As truck drivers, Shepparton-based father and son Gary and Andrew Sutton shared tragically similar accidents two decades apart; now, they’re sharing their stories through WorkSafe as part of a new video campaign to urge workers to stay safe when on the road.
Gary was involved in a road accident that left him a quadriplegic when Andrew was eight years old.
Twenty years later Andrew, who had always wanted to follow his dad into the trucking industry, was involved in a crash that left him with serious physical and mental injuries, including becoming a quadriplegic.
WorkSafe says 17 workers lost their lives on Victorian roads last year, most of them workers who spent a majority of their time on the road, such as truck and delivery drivers, but several also died while driving between workplaces or appointments.
The Suttons’ powerful personal accounts can be watched at www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp0hghLoeF0
Café ‘sell-out’
It was a dream start for the new operators of the Gargarro Botanic Gardens Café at Girgarre recently — and just wait until the out-of-towners cotton on.
Operators Joel Raglus and Leon McAsey expected a big response to their opening weekend of business, but nothing could have prepared them for the “sell-out’’ they would experience, running out of coffee, milk and food after just three days.
By the end of business on Friday, March 10 the café had produced something like 200 meals, even before opening for breakfast on Saturday and the Girgarre markets on Sunday.
They were forced to place a Facebook announcement on Sunday to announce they would be closed on Monday.
The business is operating with two chefs and five catering staff, and is open six days a week (closed Monday), from 7.30am. From Tuesday until Thursday they will be open until 5pm, while Friday to Sunday the café will be open later — hungry customers allowing.
The botanic gardens, where the café is located, will be officially launched in April.
Mr Raglus said the business was using local suppliers, including Cadell, GV Dairy Distributors and Fitzgerald’s Meats.
“We are also excited that both our chefs have been sourced locally. Joe Perry is from Kyabram and Sandra Basic is from Girgarre,” Mr Raglus said.
Unusual construction
In perhaps one of the more unusual construction projects being offered in the region, the Shepparton Public Cemetery Trust is calling for expressions of interest to construct stage four of the “Public Mausoleum_D”.
The project involves construction of 72 prefabricated crypts, but still hinges on ministerial approval.
The trust says part of that process is obtaining quotes from interested parties.
Suitably qualified contractors will have to hurry though, as expressions of interest close on Friday, March 17 at noon.