CHRIS EARL LOOKS AT THE HISTORY OF A VITAL LOCAL HEALTH SERVICE

IN THE first decade of a new century for a new nation, country communities were being encouraged to tailor local health care to suit their needs.

The fourth Governor General of Australia, Earl Dudley had a wife with vision for rural towns.

Lady Dudley was the first champion of what would become a map of Victoria dotted with bush nursing centres.

From Gippsland to the Mallee and Wimmera and along rivers and creeks that produced the first gold creating new wealth for what on January 1, 1901, would become the Commonwealth of Australia.

By 1910, the Victorian Bush Nursing Association was formed to “stimulate communities” to employ a nurse. The first centres opened the next year in Buchan, Beech Forest and Gunbower and eventually more than 155 would operate at some time over the following decades.

And in the first years after the return of soldiers from World War One, the Dingee community stepped up to open its bush nursing centre.

Other centres in the Loddon would follow at Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn. Time and change in government policy would see those centres close but Dingee, despite a close call itself, has just entered its 100th year of service and care to the district.

January 24 1923 saw Sister Becker operate from a rented room in a cottage owned by Mrs Cliff - ironically on the land in King Street where the centre has been based for decades. When not riding a bicycle to patients, Sister Becker boarded at the town’s hotel.

A decade later Sister Gold was caring for residents - in January 1933 she had 42 patients generating 72 visits.

Centre landlord Mrs Cliff was asked to repair drainage from the bathroom and it was also arranged for the sister could to take holidays from January 16. But she had to be back in Dingee for the annual sports meeting!

By January 1944, the number of patients had dropped to 20 for the month with Sister Williams making 55 visits. She also visited three schools.

There was annoyance in the community that Dingee Bush Nursing Centre was not receiving support from residents through an annual subscription.

It was reported: “Dissatisfaction was expressed at the way in which nonsubscribers have, in the past, made a convenience of the centre in time of sickness, rather than assist in keeping it in existence by becoming a regular subscriber.

“To supplement the funds, a hare shoot will be arranged when ammunition is available.”

The hare shoot was held and the sale of the skins brought £15.9.5, the ammunition cost 12/3d.

The bush nursing centre board in 1963 set fees at £5 a family, £2 10 shillings a single and £1 five shillings for employees under 18. Non-members were charged £1 10 shillings a visit.

There was a red letter day for Dingee in 1970 when the Governor, Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe, came to town and officially opened the new centre and nurses’ residence.

The centre had two consulting rooms, a waiting room and a threebedroom residence and reflected the strong demand for local nursing services. That year saw 1600 calls on the nurse.

Into the 21st century 2001 saw the official opening of extensions to the centre, which included an access ramp, consulting room, storeroom, bathroom and an enlarged waiting area.

Just eight years later, there was a huge undertaking with a total refurbishment and doubling in size of the current building with $750,000, sourced from Federal and State Governments, opened in 2009 by then Health Minister Daniel Andrews.

Expansion of the centre came during the time Sister Fazulla was more than mid-way through her amazing 36-year stint as the centre’s nurse.

Viv retired in 2014, moved to far west New South Wales and six months later was back on the job. Last year Viv took out the NSW Far West Local Health District Award for Nurse of the Year.

At the same time, the community had rallied to see off talk and plans of closure or amalgamation of their 91-year-old bush nursing centre. Today, there are just 15 bush nursing centres in Victoria.

But the words of Edith Allen in 1936, still ring true about their importance and value to rural communities. “No praise is too high for the pioneer; settlers - both men and women - by whose toil and patience Victoria has been developed from a tiny colony to a great state.

“Fine cities and prosperous townships bear witness to the marvellous progress of a brief century, and visitors from overseas exclaim in amazement at the beauty and charm of Melbourne homes and gardens, the astonishing development of social services, and the efficiency of the shopping centres, where overseas fashions and utilities are on view within a few weeks of their appearance in London or Paris.

“While, however, city dwellers can enjoy all the luxuries and advantages of modern civilisation, there are thousands of people living in the country, who still have to face trials and privations akin to those of their pioneer forbears.

“Little by little city people are beginning to realise their debt to the men and women of the countryside, and within the last 25 years the Victorian Bush Nursing Association, the Country Women’s Association - and later again - the development of aerial medical services and the advent of wireless, have brought new opportunities and a greater security to the families who are building the foundations of a still greater state.

“In 1924 there were six ambulances and three hospitals assisting and extending the work of the centres. The splendid principle of the bush nursing association, whereby districts and individuals are assisted to help themselves, had by this time gained widespread sympathy, and the work of the nurses was attracting admiring comment.

Today’s bush nursing centres are more than a nurse, providing a base for a range of allied health professionals who continue the vision of Lady Dudley to provide local health care

RIGNEY - Robert “Bob”

Passed away peacefully at Bendigo Health

Husband of Veronica (Dec).

Loving Father and Father in Law of Stephen and Tracy, Susan and Ross, Anne and Stuart (Dec), Glenda and Wayne.

Loving Pop of his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Tears in our Eyes will wipe away, But the love in our hearts is there to stay.

Rigney, Robert

14.12.1940 – 02.02.2023

Loving Father of Susan and Father-in-law of Ross

Loving Pop of Kelly, Jessica & Emma

Loving Great Pop of Aria

Loving Friend of Hayden & TJ Allwehavearememories thatwillneverdie

Rigney - Robert (Dad) 2/2/23

Cherished Father of Glenda and Father-In-Law of Wayne.

Loved Pop of Jordan, Tyler and Anthony. We are blessed to have been left wonderful loving memories that we will cherish forever.

At rest with Mum xoxox

Rigney - Robert

Loved brother in law to Aileen and Ian (dec) Morris

Uncle to Shayne , Rachel and Jammie, Karen and family

RIGNEY - Robert (Bob)

Loved brother of Noelene, brother in law of Brian (dec).

Uncle of Lachlan, Evan, Neroli and Grant and their families.

Rest peacefully

Funeral

Meetings

Rigney

A Graveside Service for Mr Robert “Bob” Rigney

Will be held at the Boort Lawn Cemetery on Friday February 24th at 2PM

BEREAVEMENT T h ANKS

The late Lois Pamela Horne

To Donna, Mubarak and the entire staff at Boort District Health, please except my heartfelt gratitude for the kind and loving way you cared for my darling Pam in the 28 months that she was in your care.

Spencer Horne

Meetings

Notice

Monday 27 February 2023 at 5:30pm Inglewood Town Hall 25 Verdon Street Inglewood

Please join us, RSVP essential by Friday 24 February to: Sharon Williams - ea@idhs.vic.gov.au or telephone 03 5431 7000

WANTED

Loddon Shire Council is seeking applications for the following positions from highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic and outcome focused individuals who want to make a di erence and help shape our future.

Tractor Operator – ref.J/203

 Full-time, permanent position

 Loddon Gold elds team, southern end of Shire

 TOCOM – $64,890.28 per annum plus employer superannuation

Applications for the position above will close on Monday 20 th February at 5pm.

For further information, including a detailed position description and details on how to apply, please visit Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Organisation Development Unit on (03) 5494 1200.

Open Access Meeting

WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2023 AT 2PM

BOORT MEMORIAL HALL SUPPER ROOM

Members of the public are asked to email questions to the meeting organiser prior to the event at Kathryn.Velleley@bdh.vic.gov.au

Alternatively, there will be an opportunity to submit questions during the meeting.

Guest speaker: Claire Edwards, Strategic Plan Consultant

For more information please contact Kathryn Velleley on 5451 5204 or email Kathryn.Velleley@bdh.vic.gov.au

2021-2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2023 AT 3PM

BOORT MEMORIAL HALL SUPPER ROOM

Please join us as our Board Chair Wendy Gladman looks back on another extradordinary year at Boort District Health

Including service award presentations and guest speaker Simone O’Brien, Nurse Practioner at Boort District Medical Clinic

Afternoon tea will be available.

Clearing Sale

Clearing Sale

CHARLTON - WOOROONOOK

Friday 3rd March 2023 10.30am

Farm Machinery, Equipment & Sundries

A/C Jeff D Cox

Onsite: 159 Cox’s Road, Wooroonook, Charlton

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT: Cougar Steiger ST 280 Tractor (13064Hrs), 325 HP, 1982 “Snoopy” 3388 Case Tractor (9000Hrs), 2008 Case Puma 140 tractor with Howard Q65 FEL (5750Hrs) FWA, complete with Trimble Ez Pilot auto steer &1050 screen, 1970 Chamberlain MK4 FEL 236 Perkins MTR, 1971 686 International tractor (not going), 2003 Case 2388 exclusive Axial Flow Header with Case 1042 36’ front, 2009 Goldacres Prairie 4500 Ltr Tritech Boom Spray (100 ft) with controller, Ellsworth 12 Wheel V Rake, Goldacres 2000 Ltr 42 ft Boom Spray Shearer 5-160 scari bar (72 tyne), Connor Shea + 8 33 tyne Scarifier with roller Harrows, Simplicity 4500 Ltr Bin/ Howard Bagshaw 31ft seeder bar (41 tyne), New Holland 1431 mower conditioner 13ft, Shearer 33’ Springtyne Fieldspan Cultivator bar, Horwood Bagshaw 42’ Harrows, Leith hydraulic 30’ Pea Plucker, Melway 15’ stubble mulcher, John Berends 6’PTO Slasher, 4 wheel fowler trailer, 28 plate offset disc. Hurschfeld Drain Former, 3PL post hole digger, Hardi 30’ Boom Spray, Roller Bar Hay Rake, Bates portable 800 Ltr fuel tank, 2 X o’head fuel tanks Swingsaw BSA motor, Peerless Air Compressor, 5HP B-S reduction motor.

GRAIN HANDLING & EQUIPMENT: Sherwell 42 ft PTO Auger 9.5”, GBH Grouper 14 ft, 10 ton, with roll over tarp & 6HP motor, 3 X Sherwell 28 ton Field Bins with Augers, Ackland 28 ton Field Bin with Auger, Sherwell 240 bag Field Bin, 20’ 4” Pencil Auger with electric motor, Jachmann portable grain cleaner with 5HP Mitsubishi motor, 1973 2050A Acco Tray Truck with 18’ tipper (Hoist- Not going) & 120 bag bulk bin. 1964 Bedford (44,000 Miles) with 14’ tray (telescopic hoist), silo sprayer, QTY crop lifters. QTY lentil lifters, Bottom Riddle (Case 2388), Cowra stock feeder, Addlem stock feeder, Peerless 240AMP arc welder.

COLLECTABLES & SUNDRY: Sunshine McKay 8’ Header, old bag loader, Dray swivel arms, 2 X Trewella jacks, old grain thrower, leg vice, old heavy duty vice, bag truck, Qty Jute bags, Qty garden tools, roll out irrigation flume, Qty farm gates, tow cable, Harland 6” pump, poly tank (13,500 Ltr), 2 x Lister Shearing Plants, Ajax single box wool press, Hay Caps (25), fire lighter, 6 x electric fence coils & energiser, oversize safety signs, jerry cans, Qty rubber belting, assorted il filters, lamb feeder (5 nip), 2 X RHS steel (8m), water pods, redgum stumps, pellet solid bricks, Polymaster water troughs (2), Qty gal iron & host of sundries.

TERMS Numbers system operating - I.D required. Cash, Cheque payment accepted & EFTPOS available. Light luncheon available.

DIRECTIONS: 159 Cox’s Rd, WOOROONOOK.

Take Donald Rd, 10km turn right onto Cox’s Rd - Follow signs.

FULL DETAILS &PHOTOS www. fpnevins.com.au

92 Brooke Street, Inglewood

Office: 03 5438 3041

Agent: Luke Nevins: 0418 510 166

Agent: Doug Finlay: 0407 927 573

Vendor: Jeff Cox:0409 915 273

THE final round of the home and away season of Upper Loddon junior cricket commenced on Saturday with Bridgewater taking on Kingower and Wedderburn hosting Arnold.

Both away teams have batted themselves into good positions.

Kingower batted after winning the toss and most batsmen were able to spend time at the crease.

Although enjoying a touch of good fortune, Evan McCoy and Jackson Luckman did best scoring 30 and 38 respectively before retiring.

Riley Murphy chipped in with 15 to help Kingower reach three for 153 at stumps.

For Bridgewater, Lewis Lonsdale made the initial breakthrough with Blake Smyth and Harry Kilby also picking up a wicket each.

Xavier Power bowled an economical six-over spell conceding just nine runs.

Ladder leaders Arnold, took first use of the turf wicket at Wedderburn and took full advantage, scoring seven for 222.

All of the top order got among the runs with Flynn Lock and Campbell Hancock registering 50s.

Kale Hewitt keep the runs ticking over contributing 38 with Mitchell Whitton giving good support. The Young Wedderburn team did well to dismiss seven of the Arnold players with Blaz Cramp taking bowling honours with three wickets.

Edwin and Lannon Sellick both claimed their first wickets and Aihen Turner was the other successful bowler.