PHOTO
July 22
‘BOGIE BARD DIPS HIS PEN TWICE
Tank & Tobin
Tank & Tobin's bird sculptures are great,
and for the next one I can't wait.
To view, they're a treat,
but not overly neat,
for nothing in nature is straight.
Unintelligence
When people rely on AI
to such an extent, I ask, "Why
don't you use your own brain,
or can't you explain?"
Go on, just give it a try.
Craig Penny, Euroa
NOT WORTH THE RISK
As this is Farm Safety Week (19-23 July), it is an important reminder that no harvest, no deadline, and no job is worth risking a life over.
It is a time for all of us to stop, have the important conversations. and take a fresh look at the risks around our properties.
Across our region, farming isn't just an industry - it's a way of life.
Our farms are workplaces, but they're also homes where children grow up, families work side by side, and generations build a future together.
That's exactly why safety can't be treated as an afterthought.
Every year, lives are changed forever by preventable accidents on Australian farms.
Whether it's taking an extra minute to check machinery, managing fatigue during busy periods, wearing the right protective equipment, or making sure children stay clear of dangerous work areas, small decisions can make all the difference.
Our farmers already shoulder enough: they battle the weather, rising costs, labour shortages, and uncertainty, all while producing the food and fibre that every Australian relies on.
They deserve to know that they'll return home safely to their families at the end of each day.
Let's all play our part in making sure every person who heads out through the farm gate comes back home again.
Annabelle Cleeland, Member for Euroa
July 15
ALL-WEATHER ISSUES WITH BUS SERVICE
How do you find out the timetable for the bus to Shepparton?
Going on the internet it tells me it is not running. Why?
I would love to catch the bus that passes Euroa at 7am but I cannot, and my efforts a few years ago came to nothing.
We have had a change of state MPs since then.
My efforts with the MP's staff (resulted in) all the information to present a case for this bus to stop at Euroa was lost.
So I went to the labour (Upper House) MP who represents us and had a go during COVID to present a case.
We do not have a bus to take us to Seymour to catch the train at 8am to Southern Cross because it is uneconomical for that bus to stop here at that time.
As this bus service stopped at Benalla, Wangaratta, and Albury - as the Sydney train does - why do we only get the V/Line train and one bus?
Then our bus shelter - on a cold winter, with damp in the air to frizz the hair, the one they have now is only large enough to give shelter to one person and a suitcase, and the amount of times I came close to heat stress in summer waiting for the bus to turn up, one time not catching the bus as I was suddenly too ill to.
Is there anyone on the shire who will take any of this on our behalf?
As the trains we have now can be up to 150 seats less for travellers on the Albury line, we need a bus.
V/Line executives can not count.
Robyn Neville, Euroa
LANDCARE AWARDS
If you know of someone who may
qualify, in whatever way,
for a Landcare Award,
you could put their name forward;
so why don't you do so today?
Craig Penny, Euroa
8 July
OPEN LETTER TO MINISTER OF ROADS AND ROAD SAFETY ROS SPENCE
I write to you regarding the critically dangerous condition of Victoria's regional roads.
This situation has become so dire that it demands you act urgently to significantly increase investment in the road repair program, and ensure Victorians have the smooth and safe regional roads they deserve.
Over a decade of Labor neglect has left our road network with massive potholes, crumbling road edges, ripples, and large cracks that have gone unrepaired for long periods.
It is Victorian motorists who are suffering the consequences as large potholes damage their vehicles by smashing wheel rims and puncturing tyres, putting lives at risk.
Recent high rainfall has filled many deep potholes with water and hidden them from unsuspecting drivers, while heavy fog has reduced road visibility, leaving motorists unable to see and avoid hazards ahead.
Even our major highways in northern Victoria, including the Hume and Goulburn Valley Highways, have fallen into a state of dangerous disrepair.
Many other state arterial roads also suffer from a lack of maintenance, and are in desperate need of repair and full rehabilitation of the worst sections.
The government abandoned its responsibility to carry out proper road maintenance over the past 12 years, and this year's budget once again reduced the amount of road area that will be repaired.
Regional Victorians are disgusted with Labor's city-centric approach that has left them behind.
Wendy Lovell, Member for Northern Victorian Region
THE NEW BARBECUE
Should you enjoy a barbecue,
the Rotary Club has one for you
that's spick-and-span and dual-plated
that you might have your hunger sated.
The Ford McKernan Shelter's where
you'll find this place to cook your fare;
so, carnivores and vegetarians
alike should thank the kind Rotarians.
Craig Penny, Euroa
1 July
GREEN SPACE 90 YEARS ON
We have just had the longest night in Euroa.
To mark that night, a friend and I walked through the local park.
This park was created in 1936 and before that it was used for grazing.
That year marked the 21st anniversary of the ANZAC landing in Türkiye.
The ladies of the village, through the Country Women’s Association and led by Mrs Currie of Seven Creeks Estate, approached the men of the shire to create the park.
Mrs Currie, who loved her garden, sought advice for the park from Edna Walling, the well-known Melbourne garden designer.
While Mrs Currie was creating the park with its garden cottage — which still stands beside the footbridge — Mr Currie and other gentlemen were establishing an Avenue of Honour along the Hume Highway that once ran through Euroa.
They made a special effort to plant three oak trees in front of the state primary school — one each for Mr Burton, Mr Tubb, and Mr Magar, all recipients of the Victoria Cross.
On 16 November 1936, a tree was planted to honour the Unknown Soldier.
A few years ago I spoke to a young man about this, and it was difficult to explain that there was no DNA (technology) available to identify the dead back then.
At the beginning of 1936, the King had died; it was the year of the Berlin Olympics, the Spanish Civil War, and Japan’s invasion of China.
By the time the tree was planted, there was a new King — 1936 being the year of three Kings.
Ninety years later and here I am, able to walk in that park at night.
We all need that green space.
Thank you to the people who created it.
Robyn Neville, Euroa
FULL PRICE FOR HALF THE SERVICE
In 150 days, Victorians get to do something the Allan Labor Government should fear: vote.
Ask people across our region what's keeping them up at night and the answer is consistent - the cost of living, crime, and health.
The financial squeeze is very real - it's a mortgage that's grown, a grocery bill that's doubled, and a tax burden piled higher by a Labor government that has run this state into record debt.
It's families feeling less safe in their own homes and towns.
And it's the worry that when you need an ambulance or a hospital bed, it won't be there in time.
Then there are our roads — crumbling, patched, and dangerous — and our schools, left to degrade while a city-centric Labor government looks the other way.
None of this is bad luck.
It's the result of Labor's choices: regional Victoria makes up over 25 per cent of the state's population, yet under this government we've received just 12pc of new infrastructure spending.
We are paying full price for half the service.
Country people aren't asking for handouts.
We're asking for our fair share — and Labor has ignored us for too long.
The only way to change this government is to put Labor last and vote for the Nationals and Liberals — the only genuine alternative ready to govern.
A protest vote that doesn't end in a change of government changes nothing.
In 150 days, we get to do exactly that.
I would encourage every regional Victorian to look hard at what the Allan Labor Government has delivered, weigh it against what's on offer, and make their voice impossible to ignore.
Annabelle Cleeland, Member for Euroa
THE DEMISE OF CHINAMAN'S BRIDGE
The Council, with sighs of relief,
issued to the contractor its brief:
with the bridge's days numbered,
it will no more be cumbered,
ere long, by this source of much grief.
Craig Penny, Euroa
June 24
GET CHECKED, FELLAS, AND DON'T OVERTHINK IT
Rural and remote doctors are urging Aussie men to book a check-up with their GP as soon as something doesn’t feel right and not put it off ‘till later’.
Getting onto physical and mental health concerns early can make a real difference in your health outcomes.
Men’s Health Week (recognises) two in three Australian men wait too long before seeking help when something doesn't feel right and that can lead to delayed treatment and, in some cases, more serious outcomes.
We get it – it seems much easier to stick your head in the sand and pretend everything’s rosy, or tell yourself that you’re too busy at the moment to see the doc.
But the reality is, that isn’t going to fix things, and seeing the doctor sooner rather than later may make the difference between a serious condition being diagnosed while something can be done about it, and being left with limited or even no treatment options.
Importantly too, your GP can absolutely help you with your mental health.
It is crucial that if you are feeling down or depressed, or just don’t have your usual levels of energy, that you book in early to see your GP for help with that.
As with your physical health, getting help early for any emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns can make a big difference.
Often men in rural and remote communities surprise themselves that – after putting off an appointment for so long – they feel a huge sense of relief when they finally do something about it.
The trick is not to overthink it, and to book that appointment in early.
Dr Sarah Chalmers, President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia
3000 MORE ON THE BEAT
The Nationals and Liberals in government will recruit an extra 3000 police as new crime statistics show disproportionate levels of crime in Victoria’s regions.
Crime in Victoria has reached record levels under the Allan Labor Government with regional areas making up three of the top five recorded Local Government Areas to have recorded offences.
Latrobe, Greater Shepparton, and Northern Grampians all feature prominently among most crime-ravaged areas of the state.
Latrobe had 17,950.5 offences per 100,000 of its population, with only Melbourne ranking higher among all Local Government areas in the state.
Greater Shepparton had 14,737 offences per 100,000 people, while Northern Grampians closely followed with 14,675.4 per 100,000 people – up a staggering 23.6 per cent from the same time last year.
Time and time again we are seeing regional Victoria rank highly in issues and rank lowly in funding and these latest statistics show the alarming prevalence of crime in these areas.
Meanwhile police stations are closing and manned hours continue to reduce while the government in its typical tone deaf manner pats itself on the back its handling crime in Victoria.
A Liberal-Nationals government will take crime seriously in this state, and along with 3000 extra police, we will bring in tougher bail laws and a host of measures to give a fair share to regional Victoria.
Danny O’Brien, Leader of The Nationals
RECOGNISE MY BATTLE
'Listen with more than your ears', is such a critical article from the The Euroa Gazette of 3 June.
If you haven’t read it, please do.
Warren Davies - the 'Unbreakable Farmer' - implores us to be sensitive to those impacted by the recent devastating fires.
He tells us that the initial adrenalin rush is over and that many of the victims are withdrawing, becoming isolated, and are not okay.
I am one of those having had my home destroyed as the fire devoured all in its path at Upton Hill.
Nothing was saved, nothing recognizable, all totally obliterated.
On reading your article I was awakened.
I am not okay, I am moody, irritable, and have lost confidence and motivation.
I need my community to recognise my battle as I know many members do.
I know that many others similarly impacted need understanding and support.
Davies words say it all.
Thank you for such a supportive article; it makes us feel we are not alone.
Jim Billings, Avenel
(Previous address no longer exists)
ALLAN'S LABOR, BROKE, POTHOLE STATE
Traveling to Melbourne this week I hit a pothole on the Hume Freeway where it crosses the railway line at Tallarook in the middle of the road and destroyed two tyres.
Ten minutes later another car arrived with the same problem.
A local tells me the has been occurring for several weeks.
When will this end?
Pot holes all along the Hume.
Check the southern entrance to the Hume from Euroa.
I feel we are living in a third world country.
The sooner we are rid of this profligate Labour government the better.
$34billion on the Suburban Rail Loop railway to no where, $15billion stolen on major infrastructure, while we country folks put up with these conditions.
Hopefully we can change this in November
Tom Hudson, Euroa
PREDICAMENT
There's much concern about the plight
of bees with the varroa mite;
but that's not all: the truth is that
they face the loss of habitat.
They labor hard to pollinate,
so need our help, ere it's too late
(if they were gone, what I'd miss most
is having honey on my toast)
Craig Penny, Euroa