MITCHELL-STRATHBOGIE EDITION
52 PAGES
AVENEL • BEVERIDGE • BROADFORD • CLONBINANE • DONNYBROOK • EUROA • HEATHCOTE JUNCTION • KILMORE • LONGWOOD NAGAMBIE • PUCKAPUNYAL • SEYMOUR • TALLAROOK • TRAWOOL • VIOLET TOWN • WALLAN • WANDONG
Dunlop awards
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026
2257 SIGN PETITION OVER LOCAL POLICE HOURS
■ Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell has tabled a petition with 2257 signatures calling on the State Government to ensure that Mernda Police Station is fully staffed and returns to being open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Local people were “shocked and outraged” to learn that a second round of savage cuts to opening hours has reduced Mernda Police Station to being open for just two days a week, Ms Lovell said. Mernda Police Station originally opened in 2017 as a 24/7 station with the promise of extra staff to serve the growing community. But late last year, opening hours at Mernda station were cut, with the station closing completely on weekends and only being open 10am6pm on weekdays. The station is only open on Tuesday and Thursday, 10am-6pm. The first reduction in hours sparked outrage among community members left shaken by several highly publicised violent incidents around Mernda. In response to the reduction, local residents started a petition calling on the government to reverse the decision and return Mernda station to being open 24/7. A further 1432 people signed the petition on Ms Lovell’s website. Ms Lovell tabled the petition in Parliament on Tuesday (June 2), and spoke later in the day to urge the Minister for Police to ensure that police stations in the Whittlesea Police Service Area are fully staffed, and to return Mernda station to being open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
● Wendy Lovell MLC
The second round of cuts to opening hours of police stations in the Whittlesea area means that the entire area is now without a single police station open 24/7 where residents can find safety at night or on the weekends. “Residents of Mernda and Doreen fear for their safety because crime is rising under Labor, but police stations are closing because Jacinta Allan has failed to fix the staffing shortage,” Ms Lovell said. “The Government must listen to the almost 3700 locals who signed this petition, and reopen Mernda Police Station. “A Jess Wilson Liberal Government will recruit 3000 extra police, and restore police station opening hours,” Ms Lovell said.
HONOUR FOR AGRICULTURE’S JUDY CLEMENTS OAM
LOCAL Classifieds PHONE
5797 2656
Longy ● Judith Ann Clements OAM
■ Judith Ann Clements was named as a recipient Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division, when the king’s Birthday Honours were announced in Monday (June 8). A Past president and Life Member of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society, Ms Clements has been a WAS Councillor, Honorary Councillor, Senior Vice-President, Executive Council member, Special Projects Manager, Public Relations Officer, Chief Steward, Trustee/ Manager, Sponsorship Manager, and member of various sub-committees, including finance, staff, history. She has been a Yan Yean Cemetery Trust Member, since 2016, and is current Vice-Chairperson. In farming and agriculture, Ms Clements has participated in the Merriang District Landcare Group, Whittlesea Branch of the Victorian Farmers Federation, member of the Sustainable Programs Advisory Committee in the City of Whittlesea, member of the Farming and Land Management Committee, and Founding Member, Port Phillip Women Involved in Agriculture. Her Whittlesea involvements include being a volunteer for the Whittlesea Market (formerly Mernda Market), member of the Whittlesea Historical Society, was a Foundation Member of the Whittlesea Community Recovery Committee, and was a Foundation Member, Whittlesea Township and Surrounds Community Resilience Committee, and the Whittlesea Community Emergency Response Network.
■ Euroa MLA Annabelle Cleeland has spoken in State Palriament about celebrating “13 extraordinary young people”, each one a worthy recipient of a Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Award. “I want to give a huge congratulations to Aiden Asburt Ray, Aria Winkler, Ariana Berry, Charlotte Watson, Christian Lurati, Daniel Andrew, James Parker, Logan Schwarzkopf, Mitchell Sullivan, Murdoch Smith, Odin Rochelle, Oscar McDonald and Rachel Richards,” Ms Cleeland told the Legislative Assembly. “Ten of these incredible students, along with their families, are here at Parliament today for this special moment. “This award is named after a true local hero, Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, a man whose name and legacy mean so much to our region. “It is an award I am proud to support every year because it recognises students who live by the same values Weary showed throughout his life, even in the darkest wartime circumstances: compassion, courage, humility, leadership, integrity, friendship and forgiveness. “These young people have shown all of that and so much more. Whether it is by overcoming immense physical hurdles, medical events or personal tragedies with courage and positivity, through their diverse contributions from school leadership to creative talents and everyday kindness, they perfectly embody the compassionate spirit of Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop. “Some have faced challenges that would overwhelm most adults, yet they have met them with courage, resilience and grace. “They may be young, but they are already proving our future is in very good hands. I want to thank the parents, guardians and teachers here,” Ms Cleeland said.
Fatal collision ■ A motorcyclist has died following a collision in Wangaratta South on Saturday afternoon (June 6). Emergency services were called to Glenrowan Rd just after 4pm after a car and a motorcycle collided. The motorcyclist, a 72-year- old Wangaratta man, died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was not injured and stopped at the scene. Exact cause of the collision is being investigated. Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam or CCTV, or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Football scoreboard ■ Goulburn Valley Football League Seniors. Saturday, June 6. Echuca 18.17 (125) d Euroa 6.4 (40). Shepparton 9.217 (71) d Mansfield 8.6 (54). Seymour 11.18 (82)d Rochester 9.6 (60). Mooroopna 15.8 (98) d Kyabram 11.17 (83). Shepparton United 22.10 (142) d Benalla 6.4 (40). Shepparton Swans 15.10 (100) d Tatura 10.7 (67). Reserves. Echuca 30.216 (196) d Euroa 0.3 (3). Shepparton 15.12 (102) d Mansfield 3.4 (22). Rochester 9.13 (67) d Seymour 5.4 (34). Kyabram 19.13 (127) d Mooroopna 2.2 (14). Shepparton United 14.14 (98) d benalla 2.7 (19). Tatura 14.7 (91) d Shepparton Swans 7.2 (44). Under 18. Echuca 12.17 (89) d Euroa 1.4 (10). Shepparton 11.13 (79) d Mansfield 5.5 (35). Rochester 8.4 (52) d Seymour 5.11 (41). Mooroopna 6.5 (41) d Kyabram 5.10 (40). Benalla 7.9 (51) d Shepparton United 7.3 (45). Tatura 18.12 (120) d Shepparton Swans 2.4 (16).
Myki trial extends ■ The Myki trial on the Seymour railway line is being extended this week to other lines. Tap and go will go to other lines. Half-price fares are now in place until the end of the year, said a State Government representative.