Local MP, Bill Sykes has announced that the Victorian Coalition Government is offering a new service to residents in the Mansfield Shire to safely dispose of old cleaning products, left over paint, dead batteries and weedkiller stores around their home.
The Detox Your Home program provides a free service in partnership with the Mansfield Shire to collect potentially dangerous and unwanted household chemical products.
Residents in the Mansfield Shire can dispose of their unwanted household chemicals on:
Date: Saturday 16 June 2012
Time: 8.00am to 11.00am
Location: Council Operations Depot, Lakins Road
Dr Sykes said, “This is an important service funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian landfill levy, which ensures collected material are treated and recycled, or disposed of safely by a specialist team.
“It provides families with the opportunity to get rid of potentially dangerous products which may be harmful to people, especially young children.”
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith said the Government was committed to protecting Victoria’s environment and ensuring communities are free from harmful chemicals.
“Over time we all develop a collection of old paints and chemicals that are no longer needed,” Mr Smith said.
“However it is important that these items are disposed of correctly to avoid contaminating the environment which we all share and enjoy.
“Detox Your Home recognises the value of a combined effort between government, households and local councils to act responsibly in disposing of potentially harmful and dangerous waste,” he said
Dr Sykes said he encourages residents to make the most of this opportunity and to participate in this collection.
For more information about the Detox Your Home program or how to safely dispose of chemical waste, residents can call 1800 35 32 33 (toll free) or visit www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au. 

Students from Benalla, Wangaratta, Yarrawonga and Cobram attended a healthy weight forum hosted by the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes and the Member for Murray Valley, Tim McCurdy at Parliament House on Thursday 17 May.
Dr Sykes said, “Students from FCJ College in Benalla used the forum to highlight a range of issues associated with obesity and weight issues in general amongst young people.
“Students had the opportunity to discuss issues relating to healthy weight and the best ways to encourage young people to make healthier food choices when eating out with friends.”
The forum commenced in the Parliamentary dining room with a discussion on body image issues. Students heard from Dr Sally Cockburn, also known as Dr Feelgood, on healthy weight and body sculpting issues.
Mick Wilson, a coach with the BlueEarth Foundation, spoke on the mission to improve health and prevent the issues created by sedentary living by helping to increase participation in physical activity for local communities and individuals.
The forum then moved into the legislative assembly chamber where students from the participating schools each had 10 minutes to speak on their assigned topic. This was followed by group discussion and interaction and concluded with a tour of Parliament House.
FCJ College student Lucy James said of the experience, “The forum was to get student’s perspectives of how obesity is affecting Victoria and whether it is a real problem. It was really interesting to see Parliament House and to be part of the forum in such a great location.
“We met the woman who writes for Girlfriend magazine and she gave an interesting presentation at the beginning of the forum.”
The forum was coordinated by parliamentary intern, Siobhan Mahoney, who is conducting a public policy study into the issue of childhood obesity in north east Victoria.
Dr Sykes, “The forum provided students with an opportunity to contribute to this study.”
He concluded, “Achieving healthy weight involves both ensuring a balanced diet, appropriate level of exercise and a general healthy lifestyle.
“The prime responsibility rests with the individual but clearly families, the broader community and government should also provide appropriate information and support.”

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes paid tribute to the many organisations and volunteers who devote their time and expertise to look after and support people in need of care Sykes in his contribution to the debate in Parliament on the Carers Recognition Bill 2012 this week.
Dr Sykes said, “The Bill recognises the vital role of over 700,000 carers in Victoria, including a great many in the electorate of Benalla.”
He said the Bill will provide legislative recognition of the contribution that carers make and will have a positive effect on the day to day experiences of people in need of care.
“I have the highest regard for carers, including the many I have met in the electorate of Benalla.
“Mansfield Autism Statewide Services, in particular the travelling teacher service, provide important care. People such as Jenny Cleeland, Simone Reeves and Christine Holland, while they are salaried people give way beyond what they are paid to do.
“Through their leadership, other people in the community contribute fantastically to the wellbeing of people experiencing autism.”
Dr Sykes paid tribute to the work of Dr Joan Curtis, who set in place a program that has helped young people with autism to realise their potential in the Mansfield area and also statewide.
Dr Sykes continued, “Closer to Benalla we have the Benalla Support Group for Children with Special Needs, whose coordinator is Trudi-Anne Eaton.
“Another support and carers group in Benalla is lead by Sally Martin, whose son Will put together a cookbook to help promote the group. It has gone on to be a bestseller locally. This is a credit to Sally and others around him.
“There are other people as well, such as Ann Carroll in Mansfield and Valda Martin in Ruffy. Amanda Bertok in Nagambie has put in a fantastic effort supporting people in the community.
“A group in Bright, led by Bernece Delany and Cheryl Sanderson, is amazing in what members manage to achieve.”
Dr Sykes told Parliament, “There are many other forms of caring relationships. One that is particularly active in the Euroa area is the Euroa senior citizens register, which has been set up by the police and Euroa Health to support older people who are still living independently.
“Even groups such as Meals on Wheels, of which my wife is an active participant as a member of the Rotary Club, is not just about producing and delivering meals for people, it also provides that social contact.
“Our service clubs, such as Rotary, Lions and Apex and other community spirited organisations are part of that group of unsung heroes – our carers.”
Dr Sykes also talked about the work under the umbrella of Yooralla (previously known as Central Access and Ballendella) which has a large amount of volunteer input as well as salaried staff.
“This is an example of the community recognising the need for people, in this case with an intellectual disability, to be supported and for the families that are looking after those individuals to also be supported.
“These people are able to be involved in various forms of employment and get a real buzz out of being able to do something productive.
“I know that other groups, such as the Tatong Football and Netball Club, involve people with some disability in boundary umpiring.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “What we have in this Bill is a movement towards recognising the extremely valuable role of carers.”

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today welcomed a new community program by St John Ambulance Victoria to giveaway 100 lifesaving defibrillators and provide training to grass roots Victorian sporting clubs.
Dr Sykes said, “This is an issue which has been raised with me by a number of football and netball clubs in my electorate.
“I am very impressed that St John Ambulance has the long term vision to supply defibrillators to the 2,300 identified football and netball, rugby, athletics, cricket and basketball clubs throughout Victoria by the start of the 2014 sport season,” he said.
“Highest priority is being given to clubs in regional Victoria as they are more likely to have longer response times when an ambulance is called.”
Dr Sykes said that the need for access to emergency services in rural Victoria is just one of the many challenges faced by people living, working and playing sport in country areas.
“Having a defibrillator at grass roots sporting clubs means that immediate help is available in the event of a cardiac arrest.”
In 2011 there were a significant number of sudden cardiac arrest-related incidents at local sporting clubs throughout Victoria and unfortunately three fatalities.
Dr Sykes said that the availability of this type of equipment at sporting clubs was also important due to campaigns initiated by the Victorian Government, local government and community groups to encourage community members to ‘get active and stay active’.
Clubs wanting to apply for a defibrillator and associated training can register online at www.defibssavelives.com.au and fill out an application form by 30 March 2011.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today highlighted the importance for women living in country Victoria to make the most of the opportunity to have a free mammogram through BreastScreen Victoria’s Mobile Screening Service.
Dr Sykes said the mobile service is stationed at Mansfield until 28 February, Alexandra between 1 March to 5 April and Myrtleford between 31 October to 11 January, 2013.
Extra appointments are still available at the bright pink BreastScreen van which is currently stationed at Highett Street in Mansfield.
“The Mobile Screening Service visits 26 regional and metropolitan areas throughout Victoria including Mansfield, Alexandra and Myrtleford on a two year cycle.
“One of the challenges faced by people living in country areas is access to important health services and I encourage women to utilise this free screening clinic.”
53 per cent of eligible women in the Benalla Electorate participated in the free Breastscreen program in 2011, compared to the state average of 55 per cent.
Free breast cancer screening is available for women over the age of 40 and it is recommended that women over the age of 50 have a mammogram every two years.
Statistically 50 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are aged between 50 and 69.
Regular screening mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, before any symptoms are noticed and when treatment is likely to be most successful.
An appointment will take as little as 10 minutes and is with a female health professional. After hours appointments are also available.
To make an appointment for the Mobile Screening Service in any location call 13 20 50. 

In a move that has been welcomed by the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, Victoria will soon have legislation that sets out clear expectations for organisations that engage with carers.
The Carers Recognition Bill 2012 recognises all carers, including young carers, kinship and foster carers, and people providing support and assistance for someone with a mental or chronic illness and those supporting ageing parents, the frail aged or a person with a disability.
Dr Sykes said, “The Coalition Government has honoured an election commitment with the introduction of the Carers Recognition Bill 2012 and I welcome the legislation which sets out clear expectations on the treatment of carers throughout Victoria.
“In my electorate, for example, there are many individuals who care for loved ones with a disability, people who open their doors to give young people a home and organisations such as Mansfield Autism Statewide Services who provide support for parents and their children with autism spectrum disorders.
“These people make an enormous contribution to the community and they deserve support and recognition for what they contribute,” he said.
The Bill will bring Victoria into line with legislation in other states and territories and the Commonwealth.
Community Services Minister, Mary Wooldridge said that the Bill will raise the status of carers and care relationships in the community and sets out principles recognising carers for their contribution.
“The Bill is unique in recognising care relationships. Carers and the people they care for are in a shared arrangement and if the care relationship is strong, the carer and the person being cared for will have better lives.
“This approach to recognising the significance of care relationships has been the subject of extensive consultation.”
The legislation requires government and funded agencies to reflect on care relationship principles in the conduct of their business and report annually on the actions they have taken to comply with the principles.
The Victorian Charter Supporting People in Care Relationships will be updated to reflect the new legislation and will support implementation of the Bill.

The Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, says the co-location of primary health care services at Mansfield District Hospital makes medical as well as financial sense.
Senator McKenzie and the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, earlier this week toured the hospital and received a joint briefing by CEO Janene Ridley and members of the Hospital Board.
A business case and implementation plan has been worked up by the Hospital Board and staff to co-locate most primary health care services at the hospital for the convenience of the entire district. The project relies on the success of an application for $1.356m from round four of the Australian Government’s Health and Hospitals Funding cycle.
“Mansfield is a thriving town and service centre for the surrounding farming, tourism and hospitality industries,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Why shouldn’t the District Hospital deliver health, GP and community services from a centralised facility? It just makes sense.”
Senator McKenzie and Dr Sykes were told that a successful funding application will enable the refurbishment and extension of the Hospital to develop a community health precinct, catering for the entire district.
“It’s a classic example of a community-based initiative to cut duplication and waste,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Board and CEO of Mansfield District Hospital are to be congratulated on working up such a quality funding submission, and I will do all I can to see it receives due consideration in Canberra.”

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said he was encouraged that 53 per cent of women in the Benalla Electorate were having mammograms every two years.
Dr Sykes said, “This is a fair result, however more women need to take up the opportunity to have a free breast screen provided by BreastScreen Victoria.”
“The participation rate in breast screening of women in the Benalla Electorate between 2008 and 2010 was 53 per cent with the current state participation being 53.8 per cent.
“This is still below the targeted rate for Victorian women of 60 per cent by 2015, but it is encouraging to see that women in the Benalla Electorate participate in this important program.”
The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman over 50 years of age. Regular screening mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, before any symptoms are noticed, and when treatment is likely to be most successful.
The BreastScreen Mobile Screening Unit travels across regional Victoria to screen women. The Mobile Unit will be in Alexandra and Mansfield early 2012 and Myrtleford early in 2013. No doctor’s referral is needed and to make an appointment contact 13 20 50.
A fixed screening service for residents in north east Victoria is located at Screening Service Goulburn Valley, 104 Nixon Street, Shepparton.

Individuals, organisations and businesses in the Benalla Electorate with an interest in workforce participation by people living with a mental illness are being encouraged to make a submission to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes encourages members of the community to submit to the inquiry being conducted by the Family and Community Development Committee, which was initiated by the Coalition Government delivering on its commitment to enhance workforce participation for Victorians with a mental illness.
Dr Sykes said, “One in five Australians have experienced some kind of mental illness in the past 12 months (Australian Bureau of Statistics) and that includes people living in rural Victoria. Many rural families are also carrying the emotional scars of 10 tough years of drought, fires and floods and whilst things have improved many people will still benefit from help.”
He said mental illness can be a significant barrier for workforce participation.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge said the inquiry aims to help make it easier for people with a mental illness to participate fully in the community.
“People with a mental illness face a range of challenges that often makes it harder for them to secure and hold down a job, with many facing discrimination,” Ms Wooldridge said.
The Coalition Government wants to significantly increase the employment rate of people with a mental illness. To achieve this goal, the Family and Community Development Committee, chaired by Southern Metropolitan MLC Ms Georgie Crozier, is considering:

a) evidence of the low rate of workforce participation of people with mental illness and the social and economic costs involved
b) identification of the barriers that people with mental illness experience in gaining and retaining employment
c) the respective roles of, and collaboration between, local, state and Commonwealth governments, business and community organisations in supporting the workforce participation of people with mental illness
d) the effectiveness of programs that aim to improve the workforce participation for people with mental illness, including best practice models
e) opportunities for tailoring education and vocational training for the needs of people with mental illness
f) effective measures to support employers to recruit, employ and retain people with mental illness
g) the role of mental health services, and general health and community services, in improving the workforce participation of people with mental illness.
Dr Sykes said, “Helping people suffering from a mental illness back into the workforce is an important way to aid recovery and to help people with a mental illness to lead active and fulfilling lives. I encourage people to make a submission if they have ideas about how to overcome the challenges faced by Victorians with a mental illness wanting to enter the workforce.”
Submissions are due by 11 November 2011, although extensions may be granted to ensure the individuals and organisations have an opportunity to provide their views to the Victorian Parliament.
For information, telephone (03) 8682 2843, or visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes encourages people throughout north east Victoria to voice their views on alcohol and drug related issues by making a submission to help shape the Coalition Government’s Victorian Alcohol and Drug Strategy.
Dr Sykes, as a former committee member on the Parliament of Victoria’s Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee, participated in an inquiry into Strategies to Reduce Harmful Alcohol Consumption which investigated the nature, extent and culture of alcohol consumption on the Victorian community and the associated costs to the community.

“One of the committee’s findings was that young people’s brains are less well developed than the brains of more mature people and as a result young people are more susceptible to long term brain damage from even small amounts of alcohol.
“It is therefore important that underage drinking is strongly discouraged throughout our community.
“Getting ‘high’ on life is, in my opinion, a key message to get out to young people to help tackle a culture which sees drugs and alcohol as a way to give you your highs.”
Dr Sykes said that he believes no non-prescription drug should be ever considered as safe and that the term ‘recreational drugs’ is misleading.
“The term ‘recreational drugs’ infers safety and social acceptance of non- prescription drug usage. Again, from my experience on the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee, there is no safe ‘recreational drug’.
“All ‘recreational drugs’ involve some damage from the first time they are taken. This is confirmed by studies that show people with pre-existing mental health conditions who use cannabis may experience an exacerbation of these symptoms.
“Similarly ecstasy has serious negative effects such as ‘over-heating’ and long term ‘re-wiring’ of the brain.”
Dr Sykes said he welcomed the views of other members of the community to help shape the strategy.
“This could include reflections of the current system, role of government and ideas for reforms in specific areas.”
More information about the whole of government Victorian Alcohol and Drug Strategy, including the consultation paper and details about how to make a submission are available on www.health.vic.gov.au/aod/strategy.