Victoria is introducing new disability worker registration. Go to page 5
Vol.23 18No. No.47 27 Vol.
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Wednesday, January 2016 Wednesday, June13, 2, 2021
DOUBLE DACKEL DAY: Quantong dachshund owner Sarah Hallam is among dachshund enthusiasts preparing for Day of the Dackel, an international celebration for dachshunds at Edenhope on June 19 and 20. She is pictured with her dachshund duo Bubble, left, and Ellie, while her fox terrier Reble appears miffed at all the fuss. Story, page 25. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Kealy: Be prepared V
BY DEAN LAWSON
ictoria’s political representative for much of the Wimmera and Western District has called for people to brace themselves for a potential lockdown extension.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said communities needed to also be aware of residual mental-health issues, even if the state lifted restrictions as planned. She also called on the State Government to adopt a system that eased restrictions in regional areas clear of the virus, such as in New South Wales,
while concentrating on COVIDsuppression and confinement efforts in outbreak areas. “Everyone across the region needs to not only prepare for a lockdown extension but to also consider further lockdowns in the near future,” she said. “This will be the case until the vaccination program can be sorted between authorities and start taking effect.” Ms Kealy said many people were sick of a ‘blame game’ occurring between federal and state politicians regarding the latest virus outbreak and immunisation schedule. “There is a powerful message out
there that people, while prepared and willing to do whatever is necessary, are also frustrated and angry that they were again in this situation,” she said. “They just want the people they have put in charge and getting paid with taxpayer money to resolve it so they can get on with living their lives. “Here, we just want a measured response. I strongly believe that when there are clearly no identifiable cases in regional Victoria that regions such as the Wimmera should not be locked up. If the issue is in Melbourne, then manage it in Melbourne. “The only time a government should be using a statewide lockdown is
when they’ve totally lost control.” Ms Kealy, the Victorian opposition spokesperson for mental health, said it was imperative people were acutely aware of what they needed to do to look after themselves, family and friends. She said the mental-health dangers surfacing with latest circumstances were ‘quite real’. “This lockdown could go on for a bit longer or quickly happen again, so we need to continue to engage with family and friends, exercise and use whatever tools available to maintain connections,” she said. “In short, there is much we can’t
change. But what we can control is how we look after ourselves and each other. It is often doing the little things that can make all the difference.” Businesses and major community and sporting organisations were in a holding pattern yesterday as they awaited a restrictions update, due tomorrow. Major sporting leagues and associations had prepared fixtures for this weekend in anticipation of resumption of sport as part of a ‘bestcase scenario’. • The Weekly Advertiser has published sporting previews based on competitions going ahead as planned. See sport.
IN ISSUE • Crisis accommodation planhealth • Quantong residents stand strong • Football-netball action INTHIS THIS ISSUE • Push-ups for mental • Anger over poisoned trees • Volleyball finals Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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