I truly love that we get phone calls now from our MP's just wishing to have a chat about what is going on up here. Rural and remote areas just don't rate a mention in the main stream media so now, more than ever, this podcast is helping to fill a gap on what is happening here, and who is fighting for what causes for us.

Dr Webster called this afternoon just for a chat and I'm so glad she did so we could ask her a few questions like;

"Do you think we'll be able to ski in the river this summer?"

"Is Donny able to drive to Shepparton to get chemical?"

"Is a treatment for Covid being worked on as well as a vaccine?"

"What the hell is Daniel Andrews thinking?"

As a little prelude to tonight's R U OK live streamed event, here's a chat with Dr Webster we got to have moments ago!

Anita from RDHS called us this morning with some much needed positive news. You heard it here first!

This week we get a little preview into what may, hopefully turn into a junior basketball season of sorts when Leon fills us in with the plan as it sits right now.

Noah is also hanging around the Clontarf Academy Room so he pops in for a bit of a chat about what he's been up to and how he's feeling having his senior year & all of the celebrations that come with that, taken away.

Then we talk to Matt Newlands about R U OK? Day which is next Thursday. The podcast will be a live streamed event on that evening from 7pm to 9pm, and you'll ONLY be able to watch it if you've bought a ticket so head to the RESP website to get that done.

Matt talks to us about his experience with SA Pol and the events that led to him suffering PTSD and depression and the importance of a conversation.

Our Patrons get the entire uncut conversation including a tale from the police days.

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Charlie has been absent for a couple of weeks having a little procedure that apparently everyone of a certain age should have. I wasn't aware of this health requirement so we did have a chat about it and I even got to see the photos! The internal photos, but that is still an image that cannot be unseen.

Given the announcement of the borders opening up again next week we thought we really should catch up with our local members who are always so gracious with their time, despite the fact that Dr Webster is in Canberra sitting in Parliament and Ali having to research the rise of facism. I'm not even joking, I wish I was, but I am not.

Ali also gives us a little insight into the hand over of the Mildura Base Hospital and I present, what I think is a fantastic idea to Anne Webster for her to take to the Minister for Water & Environment.

Next week we're talking bees and basketball!

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The podcast is a little different again this week, with myself being in lockdown waiting on test results, Charlie’s been in hospital for a procedure and the weather making everyone feel a little bit…. Meh… it’s a good opportunity to have another important conversation.

Last week we started with Marie, Ebony and Shirl about the Black Lives Matter movement and what it means for local Aboriginal people.

This week is the second part of that conversation where Marie really starts to open up about having her babies in the 60’s, things her husband has seen as a Cultural Heritage Management officer, and the connection our First Nations People have with Country, and how that continues to flow down through generations, even to Ebony’s 4 year old son now.

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*A warning to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island people, this episode talks about people who have passed away.

Right now is an incredibly important time in history, not just because of the pandemic, but also because there are monumental changes afoot in Australia as far as reconciliation goes. It won't happen overnight, but the past 13 years have seen all sorts of progression, but racism still exists, and it exists everywhere.

We talk to Aunty Marie, Shirly & Ebony about this, about their experiences, about their opinions on the Black Lives Matter movement, the protests and how we can move forward.

Heavy topics I know, but we also have a laugh and talk about the old days growing up.

It turned into a long conversation so this is the first of two parts, the second you will get next week.

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Our podcast looks very very different again this week, removed from our cosy home at Network House simply because of my eldest having the sniffles and obviously I wanted to be a responsible parent and not have my boy made a poriah I’ve kept both kids and thus myself at home and away from other good folk this week, which means this chat with Sargent Brett McLouglan of Robinvale Police was done over zoom without the other fancy gear, I’ve tried as hard as possible to improve audio quality, so I do apologise but Sargent Brett has some very valuable information regarding penalties regarding Covid and those drug raids that happened in the area a couple of weeks ago.

See the whole uncut video chat if you're a VIP. If you're not, become one patreon.com/thevalepodcast

It's taken almost a whole year to get Colin Hicks in for a chat. Needless to say he's had a fair amount on his plate, and he's been quite nervous, but after his son Jason Zoomed in from his post in Dubai a few weeks ago, Col agreed to come into Network House for a cuppa and chat after he got out of isolation.

After 45 years as a paramedic in Robinvale, Col is currently transitioning to retirement which leaves a big gapping hole in the intricately woven tapestry of the Robinvale Ambulance Service, however, he doesn't leave without a succession plan and that is his grand-daughter Emma who beings her secondment in Robinvale next week.

Noel Costa also warms up his vocals with a sing-a-long before discussing jobkeeper 2, the tax requirements around different payments now and other tax things that confuse people that don't have commerce & finance degrees.

Lots to talk about and our last one in the same room for at least six weeks as we begin lockdown 2.0

With regional Victoria going back to Stage 3 restrictions today, it's important to keep the entire community up to date, and we are lucky enough to have many multi-lingual friends in Robinvale.

Jack Dang regularly gives us the update on the Vietnamese Dong and it's value, and keeps his community up to date with local news in his native language.

This week is a run down of the rules and guidelines around Stage 3.1 Restrictions in Robinvale.

The lovely Kato is in again to keep us updated on stage 3 restrictions and the rules around face coverings and travel.

She does it all in her native Tongan and asks questions along the way.

Thanks Kato!