Health sector was under siege in 2022

By Taylah Baker

Jan 4, 2023

**Outbreak:** COVID-19 spiked in Greater Shepparton in January. Photo by Megan Fisher

Last year sure packed its punches in terms of the health of individuals and the industry itself.

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Local citizens have been through it all, but adversity and community spirit has brought us out to the light of a new year.

Take a stroll down memory lane, with a look at some of 2022’s best and worst health-related moments.

COVID-19 hits again, and again, and again

The year kicked off in true take-no-prisoners form with a statewide rapid antigen test shortage, leaving Shepparton pharmacies unable to keep up with demand.

Cases rose like 2020 never went out of style and Goulburn Valley Health declared a Code Brown, bracing for an expected 300 to 600 new cases of coronavirus a day by the end of January.

Testing sites were forced to close across the state due to overwhelming demand combined with staff shortages.

They weren’t the only ones.

Medical clinics across Shepparton suffered a shortage of doctors, resulting in waiting lists stretched out for weeks.

Seth’s life-saving 000 call

Shepparton youngster Seth Arthur was labelled a hero after calling 000 when his mum received a head injury from a fall at home in January.

At just nine years old, Seth was quick to call paramedics and listen to their instructions to place a towel over his mum’s wound to stop the bleeding and unlock the front door when emergency services arrived.

His actions filled mum Amanda Arthur with pride.

“I have MS. I’ve got a weak hip, knee and ankle because I have lesions on the brain and spine,” Ms Arthur said.

“I told (Seth) if I was to fall he was to ring 000.”

The incident highlighted the need for other parents to teach their children about calling 000 in emergencies.

**Brave boy:** Paramedic Karl Tampi, Seth Arthur, 9, and his mum, Amanda Arthur, and paramedic Nathan Looby with presents Seth was given for calling 000 to help his mum after a fall. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

GV Health marks 200,000 jabs across local health unit

A massive milestone was reached on February 17 when GV Health’s COVID-19 vaccination program administered its 200,000th coronavirus vaccination within the GV Health Public Health Unit catchment area since the program started almost a year ago.

**No small doses:** GV Health nurses at Shepparton’s McIntosh Centre celebrated administering 200,000 coronavirus vaccine doses across the local public health unit in less than 12 months.

Karl pitches in for mental health

Today show host Karl Stefanovic partnered with Gotcha4Life for a road trip to promote mental fitness.

The Mateship Miles roadshow kicked off in Shepparton on April 18, with Mr Stefanovic meeting a number of community members, while hosting the popular breakfast TV show.

The foundation is a not-for-profit delivering mental fitness programs in an effort to reach a goal of zero suicides.

**Mental health advocate:** *Today* host Karl Stefanovic at Monash Park to begin the Mateship Miles road trip. Photo by Darren Linton

Winter flu, third-worst season this century

By mid-June, 147 cases of influenza had been confirmed in the City of Greater Shepparton and the infection rate made 2022 the third-worst flu season this century.

Seqirus international regions executive medical director Jonathan Anderson said this year’s flu season put Australia in a unique position as one of the first countries to face COVID and a simultaneous flu season that was similar to pre-COVID levels.

Health risks due to floods

The 2022 flooding disaster in Shepparton wreaked havoc across infrastructure and industries, and among community members.

GV Health flew in doctors from Melbourne on a chartered flight on October 17 to help maintain essential services after disruptions on the roads due to flooding left many doctors unable to return to work.

**Flying doctors:** GV Health chartered in doctors from Melbourne due to staff shortages during the floods. Photo by Contributed

Deputy chief health officer Angie Bone joined Greater Shepparton City Council’s flood information forum via video link on October 19.

Ms Bone, alongside GV Health clinical director Will Cross, urged residents across flood-affected areas to take care when coming into contact with floodwaters, with warnings of potential gastro, diarrhoea and vomiting outbreaks.

Community members and charities fundraise for health

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the health industry in 2022.

Community members and charities banded together to raise money and provide relief for many health-related causes.

$20k raised to fight cancer

Kyabram’s Yael Fry, 23, shaved off his hair after nine years of growth, for this year’s World’s Greatest Shave in early March.

Mr Fry’s initial target was $5000, which he went well above with a total $20,100, making him the top shaver in Victoria and the fourth-highest fundraiser in Australia.

**Top shaver:** Yael Fry post-shave for the World’s Greatest Shave 2022.

Steve rolls up his sleeve 100 times

Shepparton’s Steve Wilson completed his 100th blood donation on June 16 after 25 years of consistent quarterly appointments.

The 100th donation coincided with National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 13 to 19, to recognise donors and encourage more people to roll up their sleeve.

**Give 100 per cent:** Steve Wilson made his 100th donation in the Shepparton Blood Donor Centre. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

$20k raised for GV Health Foundation

The Graham Hill Pink Ribbon Sunglasses Expo raised $20,000 for the GV Health Foundation to support cancer services, including the Peter Copulos Wellness Centre, on November 24.

Graham Hill eyecare director Mark DePaola said the business had doubled its fundraising goal, demonstrating the impact partnerships could have on the community.

“Our sunglasses expo day was twice as busy as the next busiest day in the 50-year history of the business,” he said.