Hospital closure
Healthe Care Australia closed its doors at LaTrobe Private Hospital at Bundoora on Friday night. The group’s lease over the premises at LaTrobe University was due to expire next year with no rights of renewal, but the board decided to close on August 29. It is believed up to 150 jobs could be lost and there is likely to
be economic damage to the viability of local health providers servicing the 100 or so theatre operations performed at
the hospital each week. Full story at www.northern.starweekly.com.au.
State to allow cannabis trials
Drug laws will be amended to make it easier for doctors to conduct clinical trials of medical marijuana, Health Minister David Davis announced last week. He said the Coalition government might also consider permitting the cultivation of narcotic plants for medical use. Critics say Mr Davis’s promise will change little, considering a cannabis pharmaceutical, Sativex, is already being used in clinical trials in Australia. The government’s announcement follows Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews’ pledge to decriminalise medical marijuana if Labor wins the November state election.
Do you know about Anna?
Police have again appealed for public help to determine what happened to Annastaes (Anna) Banitskas, who was 15 when she was last seen in Lalor on August 27, 1974. Anna left home to catch a bus at nearby Kingsway Drive to go to work but never arrived. Detective Senior Constable Craig Hall invited the public to come forward with information for Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Boy, 17, charged after car chase
A Lalor teenager was arrested following a police chase from Altona North to Lara on Thursday night. Police say the 17-year-old boy, two 15-year-old girls from Craigieburn and Truganina, a Werribee girl and a Reservoir boy, both aged 13, were in a stolen red Nissan Pulsar which failed to stop for police at Blackshaws Road, Altona North, about 9.25pm. The chase ended in Lara and the car’s occupants tried to flee on foot but were later apprehended. The Lalor teen has been charged with several offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, driving while suspended and theft of a motor vehicle. He was remanded to face a children’s court. The young passengers were released pending further inquiries.
Calling all young snappers
Entries have opened for Hume’s fourth annual youth photography competition. The competition is open to youth living or attending a school in Hume, and its theme, How do you see it?, offers a dynamic and thought-provoking medium to express their perspectives. Budding young photographers can also attend free digital photography workshops at Sunbury library from 2-3.30pm on September 24; Broadmeadows library from 11-12.30pm on September 26; and Craigieburn library from 3-4.30pm on September 26. The competition runs until October 5, with winners named on October 22. Visit www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au.
