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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
MAJOR EARTHQUAKE HITS THE NORTH-EAST Local News 99 per cent mark
■ COVID-19 vaccinations of staff in private residential aged care facilities in the Murray Primary Health Network region reached 99 per cent this week. The Murray PHN region spans from Mildura in the north west, to Woodend in the south, across to Seymour and up to Albury - an area of almost 100,000 square kilometres. To reach the milestone, more than 3700 residential aged care staff across 80 facilities in the region received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose from late July. Melitta Zobec, Care Services Manager at Warramunda aged care in Kyabram said many of the facility’s staff initiated getting vaccinated before they could organise an in-house vaccination clinic. “More than half of our staff were vaccinated before we could access vaccine doses as an aged care facility,” she said. “We are pleased and extremely proud that 100 per cent of our residential care team members have now had at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or have an upcoming appointment to meet the national framework timeframe. This is a wonderful outcome for us all and we are grateful for our team’s proactive approach to protecting our residents, our community and each other.” Rose Tunious, Service Manager at Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged in Golden Square said all their facility’s staff have received their COVID vaccinations. “Vaccination clinics commenced here in April and we’re thrilled that 100 per cent of our staff have now received their COVID vaccination,” she said. “We’re grateful for the uptake from staff who expressed their understanding of the potential risk of the spread of the virus in our Bethlehem home and the community.” Kate McIntosh, Murray PHN COVID Vaccination Strategic Lead said, “We’re really appreciative of the work that the management and staff of each of the facilities have done to meet this milestone. It has been a real team effort.” - Amity Bradord
■ A 5.9 earthquake with an epicentre around Woods Point and Licola rocked North-East Victoria yesterday (Wed.). The area around Mansfield and Alexandra was heavily affected. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that the earthquake hit at 9:15 am at "a very shallow depth of 1.2 miles". Peter Rice of local radio station UGFM said: “ GeoScience indicating epicentre near Woods Point, 5.7 magnitude, 10 km below ground level. Felt Statewide. Alexandra well shaken for 30 seconds at 9.15 am. No reports of local damage. But reports of minor damage in some areas across the State. Reportedly most noticeable shake in Victoria since 1966.” Readers of the Local Paper social media page reported on the most serious shake for decades. Bev Johns of Kinglake West described the earthquake as “big”. Isabel Moore: “Big one in Benalla”. Janene Nicholson: “Big enough in Croydon, thought the house was going to fall down, dogs freaked as well.” Nola Willis-Borrie: “Bunnings Eltham was evacuated.” Friends of The Local Paper had more to say: Jason Allan: “Lasted about 20 seconds in Thornton, whole house shook.” Rick Newbery: “Same in Montrose.” Wendy Roberts: “Certainly was felt in South Gippsland as well.” Susan Barras: “Pakenham scary”. Georgina Ilekosa: “Yes it was in Mooroolbank.” Sally-Anne Russell: “In the west too. All the way up to Wagga apparently.” Neil Addison: “On Zoom meeting being felt from Swan Hill through to Colac and as far west as Horsham.” Shannon Mitrow: “Just had friends from Dandenongs, Cobram and Mansfield say they all felt it too.”
● The earthquake eipcentre was described as near Licola and Woods Point. John Cantrill: “I felt as though I was sitting pushed onto the street. Pool outside had waves in it, Ground just kept moving. Very scary on it in Mernda.” Bev Purcell of Viewbank: “That was scary. moved, to a doorway and put my arms, out nothing broken.” The house just shook.” Seymour: “ Moderate shaking. Heard rumThe Volcano Discovery website listed rebling noise, back verandah/patio shaking very ports from around the region: Mount Evelyn: “Light shaking, rattling, vi- noticeably and large hanging elk swinging. Winbrating. Rumbling, whole house shaking. Dog dows were rattling violently.” Eltham North: “Light shaking/ rattling, vibon high alert, barking. New respect for New rating / 5-10 s : Felt rattling. Hanger on line swinging.” Zealanders. That was scary.” Wollert: “Moderate shaking/horizontal (sideBenalla: “Rattling, vibrating. Outdoor heard loud cracking noise. When we got home ways) swinging / 30-60 s : Whole house shook, - all pictures skewed, items had been knocked I’ve never experienced anything quite like this over, in shed - ladders and other items knocked/ before. Pretty scary. An hour after and the cats fallen over to floor, garden ornaments toppled.” still hiding.” Near Mount Buller: “36 km of Mount Wantirna South: “Light shaking/ rattling, vibrating: I was in bed sleeping when Mum woke Buller, Victoria (2.6 km NNE of epicenter) Light me up and we thought that it was some strong shaking /both vertical and horizontal swinging / wind until Dad burst in thru the door and said 5-10 s : Sounded like a train coming. Mirrors and anything on walls shaking. Can still feal it was an earthquake.” Wangaratta: “Moderate shaking/vibration floor shanking under foot For quite a few minand rolling : “It was crazy, the doors were shaking utes after the first. There was 3 times it seemed - Local Paper readers and windows felt like our house was being to roll in.”
Youth Council sworn in
Youth Council meets
■ Seven aspiring young leaders have been given the opportunity to help shape the future of Mitchell Shire and be a voice for the region’s youth. The group was sworn in as Mitchell Shire’s Youth Council for 2021-2022 during Monday night’s Council meeting. During their 12-month term, the group will share their passions and ideas for young people and provide a youthful voice to feed in to the Mitchell Shire Councillors and the organisation. Thomas Starkey will serve as Youth Mayor, Georgia Fletcher will serve as Youth Deputy Mayor and Trinity Marshall will be Youth Council Secretary. - Mitchell Shire Council
● Photo of the Mitchell Shire Youth Council. Report at left.