Latest news with #RoyalChildren'sHospital
The Age
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Councillor's Facebook fiasco lands her a philanthropic penalty
Local Kingston councillor Jane Agirtan is surely breathing a sigh of relief this week, after escaping conviction in Moorabbin Magistrates' Court, where she was facing a charge of breaching an intervention order. Instead, the former Liberal Party member-turned-independent was ordered by a magistrate to make a $2000 donation to the Royal Children's Hospital as punishment. 'Bonus: the donation is tax-deductible. I'm off to the post office first thing this morning to sort the money order – because, you know, accountability,' Agirtan commented on a local Facebook page. This winding tale dates back to October's fever-pitched council elections, when an anonymous Reddit user posted, according to material heard in court, the following: 'Jane Agirtan (bully, transphobe, anti-vaxxer) elected to Kingston council.' Agirtan, having identified the poster's real name, then shared it with her 4000 Facebook followers – along with their workplace, a prominent Melbourne legal firm. She urged her followers to 'collectively help' the lawyer 'overcome her Auntie Jane derangement syndrome'. An online pile-on allegedly followed, prompting the court to grant the lawyer a personal safety intervention order against Agirtan. Charge sheets show the councillor was subsequently charged with breaching that order by failing to remove the post within 24 hours. While the post remained online for months after the fact (albeit with the name in question edited out), Agirtan's Facebook account now appears to have been wiped clean. But the independent councillor still might have a few hurdles to leap. She was stood down from her role in April, pending the outcome of the Magistrates' Court case.
Herald Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Backroom Baz: Dan Andrews' team throws city gath without him
Time flies when you're having fun. It's already been a year since the mighty team behind Daniel Andrews joined forces to start a new consultancy, and what a party they threw to celebrate. Andrews' former chief of staff Lissie Ratcliffe, her deputy Jessie McCrone, ex strategy guru Ben Foster, and one longtime spin doctor formed FMRS Advisory last year to flog their corporate and government knowledge to cashed up clients. After what Baz is told was a slow start to get up and running they must be doing OK, given the swish party at QV's No Vacancy Gallery on Wednesday. It was a who's who of Labor-aligned politicos from Lord Mayor Nick Reece to MPs Danny Pearson, Michaela Settle and Belinda Wilson. VCCI boss Paul Guerra was there as were a slew of former advisers to top ministers including Lisa Neville, Tim Pallas and Martin Pakula. Royal Children's Hospital comms boss Kog Ravindran was among the crowd as was current staffers from Jactina Allan's office. One person noticeably absent from the do? Dan himself. Which made Baz feel better for not getting an invite. Maybe next year. Jaclyn goes green for maiden budget When she delivers her first budget this week, Jaclyn Symes will be only the second of our top bean counters to be granted permission of the lower house to appear in its glorious green chamber to do so. Symes is just the second upper house MP to hold the position, following Brumby government treasurer John Lenders. Manager of government business, Mary-Anne Thomas, said she was looking forward to welcoming Symes. 'I will reflect that I am a person that normally does not really welcome those from the other house into this place,' she said. 'I think that this is the people's house and that we are the engine of government here in the Legislative Assembly. 'The house of review does its job, but seriously we are the people on the ground every day responding to the needs of our constituents. However, in this case, I want to make an exception because I do very much look forward to welcoming our Treasurer.' Baz is told it's still to be decided whether Jac will be allowed to bring her knife in, or be forced to leave it at the door. Watch this space. Unearthing the past The federal election might be over, but Baz couldn't let this one go. First-time Labor candidate Tully Fletcher ran a troubled campaign in the Bass Coast seat of Monash, which led to a rare swing towards successful Liberal candidate, Mary Aldred. But why? Could it have been locals unearthed some of his controversial statements: like publicly describing Hillary Clinton's personality as being akin to a mythical creature renowned for its unpleasant stench, comparing Julia Gillard to a character from TV show Yes Minister and sternly criticising the party's factional system? The comments were made in newspaper editorials he co-authored when he was a law student and co-editor of the Australian National University student newspaper, Woroni. Mr Fletcher declined to comment this week, including on whether his comments about Ms Clinton were sexist. 'It's a no comment from me,' he said. Mr Fletcher and his co-editor also called for Australia to dump the Royal Family, calling the Monarchy 'patently ridiculous'. Mr Fletcher's view on the monarchy was in stark contrast to the people he sought to represent on the Bass Coast, who in 1999 voted overwhelmingly in favour of retaining the monarchy. Mr Fletcher was, until the campaign, working as a director at consultancy firm Deloitte. Before that he worked as a staffer to Andrews government minister Martin Pakula. He declined to comment on his future plans. $600k annual pay salary up for grabs It's been a couple of weeks since Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss, Paul Guerra, announced he was moving on to greener pasture with Melbourne Football Club. So it begs the question, who will fill the big shoes and flash jackets he'll leave at VCCI's Collins St headquarters? Former Property Council head turned podcaster Danni Hunter's name keeps getting mentioned, as does that of Committee for Melbourne boss Scott Veenker. Long running VCCI chief of staff, and sometime acting boss, Chanelle Pearson, is also considered a contender, if only an outside chance. Baz is told the field of candidates is growing slowly, but among the small grouping there is some fierce competition for the coveted job which boasts access to Melbourne's top movers and shakers, and a $600,000 annual pay packet to boot. Nice work if you can get it. Great debate back for more Spring St's newest and greatest annual event is back. After the huge success of the inaugural Great Debate between pollies and journalists last year, it's back for a second go in what has become one of the Victorian Parliament's most anticipated nights. Baz can hardly think of a better way to raise money for charity. Last year more than $15,000 was raised for the Lions V District Skin Cancer van which provides a free skin testing service across the state. This year all funds will go to Need for Feed to support drought-stricken farmers. The question? That AI politicians would be better than real politicians. The Australian Financial Review's Sumeyya Ilanbey, ABC's Raf Epstein and 3AW's Tom Elliott will take on minister Gabrielle Williams, the Liberal Party's David Hodgett and Jade Benham from the Nationals. Baz reckons the debate is fast on its way to becoming Spring St's own entertainment and networking opportunity with charity the big winner. Tickets here. Credlin: Why didn't the Libs call out Labor's super tax? Read related topics: Daniel Andrews
West Australian
12-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Teal Monique Ryan claims key Victorian seat of Kooyong from Liberals Amelia Hamer
Liberal candidate for Kooyong Amelia Hamer has conceded defeat to teal independent Monique Ryan, with result taking nine days to finalise. Ms Hamer revealed in a post on her Instagram about 4.30pm on Monday that she had called Dr Ryan to congratulate her on her re-election. 'While counting continues, it is now clear the remaining ballots will not deliver us the majority we need to win the seat,' the post said. Dr Ryan released a statement shortly after, thanking Ms Hamer for her campaign and wishing her the best for the future. 'I am deeply grateful to my family, friends, my incredible team, and the many, many Kooyong volunteers, for their unwavering support over the past three years and throughout this campaign,' Dr Ryan said. 'It's a crucial time for Australia – we're facing a cost-of-living crisis, housing shortages, increasing intergenerational inequity, and our response to the global challenge of climate change has been too slow and too incremental. 'With the Albanese government holding an increased majority, it's time for it to show the courage we need – and respect the mandate given to it by the Australian public – by taking real action on these issues. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to hold the government to account on the economy, climate, health, and the other critical issues for my community.' Ms Hamer said standing as the Liberal candidate 'has been an honour' and thanked a list of groups who had supported her campaign. 'To the more than 54,811 Kooyong locals who voted for me, thank you for your confidence and trust in me as a potential representative,' she said. 'To those who took the time to speak with me and share your perspectives, values and ideas, thank you. 'To all our incredible volunteers who knocked on countless doors, stood at train stations in the early mornings, and shopping centres on the weekend thank you.' Ms Hamer concluded the post by saying the Liberal values 'like individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and free enterprise', are 'timeless' and 'worth fighting for'. 'We are so lucky to have a beautiful local community, a fair democracy, and a wonderful country,' she said. 'I hope to play my small part in making it a better place, now and into the future.' The battle for the seat of Kooyong was one of the most closely watched of the May 23 election, after controversial moments derailed the campaign for both candidates. As election campaigning began to ramp up in March, Dr Ryan's husband was forced to apologise after he was filmed tearing down a corflute poster belonging to rival candidate Ms Hamer. A month later, Ms Hamer was called out by Nine newspapers for owning properties in Canberra and London, despite claiming to be a renter throughout her election campaign. Dr Ryan claimed Kooyong at the 2022 election, where she controversially booted former treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Dr Ryan was a pediatric neurologist at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne before she entered politics. 'I was elected to advocate for urgent action on climate change, integrity in politics, and a strong and sustainable economy,' her website says.
Herald Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Parkville Hospital build given green light
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News. A new 11-storey hospital will be built in Melbourne's Parkville medical precinct after being approved by the state government. The private hospital — to be built across the road from the Royal Women's Hospital and close to the Royal Children's Hospital and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre — will provide more than 200 beds for Victorians. The Herald Sun can reveal the hospital, to be built on the corner of Flemington Rd and Errol St, will be fast-tracked for construction despite opposition from North Melbourne residents over its height, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. The $75m-plus project, given the green light through the government's 'Development Facilitation Program', will also be based near headquarters for the Australian Medical Association and Bio21 Institute. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said: 'We've given the green light for a new hospital to be built in Victoria's world-leading biomedical precinct. 'The new hospital is consistent with the plans for the Parkville precinct, an established research cluster on the doorstep of the CBD for education, health, professional and technical industries.' The new hospital is expected to include pathology, medical imaging, seven operating rooms, 10 ICU rooms, and hospital beds. Nearby residents late last year protested 11-storey height limits proposed for the site, then occupied by a Mercure Hotel. They also raised concerns about the application bypassing City of Melbourne planning consideration and going straight to the government for approval because it was worth more than $70m. But the government said it consulted with the community and council on the application and amendments were made accordingly. They included changes to building heights on different areas, setbacks to avoid overshadowing and better site access for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The revised height limit will see the new hospital built between five and 11 storeys in different sections. Like much of the world-class Parkville medical precinct, the hospital will be served by a train line for the first time when the Metro Tunnel opens later this year. The government said its Development Facilitation Program 'streamlines planning process for projects that boost investment, keep people in jobs and create more homes and facilities for Victorians.''
RNZ News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Clowning Doctors: Bringing theatre to the world of medicine
culture arts about 1 hour ago The phrase 'clown doctor' may lead to memories of Robin Williams' character in the 1998 film Patch Adams. It was a character who was based on a real person. Kiwi theatre maker Phoebe Mason is a real clown doctor at The Humour Foundation in Melbourne; taking theatre, fun, and laughter into hospitals. Several years ago, a nurse studying for her PhD looked at the work of clown doctors and their impact on patients and the working environment. The Royal Children's Hospital then reached out to the Humour Foundation asking for a workshop in which clown principles could be shared with the medical staff as a form of communication training. The results from those workshops have since been published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Phoebe Mason is also the creative director of Playback Theatre in Melbourne; a global practice where people's real life stories are shared and a group of performers and musicians improvise and perform it back to the group on the spot to create rapport and understanding. She spoke to Culture 101 about the role of clown doctors and running workshops with medical staff.
