However, with all of the horror and sadness making headlines right now I wanted to share this little good news story to spread a bit of happy and hopefully give your readers something nice to digest for a change. 

My husband and I have just recently welcomed a beautiful little girl into our family, my first child and a little bit later in life for me than for most, which brought about some serious health concerns for myself and our baby through the later stages of the pregnancy. 

This situation led to many frequent visits to our local hospital here in Bega for monitoring.

As time went on and the condition became more serious I had numerous stays at Bega Hospital and constant assessment from the Bega Maternity and Obstetrics team. 

I often describe our part of the world as the forgotten corner. 

Where services and technology are concerned I have often felt our community is let down, a poor country cousin with only second rate services making their way over the mountain to us. 

These sentiments were shot down and buried by the care and professionalism I encountered at the hands of the Obstetrics and Maternity team based here in Bega. 

From the first warning signs of problems, to the day I walked out of the hospital doors with my healthy baby, the treatment I received would measure up against any world-class facility, albeit operating out of an old, run-down, antiquated building. 

I would also like to acknowledge the same level of professionalism with every dealing I had - from the pathologists to reception, emergency to the kitchen staff and the cleaners. 

The way I was cared for was always with absolute respect, care and compassion. 

I have come away from what was potentially one of the most concerning experiences of my life with faith that at least some of our tax money is being utilised in the best possible way and a positive vibe that we are in many ways still the lucky country with much to be thankful for. 

As a community we are looking forward to the completion of our new hospital.

For the time being we are so very lucky that even among the old and outdated walls and windows we are blessed that some of the most talented medical professionals have chosen to live and work here in our forgotten corner. 

Thank you would not begin to surmise the gratitude I have for the doctors, midwives and staff from our very own Bega Hospital. 

Chrissy Carpenter

Bega

On September 24 the Bega District News featured a story about road noise from the Bega bypass.

Ian Jessop of Fairview St stated that he wrote to me about this issue and “didn’t hear anything” back.

Lest readers gain the wrong impression, it is important to lay out some facts regarding the efforts the hard-working staff at our Bega office made on behalf of Mr Jessop.

In January this year he first raised, in person, his concerns about the noise generated by 100kmh traffic on the bypass. 

Staff contacted the Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) and were informed that noise tests would be conducted in February or March. 

Mr Jessop was informed of this.

In late March, at Mr Jessop’s request, my staff again contacted the RMS to inquire about progress of the noise testing.

In late May the RMS assured my office, and Mr Jessop, that testing “should be done in the next four weeks”.

In mid-June we, at Mr Jessop’s request, forwarded a letter from him to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure Warren Truss. 

In August, Minister Truss’s response was forwarded to Mr Jessop.

I am entirely satisfied that we made appropriate efforts on behalf of Mr Jessop. 

Readers may note the issue of road noise emanating from the Bega bypass falls within the responsibilities of the NSW State Government and its relevant authority, the RMS.

Dr Peter Hendy

Member for Eden-Monaro