Mandating Covid-19 therapeutics, questions continue
“At the pivotal point of Pfizer's vaccine approval in December 2020, there was a gross misrepresentation in what was presented publicly. Instead of the six deaths publicly disclosed, four placebo, two vaccinated, suggesting a benefit of vaccination, there were in fact 11 deaths, with more deaths in the vaccinated arm, six. We found undisclosed deaths, especially in the vaccinated arm of this clinical trial, in contravention to legal and ethical obligations of trial sponsors": Dr Jeyanthi Kunadhasan.
Coen local named 2024 RFDS Queensland hero
A dedicated healthcare advocate working to help people die with dignity has been named the 2024 Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Queensland Hero ... Jodi Hamilton, the Cairns region Local Hero, is the overall Queensland Hero for 2024 for her exceptional work in enhancing palliative care services.
Horses, history power our top senior
Serena Kirby. This year’s senior citizen of the year, Louise Swan, has put her love of horses to good use since retiring and moving to Denmark nearly a decade ago. Louise said horses had been her passion since she was five years old and when she discovered there was a local HorsePower centre, she wasted no time in volunteering to help.
Childcare access worst in the country
Joanna Tucker. A study by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute has found childcare accessibility in the federal electorate of Grey to be the worst in Australia ... Kadina Child Care Centre director Caren Hammerstein said the centre has 105 children on its waiting list.
Budget blues – YP on the outer
Michelle Daw. Yorke Peninsula again missed out on major spending in the 2024-25 State Budget, which was handed down last Thursday, June 6. There was little in the way of new funding specifically for the region ... "Despite throwing an extra $7.1b at the health system, critical areas in our regions remain neglected — such as the need for workforce incentives to attract and retain doctors and nurses in regional areas, investment in mental health and psychosocial services and regionally based radiotherapy services": Opposition regional health spokesperson Penny Pratt.
60 new GPs
The government has announced a new plan that will see the addition of 60 new general practitioners in regional South Australia, including the Limestone Coast. The new Single Employer Model (SEM) will support up to 60 additional GP and rural generalist registrars training in the community at any one time – potentially quadrupling the state’s existing cohort as the program scales up over time.
Elective surgery chopped
Stakeholders: What’s going on with health services? Booked for an elective surgery at a public hospital, you might have to look for other options. Elective surgery has been cancelled at all hospitals across the state, including the Naracoorte Hospital. Reason, the health system is heaving under an illness load, with a large number of Covid and flu cases in the community resulting in staff shortages...
Heated pool gets the nod
It was D-Day for Hay’s proposed hydrotherapy pool last Tuesday, the culmination of a 30-year effort by the Hay community. The pendulum was swinging between the need for a heated pool and Council’s deliberation on replacing the ageing John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool.
Spreading illness down generations
Ted Sterle and Don Fuller. The explosion of type two diabetes, obesity, kidney disease and renal failure among remote and closed NT Aboriginal communities – at least 10 times the incidence among non-Aboriginal people – can be tracked to poor lifestyle choices not only within individuals: Such acquired changes can be passed on to the offspring down generations.
‘Forest of the Fallen’ visits Kerang
600 bamboo stakes stood amongst the crowd at the Kerang Community Market on Saturday. Each stake held the story of an Australian who had an adverse reaction to the mandated Covid-19 therapeutic.
Kaniva District Hospital Ladies Auxiliary celebrates centenary
The Kaniva District Hospital Ladies Auxiliary marked their 100th Anniversary on Wednesday, 22nd May ... Chair Katherine Colbert expressed gratitude for the Auxiliary’s century-long support and highlighted its importance to the Kaniva community.
Local resident finds fulfillment in volunteering at Maldon Hospital
Dale Tudor, a dedicated volunteer at the Maldon campus of Dhelkaya Health, shares his story to inspire others to join in giving back to the community. "After spending time visiting my dad here, I got to know the staff, and eventually, I decided to become a volunteer" ... Dale finds joy in connecting with both residents and staff.
Community stonewalled over hospitals
Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, says the Victorian government’s ongoing refusal to provide vital planning papers for hospitals in Wodonga and Albury is either contempt or incompetence. "Last Wednesday marked 10 weeks since the request for the documents was passed unanimously in the upper house of the Victorian Parliament," Mr Tilley said.
New team set for medical centre
Barham & District Medical Centre, our community owned facility, will transition to a new management team in the coming weeks. The Executive Committee of Local Health Medical Trust (LHMT) met with the Kingston Village Super Clinic team on Friday morning to discuss details and assist with their smooth transition into the Barham-Koondrook community.
Budget 2024: What does it mean for you?
When Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Albanese government’s 2024 budget last week it was touted as a ‘cost-of-living budget’, aimed at relieving the pressure of everyday costs. Member for Farrer and Opposition Party Deputy Leader, Sussan Ley is concerned at the lack of money for the bush. “My key concern is the $315 billion in new spending by Labor risks adding further to inflation and keeping interest rates higher for longer,” Ms Ley told The Riverine Grazier.
Local maternity service makes history
Dhelkaya Health has made history by welcoming the very first baby born via a planned caesarean through their midwifery group practice model. Eloise and Peter welcomed their daughter Asta Nicole Batten into the world via planned caesarean on 16 April.
History made on $1.2 billion new Bundaberg Hospital project: Miles, Dick, Grace, Fentiman
The Miles Government has made a landmark investment of $1.2 billion towards a new Bundaberg Hospital which will transform healthcare for patients, carers and staff for generations to come ... The new hospital will have more than 400 beds, including 320 overnight beds, expanded emergency department, additional operating theatres and a wider range of outpatient and diagnostic services.
Maari Ma Health Centre opens
In a fitting opening, two local residents cut the ribbon to declare the new $9m Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Care building officially opened. Shirely Evans and Ngearie Cattermole cut the ribbon and then the cake ... With the holistic concept of the centre, Maari Ma is providing culturally appropriate health services.
Pivotal moment for Moringa production in Australia and New Zealand: AgriFutures Australia
The world has witnessed a surge in interest surrounding superfood Moringa oleifera, a fast-growing tree known for its extraordinary nutritional benefits. Almost every part of the moringa tree, from its high-protein green leaves to its seed oil, is edible and packed with essential nutrients.
MDMA, art and nature to be used in trial for flood disaster trauma
New research on how to treat people with PTSD brought on by the 2022 floods was announced at Southern Cross University in Lismore ... Leading the research is Professor James Bennett-Levy ... The research project has many ‘firsts’ in its approach.
Getting life into death right
Wayne Hawthorne. “It's your life and your death – get your words right and the process right” was the message Naracoorte Men’s Probus Club learnt recently. The talk was about “ACD’s” (Advanced Care Directives) which, in 2014 replaced the old Enduring Guardian Power of Attorney ... Brian Gepp spoke of his experience caring for his wife with progressively worsening dementia.
Novel analysis unveils complex composition of tea tree oil: AgriFutures Australia
Characterisation of key compounds offers way to verify claims of authenticity, underpinning unique value proposition. An investigation characterising the components of essential oil distilled from Australian tea tree will underpin the integrity and value proposition of the local product, and pave the way for access to premium international markets.

