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Stroke Week – Think F.A.S.T.

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Stroke Week – Think F.A.S.T.

To commemorate National Stroke Week the Toowoomba Hospital’s Geriatric, Adult Rehabilitation and Stroke Service (GARRS) is reminding residents about the importance of seeking immediate medical help at the first sign of stroke.

“With Stroke Week on from 4 to 10 September we want people to think F.A.S.T. and act fast,” said GARSS Director Dr Nisal Gange. “F.A.S.T. stands for face, arms, speech, and time, and these are the things you need to check if you think someone is having a stroke.

The Stroke Foundation’s Kathy Pataczek with Toowoomba Hospital stroke care coordinator Tim Richardson, stroke survivor Mr Warwick Alderton, and GARRS Director Dr Nisal Gange

“Check their face to see if their mouth has dropped; check to see if they can lift their arms; check if their speech is slurred, or if they can understand what you’re saying; and be conscious of time, because time is critical, so if you see any of these signs call triple-zero immediately.”

Stroke Foundation Queensland community engagement coordinator Kathy Pataczek said the launch event at Toowoomba Hospital on Monday was one of hundreds happening around the country during Stroke Week.

“Stroke Week is all about raising awareness of stroke, knowing the contributing factors and ways to avoid stroke, and most importantly recognising when someone is having a stroke,” Ms Pataczek said. “Time is such a critical factor in the successful treatment of stroke and that’s why we’re placing as much emphasis as we can on the F.A.S.T. message this week and throughout the year.”

Dr Gange said the Toowoomba Hospital Stroke Service had become the primary facility for treatment of stroke in the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service area. “Since our Stroke Service began in 2013 we have seen more than 800 patients,” he said .“At the time the service was established we had tremendous support from Dr Peter Gillies, who was Executive Director of Toowoomba Hospital at the time, and Dr Gillies has continued to support what we do since becoming DDHHS Chief Executive.

“Around ten per cent of the patients we have seen have been eligible for stroke lysis treatment, which involves giving a clot-busting injection, and where we have been able to give that injection within four-and-a-half hours of having the stroke we have seen a lot of excellent results. We are also now working in conjunction with the Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital performing clot retrieval which is a new treatment option”.

“In cases where the clot is more than five millimetres in length, and it is in a part of the brain that is accessible, we give the clot busting lysis injection here at Toowoomba Hospital, then transport the patient to the PA where the team there will use a catheter to go in and remove the clot. That service has been in place for a couple of months and is not for everyone, but for those patients who are eligible it is an extra level of treatment and so far we are seeing very good results.”

Use the following FAST guide if stroke is suspected:

• F for face – check the person’s face and see if their mouth has dropped
• A for arms – see if they can lift both arms
• S for speech †see if their speech is slurred or impaired and check if they can understand what you are saying
• T for time †time is critical so if you see any of these symptoms call Triple-0

Additional information:
• The Toowoomba Hospital Stroke Unit started on 11 February 2013.
• Toowoomba Hospital is the only facility in the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service that offers the stroke lysis program and the service is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
• Stroke lysis treatment is only suitable for certain types of strokes, but when used appropriately within four and-a-half hours of the first symptoms of stroke, it can deliver excellent results.
• At Toowoomba Hospital stroke lysis treatment is administered to around 10 per cent of stroke patients, compared to the state average of eight per cent and the national average of seven per cent.
• The Toowoomba Hospital Stroke Unit operates in conjunction with the hospital’s Geriatric, Adult Rehabilitation and Stroke Service (GARSS).

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Media Team

 

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TRL A Grade Premiership Win To Dalby

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TRL A Grade Premiership Win To Dalby

Grand Final Day – DALBY got off to a winning start in the Second Division decider with a 15-10 victory over Pittsworth. Richard Woodbridge was the man of the match.

This outcome was to be repeated in the A Grade Grand Final, though by a far greater margin. The Dalby Diehards ran out 48-4 winners over reigning premiers, the Pittsworth Danes, after leading 32-0 at half time. Dalby fullback Corey Blades man of the match.

In Reserve Grade GATTON claimed the minor premiership-premiership double holding on for an 18-16 win over Valleys. Gatton lock Corey Schmidt was named man of the match.

The third-straight Under 18 title was  claimed by VALLEYS after a 38-18 win over Warwick. Kurt Squires, Valleys five-eighth, was named man of the match.

Dalby Diehards historic win in taking out the Toowoomba Rugby League Premiership for the very first time caps off an exceptional weekend for the Western Downs Town, following the Dalby Wheatmen’s victory in the rugby union Risdon Cup.

 

Dress Up Party For Play School Exhibition

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Dress Up Party For Play School Exhibition


Big Ted and his good friend Andrew McFarlane getting ready to welcome guests to Cobb+Co Museum for our Dress Up Party to celebrate 50 years of Play School on Sunday 27 August 2017 at Cobb+Co Museum

The Dress Up Party featured loads of fun activities for all the family including party games, kids craft activities, story time sessions and more! Children came dressed up as their favourite character and joined in the fancy dress parade at 1.00 pm.

 

 

Current Play School presenter Andrew McFarlane read stories to the children and entertained Cobb+Co’s  young guests!
They:
Used collage to dress up a paper person
Made and decorated bunny ears
Wrote a birthday message to Play School
Helped to  build a box city
Coloured in Play School characters

And there was SandWizard art available for $5 per artwork.

The Play School  50 Years Exhibition has been extended  and you’re invited to join in the Farewell Play School Party on Sunday 15th October from 10:00 am – 02:00 pm, with loads of fun activities for all the family including party games, kids craft activities, story time sessions and more!  The Cobb+Co Museum is in Lindsay Street, Toowoomba. Coming Events

 

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Happy National Dog Day!

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Happy National Dog Day!

Despite the fact that tick season is here, many Aussie dog owners aren’t aware of the serious harm these deadly parasites – especially Paralysis Ticks – can cause to their four-legged friends.

To help drive even more awareness of paralysis ticks, NexGard has proudly partnered with Guide Dogs Australia to help all dog owners understand the importance of protecting their pets. NexGard supplies Guide Dog handlers all over the country with its tasty, once-a-month chews which protects these special animals from ticks and fleas.

But because today is National Dog Day, and in recognition that all dogs are special, NexGard is highlighting its continued partnership with Guide Dogs Australia.  Both NexGard and Guide Dogs Australia want all humans to become more aware of, and check for, Paralysis Ticks.

Dr Lisa Chimes, emergency veterinarian and Aussie presenter of television’s Bondi Vet and Dr Lisa To The Rescue, says we need to be vigilant about these deadly parasites.“Maybe it’s not just a coincidence that National Dog Day falls at the same time as the start of tick season. Today is the perfect reminder for us to check our dogs and stay on top of tick protection by using a great product like NexGard.”

Dr Caroline Moeser, Veterinary and Breeding Services Manager, Guide Dogs Australia, agrees: “Here at Guide Dogs Australia the health of our dogs is vital and that’s why we highlight preventative medicine. We have puppies placed all over Australia †from Metropolitan to regional areas †who are looked after by our dedicated puppy raisers. Therefore, it’s really important that we use an effective preventative product for fleas and ticks. That’s why we use NexGard for our puppies and adult Guide Dogs.”

In a first for Australia, NexGard has also created a Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel. Comprised of 14 veterinary experts in tick paralysis, the panel has created guidelines and materials designed to help dog owners look for and treat their pets against these potentially deadly parasites.

“The Tick Advisory Panel Guidelines explain that it’s important you search your pets daily for ticks and remove any you find immediately, followed by seeking veterinary attention,” says Dr Chimes.  “It’s important to check every aspect of your pet. Start at the head and neck, including the mouth and ears. Continue to the front legs and paws, check between and underneath the toes and then search the chest, belly, back, tail and back legs and toes.”

For more information on paralysis ticks and techniques for checking pets, contact your vet for a copy of the “Deadly Paralysis Ticks, How to protect your pet” brochure developed by the Australian Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel.

NexGard is a tasty once-a-month chew that can be given with or without food and is suitable for puppies from eight weeks of age, weighing 2kgs or greater.  It is available in Australia at leading veterinary clinics and pet speciality stores.

For more information on how to protect dogs from ticks and fleas using NexGard, visit www.nexgard.com.au.

 

 

75th Anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay

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75th Anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan MP has encouraged Australians to pause and reflect on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay.

The Battle of Milne Bay, from 25th August to 7th September 1942, saw a Japanese amphibious landing defeated for the first time in the Second World War, and marked a turning point during the Papuan campaign.

Of some 7,000 Australians who served in Milne Bay, more than 370 became casualties, of whom more than 160 were killed or listed as missing.

Veterans of the Battle of Milne Bay will today attend a private service in Canberra, followed by a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The Darling Downs remembrance ceremony took place at the Mothers’ Memorial in Toowoomba on Sunday, 2oth August.

“The Government is honoured to support the travel of seven Australian veterans of the Battle of Milne Bay to attend commemorations in Canberra,” Mr Tehan said “All Australians owe a great debt to the veterans of Milne Bay and to every man and woman who serves or has served in defence of our nation.

“Today we honour the courage and sacrifice of Australians during the Second World War, and we take this opportunity to reflect on that time in our history and to thank our veterans for their service.”

Milne Bay, on the south-eastern tip of Papua, was a strategically significant Allied base with three airstrips in close proximity to Port Moresby. Allied air and ground forces, including Australian infantrymen (some from the Darling Downs) and RAAF Kittyhawk fighters, repelled some 2000 Japanese troops, helping to halt the Japanese attempt on Port Moresby.

 

 

 

 

 

“Australian troops had, at Milne Bay, inflicted on the Japanese their first undoubted defeat on land.  Some of us may forget that, of all the allies, it was the Australians who first broke the invincibility of the Japanese army”.

Field-marshal Sir William Slim, Defeat Into Victory

 

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Celebrate National Science Week With A Night At The Museum.

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Celebrate National Science Week With A Night At The Museum.

Scientific innovations will be in the spotlight on Friday 18 August when National Science Week celebrations come to Cobb+Co Museum.

After Dark: Science Fusion is a ticketed all ages event which will run from 5:30pm to 9pm and include talks from scientists, hands-on science activities and live music set in the surrounds of the iconic Cobb+Co Museum. Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, National Science Week aims to encourage people to be interested in science and fascinated by the world in which we live.

The After Dark event will give Toowoomba audiences the chance to learn more about the latest science innovations shaping our world while enjoying the atmosphere of the Museum at night. Guests can explore the Museum and get a better insight into how technology is impacting science and creating major advancements in this field.

The event offers something for everyone with a variety of activities including robot battles, holograms, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, live spider displays, taxidermy demonstrations and a science show.

The event is on Friday 18 August 2017 from 5:30pm until 9pm. This is a ticketed event for those over the age of 18 years. Tickets are $15 each and bookings are essential. To book please visit www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au

After Dark: National Science Week is proudly supported by Inspiring Australia.

August 15th – Victory in the Pacific Day

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August 15th – Victory in the Pacific Day

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today encouraged Australians to pause and reflect on the 72nd anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day, marking the end of the Second World War.

“Victory in the Pacific Day marks Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies after more than three years of war,” Mr Tehan said.

“During the Second World War almost one million Australian men and women served, almost 40,000 Australians lost their lives, many more were wounded and more than 30,000 were taken prisoner of war—of those taken prisoner, more than 8,000 died in captivity.

“On Victory in the Pacific Day we recognise those who served our nation, honour those veterans who remain and remember those who are no longer with us. Today we reflect on our country’s experience of all wars, the values our service men and women fought to protect and the price they paid for doing so.

“We owe those men and women a great debt of gratitude and we will never forget.

“In the coming months the Australian Government will hold national services for the 75th anniversaries of the battles of Milne Bay, El Alamein, and Kokoda and the Beachheads. I encourage all Australians to attend these services, hear the stories of Australians who served, and honour the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the Second World War.”

Last Post ceremonies for these important Second World War anniversaries will take place at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on the following dates:

  • 25 August 2017 – 75th anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay,
  • 23 October 2017 – 75th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein and the culmination of the North Africa campaigns,
  • 2 November 2017 – 75th anniversary of Kokoda and the Beachheads.

Historically Significant Trees To Be Preserved During Warrego Roadworks

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Historically Significant Trees To Be Preserved During Warrego Roadworks

Two culturally and historically significant trees will be preserved during upcoming clearing works along the Warrego Highway on the western edge of Dalby.

Transport and Main Roads District Director Dereck Sanderson said the trees, known as scarred trees, had been recognised as a remnant of traditional Aboriginal activities and they would be protected during upcoming clearing works, despite being located within the Warrego Highway road corridor.

“The trees have been identified as being at least 50 years old and are clear evidence of Aboriginal occupation in what is now a very different residential and agricultural landscape,” Mr Sanderson said. “The bark taken from the trees was a versatile material that could be used for a number of tasks including the construction of shelters and household items.

“Representatives from the traditional owners will monitor the site during works and our Senior Cultural Heritage Officer will be on-site when any tree clearing takes place to ensure that these culturally significant trees are not harmed. At the end of the project, a plaque will be placed next to one of the trees providing a brief explanation of the history and the significance of the trees to the Barrangum people.”

Mr Sanderson said in addition to the scarred trees, Transport and Main Roads’ environmental officers had also identified mature trees in the area with hollows that are suitable for various birds and mammals to nest in.

“The contractor, FKG McIlwain Joint Venture, will be organising the installation of 60 new nesting boxes in the remaining trees within two kilometres of the project to accommodate local wildlife from the road corridor,” Mr Sanderson said. “A licensed fauna spotter-catcher will be on-site when clearing commences to ensure any wildlife is carefully removed and relocated to a safer area”.

“If any endangered, vulnerable or near-threatened species are sighted at any stage during construction, all work will stop immediately to allow further investigations to be carried out.”

The new nesting boxes are expected to be installed in time for the spring breeding season. A European wild bee hive in the area will also be relocated prior to clearing.

Background
The works are being completed as part of the $59 million Dalby Western Access Upgrade. This upgrade is one of 15 projects in the $635 million Warrego Highway Upgrade Program which is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments on an 80:20 funding split.

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