TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:20
21 February 2012
TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and the Ministerial Taskforce for Aboriginal Affairs are reminding community members, individuals and interested organisations that the deadline for the new Aboriginal Affairs strategy is on the horizon.
"I strongly recommend everyone that attended the meeting at the Tamworth Community Centre on 7 February make a submission and have their say on the development of a new Aboriginal affairs strategy for NSW."
"The NSW Government is committed to ensuring a strong community voice and working partnership in the development of the new Aboriginal affairs strategy so we can start building better futures for Aboriginal people and local residents in the Tamworth electorate.
"In order to facilitate this process a series of Community Discussion Papers were released and provided to the public at the meeting with the opportunity to comment on the key issues, as well as suggest possible solutions and make an online submission.
"Submissions related to Improving service delivery and accountability in Aboriginal affairs across NSW and Improving employment outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW should be lodged no later than 5pm Wednesday 29 February 2012.
"Also, submissions related to Improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW should be lodged no later than 5pm 30 March 2012 to enable responses from the school community.” Mr Anderson said.
In order to make a submission or for more information residents are urged to visit the Ministerial Taskforce webpage at: http://www.daa.nsw.gov.au/taskforce/ or phone the Taskforce Secretariat on (02) 9219 0702.
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ANDERSON RAISES RURAL MIDWIVES DURING PARLIAMENT
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:19
21 February 2012
ANDERSON RAISES RURAL MIDWIVES DURING PARLIAMENT
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has today raised the importance of the rural midwifery program in the NSW Parliament
Kevin Anderson said The Rural Midwifery Program is a comprehensive and rewarding program which offers a Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery, with a specific rural focus, through Charles Sturt University and the participating hospitals within the northern section of Hunter New England Local Health District. Those hospitals include Tamworth, Armidale, Moree, Inverell and Narrabri.
"Recently I attended the 19th rural midwifery graduation ceremony at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital where 4 nurses graduated to Midwives.
"Graduates from this program have been the mainstay of many of our rural maternity units over almost two decades enabling continued provision of locally based maternity services.
"It is important to build services around the delivery of care. When it comes to maternity, we need to stay focussed on keeping the woman at the centre of care.
"It is well known that attracting health workers to rural areas is an ongoing challenge. That applies across all disciplines, including midwifery, that's why this program plays such an importance role.
"I raised this in Parliament today because we need to boost our workforce and to put on record that I look forward to working closely with Hunter New England Local Health District to look at how we can provide more opportunities for nurses looking to transition to midwifery and the appropriate funding to make it happen.
"We have some of the best administrators and clinicians in our area and I thank Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Ricky Bradbery, and program coordinator and Midwife Consultant Area Maternity Services, Robin Skewes, for their tireless efforts in this area.
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Anderson welcomes high praise from high profile visitors
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:15
21 February 2012
Anderson welcomes high praise from high profile visitors
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has welcomed the high praise for the 2012 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Mr Anderson said a number of high profile dignitaries attended the festival and have thanked them for the kind words about our city, its people and the festival.
"Those who attended the festival at various times and gave high praise included the Governor of NSW Professor Marie Bashir AC, The NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, The Environment and Heritage Minister the Hon Robyn Parker MP, The Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, NSW Senator John Williams and others.
"Today the Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay, payed tribute to Tamworth in her speech in Parliament on festivals around the state.
"Word of mouth is critical when it comes to promoting the festival and I thank all those who took the time to visit and enjoy what was a spectacular 40th Tamworth Country Music Festival.
"Sponsorship plays a major role and the NSW Government was a significant contributor through Destination NSW, along with the Transport Minister the Hon Gladys Berejiklian with her contribution to the Festival Express bus service.
"At present Tamworth Regional Council is conducting wash up meetings with the community and organisations and I am looking forward to seeing great ideas about how we can do it better for 2013.
"Our city was on its best behaviour and all those who assisted in this year's festival deserve to be congratulated, including our police and emergency service personnel.
"I know that many of our leading dignitaries are already checking their diaries for next year. I welcome them one and all and thank them for being part of our great festival for 2012 and look forward to seeing them on 2013.
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IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE SENIORS WEEK
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:12
21 February 2012
IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE SENIORS WEEK
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson says our seniors play a very important role in our community, they give so much, so it's time to give something back.
"It gives me great pleasure to be able to offer our seniors the opportunity to attend a highlight on the seniors event calendar, the 2012 Premier's Seniors Week Gala Concert.
"To show my appreciation I have a number of free tickets for people who would like to attend. This excellent concert will be held on Monday 19 March 2012 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
"I feel this is a great chance for us to give something back and support the seniors in our community. This is just one of the events that will be happening over Seniors Week which will be celebrated Sunday 18 March – Sunday 25 March 2012.
"This year's theme for the Premier's Seniors Week Gala Concerts is 'On Broadway', and I expect the show to be sensational.
"These shows normally sell out very quickly, so I encourage any one who would like to go to quickly drop into my office and secure their tickets. I will be giving away two tickets to each person that calls into my office.
"If you do miss out on tickets for the Sydney event, there will be a number of events happening locally and around the region. I encourage all seniors to get involved, it's an excellent way to meet new people and most of all have a good time." Mr Anderson said
"My office is located at 13 Fitzroy Street, Tamworth, tickets are limited."
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FIRST CONCRETE POUR FOR NORTH-WEST
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Thursday, 16 February 2012 09:03
16 February, 2012
FIRST CONCRETE POUR FOR NORTH-WEST
CANCER CENTRE
Work is progressing on the $41.7 million North West Cancer Centre in Tamworth, with the first concrete pour for new radiation bunkers to take place today, the Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, and the Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, said today.
The project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth ($31.7M) and State ($10M) governments.
About 150 cubic metres of concrete will be poured in the coming days. In total, about 2750 cubic metres of concrete will be used in the building.
Mrs Skinner said construction was on target for completion by the end of this year, with the centre due to open in 2013.
"This is a very exciting stage of the project and it’s pleasing to see facility progressing so well," Mrs Skinner said.
"The new cancer centre will include a linear accelerator and two radiotherapy bunkers, a new CT scanner and other major radiotherapy planning equipment, and additional chemotherapy chairs," she said.
Workers are constructing the ground slabs for sections that will house major equipment such as the linear accelerator and an orthovoltage radiation unit to treat more superficial cancers. Following that will be the radiotherapy bunker walls and roof, remaining ground slab, ground floor columns, lift shafts and stairwells.
Radiotherapy services will be located on the bottom floor of the two-storey facility, being built between Tamworth Hospital’s emergency department and nearby Johnson House. Medical and radiation oncology clinics, haematology clinics and the chemotherapy treatment centre will be on the top floor.
Mr Anderson said he was pleased to see progress on this much needed facility.
"This will be the first time radiotherapy services have been available in the New England North West region and I’m delighted to see progress on the facility today," Mr Anderson said.
"The new radiotherapy services will complement existing oncology services at Tamworth and will bring an expanded range of cancer services under one roof," he said.
"It’s also positive to know that most patients who have had to travel out of the region will be able to have their treatment closer to home, where they can be better supported by their families, friends and care networks."
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