April 2020 - Suzanna Sheed

Coronavirus Crisis

April 23, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog, Latest News /by Suzanna Sheed

The Coronavirus Crisis has been hard on all of us but I am proud of how well our community is responding to the challenge, especially in our smaller townships.

Through natural disasters, through fires, floods and droughts, our region has always displayed considerable resilience.

With our schools closed to all but the children of essential service workers and those who cannot study at home and many facing extended isolation it is important we draw on that resilience and continue to look out for one another.

I am particularly concerned about those enduring the lock-down alone. If you know of someone in isolation without household or family support, I encourage you to pick up the phone and call them. Any and every act of simple kindness can make a huge difference at a time like this.

My office is available to help during the lock-down. We have fielded many requests for assistance and information and while we cannot always help, we often know who can.

If you are running a small business, we can point you to multiple state and federal government programs. If you are out of work or having difficulty with your employment, we can also let you know what measures have been put in place to help through the crisis. If you are having difficulty sourcing the basics like food and hygiene products, we can direct you to state government support.

Check in with your family and friends and take care of yourself. This is an unprecedented event and there is no “normal” way to handle it. If you are feeling overwhelmed, as many of us rightfully have been, reach out to others. It is OK to be uncertain or worried or fearful during a time like this. It is OK to ask for help.

Our country and our region have displayed incredible efforts and co-operation in reducing the spread of the virus and our collective efforts are succeeding – the proof is the low rate of infection.

I encourage you to visit www.treasury.gov.au to see the full available supports by the Australian Government and www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus for the Victorian State Government supports.

Stay safe. Stay home.

Digital Inclusion at Greater Shepparton Secondary College

April 23, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog, Latest News /by Suzanna Sheed

In September last year, experts and locals gathered at St Paul’s African House for the launch of the latest Australian Digital Inclusion Index. At the launch an interesting idea was discussed on student digital inclusion and equality.
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Sheed urges local action on Coronavirus funding

April 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed is urging local not-for-profits, local governments and businesses to take up opportunities under the Working for Victoria Fund.

The fund is currently being rolled out by the Victorian State Government and is a good opportunity for organisations to expand their workforces by devising innovative projects that will employ local people in local jobs, according to Ms Sheed, ensuring retention of the existing workforce and providing wider community benefits through the work undertaken.

Funding has already been allocated to organisations such as FoodBank in Melbourne to employ additional staff to meet the growing needs within the community assembling and delivering food parcels. It has also supported one local government organisation to employ a large group of people to clean the city and over 450 people to assist with the quarantine effort across the state.

“Organisations in the Shepparton District should ensure that they take up these opportunities for funding being offered by the government. There are many areas in our towns that could benefit from this extra support and fast-tracking of projects,” Ms Sheed said.

“We know that local government has had a tree planting program with timeframes extending over a number of years. People could perhaps be employed to complete this project in months. Similarly, the Avenue of Honour on the Goulburn Valley Highway south of Shepparton is in poor condition and in need of refurbishment. Restoration would require hands-on labour which again could be carried out through a local authority.

“Firewood will be required for vulnerable families in the forthcoming winter months and the collection for people in need through an employment program would benefit those families and individuals in need. This is a time to be creative in relation to the sorts of projects that could be put to government.

“I am pleased that local governments in my electorate along with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority are making applications for funding to take advantage of this opportunity to partner with government to keep our local people in jobs.

“I encourage our local community organisations to urgently respond to the request for funding for projects from the Working for Victoria Fund.”

ENDS

Media contact

Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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Sheed calls for share of new Mental Health Funding

April 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on the Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley to include her electorate in a recently announced funding boost.

On Sunday, the Minister and Premier Daniel Andrews announced an additional $59.4 million to assist Victorians struggling with mental health issues due to the Coronavirus Crisis. The package includes $17.8 million for an additional 170 mental health beds and $7 million to expand “telehealth” mental health services.

While thanking the government for the extra-funding, Ms Sheed raised concerns over how it would be allocated.

“It is clear from the figures that there is an unprecedented number of people seeking mental health support as they work through the lock-down period,” Ms Sheed said.

In a letter sent to the Minister on Tuesday, Ms Sheed called for part of the funding to be directed to her electorate with recent consultations and inquiries finding the need in the Shepparton District was overwhelming.

“You will be aware from the round tables in Shepparton and the evidence before the Royal Commission into mental health services that my region has a great need for improvement in services with a significant lack of mental health beds being readily available within the region,” Ms Sheed wrote.

“I would be grateful if you could provide me with information in relation to this package of additional funding, what services within the Shepparton region you anticipate will benefit by it and how I may be engaged in working with agencies to ensure that their needs are taken into consideration by this funding boost.”