Steph Ryan for Euroa | Politician

Steph Ryan for Euroa

Phone: (03) 5762 1600

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25.01.2022 Latest COVID Community Update now on my website: https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_vict. In order for restrictions to ease in country Victoria, the government wants to see a reduction in active case numbers across all of regional Victoria. To move to the Last Step, the government requires no new cases for 14 days across the entire state. My concern is that the government is treating regional Victoria as a single entity. The Premiers plan does not take... into account the vast distances between communities, or the difference between metropolitan Melbourne and regional communities. There are 34 local government areas in regional Victoria which already meet the governments measure of not recording any new COVID case in the past 14 days. This includes Benalla, Strathbogie and Mitchell shires. I would prefer to see an approach that enables COVID-free country areas to move to the Last Step by region.

25.01.2022 #Nagambie Healthcare launched a world first this morning, with a new electronic screening device that can read peoples temperature and assess their risk of COVID-19 as they enter the building. Im sure we will see a lot more of these roll out across hospitals, businesses and community facilities. The technology has been developed by a Melbourne-based company which also provides screening services for the Hong Kong airport. One very large tech based company has also placed orders for the device but, thanks to some proactive and well connected locals, #Nagambie is leading the way!

24.01.2022 If you picked up a copy of The Benalla Ensign this week, you would have read a wonderful story about George (Kevin) Harper. Seventy years ago, at age 18 George was deployed to Korea. He endured nighttime temperatures of -37C with no tents or warm clothes with just rice to eat. Unsurprisingly he now has little love for either winter or rice. George is 89 next month and he was supposed to return to Korea this year, until coronavirus struck. Hes still hoping he might get the chance to visit the country he first saw as a teenager. #euroastories

24.01.2022 Grass on our roadsides is now over head height, putting us at risk of grassfires as it dries off. It’s even more of a worry along major freeways where the response of emergency services is hampered by wire rope barriers. The Andrews Government needs to instruct VicRoads to urgently ramp up its slashing program ahead of the fire season. More here: https://www.stephryan.com.au/labor_urged_to_act_quickly_on_

24.01.2022 The Andrews Government has placed odd restrictions on some businesses, through rules which mean you cant sell alcohol unless it is with food. That means you can sit down at a cellar door for a coffee, but you cant drink a glass of wine. NSW and SA are both allowing cellar doors to reopen and Im calling on the government to do the same in time for the Queens Birthday long weekend to help our wineries get back on their feet. @heathcotewinegrowers @women_inwine

22.01.2022 Here is a summary of the changes Daniel Andrews announced yesterday as they apply to us in regional Victoria. Like many of you, I was disappointed the government has not announced a broader easing of restrictions in areas where there are no COVID cases. More information will be available later today with my full community update.... *Note - Step 3 travel should read intrastate travel not interstate.

22.01.2022 Here are some of the basic restrictions that came in overnight in regional Vic. For more detail, go to: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-co. There are many enquiries that have certain unique circumstances and lot of "can I" questions. Often, it is a judgement call as not every activity or circumstance can be specifically mentioned. However the four reasons to leave home is a good reference to go back to. Please err on the side of caution and please d...o not look for loopholes. Stay safe everyone.

22.01.2022 Yesterday in Question Time I asked the Minister responsible for the West Gate Tunnel project to assure our community that there will be no further job losses at the Benalla concrete plant, and to guarantee that the 60 workers laid off today will get their jobs back. She refused to do either. Production is being wound down at the plant because the government is in a dispute with the builders about who is responsible for the costs of disposing of contaminated soil from the pro...ject. I have no doubt that the government will continue to seek to paint me as opposed to the project, and to the Benalla concrete plant. That is not true, and it never has been. But I have had long held concerns about the governments failure to due diligence on the WGT project. With the project grinding to a halt, those concerns were well founded. Almost overnight the WGT went from being a $500 million to a $6.7 billion road project. It never went to tender (unheard of, particularly for a project of this size) and the government rushed the planning and approvals for the project. At the end of the day, the most important thing to me is the welfare of the workers who have unfairly caught up in this bickering between the government and the builders. For their sake, I will continue to press the government to take urgent steps to sort out this mess.

20.01.2022 Today is a heartbreaking day for CFA volunteers, but we also want to give them reason to hope. As the Andrews Government rams through its divisive changes, giving the United Firefighters Union control of the CFA, we are putting a clear marker in the ground. If The Nationals are elected in 2022 with the Liberals, we will rebuild the CFA as an autonomous, independent organisation, with the ability to select and recruit its own staff. We will also ensure the board of the CFA is bound by the Volunteer Charter and an independent commissioner is appointed to hear and arbitrate on disputes.

19.01.2022 UPDATE ON RESTRICTIONS Yesterday the next stage of restrictions easing in Victoria was announced. From June 22:... cinemas are reopening! pubs, cafes, restaurants and bars are allowed up to 50 patrons. Alcohol can be served without food. indoor gym classes for groups of 10 are back! shared facilities at campgrounds and caravan parks, such as kitchens and bathrooms to reopen. More

18.01.2022 Vale Max Cox. An irreplaceable man; humble with a huge and generous heart. There was never a greater champion for Longwood, the CFA and The Nationals for Regional Victoria. I will miss him greatly.

18.01.2022 ADVICE FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN MITCHELL SHIRE Theres still a lot of confusion out there about people travelling between Mitchell Shire and areas outside of the Stage 3 lockdown. Heres a quick explainer.

17.01.2022 EASING OF COVID RESTRICTIONS From tomorrow 26 May: outdoor playgrounds and skate parks are open and school is back! (For Foundation, Grade 1 and 2, specialist school students, VCE and VCAL students, all other students back on June 9).... From 1 June: overnight stays are allowed beauty therapy, nail salons, spas re-opening 20 people can dine in at cafes, pubs and restaurants and more, see below! Its time to get back to business in Victoria, a welcome move for so many local small businesses and employees who have really been struggling during the COVID lockdowns. Now more than ever we need to support our locally owned and operated small businesses. They provide local jobs, essential local goods and services, and provide invaluable support and sponsorship for our local sporting clubs and organisations. Lets support the people that support us, and help our local businesses get back on their feet as soon as possible.

17.01.2022 Its taken an epic couple of days of stuffing envelopes but Im almost through a mail out to give older residents in the electorate the latest information on restrictions and practical assistance with things like grocery deliveries and help at home. I dont always agree with the decisions the government is making (in fact sometimes I stridently disagree) but over the past few months, Ive made it a priority to make sure our communities are getting clear and relevant information on any changes the government makes. Ive been concerned for a while that older residents who are not on email or social media might be finding it difficult to get the information they need. Hopefully this helps!

17.01.2022 I spoke with Peter Gleeson on @skynews tonight about my call for restrictions to be lifted on cellar doors and my concerns over the Andrews Governments decision to sign up to the Belt and Road Initiative against the advice of DFAT and the Federal Government. TV interviews are a whole different experience in the days of coronavirus. On the plus side, shoes are optional and I only need to go four steps to my office instead of schlepping to Melbourne. The downside is Im responsible for my own makeup (always risky) , the combination of fluorescent lighting and my bedside lamp is not particularly flattering and talking to a blank computer screen is quite disconcerting!

17.01.2022 COVID-19 Community Update: restrictions, confirmed cases, screening locations and support for businesses now available on my website. Read here: https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_rest Current restrictions as below!

17.01.2022 This week Parliament returns to vote on Daniel Andrews plan to extend the state of emergency in Victoria for six months. We will not be supporting it. I feel very strongly about this. The purpose of the Parliament is to hold executive government to account, but the Premier is treating it like its a nuisance. Its not about me or any other individual MP - its about the people we represent. We might not always do it perfectly, but it is our job to reflect the view of the pe...ople who send us there and by seeking to bypass the Parliament, Daniel Andrews is bypassing the Victorian people. If the government believes ongoing restrictions are needed, they should be forced to justify those decisions to the Parliament and thus to the people. When Andrews first sought to use powers under the state of emergency to defer the sitting or Parliament and to concentrate greater power in the executive, I gave the following contribution in Parliament: http://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/ The passage of the past few months has only strengthened my view.

16.01.2022 Weve had a win! The Victorian Government has backflipped on its restrictions on cellar doors. From June 1, they will again be able to offer tastings, so long as people are seated and they comply with requirements around patron limits, physical distancing, signage and hygiene. They will also be able to sell full bottles from their cellar doors for consumption on the premises. This is a great outcome for a lot of our smaller wineries which were going to miss out on valuable trade over the Queens Birthday weekend.

16.01.2022 If only every day was like this: late afternoon sunshine, verdant green grass and these babies galloping over the river flats at @woodside_park at #Wahring today. @timbullmp and I are doing the rounds of a few of the regions stables to get a handle on how covid-19 is impacting the breeding industry.

16.01.2022 BENALLA COVID-19 UPDATE Traces of COVID-19 have been found in Benalla’s wastewater. If you live in Benalla or have visited Benalla between 15 and 17 November and have symptoms please get tested at one of the below sites. Anyone who is unwell with any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, should get tested immediately and stay at home until you receive the result. People are asked not to go about their normal day-to-day activities such as work or going out in the com...munity if they have any symptoms. Symptoms include: Fever, chills and sweats Cough, sore throat Runny nose Shortness of breath Loss of sense of smell or taste Fatigue Body aches or headaches Diarrhoea

15.01.2022 I was lucky enough to get the last of autumns apples from Mill Springs Farm today. I had a plan to preserve these this afternoon so I could eat them over winter, but the temptation to make a pie for my immediate enjoyment won out.

14.01.2022 Daniel Andrews has just announced that from midnight tomorrow, residents across Mitchell Shire will enter Stage 3 lockdown for six weeks. This is going to be brutal for so many people. I and my little team will be doing everything we can to help, wherever we can. I have also asked the government to tell us COVID case numbers by postcode, as has occurred in the city. This information is held by the government, but it has not been made public. Mitchell is a big shire, and people deserve to know which communities are most at risk. My latest community update on this, NSW border restrictions and todays case numbers is here: https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_mitc

13.01.2022 ADVICE FOR RESIDENTS WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE RESTRICTED AREA Here is a quick 101 on face masks and the reasons you are allowed to travel into the restricted area.

12.01.2022 Are you tearing your hair out trying to figure out if you can do your grocery shopping in Seymour, drop your kids at school or drive through a restricted area? Ive gathered the answers to the 12 most common questions Ive fielded today about the Stage 3 restrictions that take effect across Mitchell Shire as of midnight tonight. See more here: https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_some... PS There is NO change to restrictions across the rest of the Euroa electorate (including the Euroa township). If you live in the council areas of Strathbogie, Benalla, Shepparton, Campaspe or Bendigo, the existing restrictions continue to apply.

12.01.2022 Please see below important information from GV Health regarding the Shepparton outbreak.

12.01.2022 Im not sure Id hire this kid. First day on the job and shes already asleep. Latest COVID community update is now on my website: https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_stat

12.01.2022 Between bushfires, a pandemic and the very human cost of the economic challenges we now face, 2020 will be remembered as one of the toughest years of our lives. But in the middle of all of that, I have been given the most extraordinary gift, with the arrival of our beautiful little girl, Sunday. Were going to take a little bit of time as a family, while we as new parents look for Sunnys operating manual, but I am still very much in touch with the office. I appreciate that ...this is a hugely challenging time for so many individuals and businesses in our region so - as always - if you need assistance, dont hesitate to get in touch with me and my hardworking little team in the office at [email protected]. Thank you for all of the love and well wishes. Steph

12.01.2022 Today two very significant changes were made - Victoria moved to the last step in easing restrictions and the New South Wales border reopened. These changes no doubt come as a great relief for many people, businesses and community groups. I’ve included the key details in my latest COVID-19 community update which you can read here:... https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_last See more

11.01.2022 My COVID-19 Community Updates from yesterday and today are now available on my website - read by clicking below! Yesterday, 3 August: Stage 3 and 4 restrictions, mandatory face masks , schools and post-code data https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_stag... Today, 4 August: common questions, business support , update on cases and mental health support https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_comm

10.01.2022 Carly Eldridge has been up until midnight every night sewing face masks in an effort to make enough money to pay rent. Her business @bezzyeldo is one of many across Mitchell Shire that hasnt just found themselves locked down under Stage 3 restrictions but also locked out of accessing the Victorian Governments $5,000 grants. As a sole trader, Carly doesnt qualify for the grant. Ive called on the Andrews Government to urgently revisit the criteria to make sure deserving businesses facing these brutal restrictions can survive. #euroastories

10.01.2022 In recent weeks I have been contacted by a number of sporting clubs who have been crippled by the COVID-19 restrictions. The governments short-term survival package of $1,000 for grassroots sporting clubs just doesnt go far enough. ... Sport is the backbone of our communities and I want to see our community sporting clubs and groups sufficiently supported during this time. Goulburn Valley League Kyabram District Football Netball League Heathcote District Football Netball League Northern Football Netball League Ovens & King Football Netball League Kilmore Golf Club Avenel Bowling CLUB

10.01.2022 Scott Upston has lost faith in Daniel Andrews. He has put years of blood, sweat and tears into building Primal Health Club, a successful and much loved business in #Benalla. He is now on the verge of losing it all because gyms are not allowed to reopen under the Andrews Government’s restrictions. He told me today that all he wants is a fair go. I am calling on the government to allow the fitness industry in regional Victoria to reopen. There has never been a case of communit...y transmission recorded in a gym. It is gut wrenching to see the difficulties small business owners like Scott face when all of the cases from Victoria’s second wave have been linked back to the government’s catastrophic failures on hotel quarantine and insufficient contact tracing. Please visit www.noconfidence.com.au to tell the Premier it’s time for change. #euroastories

09.01.2022 Sixty workers from the Benalla concrete plant were made redundant last week because of the governments botched West Gate Tunnel Project. Workers on this project had been told they had safe, secure and long-term jobs. The Premier needs to be accountable to those workers who have lost their jobs.... Today I asked the Premier in Parliament to guarantee that every single worker will get their job back.

08.01.2022 Do you have any spare school uniforms that you no longer need? Love in Action Broadford are looking for local school uniforms to help families going through a tough time. I caught up with Barb Radford this morning. The group are doing some amazing work to support local families. Groups like Love in Action are going to be more important than ever in the months ahead. If you can help with donations of either food, personal care items or you have local school uniforms that you...r kids have outgrown, please get in touch with Barb via the Love in Action Broadford community group.

07.01.2022 The Andrews Government wants to eradicate brumbies in Victorias high country by shooting them. Last night Phil Maguire and the Australian Brumby Alliance were given a one-week stay of execution but their fight isnt over. Banjo is a paddock mate to my warmblood mare. He was mustered from Mt Kosciuszko, where the hills are rough and steep. Hes not glamorous, but youll never find a tougher or more sure-footed pony. Most people recognise that brumby numbers do need to be con...trolled, but the government has made no effort to capture and rehome them. Culling them was supposed to be a LAST resort, not a first resort. For every brumby in the high country, there are 300 sambar deer. If you want to stop this cull, please sign this petition: https://www.savethebrumbies.com.au

07.01.2022 BUSINESS SHOUT OUT - W.B. GADD W.B. Gadd in Avenel is iconic. Stocking a wide range of high quality merino wool and possum fibre garments, W.B. Gadd has exactly you need to keep warm this winter. ... By shopping at W.B. Gadd youre supporting local products and jobs, as all their knitwear is proudly manufactured in Australia and New Zealand. The store on Queen St had been closed due COVID-19 but has now re-opened and is continuing to offer products online with free shipping on orders over $100 within Australia. Pop in store or check out whats on offer online by visiting: www.wbgadd.com If you want me to give your business a shout out, email me at [email protected] #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness

06.01.2022 Im interested in what you think about the Andrews Governments decision to sign up to the Belt and Road initiative with the Chinese Government. Last week Daniel Andrews said that signing Victoria onto to the Belt and Road is more important than ever while Tim Pallas said that the Federal Goverment was vilifying China by pursuing an inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic. Personally, it greatly concerns me that Andrews has gone against the advice of the Department of For...eign Affairs and Trade. For starters, state governments dont have expertise in this area or access to information about wider strategic priorities. If theres one thing that Chinas tariffs on barley demonstrate, its that we need to diversify our trading partners. https://amp.smh.com.au//victorian-treasurer-s-china-commen

05.01.2022 Information on eligibility and permits to cross the NSW border is available here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au//apply-covid-19-nsw-border-

04.01.2022 On Sunday I was briefed by the Department of Health and Human Services on the Kilmore COVID-19 cluster after community members contacted me with concerns about gaps in the department’s contact tracing. I’ve summarised the briefing, provided details on mandatory day 11 testing and explained the new rules on face masks in my latest COVID-19 Community Update which is now available on my website. Follow the link below https://www.stephryan.com.au/covid_19_community_update_kilm

03.01.2022 From 11.59pm tomorrow night regional Victoria will move to step 3 of restrictions easing. Its a much needed announcement for our area, especially for local businesses and those who have been socially isolated. While the changes are incremental, we now have more opportunity to get back out in the community and support each other and local business. Ill be providing another update via email (contact me if youd like to receive), but in the meantime heres a summary of whats... changing **Camping is permitted in regional Vic from 11.59pm tonight - camping and caravan parks can open. The household social bubble limit applies.

03.01.2022 Mariah Baumann is anything but average. She is taking a gap year before she goes to uni to study paramedicine. Instead of travelling, she decided to open her own pop up store Little Bliss Boutique in Station St in #Seymour. The store opened in March, which means it was only trading for three weeks before restrictions, but Mariah is making the best of it and is still open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. #euroastories

02.01.2022 BUSINESS SHOUT OUT - WENDYS MUSIC With more time at home at the moment, now might be the time to learn to play an instrument! ... Wendys Music School provides music lessons to all ages and locations, for all instruments, through online delivery. Wendy is a #Rushworth local and she is encouraging people to experience the joy of making music in a simple and easy way. You can book a trial lesson online, or find the details about what Wendy offers here: https://wendysmusic.com.au

02.01.2022 #Seymour’s Carly Wilson is one of thousands of small business owners living week to week as restrictions prevent her from being able to reopen her fitness studio. As a sole trader who works from home, she has also found herself ineligible for state government assistance. I caught up with her today to talk about the challenges she is facing and to renew my calls for the government to address inconsistencies in restrictions in regional Victoria which allow 70 people to gather outdoors at a pub but limit religious gatherings to 20 people outdoors and provide no opportunity for people like Carly to demonstrate they can safely open. #euroastories (Note* Carly has a medical exemption from wearing a face mask).

01.01.2022 BUSINESS SHOUT OUT - THE TALLAROOK HOTEL The weekend is almost here - why not kick it off with take away from the Tallarook Hotel for your Friday night dinner. ... Tonights menu: Chicken parma chips & salad $22 Eggplant parma chips & salad $20 Garlic prawns, rice & salad $23 Housemade pie, peas & mash $21 Call 5792 1743 to leave a message with your order. And make sure you like the Tallarook Hotel Facebook page to stay up to date! If you want me to give your business a shout out email me at [email protected] #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness

01.01.2022 Mandatory face masks for Mitchell, changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker, update on restrictions and local case numbers - read my COVID-19 Community Update available on my website now