A strong voice for Berrigan Shire
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Barooga’s Dr Laura Cornwell McKean will stand for Berrigan Shire Council at the coming election, believing firmly that small towns and communities continue to suffer as a result of government decisions being made in the cities where there is little knowledge or understanding of rural life.
“Our towns continue to suffer as a result of decisions made in the cities through this pandemic. We need strong leadership to make sure our voices are heard,” she said.
“We live in a beautiful and unique part of the world but now is the time to get on the front foot to plan and improve infrastructure and services to attract newcomers and visitors to our area. Anything is possible with good planning.”
Dr McKean spent 12 years working in the public service, where she was not encouraged to speak out.
Now operating her own small consultancy business, T One P Enterprises, based in Barooga she feels bound to speak.
“I need now to have a voice. I want Berrigan to have a seat at the table when there are issues that affect us in the shire. The population is set for considerable growth and we need to get on the front foot now in preparation,” Dr McKean said.
“This is my town, I have skills and want to make a contribution. I need to speak up for those who can’t and don’t like to see that things are wrong when I can do something to help.”
A morning regular at Barooga pool, she is aware of the need for upgrades to its facilities, and has been instrumental in assisting Barooga Sports Club with its application in the NSW Government’s grants process. This has become a high priority for Dr McKean, who is chairperson of the Barooga Aquatic and Recreational Centre.
Dr McKean, 48, studied at Monash University and has a Bachelor of Arts (hons) in maths and music, Master Arts and a PHD in Musicology.
Her consultancy business is divided into three parts: providing professional advisory services to government at local, state and federal level on a range of projects; delivering training services to the Australian Public Service primarily the Department of Defence; and a member of the Merit Protection Board which listens to disputes relating to personnel of Victoria’s Department of Education and Training and a board member for Ethos CRS.
Dr McKean is also a commissioner to the board of the Victorian Building Authority.
Married to Darryl McKean, who is manager of Boeing in Port Melbourne, the couple has made Barooga home permanently after spendingThursday night through to Monday each week in town, with the remainder of the time in Melbourne.
Owing to COVID-19 restrictions and difficulties, Dr McKean relocated her business to Barooga and is happy she did. She is keen to give her time and energy to the people of Berrigan Shire.
“We need greater advocacy for everyone on the border. Wrong information is going out and people in power don’t know the rules,” she said.
This remarkable woman has the knowledge and ability to liaise with government bodies and to make a difference to the future of residents in Berrigan Shire.
Nominations for Berrigan Shire Council must be in by Wednesday, August 4.
(Photo of Julia Cornwell McKean)
Coming soon, The Corner Shop
Stay alert folks, a new business is in the wind.
On Wednesday, September 1, The Corner Shop — Gelato and Espresso Bar will open.
With the talents of a dedicated barista, the finest roasted coffee beans and a host of delicious gelato flavours plus numerous surprises to tantalise your tastebuds, it certainly sounds like it will be worth waiting for.
I will keep you posted folks.New additions to the Macquarie Dictionary
I thought the following three recent additions to the Macquarie Dictionary might resonate with readers:
* Phubbing - the practice of ignoring one’s companion in order to pay attention to one’s iPhone or other mobile device.(Love it. I can’t wait to use the word on family and friends, they are all phubbing)
* Wokescold – a person who criticises or shames others for being insufficiently woke or not supporting social justice causes.(WOKE -Being alert to justice in society, especially racism)
*Teenior – a senior citizen who does the actual actions a teenager does.(Does that mean those going through their second childhood? Or just trying to stay young?)
Gus, the record breaker
My former colleague and editor Gus Underwood in Kyabram is somewhat unique in the health department.
An ongoing heart condition has seen the 77-year-old have 24 stents inserted into arteries leading to his heart over a period of many years. He has a condition that his cardiac surgeon believes does not necessitate open heart surgery, purely the addition of a stent, a small metal mesh device inserted into the affected artery to allow for blood flow.
Why not bypass surgery you ask? Apparently a bypass requires a longer hospital stay, slower recovery and a greater likelihood of triggering a stroke.
“My arteries just keep packing up and the doctor keeps putting in another stent,” Gus said. The world record for the maximum number of stents in any one patient is 34. Gus also had a metallic valve inserted many years ago in his heart and it’s still going.Wondering if all this internal metal sets off the metal detector at Tullamarine?
This popular scribe has a fantastic attitude and walks several miles every second day while continuing to write a wonderful column for the Kyabram Free Press and keep his finger on the pulse of what is happening in his town.
You are a legend Gus.
Journalist