News
Cr Marsden gains a lot at Country Mayors summit A Regional and Rural Summit meeting “There was a massive push on housing in all and provide a multitude of services to the comorganised by the NSW Local Government areas—public affordability housing, police munity, are very much in favour and encourAssociation was held in Sydney last week for housing, council staff housing and health hous- aged to do more,” he said. rural councils to hear various political par- ing.” “Deputy Premier Paul Toole spoke very well ties’ 2023 State Election priorities. Cr Marsden said he believes this is a matter and I believe he had a much better grasp of Cobar was represented by deputy mayor that council should also workshop ASAP. rural and regional NSW issues than the other Jarrod Marsden who filled in for Mayor Peter “Labour (if elected) is committing to cover- party representatives.” Abbott. ing all 44 recommendations from the Regional Cr Marsden said the meeting had been a Cr Marsden said it was good to hear from a and Rural Health Inquiry. good networking opportunity. number of Ministers and Shadow Ministers as “The Liberal/Nationals, if re-elected, will “I think it is very underrated in how benefiwell as key note speakers on a range of topics. only commit to 41 of the 44. cial it can be for Cobar. The speeches were also followed by Ques- “Australia’s number one breast cancer doctor “It’s amazing how much you can learn about tion and Answer sessions. has recently relocated to Griffith which is a how others have tackled the same issues we “Among the key points were, the Federal massive win for our region,” Cr Marsden said. face, and how getting our issues and ideas out Minister for Regional Australia Kristy McBain “It was very clear that councils who choose there can come back in a positive manner. announcing that doctors who choose to prac- to stick to the old “rates, roads, and rubbish” “I was able to speak to a lot of great people tice in regional areas will have their HECS are being looked down on. including Ian Chaffey, who is the mayor of debt waived,” Cr Marsden said. “Councils like ours, who are very diverse Snowy Valley Council who is a wealth of knowledge on local government.” Cr Marsden said “a fair bit of political backwards and forwards” took place at the Country Mayors meeting held on the second day of the summit . “Unfortunately it was a bit like watching [Parliament] Question Time!” he said. “Mark Latham (One Nation) was very, very impressive as a speaker and stood out over the rest by a mile. “Paul Toole and Jenny Aitchison from Labor basically stated the same stuff from the previous day,” he said. “Greens representative Cate Faerhmann spoke very confidently but their push for zero coal, zero diesel, and zero emissions (by any means necessary and at any cost) by 2030, but to me it just seems unachievable especially with the current technology and infrastructure.”
Go and see MHERV
Rotary’s Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) has a very good track record of helping to save men’s lives. An initiative of the Rotary Club of Warners Bay, MHERV provides a Registered Nurse to undertake free basic check-ups for “blokes” (and also for ladies). Over the past four years MHERV has seen over 12,000 people and potentially saved over 450 people from a severe health event. On average, approximately four per cent of people who visited the van were recommended to seek urgent medical attention, around 40 per cent were advised to follow up on an issue with their GP within the next week while 56 per cent of men who visited were encouraged to “just keep up the good work”. MHERV is supported by Rotary clubs and other community groups in each area it visits and it also has the support of the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI). Cobar Rotary Club’s Gordon Hill advocates the good work of the van and encourages locals to take advantage of the free health checks when the van visits later this month. “The purpose-built MHERV van is staffed by a male Nurse, Bill Power who carries out free health checks testing blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar (Diabetes) levels. “The consultation takes about 10 minutes and provides immediate results, helping to improve health outcomes for men,” Mr Hill said. “Bill has the knack of being able to relax even the most stressed clients. “During the confidential consultation, Bill takes the opportunity to also chat about other health related concerns, including state of mind.” See MHERV ad on Page 14 for visiting dates and times. Page 8 The Cobar Weekly Wednesday March 1, 2023
