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November 10, 2023
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Cancer won’t throw John Barwon Heads’ John White started a winery business following his second diagnosis of NeuroEndocrine Tumour (NET) cancer. The 54-year-old first found out that he had a NET in September 2020, which led to him having surgery to remove a 50-millimetre-diameter mass between his small and large intestines. His second tumour was discovered close to 50 centimetres away from the original one in 2022 and inspired John to quit his corporate job and purchase a vineyard in Portarlington. John was declared cancer-free in April this year and is helping raise awareness for NET cancer, which doctors often misdiagnose. Friday, November 10, is NET Cancer Day to help inform more people about the cancer, its symptoms and how it’s diagnosed. ■ John’s cancer journey is continued on Page 14
NeuroEndocrine Tumour patient John White with his dog Frankie. (Ivan Kemp) 371209_03
Counting on big change By Matt Hewson Victoria’s new can and bottle recycling scheme launched successfully last week, with Geelong collection sites processing almost 100,000 containers on day one. The Geelong launch of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) was held at the North Geelong CDS Vic Depot Bell Park, which is operated by social enterprise Recycle4Change. The CDS rewards Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible can, bottle and container returned. The North Geelong depot itself processed almost 40,000 containers on day one, which operators said demonstrated the “amazing support and generosity” of
the Geelong community. The TOMRA Cleanaway partnership is overseeing the scheme in the western zone of Victoria, and chief executive James Dorney said he saw an “enormous uptake” of the CDS throughout western Victoria in general and Geelong specifically. “Across the (western zone) of the state, we saw very high levels of usership from citizens accessing these container return points and immediately participating in this scheme from day one,” Mr Dorney said. “At ‘go live’ we had around 17 sites across Greater Geelong in this LGA and those sites will continue to grow. And into the future, as the scheme matures, we expect to have a minimum of 22 sites in the Geelong LGA.
“This will be a mix of depots…reverse vending machine kiosks and stand alone kiosks, giving the citizens of Geelong an excellent opportunity to participate as we really focus our network around convenience, accessibility and ease of use so that people can contribute and be a part of this scheme and the great benefits that it drives.” Operator Recycle4Change is one arm of the Chance Creators group, an organisation that also runs social enterprise Fruit2Work in Melbourne and Geelong. Chance Creators chief Rob Brown said partnering with TOMRA Cleanaway to deliver CDS services was providing worthwhile employment for people impacted by the justice system.
“Chance Creators has enthusiastically joined TOMRA Cleanaway as a partner through our Recycle4Change company to deliver two bulk container collection depots in the west zone for CDS Vic,” said Mr Brown. “More importantly, we have been able to employ 12 people that have been impacted through the judicial system, delivering meaningful employment, connection, and support. “This employment and connection also serves the community through eliminating re-offending; none of our employees have returned to prison, and reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.” Visit cdsvic.org.au/locations to find a list of collection points near you.
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