Just ask around town \u2013 what are you most proud of in Lorne?<\/p>\n
While there would be a spread of opinion, a few recurring themes would likely rise\u2014like cream\u2014to the top: our sense of community; our incomparable mix-and-mingle venues [like the A-team, to name but one]; the natural beauty of the ‘Lorne amphitheatre’ [its golden beach and forested hills]; our steadfast resistance to over-development, over-capitalisation, and high-rise buildings [though these battles continue]; the hospitality of our hospitality; and the quiet peace of winter after the frantic hubbub of summer. Though these [and more] would make the cut on anyone\u2019s list, I have purposefully left the best till last … our local hospital.<\/p>\n
The pride we all share in our local hospital, the doctors, nurses, allied health and service staff, kitchen and ground staff, and the approachable and efficient administrative staff is second to none. All offer friendly, competent, no-fanfare service to our community. They are local people who live in our local community and raise their families here. Without our local hospital and other essential services\u2014the Ambos, SES, CFA, and Police\u2014Lorne would be a husk without a kernel.<\/p>\n
One word stands out in that introduction … local.<\/p>\n
The Oxford Dictionary defines local as … relating to, or characteristic of a particular place, not general or widespread.<\/p>\n
When discussing the meaning of \u2018being local\u2019, Tom Inglis wrote: “… a sense of place is a strong marker of identity and is central to people’s knowledge and understanding of themselves and others” – https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/localbelonging. While he wasn’t, he could have been describing Lorne.<\/p>\n
By \u2018sense of place\u2019, he means: “… the emotive bonds and attachments people develop or experience in particular locations and environments from the home to the nation”… incidentally, a concept currently being sorely stressed by the uneducated educated in Australian universities.<\/p>\n
These principles may soon be stressed in Lorne as a new threat looms over a local institution critical to our \u2018sense of place\u2019\u2014our hospital and healthcare services. While another source describes the value of a local hospital as “… creating jobs and contributing to the economic and social well-being of the community,\u201d I would go further: the local hospital is the beating heart of its community.<\/p>\n
Some may have read recent press reports about the planned amalgamation of 76 regional and local healthcare boards and administrations into a half dozen super-boards. For Lorne, it would mean back to Barwon Health [BH]\u2014again\u2014but not quite the same BH we knew last time. It will be a vastly expanded healthcare behemoth, its responsibilities ranging from the Bellarine peninsula to the South Australian Border. One overarching board and administration would control\/apportion all staffing and funding.<\/p>\n
Questions …<\/p>\n
\u2022 Would the leadership team at BH (a) understand and (b) properly value the small regional services within its vast new area of responsibility?
\n\u2022 Would the BH leadership team understand the management challenges facing a small service exposed to the peaks and troughs typical of Lorne’s summer\/winter populations?<\/p>\n
On ABC Shepparton [https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/mvwb2d3d<\/a>], a Victorian Hospitals Association spokesperson warned that:<\/p>\n \u2022 Over 20 Victorian health services will have their budgets slashed. On ABC Bendigo [12\/06\/24], Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas was asked about potential hospital mergers. Acknowledging that “… the Victorian healthcare network comprises many small, independently governed hospitals” [ie. just like Lorne], she went on to state “… the government will not close any hospitals as part of a shake-up of healthcare in Victoria under my watch”… though who knows how long that watch will last.<\/p>\n My take? … \u2018will not close\u2019? \u2014perhaps not … but eviscerate? \u2014quite likely.<\/p>\n After talking with our local hospital CEO, the very approachable Sandy Chamberlin, several [semi-]reassuring points emerged. Note: the following is not a verbatim transcript but my interpretation of our discussion.<\/p>\n Sandy\u2019s starting point was that the coming change is inevitable. The die has been cast. It will happen, like it or not. What matters is … how best to manage it … though our valued manager may no longer be in place to manage!<\/p>\n There is something seductively heart-warming about ‘being a local’… whether as a local resident, a local policeman, a local fireman, ambo or SES worker, a local supermarket employee, or a local tradie… but above all, a local hospital. And … nothing matters more to \u2018locals\u2019 than their health\u2014particularly in a community replete with retirees. A threat to local healthcare is a threat to local core values.<\/p>\n It is hard not to feel cynical and grumpy when billions have been wasted on building city railway loops to nowhere and massive city infrastructure projects that are over-budget and over-schedule. Meanwhile, in the regions, roads crumble, gigantic windmills desecrate the countryside, and health services are threatened by far-distant centralisation. While we all know our government is broke [a problem entirely of its own making], the regions are again being made to \u2018cough up\u2019. At the same time, city folk will soon enjoy train rides from Aspendale to Greensborough [why?] or drive under the Yarra without getting wet. For the cynic in me, that is the inescapable conclusion.<\/p>\n Again, Country Peter [us] is being asked to pay City Paul [them] … and Country Peter isn’t thrilled!<\/p>\n John Agar Hello<\/p>\n The Committee for Lorne met last week and one of its more pleasant tasks was to decide the recipient(s) of the Doug and Mary Stirling Community Cup.<\/p>\n The Cup is awarded on a biennial basis to recognise outstanding community service.<\/p>\n It is named after the initial recipients of the award, Doug and Mary Stirling. Doug is one of Lorne\u2019s oldest residents, having recently celebrated his 102nd birthday. Happy Birthday Doug!<\/p>\n It will come as no surprise to those who know them and the work they do for our community, that this year\u2019s award goes to Clive and Lesley Goldsworthy, and that they were nominated in all categories of outstanding service.<\/p>\n That is, education, community, business, culture and the arts, health, environment and sport.<\/p>\n The history of Clive and Lesley\u2019s contribution speaks for itself.<\/p>\n They have been an amazing team and have had a very significant impact on our community.<\/p>\n They have together filled, and continue to fill and support each other in the following roles:<\/p>\n Their achievements include:<\/p>\n It is interesting to note that this is the third time (out of six) that the award has been presented jointly to a couple, which demonstrates that community service and contribution often require the commitment of both partners.<\/p>\n While there are many in our community who donate their time and skills for the benefit of others, I am sure you will agree that Clive and Lesley are worthy recipients of this award.<\/p>\n Congratulations to you both and thank you for your contribution to our community.<\/p>\n The award will be presented at a Committee for Lorne lunch to be held at the Stribling Reserve Community Pavilion on Friday September 20. Save the date and stay tuned for further details.<\/p>\n Cheers<\/p>\n August<\/strong><\/p>\n 17th – Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V Alive<\/strong>, at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 9am, seniors at 2pm<\/p>\n 17th – Surfcoast Wonderfalls Trail Run<\/strong>, Starting at Cumberland River\/Lorne from Distances: 5km 13km 25km 42km 52km<\/p>\n <\/p>\n September<\/strong><\/p>\n 15 – <\/strong>Amy\u2019s Gran Fondo,<\/strong> cycling event on the Great Ocean Road www.amysgranfondo.org.au<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Just ask around town \u2013 what are you most proud of in Lorne? While there would be a spread of opinion, a few recurring themes would likely rise\u2014like cream\u2014to the top: our sense of community; our incomparable mix-and-mingle venues [like the A-team, to name but one]; the natural beauty of the ‘Lorne amphitheatre’ [its golden […]<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Regional hospital managers face funding clawbacks of up to 30% [with their jobs part of the proposed \u2018efficiency drive\u2019].
\n\u2022 The Victorian government is \u2018considering advice\u2019 on hospital mergers.<\/p>\n\n
\nFeature Writer<\/p>\nA word from the chairman<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Lorne Ward Events Calendar<\/strong><\/h1>\n