The Adviser 1284

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The Region’s Own online business directory

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.com.au No 1:1284

PARTNERS IN TRAINING SHEPPARTON pages 12+13 PROGRAM GUIDE

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 2016

TIME TO GET READY FOR SCHOOL page 17 Back to School Feature

ASIA REVISITED Travel Adviser with Geoff Vallance

Obituary | page 4 COMMUNITY CONNECT | page 6 Letters to the Editor | page 8 Henry Fox’s secret to success | page 16 Snapshots of Shepparton’s Past | page 22

ADVERTISING HOTLINE: 5832 8900

page 18

PARKRUN CELEBRATES TWO YEARS page 23 Sport Adviser

Holiday season road warning

By David Lee THE holiday period is notoriously busy on the roads and a busy road accompanied with fatigue or distracted driving can lead to road death. In 2015, 257 lives were lost on Victorian roads, 12 of those in the Greater Shepparton area, with 23 over the holiday period in Victoria from December 1, 2015 to January 4, 2016, two of those locally.

Continued on page 16

LAKE’S SHORES TURNED CRICKET PITCH… From left, Cricket Victoria Development Officer and Melbourne Renegades All Abilities Assistant Coach, Alana Baldi, Greater Shepparton City Council (GSCC) Activities In The Park Officer, Kim Mansell, Cricket Shepparton President, David D’Elia, Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club President, Tony Giblin and GSCC Healthy Communities Officer, Carmen Nicholson. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

Hundreds expected to watch

Big Bash on the big screen

By David Lee THE epic clash between the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder is one not to be missed, but there is one way of making watching the match and taking it to the next level, by heading down and joining the hundreds expected at Victoria Park Lake

this Monday, to watch the Big Bash on the big screen.

The northern foreshore of Victoria Park Lake will come alive with activities from 6:30pm, before the big screening of the Big Bash at 7:30pm.

Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket

Club President, Tony Giblin said, “This event has been 12 months in the making and is the brain child of my son, Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club Committee Member and Player, Christopher.

Continued on page 14

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NEWS

CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR… The Rotary Club of Mooroopna’s New Year’s Eve festival was another great success, with more than 800 attending the pre New Years celebrations. Photo: Supplied.

New Year’s success rings out in Mooroopna A CROWD of more than 8,000 strong helped celebrate the coming of the New Year, flooding the John Gray Oval, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve for the 37th annual Rotary Club of Mooroopna’s New Year’s Eve festival.

Rotary Club of Mooroopna Member, Ken Faulkner said, “The Rotary Club of Mooroopna is very happy with the fantastic turn out for the 37th New Year’s Eve festival. The crowd was a little bigger than normal but were all very well behaved. It was a great family night being enjoyed by all.

“The stage entertainment had both children and adults getting involved.

“This year’s parade was a great success with the number of vintage and street cars up on previous parades. Parade Organiser, Santo Varapodio thanks the GV Vintage Car Club, The Street Car Club, The

Custom Car Club, all the local truck owners who participated, the fire brigade, the Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad, local bus company owners and the local panel shop for their participation in the parade.

Also, thanks goes to the kids who came with their decorated bikes and the local police for their help and support getting everyone down the main street safe.

“The night finished off with a spectacular fireworks display, which had the crowd cheering and clapping throughout the performance.

“The Rotary Club of Mooroopna thanks all those who where involved in helping make the night another fantastic event. The president of the club, Greg Martin said we believe this to be one of the premier events each year in the Greater Shepparton area. Most of all the Rotary Club would like to thank all who attended for making this year’s festival a fun and safe family event that was enjoyed by all.”

Public transport fee rise to hit local residents

By David Lee WITH the beginning of the new year now upon us, local residents can expect to pay more for public transport, with fees for Zone One in Shepparton and fares for V/Line services between Melbourne and Shepparton having seen an increase as of January 1.

Zone One bus fares will increase slightly in Shepparton, with the cost of a two hour fare having seen an increase of 20 cents (10 cents for concession).

Fares for V/ Line ser vices bet ween Melbourne and Shepparton will increase by around 4 percent, with the cost of an

off-peak single fare from Shepparton to Melbourne costing $23.60 ($11.80 for concession).

A Public Transport Victoria spokesperson said, “These increases keep fares adjusted for changes in the CPI (Consumer Price Index) and contribute to ongoing investment in a number of major public transport projects.

In Shepparton, as a result of a Public Transport Victoria initiative to improve regional fares, Zone Two town bus fares have been reduced by around 15 percent, with the cost of a two hour ticket now being $3.20 or $1.60 for concession.”

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1284 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Page 3

OBITUARY

Newspaper industry loss Chris McPherson 23.9.1954 – 22.12.2015

By Geoff Adams REGIONAL Australia has lost one of its most progressive newspaper operators with the death of Chris McPherson.

From a family steeped in newspaper history dating back to 1888, Shepparton’s Chris McPherson led the way in many ways in the industry.

H is great grandfather, Stanley Roy McPherson, began the family newspaper dynasty and he and his son Donald Roy continued it, as did Don’s sons Chris, Ross and Paul.

The three generation newspaper family (McPherson Media Group) continues as one of the last remaining independently owned daily newspaper operators in the nation, also publishing a number of weekly newspapers and a tri-weekly in northern Victoria and southern NSW. Chris, was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA), Victoria’s and Australia’s most progressive and independent newspaper association representing about 80 newspapers throughout the state. He was also awarded Life Membership of Country P re s s A s s o c i at ion (C PA). B ot h L i fe Memberships followed many years of service to the industry and as president of both organisations.

HE WILL BE MISSED… The newspaper industry has lost one of its own with the passing of Chris McPherson, aged 61. Chris helped launch the Victoria Country Press Association Annual Newspaper Dinner in recent years. He is pictured in the front row, fifth from the left among others in the industry at the 2015 dinner.

Photo: Supplied.

Chris was known in the newspaper industry to be a fierce and fair competitor.

He mentored many in the newspaper industry too numerous to mention and was an enthusiastic member of many industry groups, organisations and committees, not least the Shepparton Apex Club.

Fol low i ng C h r i s’s pro s t at e c a nc er diagnosis eight years ago, he did what he was known to do best and took the fight head-on.

One of his most endearing legacies would be the founding of the Biggest Ever Bloke’s Lunch movement, which now is operational in many parts of the state, raising over $2M to date.

S heppa r ton a lone h a s ra i s e d over

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$700,000 since its inception.

On a lighter note, Chris loved the outdoors, often heading to the Wonnangatta Station area in the High Country of Victoria and many other outback 4WD trips with family and friends. On one particular occasion he and his mates planted logs in the river for the oncoming SKEETA Grimshaw postie bike riders. Caught up in the logs with a helmet full of water was this writer. Chris and his mates only realised who was on one of those bikes when I took my helmet off to empty it, or so it was said! There was huge laughter from the banks of the river.

Christopher Roy McPherson died after a long illness with prostate cancer at the

Freemason’s Hospital in East Melbourne on Tuesday, December 22.

He was the youngest son of Elizabeth Mary (Bet) and Donald Roy McPherson (dec), husband of Gaye, father of James and Elizabeth, father-in-law of Megan and Alex, grandfather of Oliver and brother of Paul, Ross and Julia (McKay).

The Memorial Service will be held at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Maude Street, Shepparton at 11am on Thursday, January 14.

Geoff Adams was a fellow Executive Council member of the Victorian Country Press Association with Chris McPherson and is publisher of The Adviser.

NEWS

Building hope ALTHOUGH living with leukaemia is frightening for Tongala resident, Tracey Stokes, she is embracing the change with open arms and appreciates the help and support received by the Leukaemia Foundation. But Tracey is mostly looking forward to the foundation’s new Building of Hope facility that will offer those living with leukaemia even further hope and support.

After being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), through tears of sadness, anger and confusion, Tracey could not help but ask ‘why me?’

After wiping her tears away, Tracey came to the realisation that life was not over. She began to see and appreciate the important things in her life, and was determined to work around her ‘impairments’ and strive to increase her ability to participate in life.

Tracey particularly credits the Leukaemia Foundation for their fantastic support and the way in which they helped to alleviate a great deal of stress from her treatment process through the offer of free accommodation close to Tracey’s hospital for her prolonged treatment. She says this Foundationprovided apartment had become her home-base and being across the road from her hospital, it eliminated the need to travel five hours back and forth between home and hospital.

Tracey said, “Knowing I had a ‘home’ base opposite the hospital made my mind focus on getting well.”

Tracey is excited about the Leukaemia Foundation’s new

LIVING WITH LEUKAEMIA… Leukaemia recovery patient, Tracey Stokes and Leukaemia Foundation Community Relationship Coordinator, Kristin Paton.

Photo: Emma Hillier.

Building of Hope facility, which will open mid this year and consist of 15 new family apartments located adjacent to the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. The Building of Hope is specially designed to cater to the needs of blood cancer patients like Tracey who are forced to drop everything and relocate from regional and rural areas across Victoria to receive life-saving treatment at Melbourne’s major treating centres.

“When you are sick and having to go to hospital every

day for treatment, you need to focus on your well-being not where to stay, what it will cost or how to get from A to B. Unfortunately, there seems to be more demand, not less. The Building of Hope will be a great addition to the Foundation and families in need,” Tracey said.

The Leukaemia Foundation urgently needs to raise funds for the Building of Hope project. To donate, call 1800 HOME4U or visit www.buildingofhope.org.au

Mawson’s awarded roundabout contract T H E c o nt r a c t fo r wo rk s i n c lu d i n g underground pipe works from Benalla Road south to Greater Shepparton City Council’s retardation basin on Doyles Road has been awarded to Mawson’s Construction.

The next stage of the roundabout upgrade

began this week, with plans to have drainage works completed by the end of March this year.

The works will also include expanding the existing retardation basin to provide a future wetland system to treat the stormwater from

the catchment.

It is expected there will be some traffic delays and detours during this period, primarily due to the VicRoads roundabout duplication works.

Greater Shepparton City Council Director

Infrastructure, Steve Bowmaker said, “The works are for the future development of the Doyles Road and Benalla Road roundabout and to provide a high capacity drainage spine for the Shepparton East catchment.”

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1284 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Page 5

EVENTS

COMMUNITY CONNECT UPCOMING EVENING AUSSIE CROQUET will commence at Shepparton Croquet Club, Winston Street, Shepparton on Monday, January 11, through to the long weekend in March. 6:45pm for 7pm start. $5 per person each week. Please wear flat soled shoes. All equipment provided. For further information, phone John on 5821 9081.

THE BIBLE JESUS: If you are seeking understanding, clarification and answers to the many bible based questions and contradictions you see in today’s traditional Christian church teaching and preaching. Join us by visiting www. thebiblejesus.org or phone 0409 953 107.

ONGOING CAMPASPE REGIONAL LIBRARY are seeking

interest for a proposed Computer Group to meet at Echuca Library on the 1st Saturday of each month from 10:30am. For more information, call David 0408 101 846, leave your name with library staff, or come along on the day.

SHEPPARTON BRIDGE CLUB meets from 7pm Monday at U3A Hall Esson Street. Members are required to join Goulburn Valley U3A. For more information, phone Derek Poulton 5825 4112 or John Moore 0438 455 741 or refer to the website www.wix.com/sheppartonbridgeclub/2013 SHEPPARTON TOASTMASTERS Want to learn how to communicate more effectively and improve your public speaking and leadership skills?

Shepparton Toastmasters meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month, 7pm to 9pm, The

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For more information on how to register for your Community Connect listing contact The Adviser via email at classifieds@sheppartonadviser.com.au Please note listings are to be 45 words or less.

Mechanics Institute Hall, 277 Wyndham Street, Shepparton. Phone 0421 322 276.

FREE SOUP KITCHEN Available Mon to Fri 5-6pm at Victoria Park Lake, Shepparton, next to Skate Park, and Wednesdays 5-6pm at North Community House, Parkside Dve, Shepparton; Opportunity Shop, 4 Mill St, Mooroopna; Numurkah Park, Melville St, Numurkah; Hogan St, Tatura; and in Nathalia and Kyabram.

WHY? WHY? WHY? Why is it that so many born again Christians are not living the abundant life that Jesus promised to those who believe in HIM? Where are the miracles of healing, deliverance and prosperity today? Why is the body of Christ in many churches a toothless, paper tiger?

Answers to these questions are given by a local bible teacher of 35 years. For free teachings from Scripture, phone 5825 5301 or 0418 560 575.

IS SOMEONE’S DRINKING CAUSING YOU CONCERN? Are you troubled by someone else’s drinking? Al-Anon Groups for adults and Alateen groups for children offer anonymous help and emotional support to those affected. For information, contact Al-Anon Family Groups 5825 1160.

ESHCOL DAYLIGHT LODGE meets from 10:30am on the fourth Monday of every month.

New and unaffiliated members are welcome to join and partners are welcome for lunch. For further

information or enquiries, phone 5824 1274 or 5825 2142.

SHEPPARTON SOROPTIMIST CLUB meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Pines, Numurkah Road in Shepparton from 6pm for a 6:30pm dinner meeting with guest speakers. If you are interested in joining a service club, helping the community and making new friends, contact Jeanette 5823 1985.

THE LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION Hume office provides information, assistance and support for people living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, MDS and MPN. Contact Lani Shiels, Support Services Coordinator on 5821 0033. For volunteering or fundraising opportunities with the foundation, please ask for Kristin Paton on 0481 009 754.

CONNECT MEDITATION GROUP are inviting the community to enjoy the benefits of meditation.

One hour sessions are held every Thursday night from 7:30pm at Harmony Place, 9a Edward Street in Shepparton and admission is $8. For further information, contact Lisa 0419 562 790 or Roger 0427 541 611.

Tell us about your ‘not for profit’ community events, email classifieds@sheppartonadviser.com. au or fax 5832 8920 (information is required at least 2 weeks before an event)

Locals warned to boycott Italian tomatoes BEING overworked, under paid and forced to pay ‘gangmasters’ a cut of their wage are the conditions facing migrant workers employed by the Italian tomato industry, who were recently investigated for illegal dumping of their product in Australia.

SPC Managing Director, Reg Weine said the Ethical Trading Initiative Report showed the workers were paid as little as EUR $3 per hour for a 10 to 12 hour day to work on products.

“Not only do Italian companies illegally dump their tomatoes in Australia, damaging our industry, but Italian tomato companies also exploit their workers.

“This is an absolute disgrace. I encourage Australian shoppers to boycott Italian tomatoes in favour of Ardmona, SPC and Australian-grown and made retail brand tomatoes, where ethical labour standards are supported and adhered to.

“We pay our Aussie tomato growers a fair price, we are paying our workers award wages and we are investing heavily in innovation and new plant and equipment to make us more efficient and lower our costs.

We have invested $30M in 2015 alone in a new tomato line at our Shepparton factory, which will be commissioned on Australia Day 2016.

M r Weine said SPC was aware of comments made in the Italian media about the anti-dumping case, quoting Italian government officials attempting to scare their Australian counterparts into believing that a fair decision on dumping will have wider ramifications for trade and cause difficulties in FTA negotiations between Australia and Europe.

“This is a clear attempt at scaremongering. The facts of the case are indisputable and in total 105 Italian exporters have been found to have illegally dumped product on the Australian market.

Our objective has always been to secure a level playing field for our Aussie grown tomato products. We are confident the Australian Government won’t buckle to these kinds of threats.”

The final recommendation on the case from the Anti-Dumping Commission to the Minister for Industry is due on January 17.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1284 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Page 7

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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.

PAROLE LAW CHANGES Dear Editor, The Liberals in government will make it law so that any convicted murderer is prevented from being released on parole if they have not provided police with the details on where the body of their victim is located.

A convicted murderer cannot claim to be remorseful or rehabilitated if they are not prepared to give closure to the family and friends of their victim.

Families have a right to bury their loved one and to say goodbye.

Under Daniel Andrews, crime is up and police numbers are being cut.

The Liberals in government will put the rights of victims and their families at the centre of decision making for the criminal justice system.

Yours sincerely, Wendy Lovell MP Member for Northern Victoria Region

MDB PLAN Dear Editor, As a regional food producer I welcome the latest support being received from Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley. I n a pre- Christmas message she highlighted the need for proper social and economic assessment of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which we have said for a long time has been inadequate.

Ms Ley has also demanded audits of environmental water, including results so far and how it is going to be delivered.

It will be interesting to see the response she receives from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, which has consistently underestimated the plan’s social and economic impacts.

Those of us who live and work across southern NSW know they have been severe.

But it’s not only our region that is suffering. Our nation, at a time when it is reeling in debt, is missing billions of dollars in economic activity, simply because we have not been able to find the right balance between food production and environment flows for our limited water resources.

In 2016 food producers look forward to working with Ms Ley and other decision makers to tip the scales back towards common sense.

We c a n h ave wat er for e s s ent i a l environmental flows, as well as food production, provided we have the will to achieve it.

Yours sincerely, Karen Macdonald Blighty

HISTORY REPEATED Dear Editor, A f ter many shootings in A merica, O b a m a vo w s t o ‘ g o - i t - a l o n e ’ a n d i mplem ent s t r ic t er g u n l aw s , si nc e Congress has failed to act on the issue.

In a nation of over 330 million people, Obama claims he has received more than two million letters begging him to do something about mass shootings.

S i n c e O b a m a’s a n n o u n c e m e n t , gun sales have sky rocketed. For some mysterious reason Americans seem to be weeded to their firearms and any hint that restrictions might be imposed isn’t popular with many.

Historians might want to ponder, that it was the British troops going to Lexington and Concord on that fateful day in the 1770s to confiscate the guns of the local militia that caused the shot to be fired, heard around the world, and sparked the American revolution. Before days end over 160 British troops lay dead as they hi-tailed it back to Boston to lick their wounds and plan more adventures against the rebels.

Some Americans are waiting for a second A merican revolution. Could Obama’s initiative be the spark that lights another domestic conflagration?

Yours sincerely, Jay Nauss Glen Aplin Want to have your say?

Email your letters to the Editor to editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au.

Max 100 words

Safer Streets Program grants open APPLICATIONS for round two of the Federal Government’s Safer Streets Program are now open, with the Federal Government planning to invest up to $29.4M in individual grants to implement community safety and crime prevention initiatives across Australia.

Applications for the grants will be accepted by local government organisations and eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisations, community groups and chambers of commerce.

Federal Member for Murray, Dr Sharman Stone said, “I nvest ment i n secu rit y infrastructure at local crime hotspots is a positive step towards reducing crime and contributing to greater community safety throughout the Murray electorate.

“Rou nd t wo of t he prog ra m w i l l focus on projects to install securityrelated infrastructure, the removal of

environmental factors which facilitate street crime or anti-social behaviour in local areas and projects undertaken by State Police, Citizen Youth Clubs and Bluelight organisations which provide crime prevention or activity-based engagement programs for young people who are at risk of criminal or anti-social activity.

“Everyone in the Murray electorate has the right to feel safe and secure in their homes and out in the public. The Safer Streets Program is one way where we as a community can work together to achieve that goal.”

Applications close 2pm on February 17. For f u r t her i n formation on t he Safer Streets Program, visit www.ag.gov. au. To apply, v isit w w w.ag.gov.au / CrimeAndCorruption/CrimePrevention/ Pages/ProceedsofCrimeAct.asx

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1284 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Page 9

NEWS

Keep your green lid bin fresh during Summer IT’S starting to warm up and the contents placed in the green lid bin or kitchen caddy are expected to emit more odours than normal due to the hotter weather.

Greater Shepparton City Council, Cr Jenny Houlihan said, “There are a few quick and easy ways to deal with the odours in the warmer weather.

“You can move your bins to a shady and well ventilated area, layer your food waste with lawn clippings or dry leaves, be sure not to overfill your bin as the green lid must be able to close.

“You can also place a paper towel in the bottom of your purple compostable bag to absorb any liquid residue. Freeze meat, seafood

and fruit scraps if you are worried about fruit fly until the night before your bin collection.

“Tie up your purple compostable bag every two to three days (even if it is not full) and place it in the green lid bin.

“Another clear fire way to reduce odour is to wash out your kitchen caddy regularly either by placing it in the dishwasher (the caddies are dishwasher safe) or using baking soda, vinegar or mild detergent and warm water will help improve odour.

“Residents are doing a great job with their green lid bins. We need to continue this effort and ensure we don’t contaminate the compost.”

FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO TRAINING… Partners In Training Certificate III in Business Graduate, Lana Campell. Photo: Emma Hillier.

Maintain and update your skill set KEEPING abreast of changes in practice or new technologies in the workplace can be challenging, yet this is vital to having a professional, successful and rewarding career.

It can be very difficult, both financially and time-wise, to stop working and go back to study. So what’s the solution?

Enter Partners in Training Australia, which offers a flexible and convenient approach to training.

“On the job training gives you the oppor tunit y not to have to sacrifice anything,” Partners in Training Australia Director, Dot Spain said.

“Workplace training allows you to reskill or up-skill on the job. So instead of sitting in a classroom, you can study your units at the kitchen table, as the kids complete their homework.

“One of our trainers will come in and

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assess you at work and you can put what you’re learning into practice on the spot.

“It’s the perfect option for someone working in community services, aged care, business or early childhood education and care. It really gives students the chance to do it all,” Dot said.

To find out what courses can be offered on-site, please contact Partners in Training Australia on 1300 664 601.

1 Th e Bo ul ev ar d

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The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1284 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Page 13

NEWS

Put your baby in the spotlight SEARCH ON FOR BABY MODELS… The Occasion Studios is searching for baby models for their Pre-Mother’s Day Promotion. Photo: The Occasion Studios.

YOUR photogenic little one could be featured on this year’s Mother’s Day wall portrait display, as The Occasion Studios once again begins its search for baby models.

The Pre-Mother’s Day Promotion is an annual event at The Occasion Studios, and Proprietor, Simon Greig encourages everyone to bring in their babies and toddlers to be photographed, free of charge.

“We photograph approximately one hundred and fifty babies, between fifteen and twenty of whom are then selected to be part of our Mother’s Day wall portrait display. These panels are presented in shopping centres, malls and other public places.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to have your little one shine, and it’s such a joy for us to share in the thrill families get when they see their beautiful baby on display.

“It really does get harder and harder each year to choose between all the gorgeous littlies we photograph.”

If your baby can sit up unaided, is around six months to two and a half years, and you would like to be involved in this special opportunity, contact The Occasion Studios. As an added bonus, there will be 30 percent off the normal price when participants order extra prints. For further information on the promotion, contact The Occasion Studios at 13 Wyndham Street, Shepparton or call 5831 3600.

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Hundreds expected to watch

Big Bash on the big screen continued from front page

“CRICKET Victoria and Greater Shepparton City Council (GSCC) were both keen to jump on board.

“Just one of the exciting elements to the evening will be having some of the Melbourne Renegades players at the event, of course they won’t be the ones playing on the big screen. We will also have Cricket Victoria representatives and Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club will be supplying volunteer staff as well as T20 Blast cricket games and skills and drills for kids.

“Originally, it was all about helping to promote junior cricket but it has evolved to be something far greater.”

GSCC Healthy Communities Officer, Carmen Nicholson said, “This is not just about creating a family friendly environment where everyone can come down and enjoy themselves, it’s also about helping to get people out and active, run around

and enjoy cricket activities and to encourage people to get involved in cricket.”

Cricket Victoria Development Officer and Melbourne Renegades All Abilities Assistant Coach, Alana Baldi said, “The game will be fantastic. Former local resident, Aiden Blizzard will be playing for Sydney Thunder, so I imagine there will be quite a lot of support on a local level for him.

“The Melbourne Renegades are always happy to get out in country areas. All Shepparton cricket clubs are zoned and aligned with Melbourne Renegades.

“We encourage everyone from any age, race and gender to come down and get involved in cricket.”

Cricket Shepparton President, David D’Elia said, “The Shepparton Youth Club United Cricket Club have taken this all on really well and it is great to see them taking a proactive step to promoting cricket.”

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NEWS

Holiday season road warning continued from front page SHEPPARTON Police Highway Patrol, Acting Sergeant Neil Johnson said, “When it comes to reducing the road toll, our main focus is on speed, alcohol/drug impairment and fatigue. If we can help reduce these, we can help to reduce the road toll.

“One improved statistic throughout 2015 for the Victoria Police’s Eastern Regional Division 3 though was a reduction in the serious injury accidents. In 2015 there were 56 reported compared to 2014, which saw a figure of 78.”

Operation Roadwise, which has been running since December and targeting speed, fatigue, alcohol and drugs and other driver impairments, has already seen 233 offences recorded in total in the Greater Shepparton

area. Out of the 2,780 preliminary breath tests and 16 road side drug tests carried out five were processed for drink driving and one came back positive for drugs.

“Operation Roadwise is all about our visible presence on the road. Police units have been conducting random breath testing and random drug testing and enforcing the road safety message.

“We are pretty happy with the results. The figures are good and it’s important to note the lack of serious injuries, because of the operation, has been a positive result.

“The holiday period is still ongoing and we urge people not to be complacent and follow the road rules.

“If you do the wrong thing, you are going to get caught,” Acting Sergeant Johnson said.

A glance at the Victorian road toll 288

287

282

2010

2011

2012

243

249

257

2013

2014

2015

A glance at the Greater Shepparton road toll

2010:4

2011:5

2012:11

2013:4

2014:2

2015:12

* Statistics sourced from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and Shepparton Police Highway Patrol.

Secret to success is through the stomach HAVING received the highest ATAR score in the region this year with a score of 99.75, former student and 2015 Dux of Goulburn Valley Grammar School, Henry Fox has put the secret to his success down to his dad’s special penne bolognaise.

The day after receiving his result Henry said his dad, Damien, had joked he might have to get in touch with the CSIRO. “I don’t like sandwiches and dad would cook me pasta for lunch every day,” Henry said.

“He reckons he’s going to get onto the CSIRO with the Ten Year Pasta Program.”

Henry said he really didn’t do anything in particular to achieve success.

“I studied when I felt like I should study.

“If I felt tired, I stopped. I didn’t make a study timetable. I responded to the circumstances. By the time it came around to exams, I was fairly relaxed.”

Henry is now likely to be flying the coop with Monash University already chasing him over his first two preferences for a Bachelor of Science Advanced – Global Challenges, and a Bachelor of Engineering/Commerce.

Henry said, “I did work experience at Monash in one of the chemistry labs, which was great, but I am not interested in that.

“I’m more interested in politics and current affairs and I want my studies to combine these interests with science.”

DELICIOUS SUCCESS FOR DUX… Former student and 2015 Dux of Goulburn Valley Grammar School, Henry Fox has put the secret to his success down to his dad’s special penne bolognaise. Photo: Emma Hillier.

With the choice of his university offers ahead of him and everything going according to plan, Henry will have to pack his bags for Melbourne, but in the meantime, there’s no doubt there will be plenty of his dad’s pasta.

Time to get

ready for school WHETHER it’s their first, exciting day of school or final, rigorous year of study, The School Uniform Shop can cater to your child’s uniform needs.

The School Uniform Shop specialises in all aspects of school uniforms, from shirts, shorts, sun smart hats, jackets and school bags, through to art smocks, hair ties, socks and school accessories.

They stock the complete range for both primary and secondary school aged children, attending schools across the Goulburn Valley.

“When purchasing your child’s school uniform it’s important to parents that they receive the best possible quality and value for money and we really understand that,” The School Uniform Shop Proprietors, Geoff and Helen Bray said.

“We pride ourselves on stocking quality products which cover a large variety of uniform needs, from top to bottom.

“Schools are also getting concerned over lost property, but to help combat that we offer a prompt and efficient embroidery service to add a tag and name to items such as bags, hats and jackets,” Geoff said.

Be prepared this school year and have all your uniform needs covered by The School Uniform Shop at 183 Corio Street, Shepparton or phone 5821 3232.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS… The School Uniform Shop Store Owner, Geoff Bray with this year’s Shepparton High School new logo polo shirt. Photo: Emma Hillier.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1284 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Page 17

wi t h Geoff Vallance

IN DEEP PRAYER… A monk deep in prayer at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the Pagoda is said to contain a relic of Gautama Buddha.

ENLIGHTENING… The Bodhi Tree is said to be where Buddha received his enlightenment. The tree is honoured in Buddhist countries.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED… Monks as young as 7 and 8 start their training and receive two meals a day, the first at 5am and the second at 11:30am, but times have changed and water has now become coke.

PRECIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL… Framed against the night sky, the Shwedagon Pagoda is covered in gold and 6,500 diamonds, rubies and other precious stones.

Asia revisited I’M sitting on the top deck of a luxury cruise liner. A waitress has just bought me a tall glass of iced tea. Sitting next to the swimming pool those crystal blue waters look so inviting. Yes it’s a tough life but somebody has to do it.

Over the coming days we will visit some 20 ports, so it’s certainly a chance to see Asia from the sea.

We started in Singapore. It’s been tens of years since I was last there and how it’s changed. It’s a vibrant exciting city and the food is fabulous.

They say if you want to know anything about the place you are visiting then ask a taxi driver and I did.

Yes sir, Singapore is going ahead in leaps and bounds. We have an unemployment rate of less than 2 percent. Everyone has employment, even the old are encouraged to keep working even if only a few hours a week and the government will look after the rest with pensions and health insurance (sounds like Australia).

But life can’t be all roses. What worries the average person? My taxi driver said it was the world phenomenon of the Islamic group Isis where young people are becoming radicalised and joining this organisation in the Middle East.

Did the taxi driver have a solution? Well yes sir our school system encourages students to do visits to mosques, Christian churches, Buddhist temples etc. so everyone has a basic understanding of each other’s religion, we hope it’s a step in the right direction.

I remember being in Borneo some years ago where a similar program operated.

Indeed all school students had to attend one another’s religious classes so they truly understood each other. I wonder if that’s the answer?

Leaving Singapore far behind we have set sail for Malacca and Georgetown in Malaysia and then Phuket in Thailand; all exciting places but I’m looking forward to visiting Rangoon, Myanmar, where tourism is just starting and there is so much to see.

Myanmar or Burma, as it was called by the British, has only recently started to open up to the outside world.

Held under tight control by its generals activist, Aung San Suu Kyi was held under house arrest for many years but finally the government allowed her freedom to move about the country and at elections she was

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voted a seat in government, and now leads the government.

M y a n m a r ’s ( p r o n o u n c e d M e - A n Mar) capital Yangon, or under the British Rangoon, is a bustling kaleidoscope of people, cars and motorbikes and at peak hour the traffic is slow.

T he ma ny motor bike s are ba nne d under the law. It seems that a motorbikeriding would-be-assassin tried to take out one of the generals who immediately had motorbikes banned.

Well that may be the law but nobody seems to worry, with cheap imported bikes from China and Thailand everywhere.

The big ‘must see’ in Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, said to be the earliest Pagoda since the time of Gautama Buddha.

It has stood there for over 2,500 years. The golden Stupa stands 326 feet high covered in pure gold. It shines bright in the sunlight and adding to its gleam are 6,500 diamonds, rubies and other precious stones. It is truly a sight to behold.

I have had the honour of visiting many of the major religious sights and believe me this is up there with the best.

If you make your visit at sunset you are in for a real treat. As the sun goes down on the golden spire thousands of visitors walk clockwise around the Stupa.

Huge lights come on to frame the giant stupa against the night sky, monks from as young as 7 or 8 years old together with the older monks honour the event, people sit in quiet meditation, all minds concentrating on the Pagoda, and its Buddha relic inside. The night is electric with beauty and wonder.

We had three days in Myanmar, giving us time to travel out of Yangon and visit other centres. On the way to Bago, the ancient Mon Capital, we visited the World War II cemetery containing the graves of 27,000 Allied soldiers. This is only one of three such sights honouring the massive war dead of Burma.

Another interesting day can be spent visiting the local markets that sell everything from food and clothing to gold. A fun way to do it, is to travel to the market by horse and cart and return in a trishaw, travelling past the many old and new houses of Yangon. There is a marked difference between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots.’ Indeed if you travel out into the countryside you will see hut after hut made from very basic materials, no doors or

windows just openings to let a cooling breeze in, and space for the family to sit and sleep on the floor.

Well the sun is setting on Yangon. It’s time to reboard our cruise ship and set sail for our next port.

Until next time, Safe Travel’n, Geoff Vallance

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NEWS

A CHEERY CHRISTMAS… Local resident, Djembe Archibald, 12 years old, helped Santa all day as an elf as well as entertaining the crowd who gathered together to share Christmas with one another during the 2015 Christmas for Those Alone luncheon. Photo: Supplied.

HELL OF A HARLEY… Some locals may remember the Kelly family from their garage business, R.G Kelly Engineering in Dookie in the 1950s and 1960s, but one thing that local resident, Richard Kelly has a great memory of is the pictured 1920s Harley Davidson taken in the 1930s with family members, Mary Kelly, Gus Kelly (Richard’s father) and Teddy Kelly on board. The bike, which Richard still has the frame and tank to, was a favoured form of transport and fun for the family.

Snapshots of

Shepparton’s past SH E PPA RTON has been a t h r iv i ng community for more than 155 years, and throughout that time many people and events have helped to shape the township into the community that it is today.

With the help of former local, Marlene Kuhn, the team at Lost Shepparton and the

wider community, The Adviser has decided to share some of those moments in time with you through a series of photographs.

If you have an old photograph of a local event or moment in time that you would love to see published, feel free to email the image to editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au

Adviser

SPORT

Big hats and big hair SECOND ANNIVERSARY… Shepparton Parkrun Event Director, Allan Connolly and participant, Sue Olley who will be celebrating personal milestones of 100 Parkruns each on the event’s second anniversary. Photo: Supplied.

By David Lee IT will be a ‘hair raising’ celebration that will see in Shepparton Parkrun’s second anniversary, with participants celebrating from 7:45am on January 9 under the theme ‘big hats and big hair.’

Shepparton Parkrun Event Director, Allan Connolly said, “The second anniversary will be our 102nd running of Shepparton Parkrun. Our event has grown over the last 12 months, averaging 57 participants to now averaging over 75 participants each week.

Our attendance is now regularly over 100 participants each week with a record attendance of 154.

“Shepparton Parkrun caters for all levels of fitness from the serious runner to the casual walker with the main focus being just to improve your time by taking part. In this last year, Shepparton Parkrun became ‘all abilities’ as we welcomed our first wheelchair athlete who became a regular participant each week.

“Parkrun tourism has brought many people to Shepparton from other Parkrun events. We have not only had guests from other Parkruns in the state, but from interstate and international Parkruns as well.”

Shepparton Parkrun is free to register. Once registered, print out a unique barcode and bring it along each week to receive your results. To register, visit www.parkrun.com.au/register/

Four weeks of non-stop fun IF you’re running out of ideas to keep the kids occupied during the school holidays then check out the free and low cost Activities in the Park program.

Held at various locations throughout the municipality the activities include mixed games, juggling balls, big bash on the big screen, seek explore swim, kite making and pool

activities.

For more information, visit www.getmoovingshepparton. com.au, download the ‘Get Mooving’ app, like ‘Get Mooving Greater Shepparton’ on Facebook or contact Greater Shepparton City Council Active Living Department on (03) 5832 9431.

Activity

Location

Date

Time

Pool Party

Mooroopna War Memorial Pool

Wednesday 6 January

2.00pm – 7.00pm

Story Time in the Park

Queens Gardens, Shepparton

Thursday 7 January

10:30am – 11:30am

Mixed Games

Ferrari Park, Mooroopna

Friday 8 January

10.00am – 11.00am

Yoga in the Park

Craigmuir Lake, Mooroopna

Saturday 9 January

8.00am – 9.00am

Big Bash on the Big Screen

Victoria Park Lake, Shepparton

Monday 11 January

7:30pm - Late

Kite Making in the Park

Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve Monday 11 January

10.00am – 12.00pm

Juggling Balls

Katandra West Recreation Reserve

Tuesday 12 January

10.00am – 12.00pm

Pool Party

Aquamoves, Shepparton

Wednesday 13 January

3.00pm – 8.00pm

Kite Making in the Park

Undera Recreation Reserve

Wednesday 13 January

10.00am – 12.00pm

Mixed Games

Murchison Recreation Reserve

Thursday 14 January

10.00am – 11.00am

Mixed Games

Congupna Recreation Reserve

Friday 15 January

10.00am – 11.00am

Pool Party

Tatura Swimming Complex

Friday 15 January

2.00pm – 7.00pm

Tai Chi in the Park

Australian Botanical Garden, Kialla Saturday 16 January

8.00am – 9.00am

Kite Making in the Park

Merrigum Recreation Reserve

Monday 18 January

10.00am – 11.00am

Kite Making in the Park

Ferrari Park, Mooroopna

Tuesday 19 January

10.00am – 11.00am

Pool Party

Merrigum Swimming Pool

Wednesday 20 January

2.00pm – 7.00pm

Hoops and Poi

Queens Gardens, Shepparton

Wednesday 20 January

10.00am – 12.00pm

Mixed Games

Undera Recreation Reserve

Friday 22 January

10.00am – 11.00am

Giant Inflatable Water Slide

Merrigum Swimming Pool

Saturday 23 January

10.00am – 2.00pm

Kite Making in the Park

Dookie Recreation Reserve

Monday 25 January

10.00am – 12.00pm

Come &Try Twilight Tennis

Old StudentsTennis Club

Thursday 28 January

6.00pm - Dark

Fishing in the Park

Lake Kialla, Kialla Lakes

Friday 29 January

6.00pm – 8.00pm

Fishing in the Park

Craigmuir Lake, Mooroopna

Saturday 30 January

9.00am – 11.30am

Playball

Toolamba Recreation Reserve

Sunday 31 January

10.00am – 11.00am

Juniors to hit the nets with

cricket legends THE region’s up-and-coming cricketing stars will have the chance to hone their skills alongside some of Australia’s biggest cricket legends in this year’s Mac Pack Summer Cricket Camps.

The camp will take place over two big days, Tuesday, January 19 and Wednesday, January 20 from 9am to 3pm, at Vibert Reserve in Shepparton and will see cricket legend, Kim Hughes take local cricket hopefuls through a series of skills and drills.

Hughes said he was looking forward to taking the local talent through their paces.

“We are excited to get alongside the budding junior talent in Shepparton and share some tips and techniques to improve their bowling, batting and fielding.”

Locals who are interested can register for a position at the McDonald’s Summer Cricket Camp by visiting www. cricketcoaching.com.au or calling 1800 351 415.

giveaway The Adviser is giving two lucky people the chance to win a ticket to the Mac Pack Summer Cricket Camp. To enter, simply write your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope and send it to: The Adviser Mac Pack Summer Cricket Camp PO Box 1664 Shepparton Victoria 3630 *One entry per person. Competition closes on Thursday, January 14, 2016.

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