Real estate opens doors
(Above) True to his promise: Andrew Gee MP held a coffee meeting for floodaffected community members at Molong's Lime & Stone to introduce Stephen Jones, Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer. The Minister was concerned about the problem residents have with their insurance companies.
Inquiry shines light on 'shocking' insurance for disaster-hit communities
The Independent Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, has welcomed the announcement that the federal government will launch a parliamentary inquiry into the response of insurers to the 2022 storm and flood events including those that occurred in Central Western NSW. "Since this disaster-hit our region, we have heard many stories of heartache and heartbreak from local residents and business people who have had their homes and livelihoods destroyed," said Mr Gee. Mr Gee said the rebuilding and recovery process was made harder, and tragedy worse, by the "coldhearted and shocking response" of insurers to policyholders. "The anger in our communities is white hot, and I don't think we are alone, with other regions across Australia left reeling from the callous conduct of insurance companies," he said. "From long delays in claims processing, to widespread knockbacks. It’s taken a huge toll cross our region. Mr Gee said there was a massive power imbalance between policy holders and insurance companies. "At the end of the day, if a policy holder wants to fight a knockback from an insurer, they’re going to need to fork out big dollars for an expert hydrology report and also a solicitor," he said.
ABOVE: The team from Peter Fisher Real Estate, Molong branch opened its doors this week in their newly renovated Bank Street office. Celebrating in true Aussie style with a street sausage sizzle. LEFT: Building owners Maria and Barry Allen have spent the past few months refurbishing the main street building. Thank you for bringing new life to one of Molong's oldest buildings.
"If you’ve lost everything or your business is in ruins, there is just no prospect of fighting back. "The stories of insurers trying to do the right thing are sadly few and far between. Australians expect insurers to be assessing claims in a generous and kind-hearted way, nothing less. Mr Gee stressed that insurance companies Connecting don't just answer to shareholders, but also the Community the nation. He said they don't just have since insurance contracts with our residents, 1876 they also operate with a social licence. A few months ago way in which a number THURSDAY 2 March 2023 Ph: (02) 6366 8017 inc gst "We need to get to the bottom of what's Andrew Gee MP used of $2.00 Email: molongex@bigpond.net.au www.molongexpress.com.au insurance companies Magpies happened hereWomen's and make sure the pain Question Time in Federal handling holders claims. that insurance companies inflicted on Parliament launch forto provide The Albanese cricket communities is not repeated in others. information to the Government reacted 2023 "I’m hoping that this15inquiry can shine Albanese Page 8 Government - and last week the Page a spotlight on the experience of our local about the problems Minister for Financial residents and that they will get a chance being experienced by Services and Assistant to tell their stories on a national stage so communities after the Treasurer made the that other communities won’t have to go 13/14 November 2022 journey to this area to see through what we have endured. floods throughout his the toll of the floods on "The stories that emerged from recent electorate. the people, communities, public meetings I’ve held on insurance It was a to-the-point infrastructure and mental claims have been deeply troubling. presentation Andrew health. Mr Gee said he was hoping that this made in Question Time "Change needs to inquiry would be a "watershed moment" in where he described the come from this immense the way that insurers deal with disaster-hit extent of the damage tragedy and devastation," The chosen design for the Molong CBD Activation Project. policy holders. above ground...chaos continuing underground. to towns, Beauty villages and said Andrew as he toured How does this create a better, safer place for the extended community? "Change needs to come from this tragedy farming lands. And, also the area with Minister Most will agree that Molong's CBD needs a planning outcomes, and visionary outcomes and major flooding and the enormous and devastation," he said. concerns about the Stephen Jones. 'facelift' - a beautification program and the for the further his development of Molong. expense created by stormwater running down
Opinion
AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ADVERTISER
Calls to fix aged infrastructure before CBD beautification
improvement of pedestrian and vehicle safety aspects will be most welcomed. The good news is that Cabonne Council is on the case with a Government-funded program providing significant dollars so that Council can deliver the Molong CBD Activation Project - very soon. The project has been 'on the drawing board', so to speak, for at least two years with consultants working with Council to conduct community consultation, achieve design and
That same night Minister Jones made a media statement that he would be recommending an inquiry to shine a spotlight on shocking insurance practices in disaster-hit communities. Thank you immensely to Andrew for your committment and loyalty to the lives of residents of this area. As usual - and wherever he can - our hardworking Federal Member stands and works for his people and achieves for us. Good on you, Andrew.
It's 'step-back' time for Cecily Brazier RN
Well, that was prior to the minor storm/ major flooding events which occurred in the CBD during the La Nina 2021/22. The downpour created stormwater runoff throughout town ... and in turn, what became a regular flooding of shops, hotels and businesses in the lower areas of Bank and Watson Streets. Traders, business owners, building owners, and the wider community are, understandably, 'over' the now constant clean-up of minor
the overflowing gutters, into overflowing stormwater drains - which were designed for yesterday's weather patterns and not for what we now know as La Nina events - and climate change. The Express is keen to see the implementation of a major works program focussed on the needs of surface-water collection and disposal of as a critical pre-works program before the Molong CBD Activation Project commences. What do readers think?
Molong on behalf of local Country footy vital toThe kick off Express, Wallaby careers
and district residents, liketo beto It's not would unusual for wallabies seen send at Molong’s Rec, but more than 60 footy hopefuls gathered to see last week in the hope of following their our best wishes to three theof them hardworking friend footsteps to success. Ex-Wallabies stars, Molong’s David Lyons, and we all have at HealthOne and the Molong teammates, Stirling Mortlock and Owen Finegan shared their secrets to success with young union players at a Hospital. clinic organised by Molong Magpies. They know only too well that the future of Australian rugby starts with clubs like – with every single Cecily Brazier has made aMolong difference young player at the clinic having the potential to play for country one day. to the life of manyAtheir over generations of lot of players who came through the ranks to Wallaby status were from country venues according resident’s health needs. to Mortlock, who has seen it first-hand in his 500-test point career. “The thing about our game50 is that’syears, it’s all about Contributing a remarkable community,” he said. you go to country clubs forbeen rugby, you can see or five decades, the“When Cecily has a fabric and backbone of community. shining light in the lives who Continuedof Pageresidents 8 Photo Courtesy Tracey Harvey Photography have found their way into her capable hands - and experienced well-trained professional practices supporting Molong and district's longtime 'friend' and nursing professional - Cecily Brazier healthcare needs. - has decided to take a step back after 50 years working in health in Molong. Modest to the core - Cecily has always been a well-liked country girl who grew up on her family's property on the outskirts of become exceptionally good and Thank you from Cecily Brazier Molong. "To the very special patients, medical so much credit for these facilities must Heading off to Kincoppal, Rose Bay, as professionals and all staff with whom go to Doctor Robin Williams who has a boarder at seven years of age, Cecily I have worked with over my 50 years been relentless in securing the best spent her school years in Sydney heading medical care for our area - the HealthOne working in health in Molong. back home during school holidays. multipurpose facility in Bank Street. I thank you for your loyalty, respect and A career in nursing was at the forefront As Abraham Lincoln once said: 'And, in friendship as it is now time to step away of the young student’s mind. After from a profession in which I have loved the end it's not the years in your life that graduating with her RN, Cecily continued count, it's the life in your years.' working. working and studying in the health sector I hope in some small way I have made During my time working in health including gaining a post graduate degree in Molong, the medical facilities have a difference". in infant welfare.
As the saying goes - it’s hard to take the country out of one’s soul. Cecily married Warwick Brazier and returned to Molong to a life on the Brazier's grazing property, motherhood (raising three sons), and devotion to her career at the Molong Hospital and then in pathology. The good news is that we will still be seeing Cecily from time to time as she continues to work within and support local health needs at the Molong Hospital and HealthOne. Otherwise, golf is high on Cecily’s agenda - time in her garden - and time with her eight grandchildren. Again, the Molong Express, on behalf of local and district residents would like to thank Cecily for her committment and the respect she has shown to us all in her local health support roles and care. She is a good, unassuming woman, who is loved and trusted by so many patients, her health colleagues, the wider Cabonne communities, friends and family. Cecily has, indeed, made a difference - a BIG one.
MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 27 July 2023
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