Castlemaine writer Alex Miller says the central character of his newly released non-fiction book has been with him right from his earliest beginnings as a writer.
But only now, in writing Max, has he finally succeeded in sharing Max Blatt’s story with the world.
“There were times when I thought I couldn’t do it,” the celebrated writer says.
Readers of many of Miller’s fictional works will have encountered elements of Max Blatt – true friend, mentor and Jewish Nazi-resistance figure – in the earlier Miller milieu.
“He’s always been there somewhere,” the writer says.
Just released in recent days Max is significant in that it is Miller’s first full length work of non fiction, following numerous acclaimed works of fiction. Read more in today’s Mail… 02.10.20
Miller tells Max’s tale
Reopening of maternity service a step closer
Maternity services at Castlemaine Health are one step closer to re-opening with the framework for the new model of care on track to be in place by the beginning of October.
The Castlemaine Health Maternity Services Operational Model of Care Working Group, who have been meeting since August 2020, now have a clear, overarching view of the service and are building in the details.
The model of care defines how each element of the service will operate and maps out how consumers will access and experience the service as they move through antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care.
Castlemaine Health CEO Ian Fisher said they are well on their way to re-opening the maternity service.
“One of the things we’re especially pleased about is that consumers have had a real seat at the table where the decisions are being made,” Mr Fisher said.
“Their voices are being heard and they are having a direct impact on the new service. We want to thank them for being part of this process.”
The Working Group has gathered feedback from the Maternity Services Consumer Committee, elected to represent the community, about what women value in maternity care.
One of the elements deemed most highly valued was continuity of care, including during a transfer, so women are able to develop trusting relationships with the same caregivers throughout pregnancy, labour and birth, and into the early weeks of mothering. Communication, collaboration between members of the care team and feeling listened to also ranked high on the list.
May Pratt and Claire Nightingale are members of the Maternity Services Consumer Committee. They are also consumer representatives on the Maternity Services Operational Model of Care Working Group.
A mother of four children, all born at Castlemaine Health, May describes herself as a local mum who wanted to make sure the wonderful service she experienced continued.
“I feel so lucky to have had my babies at Castlemaine Health,” May said.
“Having a local maternity service is so important. When you have a baby you want to be as close to your community as possible,” she said.
“I’m delighted to see that everybody involved in the Working Group is on the same track and working to achieve the best possible outcomes for birthing women.”
Mum of two Claire works in public health research. Her working life has taken her to Papua New Guinea and then to Myanmar, where she received her antenatal care for both children.
“There’s a real diversity of experience on the Working Group and support for both the clinical and consumer point of view,” Claire said.
“Local people are invested in the maternity service at Castlemaine Health and it can be hard to move away from something that has existed for so long,” she said.
“But I have confidence the service will re-open in a way that is absolutely fantastic for women. Where they receive real continuity of care. Where they build relationships with their caregivers, birth close to their community and never feel like a number.”
Get in the swing
Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club will be hosting an exciting tennis event next Sunday October 4.
The Victoria Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Series is a Tennis Victoria initiative and is open to juniors and adults. The Fast4 round robin format is lots of fun and all players will get to play three matches.
The competition will run from 1pm to 4pm and players of all abilities are invited to take part.
Entry must be online by October 2, 11.59pm by going to the link: tennis.com.au/Vic/players/universal-tennis-rating. Entry is just $5.
Disappointing behaviour
Vicki Poxon, CEO Windarring Disability
COVID-19 has affected people in many ways. Unfortunately a few people deal with their stress by lashing out at others. The incredible people who work in the retail industry bear the daily brunt of others unhappiness and anxiety.
But, I am shocked to tell you that at Castlemaine Windarring our clients working in our Recycled Shop have also been the targets of unhappy people. Recently, one of our clients was verbally abused because he asked a customer to follow COVID directions. The words that were said were designed to hurt and what the person said specifically targeted our client’s disability. To support our team members who have been abused we have provided counselling and other supports. They don’t understand why they have been treated this way.
We all understand that COVID is stressful but now that some restrictions for regional areas have been lifted I hope people can return to their usual happy place and leave all retail staff in peace to do the work they do very well.
Telehealth extended at 11th hour
Regional Victorians will benefit from a decision by the federal government to invest more than $2 billion to extend its national COVID-19 emergency health response for a further six months to March 31, 2021.
Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters welcomed Friday’s announcement that the government would extend current telehealth arrangements but is disappointed that it’s come at the 11th hour.
Lyttleton Street Clinic’s Dr Richard Mayes said local GPs welcomed the announcement.
“It is great news that we can continue to service the health of our community in the safest way possible during these times,” Dr Mayes said.
“It is also a timely reminder for all people to aim to return to the routine health checks and maintenance that they pursued pre-COVID times,” he said. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Local candidates revealed
Nominations for the upcoming local government elections closed on Tuesday this week and the candidates are in. Mount Alexander Shire has 18 candidates standing in our October elections.
In two wards current councillors will be returning unopposed, while in the Castlemaine Ward 11 candidates have thrown their hat in the ring for one of three positions. See today’s Mail for the full story. Out Now.
Live music lifeline
Three local live music venues are among 106 venues across the state that will share in $9 million in survival grants as part of the state government’s Victorian Live Music Events program.
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards announced on Monday that Castlemaine’s Bridge Hotel, the Castlemaine Theatre Royal and the Red Hill Hotel at Chewton were among the successful recipients in the first tranche of the program. See the Mail for the full story.
Tribute a labour of love for Des
When well known Castlemaine local Des Brady was laid to rest this week after sustaining a fatal aneurysm, he was surrounded by many of the things he loved best in life.
They were hand-painted onto his casket in a unique tribute to honour the long serving and well-loved local mechanic’s life.
When Mr Brady, 80, passed away on September 14 his wife Wendy decided to do something special to honour Mr Brady who had lived in Castlemaine since his 20s after beginning life at coastal Rosebud and doing his mechanics apprenticeship at Echuca.
Wendy contacted family friend and local professional artist Anne Rittman with an idea.
Several days of dedicated work later, the result was a magnificent personalised casket which had been lovingly hand-painted by Anne and Wendy.
The casket and its lid feature many of the things Mr Brady held dearest in life including wildlife and native flora… Read more in the Castlemaine Mail, Friday, September 25, 2020.
An exciting move
Glenn Sutherland, McKenzie Hill
As a former Board President of Castlemaine Health I believe it is exciting to now see the intended merger of CHIRP and Castlemaine Health!
Mount Alexander Shire Council has also shown initiatives in the development of partnerships with CHIRP and Castlemaine Health, as well as developing the Early Years Plan to support the needs of families and children from 0-8 years. Some of the actions include identifying the gaps in the provision of local childcare, including mental health.
Victoria and Australia for too long have spent less funding on the health and well-being prevention actions than has been required.
These preventative initiatives in Castlemaine and district no doubt will really help the quality of our lives!
Ginnivan selected
Castlemaine football talent Jack Ginnivan has been selected for the National Combine for the upcoming AFL Draft.
The 17-year-old said he is excited to join 94 up and coming players from across Australia as part of the National Combine event.
The group includes 46 players from across metro and regional Victoria which will face off in Melbourne next month, where their skills, fitness and agility will be placed under the microscope. See the Mail for the full story.
MAAW Makers corner created
The Mount Alexander Animal Welfare (MAAW) Op Shop in Johnstone Street Castlemaine has reopened its doors and during lockdown has created a new ‘Makers Corner’.
The new installation aims support to local artists and craftists that have been affected by Covid shutdown restrictions.
Council paves way for aged care home
Castlemaine looks set to get a new 93-bed aged care facility following a decision at this week’s Mount Alexander Shire Council Meeting.
At Tuesday night’s meeting councillors unanimously voted to grant approval for development of residential-zoned land at McKenzie Hill, paving the way for establishment of a 93-bed commercial aged care facility to be built on site. See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.