PEOPLE

Numerous members of the local community tuned into the TV Sunday night to witness a team of West Wyalong nurses - Kylie Holland, Shannon Evans, Kirsty Smart and Diana Carne - take on a Helping cancer patients Paramedics team from Sydney’s Northern Beaches in a special episode of Family Fued. The nurses team, described as “keeping the commuity safe and entertained”, certainly did that as they battled the paramedics for a chance of playing for the mega cash prize of $100,000. While the paramedics came out on top the local nurse team still got to walk away with $3000 of which they have since donated who rely on cars $500 each to Can Assist and Country Hope. • • • • • Letter to the Editor

Madam, many would think this an appropriate use of We write oBn beihatlf tofe ther B lapnd Aidlvilso ry todro ugsht fwunds. allow Group Inc with regard to the article in the The BAG Inc have worked closely with the “Advocate” on August 7, 2020 - “Counselling Rural Financial Counselling Service – Central service to go it alone as Council backs out of West to reinstate the service to the farmers of further funding”. this shire because of the absolute need. We wish to express our absolute The last four years have been devastating for disappointment at the lack of support from the district, first with the impact of the floods of Council for the farmers of the Bland Shire. 2016 and then followed by three years of severe The Bland Advisory Group Inc (BAG Inc) drought. has indeed stepped up to fund this vital service Your readers will vividly recall the for the primary producers of the Bland Shire and seemingly endless dust storms that rolled in a larger capacity than what was requested of through in recent years. Council. While they may have stopped, the financial The BAG Inc is a not-for-profit organisation impacts of the drought and flood will be felt by that has taken upon itself to fund the provision farmers for much longer. of a Rural Financial Counsellor on a permanent The farmers of the Bland Shire contribute part-time basis, taking the service from a one greatly to the financial security and social fabric day per fortnight to three days per week. of the shire as a whole and of the smaller The BAG Inc is working with the Rural communities that are largely dependent upon Financial Counselling Service – Central West to them. ensure farmers within the Bland Shire are The farmers of the Bland Shire were supported as they battle to recover from years of responsible for agricultural production in excess drought and prior to that, floods. of $1.2 billion in 2018-2019. To set the record straight, Council did To put it in perspective this is approximately Can Assist West Wyalong has received Mr Lanyon said they already have four provide funding for the supporting role of half of the total value of agricultural production families in need of support with their CTP Business Analyst, a position that exists to ($2.517 billion) for the entire Riverina region funding from greenslips.com.au to help pay for cancer patients’ green slip insurance as they are going five days a week for support the activities of the Rural Financial from 2018-19, noting this year was indeed 6-8 weeks to radiotherapy. Counsellor. severely impeded by drought. insurance. “Having their own reliable car and paying for The Business Analyst (BA) is not a Rural To back a farmer is certainly a wise return on Cancer patients across the Bland Shire who their green slip insurance is of great support.” Financial Counsellor. investment. rely on their car to get to treatment and need Can Assist provides practical and financial The BA is, in simple terms, responsible for The irony of “$1 million funding approved assistance, are encouraged to ask for financial support to cancer patients through travel, triaging the client before actually seeing the for 14 projects” as reported in the “Advocate” support from Can Assist West Wyalong. accommodation and pharmaceutical payments. Rural Financial Counsellor. (Friday, June 19, 2020) provided through the As a spokesperson for greenslips.com.au In fact Can Assist West Wyalong is currently Earlier this year the person holding the BA Drought Communities Program is not lost on said, “A cancer diagnosis in rural or remote supporting 57 patients at different stages of their role actually resigned and due to Covid-19 this farmers. NSW can bring the additional burden of cancer journey, actively involved with 11. position has not been able to be refilled, a very Certainly worthy projects but one has to travelling long distances to treatment however “Can Assist knows more people in the simple explanation for the balance of funds question how some of the projects will truly through a partnership with us, Can Assist West community need help, particularly with COVID- from Council remaining unused. support the wider community or “tackle the Wyalong has funding to help ease that burden.” 19 putting added burdens on local cancer Ironically this funding from Council was effects of the ongoing drought”. The comparative CTP insurance site knows patients. provided from the Drought Communities Fund, Councillors are urged to remember that the cost of CTP car insurance. “The branch is keen to help more patients in recent rains do not negate the effects of recent It recognises the benefits of keeping local need in confidence, especially with payment years of drought, the financial implications will cancer patients’ cars on the road, when they need from www.greenslips.com.au for their CTP BLAND DISTRICT be felt for many years to come. them most. green slip insurance,” said Mr Lanyon. To not support the farmers of the Bland Shire “Access to a car and maintaining our patient’s He added how when first diagnosed, it can be when they contribute so much is a bitter pill to mobility to ensure they can get to treatment is a mind blowing. FUNERAL SERVICE swallow. major priority,” said Can Assist West Wyalong “I talk to our local cancer patients and the LISA and JOHN MINOGUE president, Trevor Lanyon. families to remind them there are people to Accredited Member of JEFF GOULD “Our patients must travel to Wagga Wagga, support them. Griffith, Albury, Canberra, Sydney and FDA OF NSW JOCK WEIR “Our role is to give assistance, take the 169 Main Street, Melbourne, for different treatments and pressure off, so they can concentrate on the battle TOM LOW specialists. West Wyalong NSW 2671 with cancer and not worry about the finances,” Bland Advisory Group Inc Executive “Travelling to treatment in your own vehicle said Client Liaison Officer for Can Assist West is more comfortable while the patient and their Wyalong, Ann Mangelsdorf. Serving West Wyalong, Barmedman, Ungarie, carer can go at their own pace giving them Weethalle, Tallimba and surrounding districts “There is more cancer awareness, earlier Your Pathway to Health security, privacy and a sense of control. diagnosis and treatments are improving with Sheila Henley “Their own vehicle is an important comfort earlier intervention. Pre Arranged Funeral Plans zone,” said Mr Lanyon. “The need in our community is growing with Clinical “Paying for someone’s green slip is a great and Funeral Bonds Hypnotherapist people travelling further to access the broader benefit. medical system and new cancer treatments so NLP Coach Telephone 24 hours 7 days: support from our local community has always Change your Mindset, Habits & Behaviours been incredible and support from businesses like 02 6972 2235 Mobile: 0418 437 635 greenslips.com.au gives us additional capacity,” by joining Sheila on a 4 week Online Fax: 02 6972 0008 she said. Hypnosis Weight Loss Group Program Can Assist West Wyalong is funded entirely Email: info @blanddistrictfunerals.com.au by local donations and local fundraising events, www.blanddistrictfunerals.com.au Commencing: NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS, with all money raised locally staying local. October 7 LETTER WRITERS & READERS While you won’t currently see volunteers at The publisher accepts no responsibility for any their regular fundraising events, Can Assist still RSVP: October 2 advertisement, notice or letter published. Any accepts donations and welcomes corporate Early Bird Price advertisement, notice or letter is published at the risk of sponsorship. $350 the contributor who accepts liability for any intended During COVID-19, patient needs are even publication. All such contributors by forwarding more acute and Can Assist remains committed to by September 11 advertisements, notices or letters agree to indemnify assisting all local cancer patients. Save $25 the publisher and warrant that the material is accurate Can Assist West Wyalong invite cancer and is neither deceptive or misleading, in breach of patients to come forward and seek their support. Stephen & MarieCooke To secure your place phone: 0428 759 300 It is as simple as calling 0438 471 760 with www.yourpathwaytohealth.com.au/weight-loss copyright, defamatory or in breach of any other laws .....offering helpful advice and care and regulations all patient enquiries and support being strictly Live a more balanced healthier & happier life! confidential.

2020 rainfall to date ~ 510.8 mm WLast WEeeks EWeathKer FiguLres taYken fro m 9Wam-9am EATHER WASixT Day ForecastCH supplied by the Elders Weather FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY TODAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY High Temp : 12.8˚ High Temp : 10.2˚ High Temp : 12.2˚ High Temp : 12.5˚ High Temp : 13.6˚ High Temp : 15.0˚ Forecast : Forecast : Forecast : Forecast : Forecast : Forecast : Low Tem p: 6.0˚ Low Tem p: 4.6˚ Low Tem p: 5.7˚ Low Tem p: 1.9˚ Low Tem p: 6.0˚ Low Tem p: 0.8˚ High Tem p: 16.0˚ High Tem p: 18.0˚ High Tem p: 21.0˚ High Tem p: 14.0˚ High Tem p: 17.0˚ High Tem p: 23.0˚ Rainfall: 1.0mm Rainfall: 4.6mm Rainfall: 0.6mm Rainfall: 0.2mm Rainfall: 0.0mm Rainfall: 0.0mm Low Temp: 5.0˚ Low Temp: 1.0˚ Low Temp: 5.0˚ Low Temp: 7.0˚ Low Temp: 3.0˚ Low Temp: 7.0˚

Sunny Fog then sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Windy Page 2, West Wyalong Advocate, Friday, August 28, 2020