Everyone who knows Dr John Holly will confirm he is a great GP and a fantastic bloke. Anyone who doesn’t know him but heard his recent local ABC radio interview will have formed the same view.
His service to Cessnock and beyond has been exemplary and unselfish. Since 1978 he’s delivered more than 800 babies and cared for countless patients. He was recently honoured with a Rural Medical Service Award for his many years of service.
Congratulations John, you’ve seen many changes in our town but your service has been a constant. It was nice to hear you promoting our local restaurants too!
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The Miss Cessnock Quest was a fabulous success as always and I congratulate the winner Emma Myers from Rothbury as well as all those who put their hand up to become an Ambassador of the City. Thank you to the Advertiser and all the sponsors for providing our young local women with a great chance to gain such valuable experience
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I am pleased to be able to provide readers with a brief update on the Turnbull Government’s proposed changes to the Medicare safety nets. The Government has announced it will not be proceeding with them at this point.
This is a win for patients and a decision Labor welcomes.
We know from all the evidence that was provided at the Senate inquiry into this Bill that it would have seen thousands of patients much worse off: especially those needing access to assisted reproductive technology services, people who are undergoing radiation oncology treatment, and a number of patients requiring ongoing access to psychiatrists. The College of GPs amongst others also said the proposed changes would see patients with chronic illness facing increased out-of-pocket costs, and we know that would have only acted as a deterrent to many patients seeking the care they need.
Labor has all along said that the Medicare safety nets could be simplified to make them less complicated for patients, as well as reviewed to ensure that patients who most needed access to them have it. Labor consistently said that the proposed changes would leave far too many patients much worse off, and the government never provided the evidence that this would not be the case. So its decision to abandon these changes is vindication of this.
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Our volunteer firefighters & other emergency service volunteers are just amazing and take huge risks to help & protect others. Tragically, they sometimes pay the ultimate price. We should all be eternally grateful to Paul Sanderson and all who serve. Rest in Peace and thanks for what you did for your community Paul.
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This week I’ll attend a number of end of year school presentations. It is always a pleasure to acknowledge the efforts and achievements of our local students and to congratulate them on their efforts.
Of course, students can’t achieve without good teaching staff and a strong school community and we are certainly blessed with plenty of both.
My very best wishes to all those who now embark on their final one or two years of schooling and all those who have chosen to enter the workforce or some other form of training. Remember, you don’t have to be the best to achieve, few are. Most of the time, simply your best will do.
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I am always keen to assist with issues or questions relating to Federal Government departments or put you in contact with someone who can, so please ring, write, visit the website or call in.
Why not go the extra step by following me on my Facebook page “Joel Fitzgibbon” or on Twitter and type in the search bar “fitzhunter”. Or by regularly checking my website at www.joelfitzgibbon.com or you can even sign up to my E-Newsletter.
To contact the office, phone 1300 301 753, visit www.joelfitzgibbon.com or by post 3 Edward Street, (PO Box 526) Cessnock, 2325.
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