There is no Regional or Base Hospital in the 300 kilometres between Nowra and Bega.

Despite having a relatively low proportion of infants and young people (4.3% aged 0-4 years, 15.3% aged 5-19 years), the Eurobodalla Shire has similar numbers to Goulburn-Mulwaree and Bega Valley LGAs (7,450 people aged 0-19 years in 2016).

It has the largest indigenous population (5.6%, with 46% of these being aged 0-19 years)

Headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health has services in Nowra, Bega and Queanbeyan but there is no service within the Eurobodalla.

Young people, particularly those with young children, are disadvantaged by distance and limited transport opportunities.

I acknowledge the great service Headspace provides. With more than two million occasions of service provided, they have helped thousands of young people get vital support.

The federal government has announced extra funding for the national youth mental health foundation aimed at allowing it to employ more staff and provide 14,000 extra services at its 107 centres across the country.

Australia’s mental health services will receive a $52 million boost in an attempt to cut waiting times for desperate teenagers struggling with anxiety or depression.

Another $12.8 million will be allocated to offering online support to youngsters in rural and remote areas.

The Eurobodalla health services require commitment to acute mental health inpatient services within the Model of Care as well as perinatal and youth mental health services across parties and levels of government

The youth population of the Eurobodalla deserve the same level of mental health services as those of the surrounding towns.

It is an offence to lock pets in vehicles and leave them unattended.

Police have been called to several cases where dogs have been left unattended in vehicles, in this summer heat, over recent days. The temperatures inside a closed vehicle can rapidly increase in these circumstances and animals can sustain serious injury or even death in a short period of time.

On Boxing Day, two small dogs were left in a vehicle in an open air carpark in Batemans Bay. The outside temperature was in the mid 30s, with the inside markedly higher.

Police attended and rendered assistance, only to find the owners fishing not far from their parked vehicle. 

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, leaving pets in vehicles can be an offence with a $500 penalty or possible charges. The financial penalty for this offence should not be the only deterrent, the emotional toil of the death or serious injury of a loved pet should be forefront in pet owners minds when travelling with pets.

The Stroke Foundation wants to find and celebrate the inspirational Australians who are making a difference in stroke.

Nominations are now open for the 2019 Stroke Awards, which recognise the stroke survivors, carers, volunteers, health professionals and researchers who work tirelessly to improve the lives of people affected by stroke. Visit strokefoundation.org.au.