The Moyhu community has a new police presence, with Leading Senior Constable Mark Grey taking up the post about five weeks ago.
LSC Grey, who has lived in the region for about 17 years, had been working out of Wangaratta before taking on the Moyhu role, but spent the last three years at Cobram Crime Investigation Unit, and with the Shepparton Family Violence Unit prior to that.
LSC Grey said he was attracted to the position because of the opportunity to cut back on travelling and work closer to home, and to experience a change of pace.
"I've been busy and always on the go for the past few years, but with this role I have more time to be part of the community and to talk to people," he said.
"The spare time I had before was spent at a computer keeping up with paperwork, but now it's a lot different and I've had time to clean things up at the station and settle in.
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"I've been around long enough now to know how to handle most situations, so I feel pretty comfortable being in a single member station."
LSC Grey said like many of his fellow officers, he joined the police force because he wanted to help people, and it's something which was realised during his time with Family Violence Unit in Shepparton.
He said it was eye-opening and challenging, but while he enjoyed it, it also began to take a toll, so he took up an opportunity to pursue his interest in crime investigation, then came to Moyhu.
The town's former police officer Leading Senior Constable Jason Bray retired last year, and the community rallied to have the position filled quickly, anxious about not having a police presence in town.
While LSC Grey said the community was always going to be well serviced by Wangaratta, he said having someone at the station has given them reassurance and boosted their confidence.
He's been out and about introducing himself to local businesses and community groups and recently enjoyed interactive sessions with students from Myrrhee and Moyhu Primary Schools.
"The community has been very welcoming, and I think they are really happy to have someone here," he said.
"I tell everyone if the blinds are up and the car is in the driveway, they know I'm here and they can come and talk to me, but everyone should call 000 in an emergency."
LSC Grey said while working in a single member station is a challenge, he is in regular contact and works closely with his colleagues in Whitfield and Glenrowan.
The recent, shocking events in Porepunkah and the loss of two of their own, have had a profound impact on our local police, and LSC Grey is no exception.
He said it is still raw, and has changed the way he views everything, and he feels for all those who knew and worked with the officers and are struggling to come to terms with it.
For now, he is focussed on getting to know his new community and appreciates the many people who have called in to say hello.
LSC Grey is also encouraging the community to take more care on local roads, reminding us to use our cruise controls and to be aware of the increased danger which comes with casual speeding, or being just a few kilometres over the speed limit.
He said we can expect to see a regular police presence at the sites where its most prevalent.
"Country roads are high risk - especially at night with so many animals like kangaroos, cattle and deer on the road - and everyone needs to slow down," he said.
"A lot of people speak to me about people not slowing down through the main street (of Moyhu), especially late at night, and also not slowing down to 40km/h through the school zone.
"People are coming from higher speeds out there and they tend to slow to 50, but it's 40 for a reason, and the last thing I want to do is be called out because a child has been hurt."
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King Valley in brief
King Valley community lunch
The King Valley community lunch is held on the first Thursday of the month.
The next lunch will be held on Thursday, 2 October at Cheshunt Hall from 12pm, with RSVP appreciated to Linda Cork by Sunday on 5729 8507.
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King Valley Arts Film Club screening
The King Valley Arts Film Club will hold its final screening for season three at the Cheshunt Hall community cinema on Tuesday, 14 October, with doors open from 7pm and the film to start at 7.30pm.
The movie will be Wim Wenders' Perfect Days, a quietly powerful celebration of finding beauty, meaning and grace in the simple rhythms of everyday life.
Fresh popcorn and ice cream will be for sale (byo beanbags and cushions) and film lovers can drop in for a single screening for $10 per person, with more information at kingvalleyarts.com.au/film-club.
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Myrrhee Primary School open morning
Myrrhee Primary School will hold an open morning on Friday, 17 October from 10am to 11am, with all year levels invited.
Families can visit the school and see the facilities, or they can contact the school to organise a tour or to access an enrolment application at myrrheeps.vic.edu.au.
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