The Adviser Editorial team takes a look at the last 12 months More than 2,000 farmers and supporters descended on Canberra in September to protest ‘anti-agricultural’ government policies.Furphy group of businesses celebrated 150 years of manufacturing in Shepparton.In yet another year full of news, development and events across the Goulburn Valley, we would like to […]
The Adviser Editorial team takes a look at the last 12 months
More than 2,000 farmers and supporters descended on Canberra in September to protest ‘anti-agricultural’ government policies.Furphy group of businesses celebrated 150 years of manufacturing in Shepparton.In yet another year full of news, development and events across the Goulburn Valley, we would like to take this opportunity to remember several remarkable individuals, amongst others, who have sadly passed away but have nonetheless enriched our community immeasurably:The future of old school sites in Greater Shepparton, made redundant after students moved to the new Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC), was revealed. The Mooroopna Campus will house Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative, Wanganui will house an expanded Verney Road School, McGuire will be home to GOTAFE Trade Training Centre, and GSSC’s Intensive Learning and Support Program, a new government-owned childcare centre co-located with Wilmot Road Primary School, is set to open in 2026.Around 100 regional leaders gathered on August 23 at the Northern Victorian Basin Water Summit held in Bendigo to address the renewed and imminent threat to northern Victorian communities due to changes in the Federal approach to the Murray Darling Basin Plan.M was pledged by the State Government to construct new housing for hospital staff at GV Health.A safety overhaul was announced for the dangerous Strathmerton intersection, the site of a tragic accident that claimed five lives last year.Sam Sali, a prominent figure in the transport industry and a dedicated community leader passed away at the age of 86 on January 7 in Bendigo Hospital.Australia voted ‘no’ in the referendum to an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.La Trobe University welcomed incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell, who commenced the role in February 2024.Shepparton Croquet Club celebrated 100 years.One Million Aussies officially took part in Parkrun across the country, a growing recreational and social activity.In April 2024, the Morris Car Club made its Shepparton debut, bringing over 100 iconic vehicles from all over Australia and more than 200 participants to the 24th National Rally, hosted every eight years in Victoria. In a remarkable show of support, the Morris Car Club donated the proceeds raised to Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project’s Pit Stop program, totalling ,000.In October 2023 Phillips Cellars, headed up by Paul and Jan Phillips was inducted into the Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN)’s Hall of Fame at the SPC Business Excellence Awards.Leonard Balfour, a devoted firefighter and owner of Balfours Airport Direct, passed away peacefully at home on August 9, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him. Leonard was 51.Tallygaroopna Soldiers’ Memorial Hall marked 100 years.Looking back to November 2023, Shepparton hosted the 2023 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships. This was a week-long event that attracted over 2,100 competitors, support crew, families and visitors from across Australia. The championships were held at the world-class Shepparton BMX track. Echoing the success of the 2019 championships, the event injected approximately M into the local economy.The controversial glass recycle bin was adopted and rolled out in Shepparton, marking a significant change in the way we manage waste.From Christmas 2023 to January, extreme storms inflicted widespread damage across the region, and in January subsequent releases of water had many worried again about localised flooding.Local business Chas Cole Cellars expanded and held its grand opening event with its brand-new drive-thru.The NBN fibre upgrade in Greater Shepparton reached a milestone, with 23,600 homes and businesses now having access to full fibre network and faster internet as part of the national upgrade.Geoffrey Thomson Holdings was sold to Redland Premium Fruit.Finny’s Manchester run by Ray and Anne Finn along with daughter Tina Sicali, has been a staple in the community for 35 years and sadly announced it will close in December. The beloved family business has been known as the little store with big savings, and it has had lines trailing down the block with customers eager to get their hands on a bargain.Crime rose statewide, including locally, with several local businesses targeted.La Trobe University experienced a 5 percent surge in popularity, with an uptick of first preference applications. La Trobe’s total offers spanning November to December 2023 was 6,602. An interest in regional campuses like Shepparton also experienced a rise generally. Most offers were made in nursing, health science, business, arts, and sport and exercise science.Both the Federal Budget and State Budgets were largely underwhelming for the region. The Federal Budget allocated .2M to upgrade the intersection of GV Hwy and Graham Street near GV Health, there was no funding for Sheppaton Bypass (8M cut), B across the nation for accommodation to house women and children fleeing domestic violence, further funds for Stage 3 of the Shepparton Rail upgrade, plus broader budget relief for residents like 0 per household in energy rebates.Echuca’s massive new community Yallarah began construction, which is set to deliver over 2,000 homes and boost housing supply in the region.The Federal opposition announced that their energy plan for Australia, if elected, included converting coal plants into nuclear power plants.Each of these remarkable individuals will be deeply missed.Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews stepped down from the top job around the same time, ushering in current Premier, Jacinta Allan.The nine wards representing rural and urban areas are: Balaclava, Goulburn River, Kialla, Lower Goulburn, McEwen, Midland, Pine Lodge, Poplar and Yanha Gurtji.In December, Greater Shepparton City Council won Bronze at the Victorian Tourism Awards. Shepparton was also ranked one of Australia’s most generous cities by GoFundMe’s annual “Year in Help” report. Shepparton ranked seventh overall, while Bundaberg in Queensland took the top spot as Australia’s most generous city for 2023, a position it last held in 2020.Jan Deane, a former ABC journalist and cherished radio host, brought joy and passion to our airwaves and community theatre, leaving behind a legacy of kindness at the age of 70.It’s been an action-packed year on the news and business front in the Goulburn Valley.Santo Varapodio, an Ardmona orchardist and generous benefactor, remembered for his big heart and unwavering commitment to charity, left us on June 16, aged 88.Local Australia Day celebrations looked different this year, with Council deciding in 2023 not to fund celebrations held on the January 26 date. Some groups, like Tatura and Muchison’s Australia Day Committees, pioneered their own self-funded community events. The council decision met significant backlash from the community and has since been revised. Commencing in 2025, celebrations can take place between January 24 and 29, and an Australia Day Committee will deliver an event on the 26th.GSSC CEO Peter Harriott departed, ushering in current CEO at council, Fiona Le Gassick.There’s news everywhere!The Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices and compensation to farmers attracted close attention throughout the year.The Adviser celebrated its 40th anniversary in August. In that time, more than 55 million copies of The Adviser and its special publications were distributed free to households throughout the Goulburn Valley.John Anderson was awarded Citizen of the Year at the Greater Shepparton Citizenship/Australia Day awards, amongst many other worthy recipients. The Governor-General gave Australia Day Honours to Stan Jezewski of Shepparton Search and Rescue (Emergency Services Medal), Suzanna Sheed (AM), Sharman Stone (AM), Paul Briggs (AO), Tatura’s Cheryl Dedman (OAM), Numurkah’s Rosemary Elsie Kennett (OAM), Nathalia’s Lynette Frank (OAM) and Euroa’s Michael Henry Tehan (OAM).Water buyback tenders began in July, despite the Northern Victorian and Southern Basin Communities fighting against this move for over 12 months.A major road repair blitz to combat flood and weather-damaged roads in regional areas began. This initiative was just the first phase of repairs planned over a 10-year period, with .6M in maintenance works committed by the State Government.North End Bakehouse expanded into Mooroopna, bringing award winning treats to the quieter part of town.Kyabram’s K-Hub announced it would close its doors in February 2024.Foott Waste achieves a major 20M eligible containers deposited in July since the scheme began in November 2023WillPrint has new owners after almost 30 years! Bharat Sood is now the new proprietor of WillPrint Minuteman Press and brings a wealth of experience to the renowned enterprise.Construction commenced on Shepparton FoodShare’s new forever home in Mooroopna.Rob Jones, proprietor of Shepparton Work Wear and Safety, was not only a beloved businessman but also a devoted family man, known for his generosity and community spirit. Rob was 71 years old.BBQs Galore and other businesses opened in a new shopping precinct across from Shepparton Marketplace on Benalla Road.Nagambie-born thoroughbred racing champion, Black Cavier, sadly passed away on August 17. The mare, who is honoured with a statue overlooking the lake, galloped into the hearts and minds of the nation as she went undefeated for 25 races, including 15 Group Ones, which is an Australian record.Pre-pandemic crowds packed Historic Winton across the last weekend of May in Benalla.Brian Birrell, local lawyer, newspaper columnist and father to our federal member for Nicholls Sam; passed away on June 1 aged 76.Tatura’s Hilltop Golf Club announced it would look at a massive expansion to remain viable into the future, which included reconfiguring some of the land and most notably, constructing a lifestyle village.Bega Group, which owns Tatura Milk and processes a large amount of the Goulburn Valley’s milk, celebrated 125 years in July.Due to a funding shortfall, Greater Shepparton City Council endorsed a new staged approach to see the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre upgrade become a reality. Understanding the need for the community asset, they have endorsed a M Stage 1 at their August council meeting.The Apprenticeship Factory and Monarch Personnel celebrated its 40th birthday in September. The Apprenticeship Factory has supported 7,000 young people into apprenticeships or traineeships in a wide range of industries.Unfortunately, around this time we learned that funding would be cut from the urgently needed and long-awaited Shepparton Bypass, under the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Review. At the end of the month, Shepparton farmers, leaders and concerned locals held a protest to stop harmful water buybacks.The nine new wards were named for Greater Shepparton, as the municipality is restructured into single wards ahead of the local government elections held in October 2024.The new state-of-the-art Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence (MCRE) was officially opened in August, marking a significant step in improving overall prosperity of the region and in particular, First Nations Australians. Students at ASHE began studying on campus at the MCRE in Term 3.Peter Johnson and Lisa McKenzie received King’ Birthday Honours.To protect local biodiversity, the Macquarie Perch was granted protected status in Victoria.Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative opened new offices in Seymour and have since taken over the former Mooroopna Secondary College site.The Greater Shepparton heritage plaques pilot program was launched, recognising historic landmarks.Riverbank stabilisation works were completed on Tom Collins Drive after it was damaged during the 2022 floods. It marks several post-flood repairs, including roads and drainage, but more work is needed into the future.0,000 in funding was announced to construct an outdoor shelter for events at the Acacia Street Mosque.Tourism rebounded after the floods – with Nagambie’s Discovery Parks reopening after a major rebuild.There was a record-breaking number of entries in the GMCU / Adviser ,500 Giveaway, with 85,378 paid entries, based on the average spend of .63, this amounted to .16M spent by shoppers at local participating businesses during the competition.Digital Driver’s Licences were rolled out in Victoria.Foresters’ Hall in Shepparton turns 150 years old.Murray Slee, Shepparton’s longest-serving Councillor, whose dedication and warmth touched countless lives over his 101 years, passed away on September 6.The Local Government elections are underway at the time of creating this special 10th anniversary edition of Our Goulburn Valley magazine. Following a review by the State Government, the municipality has been split into nine distinct wards and voters will vote for a representative for their ward, rather than electing nine councillors to represent the whole of Greater Shepparton.Billabong Garden Complex and Retail Nursery and Shop announced it will close on Friday, November 1 after 22 years of bringing high-quality plants, nursery products and homewares while supporting local people with a disability through training and employment opportunities.Destination Goulburn Valley hosted its inaugural Regional Summit: Building Momentum for Our Future. Featuring exceptional guest speakers and networking opportunities, the day was full of learning and inspiration for local businesses to capitalise on the visitor economy.M from the cancelled regional Commonwealth Games will provide upgrades at Shepparton Sports Stadium, the first significant upgrades at the stadium in more than 30 years. There will also be upgrades to community plantings and landscaping and shared paths under the Council Support Package.The statewide Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), managed locally by Foott Waste, was launched in November 2023. Foott’s Shepparton depot has been one of the highest performers, with 2.6M containers returned by January 2024, only three months after the program was launched. At the same time 100 million containers had been recycled through the program statewide.Hospital amalgamations have caused concerns for regional residents across the state.In June, news broke that Dhurringile Prison would be decommissioned and closed at the end of August, cutting 160 local jobs.Bringing us to January of this year, La Trobe University pledged over M to establish a partnership with Munarra Limited, which includes scholarships for Indigenous students, a fully funded role for student engagement, support and recruitment, a guaranteed three-year revenue share for Munarra, and Munarra being selected as the preferred partner for cultural awareness training for La Trobe’s staff.SPC cut canned fruit production as sales for Australian canned fruit slowed.
