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There has been a terrific response to my column two weeks ago on the urgent need for a radiotherapy unit at Lismore base hospital. Marshall Fittler, the president of Regional Community Watch has been inundated with stories of so many sad and difficult cases where cancer patients have to make the trek to the Gold Coast or Brisbane for radiotherapy treatment five days a week for up to six weeks at a time. The associated financial, physical and mental trauma, aside from the effects of their cancer, involved in such an ordeal has meant that many patients are forgoing treatment. This is a deplorable state of affairs for a progressive and caring community in this area. While the health care professionals work hard, the health care system is cracking under the pressure of mismanagement. Marshall tells me that over the past four years when stage 2 at Lismore base was due to be operating by the start of 2008, the pledged 8 million dollars by the State government has lost a lot of its buying power due to the CPI. He points out they emerged from the last budget with a surplus of 144 million dollars after spending in excess of 80 million dollars on their election campaign. Many other local organizations have joined the Regional Community Watch and they are seeking more support. They are meeting August 16 at Byron Bay Bowling Club if you’d like to go along.
Last night I was appointed Roving Tourism Ambassador for the Manning Valley (where my book “The Valley” is set.) Having been born and spent my childhood in the Manning I love and know it well. The head of the Manning Tourism Board said awareness of the area had increased significantly since the book came out with many visitors coming to visit and take The Valley Tour which goes around the locations mentioned in the book. The same thing happened in Broome after I wrote Tears of the Moon and although Byron Shire didn’t need branding or more visitors, many have moved to the Northern Rivers after reading The Bay. I wonder if tourism to Vietnam will increase after “Monsoon” comes out in November?
Cheers.
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