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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 />

Advertise in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Lockyer</strong> NOW - Call 0411 896 004<br />

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

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