Here is Rosa Ritchie back The news’ blog to guide you through the latest news across the GV.
It will be a mostly sunny day today with a high of 26 and light showers expected in the afternoon.
UPDATE 4:40 p.m .: Kyabram man airlifted to hospital
We now have a few more details on a serious collision near Mooroopna North this morning.
A Kyabram man was airlifted to Melbourne after the two-vehicle crash happened around 7.45am at the intersection of Echuca Rd and Lancaster Mooroopna Rd, Chief Constable Richard Ivory said.
Read the full story here.
That’s it for the news blog this afternoon. Get a good night’s sleep and drive safely on your evening commutes.
UPDATE, 4:20 p.m .: Haisman Shield galore
An afternoon of reading for cricket fans, expertly curated by The news’ sports reporters.
Haisman Shield The Jets are racking up misery for Karramomus: Two sides at different ends of the table Haisman Shield met at Vibert Reserve on Saturday, as Karramomus hosted a fit Northern side looking for three rebound wins.
Haisman Shield | ‘Start to click’: Katandra claims back-to-back wins: According to co-captain Ben Clurey, five rounds into Haisman Shield’s season start and things are finally starting to move for Katandra.
Haisman Shield | Nagambie Fortress breached as Tatura spills the season: Tatura caused Haisman Shield’s season spillover over the weekend, inflicting reigning minor Premier Nagambie his first home loss in more than three years in a thrilling low-scoring affair.
Haisman Shield | Central Park-St Brendan’s Outlasts Kyabram in Blockbuster Thriller: Central Park-St Brendan’s officially announced itself as the team to beat in the 2021-2022 Haisman Shield competition with a thrilling six-round road win over its compatriot Kyabram.
Haisman Shield | Gallery | Numurkah takes second win of campaign: Numurkah rebounded from their difficult fourth round loss to Northerners with a moving road victory over former students on Saturday.
UPDATE, 3:45 p.m .: Liberals were unaware of text sent to voters
Last week you may have received a text message regarding Shepparton Member State Suzanna Sheed and the Victoria Government’s new pandemic legislation.
In today’s edition, Ms Sheed spoke about the post, saying the Liberal Party and the National Party in Victoria were spreading disinformation suggesting she voted for the bill.
This afternoon, Liberal Northern Victoria MP Wendy Lovell clarified that her party did not allow the text message, as incorrectly stated in the article.
The message read: “Shepparton Independent MP Suzanna Sheed just voted with Daniel Andrews & Labor to pass new foreclosure laws. If you don’t agree, sign our petition.
The text message directed recipients to a website co-authorized by Liberal Party of Australia Victorian Division Director Sam McQuestin and National Party of Australia State Director Matthew Harris.
However, Ms Lovell said the Liberal Party played no role in constructing and sending the text message and only became aware of the message after it was sent.
UPDATE, 3:10 p.m .: Afternoon News
A group of Nagambie residents who have devoted two years and a significant sum of money to the protection of 51 grassy boxwoods have fulfilled their mission.
The Save 51 Trees group opposed the development of the Elloura estate near Barkley Park in Nagambie, which allegedly destroyed the trees, some of which are centuries old.
Read Max Stainkamph’s full story here.
As for the news from North Shepparton, a teacher and farmer from Cobram is considering running for the Nicholls federal seat in the next election, which will be vacated by National MP Damian Drum – read more in this story from Geoff Adams.
And the Goulburn Valley Country Music Festival has announced its winners, four artists who will take to the big stage at the inaugural event in April.
UPDATE, 1:30 p.m .: Bring the boosters
Goulburn Valley Health reminds community that COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are now available at the McIntosh Center Vaccination Hub in Shepparton, as well as at GV Health vaccination sub-centers in Mansfield, Kilmore, Cobram, Seymour and Kyabram , and on the Maxine Vaccine and Jabba the Bus vaccination buses.
Anyone aged 18 and over who received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine more than six months ago is encouraged to receive a COVID-19 booster now.
Most people will receive the Pfizer vaccine as a booster dose regardless of the vaccine they received for their first two doses.
Helen Roberts, medical manager of GV Health’s COVID-19 immunization program, said it was time to call attention to third doses, now that the community has reached more than 95% double-dose rates in GV Health local public health unit area.
“Getting a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is important to help maintain protection against COVID-19,” said Dr Roberts.
UPDATE, 1:20 p.m .: New bus service
In case you missed it, a few new bus services have been announced for the 2022 school year.
Students attending Greater Shepparton Secondary College will have a new bus network to take them to the new campus.
St Anne’s College in Kialla will also benefit from two bus lines to serve the Kialla region.
Full of details in this Georgia Rossiter story.
UPDATE, 12:50 p.m .: COVID wrap
After a bit of an unscheduled intermission, for which I apologize, we’re back to take a look at today’s COVID-19 numbers.
In Victoria, 1,073 new cases were detected from 56,337 tests. There are 310 people hospitalized with the virus across the state.
We thank everyone who was vaccinated and tested yesterday.
Our hearts go out to those in hospital and to the families of those who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P# COVID19Vic # COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/qY3uDBQMt8
– VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) December 5, 2021
In Greater Shepparton, the number of cases is gradually increasing from where it was for most of last week. We have 20 new cases today and a total of 193 active cases.
As for neighboring local government areas, Campaspe has three new cases and 33 active cases, Moira has one new case and 25 in total, and Strathbogie has two new cases and five in total.
Greater Shepparton has the equivalent of 290 active cases per 100,000 population, while for context, in Strathbogie there are 46.4 cases per 100,000 and Moira Shire has 83.5 cases per 100,000.
In other local COVID news, Rumbalara will this week be visited by a mobile vaccination van – see full details below.
UPDATE, 9:20 a.m .: morning headlines
The announcement that Damian Drum will not contest Nicholls’ federal seat in the election has caused quite a stir, and the Victorian government which passed pandemic law last week was also an important moment.
Here is a series of stories that have arisen as a result:
Contest for Nicholls kicks off as Drum hits independents: Sharing a few farewell words on Friday, Drum aimed at independent candidates for regional headquarters, calling them “totally indulgent to themselves”.
Tributes pour in for ‘Drummy’: Deputy Prime Minister and Head of Federal Nationals Barnaby Joyce led the tributes to retired MP Damian Drum, who came from various corners of the political landscape.
Let’s move on to state policy …
Gepp to call for resignation in upcoming state elections: Northern Victoria MP Mark Gepp has announced that he will not participate in the next national election, which will be held in November 2022.
Sheed says the text sent by the Libs and Nats to voters is spreading misinformation: Ms Sheed compared the messages to texts sent by Craig Kelly of the United Australia Party and said that was “certainly not the way politicians of integrity should behave”.
And in case you missed it, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has great news for parents of children ages five to 11.
TGA Approved Vaccine for Young Children: COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available to all children aged 5 to 11 when they return to school in 2022.
