Regional Extra 310523

Help for flood victims in need

JANET and Dale Mitchell from Carboor have dedicated their time to helping flood victims who need assistance in the North East.

Around two years ago they had the idea to help those who had fallen on tough times and financial hardships due to the lockdowns.

“We felt we might be able to be of assistance in some way,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We helped a few families between a few of us and friends that jumped in to help.”

The 2022 Christmas floods left many people without a roof over their heads and in dire need of some help with

By CHLOE JAENICKE

clothing and feeding themselves.

The Mitchells sought to help flood victims in Echuca, Rochester and Murrabit by delivering them non-perishable food, clothes, linen and everything else they needed.

“We packed 140 Christmas hampers for Rochester and three carloads of us went to Murrabit to their Pizza night and handed those hampers over,” Ms Mitchell said.

Since then, they have delivered 35 loads of items to the communities in need with

friends and family helping them along the way.

As winter is starting to set in, Ms Mitchell said they have been called into many locations recently.

“We just get a call, have a ring around with people on the team and gather what we need and deliver it to the people in need, without prejudice,” she said.

They have also received donations from many people and companies to help them out.

“The Wangaratta Men’s Shed has been amazing in helping with donations,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The Seventh Day Adventist Church have given generously, as have many people there as well who have come on board to help with many deliveries to families in need.”

They also received a $500 grant from Garry Nash & Co.

Due to Mr and Ms Mitchell’s charity work not having a tax deductible status, they weren’t eligible for the community grant but due to being impressed with their story, Garry Nash & Co decided to grant them money from their hardship fund.

■ Continued page 6

GONE FISHING

NE HING

◆ DONATING GOODS: Dale Mitchell (left), John Taylor, Kayleen Taylor, Neil Hopkins and Janet Mitchell are working together to donate goods to flood victims in need.

Grevillea “Peaches and Cream”

GREVILLEAS are one of the most well-known and popular plants in Australian gardens.

The genus was named in honour of Charles Francis Greville who was a patron of botany, cofounder of the Royal Horticultural Society and a British politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1774 to 1790.

Long before European settlers learned to appreciate the beauty of grevilleas, they were an established traditional food for First Nations Peoples.

The nectar was mixed with water to make a sweet drink or shaken onto the hand and licked off Hybrid grevilleas have become well-established in the nursery industry.

Some well-known hybrids are “Robyn Gordon”, “Superb”, “Ned Kelly” and “Coconut Ice”.

All are reliable in a range of soils and bear attractive flowers for many months of the year.

One recent hybrid which is now readily available is G. “Peaches and Cream”.

It is a natural hybrid of G. bipinnatafida and G. banksia

It arose by chance in a Brisbane garden.

It is a vigorous grower - in the right conditions the shrub may reach 3m wide x 1.5 metres in height in about three years.

Plants respond well to pruning.

The attractive lobed foliage is dense, making it an ideal hedging plant.

Older plants can be hard pruned back to bare wood to stimulate fresh new growth.

Flowers are borne on a cylindrical raceme measuring about 15 cm long.

The individual flowers open progressively down the flower stem, initially creamy-yellow, ageing to pink hues.

They are a great bird-attractant.

G. “Peaches and Cream” is an ideal cut flower and lasts well indoors.

GONE FISHING

with Helen Van Riet et

This Grevillea prefers a sunny position but will tolerate half-shade.

Plants are frost tolerant.

In normal soil conditions supplementary fertilizers are not necessary.

If a fertilizer is applied, it should be low-phosphorus.

As this is a natural hybrid, to come true to type, propagation of new plants must be from cuttings.

Semi-soft new growth can be taken in the warmer months, treated with a hormone rooting compound and set in a well-drained moist medium.

When well-rooted, they can be pricked out and potted on.

They should be well established before planting out in the garden.

Some folk may be allergic to the foliage of this group of grevilleas.

Care should be taken to avoid contact with the skin.

Cray season is almost here and many of us are quite excited

THURSDAY, June 1 is the opening day of the Murray cray fishing season here in Victoria.

The season remains open every day of winter and closes at midnight on August 31.

Spiny Murray Crayfish are the second largest freshwater crayfish in the world, second only to the Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish.

They are found in many areas of the Murray Darling Basin including right here in Wangaratta, and are a lot of fun to catch.

Due to their potential to be over harvested they are subject to strict size and bag limits, and there are rules around the

This Day in History, 1913

ALL the old timers remembered it, the day when the whole countryside was turned white by the heaviest snowfall anyone could remember - May 31, 1913.

In Wangaratta, Merriwa Park, its trees heavy with snow, brought a rush of nostalgia for the ‘old country’ while native born Australians viewed the sight with amazement.

In Benalla, the snow lay deep over the streets and the Benalla Gardens was transformed into a fairyland of white.

equipment that can be used to catch them.

I suggest you download a copy of the Victorian Fisheries Authority Recreational Fishing Guide to make sure that you are up to date with the rules before heading out.

I like to use hoop nets to catch crayfish which are readily available from most tackle stores.

For bait, any meat will do.

Dead carp is great bait, lambs fry, chicken, ox heart, off cuts from the butcher, dead rabbit etc…

I have even caught crayfish using dry dogfood stuffed into a ladies stocking

WANGARATTA RSPCA has many lovable creatures waiting for the perfect family to take them home. If you want to add a furry friend to your home, call (03) 5722 2874 or visit the shelter at 1 Connell Street Wangaratta.

Wangaratta RSPCA’s animal adoption source code is BR100934

MOUSE THE CAT: Mouse is an easy going cat who knows how to stay out of trouble by snoozing by a sunny window. He knows you need to bring him home food; he will always greet you at the end of the day and mind the house while you’re away. Mouse may be suitable to live with a cat or dog. His microchip number is 956000013298881. PHOTO: RSPCA

and tied into the net.

It is best to take the lady out of the stocking first though to prevent confrontation. Look for the deeper sections of the rivers.

Deep holes on bends can be great places to find crayfish. Steep clay banks with deep water underneath are ideal. Also with winter comes a real slowdown in many other forms of fishing although I was sent a photo of a nice feed of redfin caught at the Waranga Basin during the week. The fish were not huge, but were big enough to get some nice fillets off and there were a fair few of them.

WANG BOOK FAIR

with Robbie Alexander th PET

Training to make positive impact on native wildlife

WILDLIFE Victoria is holding training sessions across to the state to teach people the necessary rescue procedures and skills necessary to handle and transport wildlife safely.

What is Wildlife Victoria’s aims?

Wildlife Victoria’s mission is to help and protect wildlife through rescue, education, and advocacy activities.

It responds to community reports of distressed wildlife and facilitate the care needed.

It promotes community knowledge and care of wildlife and advocate for the protection and welfare of wildlife.

What do you do to achieve those aims?

Wildlife Emergency Response Service receives notifications from members of the public via the emergency phone and online reporting system.

It receives more than 110,000 requests for help a year and helps over 80,000 animals.

When a member of the public contacts the service about a sick, injured or orphaned animal, emergency response operators provide advice to help the caller manage the situation appropriately, and when necessary, arranges for a trained volunteer or one of the travelling vets to attend.

In addition to the rescue service, through education programs and activities, Wildlife Victoria help wildlife by providing people with the knowledge and skills they need for peaceful and positive co-existence with wildlife, and by facilitating positive community attitudes toward wildlife.

Wildlife Victoria advocates for wildlife whenever their welfare is under threat or compromised.

How can the community help?

There are three main things the community can do.

The most important thing people can do is to call (03) 8400 7300 if they come across wildlife that might need help.

Donating to Wildlife Victoria is also very im-

portant, as it is a non-profit organisation that relies on donations to run the service.

And of course, the service would love the community to register for training and become volunteer rescuers!

What is the reason for the training event at Benalla?

Wildlife Victoria is rolling out a new training program across regional Victoria in areas of the state that need more volunteer resources to ensure that it can continue to adequately respond to increased demand.

Benalla is a beautiful area with lots of wildlife, and it’s a place where Wildlife Victoria sees an opportunity to bring on more volunteers to make sure it is ready to meet demand as it increases.

Between 2019 and 2022, Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service experienced a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in demand for services across Victoria.

Looking at the call rates from the first three months of 2023, this demand increases upwards of 25 per cent.

Wildlife Victoria operates a network of more than 1300 trained volunteers statewide but with the increased call volume, more volunteers are needed than ever before.

“In these areas, we have less volunteers, but they often take on more responsibility,” said Lisa Palma, Wildlife Victoria CEO

“This can have significant mental impact and by growing our volunteer workforce, we ensure best outcomes for wildlife in need and for our volunteers.”

To leverage local area knowledge, Wildlife Victoria has enlisted the expertise of volunteers who live in the region to deliver the training sessions.

This creates a regional-based model that utilises existing volunteers’ expert knowledge in local flora, fauna and terrain.

It will also create regional-based communities of volunteers to work together and support each other.

◆

Who should attend the training?

Anyone who would like to make a positive, practical impact on the welfare of our wonderful native wildlife.

Attendees of the basic rescue and transport training sessions can expect a fun and interactive session which teaches people the necessary rescue procedures and skills necessary to handle and transport wildlife safely.

Wildlife Victoria’s new training program kicks off on June 17 and runs through until August 26.

Individual sessions will be held in Benalla, Traralgon, Lorne, Mildura, Orbost, Shepparton, Leongatha, and Horsham.

For full details and to register your interest go to wildlifevictoria.org.au.

Wildlife Victoria relies on the generosity of others to continues its work. If you would like to make a donation go to https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/donate/donate-to-wildlifevictoria.

FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE: Sue Hiatt will be the local trainer at the Wildlife Victoria training sessions in the North East. Sue joined Wildlife Victoria as a rescuer in 2017 and now has hundreds of native wildlife rescues to her name. Along with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, Sue runs the Beechworth Wildlife Shelter.

Help for Victorian flood victims in need

■ From page 1

“Totally off their own back they’ve just started packing up the car each weekend to deliver goods,” Marion Nash from Garry Nash & Co said.

“I think the fact that this couple who were just sitting around talking about the plight of others and feeling that they had been fortunate in their lives and thought they could help others is impressive.”

Ms Nash said the money from the grant was mainly to assist with transport.

“From what I understood at the time, they had all of these goods stored somewhere but they had no way in getting them across to Rushworth to actually put them in place so we said maybe you could use this money to assist you in getting some sort of transport,” she said.

As well as delivering goods to

FEATURE STORY

flood victims, the Mitchells also have a logging business and own a farm in Carboor where they breed beef cattle.

Ms Mitchell said they take time out of their busy schedules to help out and renew the confidence of those who are currently facing hardships.

“We don’t need to know their stories when we drop things off, we don’t even need to know where they live,” she said.

“We just need a contact that can deliver to people who need a hand.”

While they aren’t currently looking for donations from the public, Ms Mitchell said they are always open to new volunteers.

“Anyone who would like to join in to help are most welcome as it’s all volunteer driven,” she said.

If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Ms Mitchell on 0407 611 994.

NorthEast JOBS

GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE

The following opportunities now exist for enthusiastic, safety focused people with suitable experience and qualifications. Please visit our website to find out more about current positions available across Mawsons business divisions.

Regional VIC & NSW –

Quarry Transport Truck & Trailer Driver - QUAT003

Beechworth – Concrete Truck Driver/Batcher – BEEC003

Shepparton – Concrete Truck Driver – SHEP004

Shepparton – Concrete Cartage Contract – CCSSHEP06

Bendigo – Concrete Truck Driver – BEND002

◆ HELPING FRIENDS: Kayleen Taylor has been helping the Mitchells out with delivering donations.

Myrtleford Lodge Aged Care

Positions exist for motivated, flexible staff to work in our aged care facility in a variety of roles, including cleaning/ laundry and food services.

The role involves working closely with elderly people in a team environment, and would enable enthusiastic staff to expand on their skills, and take on new and challenging roles.

Applications close at 5pm on June 24, 2023

For further information and a copy of the Position Description, please contact Administration

Myrtleford Lodge (03) 5752 2222

SEEKING A CAREER CHANGE? COPRICE WANGARATTA ARE HIRING!

CopRice is the animal foods division of SunRice and is a leading supplier of nutrition products to the companion animal and livestock sectors. CopRice has been supplying quality feeds for animals for over 30 years through plants in NSW and Victoria.

Over 2,100 employees, 30 brands, an unrelenting focus on innovation, and a commitment to our people, our communities and environment, we’re SunRice - an iconic Australian company and a great place to work. SunRice Group provides a real opportunity for passionate people to make a difference.

Our CopRice Wangaratta facility has some excellent opportunities for experienced, dedicated individuals to make a difference. Vacancies currently exist for the following full time permanent positions.

The successful candidates for all roles will have a personal commitment for their safety and can look forward to working with an experienced, friendly and close-knit team of colleagues.

www.sunrice.com.au

strict confidence.

SunRice is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SunRice will consider qualified applicants for employment based on their merit, individual skills, qualifications, and other appropriate criteria relevant to the role for which they are applying.

CATHEDRAL

COLLEGE WANGARATTA

A school of The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.) The College seeks applications from suitably experienced persons for the following full-time Term 3 replacement positions:

Secondary Maths & Science Teacher

(The ability to teach VCE Maths and/or Physics would be advantageous. This position has the potential to be ongoing.)

Secondary Humanities Teacher

The College also has positions available for:

Casual Relief Teachers

(Primary and Secondary)

Please refer to our website for more information. Applications are to be forwarded to: The Principal, Mr Nick Jones at: principal@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au by Monday June 5, 2023.

Cathedral College Wangaratta is a Child Safe School and an Equal Opportunity Employer

achieve belong discover

CLASSIFIEDS - 5723 0101

Customer Service/ Admin Officer

North East Media is looking for a dynamic Customer Services/Administration Support Officer to assist in our Wangaratta office. You will be responsible for a broad range of tasks including providing outstanding customer service to our valuable customers, answering incoming calls, data entry, classified sales and admin support.

To be considered for this role you will need:

with working in a team environment Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word

high attention to detail a must ability to prioritise a busy work schedule deadline and work well under pressure skills

and ongoing customer relationships enquiries

If you enjoy working with customers and as part of a team, and have the skills and send your resume with cover letter to: kmayhew@nemedia.com.au or mail to North East Media, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta VIC 3677

OVENS MURRAY We are hiring a Widening Participation Coordinator!

Keep your eye on myopia management!

MYTOPIA is an eye condition that results in poor or blurred vision when viewing in the distance.

It is also known as near-sightedness because people with myopia can still see things clearly that are close.

In myopic eyes, commonly, the length of the eyeball is longer than it should be, causing images of distant objects to be focused ‘in front of ‘rather than ‘on’ the light sensitive layer of the eye known as the retina.

Current research indicates that both genetics and environmental factors determine whether a child will be myopic.

What happens when your fixed rate term ends

FIXED rate terms last for a set period of time that is prearranged between you and your lender.

Fixed rate periods last between one and five years.

When your fixed rate term ends, your loan will usually revert automatically to the standard variable interest rate unless you have provided instructions to refix your loan.

As the end of your fixed rate term approaches, it’s important to plan ahead and talk to your mortgage broker about what your new, or roll-off, interest rate and repayments might be and what your options are.

Repricing with your current lender

Lenders may not apply the lowest interest rate they offer when a loan reverts to a variable rate.

But, you can ask for a reprice to a more competitive rate.

If you do find a more competitive rate with a different lender, you could also ask your current lender if they can match it.

Refinancing to a different lender

Once your fixed rate term ends, you may be

able to refinance to a different lender.

While the interest rate is a key factor when choosing a loan product, it’s important to know the ‘true cost of switching’.

You may see tempting cashback offers from lenders, or lower rates advertised, but there are a myriad of fees and charges involved in setting up a new loan that you will need to consider.

If your loan-to-value ratio (LVR) is above a certain limit – usually 80 per cent LVR – you may be required to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance if your refinance.

We can help you understand what it will actually cost you to change lenders, and how much you could save.

Winsec Savings & Loans 43 Reid Street Wangaratta phone 5721 5200.

https://portal.mfaa.com.au/broker-toolbox/ marketing/consumer-facing-resources/articlelibrary/.

They also play a role in the progression of myopia.

However, while we cannot change their genetics, it is useful to know that environment plays a significant role in myopia and therefore, you can use some simple strategies that will help protect their vision now and into the future.

Understand the risk factors

Of the many factors found associated with myopia, such as ethnicity, parental myopia and urban living, two factors are significant and found to be causally related.

Near work and education

The greater the time spent on near work, the greater the risk of myopia- both onset and progression.

In children of the same age, those who were in a higher class/grade at school (greater academic load) have a more myopic refractive error.

Low outdoors time

Those that spend less time outdoors are at significant risk of myopia.

The International Myopia Institute recommends spending a minimum of 2 hours outdoors per day!

Know the related diseases

If left untreated, myopia will gradually

with Roxy Akers from Wang Eyecare

worsen. People with high myopia (-5.00D or worse) have an increased risk of retinal detachment, cataracts, myopic degeneration and glaucoma, which can all cause vision loss.

Slowing progression is key, and with healthy changes to our habits and lifestyles, plus intervention treatments when needed, we can stop myopia from being the leading cause of avoidable vision loss.

Get myopia managed

Myopia may be delayed or prevented by spending less time on devices and more time outdoors, possibly due to increased exposure to sunlight or the need to look into the far distance regularly.

While myopia cannot be completely prevented, when it onsets, it can be managed through the use of specially designed lenses or contact lenses – and through therapeutics (i.e. eye drops). These management approaches aim to slow the progress of myopia, reducing the risk of the eye reaching higher levels of myopia.

with Caroline Stone from Winsec Savings & Loans