The Lockyer October 8 2020
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JOIN THE AUSSIE<br />
BACKYARD BIRD COUNT<br />
<strong>Lockyer</strong> Valley Regional Council<br />
is urging residents to take up the<br />
challenge of bird counting for<br />
this year’s Aussie Backyard Bird<br />
Count.<br />
This citizen-science event, coordinated by<br />
BirdLife Australia, takes place across the<br />
country from Monday 19 to Sunday 25<br />
<strong>October</strong>, coinciding with Bird Week.<br />
<strong>Lockyer</strong> Valley Community Facilities and<br />
Environment Portfolio Councillor Michael<br />
Hagan said the bird count provided a<br />
snapshot for the same time each year which<br />
allowed an analysis into trends affecting our<br />
bird communities.<br />
“Our common backyard bird species give us<br />
the best indication of the health of our natural<br />
environment and the bird count allows<br />
families and individuals to gain broader<br />
knowledge about birds in their area in a safe<br />
and fun way,” he said.<br />
“During 2019 the White Australian Ibis<br />
knocked the Red Wattlebird out of tenth<br />
most-seen bird species spot.<br />
“This change has been interpreted as being<br />
caused by birds being driven into populated<br />
areas through drought and the worst fire<br />
season we’ve seen, which makes this year’s<br />
count vitally important to see how our birds<br />
are recovering.”<br />
To complete the Aussie Backyard Bird Count,<br />
all you need to do is spend 20 minutes in your<br />
backyard, local park, or favourite outdoor<br />
space and note down the birds that you see.<br />
Once completed, you can submit your<br />
bird count through the online web form or<br />
through the free Aussie Bird Count app.<br />
If you’re not sure about a bird there is a field<br />
guide/bird search function on the app and<br />
website to help.<br />
You can take part in a group or as an individual<br />
and you can submit as many counts as you<br />
would like throughout the Bird Count.<br />
BirdLife Australia organises and promotes<br />
Bird Week with the goal of inspiring<br />
Australians to take action and get involved in<br />
bird conservation efforts.<br />
Register now to be part of the nation’s<br />
largest annual citizen-science event by<br />
visiting www.aussiebirdcount.org.au<br />
HEALTH PARTNERS UNITE TO TRANSFORM BREAST CANCER CARE<br />
A pilot study to transform<br />
follow-up care for women after<br />
breast cancer surgery could<br />
revolutionise care for women<br />
in the West Moreton region and<br />
improve their quality of life.<br />
West Moreton Health and Ipswich Hospital<br />
Foundation (IHF) are teaming up for Breast<br />
Cancer Awareness Month (1 – 31 <strong>October</strong>)<br />
to raise money for the West Moreton Breast<br />
Cancer Research Project, which would<br />
investigate the feasibility of a virtual breast<br />
care clinic to support patients after breast<br />
cancer surgery.<br />
West Moreton Health’s McGrath Breast Care<br />
Nurses Karen Miles and Tamara Tomasev<br />
said, if adopted, the virtual model would be<br />
ground-breaking.<br />
“What we want to do is expand on the<br />
existing after-surgery consultations, which<br />
focus on physical assessment and symptom<br />
management, to provide a comprehensive<br />
assessment of patient’s psychosocial health<br />
and quality of life,” Ms Miles said.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> aim will be to decrease the burden of<br />
disease and improve clinical management<br />
by allocating more time for a comprehensive<br />
assessment that also promotes symptom<br />
management, self-care and education<br />
through improved patient-clinician<br />
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communication.”<br />
Ms Tomasev said: “When patients feel involved<br />
and supported in their care, they have better<br />
outcomes in terms of their psychosocial<br />
needs and quality of life”.<br />
IHF chief executive officer James Sturges<br />
said the research project aimed to deliver<br />
local outcomes for local people using local<br />
researchers.<br />
“This will make a meaningful difference to<br />
the people of West Moreton,” Mr Sturges said.<br />
“It is about local fundraising to support local<br />
research to help local people through local<br />
services,” Mr Sturges said.<br />
“I hope individuals, groups and businesses<br />
in West Moreton will help us achieve this by<br />
supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month<br />
through making a donation or buying IHF<br />
fundraising merchandise and joining us to Go<br />
Pink on 23 <strong>October</strong>.”<br />
West Moreton Health chief executive Dr<br />
Kerrie Freeman said it was hoped the research<br />
project would pave the way for a six-month<br />
pilot, using West Moreton Health’s existing<br />
successful telehealth platform.<br />
“We don’t know of this model of care<br />
happening anywhere else right now, so this<br />
wouldn’t just be a first for West Moreton,” Dr<br />
Freeman said.<br />
“This is another example of great innovation<br />
and research leadership by West Moreton<br />
people to advance person-centred care.’’<br />
<strong>The</strong> pilot would be developed for anyone<br />
who has completed surgery and is going to<br />
have other treatment such as radiotherapy or<br />
hormonal therapy.<br />
How to get involved in Breast Cancer<br />
Awareness Month and support the West<br />
Moreton Breast Cancer Research Project:<br />
• Submit a photo of your loved one for a breast<br />
cancer banner displayed at West Moreton<br />
Health sites<br />
• Donate money or buy Go Pink merchandise,<br />
including T-shirts, tote bags, scrub caps and<br />
healthy pink dog treats for your pooches<br />
• Pre-order pink<br />
macarons from Mama<br />
Mac’s Macarons or<br />
mystery pink ice-cream<br />
from Ungermann<br />
Brothers and go into<br />
the draw to win free<br />
ice cream for three<br />
months by guessing<br />
the mystery flavour<br />
• Dress up and Go Pink<br />
on 23 <strong>October</strong>.<br />
• Prioritise your health<br />
and get a breast screen.<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
BreastScreen<br />
mobile van will be at Ipswich Hospital in the<br />
East St entrance carpark from 12 - 16 <strong>October</strong>.<br />
Early morning, after hours and walk in<br />
appointments are available. A breast screen is<br />
recommended for women aged 50-74, every<br />
2 years. Women aged 40-49 and 75+ are also<br />
eligible.<br />
To book, call 13 20 50 or visit http://www.<br />
breastscreen.qld.gov.au<br />
Pictured: West Moreton Health’s McGrath<br />
Breast Care Nurse Karen Miles is supporting the<br />
program.<br />
Image courtesy of Ipswich Hospital Foundation<br />
THE LOCKYER - Thursday <strong>October</strong> 8, <strong>2020</strong> - Page 7