Award-winning maps promote accessible tourism
A clever project that makes it easier for people of all abilities to get out and enjoy the Sunshine Coast way of life, is being expanded ... “The project provides a clear solution for those with disabilities to plan and map their routes and is a comfort to travellers and visitors to our region with mobility issues in identifying where they can get to with ease": Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson.
Closing health gap needs more than booze, crime control
Dr Simon Quilty. Today, National Close the Gap Day, while there is a lot of focus on alcohol, crime and violence in communities such as Alice Springs, it is the long-term, underlying issues that are the real problem here. We are definitely experiencing difficulty in attracting, retaining and housing health professionals right across the NT, addressing this issue in isolation of the greater social disparity only makes the problem worse.
Nutritional menu proves a hit at primary school
Catherine Grimley. For those who do not know, the canteen runs a daily meal program which supplies students with breakfast, recess and lunch each day. The menu is on a three-week rotation and almost everything is made in the canteen by Merrin and her three wonderful assistants.
Action-packed Active Games
Titilua Ikenasio. Active Farmers in Coleambally held their second ‘Active Games’ event over the weekend. The event garnered 180 participants from Coleambally and other areas where Active Farmers’ regular classes run including Wagga, Griffith, Sydney and Bridgewater (Vic).
Ain’t nothing down about Hux
Alesha Millard. If you’ve been fortunate enough to meet six-year-old Huxley Hall, then you’d agree he probably had you won over within the first 5 seconds from his sweet, cuddly and perpetually grinning smile ... It was a whirlwind first few weeks adapting to life with a beautiful newborn, pending heart surgery and learning all about Down syndrome and how life was going to change.
Marching on saves lives
Corryong cafè owner, Stuart Spratt, is undertaking another charity walk next week to raise awareness of veterans’ mental health issues. He intends to complete the 130-kilometre trek from Boathaven, near Wodonga, to Corryong via Cudgewa over four days, starting on Tuesday and expects to be joined by up to 15 walkers.
At-Home Support Program changes in Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack
At their most recent Council Meetings, Yarriambiack Shire Council moved to transition out of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Hindmarsh Shire provisionally moved (subject to consultation with staff) to exit out of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the State Government funded Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACCPYP) program from 30 June 2023 ... Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor, Kylie Zanker said "This is one of the most difficult decisions we have had to make, and with the significant changes being introduced into the aged care industry it has made it almost impossible for Council to continue to deliver the services".
Ambulance Victoria Excellence Award – First responders and volunteers
Kaniva’s Ambulance Community Officers have been recognised as winners in the 2022 Ambulance Victoria Excellence Award for their dedication and hard work in providing essential emergency services to our local community. Kaniva has 8 active Ambulance Community Officers to cover 14 shifts per week.
Allied health care made a priority in rural Australian schools
Australia’s leading NDIS online therapy provider, Therapy Connect, is virtually stepping into the classroom, providing early intervention and diagnosis to children in remote communities and slashing years off patient waitlists. It is estimated that around 180,000 children in rural NSW are in desperate need of childhood development services that are not available in their region.
Far West LHD welcomes VAN Services graduate
NSW’s first Aboriginal Violence, Abuse and Neglect (VAN) Services trainee has graduated in the Far West Local Health District. Proud Barkandji woman Kyeesha Jones said it had always been her dream to work in health and help her people access services.
Lancelin woman prepares to take part in Jump for Jane
Nadine Hoffman of Lancelin is one of the people participating in the annual Jump for Jane event to raise money for Breast Cancer Care WA. Jump for Jane is named after Breast Cancer Care WA board member Jane Loring – who died from breast cancer in 2013.
Friends, family join Suzie’s fight
Serena Kirby. About 30 people volunteered to have their heads shaved before 200 supporters at a recent ovarian cancer fundraiser at the Denmark Boating and Angling Club. The ‘Shaving Noggins for Suzie’ event was held as a way to show support for lifelong local Sue Sinagra who is ï¬ghting Stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Curtains for Wellcamp COVID facility
The Queensland Government will not renew the lease of the Wellcamp quarantine facility when it expires next month. The 1000-bed facility opened early last year to house those with COVID-19 who needed to quarantine. It cost the State Government more than $220 million to set up, but only housed 730 people.
Bago State Forest Masterplan reveals tourism, art, health and environmental goals: FCNSW
After years of careful planning, interrupted by bushfire, floods and a global pandemic, the Bago State Forest Nature-Based Tourism Enhancement program was launched with reveal of its long-awaited Masterplan ... the Masterplan aims to deliver growth in the local and regional tourism economy through improved forest-based visitor experiences incorporating art, health and wellness, and environmental projects.
Virus spreads wider
A survey of more than 800 people in northern Victoria has found the Japanese encephalitis virus has infected more people than first thought, as the vaccination eligibility criteria against this virus continue to expand. The serosurvey, which asked participants to complete a questionnaire and give a blood sample, found approximately 1 in 30 participants had evidence of having a prior Japanese encephalitis infection.
Farmers flock to Trials Review Day
Drawcard topics such as cereal diseases, pulse variety and disease management, crop nutrition, vetch and barley agronomy as well as farming without glyphosate, attracted over 170 farmers to BCG’s annual Members’ Only Trials Review Day in Birchip last week. With participants in the room and online, the event was buzzing with questions and robust discussion.
Royal Flying Doctor Service and Isuzu UTE team up to save lives
Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) has announced a long-term national partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). This major national partnership will assist with delivering better health outcomes to Australians living beyond the reach of mainstream medical services, through financial support and the provision of a fleet of Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X vehicles.
Yet another Blue Tree
The Blue Tree Project is spreading like a weed through the eastern Downs, with yet another Blue Tree painted, this time at Deuchar ... The Blue Tree Project’s mission is to help raise awareness of mental health struggles by encouraging communication.
Moore River bacteria update
Recent tests have confirmed bacteria levels in the Moore River have returned to the acceptable range, as is usual for this time of year, according to the Shire of Gingin. But shire staff are continuing to monitor the levels in consultation with the Department of Health.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe announces partnership with Grow It Local with free seeds to grow-along with costa from patch-to-plate
Healthy Loddon Campaspe has partnered with Grow It Local to encourage and educate residents across the region about healthy eating, cooking and growing local food. To celebrate the partnership, Grow It Local, Healthy Loddon Campaspe and Central Goldfields Shire Council have launched the Autumn 2023 edition of the Grow It Local Seed Service – a patch-to-plate adventure that makes free heirloom seeds and instructional content available to local residents.
Mental health tops priority list
Health priorities for Narrandera and regional residents have been set for 2023 during a meeting last week between Narrandera Local Health Advisory Committee and Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network ... The first priority was mental health, encompassing drug and alcohol and sexual health (domestic violence).
Murray feels the ocean on his feet once again
Murray Stevens, 91, has long had a yearning to feel the sand between his toes and the ocean lap on his feet once more, and on Wednesday this become a reality. Murray was the first person to use an aided beach-walker and Mobi-mat at the U-Beach Community Beach Day at Nielson Park.
