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 The NSW Government, in the recent mini-budget, introduced a charge to private hospitals for the provision of blood and blood products. I understand this decision was taken without consultation with private hospitals, the National Blood Authority (NBA) or the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Read more ... Download a blank petition Download a form letter . |
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Posted 20th February 2009
Local Residents Can Sign the NSW Parliament's Condolence Book
for Victorian Bushfire Victims
Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, is inviting local residents to sign a page from the NSW Parliament's condolence book for victims of the Victorian Bushfires.
When the book is closed it will be sent on behalf of the people of NSW to the Victorian Parliament.
Mr Piper has arranged for pages from the condolence book to be available to community members to sign at Toronto and Morisset libraries.
The Community will have until Friday February 27 to sign the condolence book, so the pages can be sent to Parliament House for the official closure on Friday 6th March.
"Many local people would like to sign the book but are unable to get to Sydney," Mr Piper said. "This provides an opportunity for local residents to add their names and a message to show their respect for the victims of this disaster."
He said that the condolence pages would be available during normal opening hours at both libraries from Saturday 21 to Friday 27 February.
Posted 19th February 2009  Greg with Lake Macquarie Landcare Coordinator John Hughson and pupils at Teralba Public School LANDCARE FUNDING DELIVERED Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, today presented Lake Macquarie Landcare a NSW Environmental Trust grant of $75,000 to deliver educational and hands-on activities in schools. A handover and tree-planting ceremony was held at Teralba Public School at 10 am today. The L4Y program targets the 25 and under age group attending schools and colleges in Lake Macquarie and provides resources for on-site landcare projects. The aim of Landcare for Youth is to develop knowledge and skills in restoring damaged environments and protecting biodiversity. According to Mr Piper, Teralba is one of sixty schools already signed up for the new Landcare program. "Landcare for Youth will be an important step in restoring the lake and its catchment," Mr Piper, said. "Population growth and increasing urbanisation puts more pressure on the lake and the areas around it," said Mr Piper. "We want to keep the lake in good condition for the future and involving young people in this is vital." Posted 18th February 2009  Troy McDonald, Brendan Clark, Greg Gambrill, Paul Cramford and Robin Hay Why Kayak Bass Strait, 5 mates, 1 strait, 1 life...why not? Over 300 kilometers of notoriously unpredictable seas and weather in little more than a plastic tub doesn't seem like much fun to most people. But to the five crew of the Paddledogs, the idea of kayaking across Bass Strait is inspiring. Five middle-aged professionals from Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast of NSW are in training to cross the eastern side of Bass Strait in March 2009 in their sea kayaks. Their mission is to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and funds to support research by the Black Dog Institute. The sea kayaks are between 5 and 6 metres long, a little over half a metre wide, and will hold all of their food and equipment for the trip. Risks include huge seas, ferocious winds, sharks, fatigue and injury. But Paul, one of the 'Dogs', counters this with "the awe inspiring natural beauty, the thrill of adventure, and the satisfaction of contributing to a worthy cause". The Paddledogs are all 'mates' that have enjoyed outdoor adventure pursuits to "get them out of the office" for many years. The idea of paddling across Bass Strait snowballed in early 2008 with the idea of combining adventure with supporting a good cause. The Paddledogs have witnessed the impact of mental illness on families and are keen to support research that helps with early detection of bipolar disorder in adolescents. Private and corporate donations can be made online at www.paddledogs.org , where there is fascinating reading about the Paddledogs' plans. You can also support the Paddledogs by coming to a Trivia Night (see details) Posted 9th February 2009 NEW CLINIC WELCOME, BUT IT'S NOT A HOSPITAL Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, has welcomed the announcement by Federal MP Greg Combet that a GP Superclinic will be provided at Morisset as an adjunct to existing GP services. "I congratulate Waratah Medical Services on its successful bid for the clinic and thank Greg Combet for delivering the Government's promise" said Mr Piper. According to Mr Piper, the superclinic will be a good first step towards improved healthcare for the area, but it won't be a hospital. "It's good to hear that Morisset will get a boost in general practitioners and related services" Mr Piper said. "It leaves the local community's call for a hospital as the clear priority for this growing regional centre." "The Commonwealth Government is right in choosing to build this new centre where the demand is greatest, but Morisset's growing population will need a broad range of services and planning must continue for a new hospital." Mr Piper proposed a new hospital in 2007 and convened the first public meeting in September that year. Since then he has worked with John Quinlan and the Southlakes Integrated Health Care Committee to develop a plan for a state-run health facility for Morisset. "People in western Lake Macquarie need access to a local hospital without driving over 40km, Mr Piper said. "The NSW Government has planned for regional growth, so it needs to plan for regional infrastructure." |
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