Illawarra cellist turns to TAFE NSW to start new career after traumatic brain injury
A well-known Wollongong musician who acquired a traumatic brain injury after a freak accident is embarking on a new career thanks to TAFE NSW ... “I still have a deep love of music, so now I am gaining new practical skills and knowledge to start a career as a composer. I’ve just released my debut compositions onto Apple Music and Spotify, which is really satisfying": Joel Moir.
Farmer crushed and killed by auger
Worksafe is issuing a reminder about the safe operation of powered mobile plant on farms. A 61-year-old farmer died when a large self-propelled auger he was operating tipped over, killing him instantly ...  Agriculture makes up only 2 per cent of Victoria’s workforce, but 14 per cent of workplace deaths.
Spiritual cleansing for  Wallaroo Hospital
Sarah Herrmann. An Aboriginal traditional healer has performed a spiritual cleansing at Wallaroo Hospital after Indigenous patients reported feeling uncomfortable while receiving health services there. The Yorke and Northern Local Health Network invited traditional healer, or Ngangkari, Debbie Watson, from the APY Lands in northern South Australia, to help cleanse Wallaroo Hospital and the Wallaroo Community Health Building last week.
SA medical imaging Mobile Bone Density clinic visit to Coober Pedy
The Royal Adelaide Hospital Mobile Bone Density clinic is visiting Coober Pedy soon in August 2024. Speak to your GP to get a referral beforehand, then phone (08) 7074 5400 to book an appointment while the mobile unit is in your local area.
Phoebe fights back from injury to be part of team representing Australia
Phoebe Roche has been chosen as part of the eight-person team to compete at the 2024 Virtus Open European Equestrian Championships in the UK ... It's been a long road for Phoebe and her mother, Shaneen ... Shaneen sold her car and organised sausage sizzles and garage sales meaning Phoebe will be able to compete.
Heart-felt gift to Denmark community
Six new public defibrillators will be installed along Denmark’s coast in memory of beloved Fremantle father of two, Andy Rutherford, who died of cardiac arrest last year ... Andy’s family were reunited with some of the SJWA volunteers who were by his side in his final moments on June 24, for the installation of the first defibrillators and to unveil a tribute plaque in his memory at Lights Beach.
Respect announce $15 million redevelopment of Avonlea
Respect, a leading not-for-profit aged care provider in regional Australia, has announced a $15 million redevelopment project for its residential aged care home, Avonlea, located in Nhill.
The project, set to commence in the second half of 2024, will secure ongoing services and support for older people and their families across Nhill and the surrounding region for generations to come.
More accessible tourism for Top End parks: Bowden, Ah Kit, Uibo
A tender has been released to improve disability access for the lower plunge pool at Edith Falls, to supply and install a hoist to provide visitors in wheelchairs safe access into the plunge pool. The hoist will be designed to fit in with the natural landscape and will be fitted with a mechanism so the person in the wheelchair can operate it in a safe manner. Â
RDA back in the saddle Â
Joanna Tucker. Riding for the Disabled’s Yorke Peninsula centre is on the comeback trail after last year being near the brink of collapse. The RDA’s Kadina base was in danger of closing due to a lack of volunteers after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Letters from Home: Smile, you’re on candid camera
Well, sooner or later – usually later in life, your plumbing will act up, and your doctor will tell you that you will need a colonoscopy. It’s a word to put fear into your heart, and sympathetic expressions ( or evil chuckles) on the faces of friends and family who have endured the procedure. In case you’ve never had it done, I will share my firsthand experience.
Harry’s Charity de Wheels
Who could have not noticed the two Clydesdales and immaculate wagon weaving around the streets of the town last week and grazing on the front lawn of the Golf Club. Harry Vidal sits in the drivers seat of his wagon, idling along behind Henry and George on their trip from Morgan SA to Cunnamulla, Qld.
Dedicated to the Flying Doctors
Hugh Schuitemaker. A well-known Riverlander who has overseen the expansion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in the region is set to retire from his senior role. Current RFDS Riverland Support Group president Alan Eckermann will retire from the position at the end of this month.
Steve Sun can see after doctors diagnose loss of sight in brain tumour op
When Steve Sun set off from Casino in his Sunseeker 4WD in  October 2021, his mission was to see as much of Australia before he lost his sight. Steve had a brain tumour and needed an operation. Doctors told him the op would save his life but it would leave him blind.
Baby it’s cold outside, and inside
The recent frosty mornings in our area might inspire us to cosy up inside by a fire or with a loved one, but university studies have found that Australians have colder houses than people in similar climates around the world. Experts from RMIT commented last week about the phenomenon in which Australians have lower standards for warmth in their homes, leading to health risks.
Confirmed – GBH redevelopment to go ahead
Almost $15 million will be allocated towards the $263.8 million Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) redevelopment over the next 12 months after NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey handed down the NSW State Budget for 2024-25 last week. Member for Clarence Richie Williamson said the Budget papers "lock in the redevelopment with $14.7 million in the coming financial year, and $222.2 million over the next four years."
On critical list
Michelle Daw. The worst of winter ills is yet to come, along with further pain in our hospitals as staff struggle to cope. That’s the warning from groups representing doctors and nurses, as the Code Yellow crisis in public hospitals drags on.
Warning! Crackdown on drugs
Following a spike in drug-related crime, local police are cracking down on drugs in the Buloke region, targeting suppliers and traffickers in particular, in an effort to reduce the negative impact drugs make on the wider community. Charlton’s Senior Constable Will Ringin relocated to the area around a year ago ... brings with him a fighting passion as well as particular skills and experience to deliver results in a rural setting.
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.
Oldest woman in Australia and her country roots
Australia’s oldest woman, Lorna Henstridge, was born a Paterson and grew up on a Willamulka farm with her parents and two siblings ... Turning 110 last Thursday, June 6,Ms Henstridge was born in 1914 in Adelaide and lived on Yorke Peninsula until 1921.
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.
