News blog, January 25: Grass fire in Kyabram; Walk-in vaccinations for five to 11 year-olds

Shepparton is forecasted to get to a steamy top of 36 degrees today. Stay in the cool where possible!

UPDATE, 4.30 pm: Time to head home

That’s it for the blog today, we’ll be back on deck tomorrow to take you through Australia Day festivities.

Have a great evening!

UPDATE, 4.25 pm: William Kelly’s COVID-Collaborations showing at SAM

In a time of collective disarray, disconnection and distance, Nathalia-based artist William Kelly has brought together creatives from across the world, writes News journalist Caitlyn Grant.

His exhibition, titled COVID-Collaborations: A Shared Step on a Long Journey started when the world went into lockdown in 2020; consequently, planned trips and projects Mr Kelly had intended to delve into were put aside.

Instead, Mr Kelly distributed a template image of a bridge with flying birds to 28 artists and poets across the globe, asking each to place their own touch on it.

“I thought, well, let's keep the dialogue going and let's see what happens,” he said.

Read the full interview with Mr Kelly here.

UPDATE, 3 pm: Where to be this Australia Day

Australia Day events will take place across the Goulburn Valley on Wednesday, January 26, with flag-raising ceremonies, guest speakers, entertainment and awards on the agenda.

“Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to acknowledge our history and celebrate our diversity,” City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said.

“We recognise Australia Day is not a celebration for everyone in our community.

“The day provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge, learn and understand our country’s past and reflect on the history, traditions and culture of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We’ve compiled the full list of events for you.

UPDATE 2.16 pm: Fire on Lancaster Rd, Kyabram

We’re currently awaiting more details about a fire on Lancaster Rd, Kyabram.

About 11 CFA vehicles responded to reports of a grass fire near the Lancaster Rd, Bolitho Rd intersection at about 1.20 pm this afternoon.

As of 2.04 pm, the blaze was listed as under control by the CFA via the VicEmergency app.

A VicEmergency community alert from the CFA adviced the fire was travelling in a northerly direction.

More to come.

UPDATE 1.45 pm: Walk-in vaccinations for five to 11 year-olds tomorrow

Parents: Shepparton’s Vaccination Hub is hosting walk-in appointments tomorrow, Wednesday, Janaury 26.

No appointment is necessary, come one down between 9 am to 4.30 pm.

UPDATE, 11.50 am: Those with mild COVID-19 systems encouraged to recover at home

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley spoke to reporters this morning to announce a new campaign to encourage COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms to recover at home.

The Get the Right Help for Your Recovery campaign will direct people with mild COVID-19 symptoms to access information help manage the virus.

“There are a range of tools and opportunities to help people to safely recover and make their way through the COVID journey,” Minister Foley said.

“We would encourage people to keep 000 for the most serious of matters.”

The campaign will run on TV, radio, social media, print and other platforms.

Minister Foley said that while hospitalisations in the state have stabilised, they are still “at quite a high level”.

“We expect to see continued pressure on our health system for some time to come.”

UPDATE, 10.15 am: regional hubs excited about potential 2026 Commonwealth Games events

Melbourne has emerged as a likely host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, writes News editor Tyler Maher.

And the possibility of events filtering out to regional areas has councils excited.

City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe cited the work Greater Shepparton City Council has done surrounding a Regional Cities Victoria model as a solid framework for the Goulburn Valley to be involved in hosting duties in 2026.

“It is great to hear the news about the prospect of the 2026 Commonwealth Games being hosted in Victoria,” Cr O’Keeffe said.

“We have been working on a regional cities model for a number of years with a pre-feasibility study completed in 2020, which was contributed to by the state government and several regional councils.”

Neighbouring Strathbogie Shire Council would also love to see Commonwealth Games action featured in its area if the chance arose.

“The Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre is without a doubt the best place to host the Melbourne Commonwealth Games rowing,” Mayor Laura Binks said.

Read the full story here.

UPDATE, 9.15 am: What’s making news?

The big national news today is that the Australian government has won the copyright ownership of the Aboriginal flag.

This means that the flag is now available for public use, and anyone can use the flag’s imagery freely.

It comes after a number of Indigenous groups were sent cease and desist warnings for using the flag in an apparent breach of copyright.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said it was "profoundly important for all Australians", adding "no one can take it away".

"Over the last 50 years we made Harold Thomas' artwork our own - we marched under the Aboriginal flag, stood behind it, and flew it high as a point of pride," he said.

"In reaching this agreement to resolve the copyright issues, all Australians can freely display and use the flag to celebrate Indigenous culture."

Read the full story here, and reporter Caitlyn Grant is going to try and get in contact with a local Indigenous artist to find out what this means to them.

Back to Victoria’s COVID-19 situation, the state has reported 14,836 new coronavirus cases today.

Tragically, 29 people died with the virus.

The total number of active cases is now 183,154, down from yesterday.

Since Saturday, that number has dropped down by more than 34,000 cases.