News blog, February 21: Shepparton GPs under the pump, Lancaster fire under control
G’day, Shepparton
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Max Stainkamph with you to get ourselves through the Monday blues on today’s news blog. We’re due for a top of just 28 degrees today, with a bit of a breeze blowing.
UPDATE, 4.45 pm: Wait times still ballooning for patients despite doctors’ efforts
One final tidbit from this report I was speaking about this morning.
It painted a pretty bleak picture of retention and recruitment of doctors — both for GPs and for GV Health — and has also detailed the sacrifices doctors are making to ensure people are still cared for.
“We’re tired and our families suffer. There’s no real respite ... the only way I can manage this, I have to be a robot,” one doctor said.
Read the full story here, and on that note I’m signing off for the day. Thanks for your company, and Anna McGuinness will be back with you tomorrow!
UPDATE, 4.30 pm: Lancaster fire under control
I’ve been stuck in a meeting for an hour or so, so apologies for bringing this to you a bit late.
A haystack fire at Lancaster is now under control after a paddock caught alight.
Nearly 20 firefighters were on the scene near Lancaster — check out the full story here.
UPDATE, 3.00 pm: Wrapping up the bowls
Who doesn’t love lawn bowls? There hasn’t been a huge amount happening today, which means on this slower Wednesday arvo we can take a gander at the Allan Matheson Shield.
There was no shortage of thrilling contests in the top level at the weekend as sides scramble to fill the remaining top four positions.
Tatura-Hill Top is in the box seat following a huge win over East Shepparton, while Euroa had a massive win over Shepparton Park.
Read the full wrap from Aydin Payne here.
UPDATE, 1.30 pm: Cricket :)
Just when you thought you were safe, I’m back. The international summer of cricket may be over, but there’s plenty of local stuff for me to sink my teeth into and boy shall I.
Kyabram will be full of confidence heading into finals after a big seven-wicket win over Katandra in the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield.
The Redbacks put on a dominant display to lock in their place in the top six as they chased down Katandra’s 117 in 29 overs.
Read Daniel Webb’s account of the match here, while Mooroopna has kept its season alive thanks to a handy 53 from Ethan Anderson.
They’ll live to see another day, still needing a win next week to advance further but if you’re alive you’re a chance. Read James Kleeman’s wrap on proceedings here.
UPDATE, 1.15 pm: For a little chuckle
Shepparton icon Briggs has penned a tweet which gave me a chuckle while having lunch.
If you’re not following the mess that is Kanye West at the minute you might not get it, but you’ll get the vibe at the very least.
UPDATE, 11.50 am: Victorian government $200m recovery plan
While pottering around this morning I missed the Victorian government’s announcement on a recovery plan as we recover from the nasty January wave of COVID-19.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula on Monday announced the funding, which includes voucher schemes to entice people to spend on dining, entertainment and travel within the state.
We’ll get $100 million worth of rebates for travel, entertainment and dining, while Melbournians will get some cash to get people into the CBD, $30 million will be spent getting city slickers up here into the great outdoors.
I’m not entirely sure when it’ll all kick off, mind you.
Meanwhile, the first quarantine-free international flights since March 2020 have landed today across the country.
UPDATE, 11.30 am: Rotarians return tiles to families
Tiles which were installed around Maude St Mall in 1994, nearly 30 years ago, are being returned to the families who placed them there.
I absolutely love this sort of stuff, and Georgia Rossiter has the rundown on it all here.
Rotary president David Shipston said a Facebook call out was posted asking for people to get in contact if they would like certain clay tiles removed before the current playground was demolished.
Some of the children who made the tiles have since passed away, and while some couldn’t be removed, Rotary gave it a red-hot go as one of their first hands-on jobs since the pandemic began.
UPDATE, 10.30 am: House fire in Burns Ct
This just in from Anna McGuinness this morning.
Police are investigating a Shepparton house fire this morning.
About 1.30am emergency services were called to Burns Court after reports of a fire.
At this stage the cause is being investigated and anyone who has information is urged to contact Detective Senior Constable Clowes at Shepparton Police on 5820 5800.
UPDATE, 10 am: Land development to create more pressure: Industry
A new levy on land development to fund social housing will add to the cost of new homes and put further pressure of developers, and the industry has responded by calling for the money to be raised through council rates instead.
Shepparton, which is facing a critical shortage of new residential land, has been spared from the initial application of a 1.75 per cent Social and Affordable Housing Contribution.
Darren Linton has the story, which you can read in full here.
UPDATE, 9.00 am: Urgent recall on formula, Shepparton GPs under the pump
Good morning, Shepparton.
Few bits and pieces straight off the bat this morning.
A food recall has been issued for three brands of infant formula — EleCare, Similac and Alimentum, which was issued by Chief Medical Officer Brett Sutton late yesterday.
They’ve been recalled due to potential contamination with Cronobacter and Salmonella, and parents are advised to stop use of the products as soon as an alternative can be found.
Salmonella infection can present with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, while Cronobacter infection in infants can present with fever, accompanied by poor feeding, crying, or very low energy. Cronobacter infection in infants can be fatal.
“Seek medical attention immediately if your baby develops any of the above symptoms,” Prof. Sutton said.
“Infants or children may present to health services and emergency departments unwell if they have consumed affected formula.”
Also still in the medical field, I spent last week tackling a report looking into Shepparton’s GPs.
The short of it is that it’s not good. We’ve got fewer doctors, a lot of senior, experienced doctors about to retire and an inability to retain the ones we do have, who are being snapped up by Melbourne doctors.
Read the full story here, as well as a chat with Suzanna Sheed — who commissioned the report — about her thoughts on it which is in this story here.
Also, the Queen has COVID-19, which might be a concern. Apparently she’s got minor symptoms, but fingers crossed for her (and everyone else with the spicy cough) no matter what you think of the monarchy.
Journalist