Overwhelming community response
Meeting chair, Angus Howell, opens the meeting of nearly 200 residents. Click image [djp April 2007]
Nearly 200 residents of Violet Town and district poured into the Community Hall to support the proposal for a medical practice at the Bush Nursing Centre on the evening of Wednesday 18 April 2007.
Angus Howell, representing the Violet Town Action Group, very ably chaired the meeting outlining some of the history behind the proposal, who was involved and the benefits to the residents of having a doctor in Violet Town. He acknowledged the support of Bill Sykes MP – Member for Benalla, who tended his apologies for not attending the meeting.
Felipe Rodriguez, CEO / DON Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre, continued explaining how he has received excellent support from Federal Member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella MHR who has worked hard to assist the Bush Nursing Centre in its bid to have a medical centre in Violet Town, from Strathbogie Shire Council and the medical profession.
Felipe Rodriguez, CEO / DON Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre, explaining where the benefits of a having local medical practice. Click image [djp April 2007]
Felipe explained that the federal government will provide, dollar for dollar, up to $400,000 toward the establishment of medical practice and that the community need not be concerned about finding the matching dollars. The medical practice infrastructure, essential to the success of the application for government funding, will not cost anywhere near $800,000 and the matching dollars are held by the Bush Nursing Centre.
Letters of support for the proposal, indicating assistance in kind where appropriate, and the application, need to be submitted within three weeks. About four months is required for the government to approve, or dis-approve, the application. "We can look to knowing the outcome about five months from now" said Felipe
Without giving too much away Felipe was able to state that positive response has already been received for a doctor to join the medical practice, perhaps for three days a week. "This is a great improvement on the two hours a week that is currently available" he said The medical practices in Euroa and Benalla are now not able to visit Violet Town as often as in the past.
Sophie Mirabella MHR – Federal Member for Indi, provided the progress on her consultation with the Minister for Health. Click image [djp April 2007]
Sophie Mirabella MHR – Federal Member for Indi, provided the progress on her consultation with the Minister for Health, re-affirming earlier statements of support. In response to a question from the audience she very diplomatically explained that, to her knowledge, a change of government at the imminent elections may not see the same support for funding application.
Greg Carlson – Mayor, Shire of Strathbogie, spoke on the support Council is providing to the proposal and of the benefits of having a medical practice in Violet Town.
Groups and organisations supporting the proposed medical practice included Violet Town Garden Club, Cooinda Group (CWA), Violet Town Sub Branch RSL, the Violet Town Traders, Violet Town Probus, Violet Town Red Cross, Violet Town Lions, Violet Town Legacy, Violet Town Kindergarten, St Attracta’s and St Andrews Churches then spoke on the benefits to them and the community.
We have received good support from our representative politicians but they need support too. We need to demonstrate that we need a doctor’s service in our community. This meeting follows on from the COW workshop which called for the establishment of a full medical practice in VT.
Chairman Angus Howell, thanked guests for speaking and the audience for the overwhelming support provided. At the close of the meeting all were invited to linger awhile for, a light supper of tea and coffee, and the opportunity to discuss the matter further.
Violet Town Action Group and Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre are to be congratulated for the support and work to date and for the excellent public meeting.
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858
