AUGUST 14, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
(Dennis Manktelow)
Paging all for a top time Books will be flying off the shelves later this month as National Literacy and Numeracy week lights up Brimbank’s libraries. From August 27 to September 2, libraries across Brimbank will hold page-turning events to encourage more people to get the reading bug. Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said it was an important week every year. “Council supports programs such as literacy and numeracy week because they validate the importance of early learning,” she said. “Studies show that the earlier children are engaged with literacy and numeracy, the better outcomes they have throughout life.” Libraries in Deer Park, Sunshine, Keilor, Sydenham and St Albans will host a wide variety of activities. “There is a word scramble competition for school students to test their knowledge and have fun at the same time,” Cr Giudice said. “There’s also counting and alphabet-themed storytime sessions for pre-schoolers, toddlers and baby bounce sessions … or if the paper plane activity or Australian idioms interest you, then I encourage you to come along.” A full list of activities can be found at brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au. LEWIS, 7
Ewen McRae
Dental care wait list pain By Tate Papworth Patients are facing more than a two year wait for public dental care in the St Albans electorate. Figures released by the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB) last week reveal the electorate has more than 9000 people on a wait list for public dental health – one of the longest waiting times for the state. The wait time for general dental care is 27.9 months, compared to the state average of 19.7 months. The average wait time for denture care
‘‘
Poor oral health is one of the strongest indicators of - Matt Hopcraft inequality
’’
in the electorate is 22.1 months. The St Albans electorate includes the suburbs of Albion, Ardeer, Kealba, Keilor Downs, St Albans, Sunshine North and part of Sunshine. ADAVB chief executive Matt Hopcraft said the situation is unacceptable.
“For those stuck on a waiting list, there is an average waiting time for general dental care of 19.7 months, which is just too long. “People who are eligible for public dental care may have to endure pain, have difficulty speaking and eating, miss school, struggle to find a job, or develop other serious health problems in that time. “We know that poor oral health is one of the strongest indicators of inequality and yet the waiting time for general dental care has increased 67 per cent since 2014-15.”
Associate professor Hopcraft said the ADAVB was calling on the state and federal governments to support an increase in funding, with a target to double the number of patients being treated in Victoria on a yearly basis to 800,000 by 2023-24. “This would represent approximately 29 per cent of the eligible population,” he said. “The ADAVB have estimated that this would require an additional investment of $40 million each year on top of existing funding for the next five years.”
We Are Local. We Are Experienced. We Are Family. For 160 Years Nelson Bros has provided families in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs with the compassion, planning and attention to detail.
Melbourne’s oldest family-owned funeral company.
www.nelsonbros.com.au
FOOTSCRAY | HOPPERS CROSSING | SUNSHINE | WILLIAMSTOWN | ELSTERNWICK
Tel 24 Hrs: 8398 4333