2022
Incorporating
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Phone: (03) 5775 2115
BANK’S BIG IMPACT
RICK'S OUTBACK TRIP
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WOMEN’S SEASON CELEBRATED
Pages 32-33
THE COMMUNITY SPEAKS THIS is what 7772 signatures looks like. Dr Emily Dirksen, Mayor Cr Steve Rabie and nurse unit manager Sarah Lieber expressed their pride in the community’s strong show of support, with signatures from across the region leaving no doubt of the shire’s sentiment to the state government’s proposed Health Services Plan. It’s a no to hospital amalgamations. PHOTO: Emma Oliver
It’s time to talk Hospital p p petition with over seven thousand signatures g to be tabled in p parliament
RAIN failed to dampen the occasion last Thursday, as Peter Howarth life governor of the Mansfield District Hospital handed over Mansfield’s petition to local member of parliament Cindy McLeish. It was a weighty document, hundreds of pages in volume bearing a total of 7772 signatures, all in opposition to the
BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au
state’s Health Services Plan and threatened hospital amalgamations. Ms McLeish commended the community on such an outstanding effort, with Mr Howarth citing the sheer number of signatures from
a population of 10,000 demonstrated overwhelming community support to keep the local hospital under local management. Receiving the petition on July 25, Ms McLeish confirmed she would present it to parliament on Monday July 29 with the petition expected to be tabled on Thursday. “Alexandra and Yea have
already presented their own petitions with Alexandra recording over 3000 signatures and Yea in excess of 4,500,” Ms McLeish said. “They have been handed to parliament and will also be tabled this week.” Yet despite documented community concern, neither local doctors nor the Mansfield District Hospital board and CEO are any closer
to brokering an in-person meeting with the Department of Health and Minister Thomas, as negotiations hit a veritable stalemate. The state government asserts that efforts have been made to organise a meeting with local representatives, and whilst both the doctors and the hospital do not refute this statement, they also
clarified the invitation had not been directed to designated spokespeople. The invitation as a result was respectfully declined, with the group believing it would be more worthwhile for the minister to meet with the board chair, the hospital CEO and select healthcare professionals for an informed perspective. ■ Continued page 2
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