An important notice about Cervical Cancer Vaccine program…

From the City of Greater Bendigo…
MEDIA RELEASE
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2011
YOUNG GIRLS PUTTINGTHEMSELVES AT RISK OF CERVICAL CANCER
City of Greater Bendigo Director of CommunityWellbeing Pauline Gordon is urging young girls in Greater Bendigo not to becomecomplacent when it comes to their health, as alarming figures show only threeout of four girls in Victoria are completing the three-dose humanpapillomavirus (HPV) immunisation course, despite it protecting against 70 percent of cervical cancers.
“Vaccine coverage rates released by the NationalHPV Vaccination Program Register show that although 83 per cent of girls aged12-13 have the first injection, only 73 per cent of them go on to have thesecond and third dose, meaning they are not fully protected.
“Having the three vaccinesis the best step girls can take to reduce their chances of developingHPV-related illnesses later in life.
“HPV is a sexuallytransmitted infection that four out of five men and women will contract at somepoint in their lives. For the vaccine to be effective, it must be administeredbefore exposure to the virus has taken place. That is why it’s best to immunisegirls from a young age, before they have become sexually active.
“The fact that onlythree quarters of eligible girls are having all three doses is extremelyworrying, particularly when preliminary research has shown the enormous scopeof the vaccine in reducing the number of cervical cancer diagnoses in Australia.
“Taking this precautionnow means much higher protection against this deadly disease in the future,”said Ms Gordon.
Since 2007 the HPV vaccine has been provided toVictorian girls in their first year of secondary school as part of the NationalImmunisation Program. The combined three doses, given within a six monthperiod, protect against four types of HPV which cause around 70 per centof cervical cancers and 90 per cent of genital warts.
‘In the City of GreaterBendigo girls who have the first injection in Year 7 have until the end of Year8 to complete the course for free. Any dose taken after that time will need tobe purchased at a cost of approximately $150 each.
‘We encourage any girlwho has missed out on receiving a dose at school to contact Angela Evans at theCity of Greater Bendigoon 54346364 to get information on the vaccine catch-up sessions that areavailable,” Ms Gordon said.
Australia already has one of the lowest rates of cervical cancer in the worldthanks to the success of the National Cervical Screening Program, with around700 women being diagnosed each year.
To find out more please visit www.cervicalcancervaccine.org.au or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

HPV Vaccine: Fast Facts

·        Protects against four types of human papillomavirus(HPV) that causes 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts
·        Is provided for free to all girls aged 12-13 aspart of the National Immunisation Program. Girls of this age who miss a dose atschool can still access the vaccine from their GP or local council immunisationprovider
·        The vaccine is given in three doses over a sixmonth interval, ideally at 0, 2 and 6 months
·        The vaccine is most effective if given beforeexposure to the HPV virus, that is before any sexual contact with anotherperson
·        The vaccine doesn’t protect against other sexuallytransmitted infections or pregnancy, so always use a condom
·        Even after having the vaccination, regular Paptests are still recommended for women aged 18 – 69 to help further protectagainst cervical cancer

Property holders urged to clean up for Fire Season

COUNCILTO SEND OUT ‘COURTESY’ LETTERS TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO TIDY UP FOR SUMMER
With the fire season fast approaching the City of Greater Bendigo isasking residents to start cleaning up around their property.
City of Greater Bendigo Fire Prevention Officer Eric Smith said over thenext week Council will send out 4,500 courtesy letters to remind residents tobegin preparing their properties for the fire season.
“Residents who have received a letterin the past as well as properties that have been reported to Council byconcerned members of the community will receive a letter.  The letters are purely a reminder to clean upthe property and are not meant to cause any offence especially if the propertyhas since been cleaned up.
 “Whilemost people adopt a responsible attitude to ensuring their property is clear,others need a reminder and we hope the courtesy letters will provide this.
“The City of Greater Bendigo would alsolike to thank residents  who have identifiedhazards and reported them to us, however it’s important to note that actionwill not commence until mid to late October. 
“The approaching fire season is onceagain expected to be a challenging one for both landholders and the City ofGreater Bendigo with recent rains expected to cause excessive grass growthacross the municipality,” said Mr Smith.
Indicators from both the CFA and DSEshow that this year there is most likely to be a greater risk of fast movinggrass fires.  This is something that hasalready been confirmed with the report of up to 200 grass fires in Queenslandin recent weeks and with 30 fires attended across Victoria on the one day lastweek.
“To help residents prepare for the fire season theCity of Greater Bendigo will provide residents with an opportunity to disposeof their green waste free of charge at the Eaglehawk and Heathcote Landfills onthe weekends of November 5 & 6 and November 19& 20.
“The two, free green waste disposalweekends will assist residents to prepare for the summer fire danger period,and by taking advantage of the free disposal, residents will save $20 per ute or small trailer load atthe landfill,” Mr Smith said.
He said the City of Greater Bendigo hasalso commenced its annual grass slashing program on land managed by Council.

Latest news from the council may be of interest to those in the city affected by last years floods.

 
CITY UNDERTAKES REPAIRS TO
BENDIGO CREEK FOLLOWING FLOODS
The City of Greater Bendigo has undertaken two important projects along the Bendigo Creek to repair damage caused by major flooding in late 2010 and earlier this year.
City of Greater Bendigo Director of Presentation and Assets Darren Fuzzard said 32 sections of the Bendigo Creek’s floor between Charing Cross and Maple Street Golden Square were damaged as a result of the storms.
“The work has involved the removal of debris and the excavation and replacement of damaged concrete on the creek floor and channel.
“The $126,000 repair work commenced in mid May and was completed in late June,” said Mr Fuzzard.
He said the City has also undertaken a $15,000 project to repair damage to the Bendigo Creek’s historic bluestone section between Rosalind Park and the rear of the RSL.
“A number of bluestone blocks were dislodged in the floods and the creek bed was damaged as a result.
“This project involved the recovery and relaying of the bluestones and repairs to the creek bed.
“While we have undertaken these repairs we will need to secure significant funding from other sources to continue to repair and restore the Bendigo Creek,” said Mr Fuzzard.
He said the City is continuing to undertake a range of other infrastructure works to repair damage resulting from the floods.