Minutes July 2007 Forum Meeting
1. Opened: Chairman Gail at 8.00pm	Present: Frances Lee, Ken Kemp, Shane Blencowe, Neil Davis, Max Reid and Bill Quick (Ken Round Peter Ferrier Angela Liston)
2. Apologies	Gail Sharp, James Goldsmith, Jackie Cartwright and John Horton
3. Conflicts of Interest	Not asked for
4. Treasures report	Moved and accepted in motion by Neil Davis Ken Kemp	$26,349.29 Total Balance
5. Correspondence	In	out
Buloke Times	None	None
Minutes	Change minutes to read that: · Dorothy Reid was present and Max Reid was not Present - Frances and Bill Quick. · Dogs to be tied in back of utes instead of ‘back of streets’.
Business arising	Shane spoke to police about dogs not restrained – Police said they can and will prosecute unrestrained dogs in utes. Raise this issue in the forum note to the paper; Mainstreet sandbagging has not happened yet; Blacksmith Shop is being cleaned up; Street sweeping and gutters – Shane spoke to Warren Hemopo. Moved Neil Davis seconded Ken Kemp – carried.
Reports
EWHS	Francis welcomed - Ken Round Peter Ferrier Angela Liston who were representing the EWHS (East Wimmera Health Service). Ken said that he promised that before public announcements were made about Radiology he would report to the Birchip Community Forum. Bendigo Radiology has maintained a limited service here. EWHS went to tender and Bnedigo Radiology were the only group that tendered and will only offer a service at St.Arnaud. There will be no radiology service in the townships of Birchip Charlton Donald or Wycheproof. The service has been decommissioned. The above Campuses would not pass radiation audits.
Wirrim Lodge	EWHS working with Brian? Re the Wirrim Lodge renovation. Granted funds to lift up the building. The Birchip Hospital campus has to come up to nursing home standard so Wirrim Lodge residents can be relocated to the hospital. The goal of the EWHS is to get Birchip and Charlton Campuses, running in the one facility under the one roof i.e. hospital and nursing home under the one roof in each town. Ken is concerned about staffing levels – He explained the current acute occupancies for EWHS is 30 percent.
Doctor	Rob Bulmer has been in touch with the Western Division of Practitioners and the one contact has gone cold. Tri-star in Warracknabeal has been investigated but is currently not an option. Frances suggested that Birchip community go Public on media to attract a doctor. Ken said that if no doctor is forthcoming in the next month to six weeks then EWHS could put to Western Division of Practitioners that the Birchip Doctors position be a salaried position run by EWHS. If there is no doctor by the time Ahmed leaves, EWHS could pay for a locum. Frances thanked Ken, Peter and Angela for attending.

General Business
Doctor	Develop a plan · Speak to Dave Lennon ABC Bendigo · Michael MacKenzie ABC National · Garreth Hall Current affairs · Promote the need for a doctor on the internet The Executuve go ahead and organize	.
Hospital/Wirrim Lodge Renovation	Discussion on Hospital Wirrim Lodge renovation. Meeting decided to keep in touch with Ken Round and the EWHS board.
Park Toilet	A couple of things to finish off. A town map on a display board Needs to be a sign advertising the funding sources – Look for the best location Ladies sign needs to shifted and to include the parents room Write to James goldsmith and Graeme Harris thanking them for their cooperation and support Sprinkler system funded Table and chairs to be looked at BBQ and finish of the rotunda – money is in the budget and then perhaps some garden beds Working bees next Sunday July 22 and the following Sunday the July 29
Toilet congratulations	Helen Barber congratulated the Birchip Community Forum on the excellent upgrade of the toilets.
Stone Soldier	Warren King reported that the stone soldier in the park was completed and was to be opened on Remembrance day by Ken Kemp.
Cenotaph Wheelchair access	Warren king reported there was no wheelchair access to the cenotaph. He will see Ian Palmer to se if this can be remedied.
Mens Shed	Warren King reported there were 8 men in attendance at the first public meeting and that 11 had shown interest. Del Sladdins shed is the likely venue at the moment but there are no toilets there. Peter Naughton enquired about the old Wimmera Mallee building in Sherwood Street but this was a no go. James Goldsmith was enquiring about the DPI building in Taverner Street. Scout shed – Helen Blencowe to enquire Office bearers needed
National History Week	National history week is Sat August 4 to Sunday August 12 2007 The museum will be open from 10,00am to 4.00pm
Priority project for 2007-2008	Small town development funds listed as priority projects are: Birchip Walking Track Birchip Aero Club Birchip Industrial Estate Subdivision Event funding for Quarter horse racing Birchip B& S Ball
Next Meeting	August 20 2007 – August meeting is the annual meeting.
Meeting Closed	10.25pm.