| starcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 10 December, 2013 Page 3
No snap decisions By NICOLE VALICEK PEOPLE in Hobsons Bay are being asked to think before they jump or dive from piers and jetties this summer with the risk of life-changing consequences. Nazim Erdem was 20-years-old when he dived off an Elwood pier into shallow water in an effort to impress some nearby girls. The dive resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury and left Nazim a quadriplegic for life. “It was just a bit of fun with my mates but it’s changed my life forever. You’re aware that there are risks in life
but I never thought jumping off a pier would result in an injury like this,� Nazim said. After he jumped off the pier and hit the bottom, he realised that he could not move his whole body which meant he could not resurface. Luckily he had been taught to hold his breath under water for up to three minutes. “My mates thought I was mucking around so I was under water for nearly two and a half minutes before they realised something was wrong.� Prior to his accident Nazim played Australian Rules Football and was an amateur boxer.
Following his accident, Nazim took up wheelchair rugby and competed successfully as a member of the Australian team including winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics. Each year there are 350-400 new cases of spinal cord injuries reported and nine per cent of these are caused by water-related accidents. Males aged 15-35 years are at the highest risk of acquiring a spinal cord injury, yet the most common causes of these - water/diving related activities and road accidents - are preventable. Parks Victoria in conjunction with
Independence Australia are reminding Victorians to think before they jump or dive from piers and jetties this summer to minimise the risk of spinal cord injury. Parks Victoria district chief ranger, Graeme Davis said it is an extremely dangerous practice with the conditions at Altona Pier, for example, changing quite dramatically. “The conditions are constantly changing and the consequences of jumping from a pier could result in a serious injury that will change your life forever.�
Celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss By NICOLE VALICEK A COUPLE who met by chance at a hamburger shop will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this week. The Bedellas, of Brooklyn, will celebrate six decades of marriage on Thursday. Donald and Lorraine were married at St Andrews Church in Footscray on 12 December, 1953. The family will toast their diamond anniversary at a special function organised by their four daughters Donna, Linda, Vicki and Julie. The Bedellas met at a local hamburger hang out in Footscray. Donald, who rode a motorbike, was there with his mates and Lorraine was waiting at a nearby tram stop with her sister after tennis. “It started by talking to the motorbike boys on the way home,� she said. The couple, who moved to Brooklyn in 1954, said they have enjoyed their life and cherish their four children and eight grandchildren. Lorraine thinks back and laughs at times during their courtship when they would attend local dances together. “He went with me to the dance one night I told him to sit at the other end of the wall or no one will dance with me so he went home.� The pair has had many adventures including one memorable motorbike ride along the Great Ocean Rd. “In those days girls rode on the back of motorbikes, we went down on the Great Ocean Rd on a new motorbike and we went over the edge,� Donald said. “Luckily it was a gradual decline, we didn’t go straight down. They pulled the bike back up with other bikes and we rode back home.� When asked to share the secret to six decades of marriage the couple agreed they did not know the recipe, but that they did everything together. “I really don’t know,� Lorraine said. “He’s got patience, I haven’t,� she added. The couple are well known in the community especially for Lorraine’s work with the Lorraine Bedella Seniors Centre in Altona North, after whom it was renamed in 2004.
Tender for loving care By NICOLE VALICEK COMMUNITY managed and not-for-profit childcare providers will be invited to express interest in the management of two long day care centres in the municipality. Altona North Children’s Centre and Altona Meadows Children’s Centre could be under new management following a decision by Hobsons Bay City Council last week. Hobsons Bay Mayor Sandra Wilson said the new management arrangements for the centres would see quality childcare continue at the locations and still maintain the number of long day care places. “By introducing new providers, quality of care can be delivered to the same number of children at a lower cost to the council, freeing up funds in the budget for other services and projects,� she said. The two centres are currently run by the council. “We know how important quality childcare is to families in Hobsons Bay. “The council is committed to supporting quality early years service in Hobsons Bay.� The council will continue to house its 20 kindergarten and early year’s programs owned and maintained buildings. “We have also made a significant investment in the development of the new Newport Gardens Early Years Centre, opening in January,� councillor Wilson said. The changes to the management of the centres are due to be made in 2015.
Lorraine and Donald Bedella are still happy in love after 60 years of marriage. 110900 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI Picture: SUPPLIED Inset: The Bedellas on their wedding day. 111717
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South Western Melbourne Medicare Local (SWMML) is encouraging residents to restrict Emergency Departments to emergency use only over the holiday season. For non-urgent care there are other options available, including: • Call your regular General Practice to check their opening hours over the KROLGD\ SHULRG DQG ¿QG RXW KRZ WR XVH their After Hours service. • Find a General Practice or Pharmacy RSHQ QHDU \RX YLD ZZZ VZPPO RUJ DX RU ZZZ QKVG FRP DX Free telephone advice: • Nurse and Doctor helpline: 1800 022 222 A doctor can visit at your home (bulk ELOOHG LQ WKH HYHQLQJ DQG RQ ZHHNHQGV • Home Visiting Doctor: 9429 5677 • Medical at Home: 8341 1888 In an emergency call 000 or visit your nearest Emergency Department )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLW VZPPO RUJ DX
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