We’re not having enough children

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 11.08.08 ... archived 11.0808

City birth rate region’s lowest: higher cost of living is having impact

Written by HARVEY DIKE.

INCREASING costs of living are having an impact on the shape and make of local families, with the Rural City of Wangaratta recording the lowest birth rate in the North East region.

According to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Wangaratta women have an average of 1.95 babies each, behind all other municipalities in the region.

Indigo Shire has the highest fertility rate, at 2.09.

However, the Wangaratta figure is around average when considering Victoria as a whole, and generally higher than many of its metropolitan counterparts - the City of Melbourne recorded the lowest rate in the state at 0.87.

A Productivity Commission report has indicated rent and mortgage costs, and day-to-day expenses is largely impacting on a couple’s decision to start a family - something that has been of some consideration for Wangaratta’s Meggs family.

The Meggs may be above the average, though somewhat unexpectedly - Cameron and his wife Kristie had always planned on having three children, but were a little surprised regardless by the arrival of their twins, Georgia and Ellie, five months ago.

"We had only planned on having two at the moment, but the second and third came together," laughed Mr Meggs.

The twins’ arrival has added some extra strain financially - particularly when considering costs of nappies and baby formula, which need to be bought in double.

"Then there’s petrol, going to mother’s group, or going to the doctor’s," Mr Meggs said.

"We also had to buy a wagon (upgrading from a small car) just to be able to fit all the car seats in."

The commission’s report also indicates the average Australian fertility rate is still below the population replacement rate of 2.1 - something which may raise alarm bells for those concerned about Wangaratta’s ageing population.

However, from a local perspective, Mr Meggs believes the population appears fairly balanced - after all, Northeast Health Wangaratta recorded 575 births last year.

"I know a lot of older people are coming into the town to retire, but there’s still a heck of a lot of babies being born," he said.

"I would be surprised to hear that the rates (between the two generations) are very different."

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That certainly isn't the case in the King Valley - five years ago, maybe! But today, there are littlies everywhere you look with the typical baby making family with at least three kids

New information for home buyers and retirees

Source: - Bill Sykes Media Release - 23 July 2008

Two new booklets have been put out by the Australian Bankers’ Association as a service to members of the community.

The Planning for Home Ownership publication looks at the range of issues associated with buying a home, including how to decide on the property you want, how much you can afford, how to finance your purchase, and what is the right time to buy.

The process of both buying and selling will be covered, with advice on how to get the most out of your home once you have bought it.

Understanding retirement is another big issue facing Australians.

Life expectancy has increased dramatically; for example, a 55 year-old man today has a life expectancy of around 26.7 years, giving a total life expectancy of 81.7 years. A 55 year-old woman today has a life expectancy of around 30.4 years, giving a total life expectancy of 85.4 years.
That means there is a longer period in later life that needs to be funded, after a person finishes working.

The Planning for Retirement publication provides advice and information about what to expect and how to plan for it.

As the booklet says: “Like it or not, money is just as important in retirement as it is during your working life - perhaps even more so, as you no longer derive a regular income from employment. The good news is that by planning ahead, you can ensure that you are well placed financially to have the lifestyle you want and enjoy the final stage of your life.”

They are available direct from Bill Sykes office at 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla or by telephoning 5762 2100, or on line at The Australian Bankers Association website.

Mathew Kiely injured in football match

Source: The Chronicle 25/07/08 ... archived 27/07/08

Shocking injury set to sideline Kiely for at least 18 months

Written by SCOTT ANDERSON.

KING Valley footballer Matt Kiely should be celebrating his 23rd birthday today.

Instead he will be resting at home, with the aid of painkillers, after suffering a shocking injury last weekend.

The Roos’ biggest win of the season was soured when the star midfielder was carried from the ground with a badly broken arm just minutes before his side recorded a stunning 33-point win over Milawa.

Kiely, who was named best on ground in the match, was injured when he landed heavily after being tackled in the dying stages of the final term.

At first it was thought he had dislocated his right shoulder, but after being taken to hospital in Wangaratta, x-rays revealed shocking damage to Kiely’s humerus and shoulder joint.

"I’m not sure exactly what happened, but it snapped the end off my shoulder - the ball at the top of my arm," he said.

"I think I half got slung to the ground, and I don’t know if I just landed badly or someone fell on top of me or what.

"I got taken into the rooms, but they knew it was really bad - I was in a fair bit of agony, and they rushed me to hospital as quick as they could.

"When they did the x-rays there was a lot of damage."

Surgeons operated on Kiely’s shoulder and arm on Saturday night, inserting a metal plate and pins to rejoin the fractured bone.

He was scheduled to leave hospital on Tuesday, until further x-rays revealed bone fragments and damage that had previously gone unseen.

The surgeons were called back in for a secondary operation, leaving him hospitalised until yesterday afternoon.

Kiely, who has a three-month-old daughter, now faces at least 18 months out of football, and a significant period of rehabilitation before he will be able to resume work as a fencer.

"They have to leave the plate and pins in there for about a year, then we’ll just have to wait and see after that.

"I won’t be able to play football next year, and whether or not I can play the following year just depends how well it all heals," he said.

Whitfield community wish list

njtvcPublished by The Chroniclel - 23/07/2008. Archived 23/07/08

A CHILDREN’S playground, community centre and riverside walkway top the wish list for residents of Whitfield.

A meeting of about 45 community members was held at the Swinburne Pavilion on Sunday to discuss the future direction of the King Valley town.

Out of the landmark gathering came a list of 10 priorities, with a volunteer assigned to pursue each one.

Wendy Wilson from the Whitfield Recreation Reserve Committee of Management said there was strong support to establish a children’s playground for public use.

"There is a playground at the school but some parents don’t feel comfortable using it outside of school hours," she said.

"It was also suggested that the recreation reserve would be a good place to put it for families who go to watch the football on the weekends."

An upgrade of the Swinburne Pavilion and development of a communitycentre were also backed by the group, and follows a $23,000 State Government grant for the project in February.

The reserve committee was awarded the funding to undertake a feasibility study into a new community complex to provide a meeting place for the local community, as well as child care, kindergarten and health care services.

Ms Wilson said the meeting felt there was a need for other options in the town, including a place to hold events such as a winery expo.

Other actions identified by the group included:

• walkway along the King River;

• drainage/stormwater infrastructure;

• youth activities; and

• a sealed road between Whitfield and Myrrhee.

Ms Wilson said the meeting overall was a success, and provided community members with "some positive direction".

"People walked away feeling as though we have somewhere to go next and that there is a chance that we can achieve these things," she said.

A second community meeting is being organised for Sunday, August 10.

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Original article available here until 25/07/08
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Comment:
Go to King Valley Watchdog article Whitfeld’s hidden agenda for comments

What's on in Wangaratta - from 1 Dec 2006

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