Monday, September 20, 2010

Pogo2 mini Transat boat!

Two very interested punters?? On the dock thinking MINI?..Guess who??..at
the Southampton Boat show which was quite good, the food and trafic quite
bad as usual but a great day out. Hard to keep up with all the new
technology though!..Impressed with the latest "SPOT" safety and tracking
beacon.

8 comments:

Brian said...

Jessica

Anonymous said...

..and Mike!

Tim Stackpool said...

Don,
Good to read that it's all still full 'steam' ahead.
Cheers to all,
-Tim

Anonymous said...

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
Department of Health and Ageing


Dear Mr Watson

Thank you for your correspondence of June 2010 to the former Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP concerning fund raising to support development of the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience. Your letter was referred to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP. Due to the announcement of the Federal election and the Australian Government entering caretaker mode, I am responding on behalf of the Minister.

I was interested to read about the re-enactment of the Voyage of the Bounty underway since 29 April this year, to raise funds to assist construction of the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience in the UK.

The Department of Health and Aging understands the difficulties and burden experienced by those who suffer debilitating chronic diseases such as Motor Neurone Disease. I appreciate the important support the Translational Neuroscience facility will provide to enable ongoing research into the causes and possible cures for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

In your letter you request that the Australian Government match funds raised through re-enactment of the voyage. The Australian Government receives a number of requests for increased Australian Government action and funding for a range of chronic disease conditions and, I must inform you, that at this time is unable to meet your request.

Although it is not possible to fulfil all these requests, the Department of Health and Aging has funded a range of initiatives to support chronic disease preventions and management, including those suffering from MND.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Ageing provided funding of over $74,000 to Motor Neurone Disease Australia for the living Better for Longer project for the development and promotion of a national web-based information portal to support health professionals and community care providers in assisting people with MND. The website is now fully functional and may be accessed at www.mndcare.net.au

In addition the Australian Government, through the National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC), invests in research using a variety of mechanisms including investigator initiated research projects, broad programs of research, and people support schemes targeted towards improving the health of all Australians. During 2008-09 the NHMRC invested more than $4.9 million for research into MND.

People suffering from MND may also be eligible for services through the Chronic Disease Management items on the Medicare Benefit Schedule. These items make it easier for GPs to manage the health care of patients with chronic medical conditions, including patience needing multidisciplinary care. The items significantly increase care planning options for GPs as well as expanding patient eligibility and increasing the assistance that practice nurses and others can provide. Information about these items can be found on the Department of Health and Ageing’s website at www.health.gov.au

Also, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme provides affordable access for all Australian residents to effective and cost-effective medicines. During 2008-09 over $4.6 million was spent on medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for MND.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Yours sincerely

Leo Kennedy
Assistant Secretary
Chronic Disease and Alcohol Branch
28 July 2010



Haven’t finished yet…

Billy.

Anonymous said...

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
Department of Health and Ageing


Dear Mr Watson

Thank you for your correspondence of June 2010 to the former Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP concerning fund raising to support development of the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience. Your letter was referred to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon MP. Due to the announcement of the Federal election and the Australian Government entering caretaker mode, I am responding on behalf of the Minister.

I was interested to read about the re-enactment of the Voyage of the Bounty underway since 29 April this year, to raise funds to assist construction of the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience in the UK.

The Department of Health and Aging understands the difficulties and burden experienced by those who suffer debilitating chronic diseases such as Motor Neurone Disease. I appreciate the important support the Translational Neuroscience facility will provide to enable ongoing research into the causes and possible cures for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

In your letter you request that the Australian Government match funds raised through re-enactment of the voyage. The Australian Government receives a number of requests for increased Australian Government action and funding for a range of chronic disease conditions and, I must inform you, that at this time is unable to meet your request.

Although it is not possible to fulfil all these requests, the Department of Health and Aging has funded a range of initiatives to support chronic disease preventions and management, including those suffering from MND.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Ageing provided funding of over $74,000 to Motor Neurone Disease Australia for the living Better for Longer project for the development and promotion of a national web-based information portal to support health professionals and community care providers in assisting people with MND. The website is now fully functional and may be accessed at www.mndcare.net.au

In addition the Australian Government, through the National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC), invests in research using a variety of mechanisms including investigator initiated research projects, broad programs of research, and people support schemes targeted towards improving the health of all Australians. During 2008-09 the NHMRC invested more than $4.9 million for research into MND.

People suffering from MND may also be eligible for services through the Chronic Disease Management items on the Medicare Benefit Schedule. These items make it easier for GPs to manage the health care of patients with chronic medical conditions, including patience needing multidisciplinary care. The items significantly increase care planning options for GPs as well as expanding patient eligibility and increasing the assistance that practice nurses and others can provide. Information about these items can be found on the Department of Health and Ageing’s website at www.health.gov.au

Also, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme provides affordable access for all Australian residents to effective and cost-effective medicines. During 2008-09 over $4.6 million was spent on medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for MND.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Yours sincerely

Leo Kennedy
Assistant Secretary
Chronic Disease and Alcohol Branch
28 July 2010



I haven’t finished yet…

Billy.

Anonymous said...

Dear Stu, Don, Pam and crew.
Just passing on the response to a letter I sent a wile ago. It’s not good news but at least it has shown me, with your public blog along with Jessica’s that if you write to a person in a position of power and publish your letter on that blog, if it is a great cause then you will get a response. I reckon all good causes need a public blog that is managed properly. Regarding this letter I think it’s a shame that not as many people were commenting the Bounty voyage as I would have thought. It’s also a shame that our government went into caretaker mode just after I sent it. I also can’t believe with the size of our country and the amount of money being wasted on political agendas, voting campaigns and crap that such little is being spent on finding cures. I hope you find some cures Pam. My thoughts are with you all. My apologies for the broken comment but the blog wouldn’t let me send it all at once.

Ps. I’m not to sure who the young lady is with the scruffy hair but I’m pretty sure that’s Mike Perrin. lol

Laura said...

I follow your blog for a long time and must tell you that your posts always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers. Keep it up.

Boat Guy said...

I just happened on your blog. Glad that I did. As a lover of boats and the water, your experiences allow me to live vicariously through you.

Sure I am recreational boater. Sure...I get the chance to spend a great deal of time on the water. But... it is a story just like this that make me wish that I chose a water related career. I will be a regular on this blog.

Sincerely,
Sean