'Not just a Coalition miracle on election day'
Though nine-year-old Celine is pretty much over the injuries she sustained in a car accident on election day, the horror of the incident still surfaces each night in her dreams.
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The accident occurred leaving netball on Saturday, May 18, when the car carrying Celine and her mum collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Francis and Smith Streets, Broulee. With her mum stunned behind the wheel, the brave little trooper climbed out of the passenger-side window, jumped onto the road and cried for help.
Seatbelts, airbag deployment and modern car design protected them from serious injury. It was a miracle they and the other driver survived relatively unscathed. Paramedics took Celine and her mum to Moruya Hospital, where it was decided Celine should be sent to Canberra Children's Hospital for observation. Celine's dad accompanied her in the ambulance over the hill to Braidwood, where they changed ambulances and crew for the trip into Canberra.
When Celine was discharged, she left Canberra with her dad on the 7.20 am Murrays coach to Moruya. Just before Bungendore, the driver Steve pulled over and asked Celine's dad if he had his wallet. He realised he'd lost it. with cash, ID and credit cards. Steve informed him a good Samaritan had found it at the Jolimont Centre and given it to Murrays staff. When the bus arrived in Batemans Bay, an elderly lady passenger leaving the bus approached Celine's dad and insisted on giving him $20 because she figured he should buy a snack with the money - such is the kindness and generosity of South Coast folk.
Celine and her mum are indebted to the paramedics, Dr Manamperi, Bernie, Julie, Enna and Phil, nurses and staff at Moruya Hospital and doctor's Andrew, Robert and Beth at the Children's Hospital Canberra. Also Senior Constable Brett Graham from Moruya Police, SES and Rie and Rescue teams. Heartfelt thanks to all the people who stayed with them while they were waiting for the ambulance, in particular two lady nurses, one who tended to Celine's mum, while the other allowed Celine to watch 'We Bear Bears' on YouTube on her phone.
Celine's mum personally thanks the kind elderly lady and the people who helped at the time of the accident. You can pop in at Go Vita Batemans Bay every Monday and look for in-house nutritionist Sofia Keady. She would be delighted to reciprocate your kindness.
Gary Keady (grateful dad)
Tuross Head
MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
1000 signatures tabled
A petition of over 1000 signatures went to Eurobodalla Shire Council in support of keeping the Batemans Bay Community Centre to complement the Mackay Park Arts and Aquatic Centre. There was quite a bit of discussion and three significant presentations, from Sue Mackenzie (Perfex), David McLachlan (the Chamber of Commerce) and Alan Russell (Meals on Wheels).
There is a strong desire that the council has a range of assets that suit the whole community - suitable, accessible, affordable, and spread across the community - geographically and across interests. On buses, in meetings, over coffee I hear the same disbelief and outrage that the council would consider getting rid of the community centre. Fair enough.
Short term gain will not meet the 18 per cent increase projected for our population, and their interests. They won't be sitting home, that's for sure. A new community centre would only have to be built in the not-too-distant future. Keep the centre; build the pool/arts centre - make the lot viable..
It was revealed there is no apparent present, up-to-date, relevant business case and yet the council has been given $51 million and is making decisions and pronouncements as if they had one. A little odd.
Dr Susan Mackenzie
PerfEx president
Brad steps up
It is with great honour and a sense of opportunity that I have been recently appointed to the NSW Health Agency for Clinical Innovations ACI Rural Health Network Executive Committee.
I am looking forward to being a part of the Executive Committee to put forward a voice for health in our local area.