Hiring: Member for Shepparton District Kim O'Keeffe outside her electorate office. Ms O’Keeffe recently moved into the office and is hiring electorate office staff.
Welcome to the first week of the News’ business page and this column, On the Brief Case, which aims to keep you informed of local happenings in the Goulburn Valley business world.
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If you know about a recent retirement, appointment, development or any other kind of ‘ment’, then feel free to let me know, either by email: murray.silby@mmg.com.au and editor@sheppnews.com.au or by phone: 5820 3226.
I’ll kick off with the news that recently elected state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has received the keys to her electoral office at 5 Vaughan St, Shepparton.
One of the big issues the former City of Greater Shepparton mayor will have to deal with as our state member will be the worker shortage being experienced around the region, and as she goes to the employment well to find electorate office staff it will be interesting to see if Ms O’Keeffe experiences the same issues local businesses have.
Her media release, though, would suggest she’s optimistic that won’t be a problem.
“I am currently advertising for EO (electorate office) staff and I am sure that we will have a great team who will support me to serve our region,” she said.
Constituents who had former Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed’s office address in their contacts list will just have to cross out Ms Sheed’s name and replace it with Ms O’Keeffe’s, as the address is the same.
Interestingly, a visit to Ms Sheed’s website (suzannasheed.com.au) leaves a cryptic hint at some future plans for the former independent politician, but little more.
Cryptic clues: The website home page of former Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed. Whatever her plans, she doesn’t seem unhappy about leaving parliament behind.
The GV Safety Group has been listed as a finalist in the 2022 WorkSafe Awards at Melbourne's Plaza Ballroom on February 23.
Nineteen finalists (don’t ask me why they couldn’t round it up to 20) across six categories have been shortlisted for the awards, which recognise those who have made a significant contribution to improving health and safety within a workplace.
GVSG promotes the need for industry trade and commerce to be aware of all aspects of safety and health within the Goulburn Valley.
As broken by Country News institution Geoff Adams during the week, Elders Shepparton is offering a water trading service to advise on and handle water sales.
Elders has appointed Karen Boyd as its water broking sales support officer to advise on and handle water sales.
Diving straight in: Elders Shepparton water broking sales support officer Karen Boyd. Elders Shepparton has decided to offer a water trading service to advise on and handle water sales. Ms Boyd joined Elders Shepparton in December and the new service kicked off on Monday, January 23, 2023.
Photo by
Geoff Adams
Ms Boyd joined Elders Shepparton in December and the new service kicked off on Monday, January 23.
After hearing about the invention of the printing press from Geoff, Ms Boyd told him she had a broad set of experience to be working in the sector and was tuned in to the sensitivities the job would bring.
“I’ve had the opportunity of working with farmers, irrigators, retired farmers and investors,” she said.
“It can be an emotional time for farmers when there are difficult decisions to make.”
Meanwhile, Geoff is still talking to me and added that Country News was reporting the Cobram abattoir, owned by JBS Australia, which has been closed since 2017, is due to reopen on Monday, February 6.
The company has already recruited 150 staff, with a plan to increase that to 350 over time.
The company has had to use the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme to recruit sufficient staff.
JBS Australia has spent about $20 million to bring the mothballed plant up to spec.
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