Health Delegation to Sydney

Health Delegation to Sydney

Last week a delegation consisting of Don Page, together Clr John Hampton representing Lismore City Council, Dr Rob Simon and Dr William James of Medical Council, Marshall Fittler and Marilyn Perkins as Community representatives and myself met with the Minister for Health, The Hon John Hatzistergos. I believe this delegation received a good hearing from the Minister on the following three issues: shortfall in Resource Distribution Funding, Anesthetists' situation and Stage 3 of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment. The Minister received our briefing on these issues and presented put forward a very strong case for him to consider, particularly bringing forward the redevelopment. The Minister was also presented with petitions representing 19,000 community signatures, that was organised by Marshall Fittler.

Pollies for Small Business

As part of the Pollies for Small Business program, I had the opportunity to visit three local businesses; Hurfords (Lismore), Brown & Hurley (Kyogle) and Barker Street Newsagency (Casino). I benefited from the chance to work alongside some of my Small Business owners to re-familiarise myself with today's pressures faced by small business operators in the region. I also enjoy the opportunity of showing my support for this vital sector of our local economy. Politicians often deal with the `big picture' when it comes to regulations and legislation so working in a small business for the day can help them gain some valuable insights. This exercise was an opportunity to get an `up close and personal' view of the positives and negatives involved in running a small business. Even though I have run my own business, the reality is the pressures on small operators are constantly changing, especially in State border areas where small businesses in NSW are at a disadvantage to their Queensland counterparts with fuel prices, payroll tax and workers compensation.

Seniors Week Grants & Awards

Applications are now open for 2006 Seniors Week Grants Program. The aim of the program is to assist the development and/or organisation of local Seniors Week projects and activities. Applications close 23 September 2005 and forms are available from my office. Please note Seniors Week 2006 is from 2-9 April, as it has been moved from mid March to avoid clashing with the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Applications are now open for 2006 Seniors Week Achievement Awards program. The awards are a prestigious recognition of seniors from across the State for their contribution to the development of our community, for their leadership and for their initiative. The awards provide an opportunity to formally thank older people for the contribution that they make to the quality of life in our State. A group of individual can be nominated in one of the following categories;

Education/Life-long Learning,
Health & Well-Being,
Intergenerational Understanding,
Community Service and Volunteering,
Environment/Science
Business Mentoring

Up to 60 awards are available for outstanding nominations. Nomination forms are available from my office and close 5 pm Friday 7 October.

Fisheries Discussion Papers

Anglers in NSW are invited to have their say on proposals to change some recreational fishing rules, including modifications to size limits, bag limits and fishing methods. Two discussion papers have been prepared in consultation with the commercial and recreational fishing advisory councils. The discussion papers have been prepared in response to the findings of environmental assessments being conducted for the state's major fisheries, the results of the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, the recommendations of the Palmer Report on Illegal Fishing for Commercial Gain or Profit in NSW, and community feedback from previous reviews. This process will give people the opportunity to comment on the proposals and options for changes to the current fishing rules. The discussion papers include proposals for changes to freshwater and saltwater bag and size limits and methods, and for fishing competitions. Written submissions close 30 September 2005. Submissions should be sent to: Fishing Review, NSW DPI, PO Box 21, Cronulla, NSW, 2230, fax 9527 8576 or email fish.review@fisheries.nsw.gov.au. Copies of the papers can be obtained from my office or the website www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au

My Journey Kit - Breast Cancer

This kit is available to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, free of charge and is an important resource that has been developed by women who have had breast cancer. The kit has been endorsed by the Rural Australasian College of Surgeons as well as other key medical organisations in Australian. The Breast Cancer Network Australian aims to send the kit to every woman diagnosed with breast cancer within 2 weeks of her diagnosis or to receive simply call 1300 7785 562 or contact my office.

Electorate Functions -

Red Cross Zone 27 Conference - I recently had the honour of officially opening the Zone 27 Conference of the Australian Red Cross. The focus of the conference was "Youth in our community".

Deaf Society - PoD - Following my attendance of the inaugural meeting in April of the Deaf Society, I was honoured last week to join members and officially launch the new Support Group, Parents of Deaf (PoD) Children. This support group offers support to families of deaf children. PoD meet bi-monthly on the last Friday of the month at 6.30 pm at Summerland Early Intervention, Rifle

Quayside Dealership Opening - Congratulations to owners Mark & Tracey Crampton, Dealer Principal Damien Doyle and their team at Quayside Motors. The investment and confidence they have placed in Lismore is a credit to the Quayside group, which was further endorsed by Federal Minister for Industry Tourism and Resources Ian Macfarlane and Peter Brock.

Doubtful Creek Flag Raising Ceremony - It was my pleasure to join Doubtful Creek Primary School community during an inspection and to participate in its flag raising ceremony recently.

Casino High School Yr 11 Geography - I had the pleasure of speaking to students who were examining roads, the importance of the Northern Cooperative Meat Company to Casino, and other Council issues.

Uniting Church Casino - I was pleased to attend and share with members of the Church Council of the Uniting Church of Casino as they commissioned Pastor Peter Boughey who was made Minister of their Casino community.