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Donation dumping
By Aaron Cordy
CLEANING out the closet and taking a couple of bags full of old or outgrown clothing to the nearest Op Shop is a great way to update your wardrobe and make use of preloved clothing. The generosity is greatly appreciated, and with most Op Shops being used to raise funds for other causes it is a win-win situation.
When the generosity of clothing donations doesn't hit the mark is afterhours donating, or more correctly dumping of used goods which happened around 10pm Sunday, January 26, at GV Hospice Op Shop, when a male and female threw four large bags over the fence. Continued Page 13
DIGITAL DELIGHTS SHOWCASING TOP DIGITAL PRINTS OF 2024 PAGE 14 WOMEN IN THE WOODIES PAGE 15
School,
footsteps. From left, Matt,
Billings
Shepparton. Photo: Emma Harrop
CARPARK TICKET WARNING
Don’t forget, the complimentary parking period in Shepparton CBD, which runs in December and January at Council carparks each year, has now finished and infringements are being handed out to anyone who does not pay to park or who overstays the displayed time limit.
LIFT OFF AWARDING THE 150TH SCHOLARSHIP IN 2025
The Greater Shepparton Foundation awarded its 150th Lift Off Scholarship this week, distributing $90,000 to 18 Goulburn Valley students. Recipients awarded on Tuesday included Denni Bathman, , Ethan Ciavarella, Ella Davidson, Grace Hall, Reyhaneh Hosseini, Jasmine Johns, Madeline Judd, Ashlee Magnnusson, Joanna Muli, Cal Mills, Maddisyn Dixon, Tegan Stewart, Bethany Oswald, Gemma Moulsdale, Mya Jeperson, Emma Pummeroy, Emily Thompson and Travis Wallace.
Scholarship recipients will receive two-tothree-year scholarships to support their post-secondary education. Since 2014, Lift Off has helped 150 local students overcome financial and other barriers to pursue higher education.
GARDINER FOUNDATIONS AWARDS LOCAL STUDENT
Eight students from Victorian dairy regions who are commencing their first year of tertiary study in 2025, have been honoured with scholarships from the Gardiner Foundation (GF). Each scholar will receive $10,000 annually for three years to support them in their studies for courses that will benefit the Victorian dairy industry or dairy communities.
Ryan Smith from Tongala has been awarded a Niel Black Scholarship. Ryan is set to study a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at La Trobe University in Bundoora, with ambitions of becoming a physiotherapist. Passionate about supporting his local community, he hopes to one day open his own practice to improve access to treatment and educate dairy farmers on injury prevention and safe work practices.
ROAD FATALITIES SURGE
2024 was the deadliest year on Australian roads in over a decade. According to the Federal Government, 1,300 people were killed on the road last year. It’s the
fourth year in a row fatalities have increased. This hasn’t happened since seatbelts were made compulsory in the 1960s.
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has called on the government to investigate “what is going wrong,” with our roads and to implement effective solutions.
As of Monday, February 3, 33 lives have been lost on Victorian roads, a 57.1 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Could the worst road conditions in living memory have something to do with this?.
TANK’S ART GALLERY GRAND OPENING
Local Australian Surrealist Artist and icon, Tank, is having a grand opening of his new Gallery at 175 Corio Street, Shepparton on Thursday, February 6 from 6pm.
The gallery will feature Tank’s artworks and sculptures by Tank and Tobin Sculpture Works and will be an opportunity for local artist to show and sell their work.
MYSTERY TIN MAN
A reader has sent in a photo of a mystery tin man spotted atop a street sign/light in the Kialla Lakes Estate. It appears the tin man has been living on the Nillahcootie Crescent road sign for around a year, although not much information about its origins exists.
We asked our Facebook followers for information and while the tin man remains a mystery, it is evident that neighbours have an affection for the clever piece of public art.
Since posting about the tin man, it appears a new addition has been added to the street sign.
If you have any information about the Kialla Lakes tin man, please contact us at editorial@ sheppartonadviser.com.au
NEW WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICES FROM FEBRUARY 2025
Greater Shepparton’s waste and recycling services will transition to Foott, Biomix, and Cleanaway in February. Collection days remain unchanged, but pickup times may differ—place your bins out the night before.
Missed collections must be reported to Council within 24 hours.
A SUCCESSFUL WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE DEPENDS ON US ALL WORKING TOGETHER.
THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR PART.
AWARDED... Tongala’s Ryan Smith has been awarded the Niel Black Scholarship from the Gardiner Foundation to support his studies. Ryan is pictured with Shirley Harlock and Bill Pyle. Photo: Supplied
Pictured is Amanda McCulloch, Greater Shepparton Foundation (GSF) executive officer. With the addition of the 2025 cohort, GSF’s Lift Off Scholarships have supported 150 local students in pursuing post-secondary education since its inception in 2014. Photo: The Adviser
Fruit Fly crisis amid funding shortfall
WITHOUT an adequately funded Fruit Fly Program, Queensland Fruit Fly (Qfly) populations could increase by more than 200 per cent and up to 600 per cent in the Goulburn Murray Valley (GMV) by 2026, threatening the region’s billion-dollar horticultural industry.
The Fruit Fly Program, introduced in 2017/2018, initially reduced Qfly numbers by 95 per cent within its first year, followed by an additional 60 per cent reduction the following year. However, continued government funding cuts since the program’s inception have compromised efforts to control the pest, particularly from 2020/21 onward.
Now, the Victorian Government plans to terminate funding entirely from June 2025. Since 2017/2018, funding has been slashed by 62.5 per cent according to Cobram & District Fruit Growers Association – an unsustainable reduction, according to expert analysis.
Internationally recognised fruit fly specialist Andrew Jessup has warned that without a properly funded Area Wide Management (AWM) program, Qfly numbers could surge by 205 per cent in the
Effective
fruit fly management
protects the region’s exports and preserves
GMV’s
reputation as a reliable source of high-quality horticultural produce
Adrian Conti, chair of the Cobram Fruit Growers Association
best-case scenario, and over 600 per cent in the worst case.
“The high input Area Wide Management strategy was a fruit fly management success,” said Mr Jessup. “Never before
has the whole community, from the State Government to the backyard grower worked so well together to the benefit of all.”
At present, most fruit growers protect their farms from Qfly using baits and spray, however, do so at significant cost to their bottom line. Significantly less funding since 2021 has resulted in less proactive Qfly management occurring within urban areas, and Mr Jessup outlined that urban and periurban fruit fly management is crucial to managing numbers in rural areas.
Horticulture in the GMV contributes an estimated $1.6B to Gross Regional Product (GRP), supporting thousands of jobs and providing significant economic benefits to the region. In 2020/21, Victorian horticulture accounted for 30 per cent of Australia’s total GRP, with exports
making up 45 per cent of the nation's total horticultural exports.
“The Victorian Government has not committed to funding beyond June 2025 and is effectively walking away from its biosecurity responsibilities,” commented Tony Siciliano, chair of the GMV Fruit Fly Governance Group.
Adrian Conti, chair of the Cobram Fruit Growers Association, added, “The Victorian Government must take expert recommendations seriously to safeguard horticulture before growers’ livelihoods and regional economies suffer severe consequences.
“Effective fruit fly management protects the region’s exports and preserves GMV’s reputation as a reliable source of highquality horticultural produce.”
Free Kinder: Enrol for 2025.
Free Kinder is available for three- and four-year-old children in Victoria at participating services. Free Kinder is available in sessional (standalone) and long day care (childcare) settings, saving families up to $2,563 each year, per child.
At kindergarten, your child will:
• learn language, literacy and numeracy skills through play, art, music and dance
• learn to express themself and make friends in a safe and caring environment
• build skills and confidence before primary school.
Contact your preferred kinder service or local council to learn about how to enrol for 2025. Visit vic.gov.au/kinder
INDUSTRY AT THREAT... Funding for the Fruit Fly Program will be terminated in June 2025. Victorian Horticulture in 2021/22 made up 30 per cent of Australia’s GRP and horticulture in the Goulburn Murray Valley generates $1.6B in GRP. Photo: Supplied
Letters to the Editor
SHEPPARTON COUNCIL NOT CONCERNED
Dear Editor,
AS a daily dog walker around the Shepparton Lake, I am forwarding these concerns in relation to the Council’s ongoing lack of monitoring of the dog faecal bins.
In 2024 I reported to the Council at least 10 times regarding ongoing issues of the bags not being replenished by the Council’s contractors when the bins were empty of doggie bags.
Every time I reported this issue the Council would
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.
obviously contact their contractors and bags were replenished accordingly.
I did note however when the bags were replenished the contractors never left full rolls of bags, which meant the bags only lasted a few days. Furthermore, the bin doors are left unlocked and left open all the time.
At the beginning of 2025 unfortunately, the same issues are occurring.
Day 8 of walking around the lake all bins have had no doggie bags throughout this time and the amount of dog
faeces around the lake is so disheartening.
As a frequent walker around the Lake, I do carry my own bags but there are others who don’t and the Shepparton Lake looks disgusting with the amount of dog faeces scattered all around.
Regards, Katherine Lancaster Shepparton
Community emergency management plan
neighbours and others from your community are likely to be first on the scene when a disaster hits. Emergency service agencies can’t be everywhere and if they do arrive, their priority is saving lives and property. We need to be ready to look after ourselves and each other.
Resilience In Recovery is hosting Community Emergency Management Planning Workshops (CEMP), in conjunction with The Six C’s, Emergency Management Specialists in Murchison, Bunbartha, Undera and Mooroopna to assist communities to empower a community-led response to ensure better
Disaster resilient communities function well under stress, can adapt quickly and successfully, are self-reliant, have strong social bonds and can
Sue Rondeau, Co-Founder and Director of The Six C’s Group, spoke positively of the
“I think it’s a great model for the community. You can’t put a fire truck at every door or put the SES at every house in a flood, but
community coming together can achieve a lot. It’s exciting to see the Greater Shepparton area embrace this concept and support their communities in developing a plan,” she said.
“It’s amazing to see the community come together, sometimes they’ve not met fellow community members before this time, so they are coming to the workshop and they meet each other for the first time, and realise they have a common problem whether it might be floods, storm fires and heat, and now they are working together to make it better for each other.”
Retired principal and Murchison resident, Peter Daws, expressed an opportunity for the community to work better together rather than relying on emergency services in a disaster event.
“We are trying to put together a plan, something that hasn’t been done before and we need to get as many views as possible. We’ve got quite an eclectic group of people and getting everyone on board to have their say is important,” he said.
“There were houses in trouble in the October 2022 flood event, I’m high and dry where I
am in Murchison, so it is important to get information out to residents about how to best prepare for an emergency event so no one is left behind.”
To have your say, drop into one of the CEMP sessions:
Bunbartha Community Emergency Management Plan Development
Thursday, February 13, 6pm - 9pm
Bunbartha Community Centre
Murchison Community Emergency Management Plan Development
Tuesday, February 18, 6pm – 8pm
Murchison Community Centre
Undera Community Emergency Management Plan Development
Wednesday, February 5, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday, February 12, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Undera Recreation Reserve
Mooroopna Community Emergency Management Plan Development dates and times to be confirmed. To express interest in participating, email recovery@shepparton.vic. gov.au or call (03) 58329700.
Water supplies secure for summer and beyond
WATER restrictions are unlikely this year with Goulburn Valley Water’s (GVW) 2024 Annual Water Outlook confirming that drinking water supplies are in a stable position for the region.
Water demand projections, population growth predictions, climate modelling and two-year forecast graphs have been used to develop the Annual Water Outlook.
According to the updated water security outlook, published on GVW’s website, only one of the 54 towns supplied by 13 river, creek and groundwater supply systems has any chance of experiencing water restrictions during 2025.
GVW Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said several factors had been considered in the analysis, but the major contributors were strong storage levels and water catchments following the spring 2022 floods.
“All of the northern region’s water supply systems – the Murray River, Goulburn River, Seven Creeks, Nine Mile Creek, and Katunga’s groundwater have a very rare likelihood of restrictions, while the Delatite and Upper Delatite River, Brewery Creek, Steavenson River, Yea River and the Sunday Creek systems also have positive supply outlooks,” Dr Capewell said.
GVW Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell
The 2024 outlook is bolstered further by the fact Agriculture Victoria’s December to February 2025 outlook is projecting above average rainfall conditions.
Dr Capewell said every five years GVW produced an Urban Water Strategy to plan for short, medium and long term water availability and wastewater demand.
“The 2027 strategy will create more opportunities for the use of recycled water, which was a preference outlined by our customers during engagement for the development of the 2022 Urban Water Strategy,” he said.
Projects included in the current strategy are progressing well, and include a new pipeline connecting Numurkah to Nathalia, which is expected to be complete in 2027. There are also planned upgrades for water treatment plants in Shepparton, Broadford and Cobram, along with a raw water pipeline in Mansfield.
By Aaron Cordy
INSPIRING the next generation to take control of projects and activities that get them out of the house and away from screens and build connections with the community is priceless. It builds character and experience that can help not only them grow but benefits the whole community.
That is the sentiment that inspired the Shepparton Moslem Mosque’s (MM) Youth Group soccer day and BBQ, on Saturday, February 1 at the Sirius College. A fun filled family event.
The scorching heat of Saturday meant numbers didn’t quite reach early expectations, but it was a fun event enjoyed by all who
Youth inspired family fun day
attended. The soccer match and games were organised by the young men and women of MM, with minimal guidance from Imam Hysni Merja.
"The enthusiastic youth of the Moslem Mosque have organised, for the first time, an event entirely planned and executed by them for our community in Shepparton,” said Imam Hysni Merja.
“This event continues the vision of unity, harmony, and investment in the social lives of families and younger generations, through entertainment and warm companionship. Our mosque supports any event that promotes unity, friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation in good works that benefit the community.
“I am proud of the group of young people in our mosque and wish them continued success, along with all the positive energy they need to move forward."
PLAY BALL... Shepparton’s Moslem Mosque’s Youth Group held a soccer and game event last Saturday, organised and lead by the youth of the Mosque. There was plenty of talent on display at the Shepparton’s Moslem Mosque’s Youth Group’s soccer match. From left, Hamza controls the ball, with Mohamad, Taiba and Rayan in hot pursuit. Pictured left inset, Adam Abdelmaksoud, one of the young leaders of the Youth Group, tries to slip down the boundary line as his team surges towards goal. Photo: Aaron Cordy
IN AND OUT... While not everyone wanted to play soccer at the Moslem Mosque’s Youth Group BBQ, the young and young-at-heart ladies played ‘In and Out,’ which is a little like Simon Said with hoops on the ground. From left, Nawal Hood, Iman Kamal, Qunoot Shaikah, and Hehal Abdelmawgoud. Photo: Aaron Cordy
JUMP THE HOOP... After the hard work of helping organise the Youth Group event, Mai Abdelmawgoud and Cidra Chkhaydem got to relax and enjoy the games. Photo: Aaron Cordy
It’s always great to get those first batches
and then, once the short list is decided, to start the conversations which reveal the winners.
Furphy Literary Award Judge, John Harms
Telling Australian Furphys
THE call of the written words can sing in the hearts of the young and old alike. Whether it is crafting prose or poetry, everyone has a story to tell. To honour the idea that everyone has a story in them, Australia’s premier short story competition, the Furphy Literary Award (FLA) is now open.
The theme of this year's FLA is Australian life in all its diversity. The award has a great history in Greater Shepparton, now in its sixth year as a national competition, the FLA continues to build a reputation of quality. The award-winning Furphy Anthology includes the top 16 stories of the year and is published in hardback by Hardie Grant.
This year’s judges are Anson Cameron, Margaret Hickey, Stephanie Holt, John Kerr, Thornton McCamish and John Harms.
Life in 1903 under the pen name Tom Collins.
“We are now five years into this national open award and our annual anthology is hard proof that there are so many great stories out there. We know people love the short story form and it really has been a pleasure to see so many people enter.
“In our first five years, we’ve had over 3,000 stories submitted and we know that there are more coming. Good luck to those entering this year’s award and we can’t wait to read them,” said Adam Furphy, a great, great, grandnephew of Joseph Furphy and Co-Director of The Furphy Foundation.
Theme: Australian life in all its diversity
Maximum Length: 5,000 words
Entry Deadline: 30 April, 2025
First Prize: $15,000, a La Trobe University Residency and publication in The Furphy Anthology 2025
Second Prize: $3,000
Third Prize: $2,000
“Judging the Furphy Literary Award has become part of the rhythm of our year. It’s always great to get those first batches of stories and then, once the short list is decided, to start the conversations which reveal the winners. Last year, the short-listed stories were of such a consistently high standard those conversations took some time! We look forward to getting into the entries for the 2025 award,” said Mr Harms.
FLA is named in honour of Australian writer Joseph Furphy, who wrote the classic, Such is
The open competition closes on Wednesday, April 30. Following the judging a shortlist is announced in June, and a gala winners’ award ceremony is held in late July at the Shepparton Art Museum in Shepparton. The junior competition opens on Saturday, March 1. For more information and to enter visit www.furphyliteraryaward.com.au.
CASH FOR UNWANTED GOLD & JEWELLERY!
Turn your unwanted jewellery and gold and precious items into CASH
HOW DO I DO THIS?
Show your items to our expert buyers. After we have calculated the price based on its resale value, you can then decide to sell them to us or just walk away with a free assessment of your jewellery!
WHY SELL?
Is it worth keeping old jewellery that you will never wear again? The extra cash may help now or in the future rather than unwanted jewellery sitting in your drawer!
We buy all gold Jewellery, Antiques & Contemporary Jewellery Diamonds, Silver Jewellery, Gold Sovereign Coins and other coins, Precious Stones, Including Broken Jewellery and Watches and unusual Items.
Your Questions Answered “Your Jewellery maybe worth a lot more than what you think!” Wednesday 19th February 2025 - 11am to 3pm
ROUND UP
POLICE TARGETING SCHOOLS ZONES
School is back and school zones are now in force to keep children and families safe coming to and from school. On the first day of term last week, Shepparton Protactive Policing Unit did a high visible patrol, intercept and speed detection at several schools zones in the Shepparton Police Service Area including Tallygaroopna, Lemnos, and Grahamvale Primary Schools. Most schools in Victoria have a 40km/h speed limit during school hours, usually between 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm. Exceeding the speed limit by 10-24km/ h in a school zone will result in a fine of $385 and three demerit points; exceeding the speed limit by 25-29km/p will result in a fine of $529 and a potential license suspension. Anyone caught exceeding the limit by 3024km/h will have their license suspended and receive a fine of $625. With students back to school and police patrolling school zones, it is a great reminder for all road users to stay safe.
Thousands of smiling faces go back to School
BIG SMILES... Young Posie hopes to make lots of new friends at Orrvale Primary School. From left is Posie Heywood and Chiara Hewetson. Photo: Emma Harrop
READY TO GO... While there are often first-day tears, sometimes from parents, many kids are ready to go make new friends and begin their lessons. Pictured are Olivia and Stephanie Martin. Photo: Emma Harrop
Day of Mourning
HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Queen’s Gardens for two Day of Mourning events on Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26. The events provided an opportunity for First Nations peoples and allies to come together and stand in solidarity.
The ‘Day of Mourning’ held on Sunday, January 26, was to peacefully protest GSCC’s decisions to change the date of Australia Day and assert their sovereign rights to mourn the impacts of what they described as a colonial invasion.
There were speeches from Yorta Yorta leaders and Elders and community members including Paul Briggs OAM, Ngarra
events to show the impact of
the
Murray, Belinda Briggs, former councillor Greg James, and former deputy mayor Cr Sam Spinks that highlighted the struggles stemming from this date that have plagued First Nations peoples for generations.
There were performances by Wulumburra Dancers and Yorta Yorta artists Jason
Tamiru, BricKy B, Scott Darlow and his daughter Kiah and Briggs.
The ‘Honouring the Day of Mourning’ event held on Saturday evening 25 beside the William Cooper statue was led by the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group, for those wanting to stand as allies with
First Nations people. Aunty Rochelle Patten shared the words her Great Uncle Jack Patten spoke at the original Day of Mourning in 1938 at Parliament House Canberra and Phillip Cooper spoke about the incredible leadership and strength of Sir William Cooper.
A message from Jeremy Rensford, Chair of Greater Shepparton Ministers’ Association
THE start of February is a funny one, isn’t it? We can feel re-invigorated by the recent holiday period, and excited about the New Year; looking forward to opportunities and meaningful things in our lives for the year ahead. And yet, we can also often feel a sluggishness as we consider returning to “the grind” of everyday life – work, debt, family issues, etc.
For those that are dreading the “same old”, thinking there has to be more to life than this, can I encourage you with the words of the greatest public figure in history, Jesus Christ of Nazareth: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” I can assure you He wasn’t talking about personally replacing
our local Foodshare! Rather he was talking about how he can be the one that fills that void we feel like we have in our lives. This void can look something like this, no matter how much we try and find satisfaction through things like holidays, new stuff, work, relationships and hobbies, we can be left always wanting more, a deeper meaning to our lives.
May I encourage you to consider meaning in life can be found beyond just the physical, and that exploring the spiritual could be the right track for us to find the “more” we are looking for. Jesus is a great place to start in 2025!
Happy and Blessed New Year,
Jeremy Rensford
Chair Greater Shepparton Ministers' Association
DAY OF MOURNING... Local First Nations people and allies converged on the Queen’s Gardens on the Australia Day long weekend for two peaceful
colonisation still has on the Indigenous people of Australia. Day of Mourning, and Honour
Day of Mourning (pictured) were an opportunity to understand the past and seek change for the future. Photo: Supplied
Focus on the one you love this Valentine’s Day
VALENTINE’S Day is a time to show that special someone in your life just how much they mean to you. But finding the right gift to show how much you care is not always easy. Focus Cards and Gifts Shepparton has a range of unique gift ideas to suit all tastes.
Focus Cards and Gifts has more than just cards, they have a large assortment of candles, charms, jewellery, figurines, and affirmations and they are excited to announce they now stock Bramble Bay candles and diffusers.
Bramble Bay is a Queensland-
based company with Australianmade soy candles and diffusers that will brighten up your home and the heart of your loved one this Valentine’s Day.
Focus Cards and Gifts is located at 181 Maude Street, Shepparton, and is open Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 8.30am-4.00pm and Sunday 10.00am-2.00pm. They currently have loads of quaint, high-quality gifts for Valentine’s Day alongside their usual range, so be sure to hop in and take a look.
BRAMBLE BAY... Focus Card and Gifts’ Shelly Culhane is excited about the new range of Bramble Bay candles and diffusers in stock. The Australianmade soy candles and diffusers will brighten up your home and the heart of your loved one this Valentine’s Day. Photo: Emma Harrop
Shingleback sweethearts have a love that lasts a lifetime
THEY may be cold-blooded, but Kyabram Fauna Park’s loved up lizard duo are warming hearts with their lifelong love story.
Hope and Winton, two Shingleback Lizards, have been a committed couple for years now – never straying too far from each other’s side.
Kyabram Fauna Park keeper, Courtney Snelson said as Shingleback Lizards are one of the only monogamous reptile species, the lizards will be together for life.
“Visitors can see Hope
and Winton strolling around together, hanging underneath the logs, and digging under the ground in their recently renovated Skink Pit.
“Particularly during warmer days they’re very active being a very cute little couple.”
The Skink Pit has 10 lizards in total with a mix of Shingleback Lizards and Blotched Blue Tongue Lizards. When protecting Hope, sometimes Winton will challenge other males by pushing or nudging them.
“They have huge babies for
their size – it would be equivalent to a human giving birth to a seven-year-old.”
Shingleback’s tails store fat, allowing them to survive for months without food after a good season. They have armourlike scales to help protect them from predators and harsh conditions, making them one of Australia’s hardiest lizards. They can live up to 50 years.
Visitors can come and see the happy couple at the Kyabram Fauna Park Skink Pit from 10am to 5pm daily.
TRUE LOVE... Shingleback Lizards like Kyabram Fauna Park’s Hope and Winton, are one of the only monogamous species of lizards, meaning that they mate for life. They are often found in the Skink Pit digging around, strolling together or hanging out together under logs. Photo: Supplied
Donation dumping
continued from front page
THE donation dumping was made worse at 3am Monday when another individual jumped the locked fence and ransacked the four bags. He spent nearly two hours kicking and scattering clothing around before taking what appeared to be a few items and leaving a mess for the GV Hospice volunteers and a good Samaritan to clear up.
“The frustration is that we have signs posted because we want to use the donations. If they donate goods after hours and dump them there later, this will happen. People will go through it. People will damage it, and then we have to pay for it to go to landfill, which is not the idea at all, of an op shop,” said GV Hospice CEO, Wendy Ross.
“A neighbouring business cleared the path, and then two volunteers came in the 40-degree heat on Monday to clear it all and put it all into a bin. It took them well over an hour. It's not fair to volunteers, not fair to the neighbouring businesses, and it's not fair to the organisation.”
The concept of charity dumping and ransacking is unfortunately not a new one or unique to GV Hospice, which is in part why there are no longer the large donation bins at supermarket parking lots, but people need to understand
that if items are left after-hours and then scattered by someone else, the donation will end up in landfill.
The cost of the clean-up from Sunday night’s mess takes away from the vital work done by GV Hospice, who specialise in palliative care services to support people with life-limiting illness and their families.
GV Hospice Op Shop Bins in Corio Street are opening 9am – 3pm, with Corio Street gate (access at the rear of the Milk Bar) for dropping off large or fragile items between 9am – 1pm. Small shopping bags only can be dropped off in store from 10am – 4pm.
People will go through it. People will damage it, and then we have to pay for it to go to landfill, which is not the idea at all, of an op shop
CHARITY BINS... After-hours dumping of charity donations was ransacked at 3am Monday morning, on the Australia Day weekend, leaving a mess for GV Hospice volunteers to clean up. Photo: Supplied
GV Hospice CEO, Wendy Ross
OVER THE FENCE... A male and female threw four large bags over the fence of GV Hospice Op
Digital delights
TALENTED photographers out of Shepparton Camera Club have produced some fantastic images during 2024. Club secretary Leigh Teitz has shared members’ winning and highly commended print and digital images with The Adviser. This week we are featuring the best digital photos of the year.
Shepparton Camera Club is a group for photographers of all skill levels and interests. Members meet at 7.30pm on the third Tuesday each month (except December) at the U3A Hall. For more information visit their Facebook page or email sheppartoncameraclub@outlook.com
Showcasing the
digital prints of 2024
PLACE...
Morning East Beach by Lyn Collins. SECOND PLACE...
Red Squirrel having a Feast by Kerryn Buckley
Exciting new additions to Wyndham House Clinic’s medical team
IN a positive development for the community’s healthcare, Wyndham House Clinic (WHC) proudly welcomes four exceptional new doctors to its dedicated team. These highly skilled professionals bring diverse expertise and a shared commitment to providing outstanding patient care. Meet WHC’s new doctors:
• Dr Nawal Naveen Hood – Dr Hood specialises in chronic disease management, endocrinology, women’s health, paediatrics, preventative, and acute care. Fluent in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Arabic.
• Dr Chathuri Wijenayake – Dr Wijenayake focuses on women’s health, mental health, and general medicine, with a special interest in palliative care. Fluent in English and Sinhala.
• Dr Iman Elayseyed – A skilled GP with expertise in urgent
care, chronic disease management, women’s health, paediatrics, and mental health. Fluent in English and Arabic.
• Dr Mohomed Afif – Specialising in chronic disease management, paediatrics, dermatology, mental health, and wound care. Fluent in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Arabic. His arrival expands the team to 11 GPs, ensuring greater accessibility and quality care.
For over 70 years, WHC has been committed to quality care. WHC remains dedicated to accessible and efficient healthcare, welcoming new patients and ensuring appointments are available within 48 hours. The clinic also has four dedicated nurses, including one specialising in Aged Care, to enhance patient support. Bulk billing is available for all children under 16.
Wyndham House Clinic is located at 96 Maude Street, Shepparton and is open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm. You can call them on 5820 4300 or visit www.wyndhamhouseclinic.com.au
Women in the Woodies
GOULBURN Valley Woodworkers, ‘the Woodies,’ are calling for all the women who have helped contribute to the club in any way over the last 40 years to help the Woodies celebrate International Women’s Day.
“Goulburn Valley Woodworkers have always been an inclusive club. We’ve always welcomed women. Women have made, and continue to make, a strong contribution to our club”, said Woodies secretary Glenda Cotterill.
“However, in the early days, when we were known as Woodcrafters and Woodturners of the Goulburn Valley, many women contributed
to the Woodies in ‘unofficial’ ways.
“Some did woodwork, but early in our history most women supported the Woodies by catering for the annual Woodshow, putting together newsletters, accounting, writing minutes, and so on.”
This has led to an oversight in recording their fantastic and integral contributors on Honour Broads and written records which the Woodies plan to set right by gathering the history of women in the Woodies.
The Woodies are hoping to celebrate these women at a small gathering on International
Women’s Day.
“We are calling on any women who have been associated with the club, to make contact with us. We’d love to hear about your involvement with the Woodies – no matter how big or small you think your contribution was,” said Ms Cotterill.
Family members of women who were part of the Woodies are also encouraged to make contact. Goulburn Valley Woodworkers can be contacted by calling 0404 940 550, or email gvwoodworkers.secretary@gmail.com.
INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY... Goulburn Valley Woodworkers are calling for all the ladies who have helped contribute to the Woodies in their 40-year history. It doesn’t matter how big or small the contribution if the women worked with wood like Shelley Wyllie (pictured) or helped cater events and ran books, the Woodies want to celebrate them all for International Women’s Day. Photo: Supplied
QUALITY CARE... Wyndham House Clinic has welcomed four new doctors to its team. Pictured from left are Dr Chathuri Wijenayake, Dr Mohamed Afif, Dr Nawal Hood and Dr Iman El Sayad. Photo: Emma Harrop
Compassionate surgeon and family man Roland (Roly) Francis Hunt
December
14 1948 – January 14 2025
Written by Dougal Hunt
ROLAND (Roly) Francis Hunt of Waters Rd
Shepparton, passed away on January 14, 2025, after an extended battle with Prostate cancer.
Roly was a family man, an active community member and a warmhearted gentleman to all those he encountered.
He is survived by his four children Dougal, Sam, Lily and Sarah and grandchildren Poppy, Rosie, Hugo, and Charlotte.
Roly was born on December 14, 1948 to Betty and Clifford at the Ballarat Hospital and grew up alongside his older sister, Julie, in a loving family home on the main street of Stawell. In his later school years, Roly earned a scholarship to The University High School, Parkville, where he worked hard to follow in his father’s footsteps, later being accepted into Medicine at The University of Melbourne.
people and travel that he fondly recalled for years to come.
Upon returning to Australia, Roly continued his general surgery career at the Austin and Repat Hospitals, living in Ivanhoe, before an opportunity presented itself to take up a ‘tree change’ back in country Victoria. In 1986, Roly relocated to Shepparton with his young family in tow, to a place that later proved to both be the physical and spiritual centre of his existence for the rest of his life.
His well-honed craft, coupled with a kind and caring bedside manner meant that he always shared a connection with his patients.
Roly graduated in medicine, married (Susan), had two children (Dougal and Sarah), and went on to accept a Medical Registrar position in Durham, England, where he not only worked hard to hone his craft in general surgery, but immersed himself in an environment full of
After moving to Shepparton, Roly later added another two children to the Hunt family (Sam and Lily) and built a house in Waters Rd with a focus that matched Roly’s family-orientated nature to a tee. In the early Shepparton days, ‘Twilight Tennis’ and Thursday golf were his extra-curricular highlights of the week, both which seeded life-long friendships within the community. Coupled with the Boys’ Lunches and Beefsteak and Burgundy outings, Roly quickly built up a network of life-long friends in Shepparton in the early days. A period of success, community involvement and fun. Life in Shepparton was good.
Ever the philanthropist that was keen to follow in his father’s footsteps, in 2001 Roly joined the Australian Army and served as a Medical Officer in East Timor. His keen sense of adventure (not to mention the excitement that he got to shoot a gun during his training!) only trumped by the opportunity to offer his surgical skills to a community in need.
Roly’s later years saw him further extend his community involvement, joining both the Australian National Piano Awards and the Shepparton FoodShare committees. Roly’s commitment to the community he loved even lead to the offer of spare rooms in his home to a family who lost their house in the 2022 floods, until the family were able to get a roof back over their heads. He would stop at nothing to care for those who entered his world, no matter who they were.
Roly built further on his successful career as a General Surgeon, not only operating at both the Base and Private Hospitals in Shepparton but offering his services during regular visits to Numurkah. His well-honed craft, coupled with a kind and caring bedside manner meant that he always shared a connection with his patients. There was never a trip to the local IGA without somebody flagging Roly down, telling them what a wonderful job he had done on their hernia, or how their skin flap had turned out better than they ever imagined. Showing all their scars like a badge of honour, he left more than a mark on those he helped. Taking a leaf out of his own father’s book, Roly always provided a ‘no excess’ service to those who he deemed needing an extra hand, but he always got paid back in spades with the respect and love that came his way. He always sought to help those around him rather than help himself, and giving back to the Shepparton community filled him with a pride that was not only felt but seen.
around giving back to the Shepparton community filled him with a pride that was not only felt but seen. Roly retired December 15, 2019, ready to
Roly took pride in outliving the generations before him. However, in March 2024, with scans revealing the spread of his prostate cancer, the reality of his predicament came to the fore and his ‘family record’ had little left to run. For more than 35 years he had delivered care to the broader Shepparton community. He was now deservedly on the receiving end, but despite the combination of this care and a rigorous chemotherapy regimen, it was not enough.
Roly managed to make it through to his 76th birthday, that he touted as the “best birthday [he] ever had.” Contrary to his prognosis, he also made it through to a Christmas and New Years’ Eve celebration with his loved ones. Most fittingly, the home that Roly had built to house his family; the home that had been mostly empty throughout those Covid years, had every bed filled by those he loved so dearly. Each and every one of those loved him just as much.
In a fitting way and in celebration of Roly’s life, a memorial service for 100s of family and friends was held at the Shepparton Golf Club on Friday, January 24, 2025. A series of wonderful speeches were made by Roly’s sister Julie
a stop to all such plans and Roly found himself stuck in the family home he had built, all by himself. However, testament to the people of Shepparton, Roly started getting more visits
spend more time in his childhood beach town of Point Lonsdale, as well as visits to his family in Melbourne and the United States. Covid put a stop to all such plans and Roly found himself stuck in the family home he had built, all by himself. However, testament to the people of Shepparton, Roly started getting more visits from his local network than he ever had in previous years, and the isolating nature of the global epidemic ironically galvanised his local friendships even further.
his local friendships even further. Gregory, Sarah Sweeney (daughter), Charlotte Sweeney (granddaughter), and great friends of Roly, Jim O’Connor MC, Graham Hill, Robbie Crow and lifelong friend from university, Geoff McKenzie.
Kialla Childrens Centre is Now Hiring: Child Care Centre Cook
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Rodney Steer
The Kaiela Institute (KI) is a First Nations think-tank on Yorta Yorta country in the Goulburn Murray. We work with and across multiple layers of stakeholders including First Nations organisations, Government and regional industry.
non-practicing psychologist, will be closing his private practice on 20th February 2025. Records will be retained. Copies can be requested by emailing rsteer77@outlook.com by 20th February 2025
The Chief of Staff will work directly with the Executive Chair and Kaiela Institute team, with the core responsibility of overseeing the effective delivery of the Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity and Productivity Plan (GMRPPP or ‘the Plan’). This will involve collaborating across all levels of government, corporate and non-government partners to advocate the narrative of the Plan and to help to ensure that the implementation of GMRPPP initiatives and activities is a whole-of region responsibility.
The Adviser’s Editorial and Complaints policies are available on our website at: http://www.sheppadviser.com.au/ editorial-policy/ If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about this, please email: editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au Or call our friendly team on (03) 5832 8900 or come and see us at 38-40 Welsford Street, Shepparton.
The role will involve strategic analysis, project management, coordination of key governance structures, a wide range of community and stakeholder engagement, communications management, workflow prioritisation, grant/funding proposals, reports and acquittals, dynamic problem-solving and carefully considered strategic advice.
To apply
For further details on this position, please see: https://www.kaielainstitute. org.au/work-with-us.html or contact Felicia on mobile: 0437 762 488.
Please submit your CV and a two-page statement against the selection criteria providing relevant examples against key duties of the role to email: administration@kaielainstitute.org.au
Application Closing Date: 5pm Tuesday, 04 February 2025.
RE-OPENING: Monday, 6th Januar y 2025 FIRST ED ITI ON 8/ 1/ 25
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WEIGHTED blanket (7kg) with plush washable cover, DB size $25 ono Ph: 0458 252 923
WROUGHT iron mirror, as new $15 Ph: 03 5823 1207
As of July 2019, it is now a requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, that an advertisement must include the unique source number (required from the Pet Exchange Register) of the seller and the individual microchip number of each cat or dog being sold or given away These requirements apply to puppies and kittens as well as adult dogs and cats. For further information phone 5832 8900.
PET ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE: As of July 2019, it is now a requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, that an advertisement must include the unique source number (required from the Pet Exchange Register) of the seller and the individual microchip number of each cat or dog being sold or given away. These requirements apply to puppies and kittens as well as adult dogs and cats. For further information phone 5832 8900.
ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE: Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns. Our Position Vacant/Situations
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ATYOURSERVICE
“WHAT IF HE SAYS NO?”: KING POSES FREE AGENT BONTEMPELLI HYPOTHETICAL
NIC NEGREPONTIS
WESTERN Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is a free agent this year and yet to re-sign with the club.
David King has posed a simple question – “What if he says no?”
What if arguably the greatest Bulldog of all-time, captain of the club and sixtime best and fairest winner decides that his best chance to win a premiership is elsewhere?
King, while not saying in any way that this could happen, posed the scenario on Fireball Friday.
“This is a deeper question again… Marcus Bontempelli is a free agent at the end of this season. He’s won six best and fairests, he’s a six-time AllAustralian, he’s seen what’s happening with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, he’s seen what happened with Bailey Smith last year,” King told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s seen long-time teammates like Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel be moved on last year.
“There’s nothing more that this guy is chasing than premierships. He’s already won the one. He’s done it all in the game. It wouldn’t be a financial discussion. He will be well paid wherever he is.
“What if he says no? What if he says ‘I’m off’?
“It would be the biggest decision we’ve seen made by one player for probably thirty years. Patrick Dangerfield was big, but he was essentially coming home.
“We saw Lance Franklin coming and Gary Ablett was different circumstances,” King added later on.
“If Bont doesn’t see this group winning another premiership, maybe he says ‘you know what, it’s been great, we’ve been terrific for each other’ –and I know he loves the club, but the decision is still there to be made. He hasn’t signed.
“If it’s halfway through the season
and there’s all these other things bubbling and it looks like another year is gone – what if he says no? What if he does?
“He would only be playing for premierships now, wouldn’t he? That’s the only motivation.”
Kane Cornes personally hopes Bontempelli remains a one-club player.
“I hope he doesn’t (leave),” Cornes said.
“It would be chaos and carnage for the Dogs. It hasn’t felt like a happy group to me. There’s always a Jamarra or a Josh Dunkley or a Bailey Smith.
“It just feels like year after year they can’t get a clean run at it. I don’t know what the reason it is. Everyone says the players love Luke Beveridge.
“I just hope he stays. He’s the greatest Bulldog of all time and I want to see the greatest Bulldog of all time finish his
career being chaired off as a Bulldog.
“But maybe that’s not the way young players think now. They all follow American sports. There’s very few Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry types that stay with their team.”
“Who would be chasing him?
Everything throw up Collingwood, let’s just say it’s Carlton. Wherever he goes, they would be premiership favourites,” King said.
“Imagine having Bont and Cripps or Bont and Daicos. Wherever he goes, they would become premiership favourites.
“This is going to be tracked heavily. It’s the biggest signature in footy right now. Does he sign mid-year, does he hold out, we will monitor this.
“He might say – ‘I love the way Hawthorn is going about it. I might go there.”
Marcus Bontempelli was the 2024 AFL All Australian Captain. Photo: MORGAN HANCOCK/AAP IMAGE
