An elderly indigenous man was nearly killed in a drug-fueled attack while golfing. An ice addict ran onto the golf course, verbally and physically threatened the man and his friends, and then struck the victim in the head with a golf club, cracking his skull. The victim survived but suffered long-term health and memory issues. The attacker was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Virgin Islands police officers have used deadly force 100 times over the last 20 years, killing 28 people and using other forms of deadly force on 15 more. However, only 10 times have officers been prosecuted. The article examines 85 shootings by police and finds that in 65 cases (76%) the victims were unarmed. National experts are alarmed by these statistics and the lack of accountability. They believe Virgin Islands police are misusing deadly force with alarming frequency and escaping prosecution.
This document discusses the relationships between mental illness and crime. It covers several key topics:
1. It examines the association between specific psychiatric diagnoses like schizophrenia, substance abuse disorders, and violence. Studies show an increased risk of violence in individuals with these conditions.
2. It discusses different legal tests for insanity defenses, like the M'Naghten Rules and American Law Institute test, as well as other diminished responsibility defenses.
3. It provides examples of Malaysian law regarding detention of offenders with mental illness under the Criminal Procedure Code. This includes provisions for psychiatric examination and detention in hospital if unfit to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The document summarizes a Man Up event in Shepparton that aimed to promote help-seeking behavior in young men ages 18 to 25 for mental health issues. Over 200 people attended the event where former AFL player and Headspace spokesman Simon Hogan shared his experience battling depression and how opening up and seeking help expedited his recovery. The event was organized by Headspace Shepparton, AFL Goulburn Murray, and Valley Sport to encourage men that it is okay not to be okay and to help their friends who may be struggling.
A Shepparton man threatened a radio presenter with an axe after receiving a call from his crying wife about an argument with the presenter. The man grabbed the presenter by the throat while holding the axe, but was stopped by a witness. In court, the man was fined $1000 for assault and possessing a dangerous weapon, avoiding a potential jail term. The magistrate was concerned about the presence of the axe but recognized it was a spontaneous decision.
A Shepparton woman prepared packaged meals and notes of encouragement for over 100 homeless people in Melbourne on Valentine's Day to spread kindness. Another Shepparton woman was fined $500 for driving with a suspended license and unregistered vehicle on two occasions,
This document summarizes an article from the Shepparton News about issues of racism in Shepparton, Australia. It discusses incidents of white people wearing blackface to parties, which is seen as offensive by Indigenous people. It also talks about the author's concerns with her black cat being named "Eddie", and debates in the local community about racism. The document advocates for more education around Indigenous history and culture to address issues like these.
Diane Teasdale is an independent candidate for the seat of Shepparton in the upcoming state election. She holds firm cultural views and wants to ban the burqa, reduce immigration, stop funding for multiculturalism, prevent non-Australians from buying property, and ban abortion. During a visit to her home, Teasdale discussed her conservative social views on issues like feminism, Islam, and multiculturalism. She believes Australia's infrastructure cannot support recent immigration increases and that immigrants must adopt Australian culture.
Virgin Islands police officers have used deadly force 100 times over the last 20 years, killing 28 people and using other forms of deadly force on 15 more. However, only 10 times have officers been prosecuted. The article examines 85 shootings by police and finds that in 65 cases (76%) the victims were unarmed. National experts are alarmed by these statistics and the lack of accountability. They believe Virgin Islands police are misusing deadly force with alarming frequency and escaping prosecution.
This document discusses the relationships between mental illness and crime. It covers several key topics:
1. It examines the association between specific psychiatric diagnoses like schizophrenia, substance abuse disorders, and violence. Studies show an increased risk of violence in individuals with these conditions.
2. It discusses different legal tests for insanity defenses, like the M'Naghten Rules and American Law Institute test, as well as other diminished responsibility defenses.
3. It provides examples of Malaysian law regarding detention of offenders with mental illness under the Criminal Procedure Code. This includes provisions for psychiatric examination and detention in hospital if unfit to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The document summarizes a Man Up event in Shepparton that aimed to promote help-seeking behavior in young men ages 18 to 25 for mental health issues. Over 200 people attended the event where former AFL player and Headspace spokesman Simon Hogan shared his experience battling depression and how opening up and seeking help expedited his recovery. The event was organized by Headspace Shepparton, AFL Goulburn Murray, and Valley Sport to encourage men that it is okay not to be okay and to help their friends who may be struggling.
A Shepparton man threatened a radio presenter with an axe after receiving a call from his crying wife about an argument with the presenter. The man grabbed the presenter by the throat while holding the axe, but was stopped by a witness. In court, the man was fined $1000 for assault and possessing a dangerous weapon, avoiding a potential jail term. The magistrate was concerned about the presence of the axe but recognized it was a spontaneous decision.
A Shepparton woman prepared packaged meals and notes of encouragement for over 100 homeless people in Melbourne on Valentine's Day to spread kindness. Another Shepparton woman was fined $500 for driving with a suspended license and unregistered vehicle on two occasions,
This document summarizes an article from the Shepparton News about issues of racism in Shepparton, Australia. It discusses incidents of white people wearing blackface to parties, which is seen as offensive by Indigenous people. It also talks about the author's concerns with her black cat being named "Eddie", and debates in the local community about racism. The document advocates for more education around Indigenous history and culture to address issues like these.
Diane Teasdale is an independent candidate for the seat of Shepparton in the upcoming state election. She holds firm cultural views and wants to ban the burqa, reduce immigration, stop funding for multiculturalism, prevent non-Australians from buying property, and ban abortion. During a visit to her home, Teasdale discussed her conservative social views on issues like feminism, Islam, and multiculturalism. She believes Australia's infrastructure cannot support recent immigration increases and that immigrants must adopt Australian culture.
Rochester recreation groups are waiting for Campaspe Shire to establish a process for them to apply for $480,000 that has been earmarked for them since 2011. While the mayor says the money is available, concerns over the long term plan for the Rochester Racecourse Recreation Reserve have delayed setting up an application process. One group, the Rochester Fire Brigade, is preparing their own application to install a running track and pumping system at the reserve in hopes of being able to access some of the funding when guidelines are finally provided.
A farm in Bamawm is being investigated for allegedly providing illegal accommodation to 13 seasonal workers from China and Taiwan. The Campaspe Shire environmental health officers and Rochester police assisted the workers after they called police following a dispute. The council intends to serve the farm operator with a prohibition notice for the accommodation, which was found to not meet standards regarding fire safety, water supply, and number of beds. The workers were relieved to leave the isolated property on the bus to Melbourne after their farm work did not eventuate as planned, leaving them out of pocket financially.
An ambulance was called to assist a 65-year-old man who was found unconscious and not breathing on his farm in Rochester. While the daughter of the deceased man acknowledged the ambulance had difficulty locating the farm due to its remote location on an easement through another property, she defended Ambulance Victoria and said the paramedics did everything they could as her father was already dead by the time he was discovered. The general manager of Ambulance Victoria confirmed the first ambulance reached the area within 12 minutes but had trouble finding the exact location, and that paramedics arrived at the scene at 4:29pm. The daughter believed the six minute response time but understood how the farm could be difficult to find.
This document summarizes resident feedback from a community meeting held by Campaspe Shire about the council's long-term financial targets. Residents expressed disappointment that the meeting lacked detailed information and clear direction. The facilitator was inexperienced at community consultation according to the mayor. Residents felt their voices were not heard and key council members left halfway through.
Bernard Keenan's brother Terence was punched and knocked unconscious by William John Lovel at a pub in Tatura last year. Terence died 13 days later without regaining consciousness. A jury found Lovel not guilty of manslaughter, upsetting the Keenan family. Bernard said his brother's death hit the family hard and there is no outcome from his death. Terence was described as a happy man who was always joking and took a deep interest in his family and community.
This document summarizes a local newspaper article about a Shepparton mother, Geraldine Atkinson, who is advocating for solutions to the local ice addiction problem after her son Dalton took his own life due to his ice addiction. Geraldine wants to see more support services for addicts undergoing home detox, such as mobile counseling vans. She is also critical of the local drug treatment facility for moving locations and compromising patient privacy. Additionally, Geraldine calls on police to crack down on major ice dealers in the area that she believes are negatively impacting the community.
Geraldine Atkinson's son Dalton Guthrie recently took his own life due to his addiction to the drug "ice". Atkinson is calling on the community to work together to help young people struggling with addiction. A special report in the newspaper explores how ice is destroying families in the Goulburn Valley region of Australia and research shows the number of young people using methamphetamines has doubled in the past five years.
This document summarizes the harrowing experience of a woman named Megan and her family due to her partner's ice addiction. Her partner Shane suddenly became violent without warning, slitting his friend's throat at a barbecue and then attacking Megan, forcing hot cigarette butts down her throat and injuring her face severely. Both of Megan's young children witnessed the violence and now suffer from PTSD. Shane breached restraining orders multiple times and was only given light sentences by the courts, further traumatizing Megan. Both she and her children continue to struggle with the lingering effects of the domestic violence and have difficulty accessing counseling support.
Jim was sexually abused by his Catholic scout leader from age 12 and by a priest at his school. The abuse caused him lifelong trauma, preventing him from sleeping well for 42 years and causing him to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. He experienced nightmares, depression, and suicidal thoughts as a result of the abuse. While the Royal Commission investigating institutional responses to child abuse brought back difficult memories for Jim, he is curious to hear the responses but does not have faith in the Catholic Church. With support from a sexual assault organization, Jim was able to begin dealing with what happened, but the impacts of the abuse have been catastrophic and long-lasting.
This document provides information about tours and events offered by Coach & International Travel in Numurkah, including:
- Day trips to various musicals and shows from March to October ranging in price from $75-$260.
- Extended domestic tours from March to June ranging from 4-14 days and $1,080-$4,375.
- Three international tours in May, July, and October ranging from 13-18 days and $5,095-$7,100.
It also summarizes the findings of an investigation into complaints against three Shepparton city councillors that cost $75,000 so far. The councillors were all cleared of misconduct with the complaints deemed trivial
The document provides information about concerts, theatre shows, and day trips being offered through Ford's Coach Travel, including event dates and ticket prices. It also includes a section on 2015 tours with destinations and prices. Additionally, it contains two news articles: one about vandalism to an Aboriginal interpretive sign in Mooroopna, and another discussing concerns about the impact of ice on indigenous communities in Shepparton.
A retired doctor had his driver's license suspended for two years after crashing his car while over the legal alcohol limit. He and his wife had been drinking at a local event. Despite a witness saying he was too intoxicated to drive, the doctor dismissed their warning and drove home. He lost control of the car, crashing through a gate and hitting a tree on his property. Neither he nor his injured wife called for medical help initially. His wife's injuries were serious and required further treatment in Melbourne. The doctor pleaded guilty to drink driving and reckless injury charges. He was ordered to donate to an anti-drink driving program and placed on a good behavior bond due to his otherwise clean record and contributions to the community as a doctor.
The document is a newspaper with the date of Friday, January 29, 2016. It discusses weather forecasts for the next few days being cloudy with a chance of showers or rain. A main story reports that former City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Dennis Patterson says he will not apologize for alleged misconduct and is determined to run for council again this year.
Uncle Leon Saunders, an Aboriginal elder, says the drug ice has contributed to the suicides of more than six young indigenous community members in Shepparton over the past year. He states that too many young people are taking their lives and it is ripping the heart out of the community to see them using ice. The CEO of the Australian Community Support Organisation has also noticed an increase in suicidal thoughts and deaths by suicide among indigenous men and young people in Shepparton resulting from ice use, with two indigenous men who were ice users taking their lives since December.
The Victorian government is providing additional funding to encourage more women, especially indigenous women and those from culturally diverse backgrounds, to run for local council positions. Currently such groups are underrepresented in local government. The funding will go to programs that aim to boost female candidates and provide scholarships. Local indigenous leader Katrina Mohamed supports more indigenous women becoming politically active locally but feels mainstream politics can be distracting from community priorities. Some current female councillors hope the funding increases diversity on councils and helps overcome challenges such as perceived sexism.
A Shepparton man was remanded in custody for allegedly assaulting a woman so badly she required intensive care. Police found Kelvin Rogers hiding under his mother's mattress and arrested him. He was charged with intentionally causing serious injury. At the bail hearing, police expressed concerns that Rogers would fail to appear in court, re-offend, or influence the victim, given his attempts to persuade her not to cooperate during his arrest. The magistrate denied bail citing his criminal history and likelihood of interfering with witnesses.
In other news, water safety advocate Laurie Lawrence visited a children's center to launch a new early childhood water safety program. It aims to educate over 1.5 million children on water safety and reduce
The document provides information about events at the Mooroopna Golf Club, including entertainment and member benefits, and summarizes a few news articles. It describes the food and drink options available at the golf club along with upcoming entertainment events. It then summarizes two news articles, one about a series of linked burglaries being investigated, and another about politicians visiting the International Dairy Week event and being impressed by the dairy industry.
The Goulburn Valley Addiction Recovery Centre that was planned to be built near Mooroopna will now be located elsewhere due to community objections. After meeting with local residents who had safety concerns about the facility's proximity to homes, the operators of the center (ACSO) announced they would seek an alternative site with help from the community. ACSO is asking local real estate agents and residents to suggest parcels of land over 20 acres that are not adjacent to residential areas as they look to purchase a new property. A committee including one of the objecting residents was formed to aid in finding a suitable new location for the rehabilitation facility.
A man has been sentenced to at least two years and three months in prison for dangerous driving causing death and serious injury after a crash that killed one person and injured six others. Dong Thanh Do pleaded not guilty but a jury found him guilty. He was transporting farm workers in his van when he failed to stop at an intersection, colliding with a prime mover. One woman died at the scene and others suffered serious spinal injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. The judge said deterrence was needed given the number of victims.
The document discusses the upcoming expansion of Shepparton Private Hospital, which will add 36 new modular units to provide much-needed inpatient mental health and rehabilitation services for the local community. Over 550 private patients from the region were previously required to travel elsewhere each year due to the lack of these local services. Community consultations were conducted and found support for the expansion, which residents believe will minimally impact traffic while greatly improving access to healthcare.
Rochester recreation groups are waiting for Campaspe Shire to establish a process for them to apply for $480,000 that has been earmarked for them since 2011. While the mayor says the money is available, concerns over the long term plan for the Rochester Racecourse Recreation Reserve have delayed setting up an application process. One group, the Rochester Fire Brigade, is preparing their own application to install a running track and pumping system at the reserve in hopes of being able to access some of the funding when guidelines are finally provided.
A farm in Bamawm is being investigated for allegedly providing illegal accommodation to 13 seasonal workers from China and Taiwan. The Campaspe Shire environmental health officers and Rochester police assisted the workers after they called police following a dispute. The council intends to serve the farm operator with a prohibition notice for the accommodation, which was found to not meet standards regarding fire safety, water supply, and number of beds. The workers were relieved to leave the isolated property on the bus to Melbourne after their farm work did not eventuate as planned, leaving them out of pocket financially.
An ambulance was called to assist a 65-year-old man who was found unconscious and not breathing on his farm in Rochester. While the daughter of the deceased man acknowledged the ambulance had difficulty locating the farm due to its remote location on an easement through another property, she defended Ambulance Victoria and said the paramedics did everything they could as her father was already dead by the time he was discovered. The general manager of Ambulance Victoria confirmed the first ambulance reached the area within 12 minutes but had trouble finding the exact location, and that paramedics arrived at the scene at 4:29pm. The daughter believed the six minute response time but understood how the farm could be difficult to find.
This document summarizes resident feedback from a community meeting held by Campaspe Shire about the council's long-term financial targets. Residents expressed disappointment that the meeting lacked detailed information and clear direction. The facilitator was inexperienced at community consultation according to the mayor. Residents felt their voices were not heard and key council members left halfway through.
Bernard Keenan's brother Terence was punched and knocked unconscious by William John Lovel at a pub in Tatura last year. Terence died 13 days later without regaining consciousness. A jury found Lovel not guilty of manslaughter, upsetting the Keenan family. Bernard said his brother's death hit the family hard and there is no outcome from his death. Terence was described as a happy man who was always joking and took a deep interest in his family and community.
This document summarizes a local newspaper article about a Shepparton mother, Geraldine Atkinson, who is advocating for solutions to the local ice addiction problem after her son Dalton took his own life due to his ice addiction. Geraldine wants to see more support services for addicts undergoing home detox, such as mobile counseling vans. She is also critical of the local drug treatment facility for moving locations and compromising patient privacy. Additionally, Geraldine calls on police to crack down on major ice dealers in the area that she believes are negatively impacting the community.
Geraldine Atkinson's son Dalton Guthrie recently took his own life due to his addiction to the drug "ice". Atkinson is calling on the community to work together to help young people struggling with addiction. A special report in the newspaper explores how ice is destroying families in the Goulburn Valley region of Australia and research shows the number of young people using methamphetamines has doubled in the past five years.
This document summarizes the harrowing experience of a woman named Megan and her family due to her partner's ice addiction. Her partner Shane suddenly became violent without warning, slitting his friend's throat at a barbecue and then attacking Megan, forcing hot cigarette butts down her throat and injuring her face severely. Both of Megan's young children witnessed the violence and now suffer from PTSD. Shane breached restraining orders multiple times and was only given light sentences by the courts, further traumatizing Megan. Both she and her children continue to struggle with the lingering effects of the domestic violence and have difficulty accessing counseling support.
Jim was sexually abused by his Catholic scout leader from age 12 and by a priest at his school. The abuse caused him lifelong trauma, preventing him from sleeping well for 42 years and causing him to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. He experienced nightmares, depression, and suicidal thoughts as a result of the abuse. While the Royal Commission investigating institutional responses to child abuse brought back difficult memories for Jim, he is curious to hear the responses but does not have faith in the Catholic Church. With support from a sexual assault organization, Jim was able to begin dealing with what happened, but the impacts of the abuse have been catastrophic and long-lasting.
This document provides information about tours and events offered by Coach & International Travel in Numurkah, including:
- Day trips to various musicals and shows from March to October ranging in price from $75-$260.
- Extended domestic tours from March to June ranging from 4-14 days and $1,080-$4,375.
- Three international tours in May, July, and October ranging from 13-18 days and $5,095-$7,100.
It also summarizes the findings of an investigation into complaints against three Shepparton city councillors that cost $75,000 so far. The councillors were all cleared of misconduct with the complaints deemed trivial
The document provides information about concerts, theatre shows, and day trips being offered through Ford's Coach Travel, including event dates and ticket prices. It also includes a section on 2015 tours with destinations and prices. Additionally, it contains two news articles: one about vandalism to an Aboriginal interpretive sign in Mooroopna, and another discussing concerns about the impact of ice on indigenous communities in Shepparton.
A retired doctor had his driver's license suspended for two years after crashing his car while over the legal alcohol limit. He and his wife had been drinking at a local event. Despite a witness saying he was too intoxicated to drive, the doctor dismissed their warning and drove home. He lost control of the car, crashing through a gate and hitting a tree on his property. Neither he nor his injured wife called for medical help initially. His wife's injuries were serious and required further treatment in Melbourne. The doctor pleaded guilty to drink driving and reckless injury charges. He was ordered to donate to an anti-drink driving program and placed on a good behavior bond due to his otherwise clean record and contributions to the community as a doctor.
The document is a newspaper with the date of Friday, January 29, 2016. It discusses weather forecasts for the next few days being cloudy with a chance of showers or rain. A main story reports that former City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Dennis Patterson says he will not apologize for alleged misconduct and is determined to run for council again this year.
Uncle Leon Saunders, an Aboriginal elder, says the drug ice has contributed to the suicides of more than six young indigenous community members in Shepparton over the past year. He states that too many young people are taking their lives and it is ripping the heart out of the community to see them using ice. The CEO of the Australian Community Support Organisation has also noticed an increase in suicidal thoughts and deaths by suicide among indigenous men and young people in Shepparton resulting from ice use, with two indigenous men who were ice users taking their lives since December.
The Victorian government is providing additional funding to encourage more women, especially indigenous women and those from culturally diverse backgrounds, to run for local council positions. Currently such groups are underrepresented in local government. The funding will go to programs that aim to boost female candidates and provide scholarships. Local indigenous leader Katrina Mohamed supports more indigenous women becoming politically active locally but feels mainstream politics can be distracting from community priorities. Some current female councillors hope the funding increases diversity on councils and helps overcome challenges such as perceived sexism.
A Shepparton man was remanded in custody for allegedly assaulting a woman so badly she required intensive care. Police found Kelvin Rogers hiding under his mother's mattress and arrested him. He was charged with intentionally causing serious injury. At the bail hearing, police expressed concerns that Rogers would fail to appear in court, re-offend, or influence the victim, given his attempts to persuade her not to cooperate during his arrest. The magistrate denied bail citing his criminal history and likelihood of interfering with witnesses.
In other news, water safety advocate Laurie Lawrence visited a children's center to launch a new early childhood water safety program. It aims to educate over 1.5 million children on water safety and reduce
The document provides information about events at the Mooroopna Golf Club, including entertainment and member benefits, and summarizes a few news articles. It describes the food and drink options available at the golf club along with upcoming entertainment events. It then summarizes two news articles, one about a series of linked burglaries being investigated, and another about politicians visiting the International Dairy Week event and being impressed by the dairy industry.
The Goulburn Valley Addiction Recovery Centre that was planned to be built near Mooroopna will now be located elsewhere due to community objections. After meeting with local residents who had safety concerns about the facility's proximity to homes, the operators of the center (ACSO) announced they would seek an alternative site with help from the community. ACSO is asking local real estate agents and residents to suggest parcels of land over 20 acres that are not adjacent to residential areas as they look to purchase a new property. A committee including one of the objecting residents was formed to aid in finding a suitable new location for the rehabilitation facility.
A man has been sentenced to at least two years and three months in prison for dangerous driving causing death and serious injury after a crash that killed one person and injured six others. Dong Thanh Do pleaded not guilty but a jury found him guilty. He was transporting farm workers in his van when he failed to stop at an intersection, colliding with a prime mover. One woman died at the scene and others suffered serious spinal injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. The judge said deterrence was needed given the number of victims.
The document discusses the upcoming expansion of Shepparton Private Hospital, which will add 36 new modular units to provide much-needed inpatient mental health and rehabilitation services for the local community. Over 550 private patients from the region were previously required to travel elsewhere each year due to the lack of these local services. Community consultations were conducted and found support for the expansion, which residents believe will minimally impact traffic while greatly improving access to healthcare.
1. SNNEWS SHEPPARTON NEWS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015 5
Attack close to being fatal
DRUG-FUELLED ATTACK ON GOLF COURSE RESULTED IN MOOROOPNA MAN RECEIVING A CRACKED SKULL
By Elaine Cooney
Lucky to be alive: Brian McGee was a millimetre from death after he was assaulted by a ice-fuelled man on a golf course in 2013.
Mooroopna golfer Brian
McGee was a millimetre away
from death when an ice addict
ran onto a golf course and
smashed his skull with a golf
club two years ago.
The Bangerang elder, now
73, was playing golf with his
brother Lionel McGee and
mate Max Archer, when the
addict approached them.
He said the group was walk-
ing to the 16th hole, when the
addict, who was not wearing a
shirt or shoes, approached
them.
‘‘He just started abusing
us,’’ Uncle Brian said.
The man told the golfers he
would kill them and threw a
piece of wood at Uncle Brian.
‘‘I thought, ‘well this bloke is
totally serious’,’’ Uncle Brian
said.
‘‘He was very much on ice
— the eyes, he couldn’t focus
properly. I knew that this
bloke was on ice.’’
Uncle Brian said he had cal-
led police and continued with
the game.
‘‘I got to the tee — I had
good skill then — I was put-
ting for the birdie and I
thought, ‘Why is this happen-
ing now?’,’’ he said with a
laugh.
He said the man then
swung a golf club at him.
‘‘That’s all I remember.’’
He woke up in the ambu-
lance and remembered seeing
his brother, Lionel, distraught.
‘‘He thought I was going to
die — he had tears in his
eyes,’’ Uncle Brian said.
‘‘We’re very close — every-
thing we’ve done, we’ve done
together.
‘‘I asked the doctor how
close I was (to dying).
‘‘He said one millimetre
before I’m dead.’’
Uncle Brian suffered a crac-
ked skull, for which he needed
an operation, and had a steel
plate inserted.
The man who carried out
the attack was jailed for seven
years on Tuesday.
‘‘He’ll have some time to
think about it,’’ Uncle Brian
said.
‘‘I feel sorry for him, there’s
something wrong with the
man. He’s a bloke on ice.
‘‘We were open slather to
abuse.
‘‘You think you are enjoying
yourself and have been play-
ing golf for 20 years . . .’’
He said the most severe
effect was the memories of
the event.
‘‘My memory is probably
my worst enemy.
‘‘You’d be driving to Mel-
bourne on your own, thinking
about certain things and
you’ve got to pull up and con-
centrate.’’
However, he said the event
hadn’t caused him to become
afraid.
‘‘I’ve never been frightened
of anything.’’
Dookie speed
limit to change
The speed limit in Dookie
will be reduced after meet-
ings between the commun-
ity and VicRoads.
In response to a recent
truck rollover at the intersec-
tion of Dookie-Shepparton
Rd/Cosgrove-Caniambo Rd,
VicRoads will also revamp
warning signs and extend a
speed limit zone.
VicRoads was pleased with
the community’s partici-
pation in a recent review of
the speed limit in the town-
ship of Dookie, regional
director Bryan Sherritt said.
‘‘VicRoads received a num-
ber of road safety concerns
from the local community,
so we put the call out to the
community to provide feed-
back about a change in
speed limit,’’ Mr Sherritt
said.
‘‘VicRoads heard com-
ments from many commun-
ity members, with views
well-aligned and in support
of a speed limit change.’’
VicRoads considered all
the feedback from the com-
munity and will change the
speed limit from 60 km/h to
50 km/h through the Dookie
township.
Existing curve warning
signs will be revamped and
the 80 km/h speed limit ac-
ross the railway line towards
Shepparton will be extended
to include the curve.
Mr Sherritt said the chan-
ges would improve safety for
road users travelling through
the area.
‘‘We have consulted with
our road safety partners, Vic-
toria Police and Greater
Shepparton City Council,
regarding the changes and
they are supportive of these
safety improvements,’’ he
said.
The changes will be in
place by the end of 2015.
Crisp appointed as
deputy commissioner
Victoria Police Chief Com-
missioner Graham Ashton
has announced the appoint-
ment of Andrew Crisp as the
new Regional Operations
Deputy Commissioner.
Mr Crisp has been a Vic-
toria Police member for 37
years, and has performed a
range of operational, project
and specialist roles in Vic-
toria and overseas.
Chief Comm Ashton said
the appointment was well
deserved.
‘‘Andrew has proven him-
self to be an exceptional
officer over a long, distin-
guished career,’’ he said.
‘‘His experience and know-
ledge will complement the
executive command team as
we continue to work through
issues facing the Victorian
community.’’
Superintendent Debra
Abbott will replace Mr Crisp
as State Emergencies and
Security Command Assist-
ant Commissioner.
By Elaine Cooney
Second appearance
earns community
corrections order
A homeless man, 36,
who absconded from
Shepparton Magistrates’
Court last week after ask-
ing the magistrate to jail
him, reappeared on Mon-
day.
Daniel Salau was given
a two-year community
corrections order after he
pleaded guilty to burglary.
Police prosecutor Lead-
ing Senior Constable Kim
Thomson said on Decem-
ber 13 last year at
4.30 am, Salau knocked
the door of Shepparton
Liquor Works, causing it to
come off its rail.
She said he entered and
stole a slab of beer and
returned 20 minutes later
to steal three bottles of
liquor.
Ldg Sen Const Thom-
son said at 10.20 am
Salau returned again
and stole two bottles of
Sambuca and a slab of
VB beer.
Defence lawyer Shane
Appel said Salau was
homeless and had a
problem with alcohol.
He said Salau tended
to offend on a low level
when he ‘‘fell off the
edge’’.
Magistrate John O’C-
allaghan expressed his
intolerance for the cri-
mes Salau had commit-
ted.
‘‘My brother magi-
strate decided on a CCO
(community corrections
order) but I’d just send
you to jail,’’ he said.
IN BRIEF
Failure to wear seatbelt costs drivers
Tatura police are warning
people to buckle-up when
driving.
Tatura police Leading
Senior Constable Kevin
Ingram said two people
were caught driving without
seatbelts this month.
He said a Tatura man, 22,
was stopped in Thomson St,
Tatura on Thursday last
week and was issued with a
$303 fine and three demerit
points. Another Tatura man,
28, was stopped in Hogan
St, Tatura and was fined
$303 fine and lost three
demerit points.
Man jailed for seven years over attack
By Elaine Cooney
A Shepparton man, 36, has been
jailed for seven years for assaulting
an elderly man on a Mooroopna
golf course two years ago.
Shane Webster, of Yorkshire Cres,
pleaded guilty to intentionally in-
flicting serious injury, at the Shepp-
arton County Court on Tuesday.
The court heard Webster
approached the victim, who was
playing golf with two others at
Mooroopna Golf Course on Sep-
tember 21, 2013, when the victim
said he was just there to play golf
and told him to ‘‘p*** off’’.
‘‘You said you were going to get a
lump of wood and knock his head
off, and swung and hit the victim
on the left shoulder (with a tree
branch),’’ Judge Lance Pilgrim said.
‘‘Fifteen minutes later you
returned to the 16th hole . . .
brandishing a golf club and said
you were going to kill the victim.’’
Judge Pilgrim said the victim suf-
fered a depressed fracture to the
head and injuries to his right side.
He said the victim needed to have
the skull fragments surgically
removed from his head and in Feb-
ruary 2014 had a steel plate fitted to
offer protection to the ‘‘soft spot’’
on his skull which was vulnerable to
injuries.
Judge Pilgrim read medical re-
ports that stated Webster was intox-
icated on methamphetamine at the
time of the attack.
In the report, Webster told the
doctor, ‘‘It was the shard (ice) that
meant I didn’t back down from it —
I was off my face’’.
When told the man he attacked
was indigenous, Webster told the
doctor, ‘‘I didn’t see age, I didn’t
see colour. It wouldn’t have hap-
pened otherwise (without the con-
sumption of ice).’’
Judge Pilgrim read parts of the
victim impact statement to the
court.
It read the attack had not killed
the victim but had taken his health
and had contributed to him ageing
quickly. He felt like the ‘‘outgoing
fun poppy and independent father’’
had gone and his life was ending in
an ‘‘emotional, confusing rol-
lercoaster’’.
When handing down his sen-
tence, Judge Pilgrim took into
account Webster’s abusive child-
hood and the work he did with his
church but said his prospect for
rehabilitation was ‘‘guarded’’.
Judge Pilgrim said Webster had a
20-year history of violence, which
included 14 assaults with convic-
tions.
‘‘The fact that 14 convictions
related to assault (means) you are
just not learning,’’ he said.
Webster will be eligible for parole
in five-and-a-half years.