Informed consent
No wonder the fluoridation of the water in the district is so controversial and has been such a difficult decision for the Bega Valley Shire Council.
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948. It was added to in the Universal Declaration of Bioethics and Human Rights on October 19, 2005.
“Article 6 – Consent
1. Any preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic medical intervention is only to be carried out with the prior, free and informed consent of the person concerned, based on adequate information. The consent should, where appropriate, be express and may be withdrawn by the person concerned at any time and for any reason without disadvantage or prejudice.”
These international rulings were put in place to prevent mass medication without consent as seen at Auschwitz and hundreds of other camps during World War 2.
They protect our personal choice.
Fluoride is said to be therapeutic (otherwise why are they putting it into the water in the first place?).
It is also famously difficult to remove by all but the most expensive filtering devices.
Putting it into the water supply in Bega or Australia as a whole has always been in direct contravention to our stated human rights.
It was not a decision which Bega Council should ever have had to make.
Wendy Daniel, Bega
Sense of civic pride
The Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) believes that the redevelopment of Kiss’ Lagoon is probably the most successful project undertaken by Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) in the Bega district.
The creation of a fantastic “welcoming vista” to visitors entering the town from the north is a credit to all those involved and to think it was achieved with a tiny $150k budget makes it all the more remarkable.
Sadly, the good news stops there, as visitors to the shire’s supposed “regional centre” come upon a main street that looks all but abandoned.
Confronted with tacky, second-rate commercial buildings the length of Carp Street and not helped by empty shopfronts, visitors would be forgiven for thinking that they must have taken a wrong turn somewhere and perhaps should keep going.
With the exception of the post office and court house buildings, there is little sign of civic pride.
Even the trees that haphazardly intrude into the town’s landscape seem to have the appearance of figures hiding in shame and embarrassment, due to their inability to offer even the slightest promise of shade on long hot days.
So, where did you go Bega? Where is your civic pride?
John Richardson, secretary BVSRRA
Red Cross Calling
Every March for 70 years, thousands of volunteers have made a wonderful contribution to our community during Red Cross Calling. They’ve knocked on their neighbour’s doors, said hello and their combined efforts have raised millions.
I’d like to send a massive thanks to the thousands of schools, businesses, community organisations and our dedicated Red Cross members who’ve answered the call over the years.
All of that effort has gone a long way, allowing Red Cross to help where we’re needed most; from providing support during and after disasters, to making phone calls to check on the isolated and elderly to helping communities make a better future for themselves.
So many extraordinary volunteers here in NSW have also gone the extra mile – not just raising money but also reaching out to their neighbours, asking how they’re going and checking on their wellbeing.
Red Cross Calling is more than a fundraiser – it gives us a reason to connect and volunteer for the sake of our community. Research shows that volunteering and helping in our neighbourhoods helps us live happier, longer lives.These volunteers make Australia a special place to live. This year we aim to double the number of volunteers in NSW. Will you be one of them?
Join the fun today at redcrosscalling.org.au or call 1800 RED CROSS (733 276). You can also contact your local Red Cross branch so you can join their efforts.
Jody Broun, Director, NSW/ACT Australian Red Cross
- Email letters of no more than 300 words to ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au