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.
Distribution Priority Areas exceptional circumstances review for GPs
A new exceptional circumstance review for the Department of Health’s Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification will help regional and rural areas respond to unforeseen workforce and population changes which may be impacting access to local GP services ... “I have heard loud and clear the concerns that the current approach is not capturing current or emerging local pressures, sudden and unexpected changes and unmet demand,” said Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie.
Parliamentary questions and no answers: democracy denied, again
As the Parliament of Victoria remains empty – again - questions remain unanswered. 430 unanswered questions asked in the Legislative Council alone relate directly to the Health portfolio during a pandemic ... Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said it represents a reckless and a belligerent snubbing of democracy.
Contract awarded to deliver purpose-built quarantine facility at Pinkenba
Progress continues to be made on the Morrison Government’s purpose-built quarantine facility at Pinkenba, with global construction company Multiplex selected to deliver the project ... Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the Centre at Pinkenba would support ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19 and will give Queensland extra capacity to manage potential future health crises or natural disasters.
Elders enjoy a Seniors Month lunch at weekly Yarning Circle
After listening to a presentation on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 by Syed Jan from Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, the Elders enjoyed a delicious lunch sponsored by local MLA Steve Edgington.
New Palaszczuk Government regional quarantine facility to keep Queenslanders safe
A dedicated regional quarantine facility will be built at Wellcamp, Toowoomba under a joint agreement between the Palaszczuk Government and the landowner, Wagner Corporation.
Contract awarded to deliver purpose-built quarantine facility in WA
Progress continues to be made on Western Australia’s Centre for National Resilience, with global construction company Multiplex today selected to deliver the project. Following the finalisation of various independent feasibility studies and negotiations, the centre will be built at a site on Commonwealth-owned land within the Bullsbrook Training Area.
Lockdown lunacy leaves lasting legacy
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said the Victorian Government clearly neither cares about, nor comprehends, the damage it is doing. “If anyone could imagine what hitting a panic button looked like, then Saturday was it ... Put quite simply, there is little or no coronavirus in our part of Victoria, and even if there was, there are systems in place to deal with it. And if the systems are not working, heads should roll. It makes a farce of QR codes and quarantine processes. Either they are there for a reason, or they’re not."
Freedom is the best reason to get vaccinated
There is a saying that goes like this: you can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails. It’s time to adjust our sails, Australia, because the wind blowing in the COVID-19 virus is going to keep blowing. We need our national mojo back: Bev McArthur, MP.
Beach wheelchairs on the move
Beach access just got a whole lot easier with the relocation of two Hippocamp Beach Access Wheelchairs to Champion Beach.
Council co-launches new mental health materials
Keeping Mentally Well, a set of mental health information resources being launched by the Central Goldfields Shire Council and Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership, is a timely response to one of the many pressing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Picton backs country doctors
Chris Oldfield. SA Shadow Health Minister Chris Picton has thrown his weight behind Naracoorte's doctors and country GPs, calling for the State Government to negotiate contracts with them. Mr Picton has slammed the State Government for wasting taxpayers’ dollars on locums, failing to negotiate and throwing rural doctors and country hospitals into turmoil.
Lockdown Lotto, where there is just one winner
Welcome to the latest game in town, Lockdown Lotto where random reigns and the numbers don’t add up. This afternoon’s announcement by the Victorian Government of another state wide lockdown has become a plaything for the Premier, and a serious challenge for Victorian businesses and families. Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, says it’s a seven-day lockdown without the backing of science or logic.
Stop punishing us: border
Eliza Berlage. SA/ Vic Border Districts’ club presidents have implored the State Government to “stop punishing” their community with restrictions ... The restrictions are "disappointing", "mentally draining" and "detrimental" to the morale of clubs and the broader community. "The bubble is absolutely ridiculous. You may as well put the Berlin Wall up at the border."
Panic levels heighten as result of misinformation
Editorial. The people of Cape York were let down by the Queensland government, Rio Tinto and the Weipa Town Authority last Wednesday. While in their eyes there was nothing for locals to worry about, it was a different story for those who did not hold all the information.
Forestry leader backs call for border commissioner
Eliza Berlage. The head of the local forestry industry group has added his voice to calls for the South Australian government to establish a dedicated cross-border commissioner. Forestry was missed in the initial list of essential work provided by SA Health, with clariï¬cation only received at 11am on the ï¬rst day of lockdown that it was included as primary industry. Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub chair Ian McDonnell said a commissioner could have ensured more preparedness in these situations, rather than the “scramble” that occurred.
