GATEWAY Health in partnership with Women’s Health Goulburn North East recently hosted seminars challenging the wisdom linking body weight with health.
The seminars took place in both Wodonga and Wangaratta on October 23 and 24 respectively and featured Australian advanced dietician Dr Fiona Willer, who is on a mission to empower health professionals to adopt weight neutral practices.
The seminar looked at the principles and benefits of a size-inclusive framework in healthcare and aim to dismantle the outdated “food police” perception of dietitians and was complemented by a workshop led by the Health promotion Team at Better Health Network on the Toward Size Inclusive Resource tailored for health promotion professionals.
This was Dr Willer’s second time visiting the North East in 10 years and she said it’s great to see that weight neutral health has been of interest in the area for so long.
“There is quite an active weight inclusive practitioner community in North East Victoria, so it has been on the map and I was very happy to be back,” she said.
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branches are
Managing arthritis in your pets
with Amy Brown Wangaratta Vet Clinic
AS your pet matures and gets into their senior years (above eight years of age), we start to notice the impact aging has, in particular the effects of arthritis.
Knowing the signs to look for means these can be brought to your vet’s attention early, ensuring your pet has the best chance at a comfortable retirement.
Many people with arthritic pets see changes including slowing down on walks, not able to jump with as much enthusiasm, stiff legs etc and attribute this to ‘getting old’.
All these signs can be related to osteoarthritis and are caused by the cartilage in the joint wearing down over time.
Diagnosis from your vet can be made by feeling and moving the joints to identify areas of crepitus (a grating feeling when things don’t slide smoothly), reduced range of motion and swelling or pain.
In some cases, x-rays may be needed to show underlying changes in the joint that are not visible from the outside. Unfortunately, we cannot cure osteoarthritis, however we can manage the pain and discomfort associated.
There are a variety of treatment options ranging from natural supplements and changes in diet in mild
VET CORNER
cases, to injections and oral medications in more moderate to severe cases.
With advances and research in veterinary medicine, we now have more options available for pain relief for our pets.
Therapies such as CBD (cannabis) oil, acupuncture, physio and joint injections are amongst some of the additional therapies that may be utilised to provide pain relief for your pet.
Every pet will respond differently to different osteoarthritis therapies, so it is a matter of having your vet assess your pet to decide which treatment option is best.
Dogs and cats age faster than we realise.
One year is equivalent to five to seven dog years, and it’s up to us to make sure that they get the chance to age gracefully so they can enjoy a long and happy life with you.
This Day in History, 1865
INAUGURAL HANGING
THE first hanging took place the Beechworth Gaol on this day in 1865.
The victim was Patrick Sheehan who was condemned to death for the murder of a publican, James Kennedy, at Rowdy Flat, Yackandandah.
A fair crowd assembled at the gaol to watch.
THE fish are biting.
We have reached that time of the year where just about everything is biting.
Some places are fishing better than others though.
I have finally had good reports of yellowbelly being caught in Lake Nillahcootie.
One report was of quite a few decent sized yellowbelly being caught off the bank on worms, the other was of yellowbelly being caught amongst the standing timber at the top of the lake, using lipless Crankbait lures.
While we’re at Lake Nillahcootie, there have also been a few Murray cod caught there over the past week - both on trolled lures and some on bait.
Remember, Lake Nillahcootie is now a year round Murray cod fishery - it no longer has a closed season, just like lake Eildon.
I fished the lower Ovens River one evening last week, and all I caught was a big carp.
The week before my daughter Holly and I caught two nice yellowbelly and a Murray cod in that exact same spot.
When we fished the first time the water was rising ahead of the flush, and by the time I went back it had dropped considerably.
The lesson here is that fishing ahead of the flush seems to be better.
In any case, I caught fish on both trips and I’m sure that once the river level stops fluctuating the yellowbelly will start to bite again.
◆ ARTHRITIS TREATMENT: Nurse Peta performing physio on Buddy the dog.
◆ MUD MARLIN: A 68cm long carp caught in the lower Ovens River last week.
with Rob Alexander WANGARATTA W
Unplug, and spark the imagination
ENJOYING old-school fun, without the need for a screen, is the theme of two children’s books which are the focus of our giveaway this week.
Thanks to publisher Allen & Unwin, we have a copy of ‘When the Lights Went Out’, written by Lian Tanner and illustrated by Jonathan Bentley, and a copy of Herve Tullet’s ‘Dot! Scribble! Go!’ to give away to one lucky reader.
Both are great examples of how families can spend time together exploring the world around them and nurturing youngsters’ creativity.
One of the most endearing picture books released this year, ‘When the Lights Went Out’ was inspired by the moments of kindness and connection that came about during the fear and uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Amid the spring/summer storm season, it’s also a timely read, telling the story
as it does through the eyes of a toddler who’s “snug and cosy in the kitchen” at home with his mum and dad when “suddenly, SNAP, the lights went out and the dark came flooding in around us”.
It can be read both as a literal tale of parents helping their child feel safe in an unusual and somewhat frightening situation, and as a story representing what people of all ages felt and how they
reacted when the world was closed down during the pandemic.
It also speaks to the fun that can be found when a family unplugs and has the chance to soak up its surrounds and the special people close by.
Bentley’s charming illustrations of the family’s home and the street outside are a real highlight of ‘When the Lights Went Out’, which
will almost have youngsters wishing for a blackout.
Meanwhile, Herve Tullet - the bestselling creator of ‘Press Here’ and ‘Mix it Up!’ - invites readers of all ages to join in the fun and endless creative possibilities of dots, lines and scribbles in ‘Dot! Scribble! Go!’.
Step by step, he uses dots, lines and scribbles to open up a whole world of drawing.
Could the scribble become a flower…a bird…a rocket…a car? Anything is possibleall that’s needed is a magic hand, some colours on a palette, and a little imagination.
Herve says the book caters to an important part of children’s growth and development: “Children need to
play. It’s their job. It’s a fact. My job is to make kids play.”
Since publishing his first children’s book in 1994, Herve has devoted himself to illustrating and painting, and is a great lover of children’s literature.
This book is bound to inspire youngsters to consider how they can turn simple dots, lines, smudges and scribbles into works of art, and to feel the magic of possibility reverberating through the pages.
Imagination is such a vital element of life which has applications not just in art but across all dimensions - and it sometimes just needs a nudge to be reactivated.
With words of encour-
agement added throughout ‘Dot! Scribble! Go!’, such as ‘Go for it!’, ‘What a wonderful collection of scribbles!’ and ‘Bravo, bravo!’, this is a kindling place for the young imagination.
Just make sure you’re armed with plenty of drawing paper, coloured crayons, pencils and textas after readers have dipped their toes in the waters of this book.
* If you’d like to win a copy of ‘When the Lights Went Out’ by Liann Tanner and Jonathan Bentley and ‘Dot! Scribble! Go!’ by Herve Tullet (both RRP $24.99, Allen & Unwin), email skerwin@ nemedia.com.au to tell us why you’d love to be in the running.
◆ BRINGING THE LIGHT: ‘When the Lights Went Out’ by Liann Tanner and Jonathan Bentley is part of our book giveaway pack this week.
with Simone Kerwin NORTH EAST MEDIA
◆ DRAWING INSPIRATION: Herve Tullet’s ‘Dot! Scribble! Go!’ is a kindling place for the young imagination.
NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight. 6.00 Morning Programs. 1.40 Motherboard. 2.05 Dark Side Of The ‘90s. 3.00 The Pizza Show. 3.25 Kickin’ Back. 4.00 WorldWatch. 5.55
7.05
8.30
8
10.50
10.05
11.55 Hong Kong’s Fight For Freedom. 12.55 Motherboard. 1.25 F*ck, That’s Delicious. 1.55 Late Programs. 6.00 News. 9.00 News. 12.00 News. 1.00 ABC News Day. 3.00
Challenging weight based care
■ From page 1
“Both Gateway Health and Women’s Health Goulburn North East are fabulously energetic in this area as well, they’ve got a real focus on inclusion and diversity.”
Dr Willer became passionate about weight neutral healthcare after she started practicing as a dietician 20 years ago in a hospital setting, where she experienced first-hand the impact that weight-based care had on the patients.
“I started learning about size inclusive or weight neutral practices in dietetics which really took what we were seeing in the clinic room where people had a lot of motivation to lose weight, but there tended to be weight gain after the initial weight loss,” she said.
According to Dr Willer, there are many inequities in the areas of health and wellbeing regarding weight and it’s up to health care practitioners to examine the way they think about the link between body weight and health.
“It’s important to keep the way we think about body weight in its place within the context of someone’s much more complicated life,” she said.
“Body weight is really the least interesting thing about a person when they walk through a clinic door.”
Dr Willer said the easiest way for practitioners to know if they are practicing weight neutral health care is through asking themselves if they would give the same advice to people regardless of their
weight or body mass.
“If you’re giving different advice, ask yourself why, because there’s often weight stigma involved in that decisional balance,” she said.
Dr Weller said size inclusive care is important as her research shows the recommendation of weight loss can often have psychological effects on the patient and can have very diminishing return.
“Now we have a lot more understanding on how all of these things go together and the proposition that weight loss will deliver x y and z is really not as strong as we believe in the broader society, we need everyone to know better,” she said.
Dr Willer said she hopes those who attended the seminars in Wangaratta and Wodonga walked away with
a sense of renewed energy around health enhancement and learnt new strategies to take care of their own and patients’ health.
The seminar also included a panel of local experts, including psychologists, dietitians, youth workers, health promotion officers and individuals with lived experience who also shared their insights and practical strategies for promoting health at every size in their respective fields.
For those looking for healthcare practitioners who practice weight inclusive care, Dr Willer suggests visiting https://www.sizeinclusivehealth.org.au/.
Dr Willer also encourages people struggling with the eating patterns or body image to touch base with their GP.
◆ NEW STRATEGIES: Dr Fiona Willer became passionate about weight neutral healthcare practices around 20 years ago.
NorthEast JOBS
Important Notice
Discrimination in Advertising is Unlawful
HC CRANE TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED
$39 per hour + overtime
We are recruiting experienced truck drivers with Heavy Combination (HC) licence and crane operators’ (CV) licence to join our ever-growing team.
Based in Wangaratta, Victoria we travel daily throughout Victoria (including Metropolitan Melbourne) and southern NSW. Delivering loads of wall frames, floor & roof trusses and unloading with crane upon arrival. The successful applicant must be able to work unsupervised, have excellent communication skills, be reliable, trustworthy, possess a positive can-do attitude and pass a full medical assessment, including drug and alcohol test.
Modern fleet of well maintained vehicles.
Position is Full Time Monday – Friday.
To apply please forward resumes to neville@alpinetruss.com.au or call 03 5721 6000
The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or activity, industrial activity, parental or career status, physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/ sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception or granted an exception under the Act. As we could be legally liable if we print an unlawful advertisement we will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisor, the Equal Opportunities Commission on 1800 134 142.
on how to apply.
GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE
The following opportunities now exist for enthusiastic, safety focused people with suitable experience and qualifications. Please visit our website to find out more about current positions available across Mawsons business divisions.
Publications, Communications & Reception Officer
We require a fulltime Publications and Communications Officer covering all aspects of College publications, print and online media, social media and website maintenance. The successful applicant will also assist in administration, including maintaining family and student records, census, and providing reception support for busy periods and absences.
We offer an attractive salary in line with experience.
For a position description and in order to apply, please scan the QR code below or visit https://careers.ceosand.catholic.edu.au/ jobs/search and search the job number below. Please include a cover letter that addresses the key selection criteria.
For more information, please contact the Business Manager on (03) 5752 1596.
Marian College is a Catholic secondary school, serving the Myrtleford and Alpine Valley regions of Victoria’s North East. The College enjoys close partnerships with St Mary’s Primary School and St Mary’s Parish.
Job number 492703
Applications close Monday 11th November
CES Limited embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply. We are committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children.
Your local Wangaratta Chronicle has brought together local employers and local employees for generations ...and it is no different today. People
INDIGO
Boosting family health and wellbeing - Thrive Together
HEALTH is one of the greatest gifts we can give our families and Thrive Together was created with that in mind.
This program isn’t just a series of classes or quick tips–it’s a journey toward a deeper understanding of what it means for families to thrive in every sense.
The approach is holistic, emphasizing small, achievable steps that make a big difference in day-to-day family life.
At the heart of Thrive Together is the belief that health doesn’t need to be complicated.
The program begins with simplifying family nutrition, helping parents put together meals that are not only healthy but also fit seamlessly into busy schedules.
These are practical tools that meet families where they are, showing that eating well doesn’t need to mean spending hours in the kitchen.
Beyond just food, Thrive Together offers a toolkit for everyday wellness.
This includes learning about natural remedies to handle common illnesses and knowing how to support the immune system naturally.
The program values selfsufficiency and encourages parents to feel confident in addressing small health challenges as they arise.
A vital aspect of family wellness is the home environment and Thrive Together dedicates time to creating spaces that foster health.
From detoxing household
products to cultivating mindful screen-time habits, the program helps families build a nurturing, balanced atmosphere where children and adults alike can flourish.
By focusing on these areas, Thrive Together encourages families to approach well-being not only as individuals but as a unit.
It is also important to acknowledge the small victories along the way and building on them for long-term wellness.
Thrive Together is about creating a meaningful shift in family dynamics and embracing a lifestyle of shared health goals, resilience, and joy.
Ultimately, the essence of Thrive Together is about equipping families to live healthier, more connected lives in ways that feel accessible and sustainable.
Six simple tips to boost family health with Thrive Together
1. Simplify Family Nutrition: Make healthy meals stress-free by focusing on quick, nutritious recipes that everyone enjoys. A few easy ingredients can go a long way.
2. Embrace Natural Remedies: Stock up on basic, natural remedies for common ailments like coughs or cuts. Knowing what to use when builds confidence and keeps minor illnesses at bay.
3. Detox Your Home: Swap out harsh chemicals for natural cleaning products. Creating a toxin-free space can make a big difference for your family’s overall wellness.
4. Prioritize Sleep Routines: Set consistent, calming bedtime routines for both kids and adults. Restful sleep is foundational to thriving each day.
5. Mind Screen Time: Balance tech use by scheduling offline activities together.
6. Encourage family bonding and promote mental wellbeing with quality, tech-free time.
Each of these small steps contributes to a healthier, happier home life.
To find out more about the Thrive Together program contact Christos Miliankos on (03) 5798 3344 or christosmili@ yahoo.com.
Power of Attorney: Why it’s just as important as your Will
MOST of us understand the importance of having a Will, but many overlook the crucial role of Powers of Attorney (POAs) in their estate planning.
Whilst a Will deals with your affairs after death, your POAs ensure your interests are protected during your lifetime, particularly if you lose capacity to make decisions.
In Victoria, there are typically two essential types to consider (among others): the Enduring Power of Attorney (financial and personal) and the Medical Treatment Decision Maker.
Understanding financial and personal enduring Powers of Attorney
Think of this as your financial and lifestyle insurance policy.
This POA allows you to appoint someone to make financial and personal decisions on your behalf.
Financial decisions might include managing your bank accounts, paying bills, selling property, or handling your business affairs in limited cases.
Personal decisions cover your lifestyle choices, such as where you live and what services you receive.
Medical treatment decision maker: Your voice in healthcare A medical decision maker is
a role that is crucial for healthcare decisions when you cannot make them yourself.
Your medical treatment decision maker becomes your voice, working with healthcare providers to make decisions based on your known preferences and values.
Practical considerations for both POAs
Setting up your POAs isn’t complicated, but it requires attention to detail.
Both types must be properly drafted and correctly witnessed, and your attorneys must understand their responsibilities.
They have legal obligations to:
• Act in your best interests;
• Keep accurate records;
• Avoid conflicts of interest;
• Make decisions in consultation with you when possible;
• Respect your wishes.
Taking action
If you haven’t got your POAs in place, here’s what you need to do:
1. Consider who you trust to make decisions for you.
2. Discuss your wishes with your chosen attorneys.
3. Seek legal advice to ensure documents are properly prepared.
4. Ensure your family knows about your appointments.
5. Store documents safely and provide copies to relevant parties.
Remember, capacity can be lost gradually or suddenly through accident or illness.
Once capacity is lost, it’s too late to make POAs.
This isn’t just planning for old age - everyone over 18 should consider having these documents in place.
The next step
Speak with your lawyer about preparing both types of POA.
They can ensure the documents are properly prepared and witnessed and provide advice about choosing appropriate attorneys.
Most importantly, they can help you understand the scope of powers you’re granting and how to build in appropriate safeguards.
ESTATE PLANNING: It is important to consider the role of Power of Attorney when planning your estate.
◆ THRIVE TOGETHER: Christos Miliankos and the team at North East Naturopathy created Thrive Together with families in mind.
