Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man missing from the Hunter region, last seen in the Hamilton area.
Colin Whittaker, aged 58, was last seen on Beaumont Street, Hamilton about 9:50pm on Sunday 21 November 2021.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified later that day and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family members hold concerns for his welfare due to a medical condition.
Colin also hasn’t made contact with family since November and hasn’t used his bank account, he also does not have a mobile phone.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 180cm to 185cm tall, with a slim build, grey hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing white/cream coloured jacket, light coloured pants and a dark beanie.
He is known to frequent areas of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Ourimbah, he is also known to use the public transport network and other public facilities. He had previously mentioned that he intended to travel to Queensland, however he has no means to travel there.
Anyone who may have seen Colin or that may know of his whereabouts is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Author: admin
Praise for Shepparton's COVID-19 Response
Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, and Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, have praised Goulburn Valley Health for its role in containing Shepparton’s recent COVID-19 outbreak.
“I want to specifically mention chief executive Matt Sharp and his staff for the role they played in getting the outbreak under control,” Dr Gillespie said during a visit to GV Health today.
“I also want to recognise the hard work of your teams, especially those receptionists, nurses and practice support staff who have really been on the frontline in their efforts to help get the community vaccinated – everyone stepped up to the plate.
“The Federal Coalition Government also recognises the important role that state and territory hubs are playing to keep local communities safe and healthy, especially now as they set up to help vaccinate people in their community.”
Mr Drum said GV Health provided significant local leadership during the September outbreak. In partnership with a range of community service organisations, it ensured that the community could access basics such as food, medication and COVID vaccinations.
“Matt and his team did an incredible job during what was one of the most difficult periods in recent memory in the Goulburn Valley,” Mr Drum said.
“As the local member, I was very proud of the work and care from the highly skilled staff at GV Health during what were very trying times for the entire community.”
The strong relationship between GV Health and Murray Primary Health Network (PHN) enabled a collaborative approach where each organisation could focus on its strengths.
Murray PHN supported primary care with outbreak support (including infection protection and control advice and personal protective equipment), information and advice to continue vaccinations, support to private residential aged care facilities and staff vaccination along with significant outbreak and infection prevention and control support to the local Aboriginal Health Service, Rumbalara.
GV Health led the local response through its Public Health Unit, provided enormous testing capacity at short notice and developed and implemented a COVID positive pathway, including home monitoring, in Shepparton and surrounding areas.
Alongside the outbreak response, GV Health maintained a high-volume vaccination hub at the McIntosh Centre at the Shepparton Showgrounds.
Goulburn Valley Welcomes First Medical Intake
The University of Melbourne’s rural pathway medical school program at Shepparton is set to welcome its first intake next year, taking students a step closer to becoming rural doctors and helping to address Australia’s longstanding rural doctor shortage.
Shepparton offers one of five rural-based medical school programs established under the Federal Government’s Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network.
The Network is a key initiative in the Government’s commitment to tackle the rural doctor shortage and improve the distribution of the medical workforce through the establishment of rurally based medical school programs.
Up to half of the 30 students who will study medicine at Shepparton have been based at Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga, where they have just completed the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) degree from La Trobe University.
This arrangement provides a pathway into the four-year graduate entry Doctor of Medicine offered by the University of Melbourne in Shepparton for regional students intending to practise medicine in a regional location.
The medical program was announced in the Federal Government’s 2018-2019 Budget and involves a unique collaboration between the two universities which have a long and respected track record in medical, health and rural education.
This first Shepparton intake will further benefit from a $6.5 million upgrade to the Shepparton campus, including new student accommodation and expanded teaching spaces, expected to be completed in early 2022.
Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, congratulated the students on their graduation from La Trobe, and commended both the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University on their successful collaboration.
“Today is a great day for the Goulburn Valley as the first cohort in this ground-breaking end-to-end regional medical program mark a major milestone in their quest to become a doctor,” Mr Drum said.
“I congratulate all those who graduated today and wish them the best of luck for the remainder of their studies.
“I’m proud the Federal Government, in conjunction with La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne, created this medical program as part of an effort to alleviate the doctor shortage in regional and rural Australia.
“I am confident that a high proportion of graduating students will choose to stay in the Goulburn Valley for their medical careers, benefitting the region for years and decades to come.”
Minister for Regional Health, David Gillespie, said the Murray-Darling Medical School Network would be a game-changer in bridging the city-country divide.
“The Network’s aim is to address rural doctor shortages, improve the future distribution of the medical workforce and build on the Government’s existing investment in rural undergraduate training through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program,” Dr Gillespie said.
“It will maximise opportunities to support school leavers and graduate-entry students with a rural background, and to attract those with an interest, intention and aptitude for practising in rural and regional areas once qualified.
“As such, it will help to ‘flip’ the current model of medical training with the majority of training to be regionally based and rotations to metropolitan areas for specialist immersions kept to a minimum.
“The new end-to-end rural medical program is in strong demand from regional and rural students because it means students are able to study closer to home.
“A major positive impact of the program is that students in regional schools now see medicine as a possible career path, and this is lifting enthusiasm and performance in schools.”
The Murray-Darling Medical School Network also enables communities in the region to benefit from the creation of local jobs through infrastructure projects and the increased university presence.
The Network includes University of NSW (Wagga Wagga), University of Sydney (Dubbo), Charles Sturt University in partnership with Western Sydney University (Orange), Monash University (Bendigo, Mildura), and University of Melbourne (Shepparton).
In 2022, all five Network medical schools will be operational, with 145 students commencing their studies, adding to the 80 who started in 2021. La Trobe University will welcome another 15 students to its pathway Biomedical Science (Medical) degree.
New funding to support new and expectant parents
The Morrison Government continues to support the mental health and wellbeing of new and expectant parents with new funding to expand the National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline.
Our Government is providing additional funding of $7.8 million over four years from 2021-22 to 2024-25 to Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA), which operates the Helpline.
The expansion, funded in the 2021-22 Budget, builds on existing funding to PANDA under the Morrison Government’s Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Program.
The National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline is Australia’s only free national helpline service specifically for women, men, and their families affected by or at risk of perinatal mental illness.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the helpline provided a safe and confidential space for any new and expectant parent struggling with the challenges of becoming a new parent.
“The Morrison Government recognises the importance of supporting the mental health of expectant and new parents,” Minister Hunt said.
“Many expectant and new parents do not seek help for perinatal depression and anxiety, because they do not know which emotions are normal, or because of the stigma associated with mental illness.
“PANDA’s services have never been more critical – and this additional funding will ensure the Helpline is there for new and expectant parents to seek the help they need, when they need it.”
The additional funding announced today will enable PANDA to build capacity on the Helpline, which has been in increasing demand during the pandemic, and enable it to continue to provide this vital service.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said that overall, perinatal depression and anxiety can affect around 100,000 Australian parents every year.
“Many women – and their partners – struggle with their mental health before or after giving birth.
“Statistics in Australia and around the world indicate at least one in five women will likely experience anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
“Men can also experience perinatal mental illness, with about one in 10 expectant and new fathers experiencing depression, anxiety, or other forms of emotional distress in the perinatal period.
The Helpline can be accessed at 1300 726 306 from 9:00am to 7:30pm (AEST/AEDT) from Monday to Friday.
The Morrison Government provided a historic $2.3 billion in the 2020-21 Budget to deliver significant reform of the mental health system and ensure that all Australians have access to high quality, person-centred care as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This brings health expenditure in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021–22 to a record high of $6.5 billion.
New facility supporting elite and aspiring para-athletes
Current and emerging para-athletes will benefit from the Australian Government’s investment in a new community, education and events centre at The Hangar at Tullamarine.
The new development features accessible training and accommodation facilities for para-athletes, a theatre and meeting rooms at the Essendon Football Club’s base which is also home to Paralympics Australia in Victoria.
An Australian Paralympic Sport Hall of Fame is also part of the development at the Hangar which Paralympics Australia have shared administration and training facilities with Essendon since 2013.
This centre is part of a $21 million expansion of the facility, with the Australian Government contributing $4 million to support purpose-built facilities for para-athletes.
Additional funding was provided by the Essendon Football Club and Victorian Government.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the centre would also benefit the wider community.
“This facility will enable more para-athletes to realise their sporting potential and it also provides increased opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy sport and pathway programs,” Minister Colbeck said.
The centre will support a range of Paralympic sports including table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
“The Australian Government is pleased to invest in projects that get more Australians involved in sport, bring communities together and support our elite athletes to pursue sporting success on the global stage.”
The 32 bed, nine dormitory accommodation, which is fully accessible, has been available for use by Paralympic athletes and teams since March 2021 and was a key facility in preparation for the recently held Tokyo Paralympics.
Minister Colbeck said the addition of accessible onsite accommodation will also make it easier for athletes and coaches attending Paralympics Australia camps at Tullamarine.
“Our Paralympians displayed incredible talent, teamwork and resilience to claim 80 medals including 21 gold at the Tokyo Paralympics and are a huge source of inspiration to all Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.
“As we turn our attention to the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games in March, these new facilities will help us increase participation at a higher number of training camps which will assist with high performance development and Paralympic talent identification, verification and retention.
“It will also be invaluable in the decade-long lead up to Brisbane 2032.
“More importantly, I hope it inspires more people with disability to participate in and enjoy sport from grassroots right up to elite level competition.”
Richmond Vale Rail Trail a step closer
The landmark Richmond Vale Rail Trail project has reached an important approval milestone, with future work set to rejuvenate the historic rail line as a new regional shared path for the community and visitors.
The Development Application (DA) for the design and construction of Newcastle’s section of the Richmond Vale Rail Trail was approved yesterday by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.
Approximately 13 kilometres of the path located within the Newcastle Local Government Area was approved. Two kilometres of the trail that goes through the Hunter Wetlands National Park will undergo further assessment in the new year.
City of Newcastle’s Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this approval represents a major step forward for what will be a regionally significant recreational and tourism attraction that will rival the popular Fernleigh Track
“The project will offer a great active choice for locals and visitors, passing through old railway tunnels and over bridges, amongst wildlife habitats and linking to the Hunter Wetlands Centre,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Significant work went into preparing this DA and I want to congratulate everyone who played their part. This is an important milestone and I’m excited and very optimistic about the future of the Richmond Vale Rail Trail.”
City of Newcastle’s section is part of the overall regional proposal between City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Cessnock City Councils for a 32-kilometre cycling and walking track along the former Richmond Vale rail line between Kurri Kurri and Hexham, along the former Chichester to Newcastle water pipeline between Shortland and Tarro, and through the Hunter Wetlands National Park.
The shared pathway will provide a link between Kurri Kurri, Tarro, Minmi and Shortland and it would mean users could avoid travelling on the Pacific Motorway, Hunter Expressway or New England Highway.
City of Newcastle will seek approval of the two-kilometre section through the Hunter Wetlands National Park next year to ultimately move this project towards construction, as funding permits.
To find out more about the project visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works
New Training For Renewable Jobs Revolution
The NSW Government has today unveiled new renewable energy courses, which will help power the growing demand for workers in the sector.
In a first for the State’s Public Training Provider, TAFE NSW will offer a Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering from next year, along with five new micro-credentials aimed at helping students tap into the renewables jobs boom.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is positioning the State to be at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy employment boom.
“The NSW Government is committed to a cleaner, greener future and an important part of that is ensuring we don’t just have the right renewable energy infrastructure, but we also have the right highly-trained workers to run it,” Mr Lee said.
“As Australia’s leading provider of vocational education and training, TAFE NSW is uniquely positioned to provide the practical skills and knowledge to power the industry into the future.”
The new TAFE NSW diploma was developed in close collaboration with industry and would be aligned to high-demand jobs in the renewables sector, including in solar, energy storage systems and wind technology.
Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said the TAFE NSW courses will help transform the State into a clean energy superpower and support local job creation.
“Thousands of jobs will be created in the renewables sector in the coming years, particularly in our regions, and it’s great to see TAFE supporting these low carbon jobs of the future,” Mr Kean said.
“The NSW Government has the nation-leading policies and plans in place to help us deliver on our commitment to halve the State’s emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050,” Mr Kean said.
The NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is expected to support 6,300 construction jobs and 2,800 ongoing jobs, mostly in regional NSW, by 2030.
The new courses are being offered at TAFE NSW Ultimo and Newcastle, via a blend of virtual classroom learning and face-to-face practical workshops.
For more information or to enrol in the Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering, visit: https://bit.ly/3rlbgvf
Historic agreement secures $840 million in preschool funding
Families with young children in NSW will have better access to high quality pre-school and early childhood education due to an historic agreement between the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments.
The new National Preschool Reform Agreement, with NSW as its first signatory, ensures every child will receive high quality education in the year before school, regardless of where they live or their background.
Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert said the agreement will ensure children in NSW have access to quality preschool options and are better prepared for their first year of school.
‘This funding agreement provides certainty to parents, educators and the sector throughout New South Wales,’ Minister Robert said.
‘It will help every child in New South Wales—about 400,000 children over four years—have the opportunity to attend at least 15 hours of preschool a week in the year before they start school.’
The Commonwealth Government has committed $560 million of new funding with more than $280 million from the NSW Government to support the four year funding deal.
The NSW Government will also increase the quality of preschool and long day care education by delivering targeted programs for children who experience disadvantage.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said our most important economic asset is our people and there is no better way to ensure a prosperous future than to make sure everyone has the best possible education and start to life.
‘We want every child in NSW to have the best start in life and every family the support they need to fully participate in the workforce,’ Mr Kean said.
‘Investing in our people, our families and our kids will help us grow today’s economy by increasing workforce participation rates and it will help our future prosperity by giving our kids the best possible start in life.
‘This is a game changing deal for families in NSW, providing parents and carers the freedom to participate in the workforce in ways that better suit their needs.’
Funding will be linked to reforms to increase preschool participation rates and improve outcomes, benefiting all children regardless of the type of preschool they attend.
In NSW increased funding to long day care will also allow a greater focus on quality and support for children’s transition to school.
There will also be an increased focus on engagement of children and families, particularly from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds, to help them have a happy, safe and supported preschool experience and a stronger start in life.
NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new funding deal will provide stability to the sector and provide more access to early childhood education for young children.
‘Every child deserves the best start in life, and this reform means more children will have access to a quality preschool education right across New South Wales,’ Ms Mitchell said.
‘This agreement builds on our commitment to support young families through our free preschool program, which we know has made a positive impact across New South Wales.
‘By boosting funding for long day care services to provide high quality preschool programs, families will get more flexibility and choice when it comes to early education for their child.’
The historic signing means the Preschool Reform Agreement 2022-2025 is now a National Partnership and the Commonwealth welcomes other states signing on ahead of the 2022 preschool year.
The Commonwealth has guaranteed ongoing funding for preschools and this four-year agreement provides long term certainty to around 300,000 Australian children and their families each year, along with the early childhood education sector.
The Commonwealth’s historic investment in early childhood education also includes around $10 billion a year through the child care system to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for families using child care and improve workforce participation.
Police reappeal on one-year anniversary of Patrick Thaidy's disappearance
Police are reappealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate the whereabouts of missing Lake Macquarie man, Patrick Thaidy, one year after his disappearance.
Patrick Thaidy, aged 60, was last seen at his home on Delasala Drive in Macquarie Hills about 12am on Sunday 6 December 2020.
Further inquiries have confirmed Patrick was later sighted along Macquarie Road at Cardiff about 9.25am and again on Bayview Street, Warners Bay, around 10.45am that same day (Sunday 6 December 2020).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced an investigation into his whereabouts; however, despite extensive searches and inquiries into his movements since then, Mr Thaidy remains missing.
Police and family members hold grave concerns for his welfare due to medical conditions.
Today (Tuesday 7 December 2021), officers attached to Police Rescue will conduct further aerial searching utilising a drone and ground searching in bushland and scrub off Bayview Street, Warners Bay.
As inquiries continue, anyone who may have seen or heard from Patrick or may have any information which could assist investigators is urged to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Celebrating connections with senior Australians
Today, on International Volunteer Day we celebrate and thank the millions of volunteers across the nation who give their time selflessly to help and enrich lives.
Across Australia, it is estimated almost six million people volunteer through an organisation annually. This is almost one in three, aged 15 years and over.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, said the innovation and support shown by volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic is inspiring and has had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of many in our community.
“Whether it is handmade cards, a regular morning phone call or even an aged care facility window visit while in lockdown, no matter how big or small the gesture, volunteers continue to play an essential role in connecting our community,” Minister Colbeck said.
“I want to particularly mention the 10,300 volunteers working in the aged care sector who are supported by the Australian Government’s Community Visitors’ Scheme.”
The Community Visitors’ Scheme funds a range of organisations across the country connecting volunteers with aged care residents, such as Co.As.It, which runs ‘Adopt a Nonna or Nonno’ for people from non-English backgrounds, and ‘Out & About’, which connects older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) people through peer friendships and community connections.
“The impact of these connections on mental health and wellbeing can be truly life-changing, for the volunteer and the recipient,” Minister Colbeck said.
International Volunteer Day is a chance to acknowledge the people who give back to their communities in a meaningful way, and to be inspired.
Find out more about the Government’s Community Visitors’ Scheme, to register your interest in volunteering in your state or territory or seek a volunteer for a senior Australian in your life, by visiting the Department of Health website.
As part of the Australia Day Council Senior Australian of the Year Awards you can also nominate someone who has made a significant contribution or difference to their community, like 2022 ACT Senior Australian of the Year Valmai Dempsey in recognition of her 50+ years of volunteering.
Additional volunteering resources can also be found through the following websites: