19 case AHS Pharmacy in Tatura was alerted on Monday evening to a person presenting at their premises who had tested positive to COVID-19.

The pharmacy will remain closed until at least Friday for deep cleaning and to test staff members. At this stage, regular customers who have scripts held at AHS Pharmacy can contact Murchison Pharmacy to discuss arrangements.

Until contact tracing is completed, it is advised everyone remains vigilant.

Anyone suspected of being in close contact with an active COVID-19 case is

advised to get tested.

Under Department of Health and Huma n Ser vices guidelines, to be considered a ‘close contact’, a person would have had a 15-minute face-to-face contact with the COVID-19 positive case or have been in the same space as them for two hours.

People are advised if they feel unwell or display any symptoms seek medical advice, get tested and isolate until results are known.

For more information on testing locations, see Page 7.

Towards zero waste GR EAT ER Shepparton produces, on average, a staggering 66,000 tonnes of waste per year.

In the bid to reduce waste and conserve our environment, products are increasingly being developed to be packaging free.

S h a mp o o b a r s , mu c h l i ke s o ap, help reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for plastic bottles resulting in a zero-waste option compared to traditional haircare.

Travel friendly and compact, shampoo bars allow ease of use whilst ensuring users are maintaining a sense of environmental responsibility.

Australian made, eco-friendly and highquality products such as those produced

by Ta s m a n i a n c o mp a ny P rof e s s o r Fuzzworthy, are leading the worldwide market in plastic free beard care products.

By making small changes, such as replacing products we use daily with zero waste options we can all contribute to the reduction of our waste as a community.

For more suggestions on ways big and small we can work towards reducing our

Page 12 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

ZERO WASTE SHAMPOO… Easy ways to reduce waste in our homes, plastic free beard shampoo is a good place to start. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

negative impacts on the environment, follow Zero Waste Shepparton’s Facebook group.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 13

NEWS

Calling rural women to take a lead ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO TAKE THE LEAD... State Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes. Photo: Supplied

THE Victorian Government is inviting women from country Victoria to build their leadership skills, with the 2021 Victorian Rural Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program now open.

Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes is encouraging rural Victorian women involved in agriculture or the agricultural supply chain to apply for this year’s intake, with 14 funded places on established leadership courses starting later this year and early in 2021.

“Victoria’s resilient and innovative rural women are at the forefront of driving change across Australia. These programs will enable them to hone their skills and to

Page 14 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

connect with other passionate advocates for country Victoria.” said Ms Symes.

The government has provided $500,000 funding to the Victorian Rural Women’s Network to support the program, which has so far provided 24 rural women with professional leadership training.

T he L eadership Prog ram par tners with four established leadership training providers delivering highly regarded programs suitable for emerging and experienced leaders.

Applications are now open for funded places on the 2020 Women’s Leadership Program as well as for the 2021 intake of T he Obser versh ip Prog ra m a nd Williamson Leadership Program.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 15

NEWS

Tell the police what’s important in new online survey

FINDING CONNECTIONS... Victoria Police officers at a vehicle check point last week. A new Community Connection Survey is available online for residents to tell police what their main concerns are. Photo: Supplied.

V I C TO R I A Pol i c e i s e n c ou r a g i n g Goulburn Valley residents to tell them what policing issues are important to them through an online survey.

The Community Connection survey, which will run until the end of the month, provides an opportunity for residents to advise police about any safety concerns, safety improvement ideas, and trust and confidence issues.

According to Leading Senior Constable (LSC), and Crime Prevention Officer at the

Shepparton Police Station, Glenn Gibson, people have so far provided information on a range of issues important to them, with safety of property and possessions, alcohol and drug use and road safety receiving the highest number of responses.

Attending community events and foot patrols are also one of the most valued interactions bet ween police and the community, according to results so far.

LSC Gibson said the survey was a way to engage with the community at a time when physical interaction was reduced.

“Community engagement is one of our biggest challenges, made even more difficult with the current lockdown conditions,” LSC Gibson said.

“We encourage everyone to get online and complete the survey. It’s something we’ll use and we really appreciate it.”

With Stage Three restrictions now in place in Shepparton, LSC Gibson said police officers’ first interactions on the street with the public would become more difficult.

“The inevitable question of ‘What’s your reason for being out?’ is a necessary one, but it doesn’t come across as the friendliest way to say Hi,” he said.

To find the survey online, go to the Eyewatch - Greater Shepparton Police Service Area Facebook page.

S H E PPA R TO N

ROUND UP AUGUST 2020

Presented by your local police and supported by other emergency services, community groups and local media.

Safe driving for life - It’s all about ATTITUDE! All drivers must stay focused to reduce road trauma in the COVID-19 pandemic environment.

So our 2020 CoolHeads program is going virtual.

With the support of Riverlinks Shepparton; CoolHeads will be released ONLINE Wednesday, August 26 at 7pm Enquiries contact: Greater Shepparton Police Leading Senior Constable Glenn Gibson (03) 5820 5830 Mitchell and Benalla Police Senior Constable Brooke Malane (03) 5735 0236

Brought to you by

Page 16 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

LETTERS

OPINION

Letters to the Editor

We welcome Letters to the Editor but they are not guaranteed to be included and may be edited for reasons of style or content. Letters will not be eligible for consideration if they contain defamatory material, or information of a personal nature which is not in the public domain.

WHO NEEDS A POLITICIAN IN A CRISIS? Dear Editor, A ‘State of Disaster’ is probably what happens when we have union and political party hacks running the show, as we have in benighted, beleaguered Victoria – once the jewel in the Commonwealth crown, but now reduced to pariah status.

Our Premier and arch politician, Daniel Andrews apparently cannot put politics aside (as our Prime Minister has admirably done) and actually manage and contain the explosion of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Victoria since the hotel quarantine fiasco and the 10,000-strong Black Lives Matter protest in June.

By putting the entire state in ‘lockdown’ – an occurrence previously reserved for prisons – Mr Andrews appears to spread blame and responsibility for his government’s failings, to all Victorians – like the school principal trying to retain control by locking up the entire school while the culprits own up.

In Victoria’s case we know who the culprits are, but they cannot be held to account because democracy has been shut down here since April. The Andrews

Government even used its numbers to block scrutiny of the public accounts – so who knows what further chaos is lurking within the state’s finances?

Scrutiny is what is so desperately needed. Parliamentary scrutiny would have uncovered the quarantine mess far sooner, as would defence personnel had Mr Andrews not rejected the Prime Minister’s offer of help. Fobbing us off with crumbs of information at a stage-managed daily press conference is not democracy.

And where are the Opposition and indeed the Governor in all of this? The Opposition needs to present a credible alternative to all this chaos. In a crisis we need competent ministers who actually know their portfolios, not union and political yes men and women. And the Governor, Linda Dessau AC, needs to ensure that the wheels of democracy still turn in Victoria – or is she also missing in action? Is it time to rescue us and restore democracy in Victoria?

Yours sincerely, Marian McFarland Chesney Vale Victoria

send us your snaps WA N T to se e you r photos i n t he newspaper? We are calling on all our readers to send in their photos for the chance to have it selected to go to print.

This week we were sent this photo by Suzanne Barker of a swan and cygnets captured at Reedy swamp.

Please send your photos to photo@sheppartonadviser.com.au or message it to us via our Facebook page ‘The Shepparton Adviser.’ If you are sending via email, please keep your email’s total size to under 8mb.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 17

NEWS

continued from front page

Looking after Shepparton’s great heritage THE Heritage Advisory Committee is an adjunct of the Greater Shepparton City Council, formed around 2012 and comprising members of the public to provide advocacy for cultural and heritage matters in the region to Council.

One such building that dates back to the interwar period of modern architecture, was the Fairway Building on the corner of Fryers St and Maude St with a frontage in the Mall built in 1937.

In its day, the construction represented some advances on previous construction methods with steel columns that gave rise

to larger open spans for glass windows to be installed. Perhaps the only thing that has been retained from the original façade is the decorative pressed metal panels under the canopy.

The committee comes from all manner of backgrounds, some representatives are guardians of local museums, others have undertaken research into historical aspects of Shepparton including its indigenous past.

In better times, the Heritage Advisory Committee arrange open days of more than 50 heritage locations around the municipality.

TAKING PRIDE IN THE CITY’S HERITAGE... Secretary of the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee, Marjorie Earl points out some of our significant buildings. Photo: Stephanie Holliday

Positive COVID-19 case in Shepparton continued from front page Reporting by Steve Hutcheson and Struan Jones A student at the Wanganui Campus of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College linked to the Maculata staff has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the school, contact tracing, led by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is ongoing and the school will remain closed and undergo deep cleaning.

Students and parents have been asked to stay away from the campus.

In a statement published on the school’s website on Sunday, executive principal, Genevieve Simson said, “I remind you to please respect the privacy of our student who tested positive to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and encourage everyone to continuing supporting each other during this time.”

According to the statement, the DHHS

Page 18 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

may request that some staff and students get tested at a later date when they have more information. However, at this stage staff and students do not need to seek testing unless they develop symptoms.

Schools across Victoria will continue to teach via remote learning for the remainder of term three.

Linked to the Shepparton Villages cases, there has been a person working at Unilever in Tatura who tested positive.

The message from CEO of GV Health, Matt Sharp is, “People should stay at home until they get the result of their COVID-19 test. Do not go about your normal day-today activities such as work or going out in the community.

Please do the right thing and do not place your family members, friends and the broader community at risk.

Footnote: At the time of going to print, there are nine active cases of COVID-19 in the Shepparton area.

19cm

Free face mask pattern, no elastic required IN light of new requirements that all Victorian’s wear face masks, it has proven somewhat difficult to source a sufficient supply of disposable masks for all. An environmentally friendly alternative is re-usable, washable masks. With elastic currently being in short supply, this pattern can be made elastic free using fabric ties. If you are unable to source fabric, cotton t-shirts, pillowcases, or other cotton materials may be used. Using a double layer of material for your DIY mask adds a small increase in filtration effectiveness so keep this in mind when purchasing and cutting out fabric. Please follow these instructions to create your own adult sized face masks.

MATERIALS • cotton fabric, tightly woven, enough to accommodate 19.5cm x 19cm • elastic, or fabric ties requiring four 46cm x 1.5cm lengths of material TOOLS • sewing machine and thread • scissors • ruler • sewing pins or clips

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut the fabric. Cut 1 fabric rectangle 19cm long and 19.5cm wide. Cut 2 pieces of elastic, each 18cm long. Or, cut 4 fabric ties 46cm long and 1.5cm wide.

2. Sew the top side, with a pocket opening. Fold the fabric in half, with the right sides facing. Sew along the width edge, using a 1cm seam allowance to allow the mask to be turned right side out after sewing.

3. P re ss t he se a m ope n . Topst itch /z ig -z ag st itch along both sides of the seam for a neater edge.

Pin Elastic or Fabric Ties. Pin one piece of elastic to each side of the mask, one end to the top corner and one end to the bottom corner. If using fabric ties, pin one tie to

each corner, with the rest of the tie sandwiched inside the two layers of fabric.

4. Sew the Sides. Sew the sides of the face mask.

Backstitch over the elastic or fabric ties to secure them.

Clip the corners, turn the mask right side out, and press with an iron.

5. Sew the Pleats . Create three evenly spaced 1.5cm pleats.

Pin the folds in place, making sure all pleats are facing the same direction. Sew down each side to secure the pleats.

Note: When the mask is worn, the pleats should open downwards to prevent any particles from collecting in the fold pockets.

FREE FACE MASK PATTERN... cut out supplied pattern to create your own elastic-free face masks. Image: Supplied

19.5cm

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 19

NEWS

Meating demand with a smile Krueger’s has a growing reputation among foodies for their premium products with bold flavours.

SOME things might be changing for lockdown number two, but your hunger for good meat is probably not one of them.

In fact, eating wholesome, filling and nutritious food is essential in this time of closed gyms, Zoom meetings, kids at home, and a likely further increase in Netflix binge-watching.

So far in Shepparton, it seems we’ve avoided the ludicrous ‘panic buying’ as seen in other parts of the state, but if you were feeling even slightly nervous, Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods are open as usual, with no issues with supply.

With their delicately prepared selection of speciality meats and traditional European smallgoods, Krueger’s has a growing reputation among foodies for their premium products with bold flavours.

Everything is made in-store, and you can expect everything from kransky, chorizo, cocktails, and kabana, to rookwurst or ham off the bone.

See the huge range at Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods at 22 Colliver Road, Shepparton. Alternatively, you can place an order over the phone by calling 5821 5414 or messaging them on Facebook.

Page 20 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

STILL SMILING... Independent butchers, Emma and Martin Krueger of Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods, have a full range of speciality meats available. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

NEWS

MAKE YOUR GETAWAY MEMORABLE... The historic stone stables at Byronsvale Vineyard & Accommodation just out of Bendigo offers the perfect place to take a long weekend or mid-week break. Booking is still possible with their special value voucher for The Adviser readers. Photo: Geoff Adams.

Weekend getaway not such a distant dream

By Struan Jones IF lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that we often want something more when we know we can’t have it.

Taking to the road and getting out of the house, out of your town or even heading abroad is something we’ll all have a new appreciation for.

With international travel off limits, more people have been chasing minibreaks in their own backyards, with Airbnb reporting domestic bookings in Victoria for June were up 34 percent on last year.

The Byronsvale Vineyard & Accommodation near Bendigo is one such five-star luxury getaway in Central Victoria that offers the

perfect weekend away.

Yet while you may not be able to plan that time away in these uncertain times, Byronsvale is offering a special three-day package gift voucher, to use for yourself or someone close to you. It means you can secure your long weekend away at great value, then pencil in the dates later.

The Byronsvale historic stone stables have been renovated and restored and are ready to welcome visitors once travel restrictions ease.

The estate is also home to a fine drop: its gold medal winning 2017 Estate shiraz.

For more information on Bendigo’s hidden gem, 15 minutes out of town, see the website at www.byronsvale.com.au or call on 5447 3496.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 21

Page 22 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Central Offices for Lease Shepparton Ground Floor

219-225 Wyndham St Shepparton

ü Superb central location 219-225 Wyndham St, Shepparton

ü ü ü ü

Ground floor convenience 9 Offices of various sizes Flexibility to vary office sizes Reception area

ü Large boardroom/meeting room ü Client waiting room ü Storage facilities ü Large kitchen facilities ü Kitchenette to meeting/boardroom ü 4 carparks with the option of extra carparks

ü Excellent signage opportunity ü 375 square metres (Smaller office space enquiries welcomed)

ü Attractive rental package *The Adviser occupies the first floor and some of the ground floor (reception)

Enquiries 0417 221 522

Join The Adviser Delivery Team!

We are looking for deliverers in Mooroopna ü Available on Wednesday ü Want to keep fit and paid at the same time? ü No sorting or folding advertising material Interested? Enquire today!

Call 5832 8900 or email front@sheppartonadviser.com.au

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 23

Page 24 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 25

WendyLovell LovellMP MP Wendy Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Region

Wendy Lovell MP Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Region

Member for Northern Victoria Region Working hard for a Active, Local stronger future for the Goulburn Valley and Vocal

For assistance withp:State Government issues, (03) 5821 6668 contact my office e: please wendy.lovell@parliament.vic.gov.au /wendylovellMP p: (03) 5821 6668

e: wendy.lovell@parliament.vic.gov.au Authorised

by Wendy Lovell MP, 222 Wyndham Street Shepparton. /wendylovellMP Funded from Parliamentary Budget Authorised by Wendy Lovell MP, 222 Wyndham Street Shepparton. Funded from Parliamentary Budget

TOP TIPSTERS

1. GOTAFE.....................................................................62 2. Lyn McNaught Travel................................................61 3. Eagle Auto Panel......................................................58 4. Gutter Vac Shepparton............................................57 5. Data Parts.................................................................57 6. Wendy Lovell MP......................................................57 7. LineMasta.................................................................57 8. Inter Continental Spares..........................................56 9. Bottle-O Warehouse................................................56 10. A&G Custom Fencing...............................................55 11. Carters Custom Carpentry.......................................55 12. Shepparton Radiator and Windscreen....................55 13. Standby Security Services.......................................54 14. Intersport Shepparton.............................................54 15. Fairleys Supa IGA.....................................................54 16. VAB Salon.................................................................53 17. Viatek.......................................................................52 18. Damian Drum MP.....................................................52 19. Finny’s Manchester..................................................51 20. Little Green Truck.....................................................51 21. Snelling Engineering...............................................48 22. Goodfellows Car and Truck Rentals.........................47

COMMUNITY TIPPING ••• ROUND 12 SELECTIONS ••• Sydney.............................vs .........................GWS Giants Geelong...........................vs ...................... Port Adelaide North Melbourne ..........vs ....................Brisbane Lions Melbourne......................vs .........................Collingwood Fremantle........................vs .................................. Carlton Western Bulldogs .........vs ...............................Adelaide St Kilda ............................vs ............................. Essendon West Coast Eagles .......vs ............................. Hawthorn Richmond........................vs ........................... Gold Coast Winning margin of first match .................................................

Name .......................................................................................

Telephone ................................................................................

Address ................................................................................... .................................................................................................

WINNER ROUND 10 RODGER BONE Football Followers have the chance to WIN BIG during the 2020 AFL football season with Fairleys IGA/The Adviser Football Tipping Competition. Each week there will be a prize of $25 to be spent at Fairleys IGA Supermarket. All you have to do is place a tick against the football team that you think will win each game. Be careful with your selections as only correct entries will go into the draw for the weekly $25 voucher. If no correct entry is received the prize will jackpot each week until a correct entry is submitted. Entries will only be accepted at the office, 219-225 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, no later than 5pm on each Friday during 2020, unless stated otherwise due to early matches being played. Entries must be on original forms – no faxes or photocopies will be accepted and only one entry per household is permitted. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Page 26 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020

SPORT

Adviser

HAPPY TO BE OUT... Mooroopna Golf Course members, Shane Collyer and Lloyd O’Brien, were glad social golf has been permitted during the current Stage Three lockdown. Photo: Struan Jones.

Golfing hits through lockdown fatigue AS one of the easier sports to play while socially distancing, golf is set to continue through the current lockdown.

While weekly competitions have been dropped, social golf, now in pairs rather than the standard tee-off groups of four, is still on offer.

Head PGA club professional at the Mooroopna Golf Course, Darren Rodgers, said the current restrictions are a much better outcome compared to the total ban enacted earlier in the year.

Access to the region’s courses is now a members-only affair, even resulting in more people signing up to play, according to Rodgers.

“Golf is now used as a form of exercise, not really as a sport,” Rodgers said.

“We’ve got restrictions, such as no hire clubs or carts, and the driving range is closed.

“Players must also wear masks on course.”

Playing in pairs with acres of golf course to yourself is any keen golfer’s dream, however traffic is still ticking over on the fairway. Mooroopna Golf Course had 130 players teeing off on Saturday alone.

Tennis is the only other ball sport permitted during the current lockdown.

However, the Shepparton and District Ladies Mid-Week Tennis Association played their final sets last Tuesday, with matches cancelled until at least September 18, according to competition president Cheryl Cottrell.

MASKED UP... Dawn and Ray Nioa on course this week. Photo: Struan Jones.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 – Page 27

Page 28 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1521 Wednesday, August 12, 2020