LAST week marked Mental Health Week and the growing recognition of this week represents a positive step forward for the Ararat community.
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Mental health continues to attract such a negative stigma; this is even more so in country Victoria.
We still have a long way to go in helping to smash the negative stigma of mental health.
Mental health remains a widespread issue across the Grampians Health region.
This is particularly the case amongst our men in Ararat, with the town having a higher percentage of males than the state average, suffering from moderate levels of psychological distress.
Together as a community we must all work to overcome the stigma and make sure we look out for each other's mental as well as general health.
Having a community that sticks by each other is what makes country Victoria such a wonderful place.
Unfortunately, country Victoria continues to be ignored and neglected by the Andrews Government.
This was proven last week when it was revealed in Parliament that 10 of the 48 bridges earmarked for upgrades under Labor’s Stronger Country Bridges program were located within four kilometres of Premier Daniel Andrews’ Melbourne-based electorate.
The Premier, in his own press release, said this funding was for bridges in regional Victoria, and now we learn one in five projects are around Mulgrave, which is 20 km from the Melbourne GPO.
This is funding that could have upgraded country bridges across the Ararat Rural City.
Labor has slashed $28 million from funds dedicated to establishing roads and bridges in the electorate of Ripon.
While we push for our fair share, the campaign for a boost to police numbers in Ararat continues.
The Labor Government has been sluggish in regards to law enforcement matters and has allowed crime rates to climb. Our police need to be adequately resourced so they can respond to criminal activity and more proactively protect our community.
To raise awareness of the fact we have a problem, I have set up an online petition calling on the Government to increase police numbers in Ararat and Stawell.
As always, if you would like to discuss any State Government issue with me contact my office at 177 High Street, Maryborough, or call 1300 Staley (1300 782 539).
- LOUISE STALEY,
Member for Ripon