Australia’s iconic aeromedical organisation, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) continues to play a vital role in protecting regional communities in the fight against COVID-19.
The RFDS has provided retrievals, evacuations, swab transfers and fly-in GP respiratory clinic testing, protecting the lives of people living and working in the most remote corners of the country from the outset of this pandemic.
Speaking during a visit to the RFDS respiratory clinic at Broken Hill airport where the vaccine rollout is underway, Federal Regional Health Minister and Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said the involvement of the RFDS had helped to ensure that people in rural areas had the same level of protection as Australians in more populated areas.
“Regional and remote Australia has been one of the safest places to be through the pandemic. This is particularly important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have a higher risk of contracting and developing serious illness from COVID-19,” Minister Coulton said.
“The challenge of an effective COVID-19 response in a country as demographically dispersed and sparsely populated as ours is a formidable one.”
“I am proud to say that we have implemented one of the most successful responses to COVID-19 worldwide.”
Minister Coulton said the RFDS has played a key part in keeping remote communities safe through the pandemic.
“It is an essential component of the Australian Government’s commitment to provide the best possible protection for all Australians, regardless of where they live,” he said.
“The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine into rural and remote communities is a vital part of the Government’s vaccine strategy to ensure everyone is protected. Our engagement with the RFDS and other rural health stakeholders will be critical to achieving this in 2021.”
Federation Executive Director of the RFDS, Frank Quinlan, said the organisation was pleased to work with the Australian Government and national health partners on the national COVID-19 response.
“Rural and remote Australia has been protected to date from COVID-19 outbreaks, and we are determined for this success story to be continued,” Mr Quinlan said.
Promises, promises – the Liberals failed record on schools
As Term 1 of the 2021 school year begins there are still 24 new schools the Liberals promised before the 2019 election which they have not built.
The new schools promised across NSW that the Liberals have failed to build are:
Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car said the failure to build schools was letting down families and a missed opportunity to create local jobs.
“Building schools is a key way we can create jobs across NSW. It puts kids in classrooms and keeps tradies in their jobs,” Ms Car said.
“But under the Liberals all we have are false promises, overcrowded schools and results at an all-time low. Liberals just can’t be trusted on education.”
Work commences to breathe new life into Dixon Park Kiosk
Work will commence tomorrow on transforming the long dormant kiosk at the popular Dixon Park Beach into a vibrant community place.The project, which is expected to be completed in August, will see improvements to the kiosk building including the addition of public seating, shelters and landscaping. Expressions of interest for kiosk operations will be invited in July.
The transformation will also see the relocation of a portion of the building’s faded mural which City of Newcastle has committed to fully restoring in a new location on the southern side of the kiosk as a part of the completed project.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that the upgrade to the kiosk will enhance an already lively location and provide a place for people to gather and appreciate the coastal environment.
“The refurbishment of Dixon Park Kiosk will see the currently unused space revitalised into a place where our community and visitors can relax, grab a coffee and enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Having recently hosted the World Surfing League event in Newcastle, we know how much our community loves surfing and I’m looking forward to seeing the mural which features our own champion surfer, Mark Richards, come to life once again.”
Work to prepare the kiosk for use commenced in 2020, with provision of power, water and sewage infrastructure now complete.
The refurbishment supports City of Newcastle’s Coastal Revitalisation program which began in 2010 as part of a long-term commitment to enhance Newcastle’s coastline.
This project is the latest to occur at Dixon Park in recent years, with a 2019 refurbishment to Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club seeing the clubhouse upgraded with new change rooms, space for female members, and accessible amenities. The $640,000 upgrade was jointly funded by NSW Government through a Surf Club Facilities Grant, City of Newcastle, Dixon Park SLSC and Ability Links NSW.
RECORD SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM CONTINUES
Five new and upgraded schools will open in Term 2 benefitting more than 4,400 students across NSW.
Three schools opened their doors today, including Picton High School (new), Mainsbridge School for Specific Purposes (new) and Parramatta West Public School (upgrade). Murrumbidgee High School (upgrade) and St Ives High School (upgrade) will open by the end of Term 2.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell and Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee visited students at Parramatta West Public School today.
The Parramatta West Public School upgrade includes 20 new classrooms, a new hall and a new administrative space.
Ms Berejiklian said the scale of the school building in NSW is unprecedented with more than 30 new and upgraded schools expected to be delivered in 2021.
“The NSW Government has already opened 10 new schools this year and in Term 2 we will open another five,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Even during the challenge of the pandemic, NSW has kept building. Students across the State are enjoying new classrooms, school halls, outdoor learning areas and libraries.”
Ms Mitchell said the new facilities at these schools and others across NSW are incredible.
“Communities are seeing real improvements at their local schools, with everything from new canteens and playgrounds, to new schools and major upgrades like we see here in Parramatta,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We will support jobs across the state as we look to recover from COVID-19, and at the same time secure the future prosperity of NSW by enhancing schools for our students and teachers.”
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the community was excited for another major school upgrade in the area.
“I want children to be passionate about education when they come to school. The work of dedicated teachers and staff is so important for learning outcomes, and we are supporting them with world class facilities right here in Parramatta,” Dr Lee said.
The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
New and upgraded schools opening in Term 2 2021:
- Parramatta West Public School – upgrade
- Mainsbridge School for Specific Purposes – new
- Picton High School – new
- Murrumbidgee High School – upgrade
- St Ives High School – upgrade
THE HUNTER VALLEY'S MONTH-LONG WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL IS BACK ON THE TABLE
Unsolved Homicide detectives and police divers conduct searches as inquiries continue into murder of Melissa Hunt
Unsolved Homicide Squad detectives and Police Divers have returned to the state’s Hunter Region as inquiries continue into the murder of Melissa Hunt nearly 27 years ago.
The body of Melissa Hunt, then aged 22, was found near the weir wall of Burrenjim Dam, Bluegum Creek via Stockrington, on Monday 25 April 1994.
A post mortem examination revealed she died from severe head injuries.
Strike Force Impey, comprised of detectives from the Lake Macquarie Police District and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, was formed to investigate her death; however, no arrests have been made.
Following a Coronial Inquest in 1998, the matter was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for review and referred to the Unsolved Homicide Unit.
A formal review of the investigation was conducted under the new unsolved framework and is now under re-investigation by detectives attached to Strike Force Circulo.
In December last year, the NSW Government, together with the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, announced a $1 million reward for information and renewed their appeal to the community to come forward with any information that may assist detectives.
Following the reward announcement, police received information relating to the investigation and have subsequently returned to the state’s Hunter Region today (Tuesday 20 April 2021).
Unsolved Homicide Squad detectives, assisted by the Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command (FETS), executed a crime scene warrant at a home at Lambton Road, Waratah, while Police Divers conduct a secondary search of the Burrenjim Dam.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said Strike Force Circulo detectives are specifically looking to locate any remaining forensic evidence that could assist the investigation.
“This Sunday marks the 27th anniversary of Melissa’s murder and detectives are hopeful that the new information we have received, together with today’s searches, will progress the investigation,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“Police are exploring a number of new lines of inquiry, including whether Melissa regularly attended a home at Waratah and if a domestic incident took place at the residence prior to her death.
“Detectives are also continuing to liaise with interstate law enforcement partners to make contact with associates and witnesses, who are now residing in other states – including South Australia, Queensland and Victoria – to ensure no stone is left unturned.
“As our investigations into Melissa’s death continue, we are urging anyone with information to contact police so we may provide much-needed answers to Melissa’s family,” Det Supt Doherty said.
Investigations under Strike Force Circulo are continuing.
Attempted armed robbery – Metford
Police are appealing for assistance as they investigate an attempted armed robbery in the Hunter overnight.
About 7.50pm yesterday (Sunday 18 April 2021), a man entered a service station on Metford Road, Metford, where he threatened a male attendant with a knife.
He demanded cash before the attendant refused and the man left the store; he was last seen running towards Turton Road.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
The man was seen wearing a hooded jumper, a red baseball cap, dark pants and shoes with his face covered.
As inquiries continue, anyone who may have information which could assist detectives is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Appeal for witnesses following crash – Maitland
Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam vision as investigations continue into a crash in Maitland last week.
About 6.55pm on Wednesday 14 April 2021, a collision has occurred involving a, white Husqvarna dirt bike, a blue Mitsubishi Pajero and a marked police vehicle on the New England Highway, Maitland.
The 19-year-old male rider and police officer were treated at the scene by paramedics from NSW Ambulance before the police officer was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition. The rider was conveyed by road to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The driver of the Pajero was not injured.
Officers from Crash Investigations Unit (CIU) attended the scene and established a crime scene.
As investigations continue, police are appealing to the public, for anyone that may have witnessed the crash to come forward.
OUR VETERANS DESERVE BETTER: GREENS
Today’s announcement of a Royal Commission into Veteran and Serving Defence Personnel Suicides is not only a huge win for the community, who have been calling for greater support and for government to address the mental health crisis that is facing our veterans, but also a relief to the families who have been searching for answers.
Australian Greens Veterans spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said that it had been a hard slog to get to this point and that a lot more work needed to be done to ensure that the terms of reference for the Royal Commission met the needs of the community.
“Anybody who has spoken with a family that has been touched by suicide will know the pain that they feel and the desperate, urgent need for answers they all share about why so many of our veterans are being driven to take these actions,” Steele-John said.
“Understandably there are still many in to the community who are suspicious of today’s announcement as they have been cast aside and ignored by the Morrison government for so long.
“It is incumbent on the Morrison government to earn the trust of the veteran community and not simply assume that they now have it.
“We know from a report into Veteran suicides, released last year, that our veteran community is in crisis. Ex-serving men are 21% more likely to die by suicide and ex-serving women were more than twice as likely to die by suicide than the rest of the community.
“We must do better by the people who have served, and continue to serve, in our defence forces. We continue to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on new weapons yet we ignore the long lasting trauma and impact that war has on the people who have served in our name.
“I would like to acknowledge the strength and commitment of advocates around the country, like Julie-Ann Finney, and my Senate colleague, Jacqui Lambie, for her dedication to this cause.
“This is a win for you, for your family and for every single Australian who has sadly lost a family member or a friend to suicide.”
Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide Welcomed by Labor
It is about time the Morrison Government has finally come around to the idea of a Royal Commission into veteran suicide.
Veterans, their families and Labor have been calling for this since 2019.
Since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, we have lost more veterans to suicide than soldiers killed in combat, while more than 18 defence personnel and veterans have taken their own lives this year alone.
While we are disappointed this has taken so long, Labor now stands ready to work with the Government in a bipartisan way to ensure this Royal Commission is vested with all the powers and resources it needs.
The Government needs to consult widely and wisely on processes, timelines and Terms of Reference.
The Commissioner, or Commissioners, appointed must be of the right standing andbe independent from the Australian Defence Force in order to ensure trust and confidence in this process.
In particular, we are concerned that the Government has said it wants to have a “standing Royal Commission” in tandem with a Royal Commission to look at this issue in an ongoing way.
Many veterans and families do not support the Government’s proposed National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention, and the legislation is stalled in the Senate.
Labor, along with many in the veteran community, has said it is open to a permanent body to tackle this issue, but only if this is a recommendation coming out of an independent Royal Commission, which must happen first.
The work of Julie-Ann Finney and Karen Bird, and the other brave mothers and families of veterans must also be acknowledged. They have campaigned tirelessly for a Royal Commission, despite the personal grief and pain they have experienced.
Many parents of veterans who have tragically taken their own lives have said a Royal Commission will allow them an opportunity to have their say and be heard, while providing a powerful voice for their children.
Today’s announcement is a crucial step forward on this journey.