HUNTER VALLEY NEWS COLUMN 11 FEBRUARY 2015

I will be providing a Mobile Office at Aberdeen and Scone next week. 

The Hunter electorate covers just over 20,000 sq km and I realise that it’s often difficult for many of you to visit my office. That’s why I’m bringing my office to you!
The following Mobile offices will be held 
• Aberdeen Neighbourhood Centre on Monday February 16th from 1.00pm – 3.00pm
• Scone Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday February 17th from 10.00am – 12 noon
 
Bookings can be made by calling 4991 1022 or just call in and say hello.
My office has received numerous calls from concerned constituents about Tony Abbott’s attack on Medicare. If you would like to help save our universal healthcare system, call in and sign my Save Medicare petition. 
Remember, I can deal with issues such as Centrelink, Child Support, Immigration, Medicare, Superannuation, Taxation, Veterans’ Affairs and Telecommunications.
********************

I've spent plenty of time in nursing homes over the years, both visiting friends and relatives and in a professional capacity.  I've always been grateful to those who provide the care and services.
But it's not till you have someone very close to you in an aged care facility that you come to truly appreciate their hard work, care and compassion.  I salute all those who care for our older Australian, both in institutions and in their own home.
********************
Prevent Bowel Cancer is an initiative running throughout the month of February to raise awareness of bowel cancer and encouraging more Australians to screen for the disease.
Bowel cancer is the second most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia affecting both men and women almost equally and is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer.
 
All Australians aged 50 and over are encouraged to have a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) every 1-2 years to help save lives.
 
Over 15,000 Australians are diagnosed with the disease each year. Around 1,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer are under the age of 50. Around 4,000 people die from the disease each year, more than from breast or prostate cancer.
Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. 1 in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime.
Please don’t wait until it’s too late.
***************
 
The ABC Radio’s Heywire competition for 2015 has officially opened.
 
Now in its 17th year, ABC Radio’s Heywire initiative provides a platform for young Australians aged between 16-22 to submit stories about their life, and issues affecting their community.
 
Every year winners are invited to take part in the annual Heywire Regional Youth Summit in Canberra in the first week of Parliament. During the Summit the Heywire winners share their views on issues that matter to them and work together to develop the creative projects to improve the lives of young people in regional Australia. They also participate in leadership and community-building activities, and present their ideas and stories to Parliamentarians, policy makers and members of the broader community.
 
Young people from rural and regional Australia can enter Heywire by visiting abc.net.au/haywire or calling 1800 262 646.
 
*******************
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.


Be the first to comment

Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.