PROGFREERAMS

easy and just as reliable as asample taken by a doctor or nurse using aspeculum.

Ms Broun encouraged anyone who has been putting off cervical screening to speak to their doctor or nurse about self-collection.

“In Australia, over 70 per cent of cervical cancers are found in people who have neverscreened or are overduefor screening,” she said.

“Doing this one quick test every five years could save your life. Now that there’s self-collection,you havea choice in how youprotect yourself from cervical cancer.”

Regional Nurse cervical screening provider, Emily Grantsaidself-collection had openedadoor for thosewho havefaced barriers to accessing screening, includingthose living regionally or remotely.

“So oftenwomenand people with acervix opt out of screening for various reasons; for those of us living regionally, there can be additional barriers to screening, likefindingahealthprofessional near you who you feelcomfortable with”, she said.

“Self-collectionhelps to break down alot of these barriers,byallowing people to choose what’s right for them and to do thisimportant test themselves, in private, if they would prefer. It reallyisexciting.”

If youare due for aCervical Screening Test, speak to your doctor or nurse about your options, includingself-collection, or call CancerCouncil Victoria’s experienced cancer nurses on 13 11 20 for information and support.

Find out more about self-collection at www. cancervic.org.au/selfcollection, or search for alocal provider who suits your needs on Cancer Council Victoria’s Cervical Screening Directory.

Season slash

THE state government’s decisiontoslash theduck huntingseason from three months to just one month, has beenlabelled “unfair” by the Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron.

Mr Cameronsaidhehad been approached by several local hunterswho have expressedconcerns aboutthe state government’s announcement, that shooters would also be held to tighter bag limits and restricted to justfour birds per day during the modified season.

“Duck hunting is awell-regulated practice in Victoria and hunters have been left disappointed by thisannouncement which impacts amuch-loved pastime for manylaw-abiding shooters across the Valley,” Mr Cameron said.

“The Game Management Authority website has referenced the supposed ‘poor behaviour’ of some as afactor in its decision to slash the hunting season, and this is an insult to the vast majority of recreational hunters who do the right thing.

“Labor’s own data from the 2022 duck hunting season also shows zero of the 802 hunters checked had exceeded daily bag limits.

“This just shows the decision to cut the season short hasnothing to do withthe behaviour of hunters.”

The Game Management Authority also claims a“more precautionary” approach has been taken because of “long-term declines”inwaterbird numbers and habitat availability.

“Butthe Valley’s duckhuntingcommunity takes great pride in ensuring the practice remains sustainable for generations to come, and that includes caring for our wetlands and their native species,” Mr Cameron said.

“I’m calling on the state government to reinstate a full-length duck hunting season, so our recreational shooterscan enjoy this pastime which supports local businesses and generatesmore than $350 million for the Victorian economy.”

Friday, March10: 7to9pm

Saturday, March11: 3.30 to 5pm &7to9pm

Sunday, March12: 7to9pm

Monday, March13: 7to9pm

Forfurther information contact 0448 255 894