News blog, March 23: Battery Man needs a new truck; GVL partnership with ONE FM comes to an end

Expect a top of 23 degrees today in Shepparton, with sunny conditions all day.

UPDATE, 4.25pm: Bigger and better location for pouring beer

Signing off with the news that Wildlife Brewing Co are expanding and moving to a new premises in Williams Rd, Shepparton.

Director and brewer James Thomson said the team hoped to reopen in June as a bigger and better pub and brewery.

Cheers to that!

UPDATE, 3pm: Afternoon reads

Looking for some light reading to accompany your afternoon cup of tea?

Look no further, he are a few stories that have gone online this afternoon:

The Dollers are rich in artistic skill: Caitlyn Grant caught up with the Doller family, Anne and her two daughters, Meg and Rachel, to find out all about their exhibition at the Tatura Museum.

Dr Sarah Birrell Ivory returns to Shepparton: Scotland is home now, but the Goulburn River will always have a place in the heart of former local Dr Sarah Birrell Ivory. She caught up with Anna McGuinness about growing up in Shepparton, climate change, and the importance of critical thinking.

UPDATE, 1.50pm: Tennis world no. 1 Ash Barty announces retirement

Women’s World no. 1 Ash Barty has shocked the world by announcing she will retire from tennis.

“It’s hard to say, but I’m so happy and I’m so ready,” she said, speaking to Casey Dellacqua in a video posted to Instagram this afternoon.

“I just know at the moment, in my heart that for me as a person this is right.”

More to come at a press conference tomorrow.

UPDATE, 1.05pm: Minor collision on Lancaster-Mooroopna Rd this morning

You may have driven past the turn-off to Kyabram this morning and witnessed a vehicle collision on Lancaster-Mooroopna Rd.

Mooroopna Constable Anna Kneebone said it minor, but both drivers were taken to Goulburn Valley Helath with minor injuries.

Constable Kneebone said enquiries are pending.

UPDATE, 11.55am: Battery Man in need of a new truck

Rushworth SES members have started a GoFundMe page in the hopes of purchasing Paul ‘Battery Man’ Archer a new truck for his charity work.

Denise Corbine and Victoria Arnel are hoping to raise $10,500 to purchase Mr Archer a new truck for his charity work.

“Even with the increasing cost of fuel, Paul continues to donate his time and paying for his fuel to raise funds for many ongoing charities,” Ms Corbine said.

Mr Archer said a new truck would triple the amount of batteries he can collect and donate.

So far, he’s donated more than $650,000 to the children’s ward at Goulburn Valley Health.

To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/paul-archer-needs-a-truck-for-his-charity-work

UPDATE, 11.20am: Rural theft of livestock and fuel rising

Rising rural crime, including theft of livestock, fuel and equipment from farming properties, has prompted the extension of a public campaign to deter thieves.

Shut Out Farm Crime is a partnership between Crime Stoppers and Victoria Police.

New Crime Statistics Agency data shows livestock theft across the state rose 12.6 per cent in the year to December 2021, costing communities more than $2.7 million.

Inspector Karl Curran from Victoria Police’s Farm Crime Co-ordination Unit said rises in farm crime were a concern but also reflected recent campaigns to tackle historic under-reporting.

“We are encouraged there appears to be more confidence in reporting farm crime to Victoria Police,” he said.

UPDATE, 9.55 am: Celebrating Harmony Day

In today’s paper, we have a number of stories photo spreads from schools around Shepparton and the region celebrating Harmony Day, which was on Monday.

Wilmot Road Primary School has a visit from Harmony Champs, and learnt about different cultures, focusing on migrants, refugees, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At Sirius College, students engaged in traditional food, clothing and dances from around the world. So did Orrvale Primary School.

Grahamvale Primary School student Milla Cooks said the message of Harmony Day was “everyone belongs”, while Levi Traianidis said it was an opportunity to “celebrate all of our cultures”.

UPDATE, 9am: Morning headlines

GVL’s 30-year partnership with ONE FM comes to an end: The station said it, along with all GVL clubs, were informed of the decision during the Labor Day long weekend where the league confirmed this year’s competition ‘’will not be broadcast on ONE FM’’.

Siblings rescued from Mooroopna house fire: Two people were rescued from a home on Tuesday, March 22, by two passersby after a back shed went up in flames.

Rumbalara’s pitch for Munarra centre: Max Stainkamph visited the Munarra Centre of Regional Excellence as Rumballara Aboriginal Co-Operative showed Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck plans to expand.

And for those that have been waiting since Term 1 began, today is the day – Preps 2022 is out in today’s paper!

Make sure you grab a few copies for your free keepsake.