GateWAy Blog

Its a common cry all mums are familiar with during school holidays despite all the playstations, DVD’s, and other electronic toys most kids have access to these days. Sometimes, as locals, we forget exactly how much there is to do in Albany. Kids of all ages will enjoy the new animals at Whale World, small children can have a ball at Tumble Jam ( indoor play centre) or why not rug up and explore Albany like a tourist? (more…)

We would love to know what makes you laugh out loud – and while you take a few moments to think about it, remember that a day without a laugh is a day wasted.

Here are a few things that get me going:
· The sight of me in my dressing gown first thing in the morning – I look like a cross between a womble and a cockatoo!
· The sound of my grandchildren –or any children – laughing – especially the babies.
· Wonderful television classics like Dad’s Army, and ‘Allo, ‘Allo. I love the satire and comedy.
· Shared laughter with my closest friends whose foibles and funny shapes are even more comical than mine.
· Words – funny, clever, sophisticated words that conjure up hilarious images.
· My sister – we bray with laughter over anything, everything and nothing. It’s wonderful!

While Albany residents may be strongly divided over saving the Waterfront from development, temperatures are definitely rising in unison over the fate of the Albany Regional Hospital – however, saving the hospital is definitely not on the community’s agenda!

There has been extensive and at times emotive media coverage regarding  the State Government’s plans to upgrade this aging facility. But in amongst the reassurances, accusations, revamped figures and frustration from all sides, there can be no doubt that Albany wants and desperately needs a new, modern hospital. People in this rapidly expanding region are sick of waiting for visiting specialists or travelling to Perth for medical treatment that should be available here in Albany.

We do not want to wait for years for our inadequate hospital to be patched up. With careful planning and minimal disruptions, there seems no reason why the State Government cannot provide a modern well-equipped hospital for the region. Furthermore, the future of our health facilities is shaping up to be a major issue in the forthcoming State Elections – both Nationals and Liberal Party candidates have already promised to build a new hospital for Albany.

How do you think that this community can best exert pressure on the Health Minister to go back to the drawing board? Have you lobbied local member Peter Watson MLA? Are you an employee with concerns about patient care, overwork etc? Your feedback and support could make all the difference.