Miracle of determination to keep living

TYSON Woodman enjoyed a bowl of Coco-Pops after arriving home on New Year’s Day.

The teenager’s snack is one of the last things he remembers before an asthma attack left him dead for 12 minutes.

Community ambulance officers Glenn Thompson and Lynne Gondar were the first to answer the calls from Tyson’s distraught grandparents Verneece and Noel.

Paramedics came next as Tyson, 18, struggling to breathe, screaming in contorted body.

“I am going to die ... I don’t want to die,” Verneece vividly recalled Tyson yelling in the lounge room of their Korong Vale home before she went outside, ambos seeing Tyson die before them and working to revive him.

“He was blue,” said grandfather Noel. “They started CPR. I got out of the way. Twenty minutes later Glenn came out said ‘we have got him back’.”

Standing in that same room near a fish tank four months later is Tyson, home after more than a week in the intensive care unit at Bendigo Health and months of rehabilitation at Royal Talbot Hospital in Melbourne.

He’s firmly grasping a football signed by mates at Wedderburn Football Club who were among the first to rally around the 18-year-old who had landed a full-time job after completing Year 12, had a car and was entering 2023 with the hope and optimism a new year brings.

By CHRIS EARL

Redbacks’ veteran Adam Postle says he was left rattled when word quickly spread of Tyson’s deadly asthma attack and the difficult road he faced to recovery.

“I couldn’t believe it ... Tyson was full of live and loved life with a vibrant attitude,” said Adam who had been the youngster’s mentor in a Wedderburn College program for students.

Adam quickly organised a football to be signed by Tyson’s clubmates. Peter McHugh took the ball to Tyson as he prepared to be transferred to Melbourne for rehabilitation and saw delight on Tyson’s face when the handing over the Sherrin, even though the skill of talking was still to be rediscovered.

In the first days of 2023 Tyson was twice put into an induced coma. As Verneece said: “His brain had to be rebooted.”

The asthma attack had left Tyson with brain damage.

“Medical tests also showed an infection on his right lung and a huge cyst. That’s what made it so potentially deadly and hard to get on top of,” said Verneece.

Tyson had been diagnosed an asthmatic at age eight months. He remains bewildered the January 1 incident so severe prescribed medication was not strong enough to halt and ease the attack.

“I remember saying that asth- ma doesn’t do this to me,” he said. Tyson’s road to recovery has already seen him surprise nurses and health professionals with a determination taking family and friends on a journey from shattered distress to joy.

“There was a family meeting and we were told he would never come home and would have to go into care,” said Verneece.

“Tyson was terrified, frustrated, didn’t know what was going on. They said to meet the new Tyson.”

After losing more than 10kg in weight while in intensive care, Tyson was also frail and weak, his start to rehabilitation slow.

But progress started - the football helped him kick goals building strength and co-ordination.

Speech made a return. “Yeah” was initially the only word in his vocabulary.

Visits from mates Dylan Caruana, Zac Slide, Junior Whyman and Kalais Crees put spirit into his fightback.

That focus didn’t surprise Laurie Witham. The Wedderburn pest control company owner had employed Tyson one day a week through a Wedderburn College student employment placement program.

“When he finished school late last year, I put him on full-time,” Laurie said.

““He was probably one of the best workers we have ever had and we had enrolled Tyson in a TAFE course to gain the qualifica- tions needed in the job. Then this bloody thing hit. It’s a pretty bad deal for Tyson but he’s got determination for sure.”

Tyson had also been working part-time at the local supermarket.

Owners Leigh and Jenny Randall and Laurie have been among supporters given thanks by Tyson in a note he dictated to grandmother Verneece, writing another of those temporarily lost skills.

“I would like to thank the community for all their support and a special mention to my mates Dylan, Jac and Junior and their families, the Wedderburn Redbacks for keeping me involved with footy while I’m unable to play.”

Tyson is steeled for a long road to recovery, supported by family and football mates - building the body weight back up, jumping the hurdles ahead of schedule like when he suddenly walked without a frame in rehab.

“I have never given up and I never will,” Tyson said. He’s venturing down to Donaldson Park every football training night and for games to watch his mates in action.

Tyson would love to be out running around the ground himself but with a hint of the old self says: “No footy this week - I would have been a benchwarmer.”

When Tyson’s laboured breathing stopped on New Year’s Day, Verneece and Noel feared for his future. For the Nan and Pop who Tyson says are “always there supporting me”, joy has returned to their home.

“The whole community has been so wonderful with their support of Tyson,” said Noel. “Small communities always come together,” added Verneece.

Tyson is kicking personal goals undaunted as he tackles new challenges, barracking for his mates on the football ground.

“And it’s good being back with Nan and Pop,” says the teenager with another shot at life.

Death Notice

Sutton - John Edward

04/03/1946 to 30/04/2023

Much loved husband of Wendy, Father to daughter Cheryl Keane and Stuart Sutton (Dec 2009), father-in-law to Alan Mahoney, Poppy to Kellie, Leah, Brodee and Ebony, Grand Poppy to Shaylee, Imogen, Charlotte, Jaxon and Ivy. He never taught us how to mend our hearts when he passed away, you were our world.

Forever in our hearts. Rest in peace.

SUTTON - John Edward

04/03/1946-30/04 2023

Eldest son of Eddie and Norma (late of Logan)

Much loved brother and brother-in-law of Robbie & Sue and Kevin & Pauline. Very fond Uncle John of all the family.

To all my family and friends who came and helped me celebrate my 21st birthday (80).

Also to those who couldn’t make it and sent best wishes.

A HUGE thank you for the beautiful flowers, gifts and my party. I will never forget.

It was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Looking forward to the next one.

Cheers and love

Susan Catto

MEETINGS

Celebrating National Volunteer Week

Loddon Shire Council recognise that Volunteers are the backbone behind the communities across Loddon, providing vital support for the delivery of many services, activities and key community assets.

To celebrate National Volunteer Week 15 to 23 May, Council are calling for members of the Loddon community to nominate a volunteer who they believe deserves recognition for the time, skill and passion they give to their community.

To nominate please complete the form below and drop it into the Council o ce or scan the QR Code to submit your nomination.

Feedback for Proposed Budget 2023/24 (which includes Draft Fees and Charges Schedule)

Loddon Shire Council has prepared a Budget for 2023/24 and after consideration at the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 26 April 2023 is now requesting feedback on the Draft Budget (which includes the Draft Fees and Charges Schedule).

Copies of the documents will be available for inspection from Monday 1 May 2023 to Friday 19 May 2023. Council has made these nancial documents available on Council’s website on https://www.loddon. vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Documents-forpublic-comment. Copies are also available to be posted on request by calling Council’s Customer Service O ce on (03) 5494 1200.

Any person wishing to provide feedback on any of the draft nancial documents is requested to do so before close of business on Friday 19 May 2023.

Feedback should be referenced with ‘Draft Financial Documents Feedback’ and can state whether they wish to provide their feedback in person at the June Council Forum.

This feedback can be sent via mail to Loddon Shire Council, PO Box 21, Wedderburn VIC 3518, or via email at loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Council will meet to consider any feedback at the Council Forum on Tuesday 6 June 2023. Council will then consider adoption of the Draft Budget at the Meeting of Council on Tuesday 27 June 2023. Council will give public notice of its decision.

ANNUAL and GENERAL MEETING

Will be held at BAC Club Rooms. 7.30pm Wednesday 10th May 2023.

All past, present, and future members welcome.

Please submit agenda Items or questions to boortanglingclub@yahoo.com at least 14 days prior to hat date. Nominations for office bearers will be accepted prior to, or at the meeting.

Rod Stringer, Secretary

Bridgewater Bowling Club

Annual General Meeting

Monday 8th May 7.30pm at clubrooms

WANTED

Wanted

Lincoln Fitzgerald Chief Executive O cer

Exciting OpportunityBe a Teacher Aide!

Boort District P-12 School is looking for someone to take on the rewarding and fulfilling role of teacher aide.

A teacher aide works in the classrooms with different teachers and students and helps prepare resources, supports the teacher with supervision of students and helps students complete tasks set.

Could this be you?

This role is for 3 days per week (negotiable) with the possibility of increasing time to five days per week. Training in support for Reading Intervention may also be available for the right person.

If you are interested in applying for this job, contact the school for a job description and a list of criteria to address in your application.

Applications close on Monday15th May – 4pm. Send applications to: The Principal Boort District P-12 School 9-27 Malone Street, Boort VIC 3537

Or Email: boort.district.p12@education.vic.gov.au

Subject: Teacher Aide Application

Audit And Risk Committee

Independent Member Vacancy

Loddon Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest from suitably skilled, community focused persons to be appointed as an independent member of its Audit and Risk Committee.

The Audit and Risk Committee has been established to support Council in discharging its oversight responsibilities related to nancial and performance reporting, risk management, fraud prevention systems and control, maintenance of a sound internal control environment, assurance activities and Council’s performance with regard to compliance with its policies and legislative and regulatory requirements.

The appointment is for a period of up to four years, with potential for two additional four-year terms.

Ideally, the successful candidate will have experience in nancial management, risk management or public sector management. Additionally candidates with a background in business or strong local community knowledge and involvement in Loddon Shire are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The Committee meets quarterly in Wedderburn with in person attendance required for at least three of the four meetings.

Further information, including the Audit and Risk Committee Charter and Information Pack can be found on Council’s website, https://www. loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Council/AuditCommittee-membership-and-meetings or by contacting Lisa Clue, Manager Governance on 5494 1200.

Applications close at 5.00pm Friday 26 May 2023.