Shire waits on government aged care announcement

THE FEDERAL Government has completed its process to select new aged care in-home service providers in the Loddon Shire.

Council exits aged care services from July 1 and says an announcement of new providers will be by the Government.

Wellbeing director Wendy Gladman said: “The Commonwealth has completed a process to select new provider/s for the Loddon Shire Council area, which will take over the delivery of services from July 1, 2023.

“Council has been provided with details of the new provider/s only to allow transition to occur.

“We have been embargoed from releasing information on the new provider/s to media outlets.”

Loddon Shire referred Loddon Herald inquries to the Commonwealth Home Support Pro- gramme Policy Team. A response had not been received when this week’s edition went to press.

Mrs Gladman said: “Council is contacting current clients providing information regarding the transition and the service provider/s that will be operating in their area, and will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth Government and the new provider/s to support community members to transition to an alternative provider.

“The timing on public notification of new provider/s sits with the Commonwealth. We await their advice on this matter,” she said.

The Loddon Herald understands that at least three providers have been selected by the Federal Government.

Council is currently advertising for an aged care navigation co-ordinator to support residents and carers navigate the Commonwealth aged care system and the Victorian Home and Community Care Program for Younger People.

Mrs Gladman said: “This position will also co-ordinate and support the community care team to transition clients to new service providers, and will provide positive ageing specific support to the Inclusive Communities program, as time permits.”

Councillors last November voted to stop delivering home support program services, home and community care program for younger people services and veterans’ home care services.

Loddon Shire’s move followed other councils in country Victoria opting out of home services after Federal Government reforms to in-home aged care services.

Bank inquiry submissions close tomorrow

PYRAMID Hill Neighbourhood House co-ordinator

Kim Bennett is assisting residents make submissions to the federal inquiry on bank closures in regional Australia.

The Senate standing committee on rural and regional affairs will bring down its report in December after considering submissions that will be received until tomorrow.

Ms Bennett said the inquiry was important and relevant for the town after Bendigo Bank’s decision to close its Pyramid Hill agency from July 20.

She is assisting residents requesting help to write a submission or lodge it on the Parliament’s online platform. Committee members are looking at the branch closure process, including the reasons given for closures; the economic and welfare impacts of bank closures on customers and regional communities and the effect of bank closures or the removal of face-to-face cash services on access to cash

Some banks had agreed to pause bank closures during the inquiry period, however, agencies were not part of that undertaking.

The inquiry is also looking at the effectiveness of government banking statistics capturing and reporting regional service levels and possible solutions for banking services in rural areas.

Gary makes return visit checking out old town

GARY Storti made a sentimental return to Korong Vale over the Easter break.

The former railway signalman and guard had been in the Vale when it was a hive of train activity.

Closure of the railways in the 1980s, saw Gary move away from the town and family, initially to Maryborough and eventually retirement in Coloundra, on Queensland’s

Sunshine Coast. Gary spent several days catching up with family, including the Matthews family.

He said the Easter visit was his first back to the area in more than three years after COVID had scuttled earlier plans. While in town, Gary was an eager donor to Korong Vale Fire Brigade volunteers collecting for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal.