BACKGROUND:
The State Government finally agreed to the provision of a dedicated medical evacuation helicopter based in South-West Victoria. This follows sustained lobbying efforts by many citizens in Western Victoria and of a number of Western Region Members including questions in Parliament from Mr Kavanagh to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, calls for its funding in other speeches and letters to the Premiers (both Bracks and Brumby) and relevant Ministers.
HANSARD:
Title: Emergency services: south-western Victoria helicopter
House: COUNCIL
Activity: Members Statements
Members: KAVANAGH
Date: 8 May 2008
Page: 1570
Page 1570
Emergency services: south-western Victoria helicopter
Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- I would like to express thanks and congratulations to the government for its decision to fund an emergency helicopter in south-western Victoria. As noted by a lot of observers, it has been a long time coming. But I would also like to express the hope that funding for the helicopter service will not be at the expense of funding for the Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, to which the government has promised $90 million.
In addition to congratulating the government, I would also like to congratulate the community of south-western Victoria on its successful efforts. In particular I thank and congratulate Dominique Fowler and Keith Meerback. They were very effective lobbyists in this good cause. I have been especially moved and inspired by Mr Meerback's loyalty to and affection for his sister-in-law
.
In thanking the government I will not emphasise that it took a long time to secure the service, because I, with many other people, asked the government to do something, and I think it would be very unappreciative to then criticise the government for the time taken. I thank the government for this correct decision.
Showing posts with label Topics - South-West Helicopter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Topics - South-West Helicopter. Show all posts
Monday, 26 May 2008
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Media 2008-04-22 South-West Helicopter
PRESS RELEASE: South-West Helicopter - DLP thanks Govt
22 April 2008
Peter Kavanagh MLC for Western Victoria said today, " I congratulate and thank the Victorian government for finally agreeing to implement a rescue helicopter service for Western Victoria."
"Congratulations are also due to all those who worked successfully for this outcome. Keith Meerbach and Dominique Fowler are among many people who devoted great time and effort to introduce this essential service," Mr Kavanagh said.
"Denis Napthine, John Vogels, David Koch and Hugh Delahunty were all active in the campaign. Over the last year and a half I have also worked to achieve this outcome," Mr Kavanagh said. (please see Hansard reports attached below)
"The rescue helicopter service will benefit the sick and injured in Western Victoria. By decreasing the time required to obtain specialist care it will save lives and reduce pain and suffering. As I have pointed out many times, Western Victoria should never have been the only region of the state to be without a dedicated rescue helicopter service," Mr Kavanagh said.
For further comment please call Peter Kavanagh, DLP Member for Western Victoria, on 03 5222 1503.
22 April 2008
Peter Kavanagh MLC for Western Victoria said today, " I congratulate and thank the Victorian government for finally agreeing to implement a rescue helicopter service for Western Victoria."
"Congratulations are also due to all those who worked successfully for this outcome. Keith Meerbach and Dominique Fowler are among many people who devoted great time and effort to introduce this essential service," Mr Kavanagh said.
"Denis Napthine, John Vogels, David Koch and Hugh Delahunty were all active in the campaign. Over the last year and a half I have also worked to achieve this outcome," Mr Kavanagh said. (please see Hansard reports attached below)
"The rescue helicopter service will benefit the sick and injured in Western Victoria. By decreasing the time required to obtain specialist care it will save lives and reduce pain and suffering. As I have pointed out many times, Western Victoria should never have been the only region of the state to be without a dedicated rescue helicopter service," Mr Kavanagh said.
For further comment please call Peter Kavanagh, DLP Member for Western Victoria, on 03 5222 1503.
Hansard 2008-03-12 South-West Helicopter
Title: Emergency services: south-western Victoria helicopter
House: COUNCIL
Activity: Questions without Notice
Members: KAVANAGH
Date: 12 March 2008
Page 641
12 March 2008 COUNCIL
Page 641
Emergency services: south-western Victoria helicopter
Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- My question is for the Minister for Planning, representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other place, and relates to a rescue helicopter for western Victoria. On Thursday, 28 February, representatives of the south-west, led by Dominique Fowler and Keith Meerbach, came to the steps of Parliament. They provided evidence that a rescue helicopter
Page 642
is needed in the south-west more than 400 times a year. They also movingly and powerfully recounted experiences of illnesses and injuries being exacerbated by delays due to the lack of a dedicated emergency helicopter service. Will the government now reconsider its position and take action to ensure that western Victoria does not remain the only region of the state which does not have its own rescue helicopter service?
House: COUNCIL
Activity: Questions without Notice
Members: KAVANAGH
Date: 12 March 2008
Page 641
12 March 2008 COUNCIL
Page 641
Emergency services: south-western Victoria helicopter
Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- My question is for the Minister for Planning, representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other place, and relates to a rescue helicopter for western Victoria. On Thursday, 28 February, representatives of the south-west, led by Dominique Fowler and Keith Meerbach, came to the steps of Parliament. They provided evidence that a rescue helicopter
Page 642
is needed in the south-west more than 400 times a year. They also movingly and powerfully recounted experiences of illnesses and injuries being exacerbated by delays due to the lack of a dedicated emergency helicopter service. Will the government now reconsider its position and take action to ensure that western Victoria does not remain the only region of the state which does not have its own rescue helicopter service?
Hansard 2007-09-20 South-West Helicopter
Title Keith Meerbach
House COUNCIL
Activity Members Statements
Members KAVANAGH
Date 20 September 2007
Page 2851
20 September 2007 COUNCIL
Page 2851
Keith Meerbach
Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- I wish to take the opportunity to commend the actions of Mr Keith Meerbach of south-western Victoria, who has been organising support for a south-west-based emergency helicopter service. Recently Mr Meerbach's sister-in-law was injured in a road accident. Due to the lack of a south-west-based emergency helicopter service, the injured lady was forced to wait for 4 hours before being airlifted to Melbourne for emergency brain surgery. Her Melbourne surgeon observed that the delay in treatment was detrimental to her health. Unfortunately, this lady was only one of many in similar situations.
I understand that local member Denis Napthine, the member for South-West Coast in the other place, is to present a very large petition calling for a south-west-based emergency helicopter service. That
Page 2852
petition was organised by Mr Meerbach. I commend Mr Meerbach on his initiative, concern and loyalty, not only to his sister-in-law but to all the citizens of the south-west.
House COUNCIL
Activity Members Statements
Members KAVANAGH
Date 20 September 2007
Page 2851
20 September 2007 COUNCIL
Page 2851
Keith Meerbach
Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- I wish to take the opportunity to commend the actions of Mr Keith Meerbach of south-western Victoria, who has been organising support for a south-west-based emergency helicopter service. Recently Mr Meerbach's sister-in-law was injured in a road accident. Due to the lack of a south-west-based emergency helicopter service, the injured lady was forced to wait for 4 hours before being airlifted to Melbourne for emergency brain surgery. Her Melbourne surgeon observed that the delay in treatment was detrimental to her health. Unfortunately, this lady was only one of many in similar situations.
I understand that local member Denis Napthine, the member for South-West Coast in the other place, is to present a very large petition calling for a south-west-based emergency helicopter service. That
Page 2852
petition was organised by Mr Meerbach. I commend Mr Meerbach on his initiative, concern and loyalty, not only to his sister-in-law but to all the citizens of the south-west.
Hansard 2007-06-06 South-West Helicopter
Title: APPROPRIATION (2007/2008) BILL and BUDGET PAPERS 2007-08
House: COUNCIL
Activity: Second Reading
Members: KAVANAGH
Date: 6 June 2007
Page 1581
………………….Although I have raised this matter in the past, Western Victoria Region remains the only region in the state to lack an emergency helicopter service.
I thank the Premier, Mr Bracks, and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other place, Mr Cameron, for their correspondence on this matter, but I urge the government to reconsider its position. Early treatment following a serious injury is vital. Western Victoria
Region needs an emergency helicopter service. I ask the government to be a leader in this matter and address the issue as a matter of priority. ……………….
House: COUNCIL
Activity: Second Reading
Members: KAVANAGH
Date: 6 June 2007
Page 1581
………………….Although I have raised this matter in the past, Western Victoria Region remains the only region in the state to lack an emergency helicopter service.
I thank the Premier, Mr Bracks, and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other place, Mr Cameron, for their correspondence on this matter, but I urge the government to reconsider its position. Early treatment following a serious injury is vital. Western Victoria
Region needs an emergency helicopter service. I ask the government to be a leader in this matter and address the issue as a matter of priority. ……………….
Hansard 2007-04-19 South-West Helicopter
Title: Emergency services: Warrnambool helicopter
House: COUNCIL
Activity: Questions without Notice
Members: KAVANAGH
Date: 19 April 2007
Page 894
19 April 2007 COUNCIL
Page 894
Emergency services: Warrnambool helicopter
Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- My question is to the Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other place. Western Victoria needs an emergency helicopter service. It is the only part of Victoria not to have one. In view of the capacity of an emergency helicopter service to rescue people and to convey them to specialist services, thereby preventing deaths and minimising the impact of injuries; the potential for alternative uses, like helping to fight bushfires and maybe even helping the police; and the demonstrated willingness of companies to massively subsidise the cost of such a service, will the government change its position of requiring proponents in western Victoria to develop a business plan, and will it assume the mantle of leadership that the people of Victoria expect from it and take action to develop an emergency helicopter service for western Victoria?
After all, would that not make western Victoria a better place to live, work and raise a family?
House: COUNCIL
Activity: Questions without Notice
Members: KAVANAGH
Date: 19 April 2007
Page 894
19 April 2007 COUNCIL
Page 894
Emergency services: Warrnambool helicopter
Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- My question is to the Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other place. Western Victoria needs an emergency helicopter service. It is the only part of Victoria not to have one. In view of the capacity of an emergency helicopter service to rescue people and to convey them to specialist services, thereby preventing deaths and minimising the impact of injuries; the potential for alternative uses, like helping to fight bushfires and maybe even helping the police; and the demonstrated willingness of companies to massively subsidise the cost of such a service, will the government change its position of requiring proponents in western Victoria to develop a business plan, and will it assume the mantle of leadership that the people of Victoria expect from it and take action to develop an emergency helicopter service for western Victoria?
After all, would that not make western Victoria a better place to live, work and raise a family?
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