Inn’s horse attendant

From John Gwyther, Glenmaggie:

SCOTT Morrison rolls out yet another threeletter slogan but “the Australian way” label for his plan for net zero by 2050 describes his Australian way — bereft of any new commitments or ideas on solving the problem, kicking the can down the road for others to deal with. The “Australian way” that built this nation would be facing up to reality, developing clear goals and plans and leading from the front to play our part in this global existential threat, despite the political difficulties. That would be real leadership, but all we’ve got is a slick salesman who knows how to sell. I hope he gets his bum comprehensively kicked at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, but fear it is all of us who will get bruised. Could earthquake be a build-up to a big one?

From Ralph Barraclough, Licola:

JUST recently we have had a reasonably serious earthquake centred not far from Licola. For the past 35 years I have been aware of a previous earlier earthquake that impacted this area, probably about 1500 years ago. The intensity of this earthquake was of such magnitude that it could only be described as catastrophic and almost unimaginable. I mention that I have a geological background and are unaware of anything like this in Australia. This is the sort of earthquakes experienced in places like South America. I believe this earthquake caused two massive landslides that formed lakes, Tali Karng being one of them. The other lake formed is where my own house is 3km north of Licola and was slightly smaller than Tali Karng. The landslide was possibly similar-sized, but the rocks involved are very different. With Tali Karng it was the most stable and durable rocks in our area. These were Wellington Rhyolite, an acid volcanic rock (laver) of Devonian age, more than 600 million years old. This rock came out of a massive volcano, the remains of which is now known as The Sentinels. For an earthquake to dislodge rock like this, the size it has, is almost unimaginable. The rocks that make up the landslide near my place are also Devonian, but mudstone. This rock breaks down very quickly and because of this the creek cut through, and there is no longer a lake here. There is adequate lake sediment remains for one to know it was here for quite a period. I have studied this landslide intensely over the years and are convinced it could only have occurred from a massive earthquake. It has little of the criteria of a landslide from excessive rain, and I see no evidence it has moved since it was formed. The substantial scarp from this slippage can be easily seen from Target Creek Rd and on Google mapping east of the road. There is a third indicator of a serious shake-up in our area that I suspect is linked to the above two. At Hickeys Creek on the road to Heyfield from Licola there is a massive rock of enormous size that has came adrift from the hill and rolled down and across the valley. In 1960 when I first saw this, I actually climbed to the top. Today I just scratch my head to think that I actually got up there. I am not aware of any other rock like this from my travels in Australia. It was 35 years ago that I realised that all three of these were likely linked and the magnitude of the earthquake involved was so intense that it was likely to have been the shock wave from a meteorite impact. Since then I have searched high and low, without success, looking for a crater. I have two more areas in the valley directly west of the Surveyors Creel Forestry camp to check out. With the improved Google mapping, I am becoming sceptical that meteorite impact is responsible, though the shape, direction and location fits what I have been looking for. I will be checking this out as soon as I can. With this recent earthquake we now realise that, what we thought for a number of years at Licola was blasting from gold mines at Woods Point and Walhalla, was nothing like this. We have had a number of thunderous tremors building up to this recent earthquake. Never in my wildest dream before this recent Licola earthquake had I even imagined that such an earthquake, as the one in the past could have originated naturally in Australia. That’s why at the time I thought it could have only been from a meteorite impact. The serious question is — were the tremors we have experienced at Licola leading up to the earthquake we have just had, and is it now going to go quiet, or is the recent quake part of the build-up to something more substantial? An earthquake like what has been here in the past, or even less, I think would totally demolish Melbourne and most of Victoria. There could have been any number of lesser earthquakes in the last 1500 years capable of doing real damage. I mention that there is also another lake considerably older than Tali Karng that was also formed by a landslide. This is on the Snowy Plains north, north-west of the airstrip.

We must denounce moves for more control

From Pat O’Brien, Sale:

AT the age of 86, I do not have enough contacts or energy to organise a demonstration against our premier, but I am amazed at the lack of reaction from the community at his announcement that he will assume total control of our state. We must loudly denounce this. Doctor shortages in the regions continuing

From Raff Ciccone, Federal Labor Senator for Victoria:

IF the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of looking after our health. Yet for thousands of regional, rural and remote Australians who don’t have access to a local GP or bulk billing, that’s easier said than done. More than eight long years the LiberalNational government has failed to improve the dire shortage of GPs in regional, rural and remote communities. In fact, by making almost 1000 cuts and changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, the Morrison government is making the problem worse. Our primary health network is in crisis. Too many people are forced in a situation to either wait weeks to see a GP, travel long distances to get care, or simply go without. For those going without treatment, their conditions could worsen, and they may end up in hospital, putting additional pressure on a health care system which is already pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID has highlighted the holes and gaps in our health system, and none are more obvious than the shortage of GPs and other services. But this issue isn’t new. People living in country Victoria have been battling a critical lack of GPs for far too long. With Australia experiencing a shortage of GPs, allied health, and specialist medical services the Morrison-Joyce government has done nothing which will fix the problem. Deloitte estimates the nation is facing a shortfall of nearly 9300 full-time GPs by 2030, representing about a quarter of the workforce. Federal Labor established a Senate inquiry to hold the Coalition to account and examine the GP shortage, including the Medicare rebate freeze, to make sure everyone has access to quality health care — regardless of where they live. A key part of this work is hearing directly from Australians most affected by the approaching health crisis in this country. I want to thank those who have contacted me about how hard it is to see a doctor or a medical specialist including some who are struggling to access or pay for medical care. This inquiry will investigate why our region is particularly affected by a lack of GPs and come up with practical solutions to fix it. Our communities are seeking firm action and a commitment to solutions.

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