Check up on the Wednesday news blog for Shepparton’s latest headlines.
Hello and welcome,
Georgia Rossiter here today for the Wednesday blog. Check back here for the latest headlines throughout the day.
We’re expecting a shower or two today here in Shepparton, and a top of 19 degrees.
UPDATE, 4.25pm: The Run Down debut
Hey, do you play/watch sport in the Goulburn Valley?
Well have I got a mid-week treat for you ‒ The Run Down podcast has debuted.
In the weekly podcast, hosts and sports journos Aydin Payne, Zac Standish, Daniel Webb and James Kleeman take you through the highlights from fields, pitches, and courts.
It’s available on our website, or on Acast.
UPDATE, 3.40pm: Pet page preview
Inside tomorrow’s paper is our weekly Pet Page, and journo Nicola Ceccato has another cute one for us.
He started life on his own but thanks to Marjorie, Chewie now has a home after she adopted him from the animal shelter last August.
Chewie got his name at the Shepparton Animal Shelter and once adopted, the name stuck.
“I was going to name him Louis, but I thought it was a bit sophisticated ... the kids loved the name Chewie, so we stuck with it,” Marjorie said.
The shelter currently has an influx of cats, and have reduced the adoption fee for kitties aged 12 months or older to $50.
If you’re interested, you can call the shelter on 03 5832 5700 or visit council’s website for more information.
UPDATE, 2.30pm: A mother’s exclusion inspires a daughter’s fight for the rights of others to vote
Reporter Murray Silby published this moving piece about disability and cultural consultant for the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations Jody Barney.
Her late mother had an acquired brain injury, which meant she was not allowed to vote in elections.
“I was about 18 at the time and I said, ‘Mum, you’ve got to vote,’ and she said, ‘I’m not allowed to vote,’ and I was absolutely gobsmacked,” Ms Barney said.
She is supporting a campaign by a group of 65 organisations and experts, which has written an open letter to the federal leaders of Labor and the Coalition calling for law reform to reduce the number of people with disabilities who are being prevented from voting.
UPDATE, 12.30pm: What’s on in court?
Court reporter Monique Preston has brought us a few stories from the courts recently. Here’s a round-up of the latest:
Man allegedly tried to strangle partner with rope: Shepparton police Senior Constable Jessica Stievano told the court the man had wrapped a rope around his partner’s neck, on April 10 at their home in Shepparton.
P-plater fined $500: His matter was heard in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in his absence.
Man threatened to kill teen and his family, court hears: A man who threatened to kill a teenager and his family after a perceived offence by the teen against someone he knew has been sentenced to a community corrections order.
UPDATE, 10.30am: Drug drivers detected over long weekend
We’re still waiting for the full results for Victoria Police’s long weekend operations, but we know there were a few alleged drug drivers on the roads last weekend.
Victoria Police Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Wayne Barras said at least eight drivers pulled over by the unit allegedly tested positive for drugs.
Shepparton Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Murray Moser said they also stopped two drivers who allegedly tested positive for drugs.
UPDATE, 9am: Political round-up
Journo Max Stainkamph went along to the community forum last night at Eastbank, and said the candidates for Nicholls had quite a civilised debate (well, he said they didn’t bite each other’ heads off).
About 200 people went along and asked more than 100 questions of the candidates that covered topics like water policy, anti-corruption, and cost of living.
He put together a ‘highlight reel’ of sorts, and we’ll have some more coverage of the event later today.
Elsewhere, Goulburn Valley Health is hopeful a new clinical health school in Shepparton will help the critical worker shortages in years to come.
At a press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Senator Bridget McKenzie, GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp said they still need another 360 nurses and midwives and 45 allied health staff by 2025.
“The clinical school in that context is a real game-changer for us,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce also used the press conference to rail against the shift to independents.
Oh, and also, Independent candidate Rob Priestly released 150 carrier pigeons in Wunghnu yesterday to deliver a message about the underinvestment in telecommunications blackspots in Nicholls.
And now you’re caught up!