First and foremost thankyou to new supporters of this campaign. Although a slow climb it certainly doesn't go unnoticed. Activity in the media has definately helped promote interest this week and I have plenty more planned until we reach our goal.
So. Story by Geelong Advertiser was published last Saturday. A good representation of the issue and as always I believe visual reminders of this problem should be our main angle. The paper also ran a poll that was overwhelmingly in favour of more smoke free zones. Many comments also highlighted how deep this issue goes.
Interview by 3AW on Denis Walters program last night was a good opportunity to personally reiterate this problem. Also a great platform to extend how significant the issue is around Melbourne hospitals. Thankyou Denis for your support!
More evidence of Barwon Health staff smoking outside the hospital gathered weekly. Not difficult at all to spot offenders as they brazenly smoke in plain sight. I'm quickly realising that it's BH staff that overwhelming offend more than patients.
Unfortunately no movement from Barwon Health management. No response to progress meetings with heads of department as planned.
The same disappointment with City of Greater Geelong. I've had one response by the City Director Guy Wilson-Browne that highlighted information already known but no commitment to help support action. No further response by the Mayors office to progress a meeting by Counsellors for action.
However, I did have one good conversation with a City of Greater Geelong Compliance officer. They offered to continue this conversation with Barwon Health in an effort to address the problem of littering water ways, as a result of Cigarette smoking on footpaths outside Geelong Hospital.
I remain as determined as ever to see this change through. My next efforts will be turned to the greater impact geographically where I will be researching all major hospitals around our country. These case studies are required by council to provide more evidence and form factors when they consider ammendments to relevant By-Laws.
I wish you all well in your own efforts for the right to walk streets without harm :)