New family violence podcast sheds light on horrors of financial abuse

A new podcast exploring the complex dynamics of financial abuse and coercive control in relationships has been released by Crime Stoppers Victoria. An eye-opening two-episode series, titled “What is financial abuse” and “Escaping financial abuse”, features Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Family Violence Command, Lauren Callaway, and Safe Steps Chief Executive Dr Chelsea Tobin. The series, made in partnership with BankVic, aims to educate the community on the significant impacts of financial abuse and how to escape this rising form of family violence.

Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Stella

Smith said financial abuse was often misunderstood by the community - even by those suffering from it.

“Financial abuse can happen to anyone, whether it’s a form of control over your income, child support, pension, or even forcing you to sign important documents such as mortgages or loans,” Ms Smith said.

“Financial abuse occurs whenever a person’s financial independence is restricted through manipulative and controlling behaviour.

“Through our new podcast series, Crime Stoppers Victoria is hoping to shed some light on this form of family violence and to help support those who are suffering from it.”

Assistant Commissioner Callaway, who features in the first episode of the series, said financial abuse and coercive control often wasn't recognised as traditional family violence by the public.

“In Victoria, we have the broadest definition of what family violence is, and financial abuse and coercive control are included in that definition,” she said.

“We know that family violence occurs in all sorts of settings, and our priority is to keep these victims safe and bring the perpetrators to justice”.

Safe Steps CEO Dr Chelsea Tobin, who features in the second episode of the series, said Safe Steps was Australia's only 24/7 crisis response service which assisted victim-survivors of family violence.

Dr Tobin described financial abuse as, “a strategic campaign of abuse held together by fear.”

“That’s what I hear on the phones every day here at Safe Steps, victim-survivors having a debt in their name but not being associated with the asset, having car insurance but no car, and having to beg for necessities such as groceries, petrol money and medical appointments.

“Safe Steps is the crisis entry point for the wider family violence service system in Victoria and our phones are open 24 hours a day every single day of the year. We want people to know if you need our help, please call us,” she said.

To listen to the podcast, search for Crime Stoppers Victoria on your favourite podcast app, or visit https://play.acast.com/s/crime-stoppers-vic

Council Meeting

The next meeting of Strathbogie Shire Council is scheduled be held on Tuesday 18 July 2023, commencing at 6pm at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre, 69 Loddings Lane, Nagambie Please note the change of venue for this meeting. The gallery will be open to the public. The meeting will be livestreamed at www. strathbogie.vic.gov.au and we encourage community members to watch the meeting via this option.

The agenda for this meeting will be available on Council's website by close of business the Friday prior to the meeting.

Hardcopies of the Agenda will no longer be available, however, a limited number of iPads with the Agenda uploaded will be on hand for public use at the meeting.

Community Grants Workshop

Strathbogie Shire Council has updated its community grants program to better deliver outcomes for the community.

The grant amount has doubled to $10,000 and Council has simplified processes for application and administration. There are now three funding opportunities for community groups and an events funding stream.

Council is inviting potential applicants to attend either an online or face-to-face workshop.

The workshops will be held on July 13, 2023 to introduce the new community funding model and guide community members on how to prepare a grant application and answer any specific questions around project suitability.

Bookings can be made via https://events. humanitix.com/community-strengthening-gran

If you are unable to attend, the online workshop recording will be available to view on Council’s website in retrospect.

Budget overview

Six community projects valued at more than $200,000 were recently endorsed for funding through Strathbogie Shire Council’s Pitch My Project initiative.

For the 2023/24 Budget, Council took community input to the next level, and created a participatory budgeting exercise to put the decision making into the hands of the community.

Locals pitched ideas that aligned to the Strategic Focus Areas in the 2021/25 Council Plan.

The projects scoring the highest in each category, and endorsed for funding, at last month’s Extraordinary Council Meeting are outlined in the table below:

ENGAGE. CREATE. UNITE. Strathbogie Memorial Hall Stage Upgrade $50,000

LIVE. ACCESS. CONNECT. Longwood Nature Play Space

$50,000

INCLUSIVE. PRODUCTIVE. BALANCED. Euroa Branding Project – to enhance tourism and investment in Euroa $50,000

STRONG. HEALTHY. SAFE. Shade Sail: Graytown Community Centre

$15,000

STRONG. HEALTHY. SAFE. Longwood Football and Netball Club. Shelters and seating. $35,000

ACCOUNTABLE TRANSPARENT. RESPONSIBLE.

Euroa Memorial Oval septic tank decommissioning

$20,000

The 2023/2024 Budget provides for operating expenditure of $34.4 million on services with new initiatives including:

• Funding dedicated to the repair of roads, bridges and culverts following the October 2022 flood event.

• Additional resources for our Operations team to support road, culvert and drainage repairs and maintenance.

• Scoping for traffic and parking management options in the Buckley Park precinct, Nagambie.

• Funding for a number of footpath projects and funding for the review of our Tracks and Trails Strategy to improve connectivity and physical activity across the Shire.

• Continued investment in our streetscape improvement programs.

The Budget also provides for a $12.99 million capital works program, together with $3.49 million carried forward from 2022/2023.

Nagambie Library update

The Nagambie Library was closed recently for general maintenance works.

A structural assessment has found that the building has moved, and a small section should not be used.

While we work to understand what is needed and the associated costs, we have closed the building indefinitely.

We understand this is not the best outcome for library users, however, we assure you we’re working to ensure the safety of our community.

Goulburn Valley Libraries will continue to provide a library service to the Nagambie community through the Mobile Library, which will visit Nagambie adjacent to the Black Caviar statue in High Street on the following dates and times.

• Monday 10th 10.00am – 12.30pm Wednesday 12th 1.15pm-4.00pm

• Monday 17th 10.00am – 4.00pm

• Wednesday 19th 1.15pm-4.00pm

• Monday 24th 10.00am – 12.30pm

• Wednesday 26th 1.15pm-4.00pm

• Monday 31st 10.00am – 4.00pm Wednesday 2nd 1.15pm-4.00pm

The community are encouraged to pop into the Mobile Library, to join, to borrow, place holds and return library items.

For further information about Mobile Library visits and services can be obtained by contacting Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765 or by email gvlibraries@gvlibraries.

Strathbogie Shire Council has revamped its grants program to empower the community and boost projects. The grant amount has doubled to $10,000, with streamlined application processes.

Three funding opportunities for community groups and an events funding stream are now available. Apply for grants up to $10,000 by August 7.

Quick Response Grants of $1,000 are open yearround. Event Grants have increased to $50,000, with up to $5,000 per application.

Discover the new funding model, learn how to apply, and have your questions answered at the workshops on July 13, 2023, at 3pm or 7.30pm. Secure your spot here: https://events.humanitix. com/community-strengthening-grant

After two and a half years travelling in a caravan around Australia, former Queenslander Bill Northey and his wife stopped for lunch in Nagambie and somehow never left.

Once positioned at Council’s visitor information site at the Wahring service station, Bill has spent the last nine years dedicating his time volunteering for Council.

He is one of eight volunteers now based in the Nagambie Visitor Information Centre (VIC).

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said volunteers spent around three hours per shift at the VICs, either in Nagambie or Euroa.

“The VICs provide a valuable service for both residents and visitors to the Shire,” Cr Binks said.

“Volunteers are the first point of contact for visitors and assist them by answering a range of queries.

“They give guidance on the region’s attractions, things to see and do, directions around the district, accommodation, conference venues, retailers as well as information about Victoria.

“Volunteering at the centres is perfect for those who have a passion for the region.

Bill said the most common things he is asked by visitors is information on local wineries, Lake

Nagambie and, of course, boating and fishing. He said he also provides information on places to cycle and walk.

With such a variety of requests, no two days are ever the same at the Nagambie VIC for Bill.

“Every day brings many different questions,” Bill said, even assisting visitors over the phone with queries, such as the reopening of local waterways following the October 2022 flood event.

Bill said he was eager to share his passion for volunteering with others.

“It would be great if we could have more volunteers to assist in Nagambie and Euroa,” he said.

To find out more about volunteering and to fill out an application form, visit https://www. strathbogie.vic.gov.au/council/our-council/ careers-at-council/ or phone the Customer Service team on 1800 065 993 (free call). You can also call into the Visitor Information Centre at 293 High St, Nagambie and speak to the team.

I stole the above items from eNews that was recently distributed to registered residents. It is a free information bulletin that comes out monthly and is full of information. Contact council on 1800 065 993 to subscribe. Further to my previous article regarding school crossing supervisors, the Department of Transport has informed Council, that because Nagambie Primary School is on a local road, the department will not provide a school crossing supervisor. On top of this, they are not willing to provide any financial support to council to assist in finding a solution. Not good enough. Council have written back to the department to strongly inform them this decision is unacceptable, and we will continue advocating for this important service to continue.

More shout outs this issue to Nagambie netballers Macey Auld (50 games) and Bree Merrifield (100 games). Great milestones. Go Lakers.

As Michael Smith would say, “Stay safe.” Reg Dickinson

23 Hannah Crescent, Nagambie 4 2 2 Sale: $710,000

This stunning newly constructed house is now available on a generous 803m2 block with great side access to the backyard and a massive 21.6 meter frontage. With its modern design and convenient location, this property is perfect for those seeking a comfortable and stylish home.

The house features a range of desirable attributes including 'His and Her' walk-in robe, ceiling fans to all bedrooms, built-in robes and walk-in linen.

The kitchen consists of a large island bench overlooking the airy living/ dining room, 900mm electric oven and gas cooktop and a generous walkin pantry offering ample storage space.No matter the season, you can enjoy a comfortable living environment with split system air conditioning and heating. The property has a large outdoor entertaining area perfect for creating lasting memories with family and friends. Located in the highly sought-after area of Nagambie, this property offers easy access to local amenities, schools, and parks. With a price guide of $710,000, this house presents a fantastic opportunity for those looking to invest in a quality home.

Mark Boyer 0418 941 628

Nagambie, Vic

Kirwans Bridge Insurance Questions and Costings Remain Unanswered

Insurance questions remain unanswered

We read of the bridge re-opening apparently being based on an insurance question.

Unfortunately, attempts to learn details of the insurance cover taken out by the shire, and even the date when the claim for damages was submitted to the insurance company, have drawn no response. We hope that a further application to FOI will not be needed on this matter.

The shire has not been able to answer these basic questions which have been asked several times…

• What does the bridge insurance cover? Damage by floods? By fire? By overweight vehicle use?

• When did the coverage begin, as there was no such mention in the 2011 closure? Shire officers then said the bridge was ‘uninsurable’

• Who is the broker, and which company is the underwriter?

• When was the inspection first undertaken ahead of the policy to assess the insurance risk, and what did it reveal? Without that, how would an insurer know of any bridge deterioration since?

• What was the nature of the claim against the policy, and when was it lodged?

Where are the costings?

For nine months we have been waiting for a report on the scope of works and costs to open the bridge for the short term and for the long term. All three engineering reports say the bridge needs repairs, and we all know a wooden bridge requires regular maintenance, especially when there are 4,000 vehicles per week. We also know from repairs in the past, the required maintenance would be far less costly than the proposed expenditure of $1.8 million for the back road.

The residents are very keen to take the step to improve our partnership with the council. And we regularly hear the shire say “we know how frustrating this is for residents and we want you to work with us, not against us…” but the CEO has never actually crossed the river to meet with the community, ever.

Contributed by the Kirwans Bridge Committee Submission