comment,
There was a recent mention in the Area News of the plan to close the Griffith Hospital Maternity Hospital. If this were to be “allowed” to happen, where should mothers-to-be safely deliver their babies? Babies don’t necessarily arrive on the due date but, often, they can appear randomly anywhere and anytime. Do mothers now have to travel by road to Wagga, a two-hour journey? What if their baby presents in transit? Such an environment is hardly on par with the sterile delivery for mother and baby that the hospital would normally provide to keep them both safe. A car delivery is not a favorable alternative but may have to be. No mother should be subjected to the lack of comfort and medical support in a condition as unfavorable as this. Let’s face it, what other alternative would most mothers have if this ward shutdown were to happen? Medical care of this nature is not a luxury but rather a vital requirement, common sense dictates that this service should remain as is and the powers that be “quite well left alone”. It’s time they start acting accordingly who expect to be able to see their demands met, not ripped off “like a thief in the night” just to appease “cost cutting” to appease the stupidity of the decision. The next meeting of the Griffith Prostate Cancer Support Group will be Thursday, May 12 at the Griffith South-Side Leagues Club at 7:30 p.m. (one week earlier). Our special guest speaker will be Deborah Garroun, National Support Group Lead, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Deb will also be at Riverina Field Days on Friday morning. All welcome, light supper offered. For further information please contact Colin Beaton on 0434 676 555 or Barry Maples on 0429 635 267. Born and raised on an irrigation farm in Griffith, Left school and the ‘Big Smoke’, find a job and hopefully won’t suffer any harm, Too see how others live, enjoy life and have a chew, mum and dad not happy, we need a helping hand here on the farm. But I was determined to make it in the city of Sydney, The nightlife in Kings Cross was exciting, great and fast-paced, I got a job and moved into a flat in Darlinghurst, Luckily this strong boy from the campaign had the stamina to last. Years passed and a beautiful life that I enjoyed every day, but something seemed to be missing, even though I learned the tricks from Sydney, it took a long time trying to figure out what it was, and then late one night, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Of all the things that were to bring me home, There was no shortage of mom and dad, the local wine or the Italian bread, It was the bloody canal water I grew up on, So I left. my job and my pension, packed my bags and back to Griffith I head. That was forty years ago, and I’m still here now, settled, and happy here and never to wander again, I’m here forever, having known the wonderful city of Sydney, and I’ll always thank the water of the channel for bringing me home. Email your letter to the editor at [email protected], or post it to PO Box 1004, Griffith, NSW, 2680. All letters should be accompanied by a name (for publication) and an address (not for publication). Or use this form below…
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MATERNITY AN ESSENTIAL, NOT A LUXURY
We recently read in the News from the region mention of the plan to close the maternity ward of Griffith Hospital. If this were to be “allowed” to happen, where should mothers-to-be safely deliver their babies?
Babies don’t necessarily arrive on the due date but, often, they can appear randomly anywhere and anytime.
Do mothers now have to travel by road to Wagga, a two-hour journey? What if their baby presents in transit?
Such an environment is hardly on par with the sterile delivery for mother and baby that the hospital would normally provide to keep them both safe. A car delivery is not a favorable alternative but may have to be.
No mother should be subjected to the lack of comfort and medical support in a condition as unfavorable as this. Let’s face it, what other alternative would most mothers have if this ward shutdown were to happen?
Medical care of this nature is not a luxury but rather a vital requirement, common sense dictates that this service should remain as is and the powers that be “quite well left alone”.
It’s time they start acting accordingly who expect to be able to see their demands met, not ripped off “like a thief in the night” just to appease “cost cutting” to appease the stupidity of the decision.
SUPPORT GROUP MEETING A WEEK EARLY
The next meeting of the Griffith Prostate Cancer Support Group will be Thursday, May 12 at the Griffith South-Side Leagues Club at 7:30 p.m. (one week earlier).
Our special guest speaker will be Deborah Garroun, National Support Group Lead, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Deb will also be at Riverina Field Days on Friday morning.
All welcome, light supper offered. For further information please contact Colin Beaton on 0434 676 555 or Barry Maples on 0429 635 267.
Barry Maples, Griffith Prostate Cancer Support Group
THE PRETTY WATER OF THE GRIFFITH CANAL
Born and raised on an irrigation farm in Griffith,
I quit school and the Big Smoke, got a job and hope I don’t get hurt,
To see how other people live, to enjoy life and to take a bite,
Dad and mom not happy, we need a hand here on the farm.
But I was determined to make it a success in Sydney Town,
Nightlife in Kings Cross was exciting, great and fast paced,
Got a job and moved into a flat in Darlinghurst,
Luckily, this strong country boy had the stamina to last.
Years passed and a good life that I enjoyed every day,
But something seemed to be missing, even though I had learned the towers of Sydney,
It took a long time trying to figure out what it was,
And then late one night it hit me like a ton of bricks.
Of all the things that were to bring me home,
There was no shortage of mom and dad, local wine or Italian bread,
It was the bloody canal water I grew up with,
So I quit my job and my boarding house, packed my things, and headed back to Griffith.
That was forty years ago, and I’m still here now,
Settled, and happy here and never wander again,
I am here forever, having experienced the wonderful city of Sydney,
And will always thank the canal water for bringing me home.
Stuart’s new book of poetry ‘Riverina Rhymes’ is available from Griffith News and Gifts and Hillston Red Dust and Paddy Melons Gallery
Email your letter to the editor at [email protected], or post it to PO Box 1004, Griffith, NSW, 2680. All letters should be accompanied by a name (for publication) and an address (not for publication). Or use this form below…
