Briefly Noted

LOCAL HERO PASSING
Mooroopna and the Greater Shepparton community are saddened by the tragic loss of Leonard Balfour who passed away peacefully at home, on Friday, August 9.

Leonard was the owner of Balfours Airport Direct and diligently served the Mooroopna community with the CFA as a firefighter and ongoing work with Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria. His significant service included crewing the Mooroopna tanker in the initial attack of the Kilmore Complex fire during the horrific Black Saturday Fires of February 2009 for which he was awarded a National Emergency Medal.

Leonard’s funeral will be held at the Sir Ian McLennan Centre, Echuca Rd, Mooroopna on Saturday, August 24 at 11am.

SNAKES ARE OUT
Despite it being August, the unseasonable warmer weather last week brought snake sightings in Kialla Lakes along the walking path of the second lake near the footbridge. The sighting is a timely reminder for locals to keep a close eye on pets and young children as spring is just around the corner.

INQUIRY INTO AMBULANCE VICTORIA
An inquiry will be established to investigate the performance, workplace culture, and procurement practices of Ambulance Victoria, following a motion passed in the Victorian Parliament’s upper house, brought forward by The Nationals and Liberals.

“Our ambulance service has struggled for years under Labor’s watch, especially in rural and regional areas like ours,” said Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe.

MELBOURNE VICTORY TICKETS ON SALE
Greater Shepparton City Council is pleased to advise that tickets for the A-League pre-season friendly match between Melbourne Victory and the GV Suns, on Saturday September 7, are now available for purchase via TryBooking at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1269310

INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Greater Shepparton Pakistani and Indian communities celebrated the 77th anniversary of their independence from the United Kingdom on August 14 and 15 respectively. The local Pakistani community held it’s celebration last Sunday (pictured), with songs dance and poetry and their wonderful food. There are estimated to be over 100 Pakistani families in Greater Shepparton, while people of Indian descent form the largest ethnic group locally.