Help needed from overseas
An elderly Denmark man paid the airfares for his niece and her husband to come to WA from England so he could move his life savings from Bank West to the Commonwealth Bank. The couple’s airfares cost Kevin Doherty, 87, $6100 for the niece to help him with drawing up his will as well as the bank transfers for term deposits because he is unable to do online banking.
Banks leave seniors behind
Former pharmacist and Denmark Shire councillor Adrian Hinds, 87, wants banks to allow non-computer users to make cheque payments when cash is not appropriate ... He prefers to use cheques believing there are insufficient protections for bank customers from fraudulent electronic transfers from their accounts.
Priority budget projects identified
Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has released her Indi Budget Submission ahead of the budget to be handed down next Tuesday. The key themes of Dr Haines’ submission reflect the widespread concerns and policy priorities for Indi including regional housing supply; cost-of-living support; health; early education and care; climate change and energy; regional development; and integrity.
Will more money for Medicare bulk billing work in the Riverland?
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) said the Federal Government’s announced investment in Medicare and GP training will assist more Riverland patients to access affordable care. RDAA president Raymond Lewandowski said any investment in health was welcome, especially investment in primary care…
LifeFlight capability clear with night vision goggles
LifeFlight’s specially trained aeromedical crews must learn to see in the dark. New data released this week shows 32 per cent of airlifts in the year’s first quarter so far have taken place at night.
Major coalition – Urgent mental health help needed in agriculture: NFF
A major coalition has sent a powerful message calling for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in agriculture. More than 30 rural and healthcare organisations have joined forces for the first time to launch a joint statement to address the crisis disproportionally affecting people in agriculture.
Councils vow to fight on
Despite the Victorian Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, turning a deaf ear to their pleas, regional councils and medical workers will continue their campaign for a greenfield site for a new Albury Wodonga hospital, which would service outlying areas including the Upper Murray.
Robot arrives at Toowoomba Hospital
Darling Downs Health patients requiring joint replacements will benefit from the arrival of the MAKO robot that uses 3D CT-based surgical planning to help orthopaedic surgeons complete joint replacements in a more accurate and precise manner ... "The MAKO robot assists us to accurately perform hip and knee replacements in several ways," Dr Wall said.
Bikers rally for charity
A phenomenal 26th annual Shag Gregory Memorial Poker Run was held on Saturday, attracting a staggering 188 poker hands and well over 200 participants ... The poker run is held every year in memory of local Shag (Edward) Gregory, raising money for Motor Neurone Disease, local charities and school scholarships.
Skiing for a reason through the Riverland
Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland again hosted approximately 400 people taking part in a major fundraising relay focused on raising support for mental health. The 2025 Ski For Life travelled through the region last weekend, with participants finishing the 456km relay at the Renmark riverfront on Sunday.
Merging fashion with caring
Aged care residents in the Northern Rivers are benefiting from an innovative initiative called Our Timeless Threads, which merges fashion with caring. Founded by nurse and fashion designer Maia Willow, this program offers 1950s-inspired shopping experiences within care homes, ensuring that residents can enjoy style and self-expression in a comfortable setting.
Chantelle puts all her eggs in motherhood basket
Paul Mitchell. Chantelle Weckert was born to be a mother—but being single and nearly 40 is an unconventional platform for such a life-changing leap.
Allergy advice for rural Australians
A groundbreaking new platform, believed to be the first of its kind globally, is set to transform the landscape of allergy care for rural and remote Australians. The National Allergy Council, in partnership with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), has launched allergy assistTM, a free online platform designed to provide timely, specialist advice to General Practitioners (GPs) and Rural Generalists.
Councils take hospital fight to the streets
Towong Shire Councillors and members of the community, along with representation from other northern rural councils, assembled at a rally on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne yesterday to push for a greenfield site for a new Albury-Wodonga hospital. The current proposal for the new Albury Wodonga regional hospital is simply inadequate, according to Towong Shire mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead.
Cohuna community turns a negative into a positive
The Nationals Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says the Allan Labor government has unleashed a bureaucratic blitz which will destroy community events across regional Victoria. “The first victim has been Cohuna’s Bridge to Bridge fundraiser, which has seen its traffic management charges jump from $2000 in 2024 to a crippling $22,000 in 2025,” Mr Walsh said.
New MS research harnessing the brain’s healing power
A new multiple sclerosis (MS) research project designed to help the brain repair itself by activating its own healing processes has been announced as part of MS Australia's latest $5.7 million research investment. Dr Fletcher's pioneering work is just one of the 35 new research initiatives funded by MS Australia's latest research grant round, which focuses on advancing better treatments, prevention, and cures for MS.
Moving creatures moving together
Jordine and Dor wanted to blend their love of dance and movement with their philosophy of helping people become more active and less lonely. They knew they could easily do this at a local level through dance classes but they wanted to reach more people; they wanted to “move the world”.
New local health service networks
The Victorian Government has announced 12 Local Health Service Networks. These have been designed following consultation and feedback from health services, and in response to the Government’s plan to improve access, equity and care closer to home. The Board acknowledged correspondence from the Minister for Health, placing EWHS within the Grampians Local Health Service Network.
LifeFlight airlifts boy afterburns incident at Goomburra
On Saturday night The Toowoomba-based LifeFlight aeromedical crew airlifted a boy to hospital after he fell into a fire at a Goomburra campground. The helicopter was tasked at 5.20pm to the Southern Downs region and landed near the campground.
It’s just not good enough! Mayor makes call to action
The current proposal for the new Albury Wodonga regional hospital is simply inadequate, according to Towong Shire mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead. "The redevelopment proposed will barely meet current demand let alone the future demands for a region of 300,000 people," he said. ... "We are demanding the healthcare service and facilities our community deserves," Cr Whitehead said.
NSW records first death of person with Japanese encephalitis since 2022
A man aged in his 70s from northern Sydney died on 23 February in a Sydney hospital, where he had been receiving care for JE since early February. The man initially presented to the Barham Multi Purpose Service in February with JE symptoms after holidaying in the Murrumbidgee region in January.
Get your sunflower fix this Sunday
A property near Clifton is hosting Sunflower Sunday from 10am to 3pm giving visitors the chance for spectacular photographs and to take home their own sunflowers. Sunflower Sunday is a fundraiser for Clifton Community Health Services (CCHS).
