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The Border Watch : October 31st 2013
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8 OPINION EDITORIAL THE ongoing campaign to secure a Federal Government MRI Medicare licence for Mount Gambier continues to be one of the most pressing medical issues for our community. While high-profi le surgeon Barney McCusker is the latest person to voice his concern, there is no doubt there is a growing chorus in our community. Although Liberal and Labor federal governments have both failed to deliver a MRI licence in the past, let’s hope the new government on the federal landscape will listen to the cries of the community. Former Member for Barker Patrick Secker was among heavyweights calling for this life saving medical scanning equipment for the region, which has a population catchment area of around 100,000 people. With the region now boasting a new member, Tony Pasin must now take up this fi ght for our community. Although there is a pressing need in the community, there is no guarantee the region will secure a licence in coming years given tough competition from other regions. The issue is not isolated to Mount Gambier with many regional communities crying out for a licence across Australia. But with Bensons Radiology previously throwing its weight behind the push, let’s hope the government rolls out new licences in the future and Mount Gambier is no longer overlooked. Whyalla and Warrnambool - which are two regional centres of similar size - have been granted licences and there is no doubt Mount Gambier should be on the list. MRI units are a crucial diagnostic tool for medical specialists and every taxpayer in the South East deserves access to this potentially lifesaving technology in their region. They should not have to travel to Adelaide for a service expected in major regional centres. The MRI devices provide detailed diagnostic pictures of almost all the important organs and tissues in the body, which is important for a swift diagnosis that can save lives. VISIT US ONLINE borderwatch.com.au COMMENT City Council makes signifi cant gallery contribution MAYORAL MATTERS PERRYMAN Mount Gambier mayor STEVE SCOTT GROUP OF COMPANIES 538600 8 - The Border Watch, Thursday, October 31, 2013 AMANDA KEMBER Mount Gambier Yes, defi nitely. It would be a lot easier than travelling fi ve hours for one. CHRIS BARTETZKO Mount Gambier Yes, defi nitely, it’s too expensive to have to travel to Adelaide for everything. DEREK MANNING Adelaide Yes, they’re pretty important machines and it’s a big enough city to have one. IN LIGHT of the coverage in recent weeks concerning the current fi nancial position of the Riddoch Art Gallery, it is necessary to inform the citizens of Mount Gambier of the level of council’s fi nancial support for this organisation. Mount Gambier City Council is one of three major fi nancial contributors to the gallery. Historically, the City of Mount Gambier has provided annually a direct cash grant for operational funding. For the current fi nancial year the cash contribution totalled $62,000. In addition, council provides the building for a “pepper corn” rental amount of $10 per year. It is estimated that the true value of rent for the space is $50,000. Council has provided two interest free loans to the gallery. In recent years, the council agreed to write off almost $5500 of loan repayments to further help with the fi nancial pressures that the gallery has been facing. The above items amount to over $115,000 in annual contributions from the City of Mount Gambier. In addition, as co-tenants of the Main Corner building, council staff provide support for the gallery’s reception and sales/merchandise counter at no cost to the gallery and also assist with crosspromotion of gallery activities. Last year, the gallery approached the council with the request to underwrite the Da Vinci exhibition in April 2014. Recognising the rare opportunity that it is to be able to host this exhibition in a regional centre, council agreed to take on a $30,000 underwriting cost. If marketed properly by the gallery, not only will it have wide-reaching benefi ts for Mount Gambier and the region, it gives the gallery an important opportunity to earn some extra income, as it is able to Have your say. STREET SWEEPER Th e Border Watch values your opinion. If you have a view or wish to comment on any community issue we would like to hear from you. charge an admission fee for this world class event. Our staff will be working collaboratively with the Riddoch Art Gallery to ensure the presence of this renowned exhibition in our city is a success. Council is highly supportive of the Riddoch Art Gallery. However it has not made any commitment to the Riddoch Art Gallery regarding its current fi nancial situation. Council will support the gallery’s board of management through their current predicament. The point is that council is not looking to provide more money and will be asking how the gallery can develop ways to attract a wider audience, increase numbers through the doors and hopefully increase income to cover its budget shortfall. The road ahead is challenging. Council enters it in the knowledge that all funding partners wish to see the gallery continue to operate well into the future and will work in good faith to achieve that. Please write to: The Editor P.O. Box 309 Mount Gambier SA 5290 Fax 8725 8431 Email: editor@tbw.com.au Preference will be given to letters less than 200 words. Longer letters will be subject to editor’s discretion. All letters must carry author’s full name and address. Include a daytime telephone number for verification. The Border Watch reserves the right to edit letters for legal purposes and space restrictions. As Adelaide has 17 MRI scanners, do you think Mount Gambier should have at least one? BW465521
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