A massive $25,000 raised in walk
The Barham 2 Broome and Back virtual fundraising walk was held throughout November to raise money for the Local Health Medical Trust. The walk ended on Friday with a community walk and celebration ... Walkers signed up from right around our region, plus from as far away as Sydney and even Dubai!
Carnarvon’s $19.9 million Gnullingoo Mia Residential Care officially opens
WA Health Minister Roger Cook has officially opened Carnarvon's $19.9 million Gnullingoo Mia residential aged and palliative care home. This new aged care home has been integrated with the existing hospital to ensure residents have access to skilled aged care assessment, older patient initiatives and subacute programs, education and telegeriatrician services, while feeling comfortable, supported and at home.
Councillor pleads for hospital action
Gabrielle Duykers. A local councillor has implored council to “interfere” and take immediate action to address the shortage of emergency doctors at Naracoorte Hospital. As previously reported in The News, Naracoorte Hospital has been without a duty doctor three to four days each month during 2021, as a result of expired contracts with rural doctors across the state, as well as locally.
Rhythm First Aid
You may have noticed the new window display with artfully displayed bandages, band-aids and defibrillators at 22 High Street. Nurse Nicole Gleeson, started Rhythm First Aid three years ago, a training company delivering first aid training of the highest quality in a captivating and fun environment. Rhythm First Aid delivers first-aid courses to schools, parents, and businesses around Victoria.
Loud shirts … let’s talk about that
Geoff Helisma. As a shopper walks past the Yamba Fair Butchery, the ‘extra-loud’ shirts the butchers are wearing is likely to catch their attention and, perhaps, stimulate a thought: Why?
Loads of incentives for the vaccinated
Catherine Grimley. With the COVID-19 outbreak facing communities around Katherine and Robinson River, Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation has ramped up its mobile vaccination clinic in the Barkly in order to keep the community safe.
Travis awarded Dare to Dream scholarship
“When I got Penny, it was just after my third operation on my leg. I was sad and frustrated, but she gave me the motivation to start living my dream. I couldn't wait to get off my crutches and start riding again. Penny was being trained to be an Olympic dressage horse, but she sustained a leg injury that she meant could no longer be an elite athlete. After a rest, she is sound and can be ridden, so she is like me now": Travis Newman, 13, cancer survivor and scholarship recipient.
Researchers examine COVID-19 modelling to improve regional NSW strategies
Recent research by a team at Charles Sturt University aims to help develop a robust research framework for regional New South Wales to help improve the control strategy for COVID-19 at the regional level in NSW. It can also assist other infectious disease epidemics.
Blue lease on life
Gabrielle Duykers. A dead tree outside Lucindale has been transformed into a bright blue beacon which local suicide prevention advocates hope will help spark conversations around mental health ... While the Blue Tree Project has seen 36 blue trees pop up around South Australia, the Lucindale addition is the first to feature in the Limestone Coast.
Book launch at the Book Wolf
Annabel Harz’s new book, 'Journey into the Shadow and Sunshine', is being launched at the Book Wolf on Friday 26 November at 6pm ... Her art and poetry are a blend of works from adolescent through to adulthood and are a powerful portrayal of the depths of depression and despair that many are able to relate to.
Are you a farmer who has been affected by bushfires?
Farmers who have been through a bushfire are wanted for a research project looking to gain a better understanding of the psychological impacts of bushfires and the support that farmers want in the aftermath. The lead researcher, Dr Kate Gunn, Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist from the University of South Australia, herself grew up on a farm near Streaky Bay in South Australia.
Don’t make decisions about us without us: NLC
The Northern Land Council (NLC) has called on the Territory Government to stop making decisions without it. NLC announced this week it supports the call by the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the Northern Territory (AMSANT) that a safe reopening of the Northern Territory must be based on a number of key principles and actions ... “This is about our lives, our people and our country. Governments have to think beyond the big cities when making important decisions about our mob out bush – don’t make decisions about us without us”: Samuel Bush-Blanasi, NLC Chairman.
Taxpayers funding locum doctors
Chris Oldfield. The SA Government is using taxpayer funds to pay fly-in locum doctors up to $3000 per 12-hour shift at country hospitals. And it is claimed it pays our local Naracoorte GPs as little as $285 per 24-hour shift to cover accident and emergency. Seven SA country hospitals including Millicent and Mount Gambier are now reliant on taxpayer funded fly-in locums – when they are available.
Division decision
Segregation of the community based on vaccination status is now the norm after Gannawarra Shire Council (GSC) implemented the Andrews Government roadmap. The unvaccinated 16 years and over will now be excluded from Gannawarra Library Service branches and swimming pools, despite being able to mingle in many other retailers, essential services and localities.
ARHEN welcomes rural mental health recommendations
The Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) today welcomed the Final Report from the House Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the recommendations to improve access to services for people in rural and remote Australia.
Dr Belot President of RDAA
Kirstin Nicholson. Dr Megan Belot is the new president of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA). Locals will know Dr Belot through her previous role as a GP at the Cohuna Clinic, and her current roles as a GP anaesthetist at Cohuna Hospital, GP at Northern District Community Health (NDCH) Medical Clinic in Kerang and a GP anaesthetist and Visiting Medical Officer at Echuca Hospital.
Unmissable coral tree is a red weed destroying waterways and native plants
The fire engine red of the coral tree is unmissable at the moment. They are everywhere and are particularly virulent outside Lismore on the Bruxner Highway and along the Richmond River at Coraki and Woodburn. The scarlet flower reflects its bloom into the still river waters and if it wasn’t such an invasive weed, it would be a pretty sight.
Blue Light Camp in desperate need of funds
The iconic Maldon Blue Light Youth Camp is at risk of closure due to funding losses from COVID-19. The camp has a 30-year legacy in the Maldon community, running school camps and education programs ... Due to COVID-19 restrictions camps are unable to run at present, leaving the camp without any form of revenue.
Horse healing power to be harnessed
Serena Kirby. A new exercise therapy will soon be available for Denmark children and adults recovering from serious injury or living with physical disabilities and illnesses. The name of the therapeutic practice, hippotherapy, comes from the Greek word ‘hippos’ meaning horse and roughly translates as ‘treatment with help of a horse’.
No bull! Run returns
Modesty went out the window and the PC brigade was turned away as the world-famous Running of the Bulls was revived in true Weipa style on Sunday morning ... Lit up by the moon and a few streetlights, the eager herd carried plastic bags and buckets, hopeful that enough residents had stayed up past 1am to make a charitable donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Laws to enshrine safe and clear pandemic responses: Daniel Andrews
Delivering on our commitment to crossbench Members of Parliament, a new pandemic-specific part of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 will be legislated to embed lessons learnt managing COVID-19, incorporate best practice public health administration from other jurisdictions like New Zealand, and introduce greater transparency and accountability around decision-making.
Key rural health workforce program extended to get more medicos in the bush
A key rural health workforce program that enables nursing and dental students and trainee doctors to train in regional and rural Australia is being extended for another three years by the Morrison Joyce Government. Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program provides high-quality clinical rural training experiences for students in a range of career paths, including GPs, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals.
