Two in every five Australians surveyed have been drinking more alcohol during lockdown, a new global drug survey co-led by a Castlemaine-based researcher has found.
But another 40 per cent of Australians among the 55,000 people surveyed globally for the Global Drug Survey COVID-19 Special Edition actuallyreport reducing their alcohol intake instead.
The Global Drug Survey COVID-19 Special Edition results were released on Wednesday and co-lead researcher, Castlemaine’s Dr Monica Barratt from RMIT University spoke to the Mail about the findings.
“The things that most interest me are around looking at how people’s alcohol and drug use may have changed following the COVID-19 social and mobility restrictions which have really changed our lives, and also looking at how drug markets might have changed,” Dr Barratt said. Read more in today’s Castlemaine Mail, Friday September 11, 2020.
Covid impacts alcohol, drug use
Not so tiny issue…
Castlemaine’s Rainer Cook Tonkin rates the involvement of friends as one of the best things about building his own tiny house.
But the 19-year-old and his father, Bernard Tonkin, are among a significant number of locals who fear a local laws review now under way may have retrograde outcomes for those hoping to live in tiny houses – or rent them out to others.
Rainer and Bernard are among some 200 people who lodged written submissions regarding tiny houses to the wider local laws review that’s expected to go before Mount Alexander Shire Council for a decision at Tuesday evening’s council meeting.
As part of the review the council is considering changes to the local laws governing camping on private property – something with potentially big implications for relocatable tiny house living.
The proposed new local law would allow people to camp on private property for 21 days only – compared with the 60 days currently allowed – before being required to meet multiple criteria in order to obtain a six-month permit.
“At this stage it appears that our councillors may settle on a local law restricting staying in a tiny house on wheels – technically a caravan, to six weeks,” Bernard Tonkin says.
“A permit for six months would then be possible if a number of very subjective criteria are met and you wouldn’t be able to use one as a rental option.” Read more in the Castlemaine Mail, Friday, September 11, 2020.
Re-usable masks now available
CHIRP Community Health now has re-usable cloth masks from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) available for those unable to provide their own mask.
CHIRP allied health and wellbeing manager Deb McCarthy said all Victorians aged 12 years and over must wear a face covering when they leave home unless they have a lawful reason not to. But purchasing masks may not be an option for those in financial difficulty.
“Wearing a face covering helps keep you and others safe. Coronavirus is spread from close contact with a person with coronavirus. Face coverings help stop droplets spreading when someone speaks, laughs, coughs or sneezes, including someone who has coronavirus but feels well,” Deb said. See the Mail for more…
Tackling the challenges of covid
Castlemaine gym Maine Fitness has been working hard to stay connected with their clients and continue to offer them advice and support during the challenges of lockdown.
Maine Fitness director Edward Coulthard said the lockdowns have been very tough for many businesses.
“Being in the fitness industry I know of several facilities that haven’t made it through this period (mostly in Melbourne) of lockdown,” Coulthard said.
“However, I think more people have become more health conscious through this pandemic as it’s been hard to ignore the importance of a healthy and durable body,” he said.
“We have survived the last lockdown and the current one through the generosity and support of our members and community,” Coulthard said. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
A big thank you
Marieanne Heard, Castlemaine
As our world is suffering so much with this COVID-19, I wish to tell you what I experienced in a local Castlemaine store last week. I had ordered my required goods when I discovered that I did not have any money so I went back to my car for my purse, then returned to the shop to pay and collect my goods.
To my astonishment the salesman informed me that my goods had been paid for by an anonymous donor who had left the store. It is so gratifying that there are people who are still kind to each other and helpful at this time. Once again my sincere thanks!
Rewells celebrate 30 years
Rewells Mower Service is celebrating its 30th year in business this month.
Business owners Glenn Rewell and Stacey Raselli opened the doors to their much loved local business on September 4, 1990.
In the three decades that have followed the family owned and operated business has become a trusted and respected household name. See the Mail for the full story.
Opposition grows to exploration
The Harcourt and Elphinstone communities are following the lead of Romsey based comedian Tom Gleeson and the Macedon Ranges community by publicly voicing their objection to a proposed gold exploration licence in the region.
Melbourne based exploration company Syndicate Minerals, which recently withdraw its application for an exploration licences at ‘Woodend’ and ‘Lancefield’ following public opposition, also lodged an Exploration Licence Application EL007262 or ‘Harcourt Project’ back in April.
Despite its name the licence area is located south of Harcourt in the vicinity of the towns of Sutton Grange, Faraday, Elphinstone and Metcalfe and includes a small section of the southern part of Mount Alexander Regional Park.
While some residents lodged an objection to the licence when it was advertised they say many community members were oblivious to the proposal.
Therefore concerned community members began an online petition on Change.org late last month to spread the word and gather community opposition. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Consultation key to shaping new services
In July Castlemaine Health sought nominations to join the Maternity Services Consumer Committee and help shape the future of maternity services in the region.
The appointment of eight community representatives, whose professional and personal experience will play an integral role in the development of the new model of care, is an essential step in the process towards reopening the service.
Committee members come from all walks of life, with deep connections to Castlemaine Health and the community. A full list of members is available on the Maternity Services page at www.castlemainehealth.org.au and more details about each person and their role will be shared over the coming weeks.
Maternity Services Consumer Committee chair Anna Howard is an experienced lawyer who has worked locally and in Melbourne. See the Mail for the full details. Out Now.
Get active at home!
Local residents of all ages and abilities are being encouraged to get active now more than ever, with the state government launching a new campaign to keep active and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence launched the initiative Get Active Victoria on Wednesday this week,including an online platform with free workout videos, challenges and ideas to get you moving at home. See the Mail for more.
More to say after ‘R U Ok?’
Mount Alexander Shire Council is urging local residents to learn more about initiatives designed to support positive mental health, ahead of R U OK? Day on Thursday September 10.
R U OK? Day is a national initiative that shines the spotlight on mental health and the importance of supporting and looking out for each other.
The slogan for R U OK? Day 2020 is, ‘There’s more to say after R U OK?’.
“This year, more than ever, we need to check in with each other” the council’s community partnerships manager Gaynor Atkin, says.
“Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many and is expected to continue to for some time,” Ms Atkin said.
“This year’s R U OK? Day highlights the importance of asking someone if they are ok and knowing what to say if someone you know says that they are struggling”.
Resources and conversation steps to support and help someone find strategies to better manage their mental health can be found at www.ruok.org.au. See the Mail for more.
Good news
Barry Dunn, Castlemaine
On hearing ongoing stories of country newspapers being closed it’s great to see that our locally owned ‘Midland Express’ and ‘Castlemaine Mail’
are still being published.
Reading them is a positive in my lockdown lifestyle. Thank you to all involved.
Being locally owned, not capital city or even overseas owned is why we still retain our local newspapers. Another example of why we should patronize local businesses. Money spent locally benefits the whole community.
Covid Classroom
Former local principal Kevin Brown says his daughters, like many parents of young children, have been struggling with home schooling.
His advice was that they shouldn’t try to replicate school but utilise the amazing local resources that can be found all around us, such as the environment and local knowledge.
“I suggested they should seize the opportunity to utilise the home and outside environment to follow and foster the kids’ curiosity,” he said.
“I believe my best teaching was when I ran a ‘Wheels of Discovery’ program. One day a week the class and I accompanied by the art teacher Judy Laycock would jump on our bikes and explore a part of Castlemaine: the Botanical Gardens, the sewage farm, the diggings etc. The children’s discoveries would be the learning
focus for that week in the classroom.
“I suggested my daughters utilise the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club guide and explore and study the indigenous flora and its been a real hit!” he said.
Two of Kevin’s granddaughters are pictured here in their ‘classroom’ in the back paddock of farm Gowan Brae. ‘Gowan Brae’ means hill of daises. Allegra and Sophia discovered numerous Yam Daisy plants so they think that is why the farm was named Gowan Brae over 100 years ago.