Family

A Midwifery Group Practice is up and running at the Weipa Hospital in preparation for the new birthing service due to open later this year. Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said three new midwives were already in place at Weipa, with recruitment under way for a fourth.

The sun was still burning hot as the annual Christmas Carols began at 7pm last Saturday at the Bill Woodfull Reserve. Families watched with anticipation as the shadows across the oval became longer, bringing relief from the heat as they settled on the their picnic rugs to enjoy the festivities.

The spirit of Mapoon’s old people could be felt as the community opened its long-awaited church last Thursday. In an emotional ceremony, community leaders spoke of the long battle to have a church built in Mapoon after the state government ripped down the last one in 1963 when it forced all residents to leave the Mission.

Samuel Bush-Blanasi. The Northern Land Council supports the call by AMSANT that urgent steps are needed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Katherine and the Big Rivers region of the NT. For everyone in the Katherine and Big Rivers region the CHO has given us all clear messages – get vaccinated; use the Territory Check In App; if you feel no good, stay away from work and other people and get tested for COVID-19; wash your hands and use hand sanitiser regularly and maintain social distancing where possible.

Tuesday, December 14 saw the official opening of the Koondrook All Abilities Playground. A dream of former councillor, Steve Tasker, to provide joy for children with limited mobility has resulted in the $592,000 Koondrook All Abilities Playground.

South Australian based group ‘The Headstone Project’ recently dedicated the graves of 18 veterans of WWI who lay in the Port Pirie cemetery in unmarked graves with a dedication ceremony held on 20 November 2021.

Motherland Australia has announced enrolments are open for its nation-wide rural mothers group service which will return in 2022. Motherland Village is a six-week personalised program delivered entirely online that matches rural mums to their own small support group. The initiative mobilises mothers from across the country and enables them to form meaningful connections and friendships.

You may have noticed the new window display with artfully displayed bandages, band-aids and defibrillators at 22 High Street. Nurse Nicole Gleeson, started Rhythm First Aid three years ago, a training company delivering first aid training of the highest quality in a captivating and fun environment. Rhythm First Aid delivers first-aid courses to schools, parents, and businesses around Victoria.

If you, like Kookaburra, have antecedents who hailed from the sheep and cattle country of the Yorkshire dales, you might well be interested in this fascinating website - Swaledale history. The website is put together by the appropriately named Will Swales.

Gabrielle Duykers. The Naracoorte Hotel Motel will bid farewell to long-time family operators the Pettman’s, with new owners to take over the business early next month. Hotel Motel manager Josh Pettman runs the facility with the help of his wife Jody and parents Heather and David. He said the family were presented with an offer from Australian Venue Co. that came at the right time.

Kirstin Nicholson. The district was filled with the sights and sounds of 110 motorbikes and 44 cars on the weekend, all part of the Gannawarra Memorial Toy Run (GMTR). The toy run was organised by John Webb and his team for the Combined Churches group. Toys and money collected on the day, and in the collection bins around the district, will be used for hampers to be distributed across the district in December. 

A brainchild of Weipa Community Care, the banners on Central Avenue were erected to send a message about domestic violence and sexual violence ... Weipa Community Care support worker Lucy Waugh said domestic and family violence, as well as sexual violence, was too high in Cape York. “We need to change the thinking about what a healthy relationship is,” she said.

Kate Scanlon. Due to COVID lockdown we haven't had many preschoolers coming to play ... but we have still been connected! Through regular emails, Class Dojo, phone calls and Zoom group times we have been able to continue our connection with children and their families.

Parents forced to leave town or quit their jobs. Frustrated parents in Weipa are hoping that a survey could lead to a solution for the town’s growing child care issues ... Rio Tinto has lost some of its own employers as a result of the child care shortage and the mining company’s recent call to employ more local women was met with the complaint about the lack of options for care.

The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says regional Victorian students – especially those at smaller schools – will be left at a significant disadvantage under the Andrews Labor Government’s staggered return to school plan ... Research released by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found lockdowns and school closures – not COVID – are the main risks to children and adolescent health in this pandemic.

A new digital service offering a lifeline to those struggling to access legal support has been launched by Canberra family law firm Parker Coles Curtis. Loungeroom Lawyer, the first initiative of its kind in Australia, gives people who need after-hours legal advice the opportunity to speak directly with a family lawyer via video conference or phone, at a fixed price.

After the bitter disappointment of not being able to have a concert last year, there was an extra level of anticipation as an audience of several hundred family and friends gathered on the north oval in preparation for an evening of performances by the students with the theme “Books Alive”.

Serena Kirby. The WA College of Agriculture Denmark showcased a wide range of activities this month at its annual open day ... From machinery maintenance and aquaculture to forestry and calf rearing, students and staff demonstrated the farm-based programs run by the school.

Geoff Helisma. A small team of Lower Clarence women have found a great way to do charitable work while they exercise among the waves. ‘Swell Sisters’ – Clair Morton, Shannon Grainger, Emy Alexander and Georgie Smith – are on a mission to raise funds for SurfAid¸ which provides “a hand up, rather than a handout, to people in remote communities connected to us through surfing,” says Clair.

Emma Pritchard. Sitting dutifully at his computer with a copy of his study guide in his hand, Duncan Gray focuses intently on his work ... When asked how he is adjusting to learning from home, Duncan said one of the biggest challenges he is experiencing is waiting for a response from some of his teachers after he asks a question. Sometimes, he has to wait until the next class before he receives a reply.