blah blah blah | May 24

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Health service staff united in journey towards reconciliation

Our vision for Reconciliation Employees will work together in achieving Health Equity through reconciliation – together way; and by becoming a culturally proficient organisation Click here to read our RAP Make a pledge to reconciliation

Dear collegues,

Reconciliation. In isolation is simply a word, but when we work together it becomes a unifying action. An action that now more than ever can result in meaningful and sustainable change to tackle inequality. Now more than ever we must all be leaders in Closing the Gap for First Nation Australians.

National Reconciliation Week (May 27- June 3) compels us to recognise the value in truth telling, creating mutual respect and recognition of the ongoing and real impact of the colonisation of Australia’s first peoples. At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous people, for the benefit of all Australians. This is particularly poignant for our health service consumers.

I’m proud to say staff across our health service are trailblazers in co-design and collaboration in initiatives to support all areas of reconciliation as a united force. Our staff continue to strengthen our existing relationships while also building new partnerships with First Nation individuals, families, organisations, and communities with the goal of Closing the Gap.

The recent Allied Health Awards showcased excellence in First Nations health care and is a testament to the motivation and innovation coming together to provide for equitable access to care. It is wonderful to celebrate initiatives and services that have shifted the way they do things to deliver culturally safe care for patients and their families. As a health service we take our responsibility to provide equitable access and care to all Australians seriously. National Reconciliation Week highlights this need and is an encouragement for us all to continue to work to make our services more accessible and appropriate.

Equitable access to health care services for all Australian means acknowledging the things that create barriers. By recognising our individual actions, initiatives, and institutional integrity, we can continue to collaborate on solutions to these barriers. It can be uncomfortable sometimes to face what we as an organisation, may not be doing well but togetherness is the key to change. Health equity is not only the business of the nine per cent of the population impacted, it is 100 per cent the business of 100 per cent of the HHS community.

There is power in unity. And as a health service we are our most powerful when we all come together to acknowledge gaps and heal from pain, with a desire to do better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Compassion and care are more powerful than the anger of division and difference. Through collaboration and partnership is where we see integrity, equity, equality and unity in action. It can only be described as the spirit of reconciliation…now more than ever.

Amanda Cooms Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Dear Colleagues

This week, with several other colleagues, I had the opportunity to visit John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to understand how it delivers specialist children’s services within a complex adult tertiary facility (a hospital within a hospital). This is really important for us considering our existing role in delivering specialist children’s services, but also how we continue to grow into the future. Sometimes we are challenged here providing child-focused services from teams that are also delivering adult services, and similarly we are not organised internally around children’s services, so it was really interesting to see first-hand how John Hunter is addressing these issues. In many respects both organisations are on a similar trajectory, albeit at different phases. Like us, JHCH has more or less grown into specialist children’s services, and is the regional children’s hospital, just without the formal recognition from the state. There will be more on this theme in the future, however, I want to acknowledge the incredible generosity of the team at JCHC in taking a considerable amount of time to share their experiences with us.

This week I also attended the Health Service Consultative Forum. Many of you would know we meet monthly and it’s a useful opportunity for health unions and our leaders to work through our shared challenges in delivering health services to our community. The thing I value most about the forum is the meaningful relationships that exist among the participants. Sure there are times when we disagree but underneath there is a mutual respect for the parties involved and the interests we represent. As it happens, this meeting was the last meeting for Nicola de Jongh, Organiser for the QNMU. Nicola has worked closely with our health service for many years now, including through the peak of the pandemic. I would like to thank Nicola for her work in representing her members and working collaboratively with us on a whole range of shared challenges. Best wishes for your next adventure.

Reconciliation Week begins on Monday 27 May, with this year’s theme Now More Than Ever. This is an important time for our health service to continue our efforts in understanding the history of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait employees and patients, and actively reinforce their voices. Our commitment and approach to Closing the Gap and the journey of reconciliation across our health service is significant, as outlined in the Townsville Hospital and Health Service Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025. This plan recognises that reconciliation is an ongoing journey to promote inclusivity, diversity, and unity across our nation. I know when I provide an acknowledgement, I usually take the time to reflect with colleagues that our journey of improving our cultural knowledge, so that we can provide culturally appropriate and accessible care, is never ending.

The expressions of interest for the Clinical Council have now closed and I’m thrilled that we had 20 people apply. The council has been really engaged and I’m especially looking forward to working with the new members when their appointments are confirmed by the Board.

We are halfway through the 10k24 Heath Challenge and it looks like daylight is coming second to our HHS in the statewide competition! As a competitive type, I’m loving the fact we are leading the state. What I’m really enjoying though is the impact this type of competition is having on my own weight. Through a couple of small changes, including being more mindful than usual of getting a few steps in, I’ve managed to shed a small amount of weight, which is giving me the confidence to keep going (because there’s a way to go!).

Next week there will be a board meeting of the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC) followed by a strategic workshop to plan the approach for the next five years, informed by the first five years of operation and the changing landscape for academic health services in Australia. TAAHC is a collaboration between the HHSs in north Queensland, JCU and the NQPHN, and more recently QAIHC. The purpose of TAAHC is to improve the health of the northern Queensland population and grow our collective capability in health service delivery, health and medical research, and workforce development. Certainly since 2020 there have been some notable achievements, such as the funding of more than $2.5 million in research funding as well as a successful grant application of more than $3.5 million. So there certainly have been some wins and I’m looking forward to seeing the direction we take for the next five years because success on the research front absolutely translates into success on the service delivery front, which is what we are here for.

On the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Nurses Thanksgiving Service with Executive Director Nursing Midwifery Judy Morton. This is an annual event that rotates among different churches in Townsville and every year it is well attended. There is a ceremonial element involving some of the TGH Past Graduates Society and currently nursing students, which is a nice touch. I also appreciate that some of our elected officials take the time to be present for this, so thank you to the Mayor and the Member for Mundingburra for their involvement. Thanks also to some our staff who volunteered to provide informative presentations on topics like healthy ageing and MyAgedCare.

As busy as this fortnight has been, next fortnight promises to be just as busy. We have our Staff Excellence Awards on June 4, which is always just the most amazing of evenings celebrating the great work of our colleagues right across the health service.

Kieran Keyes Health Service Chief Executive

Health service staff united in journey toward reconciliation

This Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) staff across the health service are being encouraged to come together and connect while celebrating their differences.

Health service executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Amanda Cooms said the The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (BaSCI) team was a perfect example of connection and consultation.

“The BaSCI project is a perfect example of a team working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders,” she said.

“The team engaged with consumers to develop and implement a program that acknowledges difference and each individual’s needs.

“They considered cultural safety from a multifaceted perspective incorporating environment should be proud of the holistic and culturally sensitive care they deliver every day.”

Amanda said that by celebrating cultural differences the community could ensure compassion and care overcame division and difference.

“There is power in unity,” she said.

“As a health service we are our most powerful when we all come together to acknowledge gaps and heal from pain, with a desire to do better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how to achieve reconciliation in Australia.

The week marks steps toward healing and change and follows National Sorry Day on May 26.

Amanda said it was an important time for health staff to think about health equity and consider the changes needed to make healthcare more equitable for all Australians.

‘‘This year’s theme for Reconciliation Week is ‘Now more than ever’ and is a reminder that the time for positive change is now,” Amanda said.

‘‘The week is an opportunity for each of us to think about the positive changes we can make for our future Australians.

“Working in health we have an incredible opportunity to connect with and care for people but we also have a big responsibility to ensure the services we deliver are suitable and accessible for our community.”

Amanda acknowledged the trailblazing individuals and teams across the health service that went above and beyond to provide culturally safe care as well as design and develop new and innovative models of care to address cultural and social barriers to engagement.

“So many teams are doing such great work in this area and that’s wonderful to see,” she said.

Back: Kate Edmonds, Leezah Moran, Melanie Senent, Meagen Beaumont, Alli McClean, Tracey Symmons

Front: Tiha Morgan, Earl Mazzoni, Jen Quaill

Digital transformation underway for rural facilities

A digital health transformation has taken place across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) with eight rural facilities transitioning to an intergrated electronic medical record (ieMR) system.

The Joyce Palmer Health Service (JPHS) on Palm Island was Townsville HHS’s first rural site to transition to the electronic system in mid-April, making the island the first Queensland Health Indigenous community to transition to ieMR.

ieMR replaces paper-based medical records and allows healthcare professionals to record and share medical information securely and seamlessly.

Executive director digital health and knowledge Louise Hayes said the transition marked a significant milestone in the health service’s digital health journey.

“The Joyce Palmer Health Service is also the first remote Indigenous island community in Queensland to introduce ieMR,” she said.

“This tool will have a substantial impact on the care we provide in rural and remote communities and will enable clinicians to continue to provide world-class healthcare.”

“Electronic medical records are a powerful clinical tool that helps us deliver safer and more reliable healthcare and gives clinicians access to real-time patient information.”

Louise said ieMR was also successfully rolled out in Hughenden, Richmond, and Ingham.

“Ayr, Charters Towers, Home Hill and Magnetic Island will all make the transition this year,” she said.

“The ieMR vision is a connected statewide medical record, which enables an integrated suite of digital healthcare services that improve the patient experience across the state.”

Townsville HHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said he was happy to see the rural facilities make a successful transition to the ieMR.

“This is a significant step forward for this community and highlights our health service’s strong commitment to closing the gap and achieving health equity,” he said.

“I am proud to see our health service work with eHealth Queensland to be the first to roll out this technology

JPHS director of nursing Alison Gallagher said the transition was a positive step for the health service.

“We are very positive, and it is wonderful to see,” she said.

JPHS nurse unit manager Karen Thorne said teams on the island were embracing the change.

“Our staff are getting their head around ieMR, and with more practice everyone will be much more confident,” she said.

The Joyce Palmer Health Service team transitioned to an electronic medical record

Model of care bridges gap for First Nations patients

A new model of care hopes to make a tangible difference and ensure vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients do not ‘slip through the cracks’.

The First Nations Patients Journey Hub has been designed to bridge the gap and improve follow-up care for Indigenous patients who present to the Townsville University Hospital emergency department (ED) but leave before getting treatment.

Program manager Sammy-Jo Kupfer said the hub was established in response to data showing high rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people not waiting for medical care.

“This means they presented to ED, have gone to the triage nurse, and sat in the waiting room but for some reason they left,” she said.

“It’s concerning how many patients leave ED before they’re seen, discharge against medical advice, or leave hospital only to re-present not long after.

“When patients leave hospital before their treatment is complete, there’s an increased risk their health will deteriorate in the community.”

Sammy Jo said she wanted the service to make a difference in the lives of her community and help them live happier and healthier lives.

“My goal is to connect with patients and figure out why they left the ED without treatment to address the cause of this issue,” she said.

“When we follow up patients in the community we assess their health and make sure they’re linked with the health services they need to support their recovery.

“My goal is to build positive relationships with community and foster trust in the health system because it is all about connecting and building relationships.”

The hub launched in late 2023 and has four staff who work each day to support patients to access important healthcare.

Rianna Zaro, Sammy-Jo Kupfer and Jamahl Ross

Recruitment kicks off for Queensland’s first regional kidney transplant service

The North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service is one step closer as recruitment for the life-saving service begins.

Nephrologist Dr Michelle Harfield said recruitment was an exciting development as the heath service worked to deliver Queensland’s first regional kidney transplant service.

“Finding the specialist doctors, nurses, allied health staff and Indigenous health workers we need is the next step in bringing this service to life,” Michelle said.

“Transplantation is a team sport and we’re looking for passionate and motivated clinicians to join our team and make a tangible difference in the lives of patients in north Queensland.”

Michelle said the transplant service would help to address inequities of access to transplantation for patients living with chronic kidney disease.

“North and far north Queensland have higher rates of dialysis, but lower rates of transplant compared to the rest of the state and this burden is carried disproportionately by people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent,” she said.

“Patients living in regional and remote north Queensland sometimes reject transplant because they would need to travel to Brisbane for an extended time away from their families and community.

“Having this service in Townsville brings care closer to home and is a step toward achieving health equity across our state.”

Michelle said Indigenous health workers would play an integral part of the transplant team, providing culturally appropriate care and connecting First Nations patients to public healthcare.

“The sad reality is that chronic kidney disease is overrepresented in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” she said.

“Not only do Indigenous health workers provide important healthcare but they also bring with them invaluable information about the culture, customs, and beliefs of these communities.

“Indigenous health workers play a very important role in the work we do.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Amanda Cooms said chronic kidney disease was a serious and increasing health problem among Indigenous people.

“To deliver truly culturally responsive care we need to include the perspectives and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when we build and design our services,” she said.

“Indigenous health staff sustain good connection, rapport and trust with our people leading to reduced anxiety and better communication, attendance, and engagement in treatment.

“A number of Indigenous health workers will be recruited to the transplant service to support culturally safe care, and ultimately help address barriers faced by this group of people.”

Dr Michelle Harfield and Amanda Cooms

Project to tackle nutritional needs of mental health consumers

The nutrition of consumers in the Alec Illin Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) is set to improve with a project led by dietitian Sophie Deeth.

The cultural diversity of the food offered to consumers is one factor explored as part of the project.

Sophie said food and nutrition for mental health consumers was complex.

“Food and nutrition are essential parts of recovery but in a secure mental health environment there are a number of complicating factors,” she said.

“These consumers have an average admission of two years, significantly longer than people in other parts of the hospital,” she said.

“Many are on medications that reduce the sensation of fullness.

“The menu is also on a 14-day cycle, which consumers find quite repetitive.”

Sophie said initiatives had also started with the allied health team and Indigenous health workers where consumers cooked meals with staff that aligned with their culture, like damper.

“Simply involving them in the process of preparing a meal thas had a positive impact,” she said.

Sophie said there were more opportunities to improve meals for consumers in the SMHRU.

“I’ve identified opportunities for improvement in modifying the cookbook used for the cook-ups to include recipes that are nutritionally balanced, culturally diverse, have easy-to-follow methods and are low cost to make,” she said.

Indigenous health worker Katrina Mann said Sophie’s project was having a positive impact on consumers in the unit.

“The project has introduced many different recipes that are more culturally considered,” Katrina said.

“When consumers hear they will be cooking with an ingredient like kangaroo; even if it’s not how they would traditionally cook, they just loved it.”

Katrina said food was connected to culture for many.

“Food connects First Nations people to their country, surroundings, family and community,” she said.

“There is a significant change in the demeanour of consumers when they have input on their food and can cook and eat food they enjoy.

“It is also proving itself as a tool to connect with consumers in the unit and show respect for their culture.

“It may seem like something so small, but it means so much to them and their experience.”

Sophie Deeth and Katrina Mann

Nurses upskilling for dialysis success

A specialised program providing enrolled nurses with in-house training in dialysisspecific clinical competencies has been successfully implemented by the renal unit at Townsville University Hospital (TUH).

Although the unit has long been at the forefront of the effort to upskill enrolled nurses, the Enrolled Nurse Haemodialysis Transition Support Program is providing further opportunities for learning.

Renal educator Kara Lawlor said the program, designed by the Queensland Nephrology Nursing Network, was a motivator to get nurses to consider a career working within dialysis units.

“Enrolled nurses have never been given the opportunity to upskill like this before,” Kara said.

“At the completion of this program, each nurse obtains certification which can be used throughout Queensland’s dialysis units.”

Early work in advanced training for enrolled nurses at Townsville University Hospital stemmed from now-advanced practice enrolled nurse Judi Wheeler expressing her desire to provide additional support and value to her team.

When Judi began working in the renal unit, enrolled nurses could not cannulate or attend to central venous catheters necessary for dialysis treatment.

Over the years, the scope of the role has developed through the work of clinical education services nurse educator Marlene Saunders and HHS renal educators.

“With the help and guidance of fantastic mentors, I became an advanced practice enrolled nurse,” Judi said.

“I now work frequently in home therapies, visiting peritoneal dialysis patients and reporting back to the registered nurse while with the patient.”

Judi said that by providing advanced skill training, renal units could thrive by utilising enrolled nurses to care for patients under direct or indirect supervision.

“The course was a fantastic pathway to develop my knowledge in haemodialysis,” she said.

“I was also able to network with enrolled nurses in other renal units, who have all stayed in touch and continued to support each other since the completion of our training.”

The nephrology department currently employs five enrolled nurses, with two having completed the Enrolled Nurse Haemodialysis Transition Support Program.

If you are interested in finding out more about the training opportunities for enrolled nurses in renal service, please contact Kara Lawlor at kara.lawlor@health.qld.gov.au.

Judi Wheeler, Kara Lawlor, Rosslyn McKenzie

Staff urged to have their say on patient safety culture

Staff members across the health service are being encouraged to have their say on patient safety.

From May 27, all staff members, both clinical and non-clinical, can complete the Patient Safety Culture Survey to share what they think is working, and identify opportunities to improve our health service.

Patient safety steward Deb Phillips said this was an opportunity to voice any concerns and offer suggestions.

“It takes just eight minutes to complete the survey, and all responses will help the HHS continue to develop a strong patient safety culture,” she said.

“We want staff of all levels, in facilities across the entire organisation, to feel comfortable and confident in voicing their concerns, prioritising safety, acknowledging that

mistakes occur, and recognising that we can learn from these to improve the safety and quality of care provided to our patients.

“Everyone’s perspective is important, and we hope to hear from all of you.”

If you have any additional questions, please contact Deb Phillips on 4433 1783 or via: THHS_PatientSafetyNet.qld.gov.au

The survey will be shared with staff and accessible via a QR Code and hyperlink. It will close on June 21.

Deb Phillips

Emergency college promotes doctor wellness

Emergency staff specialist Dr Rajesh Sehdev is leading the charge this Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) Wellness Week, highlighting the importance of self-care.

“Each year ACEM hosts this week to encourage members and trainees to find opportunities to connect and to nurture and prioritise their wellbeing,” he said.

For junior doctors Mustafa Ali and Tolulope Adeleke, a visit to the Wadda Mooli room at the hospital was just one of the many ACEM Wellness Week initiatives.

“You have a lot of good days working in the emergency department, but there are always going to be days when you hit a wall,” Mustafa said.

“As doctors in the emergency department, there is a constant feeling of inner guilt on those bad days.

“On those days it’s so important for us to remember to focus on self-care; it’s easy to forget about yourself when you are so focused on getting good patient outcomes.”

Tolulope said that the more doctors looked after themselves, the better they cared for patients.

“This week has been full of activities including a plant exchange, fresh fruit, ‘Zen Den Wednesdays’ where we got to book massage-chair sessions, and focus groups on peer support and mental health,” she said.

“We also had the chance to check out some of the great wellness spaces available for us in the hospital, like Wadda Mooli.”

The room is located on level 1 of the Townsville University Hospital, above the emergency department, and provides a warm and welcoming space for patients and staff.

It runs seven days a week through a peer-led model of recovery, staffed by peer workers who are in place to actively listen, engage, and offer support.

Support worker Alex Moore said visitors could use their time at the room however they wished.

“This includes the art corner, on the bean bags, speaking to the peer workers, finding resources, or just having some quiet time to reflect,” he said.

Another exciting activity taking place for ACEM Wellness Week is the emergency department staff photo awards, with this year’s theme being ‘ED funnies’.

Clinical photographer Ian Hitchcock has judged the awards for years and announced the 2024 runner-up and winner today.

“The colour and composition all work very well together to create a strong image,” Ian said on the runner-up image taken by Patricia Clarke. “While the winning image is quirky and fun, perfectly hitting the mark for the theme.”

“It is always a pleasure to judge these awards as part of a great initiative to highlight the importance of self-care for emergency department staff.”

To find out more about this initiative please contact Dr Rajesh Sehdev at rajesh.sehdev@health.qld.gov.au

ACEM Wellness Week is being held from 19 to 25 May.

Winning image of the 2024 emergency department staff photo awards ‘Best Paediatric Patient of the Day’ by Olwen Gilbert

To the wonderful staff on the Children’s Ward. We want to thank you so much for your care of our son. Thank you for helping to make everything a little less scary.

PAEDIATRICS

I just want to thank all the wonderful Ophthalmology Staff for all they did to facilitate my operation. I thought you guys were outstanding the first time, but this time you excelled yourselves. Thanks so very very much I really appreciate it.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

I can’t stress how much one of the health secruity officers helped me. It was my first time in ED that I didn’t feel scared. The officer came through for me and made the whole experience better.

HEALTH SECURITY

A Brighter Note...

Celebrating the heroes in yellow shirts

Brighter Lives volunteers come from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds but are united in their mission to help brighten the hospital experience for all.

The volunteers in yellow are spread across the health service and help people find their way, run the gift shop, drive the buggies and lend a friendly ear to those who need it.

Oncology ward nurse unit manager Ramana Butters was one of the many HHS staff to thank the volunteers for their service.

“The volunteers are part of the team,” Ramana said.

“They form special connections with the patients and build strong relationships, especially those with no family or friends visiting regularly.

“Thank you to the volunteers for the work they do, not just this National Volunteer Week, but every single day.”

Eat Walk Engage facilitator Lindsay Parkes said the volunteers played an important role in the program and supported patients through meal times.

“The volunteers assist in our area with meaningful engagement that helps prevent delirium in older patients,” Lindsay said.

“They also support patients at mealtimes by bringing their meals closer, opening packages and clearing their tray tables to ensure they maintain good nutrition.

“We appreciate the extra set of hands at meal times and the volunteers really epitomise patient-centred care, the support they provide is invaluable.”

Senior dietician Felicity said the volunteers were an amazing group of humans and helped with the new HOPE (Helping Our Patients Eat) initiative.

“You are all worth your weight, and then some, in gold for the work you do for free every day,” Felicity said.

Radiation therapist Elderene Brostrom said the volunteers played a critical role in the cancer centre.

“The simple act of someone offering them a cup of coffee or tea means a lot,” she said.

“Thank you to the volunteers for giving up your time to do something special for someone else. Your kindness is much appreciated.”

Thank you to the team in yellow who give up their time to help brighten the hospital experience. Happy National Volunteers Week!

Board Chair Tony Mooney with Brighter Lives volunteers

Capital works update

Works currently underway

Project: eHealth Infrastructure Maintenance Program

Work location: Various locations in TUH

Project: Hybrid theatre - $17 million

Work location: TUH Acute building Level 2 Operating Theatres Complex

Project: Outpatients department expansion - $6.1 million

Work location: Clinical Services Support Building Level 1

Project: North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service (NQPPMS) upgrade - $4 million

Work location: TUH Acute building Level 1 former Endoscopy Services / Medilink building Level 2 current NQPPMS suite

Works on the way

Project: Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit

Work location: ACC Annexure Building

Project: North Queensland Kidney Transplant Sevice

Work location: South Block Level 3 Cold Shell

Project: Ward Midlife Renewal – Surgical and Medical wards

Work location: South Block Ground and Level 1

Got questions?

Project: Kirwan Health Community Campus expansion$40 million

Work location: Kirwan Health Campus

Project: TUH Clinical Equipment Loans Service (CELS)$2.35 million

Work location: TUH Level 2, CSSB

Project: TUH Stage 1 expansion project - $530 million

Work location: helipad and surrounding areas including eastern campus for temporary helipad location

Project: Ingham CT Scanner and ED Refurbishment

Work location: Ingham Health Service

Plans are currently underway to support staff through the changes that will occur in the coming months.

To accommodate so much growth at TUH, some staff will be required to relocate to new office spaces and to support this, we have commenced a Business Case for Significant Change with those teams who will be impacted by works undertaken at TUH.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any proposed changes, please contact chief operating officer Stephen Eaton via email or THHS-InfrastructureOffice@health.qld.gov.au.

Recipe of the week

Damper

from the Koori Cookbook

Laugh of the week

Ingredients

• 1KG OF SELF-RAISING FLOUR

• 1 TEASPOON OF SALT

• 1 TABLESPOON OF LOW-FAT

• MARGARINE OR OLIVE

• OIL SPREAD

• 250ML OF MILK

• 500ML OF WATER

• 1 EGG, BEATEN

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 160°C.

2. Warm milk and margarine until mixed. Add cold water.

3. Mix flour (900g) and salt in large bowl, make a hole in the centre of flour and add 3 of liquid at a time, stir, till all the liquid is used.

4. Flour bench with some of remaining flour.

5. Knead dough until smooth and mould into shape. Try not to over knead.

6. Sprinkle flour in bottom of baking dish and place damper dough in baking dish.

7. Brush egg mix on top of damper.

8. Bake in oven for 40 minutes.

9. Tap to check if cooked. When tapped, the damper sounds hollow.

10. When cooked, put a clean tea towel on bench, sprinkle with water and sit damper on top. Cover damper with the tea towel and sprinkle with more water. This stops crust from crumbling. Wait 1 hour to cut.

Classifieds

FOR SALE

2014 Toyota Camry v6 Aurion, Automatic, full serviced history, white, tinted windows, inside immaculate condition, garaged, 175000 klms - Highway klms. $10,500 ono. No swaps. No longer needed due to upgrade. Please call Rhonda on 0447719880. (10/5)

2019 Kia Cerato Sports - one owner. Pearl White colour. Dark Tinted windows. Low klms. Apple CarPlay. Always garaged. Up to date history. All leather , many safety features. Great fuel economy. Lovely car to drive. 0428981956 (10/5)

2018 Mazda 3 The 3 BN. 2L petrol, 6-speed automatic transmission. Alloy wheels, six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth. Cruise control. 116K Full service history. Rego 12/24 $17.5K ono 0410426239 (10/5)

FOR RENT

1 Bedroom available for sharing with 2 males, 2 female, clean, responsible young adults. It is a house with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 3 parking spaces in Mount Louisa. For more information please call Cindy: 0411 734 710. (24/5)

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