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31 AUGUST, 2022
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A blood-y good effort
Mustafa Alhamdani is one of many Australians who participated in the Global Blood Heroes challenge.
(Joe Mastroianni) 296108_01
An A+ effort by residents to help save lives by donating blood took place at the Werribee Lifeblood centre on Sunday. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donor clinics across the country partnered with Who is Hussain, a global charity inspired by a prominent Islamic figure Hussain Ibn Ali, which seeks to encourage individuals to stand for moral justice. Point Cook volunteer Mustafa Alhamdani rolled up his sleeves to give blood for the first time. “[We] recognise there is a depletion in blood donation numbers, due to the global pandemic, so we were trying to help those numbers,” he said. “Our goal was to encourage more people from all kinds of communities, because for people like me I had always heard about blood donations but I didn’t realise how important it is. “That 15-minute, small, quick process, potentially can save three lives.” Mr Alhamdani said it was crazy to see people from countries like Argentina, Uganda and Philippines get involved, but hopes people who couldn’t participate on the day are still inspired to book a blood donation appointment.
Mayor says ‘get involved’ “We need you all to support council and ensure as you meet candidates … you are asking them what are their plans for East Werribee. “What do they see as the priority, for use of this land? How will they advocate to ensure this land is used to generate jobs?” The East Werribee precinct comprises 775 hectares of land bordered by Hacketts Road and the Princes Highway, owned by the state government. In 2013, the state’s planning authority completed a precinct structure plan, which is used to determine how the area will be developed, and what type of developments
will be included. Developers Australian Education City proposed a $31 billion project in East Werribee which would include the expansion of existing health and education precincts and a major town centre. However the process was concluded in 2019 when the government announced it had decided to terminate the expression of interest process for the sale and the future of the site was left in limbo. “Three hundred and sixteen thousand residents currently call Wyndham home, a figure that’s forecast to jump to just over 512,000 by 2041,” he said.
“While this might sound like a long time away, if we don’t get the planning and action right now for East Werribee, we will be forever playing catch up when it comes to providing local jobs.” The East Werribee Employment Precinct has the opportunity to provide thousands of jobs to support not only our population growth, but our existing jobs shortfall.” Cr Maynard said councillors and council officers would be out campaigning in the community in coming weeks and months. “If local jobs are important to you, and your family, please get involved.”
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Wyndham council is calling on the community to help secure a plan for East Werribee Employment Precinct in the lead up to the state election. At the launch of the Activate East Werribee Campaign recently, mayor Peter Maynard said the community needed to keep “applying influence to ensure progress”. “As we move towards November, a number of people will decide to run for the four state seats that make up Wyndham,” he said. “We have made the development of East Werribee and ensuring we receive the full economic benefit of this land, our number one priority.