Longer runway needed
Regarding the proposed change to the Cohuna Airfield and the pending grant for upgrades, I would like to comment from the medical perspective.
As a GP who sees people for emergency care at the Cohuna Hospital, I know that we often have need of hospitals with more intensive facilities, and as a consequence arrange inter-hospital transfers.
If the patient needs care in Melbourne and is acutely unwell, air transport is arranged.
Unfortunately we do not have 24/7 access to air ambulance in Cohuna.
The limitation is if IFR conditions apply (for example low cloud), the aircraft has to carry more fuel in case they cannot land and need to make it to an alternative airfield.
The extra fuel is extra weight, which means they need a longer runway.
The consequence if they land in Echuca or Kerang is the sick patient’s transport takes much longer as a team, then comes from wherever they have landed to Cohuna.
Stabilisation happens and then they transport to the airfield and fly.
That extra 90 minutes in transport can be critical.
So I am hoping we can see planning continue for a longer runway in Cohuna, and as a result 24/7 access to aero retrieval from our little but busy hospital, will make all in Gannawarra shire breathe a little easier.
Dr Peter Barker,
Cohuna
Saddened by lack of remembrance
On Monday, November 11, between 10am and noon, I was selling raffle tickets outside the NAB bank.
I was disappointed that at 11am there was no announcement of the one minute silence to remember our service personal.
As I stood up and removed my hat and had a quick look around before bowing my head, I was saddened to see no others stopping, just people going about their normal activities.
I wondered why there was no broadcast over the town’s PA system?
Lest We Forget.
Graham Wyte,
Kerang
