The Adviser 1509

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■ Letters to the Editor | page 12 ■ Free 7 Day TV Guide | page 17 ■ Classifieds | pages 18+19 /SheppartonAdviser WEDNESDAY IS WOW DAY

SEND US YOUR SNAPS

Paying tribute to our emergency workers PAGE 13

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE PAST PAGE 8

No 1:1509

BRINGING BACK LOCAL MANUFACTURING

PAGE 12 PAGE 16 www.sheppadviser.com.au | ADVERTISING HOTLINE: 5832 8900

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020

Bringing back local manufacturing

By Steve Hutcheson T H E pandemic in passing raises a favourable spectre of a resurgence in local manufacturing to overcome the deficiencies that arose globally during the past few months.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of gowns and masks, ventilators, sanitiser, thermal measuring equipment and the like, all proved to be in short supply. It was not just these critical items that were found wanting, food and domestic supplies suddenly disappeared causing a flurry of stockpiling as if these things might not come back.

Continued on page 16 LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ALL ON ONE CAMPUS... Greater Shepparton Secondary College executive principal, Genevieve Simson, Mooroopna Campus principal, Stephen Bolton, director of Wellbeing and Inclusion, Nicholas Bamford, principal of McGuire Campus, John Sciacca, principal Wanganui Campus, Ken Murray and associate principal of Teaching and Learning, Megan Michalaidis at the site of the new campus in Hawdon Street, Shepparton. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

Big smiles with news of $119m college boost School to become largest in Victoria

By Steve Hutcheson AFTER some months of concern expressed by many, the additional $119 million in funding required for the completion of construction of the new Greater Shepparton Secondary College has now been announced by the Victorian Government.

Planned to open for the 2022 school year, the new school has been touted to be world class that will include an Enterprise and Innovation Centre giving senior students access to a broad range of subjects and career pathways in three specialist precincts – technology, performing and fine arts, and sciences.

Continued on page 16

Bourchier St. Primary School is a learning community with high expectations for all students.

BOURCHIER ST. PRIMARY SCHOOL — LEARNERS TODAY, LEADERS TOMORROW. Enrol now for 2021!

Bourchier St. Primary School

At Bourchier Street Primary School we have: • Outstanding student achievement data • A strong focus on the wellbeing and social capabilities of every student • An engaging learning environment • Safe and happy students • Caring and committed staff • Family partnerships that enhance learning

Cnr Bourchier St & Balaclava Rd, Shepparton 3630 Ph: (03) 5821 3488 www.bourchierps.vic.edu.au Principal: Denise Howley

Please contact our school to hear more about how our children enjoy learning, socializing and developing as responsible citizens.

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NEWS

Chamber calls for changes to Mall design MORE than 200 businesses represented by the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce & Industry along with a large number of retailers in the Shepparton CBD have called for changes to the Maude Street Mall redevelopment design currently under discussion by Greater Shepparton City Council.

Chamber president, John Anderson has called on councillors to investigate a simpler and more practical design that will deliver Shepparton CBD success. “ We h ave a ver y suc c e ssf u l la ke development precinct, a world class sporting precinct in north Shepparton, and soon to be completed state of the art Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), so why can’t Council also deliver a stunning shopping strip, town square and community hub all in one as part of the Maude Street redevelopment?” John asked.

“I would like to see the redevelopment set us up for decades to come as a world class shopping strip with changes to the current plan,” John added.

KEY ELEMENTS THE CHAMBER WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED TO THE MALL DESIGN ARE: • M ove Eve nt S p a c e (s t a g e) f ro m outside Harris Scarfe at the northern end of Maude Street to Fraser Street, to complement a Town Square and community hub area near the Telstra Tower and newly renovated amenities in Fraser Street.

• One-way central road from Fryers

CALLING FOR A RETHINK ON THE MALL DESIGN... Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, John Anderson calls for a better design and more shopper friendly change to Maude Street Mall. Photo: Katelyn Morse

through to High Street (exit only via High Street).

• Provide generous drive-in drive-out parallel parking for improved safety along both sides of the street.

• To preserve the existing trees.

• Traffic calming treatment along with drop off points for elderly, disabled, families.

• Stewart Street (Village Cinema area) becomes an Art Walk. (No traffic).

• Retain proposed cobbled road surface.

• Provide clear walkways along shop fronts with simplified low maintenance streetscape for business flexibility.

• Retain all footpath areas allowing business to continue uninterrupted during redevelopment.

• New Town Square precinct in Fraser Street for families, pre-school age children and elderly.

• Relocate some of the parking in Fraser Street to east end of Fraser Street near the old post office site.

• For business survival now, during construction and post COVID-19, the Chamber would like to see the eight metre wide footpath retained.

• Retaining trees will allow deletion of artificial shade structures and reduce the number of garden beds and allow for these to be located at tree beds.

• With a simpler design, the Chamber is confident of less ongoing maintenance and cost.

The Chamber has received more than 80 letters and documents of support from businesses directly affected for changes to the current design and have presented these to Council and councillors with what the Chamber believes are very workable plans for the redevelopment.

The Chamber would like to see its revised plans costed and is confident it would be significantly less than the current $20M price tag.

Growing our digital footprint HERE at The Adviser, we’re undergoing some changes. With the pandemic still affecting the way we all operate; The Adviser has been working through changes to our online website. You can still view all your community news for

free, but we’re adding new features, such as our opinion pieces, to give our readers more great stories to read.

To read our first opinion piece from Peter Hill of Kreskas Bros Transport, visit www.sheppadviser.com.au/opinions

SAM workshops go online AFTER a well-attended opening night, and successful first school group session, the interactive Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) eduLAB sessions with talented artist, Nadia Hernández, sadly had to close due to advice regarding COVID-19.

SAM had the pleasure of working w it h Nad ia Her ná ndez to create alternatives for all students to share in this opportunity, even if the physical exhibition is not available. SAM are pleased to present two virtual workshops inspired by the work and themes of the eduLAB sessions.

SAM director, Dr Rebecca Coates said, “It is so important that SAM stands by our artists and community during these challenging times, and the result is that we are able to continue to bring these deep thinking creative opportunities to our students and teachers, at a time when they are most needed.”

These workshops are designed to walk students through activities with purpose, using materials they are likely to have around the house, and would be suited

It is so important that SAM stands by our artists and community during these challenging times Dr Rebecca Coates to both primary and secondary aged students.

Rochester Secondary College teacher, Meg Doller, brought her students into the exhibition prior to closure and commented, “I had my year 7s in and was truly astounded by how much they retained and all the specific things they could write and talk about. An enriching experience for so many of them.”

Nadia Hernández’s workshops for SAM eduLAB are available to view on SAM’s online content portal at www. sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/samhub The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 3

NEWS

Keelty advises Senate Select committee on excess water APPEARING before a Select Senate hearing on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, Inspector General for the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), Mick Keelty believes there could be approximately 375 gigalitres of ‘unused’ water in the southern Murray-Darling Basin.

He says if the water was properly defined and identified, it could lead to new allocations. Keelty said a report on the water was being prepared for the Water Minister, Keith Pitt.

While conducting his recent inquiry into the MDBA, Mr Keelty said he was quite taken by a presentation by consultancy firm RMCG on under-used water. Former Water Minister, David Littleproud had already asked for more investigation into the claims there were large amounts of water unaccounted for in the system.

Mr Keelty says properly investigating the potential of unused water is essential. There are few other details about what the findings about the report could reveal, and he did not say it would lead to a boost in allocations for licence holders.

“It’s a very complex issue, the water does not sit in a bucket somewhere, to be immediately released to those downstream. It’s sitting in different valleys, different locations,” Mr Keelty said.

He also did not clarify whether the water was allocated to irrigators but not used, or whether it was not being allocated in the first place.

But he said if the water could be properly identified and defined, it could lead to allocations for desperate southern New South Wales irrigators, or potentially count toward the overall water recovery goal of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS IN THE MURRAY DARLING BASIN...Inspector General, Mick Keelty. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

In a report prepared for SunRice late last year, RMCG said under use of water is systemic in the southern basin.

The Independent Inspector General said his office had received 30 referrals since it was established, with 26 of them now resolved.

“By far the majority of referrals relate to the conduct of a government official or agency,” he said.

LEAVE NO ONE IN NEED

Donate now salvationarmy.org.au

Page 4 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020

NEWS

Law Week goes online LEGAL SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY… Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre, paralegal and receptionist, Sophie Maxted and senior coordinating lawyer, Sejal Amin discussing legal aid.

Photo: Supplied.

Free legal service for those who need it most COMMU NITY legal centres are independent, nongovernment organisations that provide free legal services to people and communities at times when that help is needed most - particularly to people facing economic hardship and discrimination. Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre (GVCLC) provides free legal information, advice and representation to people who can’t afford a lawyer or who can’t get legal aid.

GVCLC assists people in Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie, Benalla, Mansfield, Moira and Mitchell local government areas. They also provide court assistance at Shepparton, Seymour, Mansfield, Benalla and Cobram Magistrates’ Courts.

Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre managing lawyer, Kaz Gurney said, “You can contact us for advice on family law matters (divorce, property, parenting and child

contact), domestic or family violence, consumer matters, complaints about government services, credit and debt problems, criminal matters, motor vehicle accidents and a range of other legal issues.”

If GVCLC can assist you, their team will make an appointment for you to speak to one of their friendly lawyers.

During your phone appointment, the lawyer will give you information or advice about your legal problem and talk to you about your options and whether you may need further assistance including from other services.

GVCLC also partner with the Lighthouse Project and Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative to provide extra legal support and advice to those who need it most.

For more information, visit www.gvclc.org.au or call 5831 0900.

VICTORIA’S Law Week is a seven-day community festival designed to broaden the community’s understanding of the law and the legal system. This year Goulburn Valley Libraries are offering some free online sessions that address the impact to certain groups due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event began on Monday, May 18 and runs for the remainder of this week, with all sessions streamed live on Goulburn Valley Libraries Facebook page with a mix of presentations and chats.

Today, Wednesday, May 20 at 3pm will be a presentation on ‘Tenancy, Fines and Centrelink – your rights during COVID-19’, where Marcus Ibaceta from Victorian Legal Aid will discuss issues concerning tenancy, fines and Centrelink arising during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, May 21 at 3pm you’ll be able to have a coffee with a cop, virtually, of course.

Glenn Gibson from Shepparton Police will be discussing all things local and answer your questions about what is happening in our community.

And on Friday, May 22 at 3pm, Belle Mendoza from Australian Visa and Education Specialists will discuss migrant visas and issues arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You are welcome to ask questions related to the session topics by emailing asklawweek@gvrlc. vic.gov.au prior to the session and presenters will address these questions in their presentations. You can also comment live, or PM questions during the presentation. There will be a response by the presenter at the conclusion of their presentation.

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 5

NEWS

Changes to parking to accommodate COVID-19 testing clinic

COVID-19 CLINIC TO OPEN... A temporary COVID-19 respiratory clinic will soon be open at Princess Park Clinic for anyone with flu-like symptoms throughout winter. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

THE car park located between Princess Park Clinic and Goulburn Valley Water’s Shepparton Water Treatment Plant will soon become a temporar y COV I D 19 testing clinic as part of the Federal Government’s decision to fund up to 100 GP respiratory clinics to help protect Australians.

Due to the testing clinic, certain parking bays in the car park between Goulburn Va l le y Wat er – S heppa r ton Wat er Treatment Plant and Princess Park Clinic will be reserved indefinitely, effective immediately.

The clinic will also see curb-side parking along Vaughan Street, between Welsford St and Wyndham St, altered from all-day parking to two-hour parking. Centre of the road parking will not change.

Access to the car park behind the buildings in Welsford St will not be affected by the clinic.

The clinic will be testing residents with flu-like symptoms only and will run throughout the winter months to cope with the expected rise in testing in flu season.

“We thank the community for their patience while the respiratory clinic is installed and running for the coming months,” Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Seema Abdullah said. “ We c o nt i nu e to e n c ou r a g e t h e community to undertake a test if you show any signs of cold or flu symptoms.”

For more information on the clinic, please call the Princess Park Clinic on 5821 9655.

Additional funding for Victoria’s mental health system LAST week, Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley announced an additional $19.5 million in funding to deliver essential reform recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system interim report and to help flatten a potential second curve of mental ill health.

The extra funding will address critical work force shor tages , suppor t t he continued roll out of suicide prevention programs and help in the continued engagement of Victorians living with mental illness.

To address workforce challenges identified by the Royal Commission, the Victorian Government will provide $6.5 million for extra junior medical staff training rotations in psychiatry and 60 new graduate mental health nurse placements, ensuring we have the trained professionals on the ground to support people when they need it most.

Another $4.9 million will go to 24 new Hospital in the Home beds, which Page 6 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020

will mean more Victorians can access specialist mental health care in their own homes with the support networks around them. Melbourne Health, in partnership with Orygen, will deliver 15 of these beds to young Victorians with existing mental health issues.

The government will also expand the state-wide rollout of Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal after Engagement program, so Victorians across the state have the dedicated services they need to recover and stay well.

This investment comes on top of the recent $59.4 million Coronavirus mental health package that will help meet demand as more Victorians reach out for help.

M i n i s t e r, M a r t i n F o l e y s a i d , “Reforming our mental health system in Victoria and nationally is now more important than ever, as more people reach out for help following the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.”

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 7

NEWS

LEFT, PRIME REAL ESTATE… The old Pines mansion sat on a large plot of land in the then Shepparton Park Estate between Verney Road, Goulburn Valley Highway, Hawkins Street and Ford Road back in the late 1870s.

Photos: Lost Shepparton RIGHT, AN OLD BEAUTY… The Pines mansion in the 1980s from the Judy Ormond collection. It was then demolished in 1999.

A haunted history

By Danielle Cox A LT H O U G H t h e b e au t i f u l b r i c k building was abandoned, vandalised and demolished in 1999, the old Pines mansion still lives on in our memories. For some, it was simply a beautiful building to look at driving past, but for others, it only gave them the chills.

The chilling yet stunning mansion was built in the late 1870s for Thomas Swallow on the corner of Verney and Ford Road on a large block of land stretching all the way to Hawkins Street and the Goulburn Valley Highway, which is now home to several houses and businesses. The architect, J A K Clarke, is also well known for his work on one of Shepparton’s favourite historic buildings, the old post office.

The house had several owners after that, but it became a victim to theft and vandalism when it was abandoned in the 1960s. And of course, like many other abandoned buildings including the old Mooroopna Hospital, rumours about hauntings and ghost sightings surfaced. Children spoke of seeing an old lady covered in warts and a cranky gardener wielding a shovel. One resident, Tony Trimboli, told Lost Shepparton his

Page 8 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020

experience at the old mansion.

Tony lived down the road from the property when he was a child. After hearing about the hauntings, Tony and some of his mates decided to check it out for themselves.

“We entered the house through a side entrance and were absolutely terrified,” he said.

“All hell broke loose when this old bloke appeared out of nowhere with a shotgun, yelling at us to get out.

“He didn’t have to ask twice; we ran like hell and swore we’d never return.” Tony said.

Although it was demolished, some of the mansion was salvaged and pieces of the home, including the bricks, flooring and slate roof were sold and used to build new homes around the town.

Here’s hoping that the ghosts didn’t follow...

Snapshots of Greater Shepparton’s Past is made possible by Lost Shepparton.

For more great snapshots of the region’s history, visit Lost Shepparton’s Facebook page. You can also support the incredible work they do at w w w.patreon.com / lostshepparton

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 9

NEWS

The pandemic isn’t over

By Danielle Cox WITH restrictions being relaxed, the number of Coronavirus cases steadily declining, and some states and regions having no confirmed new cases in weeks, some of us may start to think that we’ve beaten it, that we’ve won the war against this invisible enemy.

But that’s unfortunately not the case.

The hard reality is that this virus is going to be affecting our lives for some time to come, whether directly or not. And yes, that may be difficult to hear, and of course we don’t want this to be the new normal, but it is. We’ve all done our part to flatten the curve and reduce the spread, but we can’t afford to become complacent now.

Yes, we can go outside, we can visit friends and family, and we have a bit more freedom. But as the saying goes, with freedom comes great responsibility, and although it may be a cliché, it most definitely rings true. We must continue to follow the social distancing rules. We must continue to keep on top of our hygiene. And if you don’t need to leave the house for one of the five necessary reasons (shopping for essentials, visiting family and friends, caregiving, exercise, or work and education), then you must stay home.

Australia has always been known as the lucky country and when you look at how the virus has affected other countries around the world, the nickname definitely fits. But we don’t want to get our hopes up and we don’t want to encourage a second wave. How do we prevent a second wave? Easy, by continuing to follow the social distancing rules and by staying home.

COMING TOGETHER… Construction on the new $49.9 million Shepparton Art Museum is in its final stages with the facade now being installed. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

SAM in the final stages of construction OVER the last week, we’ve seen the new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) start to take shape with the installation of the final external finish commencing. The four sides of the $49.9 million building are L-shaped plates, each of different heights that make up the building’s vertical facades and canopy.

The facade on each side of the building is of a different metallic finish; low sheen zinc to the southern approach; matt soft charcoal above the entry to SAM on Wyndham Street; metallic mid-grey facing the park; and rich ochrered Corten steel facing the lake and river plain.

The installation of the four facades should be completed over the next few months according to Greater Shepparton City Council Director Infrastructure, Phil Hoare.

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“It’s pretty exciting to see the facades being installed,” he said. “This is the step that marks a major milestone for external works and is important for the construction program as it allows the interior fit out to be completed.

We look forward to seeing the facade completed on all four sides. The initial panels on the north facade give us a glimpse of the finished look of the building.”

The new SAM building will house the museum, visitor centre, Kaiela Arts gallery and studio, café and viewing deck and terrace overlooking the Victoria Park Lake. Stage One of construction is set to be completed in the coming months, with Stage Two (car park and landscaping) to begin later this year.

NEWS

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 11

LETTERS

OPINION / SEND US YOUR SNAPS

Letters to the Editor

MARKETS, THE FORGOTTEN SHOPS Dear Editor, As a market stallholder, I anxiously await the reopening of outdoor markets.

However, never once since the outbreak

of C oron av i r u s h ave m a rke t s b e en mentioned in the restrictions or easing of them. Markets are technically shopping centres. But while shops continue to trade, markets remain closed.

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.

I enquired of three state politicians and was informed it was up to Daniel Andrews.

All I could glean from Business Victoria, was that Farmers’ Markets could sell food and drinks provided they were not consumed on the premises. This was to prevent, say, people congregating around coffee vans.

I can appreciate the need to socially distance, but outdoor markets are far healthier than indoor shops as noted by many science experts. It is also easier to remain apar t from others outdoors.

Many shops currently trading sell items that can hardly be termed essential supplies.

However, the larger megastore owners have greater political clout than humble market stallholders and remain trading unhindered.

It appears market stalls are the “forgotten shops”.

Selling online is also unprofitable due to prohibitive postage expenses. Not a great year so far.

First, spring rains washed out many markets, then the bush fires caused cancellations and now this virus.

I guess when we are allowed to eventually trade, it will coincide with a cold and wet winter. Nonetheless, I urge people to return and support your local markets.

Roger Revens Shepparton Want to have your say?

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

send us your snaps

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

This week we were sent this photo by Rene Martens, that was taken whilst in the front yard shooting some macro photography.

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

NEWS

IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT... When things go bad, the emergency services come to the rescue. Photo: Supplied

Wednesday is WOW Day IN a show of support for the Victorian State Emergency Service (VICSES) and Shepparton Search and Rescue (SSAR) volunteers, Greater Shepparton City Council will turn the Eastbank Centre, the Monash Park tree and the Mooroopna Tower orange and yellow on the evening of Wednesday 20 May. The celebrations form part of Wear Orange Wednesday Day, or WOW Day, which is a national day of thanks for the thousands of VICSES volunteers who serve the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week through storm, flood, road crash rescue, and much more.

Council is making a slight change to WOW Day, to include our local SSAR volunteers, who do incredible work keeping our community safe while wearing yellow.

On WOW Day, Council is encouraging the community to dress in orange or yellow; host an orange and yellow themed event with your household or friends

online; and help increase awareness of the amazing work volunteers do every day.

“Every day, our dedicated volunteers throw on their orange or yellow overalls to support our community,” Mayor Cr Seema Abdullah said.

“On WOW day, we’re asking you to do the same, by dressing in orange or yellow and posting a message to social media with the hashtags #sheppartonsearchandrescue # wework asone #T h a n kYou SE S a nd #WOWDay. Keep an eye out for some of our Greater Shepparton buildings to turn orange or yellow in support of our amazing VICSES and SSAR volunteers.”

National Volunteer Week runs from 18-24 May 2020. If you know a volunteer that should be recognised this year, you can give them a virtual ‘thank you’ on Council’s website. For more information, s e e here: ht t p: //g re at er sheppa r ton . com.au /com mu n it y/volu nteeri ng / thanks-to-our-volunteers

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 13

NEWS

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WELL STOCKED… Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods owners, Emma Krueger and Martin Krueger says they still have plenty of meat in stock. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

No shortage of meat WITH their fridges full and enough for everyone, it’s the perfect time to buy some quality meat from a local independent butcher.

It’s business as usual for the team at Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods and they have been working hard to ensure there are no shortages for customers.

With everything made in-store, you can expect everything from kransky, chorizo, cocktails, kabana, to roast pork or ham on the bone.

Free delivery is also available which

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makes it very easy for those not wanting to leave the house.

Krueger’s Fine Meats and Smallgoods co-owner, Emma Krueger said, “We have a large range of high-quality meat with something for everyone. We pride ourselves on the fact that everything is made in-store and we can try our best to source anything we don’t already have”.

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

NEWS

Skin cancer is not in lockdown AS the community at large is complying with the requirements to stay at home and maintain isolation, there are exclusions and one of them is to get medical treatment.

Dr Matthew Wong, consultant at GV Skin and Specialist Centre expressed concern that some people in the community are staying at home and not having skin problem attended to.

Shepparton has beautiful weather with sunshine most of the time however it can have a dangerous consequence, particularly for people who have spent a lot of time in it. Over the past two and half months, GV Skin and Specialist Centre have diagnosed more than 500 cancerous spots on people, some people having multiple cancer spots.

According to the Cancer Council of Victoria, melanoma is the fifth most prevalent cancer among Victorians causing more than 250 deaths a year.

GV Skin and Specialist Centre recently invested in new technology that can photograph and help identify troublesome spots and maintain a visible record of each one that can be monitored over time.

If you have a spot that is causing you concern, this is not the time to isolate but take a positive step towards having it identified and treated if necessary.

GV Skin and Specialist Centre is located at 20 Wyndham Street Shepparton and can be contacted on 5820 0500 to make an appointment. Don’t leave it until it is too late.

WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT COMPLACENCY... Skin specialists, Dr Matthew Wong and Wil Chong concerned that people are leaving cancers go undiagnosed. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 15

NEWS

Shepparton gets funding for secondary college continued from front page Local Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell has welcomed the funding however she is still concerned that this does not provide the best educational options for the region and she also expressed concern over the transition period being over too long a period.

The new school is being built by builders, Hansen and Yuncken who have been in Shepparton since 1925. The project will create more than 300 new jobs and provide a significant investment into the local community with jobs and material supplies.

Victorian Government Member for Northern Victoria, Mark Gepp said, “This is a once in a generation project for the Shepparton community and this funding will see students in the best possible facilities by 2022.”

Ms Lovell said, “The agreement that was reached in getting to this point was that there was to be a tech school. This announcement still makes no mention of that.” In his presentation at the school in February, the Minister for Education, James Merlino said, “A tech school is still on the table for Shepparton’s tenyear plan.” Ms Lovell indicated she will continue to pursue that promise.

Suzanna Sheed, Member for Shepparton District said, “It’s still sinking in and I would like to thank the Premier

This is a once in a generation project for the Shepparton community.

PUTTING LOCAL MANUFACTURE BACK ON THE TABLE...Local Member for Euroa, Steph Ryan and Victorian National Party Leader, Peter Walsh put forward a proposal to advance local manufacturing.

Photo: Steve Hutcheson.

Mark Gepp and Minister for keeping their word and funding this fantastic new campus.”

Executive principal of the new college, Genevieve Simson said, “It’s fantastic, it is almost unheard of that a contract this large would be funded in one round, mostly it would be staged in two or three grants but it shows the determination to make a marvelous school for region.

Greater Shepparton Secondary College students are currently studying at the Wanganui, Mooroopna and McGuire campuses until the new school is complete, With the prospect of a forthcoming budget that will focus on infrastructure as a means of increasing jobs over the next several years, the need for a technical school remains all the more important if the industry is to have enough tradesmen and women to do the work.

Although this round of funding is for the secondary college construction only, the tech school will have its own funding, Ms Lovell is determined to continue pursuing the Minister’s promise through to its eventuation.

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Bringing back local manufacturing continued from front page So, what of the future? Local Member for Euroa along with Victorian Nationals leader, Peter Walsh attended local manufacturing plant, SPC on Thursday to put forward a proposal to the Victorian Government that one billion dollars should be set aside from current borrowings to support and invest in local manufacturing.

Successive governments and even the general public, have unfortunately over the past 30 years or so, forsaken Australian manufacturing in preference for cheaper and perhaps inferior imported products. The difficulty will be, to undo all of that without making substantially more investment than one billion dollars.

With the pandemic having a noticeable short term impact, current national level mutterings between Australia and their largest trade partner, China over an issue that will have little benefit besides a ‘I told you so’, could see a trade disruption that would create a devastating impact on the Australian agricultural industry and in particular, the agricultural industry as it relates to the Goulburn Valley that will dwarf the pandemic impact.

Australian manufacturing has lost its

competitive edge in many ways. Labour costs, government regulations, health and safety requirements, even market size are some of the issues Australian manufacturers have.

Where Australia could shift that balance is by insisting upon importers proving that goods are produced in facilities that offer equivalent manufacturing and labour conditions as they are here, much like the demands put in place regards child labour for instance.

We have as a nation, to our detriment become reliant on cheap manufactured imports. While the proposal by the Nationals has merit, the biggest hurdle it faces that will make a noticeable impact in convincing the Australian buying public to buy Australian over the cheaper imports.

It is logically an issue their federal counterparts will have a greater hand in resolving. Federal Government Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum said at the onset to the pandemic in the period of rampant hoarding, “This will see the need for a radical change in thinking as to how we go forward.”

How the government adapts to the new landscape and how it manages its diplomatic exercises has yet to be seen. A wrong move will have wide reaching implications for the local economy.

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The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1509 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – Page 19

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