Community would ‘be lost’ without vital nurse

FUNDRAISERS that occurred for Waterline nurse practitioner, Deb Garvey, showed that community spirit is alive and well.

The fundraisers included a market of treasures, raffle, stall, music night and silent auction which took place in the townships of Grantville, Coronet Bay, and Corinella. 

The events were a collective effort organised by Zena Benbow, Len Van Der Neut, Anne Caulfield and Joy Button.

A total of $6733.08 has been raised so far, which goes towards the $430,000 bill that Deb has received following a Medicare review that she was spending more time with patients in her clinic than what is allowed under the Medicare items that she has access to.

Organisers explained how locals pulled together to make the fundraisers happen due to the anger and disappointment over the situation. 

Banding together was a combination of local musicians on the music night (The Flaming Mushrooms, Ozone, Frolic and Detour) to the market of treasures by Anne, to the Corinella and District Community Centre providing a venue for the silent auction. 

“People really wanted to help out,” Joy Button said. “They said what can we do to help?”

Zena shared that they were seeking to raise as “much as we could” through the fundraisers. 

She said that the common goal of the fundraising events was, “that we felt as a community, you know that they all needed to get around Deb and give her a collective hug I suppose, and the wider we could spread that throughout the waterline communities, the better that effect was going to be.” 

Zena highlighted that the purpose of the fundraisers was subsequently twofold; to support the nurse practitioner as an individual and to acknowledge that the clinic is an asset in the community. 

While Len shared that the nurse practitioner clinic is “100 per cent necessary”, because of the capacity to be able to see the nurse there, when needed. 

Organisers also noted that the hours the service operates is suitable for example to those who work night shift, are commuting to work or on their way to Melbourne.

“If we didn’t have her, we would be lost,” Joy concluded.   

Deb operates at the Grantville Transaction Centre from 6am to 2.30pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 

The service has been available to the Waterline community for almost 11-years.