10
10
News
We’re locals, supporting locals Keeping the local dollar here!
Broadband for seniors
Cooma-Monaro Shire Council is urging local organisations that support seniors to apply for a free ‘Broadband for Seniors Kiosk’ to help older people get connected online. Council’s general manager, John Vucic said the Australian Government had committed $15 million for the provision of 2000 internet kiosks to organisations that supported seniors and who sought to host a kiosk in their venue. “Community groups, such as seniors clubs, libraries, neighbourhood centres and aged care facilities can apply for a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk. The aim of the project is to help older people gain confidence using computer technology, and to build community participation and social inclusion amongst older Australians,” John Vucic said. Successful applicants receive two desktop computers, internet access, two computer desks, three computer chairs, training material and support from NEC Australia and its consortium partners Audit Learning Australia, Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association and the University of the Third Age Online. The supply of the computers and internet connectivity is free and after June 30 next year, the computers
KEEP WARM THIS WINTER WITH GREAT FASHIONS
FROM AUSTRALIA’S ONLY
BELLISSIMA CLEARANCE CENTRE · Skivvies · Singlets · Tights · Leggins · Socks · Undies Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Sat 10am-1pm 69-71 Sharp St Cooma (Opposite Toyota)
$1000 Photographic Prize - Call for entries The 2010 Polo Red Photographic Prize will be held in August this year for amateur photographers. 40 finalists will be selected by Katie Kolenbery from the entries. The winner will be chosen by community vote. One voter will win a bottle of 1997 Penfold’s Grange. See the website for entry conditions or call into the Gallery.
Polo Red Gallery 13 Wangie Street, Cooma 0425 201 410 www.polored.com.au
Giveaways
f o y r t Minis nd Sou
@ the Station July 24th -9pm
The Snowy River Shire Council would like to advise all local businesses that footpaths must remain clear and accessible at all times. Items on footpaths, inclusive of signage, tables, chairs, umbrellas, sale racks etc, must not in any way impede pedestrian pathways. This helps to ensure continued pedestrian comfort and safety, as well as maintaining a tidy appearance in our towns and villages. Council asks that businesses consider pedestrians including parents with prams, pet owners, and persons of all ages and abilities when setting up footpath displays. Any items interfering with pedestrian access or posing a safety risk (i.e., improperly secured items; trip hazards etc) can be removed by an authorised Council compliance officer. At this time Council is drafting a policy related to footpath
From P3... But there is a need for more facilties for the renal unit. Barbara Scanes told the meeting the patients using the renal unit need a “buddy” to be with them during their treatment, whether that be for a couple of hours or eight She said unfortunately the volunteers just aren’t available and the unit desperately needs nursing staff to assist. But the committee has been told there is no funding available for a renal nurse. At the same time, at least one renal patient travels to Canberra every second day for dialysis – if the renal car which was provided by the State Government two years ago is available, that patient can travel in that, but if that car is not available, then a taxi is sent from Queanbeyan to Cooma to collect the patient and after treatment, a taxi transports the patient back to Cooma – the cost of this travel is $200/day, or $800/week. Mrs Skinner said these costs, plus the costs of running the renal car, would cover the cost of employing a renal nurse. The meeting was told a renal nurse who lives in the area is now travelling to Canberra to work each day, but would prefer to be able to work at Cooma Hospital. The meeting also discussed the situation at Jindabyne, where a HealthOne facility which was proposed to be established has not eventuated. Mrs Skinner asked Jindabyne resident Robert Thomas his opinion of the situation. Mr Thomas said Jinadabyne faced an urgent situation – with no after-hours services available.
LTPM/10/00158
Mr Thomas said the medical centre in Jindabyne did a great job, but he said if there was a major emergency, there was no triage, no emergency accommodation and no after hours service on site to deal wth it. Mr Thomas said the $100,000 spent on consultation over HealthOne had just been a waste of money. He suggested Jindabyne needed, at the very least, a situation like the Delegate MPS. NSW Liberals & Nationals ‘Making It Work’ health policy: 1. replace Labor’s huge and out-of-touch Area Health Services with smaller Health Districts; 2. appoint Boards to the Health Districts and make them accountable to the communities they serve; 3. restore the decision-making power of Hospital General Managers and give authority back to expert clinicians; 4. further develop clinical networks that link medical experts across the system; 5. appoint a qualified medical practitioner as Executive Clinical Director in each Health District; and 6. publish information about health service management including Budget allocations, the capacity of an institution to undertake treatments and patient care outcomes through an independent Information Bureau. There is consensus between most health stakeholders, including the Federal Government, that the NSW health system needs a flatter and more locally focused management structure that better utilises the expertise of medical practitioners, nurses and other health care professionals.
LP GAS DIRECT FIRED · HEATERS & DRYERS
· 32,00 BTUs · 300m3/h airflow · 0.66 kg/h · 240 Volt · Weight 7kg · 300 c/m Heating Area
Simply fill in the details below and send to THE MONARO POST
and road reserve trading. This policy may require businesses to enter into licensing agreements to place promotional items on footpaths, including tables, chairs, umbrellas, screens, display goods, planter boxes, and some signage. Any structures must be safe and of good appearance. Please note that flags, banners, and other types of advertising signage may already require development approval. For more information contact Council’s town planning unit at the Jindabyne Council Office on Gippsland St., or on 02 6451 1550. Any further questions can be directed to Council’s compliance coordinator Wendy Nixon on 02 6451 1195.
Health roundtable in town
1 x Double Pass PRO UDLY 1 x Sessions 7 Triple CD AUST 1 x Ministry of Sound RALI LP GAS AN M I-Phone Cover OR DIESEL ADE HEATERS & DRYERS Name: Phone:
become the property of the hosting community organisation. Information on seniors’ activities, email, nursing homes and retirement villages, libraries, sporting and social clubs, as well as a host of other useful information to improve quality of life for older Australians, is able to be accessed via the kiosks. According to the World Internet Project 2008 report, 70 percent of Australians aged over 64 don’t use the internet. “Many older people are missing out on a plethora of resources and opportunities to communicate and connect to communities online – something that has been shown to enrich lives,” John Vucic said. “I believe the Australian Government’s Broadband for Seniors Initiative will help alleviate seniors’ feelings of social isolation and being ‘left behind’ in a technological age. I encourage local groups that serve older people to get behind the project and support their local citizens.” For more information or to apply for a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk visit www.necseniors.net.au or contact NEC Australia on 1300 795 897.
Pedestrian access important Clearance & Showroom
CALZE & SEAMLESS
Wednesday July 21, 2010
J8*
J15*
$395.00 inc.
$295.00 inc.
C OOMA P OWER E QUIPMENT
· 60,00 BTUs · 500m3/h airflow · 1.25 kg/h · 240 Volt · Weight 8kg · 500 c/m Heating Area 69 Commissioner Street, Cooma NSW 2630 P: 6452 2622 F: 6452 2633 E: sales@coomapower.com
IT’S STACKED OUR WAY It makes sense to advertise with your local independent newspaper. With wider coverage to reach a larger audience, now’s the time to advertise. Contact our friendly sales team on 6452 0313