Morwell NH VPTA and St Vincent De Paul celebrate the Lawn Mower Bank. The article was published in the Morwell & Churchill section of the Latrobe Valley Express on Monday 26th May 2014.
Morwell Neighbourhood House will attend as many public hearings of the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry as possible. We will provide full audio recordings of Hazelwood Mine fire inquiry hearings within 48 hours of each days hearing we attend.
As the public hearings of the Hazelwood mine fire inquiry continue, we’ll add further hearings to this same webpage. Continue to check back at this same web address as the public hearing continues.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Morwell Neighbourhood House by e-mail or call us on 5134-5488. Thank-you.
Morwell Neighbourhood House apologizes for not being able to attend day 2. We were unable to attend due to prior commitments.
Official Press Release: Mine fire inquiry hearings start Monday
The first block of Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry public hearings starting on Monday 26 May 2014 will focus on the origin and response to the Hazelwood mine fires.
Craig Lapsley, Fire Services Commissioner, will be the first person to provide evidence on day one of the Inquiry, followed by Bill Brown, the Inquiry’s first community witness and Jaymie Norris from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
‘Each afternoon the Inquiry will hear from a community witness about their first-hand account of the impact of the fires’, said Sonia Petering, member of the Board of Inquiry.
‘We believe it is important to hear personal stories from those directly affected and acknowledge their issues and concerns’.
On day two, the Inquiry will hear from Detective Inspector Michael Roberts, Victoria Police, and David Shanahan and James Mauger from GDF Suez. Graeme Freshwater will be the community witness on the second day of the Inquiry.
Detailed hearing schedules will be posted on the Inquiry’s website at hazelwoodinquiry.vic.gov.au at least three days in advance of the hearings.
‘People are encouraged to attend and view the public proceedings’, said an Inquiry spokesperson, ‘but unless they have been formally notified, they will not be able to provide evidence’.
Those wishing to attend the hearings are asked to use the Ann Street Entrance of the building.
The first block of Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry public hearings will begin on Monday, 26 May 2014, at 10.00 am in the auditorium at 20 Hazelwood Road, Morwell.
‘We are ready to begin rigorous examination of the events and circumstances of the Hazelwood mine fire that resulted in so much community confusion and concern’, said Chair of the Inquiry, Bernard Teague.
The first block of hearings will focus on the origin of and response to the fires. Craig Lapsley, Fire Services Commissioner, will be the first person to provide evidence on day one of the Inquiry. Representatives from GDF Suez and Worksafe Victoria are also expected to provide evidence during the first week of the hearings.
Week two of the hearings will focus on health and environment and week three will address mitigation and fire prevention. Detailed hearing schedules will be posted on the Inquiry’s website at hazelwoodinquiry.vic.gov.au at least three days in advance.
‘People are encouraged to attend and view the public proceedings’, said an Inquiry spokesperson, ‘but unless they have been formally notified, they will not be able to provide evidence’.
Those wishing to attend the hearings are asked to use the Ann Street Entrance of the building.
Contact: Media and Communications Manager, Tracey Matters, 0417 230 503
The Morwell Neighbourhood House Term 2 Newsletter is available online to download. Or click on the image to view the Term 2 2014 Newsletter.
You can read the summary of Morwell Community Consultations at Kernot Hall – dated 15th April 2014. The report can be read by clicking on the image below.
The official summary can also be read on the official Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry website.
Morwell Community-Consultation-15-April
The Hazelwood mine fire inquiry submissions closed today. The deadline was 12th May 2014 at 4pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. I must apologise for the late publication of the official Hazelwood mine inquiry media release, but I have been on the road all day without internet access. The official press media release is below. Thank-you to Tracey Matters for forwarding all of the media releases to Morwell Neighbourhood House.
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 12 May 2014
Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry written submissions close at 4.00 pm today.
Written submissions are the primary way in which the Inquiry is collecting information from the public and organisations about the circumstances of the Hazelwood Coal Mine fire, the emergency response and the support provided to Morwell residents and other affected communities. Community consultations have been extremely valuable as well.
Last week, the Inquiry completed the last of ten consultations which took place in Morwell, Moe, Churchill and Traralgon. More than 260 people throughout the Valley participated in open discussions about what worked, what didn’t work and what changes should be made to avoid or respond to a similar event if it happened in the future.
‘The community consultations gave people an opportunity to speak freely and have their say’, said Sonia Petering, ‘as a Board member, it was my job to listen to people’s stories, issues and concerns’.
‘Now we need to take that information, along with what is contained in the written submissions, and use it to help us decide what we need to focus on during the next phase of the Inquiry which is the formal hearings process’.
‘The health and well-being of Morwell and Latrobe Valley residents is certainly at the top of my priority list’ said Professor John Catford, who also found the community consultation process to be invaluable in helping the Board.
‘The consultation process helped me understand and appreciate what the community experienced during and after the fire and the issues that now need to be addressed by the Board’, he said.
Formal hearings commence on Monday 26 May 2014 in the Auditorium located on the ground floor at 20 Hazelwood Road, Morwell.
‘Everyone is encouraged to attend and view the proceedings’, said an Inquiry spokesperson, ‘but unless they have been formally notified, they will not be able to provide evidence’.
Community members wishing to attend the hearings are asked to use the Ann Street Entrance.
Summaries of the consultation discussions can be found at hazelwoodinquiry.vic.gov.au. Copies of public written submissions will also be available on the Inquiry website in the coming weeks.
Contact: Media and Communications Manager, Tracey Matters, 0417 230 503
The mad hatters tea party at Morwell Neighbourhood House was a lot of fun for all the students attending. The students had a chance to make their own Mad Hatters Hat and enjoyed the tea party.
The event started at 1pm with fun dancing to music around the tables. Kate with Audance Victoria led the dance routine, helping motivate the students into hat making. After the dancing, came the hat making. Staff and volunteers helped prep the material for the students hat making experience.
The students hats were very creative and I must admit, was quite impressed by their mad hatters hat making skills. Everyone had a great time making their own hat.
Morwell Neighbourhood House would like to thank Eloisa Tripodi with the Latrobe City Council, Nicole Brindley with Latrobe City Council Arts Gallery, Kate with Ausdance Victoria, Sharon Archer and Lisa Trayford with GippsTafe. We had a wonderful time at the neighbourhood house and we would certainly love to have you back again for another Mad hatters tea party.
House Coordinator Tracie Lund participating in the dance around the tables. Nicole Brindley with Latrobe City Council Arts Gallery preps materials for hat building.
Tracie, Nicole and Eloisa getting into the Mad hatters tea party.
Kate with one of the hat building students.
Kate with another hat building student.
Tracie sharing a cup of Mad Hatters tea with some of the students.
The Mad Hatters hat building was a well run production.
Super Frank showing his hat making skills.
Tracie sharing a cup of Mad Hatters tea with some students.
Tracie and one of the hat building students almost finished hat.
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The Health Study public meetings took place yesterday in the early afternoon and early evening. This is the audio recording of the Health Study in Morwell with Dr Rosemary Lester. The male speaker hosting the public hearing is Geoff Hocking. Followed by members of the public raising their concerns as part of the health study. Afterwards, Dr. Rosemary Lester made her presentation.
To listen to the audio, press the play button below. I would recommend using earplugs or headphones, as some of the audio is quiet. I must apologise for missing the first minute or so, as I was off making a cup of tea.
Morwell Neighbourhood House Coordinator Tracie Lund handing over 25,124 signed petitions asking for long term health study to Dr. Rosemary Lester.
The WIN News report dated May 6th 2014.
Meeniyan Business owners make the local Morwell paper. After writing an article about Meeniyan business owners making a trip to Morwell for a shopping spree, the Latrobe Valley Express has further published the story. Thank-you to the Latrobe Valley Express for promoting this positive story.
It is time to submit your vote for the Latrobe Valley Peoples Choice Awards. Please take the time to summit your vote for Morwell Neighbourhood House, Most Popular Community organisation. Please vote and share this with your friends. Thank-you.
This is the latest Press Release published by the Hazelwood mine fire inquiry. Morwell Neighbourhood House would like to send a big Thank-you to Tracey Matters for the updated press release.
Last Updated on Thursday, 01 May 2014
The Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry will be holding additional community consultations during the week of 4 May 2014 to ensure all community groups are represented and given the opportunity to have their say.
Additional sessions have been organised for the Koori community, the multicultural community and community service agencies (including those representing young people, people with disabilities and the aged care sector).
‘We want to make sure that we have a good representation of the community and that is why we have sought further input from groups not necessarily represented in our general community consultations’, said Bernard Teague, chair of the Board.
Details of the meetings have been sent to community leaders, promoted through numerous agencies throughout Morwell and the Latrobe Valley and posted on the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry’s website.
Community consultation sessions are just one of the ways in which the Board of Inquiry is collecting information about the Hazelwood mine fire.
Summaries of the general community consultations will be posted on the Inquiry’s website over the next few days, with the summaries of the additional consultations to follow.
Written public submissions will be accepted up to 4.00 pm on Monday 12 May 2014. Anyone requiring assistance with their submission should call the Inquiry Secretariat on 1300 442 972.
For more information about the Inquiry, community consultations and how to make a submission visit hazelwoodinquiry.vic.gov.au, call 1300 442 972, or talk to an Inquiry staff member at the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry Secretariat office located at 20 Hazelwood Road, Morwell, 3840 (appointments preferred).
Contact: Media and Communications Manager, Tracey Matters, 0417 230 503
Dear Supporters and Friends,
WE WON!!!
Chief Officer Rosemary Lester announced a long-term health study!
Ms Lester has told us the study will look into respiratory problems, heart conditions and possible developments of cancer in the Morwell community caused by the Hazelwood Mine fire. What’s more, the study will look into Morwell residents’ health over the next 10 years.
And this study won’t just help suffering Morwell residents. It will “fill an international knowledge gap” according to news reports*, which means the study will benefit mining communities facing similar circumstances in Australia and around the world for years to come.
It’s hard to believe that this campaign started only a few weeks ago with a simple online petition and a request that you share it amongst friends. And you did so much more than that.
You embraced this cause wholeheartedly and shared it with friends and family, spreading the word via email, social media and word of mouth. Before we knew it, we had a ground swell response of nearly 25,000 signatures. In Morwell, more than 200 people without access to the internet signed a paper petition distributed around town.
But that wasn’t all. On top of this, more than 1,627 people flooded Ms Lester’s email inbox asking her to announce a long-term health inquiry for Morwell residents. There’s no denying Ms Lester heard us alright and the success of this campaign was because of you.
Thanks to all you who stood up to be counted against injustice, Morwell residents will now get the information they deserve and need. Thank you to all our supporters and all your kind words of support throughout this campaign. We will all rest easier now.
Morwell applauds your efforts,
Tracie Lund
Official Flyer for the Hazelwood coal mine fire health study – Community Consultation Invitation
Latrobe Valley Express article – Mine fire health study revealed
