98.5 ONE FM Podcasts
Johnny Painter Interviews Bill Winters from RoadSafe Goulburn Valley - July 12, 2024
This interview first aired on Friday the 12th of July, 2024 on ONE FM 98.5 Shepparton.
One FM announcer John Painter interviews Bill Winters from RoadSafe Goulburn Valley. Bill gives an update on everything they have been up to.
If you have some suggestions call Bill on 0437 762 520. For enquiries about the L2P program call Berry St on 58228100 and ask for Jennifer.
You can follow on RoadSafe Goulburn Valley on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RoadSafe-Goulburn-Valley-100245914664762/
Listen to John Painter on One FM 98.5.
Contact the station on admin@fm985.com.au or (+613) 58313131
The ONE FM 98.5 Community Radio podcast page operates under the license of Goulburn Valley Community Radio Inc. (ONE FM) Number 1385226/1.
PRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association Limited and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) that covers Simulcasting and Online content including podcasts with musical content, that we pay every year. This licence number is 1385226/1.
- Duration:
- 20m
- Broadcast on:
- 17 Jul 2024
- Audio Format:
- other
- You're listening to a one FM podcast. - We're winners from Race Safe Golden Valley. We'll be good afternoon, Bill. - Oh, good afternoon, Johnny, and listeners. - That's good to have you back. - Well, it's always a pleasure to be here. - Yep. - And you said it's a slight chance of rain. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - And guess what's happening? - It's raining. - It's raining. - It's raining. - It's pretty miserable all the way across from Rippner to Shepherd in this afternoon. - Yeah. - And it's coming down at the moment. So it's very misty and quite cold as well. - Yeah, very cold. - It's surprising. I'd say at the moment we're sitting on just a shade under 11 degrees, so it's yeah. Very chilly outside. - It is getting chilly, isn't it? - Mm-hmm. - In the prelude, you just mentioned your rower and the memorial oval. And it just made me think back a little bit. And a lot of people who would be familiar with the rower district would know that there's a very large tree, probably more to the eastern side of the oval. And it's got a metal fence around it, a barrier, yeah, protected. Well, and inside the tree, there's a big hollow. - All right. - Now, I've been led to beliefs that my wife's family, going back a number of generations, and their name was Morgan. - All right. - Okay, so we're starting to tie this together. - Yep. - And when the Morgan's followed up what was now to be the Hume Highway, because as we know, they sort of went from Kilmore, Telleruk, and then worked away past Seymour, and Avonall, et cetera. And we know the story about Ned Kelly. Blah, blah, blah. The Morgan's were one of those early families. And apparently they used the base of this particular tree as like a kitchen or a ladder. - Right, yep. - You know, your rower's not what it is today. - Mm, for sure, yeah, exactly. - It was just this little creek. - Yep. - It's quite an interesting area. And it's actually, there is a book on the history of people moving up the Hume Highway, which I have read a couple of times, and there's a couple of mentions, the different family names that I'm aware of. So, Morgan's, Mad Dog Morgan. - Yep. - I don't think that was the, his real name, that is obviously a Mad Dog. And it's interesting, in front of the Morgan's, and the Collins's, and the Watters, and that all. - Yeah. - Came from that group. And there's quite a few Watters throughout the region. - Yep. - And I know up towards the Nelequin. I believe some of the family members built a number of large homesteads through the Greater Gardens. - Yeah, right, yep. - Well, one youth, those sort of places. - Yeah, man. - And one of the originators of our station was Paul Watters. - Yeah. - There you are. - Yeah. - So, I picked that up during your introduction there, and I thought, oh. - Interesting. - It is interesting. - Yeah, absolutely. - It's a very interesting history. I could tell you another story about a house that's next door to the police station. And it's got a very unusual shape to it. When you walk inside it, you say to yourself, "Doesn't quite look like a house." But it is a house, yeah. And it's got a funny little entrance way. This is all internal. And it's like little halls inside a house. - Right, yep. - Yeah, and I know John Mason, I'll make John Mason's over there. He's living in that house. - Oh, right. - And apparently there's a lot of history with those type of Freemason-type group. - Yeah, right. - That may have used this house back in the day, maybe a hundred years ago. - Hmm. - Yeah. - And I did hear a, I don't know if it's true or not, but Knights Templar apparently had a little section there as well, so I don't know. But I believe there is a link between that and Freemasonry. - Yeah, definitely. - Yeah. - I've heard the same, yeah. So, and I've read a book recently on Freemasons. It was extremely interesting. - Yes, my first boss is an apprentice plumber on Frank Sunderland. Frank, he was a grandmaster at one of the lodges in Melbourne. So it's just 1960s, so yeah. And of course, the Flintstones came into that because so every bloke we worked on, he was the grad boober. (laughing) - Yeah. And they go through, like in our Lions Club, you go through a number of different levels, you know, part of our regional zone, et cetera. And they go through degrees. - Yep. - One, two, three of them. - Yeah. - Something along those lines. So that's a very interesting concept. - Hmm. - I was partly involved with a conversation, but I was sort of more listening to what the people were saying rather than participating the other day. And they were talking about young people during the school holidays just running around and somebody said, "Well, they nearly had a collision "with a young person as they were backing out." And they're doing the right thing, they said. And a family was coming out from the center aisle, you know, the parking area. - Yes. - And this little kid, they estimated about three or four years of age has taken off. - Oh, yeah. - Right behind the car as it was backing up. It was a big four-wheel drive and an older model as well. So it didn't have the advantage of cameras. - Yep, exactly. - Warning bells and whistles. And nearly got the poor little kid, you know. - Yeah. - And so I thought myself, well, there's a lesson in there. And does this happen quite often? And you do, I've sort of in the last week had a bit of a look around watching car parks on it. - Yep. - And there are kids wandering around. - Sure, sure. Back in my days when I was doing the course for traffic safety ed, we'd come up to decker and we'd have, actually, we had three week, we'd set one week sessions up here. And yeah, the guys from decker, actually they taught us to look underneath the wheels, especially the front wheels of a bus or a track if it's parked on the side of the road because you could see feet moving. You mightn't be able to see a person, but if you looked underneath, you could see movement and they trained us with that and it was very good. And I find myself doing it all the time. In fact, if you come round the corner into Murangi Street and pass the library across that pedestrian crossing, someone usually passes a rather large Ute SUV thing on the last spot and you can't see any pedestrians because you can't see around this large ute and you've got to be very careful. - Oh, that was minor. - Yeah, last night. - No, it was the last night. This is normally in the morning, yeah. - Oh, there's a great point of that to keep our eyes at. - Absolutely. - And particularly now that is a little bit of rain around. - Yes. - The roads are a bit skittor-ish and I know people still seem to be driving at the same speed. - Yeah. - I think to myself, I just wish they'd just slow down a little bit because you can sort of see it in the cars that they're not that bad, well-balanced on the roads. - Yeah, exactly. We had a situation, we went out to Melbourne last weekend and took the Melbourne grandkids on the steam train from Ringwood out to Belgrave and back again, which is absolutely good fun. - Absolutely. - We had the steam train going up but the engine on the other end to bring us back was the electric red rattler tape train and we're all sitting up in the old red rattler carriage. This was absolutely great fun. Jib bought some memories back. But coming home, we come off Greensboro Road and turn right to come down to the left slip lane to come onto the ring road. I always stay in the left-hand lane because when I come around the corner, I'm in the right lane to make that left swing up onto the ring road. We get right down to the bottom and here he comes. Flat out, down the outside in this forward Mustang. I've got probably our car in a bit in front of me, a gap, and he screams straight into it and stands on the brake and he's at 45 degrees to me, standing on the brakes, trying to pull in in front of me. I'm on the horn and on the brakes as hard as I can. Poor bloke behind me, doesn't know where to go. Now I'm on the horn and next thing I'm getting the fingers out of the window and this bloke decides he would then go very, very slow and... But then he decided I've had enough of this fun, put the boot into it and the thing steps sideways to start to skid on him. (laughs) Oh, I thought you idiot, absolute idiot. Yeah, come of bites. - I could say something but I'd probably be banned for a few weeks. (laughs) - Yeah, where their brains are, I don't know. - Oh, exactly right, folks will probably figure out what I'm going to say. - Yeah, and they're the reasons. - Yeah, yeah, it made me think, and I had that occasion last Wednesday. So it's just over a week ago. - Yep. - I'm turning right to go to Merrittner once again, as I do, and I always go on that outside lane so when I swing around, I'm right out. - Yep, well, my mum and dad are in the car next to me in the old Corolla. - Yeah. - Well, they decide they're going to take over my lane at the same time. - Yep, yep. - And as we're turning, they've gone straight across. - Yeah. - I don't know, I've got the fright of my life, you know, because I'm a lot higher than it. - Yeah, exactly. - And I just look down and out of the corner of my peripheral vision. Here's this car coming right across, going one lane to the other lane. - Yep. - And I spoke to some people about it during the week and they said, "Well, my husband's got a semi-trail "and he says he can get around in the lane." - Yeah, exactly. - "Why can't these people?" - Yeah. - And I gave him a little tooth and I drove up next to him as you do. - Yeah. - I had a quick look over him and I was still chatting away. - Yep, absolutely oblivious. - Absolutely oblivious, yeah. - What was going on? - Yep, absolutely. - All fairness, they stuck to the speed limit over the Corolla's way and life goes on and-- - Yeah, exactly right. - But, you know, it nearly caused a very serious-- - They don't see the carnage. They left behind them here, exactly. - Yeah, particularly if I had to sort of try and avoid it and there might have been someone standing on that pedestrian crossing, waiting to cross over. It made me also think that there's a lot of people like in our age group that, you know, our skill set's not as quite as sharp as it used to be. - Yep. - And I was lucky enough. I picked up some figures off Facebook the other day. And this is in 2022 and this is in Australia and it's the number of people that were pedestrians and were fatally killed. And that age group, 40 to 64 years of age, 50 people out of that whole group, you know, that was out of the 164, 50. So that's a good third. - Yep, absolutely. - Just in that age group. And then when you go to 65 to 74, 21, it says dropping off. So that's probably because they're not driving as much. - Yep. - And which is one of the things that people need to consider is they're getting a little bit older. But I thought to myself collectively between 43 to 75, it's actually 91, 128 out of the 164. - Yeah. - So over 40, you're in the danger zone. - Absolutely. - You really gotta keep your eye out. - Absolutely. - For those motor vehicles. - Yep. - Couldn't agree with you more, man. - At big as a question, and I would probably get one or two phone calls a month. It's usually about LTP or something like that, which I'm not directly sort of involved with anymore in the management side of things. But I get phone calls from concerned people about older people, their family members and driving what they should do. And they're probably not as sharp as they used to be. And my daughter and I were having a conversation some time ago and she stated that perhaps people say when they get over 30, need to get a retrial or relearn some of the skills in that because as she rightfully said, is that rules are changing all the time. - Absolutely. - It may not be aware of it. Because he's turned to gloss over things. People don't read the newspapers as much as they used to. Possibly don't watch the news as often. And they might be on different platforms such as Facebook or TikTok or whatever. And they might just gloss over something that comes from Vic Rhodes or the police. - Yep, exactly, yeah. - Yeah. - So it sort of made me think that there's probably some very good sites on Facebook. And I searched through a little bit in Victoria Police got a really good one. And there's lots of little drop downs in it where you can have a look at different areas that you're interested in, me, drugs alcohol or older drivers, pedestrians, vulnerable drivers. And it just looked at what are the signs and what you could be doing as an older person and driving. And right towards the end of it, it's a bit that got me is that they say that most senior Victorians drive safely, accept their limitations and modify their driving habits accordingly. But some of the early warning signs are scratches along the car. What's that funny noise? - Yep, yep. - Minor collisions or people regularly tooting at you like the couple in the Toyota Corolla. - Yep, exactly, yeah. - And I thought myself, well, you know, guys, you got to take the owners, you know, maybe adjusted driving habits or when you drive. And perhaps keep away from those difficult situations like driving on a day like today. - Yeah, exactly, yeah. - Because I saw it's failing a little bit. - Well, the lady the other day coming off the causeway into Fries Street, who actually stopped because the red lights had changed, still had the green arrow. She was turning left, but she still stopped. - Okay. - She was waiting for the lights to change. - She had a green arrow, three cars behind her, all tooting loudly on the horn before she woke up. But yeah. - Could that be distractions or maybe not of wear? - Not of wear, I would say. - Not of wear. - Because she got up to turn left into Wellsford Street and almost did exactly the same thing with no one coming, stopped and then had a look. She hadn't had a look before she got there. So she stopped before she looked and yeah, once again, three or four cars behind her held up. - We've found that with learner drivers as well. They would have a green or a red arrow, but the big bulbous one might be, say, green. - Yeah. - But there's a red arrow and yet they continue into the intersection and don't understand that no, you cannot turn right. - Exactly. - It's very dangerous and the flip side to that, of course, it's got a big round red light, but a green arrow. - Yeah. - Well, this is what this lady was facing. She had the red on the causeway for people going through towards the police station, but she had a green arrow to turn left into Fryer Street and she was sitting there. - So I think if everybody can sort of look at their driving habits at the moment, because we want you to drive safely, and we do want to live for tomorrow. And I did notice over the last couple of days there've been some horrific crashes. - Yeah, definitely. - And not take more, and sorry, not take more. Rochester. - Yep. - And been through enough as it is. And I noticed also the local community members, which is very sad. And also, I put my stomping ground up there in Australia. - Yeah. - I know that rode very well. And yeah, so our thoughts go out to all the friends and family. - Yeah, definitely. - Those people and yes, well, what's going to happen in my life in the next few weeks, I'm going up to Moira Council and we know what's happened in the Moira Shire. And one of those obviously was the one of it in Australia. So I'll be addressing the staff members of the Moira Council. They're very big presentations. So I'm looking forward to that. - Good. - And I'm trying to get some of those key messages through about looking after our mates, their work mates and particular. And it sort of brought me back to thinking about the couple in the car. Maybe someone was talking a lot and distracted. - Yeah, definitely, yeah. And we were talking about this at bad minute in the other day and someone said, yes, but when I'm sitting in the passenger seat, I'm always looking out. - That's right. - To help my husband. - Yeah, that's right. - And I said, well, that's great because that's two sets of eyes and ears looking all the time. 'Cause you can sort of see different things to the driver. - Yeah, exactly. We'll come up to an intersection and I'll look one way and the wife looked the other way and she was so clear my side or car my side. Just those little... - Well, it helps a little bit because obviously as if a driver in your looking to the left and you've got a passenger there, a lot of that view is gone. - Exactly. - The passenger's leading forward as well. - Yeah. No, go the other way. Yeah, that's it. It's all good fun, but we just hope everyone's safe. I've particularly over this weekend 'cause it's gonna be very slippery on the roads. - Yeah. - And the school goes back next week. So those school zones will be back in force. So it's another thing to look out for. Yeah. No worries. All good stuff. Definitely, Bill. - I think we're running out of time. - Oh, not too bad. So it's easy to keep on chatting. Very, very easy. - Well, if you wanna keep going, that's fine. (laughing) By the way, that other team tonight is too long. - Oh, if they'll see what happens with that one, I'm not a fan of either. So yeah, it's good. I can sit back and watch a great footy match and not worry about it. It's great. - I think it will be a very good match. - I think it will. - Yeah. - Is it at the MCG? - Yes. - And it'd be pretty wet, I'd imagine. - Oh, I'd reckon. - I'd hate to be playing football in the range. - Oh, same here. Anyway, Bill, thank you very much. - Thank you. - Absolutely great to have you back. I look forward to doing it again. We'll talk about more road safety. It's great. - I'll be back in two weeks time and be able to talk about the Safe Flight Day, which is on the 27th. - Yeah, no worries. - At the hardware there. - Uh-huh. I'll take my little jolly around there and get the right number plate screws put in there, no problems at all. - We can do that for you? - No, don't worry. - All the best, everyone. - Thanks, Bill. There we go. Bill Winters from Road Safe Golden Valley. Absolutely, great sign. Some great business. Ooh, great bits and pieces coming up there. - SDP Tax has been your trusted local accounting firm and has been proudly helping people just like you across the Golden Valley and beyond for over two decades. Are you happy with your accountant? Are you certain that you are receiving maximum tax deductions? Call SDP Tax on 1-300-436-829 and start a conversation today. SDP offer a maximum deduction guarantee. That's right, SDP guarantee that they'll find you the greatest deductions possible with no upfront fee charged. What are you waiting for? Call today. There is no business too small. Call 1-300-436-829 or visit www.sdptax.com. - One of them sponsor. - Now is the time to join at the Friendly Club, the Maroutna Golf Club. Join today and enjoy four member benefits until the end of June 2025. There is a membership category to suit any budget with membership starting from as low as $470 for country members and four memberships to $715, taking you through until the end of June 2025. That's a whole lot of value for a whole lot of fun. So what are you waiting for? Join today at the Friendly Club, the Maroutna Golf Club. - One of them sponsor. - AFL Masters is football that focuses on allowing mature players the opportunity to participate in our great game of Australian rules. You'll compete with similar-aged players with the focus being on footy for fun and enjoying the spirit of Masters football in a family-friendly environment. So if you still have the passion to play football and you want to be part of a club who supports men from a diverse range of backgrounds with a strong emphasis in supporting men's mental health, then this is the club for you. Whether you've played 300 games or if you've never played before, then it's time to get off the couch. GV Giants welcomes all players no matter what level of football experience you have. Find us on Facebook or call Golden Valley Giants coach Steven Tate on 0434 582 959. That's 0434 582 959. - You've been listening to a one FM podcast.