Health

Christine Webster. A Waikerie dance group featuring 12 women over the age of 60 is entertaining the community and keeping physically and mentally fit by taking part in weekly classes. The Waikerie Golden Girls Dance Troupe was formed after retired dance teacher Pam Tink started running classes for seniors at the local CWA Hall about three years ago.

News that the State Government had grouped health services into Local Health Service Networks was met with distrust and derision from members of the opposition parties, but our local health provider, Dhelkaya Health, responded positively ... The Tarrangower Times contacted Dhelkaya Health to try and understand the ways in which the changes would affect local patients and staff.

In February, 4BP Horses, based at East Greenmount’s Lauralla Lodge, is aiming to set new world records. In 2022, Joe Hughes and his wife Miranda bought Lauralla Lodge, a 152 acre horse property on the New England Highway at East Greenmount where he now uses his unique 4BP horse training methods (4 Brumby Protection) to transform wild brumbies for a life working with people.

There has been a confirmed case of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in a man who visited Yelarbon in the Goondiwindi Region during the Christmas period ... Darling Downs Health is urging all community members around the Goondiwindi region to ensure they are vaccinated against JEV.

Holiday makers and residents in the state’s north are being reminded to remain vigilant against mosquitoes, following recent detections of the Japanese encephalitis virus. Victoria’s early warning mosquito surveillance program has identified the virus in two mosquito traps in Moira Shire – the first mosquito-borne disease detections this season.

Serena Kirby. Laughter yoga is part of everyday life to Kim O'Meara ... Since becoming a laughter yoga facilitator Kim has guided tens of thousands of people in therapeutic laughter sessions ... her work in Rwanda is undoubtedly the most remarkable.

Changed eating patterns due to the rising use of anti-obesity drugs, a shift towards in-home alcohol consumption and increasing demand for dairy products tailored to older consumers are among some of the top global trends in food and agri set to be felt in Australia in the next five years, according to a new series of podcasts from Rabobank.

Michael Balderstone ... Thirty-three years is a long time saying the same message over and over again. Who would have believed when we started MardiGrass that weed would get legal but through a doctor and coming from Canada? It’s like a bad joke.

Derek Skingle. Many of us will encounter cancer during our lifetime, either through affected friends, relatives, loved ones or personally ... This is my story of how I dealt with a cancer diagnosis using the exercises I had seen in the Catalyst program ... Early in 2024 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma ...

A medicinal cannabis farm will start production at a new farm in Caniaba, between Casino and Lismore, in September this year. Biortica Agrimed through its subsidiary Green Farmers is increasing its cultivation capacity fivefold over the next 12 months.  

Well known Summernats competitors Jake Myers, Amy Myers, Deby and Gary Myers and their team raised $4500.80 for the Neuroblastoma Foundation at this year’s Summernats car festival in Canberra ACT. Jake Myers owns the famous S1CKO 1966 Mustang which he had white vinyl wrapped for his wedding back in October 2024 and decided after the wedding to leave the white on and let people sign it at Summernats with a twist.

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) continued to improve planned surgery performance during the July to September 2024 quarter, despite hospitals with the locality experiencing some of the highest activity levels on record.

Hay Shire Council is continuing its efforts in attracting medical staff to Hay with a commitment to the Bush Bursary program.  Current recipients are Zali Beuzeville and Charlie Jackson, pictured with Lyla Quinn during their placement at Japp’s Pharmacy last week.  

The loss of a parent is devastating. Losing both is unimaginable, but photographer and horse lover Sarah Wheeler is turning her grief into hope for others suffering from liver, pancreatic, stomach, bile duct and oesophageal cancers.

Serena Kirby. Denmark GP Alex Sleeman is learning to walk again after sustaining serious spinal injuries from a tractor accident on his property last September ... “I plan to do everything I used to do but I’ll just do it a bit differently and good luck to anyone that tells me I can’t do something.”

When soldiers put their lives on the front line, long-term health challenges are almost inevitable, but assistance dogs are improving both the physical and mental wellbeing of those in need. Birchip resident Mr Jonathan (Jonny) Kemp has recently completed training with Integra Service Dogs Australia, becoming the custodian of an Integra-owned assistance dog named Capri.

Many essential service providers, including the government, are “abandoning” rural towns like Naracoorte in South Australia … We asked Naracoorte Lucindale Council mayor Patrick Ross, Minister for Regional Development Clare Scriven, Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia Nicola Centofanti, and Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin why our towns are losing essential service providers and what needs to be done to help our frustrated communities.

The group of riders known as Maldon Cycling has raised funds to purchase a trishaw for the residents of Mountview Nursing Home at Maldon Hospital, who are enjoying the opportunity to view the local neighbourhood at cycling pace … The residents, who simply nominate to have a ride and take turns each Thursday afternoon, are loving the trishaw.

Narrandera is said to be losing patients to adjoining towns for medical services due to a problem in recruiting doctors to the town. The Narrandera Shire Council has now stepped in to help overcome the problem by endorsing the actions of its Mayor Neville Kschenka in offering a recruitment incentive of $35,000 to the Medical Centre to cover the cost of subsidised rental of a suitable dwelling and enrolment fee for the next phase of doctor training.

Healthcare workers in the Murrumbidgee region are set to benefit from key worker accommodation, with new units at two hospital sites now complete. The modern accommodation units in Narrandera (pictured) and Finley have been installed on-site, with final touches being made to ensure the units are ready for the first residents to move in early next year.

Robyn Schinckel. Fact: At least twice a day a RFDS crew will land in the Limestone Coast to airlift a patient. Fact: Today, the RFDS deliver more than 380,000 episodes of care across Australia every year - equivalent to assisting someone every two minutes. The Foster Street Garden Party was an absolute triumph – a collective effort that raised $21,830. hese vital funds will help keep the RFDS flying.