"May you live in interesting times." - Chinese curse.

The past 18 months have been a period of imporatnt consolidation for the Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NRGPN). Our focus has been on keeping our members informed of local medical issues through GPSpeak's multiple presences of website, bimonthly online magazine and fortnightly newsletters. In September this year we extended our reach through the first hard copy edition of GPSpeak in two and a half years. This was truly the ‘re-birth’ of a legend, as the magazine had previously been published for nearly two decades, to significant acclaim.  

We believe, and certainly hope, the print version of GPSpeak will  provide a voice for GPs to make known their views on local health matters, not only to other health professionals but to the community at large.

Jullums sign at Uralba St Lismore

Lismore-based Jullums Aboriginal Medical Service celebrated an open day under its new name on 17 November with song, dance, moving speeches and an enjoyable lunch for all community members who attended.

The Jullums name is a detail of  the painting ‘Four Jullums’ which features on the signboard outside the Uralba Street premises, opposite Lismore Base Hospital.

Sharon-marie Hall

Introduction

In 2009, Bessel Van Der Kolk and colleagues worked on defining Developmental Trauma for the purpose of inclusion in the DSM5. It was not included in the much-criticised 2013 update of the Manual, but real life tends to lead the way, and it is well accepted that people have been treated for this condition for some years.

Members and instructors of the Heartmoves group

Lismore City Council has won a national award for best practice in creating healthier communities. Presented at the 2014 Heart Foundation Local Government Awards in Coffs Harbour on 20 October, the award for Lismore’s Move2Change was in the category of ‘Councils with populations greater than 15,000’.

The winning program delivers low-cost exercise programs through the Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre and in Lismore’s villages.

Frank Boyle

 

 

Robin Osborne visits an iconic Nimbin valley farm to see how agricultural innovation delivers commercial success and helps local people stay healthy.

On land where generations of his forebears raised dairy cows, beef cattle and pigs, Frank Boyle grows pecan nuts and rice, not only farming these crops but value-adding to them by doing the processing, packaging and even the retailing.