The former ABC Melbourne radio announcer/host will speak at the launch event on Thursday, February 19.
Group convenor Robert McLean said the MC for the evening would be Shepparton ABC personality Nic Healey.
Beyond the City of Greater Shepparton, the group includes Campaspe, Moira and Strathbogie shires, which have all been invited.
The launch event starts at 6:30pm in the Community Room at the Shepparton campus of La Trobe University in North St.
Shepparton’s deputy mayor Geoff Akers, one of three Shepparton councillors to attend, will speak at the event.
Also at the launch will the Victorian ABC Friends president Pamela Creed, along with two or three others from the state office.
The creation and launch of the new ABC Friends group in the Goulburn Valley is a significant moment for the Australia-wide movement as this is the first group established in Victoria for about a decade.
Other regional groups are in Geelong, Bendigo and Castlemaine, and beyond that, the remaining groups, of which there are eight, are within Greater Melbourne.
Ms Creed, along with Anne Maree Newbold, who works with the Victorian groups, has visited Shepparton to speak with those behind the Goulburn Valley group.
ABC Friends Victoria vice-president Michael Henry has also visited Shepparton to speak with members and handing over a table and chairs suitable for a stall and an array of signage and giveaways.
Mr McLean said this was timely for two reasons — the national broadcaster has a studio in Shepparton, something we should celebrate, and 2026 is the 50th anniversary of ABC Friends.
Mr McLean has invited those keen to stand with the ABC and learn more about how and why they should support it, to attend the launch on February 19.
The evening is free, but to help with catering for a light supper, if you would like to attend, please text or phone Mr McLean on 0400 502 199 or email at r.mclean7@icloud.com
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