Tuesday, 10 September, 2024
Teleco outages raised again after weeks of storms
September’s prostate cancer awareness month
First Nations netballers selected for inaugural team
See Real Estate liftout inside
PAGE 5
PAGE 7
PAGE 27
PAGE 15
A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Birthday milestone for EACH
The EACH bus toured every one of its sites with staff, like Michelle Addicott the Ferntree Gully location, helping celebrate 50 years. (Stewart Chambers: 428711)
For 50 years and counting, the outer eastern suburbs have been nurtured, cared for and provided support through EACH’s many services. From financial counselling, alcohol and other drug support to housing services, mental health support and so much more, the service has extended beyond its original footprint of the Maroondah Social Health Centre to providing community health and support services all along the east coast. Marking the final destination of the birthday bus tour, staff gathered at the Ringwood East site, the foundational home of EACH, to celebrate the milestone but to recognise the work being done throughout Melbourne at Ferntree Gully, Narre Warren and Boronia. To read more, turn to page 8
Fight for workers By Mikayla Van Loon When the prospect of returning to work after injury fades, the state’s workers compensation framework is meant to guide and support those unable to because of their condition. Yet a Launching Place mother and a volunteer dedicating her time to helping people through the claims process tell a very different story of the system. Former Boral Quarries Montrose employee
Joanna McNeill, who was diagnosed with silicosis from exposure to silica dust as an administrative worker in 2019, said she has been met with hurdles at nearly every stage of her WorkSafe Victoria claim process since being approved. Injured Worker Support Team (IWST) volunteer Vasalia Govender, who worked as a health and safety representative in the disability sector, has shifted her focus to guiding others from all industries through, what she described, as a difficult system to navigate.
Because she knew the legislation and process, Vasalia said many of her claims were accepted without dispute but she discovered this wasn’t the case for many people. “I found that other injured workers in the disability sector who had claims terminated, and it became a real issue,” she said. “So 10 years ago, that’s when I actually started assisting injured workers, helping them to get claims accepted. “The rule is simple, if you get hurt whilst at
work or work is the contributing factor, your claim is to be accepted. But what I found was that claims were being rejected without any evidence, even when the medical evidence supported the injury.” In 2021, Vasalia started IWST to assist injured workers through their claims with WorkSafe. The community of injured workers Vasalia currently supports is 327, with 38 waiting to be admitted into the group. Continued page 4
PHYSIOTHERAPY - REMEDIAL MASSAGE - CLINICAL CLASSES - REFORMER PILATES
OLINDA 1542 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd 3788 P: 9751 0400 | hello@formandpractice.com.au
Webuycopper,brass,aluminium,etc . . . WeBuySteel
MOUNT EVELYN Shop 2, 18 Station Street 3796 | P: 9736 2565
BOOK YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT ONLINE www.formandpractice.com.au/book-online
MONBULK SMASH REPAIRS
12715137-JF37-24
Tel:97362853•ClancyRoad,MtEvelyn3796
CHIRNSIDE PARK 3/282 Maroondah Highway | P: 8899 6377
12450347-LB23-20
CONTACT US
www.evelynrecycling.com.au
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED • Free Courtesy Car • Restorations • Resprays • Cut & Polish • Detailing • All panel & paint work 14 - 16 MAIN ROAD MONBULK 8736 8238 www.facebook.com/monbulksmashrepairs www.instagram.com/monbulksmashrepairs 12710232-AV34-24