Platelet transfusion can be the difference between life and death. Conditions such as leukaemia and medical treatments like chemotherapy can decrease a person’s platelet count needing a donation from the public. Donating platelets is similar to making a blood donation.

This generous giving by just one person raised my interest and my research shows we need many more people to become blood donors and we also need many more people to become organ donors. In 2016 with the blessing of their families, 503 donors gave 1447 Australians a new chance at life.

I encourage everyone to consider becoming an organ donor, at any given time there are roughly 1400 Australians on a lifesaving organ transplant waiting list. One organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of 10 or more people

Sadly, there are some myths that do turn people away from joining an organ donor list. For example, some people think they are too old to go on the donor list. This is not true, age is no barrier, and there are examples of people over 80 who became organ donors.

Some people believe that if they register as a donor that the doctor would not try as hard to save their life, this is incorrect.  A doctor’s first priority is to try and save their patient’s life irrespective of whatever list they are on.

Most importantly when deciding to become a donor you need to discuss your choice with your family.  Many families find it hard at a very emotional time to give permission for their loved ones organs to be donated.  Making your wishes known makes the decision so much easier for your family. David and I have both made it very clear to our families that any useful “bits” are to be donated and all of children and their partners are now on the register.

Please visit www.donatelife.gov.au to learn more on becoming a donor.

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The subject matter for my column this time is perhaps a little dry, but I encourage readers to persevere as it contains important information that will affect you directly.

On 1 July, Victorian Government taxes, fees and charges went up across the board. However, some of the increases were more than a slap in the face, they were an outright king hit.

Homebuyers face up to $2,234 more in fees when they purchase a home under massive increases to land transfer fees which are up 163 per cent. These higher fees will tip an extra $140 million into the coffers of the economically reckless Andrews Government over the next four years.

Then we have the Fire Services Property Levy which will increase by $46.1 million. Further unscheduled increases could be on the cards to pay for the outlandish demands being made by the United Firefighters Union at the expense of our volunteer CFA members. Only the Federal Coalition may be able to put the anchors on this deal which would be bad for the CFA and for Victorian taxpayers.

Rents will rise as the stamp duty surcharge payable on property purchased by international investors rises from three per cent to seven per cent. For those looking for cheap recreational activities, even those are under attack with the 28 day recreational fishing licences up from $12 to $20.
So why do our fees and charges need to go up leaving less in your bank accounts?

We are paying for ballooning public sector wages and wasteful projects in Victoria that are about political outcomes not economic outcomes.
Governments around the world are being urged by financial experts to exercise fiscal restraint as political instabilities affect the fortunes of domestic economies. Yet the Andrews Labor Government has signed us up to a $1.6 billion Skyrail that the people don’t want. Then last month we found out that the creators of Myki will receive another $700 million from the Andrews Government to have another go at botching our transport ticketing. And who could forget the $1.1 billion Labor flushed down the toilet not to build East West link?

Locally there have been question marks about a recent cash injection rumoured to be $2 million from the Andrews Government into a company which is backed by the deep pocketed Middle Eastern company Investcorp. It is not clear why our taxpayer dollars were needed to prop up a cashed up company.
It is clear from the federal election result that the Andrews Government is on the nose with Victorians and if the wasteful spending doesn’t get reigned in, sadly it will be our children and grandchildren paying for it long into the future.

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At this time of year parents are going through the unenviable process of deciding “which school should I send my child to?”.

It is an issue that stirs a lot of emotion, as parents hold very strong preferences, and sometimes prejudices, about schools in the Yarra Valley.
As I parent I concede that I have felt the pressure of trying to provide the best possible education for my children to give them a great start in life, if not a head start.

My children went to school in the Yarra Valley and I am proud to say they have gone on to interesting careers that make them happy. They attribute their success with the calibre of the teachers who nurtured their strengths and helped turn around their weaknesses. They got a well-rounded and competitive education in the Yarra Valley.

What astounds me however, is how many parents judge a book by its cover. Schools that have older buildings with fewer ‘optional extras’, or have a more country feel are often immediately dismissed as an option by parents before they set foot in the front door. What about the curriculum and the teachers?

Once these parents have identified a school that has commercial and reputational appeal to them, they come to my office wanting help to lobby their preferred schools to take their child, or children. With Victoria’s population growing at around 100,000 people a year, parents sometimes fail to appreciate that most schools reach capacity very quickly just trying to accommodate students that already live within their catchment. This ultimately leads to bitter disappointment. I have seen some parents go as far as selling their homes and moving to a new area to scrape into the desired school’s catchment – a measure that seems somewhat unnecessary to me.

Perhaps it is because I am in the unique and privileged position of having visited all the schools in my electorate many times over that I have a more tempered and broad view of our educational standards. Honestly, I am yet to find an example of a bad school in Evelyn. I have been in classrooms during lessons and seen first-hand how happy our students look, the effort put in by teachers to personalise the learning experience so that information is retained and dedication to improving student interaction and socialisation. These are the things that truly matter and add up to a quality education.

It is true that many of our schools have older buildings – and buildings that reflect the more rural nature of our community. It is also true that the Andrews Labor Government has neglected a number of our schools in this year’s and last year’s state budget meaning that many schools are operating out of portable classrooms or in classrooms that need repairs.

However, I encourage parents to go beyond skin deep and don’t judge a school by its buildings.

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PARKING WOES AND SAFETY CONCERNS WORSEN AT WANDIN NORTH PRIMARY AS BUREAUCRACIES DODGE OWNERSHIP

State Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe along with Shadow Minister for Roads Ryan Smith have called for a long overdue resolution to parking problems at Wandin North Primary, which date back as far back as 1971.

Mrs Fyffe said that successive Principals at Wandin North Primary have been bouncing between council and various state government departments trying to work through the appropriate channels to make simple parking improvements without success.

“I think the Wandin North Primary school community has been exceedingly patient. Now it is time for action. Entire generations of students have come and gone without this issue being fixed,” Mrs Fyffe said.

“Wandin North Primary’s population has grown substantially over the five years. With 250 students, and 169 families, there is an urgent need for parking during school drop off and pick up times,” Mrs Fyffe said.

Wandin North Primary is asking for:
o Asphalted and lined parking along the front service road on the Warburton Highway to maximise the number of cars that can fit in the area and;
o Improvements to a second area of parking with the installation of parking bollards to designate parking areas.

It is alleged that the service road in front of Wandin North Primary was once part of the Warburton Highway which is most likely the reason for the confusion. However, it is believed that the land at the side of the school is crown land owned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

Shadow Minister for Roads Ryan Smith said that this is bureaucracy gone mad.

“For no department to be able to determine who owns the land in front of Wandin North Primary so that a simple parking issue is unresolved for 45 years is not good enough,” Mr Smith said.

“Yarra Ranges Council, VicRoads, the Department of Education and DELWP need to meet on site with the Principal of Wandin North Primary and sort this mess out once and for all.

“I understand that the land adjacent to Wandin North Primary has already been assessed by DELWP as having no significant flora or fauna, so it would make sense for Wandin North Primary to lease this land,” Mr Smith said.

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SHADOW MINISTER FOR ROADS JOINING FIGHT TO SEE GREEN LIGHT GIVEN TO NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON VICTORIA ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK

Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe, joined by Shadow Minister for Roads Ryan Smith, have called on the Andrews Government to install traffic lights at a dangerous dog leg intersection in Chirnside Park.

Mrs Fyffe said that the intersection of Victoria Road with Switchback Road and Nelson Road is developing the dubious reputation after a number of serious accidents at the intersection, with many occurring during peak hour.

“Serious accidents have increased at this intersection in recent years. It is a well-known black spot,” Mrs Fyffe said.

“Chirnside Park residents have legitimate cause for concern because it is a tricky dog leg intersection that sees motorists chancing right hand turns in the few breaks in traffic,” Mrs Fyffe said.

Traffic volumes have increased in line with population growth in the area which is being fed by vehicles coming from Lilydale Heights College, Lilydale Scout Group, Lilydale Cemetery, Lilydale Memorial Crematorium, the Gateway housing estate, Lilydale West Primary, tourist traffic and the Cave Hill industrial Park.
Shadow Minister for Roads Ryan Smith said that the Andrews Government has had ample opportunity to fix the problem.

“This is a government that has been in power over a year and half, has a budget surplus of $1.2 billion as a result of a massive tax grab – yet is failing to fix basic traffic management issues that are important to Victorians,” Mr Smith said.

“Ignoring intersections like this, where the evidence shows there is a real safety issue – will potentially cost lives in the future,” Mr Smith said.
Mrs Fyffe raised the issue in Parliament last week in a Members Statement, ensuring it is on the Andrews Government’s radar.

“In my Members Statement I raised the importance of having traffic lights. Signage and more line markings won’t work.

“Traffic lights will help create breaks in the traffic so that motorists can make right hand turns onto Victoria Road more easily, while giving pedestrians including local students, the opportunity to cross the road safely.

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KILLARA ROAD INTERSECTION STILL A PROBLEM FOR COLDSTREAM RESIDENTS AND CFA

Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe and Victorian Shadow Minister for Roads Ryan Smith are renewing calls for traffic lights to be installed at the intersection of Killara Road and Maroondah Highway in Coldstream.

Mrs Fyffe said that she has lobbied for these lights over many years, but the request has fallen on deaf ears.

“In 2001 I tabled a petition calling for the installation of traffic lights at this intersection, and subsequently raised the matter in Parliament on no fewer than seven separate occasions, Mrs Fyffe said.

“The level of priority has increased with greater volumes of tourism and agricultural traffic funnelling through Coldstream along Maroondah Highway, which is impacting on the ability of residents to safely enter and exit Killara Road.

In 2006 the Coalition committed to installing the lights at the Killara Road intersection, which saw Labor make a similar belated promise.

However, Labor chose a different location of the lights to the intersection of the Melba and Maroondah Highways as a point of political difference from the Coalition.

“Labor’s decision to install lights at the Melba and Maroondah intersection has failed dismally. It has not improved traffic management for Coldstream residents at all,” Mrs Fyffe said.

Shadow Minister for Roads Ryan Smith questioned the Andrews Government’s road funding priorities.

“It is disappointing to think that we have so many unsafe intersections because decisions by Labor are being made for political outcomes rather than safety outcomes.

“In March 2015, this intersection had a fatal collision which may have been avoided if the Killara and Maroondah intersection had traffic lights.

“Even more importantly, both the Coldstream and Gruyere CFAs are located on Killara Road. When they struggle to get onto the Maroondah Highway, it delays response times in emergencies,” Mr Smith said.

Mrs Fyffe said that she hopes that the Andrews Government works with Yarra Ranges Council as part of the Coldstream Structure Plan to signalise this intersection.

“It is not a want. It is an absolute need,” Mrs Fyffe said.

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MOOROOLBARK SOCCER CLUB KICKING GOALS FOR FEMALES

Mooroolbark Soccer Club has enlisted the support of local MP Christine Fyffe to help lobby Yarra Ranges Council to construct a second set of change room facilities for female team members.

The Coalition made a commitment to fund the Esther Park sports pavilion for the 2014 State election.

“Unfortunately a change of government at the 2014 state election saw the Andrews Government turn its back on a valid community initiative,” Mrs Fyffe said.
However Mrs Fyffe says all is not lost.

“I am aware that Yarra Ranges Council has the female change rooms on its “to do” list, but it isn’t as high up the order of priorities as it deserves to be.

“We are asking council to be good sports and give Mooroolbark Soccer Club a helping hand.

“The benefits of new change rooms for female players are expected to be realised through a boost in female participation rates. At present, out of Mooroolbark Soccer Club’s 347 players, just 81 are female.

“New change rooms for female players would help them feel more valued as part of the club.

“For women, sport can be a great way of reconnecting with the community and socialising.

“I’m proud to support Mooroolbark Soccer Club because of their championing of diversity.

“The club has forged strong relations with the local Chin community and also supports the inclusion of people with varying degrees of disability.

Mrs Fyffe said that sport is about more than physical activity for women.

“Sport is important for women to rebuild lost social connections and plays an increasing role in maintaining good mental health.

“As the old adage goes, “A healthy body breeds a sound mind.”

“Truth be told, I think my children’s love of sport was more about socialising with friends and having a good time than getting fit.

Mrs Fyffe said that she hopes council heeds the request of the community and provides necessary funding assistance.

“Mooroolbark Soccer Club just wants their request for funding to be in with a sporting chance,” Mrs Fyffe said.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people’s accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man’s failures.” ~Earl Warren

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MINISTER JACINTA ALLAN ON THE RAILS WITH YARRA RANGES COMMUTERS

Liberal Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe and Shadow Minister for Public Transport David Hodgett have slammed Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan for failing to deliver on a commitment to reinstate the second pedestrian crossing at Lilydale Station by 2015.

In response to a letter from Mrs Fyffe from December 2014 calling for the timely reinstatement of the crossing, the Minister for Public Transport stated that:

“PTV is currently examining a number of options regarding this crossing, with an expectation that it will be reopened for public use in 2015.”
(Source: Letter – Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan – 16 February 2015)

“As of May 2016, the second crossing remains closed. Labor has failed to deliver according to their own stated timeline,” Mrs Fyffe said.

“In the meantime commuters are forced to walk almost a kilometre from the end of the car park to the station platform.
Shadow Minister for Public Transport David Hodgett said there are no excuses.

“Cashed up thanks to the Andrews Government’s high taxing state budget, it is astounding that the Minister has failed to find the $870,000 needed to bring the crossing up to standard,” Mr Hodgett said.

“With the latest reports of public transport disruption for the next ten years as a result of the government’s Metro Rail project – the headaches just keep coming for the beleaguered Minister, Mr Hodgett said.

Mrs Fyffe said that the people of the Yarra Valley don’t trust Labor to deliver on public transport.

“Removal of the Lilydale level crossing clearly isn’t a priority for the Andrews Government, so why should we expect the reinstatement of the second pedestrian crossing to be?” Mrs Fyffe asked.

“As winter approaches commuters are only going to get angrier as they are forced to trek through the rain and mud to the platform,” Mrs Fyffe said.

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AUTISM’S FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe has praised local mum Angela Jones for being the catalyst for today’s successful Autism Forum featuring Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bernie Finn.

“This all began with Angela who bravely approached my office looking for help for her children – two of whom have Autism but are considered high functioning,” Mrs Fyffe said.

“We got a very clear picture today that Autism has many shades of grey and the education system is not being sufficiently funded to cater for such diverse needs.

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Bernie Finn said that many of the parents echoed his own personal experience as a parent with a child with Autism.

“Parents have to fight the system every time they need something to help their child,” Mr Finn said.

“This is contributing to a trend of relationship breakdowns which adds to the stress of managing their child with Autism.

Main themes from the forum included:
1. Difficulties getting a diagnosis of Autism which then prevents parents accessing services
2. Inadequate funding for aides in schools for children who have the potential to be integrated
3. No support for managing major transitions (for example: kinder to primary school, primary school to high school and high school to independent living as an adult)
4. A high degree of uncertainty about what the National Disability Insurance Scheme will mean for parents who have a child with Autism
5. Toll that Autism takes on marriages and Inadequate counselling for parents to manage stress levels
6. Possible advantages in providing access to both mainstream and disability based learning to achieve better long term educational outcomes
7. A need for specialised tertiary degrees for Autism
8. More affordable access to medical specialists
9. More funding for research to improve early diagnosis
10. Breaking down the stigma of being labelled Autistic

Mrs Fyffe praised the parents, principals and community advocates for their input.

“The discussion brought to light some very important issues that I don’t think policy makers have woken up to yet. The starting point is helping parents get an early diagnosis.

“If parents do get a diagnosis, services such as Yarra Ranges Special Development School and Melba Support Services have limited places available. The Yarra Ranges needs more funding to cope with growing demand,” Mrs Fyffe said.

Mr Finn agreed.

“The bottom line is funding. Children with Autism each have a special gift and require learning to be tailored to realise that gift.

“I am optimistic that the Coalition will be able to take a policy to the 2018 state election to give parents the help they have needed all along,” Mr Finn said.

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Water bills for Yarra Valley families are going up again because Daniel Andrews has made a politically motivated decision to switch on the desalination plant.
Daniel Andrews’ games come at a time when families are already struggling with cost of living pressures.

Melbourne’s water storages are two-thirds full and we did not need any water restrictions over summer. Yet Daniel Andrews rushed off and ordered 50 billion litres of expensive desalinated water on April 1.

Water white elephants like the desal plant and the north-south pipeline are the reason that average household water bill doubled under the last Labor State Government.

And now the desal plant is going to cost Melbourne families $637 million this year – just because Daniel Andrews wants to justify Labor’s previous mistake.

Daniel Andrews is putting politics ahead of people, and our water bills are going up again because of it.

Christine Fyffe MP
State Member for Evelyn

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