On Friday 24 August, the 741 petitions that were collected across Towong Shire in support of better healthcare in the North East were handed over to the Concerned Nannas by Towong Shire resident Kerrie Stephenson.
Towong Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Denise Anderson said: “It was truly a team effort to collect so many signatures, led by community stalwarts Peter Joyce, Kate Wheeler and Garry Johnson.”
Kerrie Stephenson is a member of the Concerned Nannas who are a group who came together out of concern for their children and grandchildren – and the wider community in the Albury Wodonga Health service catchment area. They are concerned about bed shortages, long waiting lists, and surgery cancellations – all of which will not be alleviated unless a new hospital is built in Albury Wodonga.
“Towong Shire Council is incredibly grateful to the Concerned Nannas and local Kerrie Stephenson for adding another 741 petitions to the overall total of more than 12,100 community signatures supporting a new single-site greenfield hospital for Albury-Wodonga,” Councillor Anderson said.
“These 741 signatures were collected from Towong Shire community members as Councillors visited our main towns in the four weeks leading up to the community rally in Corryong last year.
“I have listened to the Nannas over the past 18 months and had many conversations with them that brought back memories of the conversations we have had with our patients and residents about their experiences with Albury Wodonga Health.
“This has included conversations about delays caused by ongoing bed blocking, the conditions they have experienced, and their concerns about the pressure placed on staff who are doing their absolute best in incredibly difficult circumstances.
“For the past 18 months, the Concerned Nannas have continued listening to residents throughout the catchment of Albury Wodonga Health and they have turned up week after week, listening to so many personal and often confidential stories. I can assure the community that this is not an easy task.
“They are not simply passionate, they are committed, compassionate and determined.
“I have no doubt the Concerned Nannas will be fantastic custodians of these Statements of Support and will continue to make sure the voices of our communities are heard and recognised by those who have the power to make a difference.
“As the Victorian election approaches, sending a message to elected representatives that the status quo is not acceptable, nor is it too late to pause the redevelopment and plan for a new hospital, is critical. I know the Concerned Nannas are going to make sure their voices, and the voices of North East communities, are heard loud and clear,” Cr Anderson said
ENDS
For all enquiries please contact the Towong Shire Communications team using the contact details below.
