Fears about future of town’s only gym
News that Tennant Creek’s only gym is set to close at the end of the year has local fitness and wellbeing fans up in arms. Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation’s Sports and Recreation Centre announced it will shut its doors permanently on 24 December ... “Anyinginyi has been at the heart of sport and recreation in Tennant Creek for most of its 37-year history”: CEO Barb Shaw.
Sick hospital system fails to prepare
With all symptoms indicating that the Queensland Health System is sick and struggling, the question for the Queensland Premier and Health Minister is ‘what have you done to prepare for the inevitable arrival of COVID-19 in our community?’ Hospitals are full despite the lack of COVID-19 cases, nurses face being sacked if they don’t get vaccinated and preparation measures appear to be minimal. Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen put questions to both Mackay and Townsville Hospital and Health Services in August on preparation measures.
City modelling used for regional roadmap
The Premier’s roadmap for regional Victoria to exit COVID-19 restrictions has more holes in it than the state’s country roads. Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has questioned the Health and Education Ministers in State Parliament about what modelling was used by the Premier to create the regional exit plan
Patient’s express anger at Iluka doctor’s suspension
Geoff Helisma. Many people have reacted angrily to the news that the Medical Council of NSW has temporarily suspended the registration of Iluka doctor David Alan Richards (Iluka Wellness Centre) following a decision by a Council s.150 (immediate action) panel ... “Sad day for Iluka,” one person posted. “We miss you Doc. It was so good to go to a doctor that was brave and honest and truly believed in the Hippocratic Oath ... “There is conclusive evidence (sighted on Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency documents) that AHPRA has silenced health practitioners from raising concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine ...": Petition EN3375.
Landmark trial eliminates pest mosquito
In a first for the Southern Hemisphere, researchers have shown a bacteria can successfully sterilise and eradicate the invasive, disease carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito which is responsible for spreading dengue, yellow fever and Zika. The breakthrough could support the suppression and potential eradication of Aedes aegypti worldwide.
Conquer the Corrugations tests
Sunburn and blisters were the order of the day for the dedicated walkers who braved the scorching heat at this year’s Conquer the Corrugations. Around 180 people walked the 42km between Archer River and the Coen biosecurity centre over Saturday and Sunday.
Doctor retires after half-century career
Gabrielle Duykers. Long-standing Naracoorte doctor Alison Gazard will be retiring this week, following a 52-year career in medicine ... It was when she started undertaking locum work in rural areas that she realised her love for country life. "I found it far more satisfying than general practice in the city where you tended to just operate around prescriptions and referral forms. In the country you had to actually do things ‒ put in drips, resuscitate people, and do sutures."
North coast MPs seek protection from ‘70 percenters’
Geoff Helisma. Five north coast MPs – Janelle Saffin, Chris Gulaptis, Geoff Provest, Ben Franklin and Tamara Smith – have jointly written to Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro, expressing their fears that the government’s Covid 19 policy is a threat to the health of their constituents. “We are really concerned that, without policy changes, our region will suddenly become deeply vulnerable to a major influx of newly freed Sydneysiders, while we are still short of the 70 per cent safety target,” the MPs write.
eSafety resources now available
QRAM would like to invite you to check out and use the eSafety resources we’ve developed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and other community members from remote communities.
Final draft of NSW voluntary assisted dying bill triggers community consultation
Community consultation has begun on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 after Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson received the final draft from Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich.
Cook MP votes in favour of controversial VAD bill
New laws allowing voluntary assisted dying in Queensland were passed by parliament last week. Member for Cook Cynthia Lui was one of the supporters of the legislation, which was a conscience vote for Labor and LNP politicians.
Review – Our Sunburnt Country
No matter what one's position might be on the many variations of the Climate Change discussion, it is apparent that this well written book is a call from the heart for immediate action, with the author's focus being - ‘How do we simultaneously achieve good health for people and our planet?’
Still no rural doctor solution
Chris Oldfield. A proposal developed last March to help solve SA's escalating rural doctor crisis appears not to have been passed on to the State Health Minister, Stephen Wade. He made the revelation while visiting Naracoorte last week to view progress on $3.1 million in capital works at the hospital. Additionally, a representative of Kincraig Medical Clinic conï¬rmed that its local doctors were not notiï¬ed of the Minister’s visit.
Tell us about: parkrun
Kirstin Nicholson. Regardless of the weather, runners and walkers can be seen pounding the paths of Garden and Gilrule Parks in Cohuna every Saturday morning. They are part of a global organisation called parkrun. parkrun is a free, timed 5km event held every Saturday morning, not just in Cohuna, but all over the world, originating in England in 2004. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome and it doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are.
Regional youth taskforce tackles connectivity, staying safe online
The 2021 Regional Youth Taskforce have held their third meeting of the year, coming together over the weekend discuss how young people in regional and rural communities could better connect to outside services. Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said the meeting focused on providing better access to training, services, work and recreational opportunities for young people across regional NSW.
Bus a game changer for the bush
Mark Knowles. Cape York residents now have unprecedented access to specialist medical care and diagnostics via a new mobile health clinic operated by Heart of Australia. Its new truck, “HEART 4” will see specialists from all over the country unite to give residents in Cooktown and the southern Cape access to cardiology, sonography, cardiac monitoring, sleep diagnostics and respiratory services.
Blue trees branching out for better mental health
From Broken Hill to Inverell, Corrective Services NSW staff across the state have been whittling, welding and painting blue trees in the name of mental health awareness ... Staff and inmates have been involved in creating their distinctive blue trees – from murals and collages to welded sculptures and painted tree trunks.
Locals reflect on the Blackford fire recovery
Gabrielle Duykers. Farmers affected by the Blackford ï¬re have reflected on the tragic event and its impact on their mental health. Farmers affected by the Blackford ï¬re have reflected on the tragic event and its impact on their mental health. The MacKillop Farm Management Group recently held a ‘Fire and Beyond’ event in Lucindale, where local landholders shared some of their experiences and outlooks for the future.
Tired of lots of ‘health advice’ but no ‘health contrition’?
Kookaburra, along with many other Australians, is very weary of listening to pontificating doctors, health professionals, epidemiologists, chief medical officers and the whole array of health 'industry' persons talking down to the population about what we should or should not be doing. These people never ever seem able to accept that they often get things wrong. Indeed, they have made some horrid mistakes.
Swell Sisters ”¦ locked down, but not out
Geoff Helisma. A small team of Lower Clarence women have found a great way to do charitable work while they exercise among the waves. ‘Swell Sisters’ – Clair Morton, Shannon Grainger, Emy Alexander and Georgie Smith – are on a mission to raise funds for SurfAid ¸ which provides “a hand up, rather than a handout, to people in remote communities connected to us through surfing,” says Clair.
R U really OK?
Now is the time to ask the people in your world how they are really going, with R U OK Day officially taking place on Thursday, 9 September ... “This year’s theme is ‘Are they really ok?’, encouraging people to ask the question, but also ask the question again.”
Double jab incentive for Aboriginal residents
Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation is now offering supermarket vouchers for all Aboriginal community members who are double jabbed against COVID-19. The $25 IGA Supermarket food vouchers are now available to collect for eligible residents one day after they receive their second dose.
