MONTHLY CHALLENGE... FINDING GRATITUDE
POLITICS
Building a better health care system for Riverstone
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with Warren Kirby MP
The Riverstone community is finally seeing long-overdue progress in healthcare, thanks to a series of initiatives from the Minns Labor Government designed to address the critical health needs of the area’ s growing population.
Historically underfunded, Riverstone has struggled with access to primary healthcare, especially for new residents. Booking a GP appointment remains a challenge, with many clinics no longer accepting new patients and few offering services on weekends. However, the tide
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is turning.
A centrepiece of the Government’ s investment is the fully funded $ 910 million Rouse Hill Hospital, which will include a maternity unit and emergency department.
After 12 years of delays and broken promises, we can now move forward, offering residents hope for better and more immediate care.
But the Government’ s health strategy goes far beyond building hospitals. A renewed focus on childhood immunisation is tackling declining vaccine coverage rates, which dropped from
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41.3 per cent in 2020 to 25.4 per cent in 2024 under the former Government. For the first time, pharmacists are now able to administer flu vaccines to children as young as two, making immunisation more accessible for busy families.
Further protecting the youngest residents, a new RSV immunisation program for newborns paired with a maternal vaccination initiative will help prevent serious respiratory infections and reduce hospitalisations.
The Minns Government is also supporting bulk-billing GP clinics through a payroll tax exemption initiative, helping
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clinics stay open and keep appointments free. Since September 2024, over $ 41 million in payroll tax-free wages have been claimed.
To address surgical delays, the Government has committed over $ 200 million to reduce backlogs, extend theatre hours, and expand capacity. As a result, overdue surgeries have dropped by 86 per cent.
Together, these efforts reflect a modern, compassionate, and communitydriven vision for healthcare in Riverstone one that prioritises accessibility, prevention, and sustainability.
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And now for a little me time
PODCASTS
Crime Junkie
by Lorna Gordon
If you’ ve ever found yourself deep in a late-night rabbit hole of unsolved mysteries, then Crime Junkie might just be your new true crime obsession. This weekly podcast, hosted by lifelong best friends Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, has captivated millions with its gripping storytelling and dedication to justice.
Ashley and Brit take listeners through haunting cases that range from high-profile serial killers to missing persons and chilling conspiracies. Each episode is a deep dive into the cases they can’ t stop thinking about told with empathy, clarity, and just enough suspense to keep you pressing play again and again.
Some standout episodes include the mysterious disappearance of Alissa Turney, the disturbing case of Israel Keyes, and the unsolved murder of Kelsie Schelling. The show doesn’ t just entertain, it encourages listeners to think critically, share stories, and even take action to help bring justice to the underrepresented.
With over 1.5 billion downloads and ranked # 1 on Apple Podcasts for two years running, Crime Junkie is more than just a podcast— it’ s a global community of curious minds committed to seeking the truth. Produced by the audiochuck network, the podcast consistently delivers powerful, well-researched content that resonates with true crime lovers everywhere.
Tune in weekly and become part of the Crime Junkie movement, and if the regular episodes aren’ t enough to keep you going, you can subscribe to members only content to get even more juicy information.
MONTHLY CHALLENGE... FINDING GRATITUDE
by Lorna Gordon
It’ s easy to be negative, we all go through rough patches in our personal lives, work can be hard or difficult to find and most people are still feeling the financial pinch with the cost of living. Focusing on the negative in the long term can make you feel pretty awful and can be a difficult habit to get out of, because even when things are tough, there are always good things happening that can make you grateful to experience them. Gratitude isn’ t easy if you are only focused on the negative in your life, but with a little practice you can start to see the good experiences that happen daily. This will be your challenge this month.
Like exercise, practicing gratitude gets easier with time, but how can you get started? The simplest way is to think about three things you are grateful for each day, you can share them with your partner or family or write them in a journal if you want to keep track of them.
You don’ t have to focus on big events or experiences, it could be as straight forward as having a hot cup of tea or coffee on your walk to work to warm you up, a hug from your friend you haven’ t seen in a while, getting to pet a cute puppy on a walk or hearing your favourite song on the radio. All of these are examples of small boosts of happiness that you feel grateful to enjoy.
The magic happens when you do this over time, it will shift your thinking away from the negative and help you to look for the positive in your life. Not only can it improve your mental outlook, but it can also help you feel better physically, lowering blood pressure, helping you sleep better, and boosting your immune system. By keeping up your gratitude practice you are helping to rewire your brain— bit by bit, day by day. Start small, be consistent, and soon you’ ll begin to notice more light than shadow in your life. Being grateful doesn’ t mean ignoring the hard stuff. It simply means choosing to see the good that still exists alongside it. Ready to take on the challenge? Begin today— and give yourself the gift of a happier, healthier outlook.
20 ISSUE 52 // JULY 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT