Ten years ago I fell in love with a farmer who lived near Yeoval. As a fresh-faced Physiotherapist, I had concerns about what this new location could mean for my career.

I remember a conversation with an elderly gentleman, “Where is Yeoval?” He asked.

“The middle of nowhere,” I quipped with an impending sense of doom. “It’s about an hour from Dubbo, Parkes, and an hour and a bit from Orange.”

His eyes crinkled into a smile, he looked at me, then slowly said, “Well that sounds to me like it’s in the middle of everywhere..”

I thought about that comment often, then a few years later I decided to start my own business. I traveled to each of the sur­rounding towns, spending one day a week in each. Working out of GP clinics, church halls and client homes, slowly building my business. I started to employ other allied health professionals in these locations, working alongside me to meet the health­care needs of these regional locations. Cuphalf-full people who loved a challenge, and grew the business, constantly coming up with ideas to deliver high quality healthcare, inspiring me with their passion and drive.

Today, Kerin Health proudly services a 800km diameter across the Central West, with outreach teams going even further to locations like Tottenham and Lake Cargel­ligo.

I wonder what would have happened if I didn’t change my perspective. If that lovely man didn’t gently remind me to seize the opportunity, not be blinded by the obstacle.

And to surround myself with people who did the same.

I don’t know where he is now. But I hope he’s smiling.

Interested in knowing more about what services we offer? Contact us today or check out our website. www.kerinhealth.com.au

The Tullamore Community came together on Saturday 6th July to host a “Cosy Casse­role Pink Night”, in support of the McGrath Foundation and their local McGrath Breast Care Nurse Di Green. The fun-filled even­ing held at the Tullamore Bowling Club featured hearty homemade casseroles, raffles, a 100 club draw, an auction and musical entertainment.

A staggering $3,323.60 was raised on the night, with McGrath Breast Care Nurse Di Green saying, “I enjoyed the night, as they (Tullamore) are always such a welcoming community, and so supportive of the work I do for all women and men in the area who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Without community support the McGrath Foundation wouldn’t be able to provide nurses across Australia and it is communi­ties like Tullamore who always have such big hearts and once again came together to help ensure their community has the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.”

Event organiser, Leanne Porter would like to thank the team of community mem­bers who came together with all their sup­port, those who donated raffle and auction items, Bernadette Binnie the auctioneer on the night, Lindner Bulk Haulage Trundle for their support of the event and Alana Pot­ter who provided the entertainment for the evening. Winners on the night for the 100 club were Rowan Egan, Robert Porter and Leanne Porter.

The McGrath Foundation raises funds to place Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia, providing invaluable sup­port and care to individuals and families ex­periencing breast cancer. Whether you are in the private or public health system, you can access a McGrath Breast Care Nurse at no cost. If you need any assistance, you can search for a nurse near you on the in­teractive map, or call their telephone sup­port service at 1800 183 338.

The Companions Thru Cancer group held their annual Soup Day last Thursday 20th June, at the Parkes Red Cross Rooms. It is one of the main fundraisers for the group who then donate the money back to the community in various ways.

This year the Soup Day was very popular and the group raised $750. There was a raffle to help raise money and the lucky winner of the raffle was Vanessa Woolner.

The group is always looking for new members to come along and join, they meet up socially once a month and there is also a monthly newsletter. President Mavis Moon said “We would love some younger members to join, as we are an older group who are mostly in our 80s.”

Last year the group ran Soup Day at Neighborhood Central in Parkes for their staff and volunteers, this year it was decided to open it up to the public and the Red Cross rooms were the perfect setting.

It is still undecided where the money raised will be donated to, but Mavis said “Each year we like to donate any money we raise to a local charity, in the past we have donated to CanAssist, Cur­rajong Enterprises, Careflight, RFS and other local charities”. All are welcome to attend the upcoming AGM being held in August at Parkes Neighbourhood Central.

At Hansen’s Eyecare Plus in Parkes, we are excited to now be able to offer Orthokeratol­ogy, also known as Ortho K. We have been successfully using Ortho K in our Orange practice for nearly a decade and now have the equipment to also be able to provide the service at our Parkes practice.

Have you heard of Orthokeratology? Or­tho K is a safe and reversible non-surgical form of vision correction for myopia (short-sightedness) that eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day.

A specially designed contact lens is worn while sleeping each night. This lens gently flattens the shape of the cornea, allowing for clear vision that lasts throughout the entire day after the person wakes up and removes the lenses.

Ortho K is a great alternative to laser vi­sion correction surgery for those that are apprehensive about eye surgery or who find the costs associated with laser surgery too high. It is suitable for almost anyone with myopia especially those that find glasses or contacts not suitable to their work envi­ronment, people that play sports or are in­volved in water activities. It is also a great treatment for children as it is proven to stop or slow down the progression of their myo­pia.

Ortho K is a reversible procedure. The Australian Therapeutics Goods Administra­tion recognises the use of Ortho K lenses.

The risk of infection with Ortho K wear has been shown to be no higher to that of wear­ing soft contact lenses overnight.

The first step is to book an appointment today at Hansen Eyecare Plus in Parkes or Orange where one of our optometrists can check whether you are a suitable candidate for Ortho K.

Kids Helpline is encouraging boys and young men to take time to prioritise their mental health this week, as part of Interna­tional Men’s Health Week.

yourtown CEO Tracy Adams says this week is important for all members of the community, but particularly young men and those with young men in their lives, to build a positive culture around mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Data from Kids Helpline highlights that young males are less likely to engage in help-seeking for mental health concerns compared with females. On average during May Kids Helpline recorded 57 responses a day from young males compared with 195 females.

Counsellors at Kids Helpline respond to 21% males and 79% females on any given day, with males aged between 19 to 25 years of age representing the largest (37%) male help-seeking group.

Kids Helpline offers boys and young men a safe, inclusive space to connect with pro­fessional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Kids Helpline is Australia’s only na­tional 24/7 counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years – free call 1800 55 1800 or www.kid­shelpline.com.au

May is Macula Month, and a good reminder that if you are over 50 you should be having regular macula health checks.

The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina that deals with fine detail. A healthy macula is vital for good vision. Macular Degeneration is a disease affecting the macula causing central vision loss. This makes it very difficult to read, recognise faces, watch TV and even obtain a driver’s license.

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia. It is more common as we age, and the risk of Macular Degeneration increases if there is a family history of macula problems, cardiovascular disease or you are a smoker.

DRY MD

Characterised by a slow, progressive loss of the RPE cells due to the build up of drusen at the macula. This makes up about 85% of moderate to advanced MD cases resulting in a gradual deterioration of the central vision. Diet and a special formulation of vitamins and high-dose antioxidants, such as MD eyes have been shown to slow down the progression of MD in those with moderate to advanced MD in at least one eye.

WET MD

This affects about two-thirds of advanced MD patients. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the macular and these vessels can spontaneously bleed, leading to a sudden loss of vision requiring immediate medical treatment. Treatment often requires regular injections to shrink the blood vessels.

Like most diseases, early detection and treatment for Macular Degeneration is vital to maintain good vision throughout life.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is the gold standard for the early detection of Macular Degeneration. Unlike standard retinal photography, OCT enables detailed assessment of the deeper layers of the retina using optical ultrasound.

To have your macula thoroughly checked book online www.opticalbookings.com.au/hansen-optometrists-parkes/store, phone 6863 5577 or call in to make an appointment.

Beyond Blue welcomes renewed Federal Government funding to provide small business owners access to much needed mental health support.

The Federal Government’s investment of $7.7 million to extend Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) program is an acknowledgement that small business owners are struggling and are really doing it tough,” says Beyond Blue Chief Executive, Georgie Harman.

The NASBO program is available for free between from 8am to 8pm, to small and medium business owners nationally. The service uses evidence-based low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy and offers small business owners up to six sessions and two follow up sessions, working with a trained coach with a background in small business themselves.

Adapted specifically for small business owners, NASBO is based on Beyond Blue’s highly effective NewAccess program and is funded by Commonwealth Government. The program is not only effective at improving mental health but has also been independently determined to represent good value for money and delivers a positive return on investment.

Participation is free. Small business owners who are interested to know more can visit www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching/small-business-owners or call 1300 945 301.