The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, says the message from the 2025 Elmore Field Days was clear; regional and rural Victorians have had enough of the Allan Labor Government’s unfair Fire Services Property Levy. Mr McCurdy said The Nationals’ petition to #ScrapTheTax drew overwhelming support, with people lining up in two queues to sign and show their frustration with the $3 billion tax hike. “Our emergency service volunteers are the ones who stand on the front

The Nationals’ Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, today in Parliament called on the Victorian Government to urgently broaden the eligibility criteria for business support grants to ensure all affected businesses across the Ovens Valley receive the assistance they deserve. Mr McCurdy said while Porepunkah businesses were grateful to receive support following what has been a very difficult 50 days, many surrounding communities including Bright, Wandiligong and Ovens have bee

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has joined in celebrating National Carers Week 2025 (12–18 October), paying tribute to the more than 750,000 unpaid carers across Victoria who provide essential care and support to family members and loved ones. Mr McCurdy said National Carers Week is an important time to recognise the compassion and commitment of unpaid carers, people who often put their own needs aside to care for others. “Unpaid carers are the backbone o

I’d like to extend my warmest  congratulations  to Wangaratta’s own Dr Olivia Stuart, who has been named the Victorian GP Supervisor of the Year  by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. This is an outstanding achievement and a wonderful recognition of Dr Stuart’s dedication to her patients, her students, and our wider community. Her commitment to mentoring and supporting the next generation of doctors ensures that regional areas like ours continue to have ac

The Nationals’ Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, is encouraging locals to get involved in this year’s 43rd Victorian Seniors Festival, running throughout October 2025. The annual festival celebrates the invaluable contribution older Victorians make to our communities, offering a month of free and low-cost events that promote connection, activity, and positive ageing. Mr McCurdy said the festival is a wonderful opportunity for older residents to stay social and try somethi

The Nation al s' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for its ongoing failure to address Victoria’s worsening housing affordability crisis, as new figures reveal regional renters are being pushed to breaking point. According to the Government’s own March Quarter 2025 Rental Report, median rents in regional Victoria have soared by 6 per cent in the past 12 months – rising to $460 per week; compared to a 3.7 per cent increase in Melbourne

The Nationals’ Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, is encouraging local multicultural organisations to apply for funding through the Multicultural Festivals and Events Grant Program. The program offers grants of up to $50,000 to support community groups in delivering cultural festivals and events, with applications closing on 23 October 2025. Mr McCurdy said this funding provides an important opportunity for multicultural groups across the Ovens Valley. “Our multicultural o

The Nationals’ Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has raised alarm after new state government data revealed many local roads in the Ovens Valley are rated just one or two stars for safety. The independent AusRAP system shows that the lower the star rating, the higher the risk of serious injury or fatalities. Worryingly, several key routes in the region are among the lowest rated, including parts of the Great Alpine Road (1.8 stars), Wangaratta–Whitfield Road, Myrtleford–Ya