Life on the land can be tough, but an online tool helps farmers cope with factors beyond their control
A website launched in 2018 to give farmers practical strategies to cope with factors beyond their control has proved so successful with rural communities that it has now been expanded. With further input from farmers and generous funding from multiple philanthropic organisations, ifarmwell has updated its content and features and broadened its reach and expertise.
Keith Hospital model unveiled
Gabrielle Duykers. A newly proposed healthcare model for Keith and District Hospital would see it move into the public local health network, but 24/7 care has been excluded from the plan ... As part of the transition, the current Keith and District Hospital Governing Board could potentially morph into a Health Advisory Council (HAC), a consultative body which works with SA Health to provide advice on health service needs and priorities for the community.
TEYS – the canary in the coalmine
Sheryl Lowe. "What followed ‘saddened” me, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride MP said on 5THE FM radio. “I realise there is a lot of fear around covid but Teys employees were refused service at businesses in Naracoorte and there was even a threat of the Woolworths Fuel outlet closing so staff wouldn’t have to serve them. The media continued to connect the outbreak to Teys but, Teys was the ‘canary in the coal mine,’ if you like. They detected covid in Naracoorte but were not responsible for bringing it to Naracoorte. It was already there.”
Mozzie Mob helping Tennant eliminate dengue mosquito
A dengue mosquito elimination program is gaining traction in Tennant Creek, a year since the dengue mosquito, Aedes aegypti, was found in the town. A team of five NT Health staff, known to the locals as the Mozzie Mob, are conducting property inspections to review backyard items that can hold water to treat them for mosquito eggs or larvae.
Government signs up rural GPs after 19 months
Chris Oldfield. A fresh agreement between SA’s rural doctors and the State Government has been signed. The agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to ease a rural GP crisis sweeping the State, affecting country health care and hospitals, including Naracoorte. Government contracts expired 19 months ago, causing grave concerns for SA branches of the Australian Medical Association (AMASA) and Rural Doctor Association (RDASA).
Exhibition tackling social isolation
Make sure to visit the Newstead Arts Hub this February to see a collection of portraits taken by local Anglican Church Reverend Darcy Vaughan. The exhibition, open during the weekends, tackles issues of social isolation and how our communities function when faced with anxiety and uncertainty.
Jodie’s Inspiration delivers $11,000 Christmas gift to enhance in home palliative care support
Every palliative patient in our region deserves dignified treatment and care whether in home or in hospital. Chair of Jodie’s Inspiration, Jesse Smith, in partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital (SVPH), has delivered an $11,000.00 Christmas gift to support in home palliative care services from Lotus Palliative Care across the Northern Rivers.
Deadly Hair Dude shares his skill
For the month of February, if you have an interest in hairdressing and are between the ages of 11 and 17, you have the chance to participate in a program provided by the Deadly Hair Dude in collaboration with Julalikari, who managed to win a grant from the Department of Health to bring the program to Tennant Creek as a part of the Alcohol and Other Drugs initiative.
Case numbers creep up in region
Case numbers continue to grow in the Torres and Cape but health officials are happy with the rate of spread of COVID-19 across the region. On Monday morning, there were 451 active cases in the Torres and Cape, up almost 100 from the week before.
Courageous teen dreams of seeing the world
Emma Pritchard. Cohen Daly has a dream. It’s a dream which he is determined to see come true. And nothing, not even a battle against aggressive bone cancer, will prevent the strong-willed teenager with the beautiful smile from fulfilling his ambition.
WA’s hard border to stay but more exemptions for compassionate reasons
Western Australia’s hard border will stay in place for now with Premier Mark McGowan saying it would be irresponsible and reckless to ignore the problems the omicron wave was causing in the eastern states. But Mr McGowan said some changes to the border settings to start on February 5 would allow for more safe compassionate travel and the return of Western Australians.
Building a plan to prevent suicide
An important project is currently being undertaken in the Torres and Cape to develop a Suicide Prevention Community Action Plan for the region ... This year, the team are turning their attention to community members in the Torres and Cape to lend their voice for the development of a region-specific, Suicide Prevention Community Action Plan.
Boards agree to amalgamation
A proposal for the health services to formally come together to create a new health service, supported by a comprehensive business case, has been endorsed by Maldon Hospital and Castlemaine Health Boards. In accordance with the Health Services Act, the proposal has been sent to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Minister for Health for consideration and for approval.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) grants provisional registration for Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
Nuvaxovidâ„¢ is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval for provisional registration in Australia. Novavax, Inc. has announced TGA approval for provisional registration of NVX-CoV2373, Novavax' COVID-19 vaccine (adjuvanted), for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 18 years of age and older. The vaccine will be supplied to Australia under the brand name Nuvaxovidâ„¢.
Common sense required for birthing restrictions: Malinauskas and Picton
Labor is calling for a common sense approach to current COVID-19 birthing restrictions in hospitals so the father, partner or a designated support person who tests negative on a RAT can be present for the entire labour and for the mother and baby’s stay in hospital.
Stage 2 Manning Base Hospital unveiled
Myall Lakes residents have been given their first look at the $100 million Stage 2 redevelopment of Manning Base Hospital with the master plan unveiled today. Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said Stage 2 builds on the $40 million upgrade completed as part of Stage 1 in mid-2020.
Never-never surgery: Bev McArthur
Earlier this month, the Victorian Government cancelled elective surgery for tens of thousands of Victorians needing care. This happened because they have failed to organise the public health system in Victoria. It is now in an aptly named Code Brown, burdened by excessive isolation rules.
Lismore Base Hospital has three covid wards and is ready for a surge in patients
Northern NSW Local Health District’s Lynne Weir said the hospital system was challenged because of the “increased activity resulting from the pandemic and the additional pressure of some staff being furloughed because they need to isolate.” The district has sufficient intensive care beds across its three major hospitals in Grafton, Lismore and Tweed with plans in place to surge staffing and ICU capacity if needed, Ms Weir said.
Libraries After Dark providing social evenings for the community
Mildura Library is providing an alternative to relax and keep cool while enjoying a social evening by extending its opening hours on Thursdays as part of the Libraries After Dark program. Libraries After Dark is a state-wide initiative initially aimed at providing problem gamblers with alternative options and venues for socialising through extended evening opening hours at libraries.
Weipa one step closer to getting new birthing unit
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.
Locking down their faith: Four senior citizens explore spirituality during isolation
Four senior citizens and Charles Sturt academics have chronicled how their time in multiple COVID-19 lockdowns and isolations have restored their faiths.
Barkly residents left in the dark over COVID vaccination rates: Edgington
While Territorians continue to follow the ever-changing mandates to stop the spread of COVID in communities, residents in the Barkly are feeling the frustration over a lack of information about cases and vaccination rates in the region and long waits for test results. Barkly MLA Steve Edgington said Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s government still refuses to tell Barkly residents what the vaccination rate for Tennant Creek is.
