Daily Archives: 15/03/2015

Man caught driving on wrong side of Hume Highway

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A Bellfield man faces a number of charges after being caught driving on the wrong side of the Hume Highway north of Melbourne on Saturday night.

Seymour Police say a number of witnesses saw the 35-year-old man driving a black Honda sedan south in northbound lanes, before he was intercepted by police and arrested at 10pm.

Police intend to charge the driver with reckless conduct and various other driving offences.

The driver returned an initial positive test for drugs and police have sent his blood for further testing.

A positive test on the blood sample will result in the man being charged with drug driving.

Woman charged after bottles allegedly thrown at people, house – Maroubra

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A woman is due to appear in court tomorrow charged after a disturbance at a home in Maroubra this morning.

Police were called to the home in Maroubra Road about 8.30am (Sunday 15 March 2015), responding to reports a woman had allegedly assaulted several people at the home.

Police from Eastern Beaches Local Area Command have been told a 24-year-old woman allegedly threw bottles at the house and several occupants. Police will allege the woman also threatened them with a knife.

She was arrested at the scene and taken to Maroubra Police Station where she was charged with armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, common assault (two counts), and trespass,

She was refused bail and will appear in court tomorrow (Monday 16 March 2015).

Woman charged after allegedly biting police officer – Albury

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A woman has been charged after she allegedly bit a police officer on the leg when being arrested at Albury this morning.

Police were patrolling Dean Street about 1.55am (Sunday 15 March 2015), when they saw security personnel struggling to evict a woman from a hotel.

They intervened and police will allege the woman bit a police officer on his leg as they tried to handcuff her.

The woman was taken to Albury Police Station, where she was charged with assault police occasioning actual bodily harm, resist police, and offensive language.

The 34-year-old woman, from Corowa, was granted conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on Tuesday 7 April 2015.

The officer was checked by NSW Ambulance Paramedics as the bite allegedly penetrated his skin.

He is receiving further treatment.

Drug driving operation – Albury

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Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol and Albury Local Area Command conducted a Random Drug Testing (RDT) Operation over the past few days, with 18 drivers returning positive readings.

The RDT operation was conducted in the Albury, Tumburama, and Corowa townships between Thursday 12 March and Saturday 14 March 2015.

During the operation officers conducted 172 random drug tests, with 18 drivers returning positive readings.

Police also issued 36 infringements for various offences including, speed, seatbelts, and driving unregistered vehicles.

Samples of positive drug tests have been sent off, with several charges likely to be laid after further analysis.

Male dies after car crash – Kurri Kurri

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A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a single vehicle crash at Kurri Kurri this morning.
About 1.30am (Sunday 15 March 2015), a male was driving a Honda CRV north east along Lang Street when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled several times.

The Honda struck an electrical junction box and several awning supports outside a shop before coming to a halt on its side.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command and other emergency services attended but the driver, a 17-year-old local male, died at the scene.

Lang Street was closed for sometime between Hampden Street and Main Road while investigations into the incident took place.

A report outlining the full circumstances surrounding the male’s death will be prepared for the Coroner.

Helping the Hunter to age positively

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Vilma Hunter knows about positive ageing. “I love being old. I am 84, 85 this year and I am so lucky,” she says. “I say thank you for my wonderful life every day.” Vilma is certainly not immune to the challenges of aging, but as an active volunteer, her optimism is palpable. “I love helping people; I really and truly love it.”

Vilma’s volunteering experience has been diverse and spanned many years. She has volunteered for the Sydney Olympics, the Paralympics and the International Children’s Games here in Lake Macquarie, to name a few events. The smile on Vilma’s face is wide as she tells her story of volunteering for the Sydney Olympic Games. “I’ll never forget walking down the Sydney streets holding that banner with the crowds chanting ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, and we’d shout ‘oi, oi,oi!’ Moments like that live forever.”

Volunteering is one strategy recommended by the Australian Psychological Society for maintaining a positive outlook as we age. Among other benefits, volunteering increases social interaction and helps create meaningful connections.

Anthony Ross, CEO from the Hunter Volunteer Centre says, “The benefits of volunteering are different for everyone, but every volunteer gets that little smile on their face that says, ‘I made a difference today.’”

“Volunteering opens doors for people and that’s true for the young as well as the young at heart” says Anthony. “By being involved in something that interests you, you can feel more valued, break down isolation and create important social networks.”

On Friday 20th March 2015, Anthony will be at the Port Stephens over 55’s Lifestyle, Wellness and Volunteer expo at the Soldiers Point Bowling Club. He will be available to chat with the public and media about volunteering and how it can fit into, and enrich, the over 55’s lifestyle. Photographic opportunities will be available on the day.

Call HVC on 4929 4424 to set up an interview. HVC recruits volunteers for more than 200 community organisations in the area and will take the time to find a volunteer role that will match the skills, experience and interests of all potential volunteers.

Treatment approved for one of the leading causes of blindness in people with diabetes

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– EYLEA® (aflibercept) approved in Australia for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema
(DME) in adults1
– Cootamundra has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the country with 7.6% of people
reported to be living with diabetes2
– Australian research found more than 22% of study participants (49 years plus) with
diabetes developed diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) within five years

Bayer Australia Ltd today announced the approval by the Therapeutic Goods
Administration (TGA) of EYLEA (aflibercept) for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME)
in adults.

DME may develop from an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is a complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes4,5 and has been identified to be one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss in working-age people with diabetes.

While there is limited data showing current numbers of people suffering from DME, estimates have been calculated from published data (British Journal of Ophthalmology 2000) and ABS 2012 data suggest that approximately more than 45,000 Australians over 35 years of age may have DME.

The number of people with diabetic eye disease, including DME, may be even higher as Australian prevalence studies have found that there are further undiagnosed people in the population.

Retinal ophthalmologist, Dr Andrew Chang said diabetic patients are at risk of developing some
form of eye disease including diabetic retinopathy. “It is the most common cause of blindness for working-age Australians aged 30-69 years. For these patients, regaining central vision will have broad and real implications to their lives.” “It may mean keeping their job and supporting themselves and their families, holding a driver’s licence and being able to read, watch TV and recognise faces,” Dr Chang said.

The underlying cause of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema is damage (caused by abnormal blood glucose levels) to the blood vessels feeding the retina (the lining of light-sensitive cells along the back of the eye). DME occurs when blood vessel leakage affects the macula, the centre of the retina that facilitates pinpoint vision that allows us to read and recognise faces.

Symptoms of DME can include blurred or double vision, the appearance of blind or dark spots,
colours appearing washed-out, distorted lines and, if DME is left untreated, it can eventually lead to severe vision loss and blindness.

“The approval of EYLEA for those living with DME provides treating doctors with another tool to
combat vision loss in their patients which is so important in supporting our aim of helping these
Australians maintain their independence”, said Dr Chang.

EYLEA works by blocking the triggers (known as VEGF receptors) believed to be involved in the
growth of these abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the retina. Treatment involves one injection per month for the first five consecutive months, followed by one injection every two months. After the first 12 months, the treatment interval may be extended based on visual and anatomic outcomes.

“It is important that Australians with diabetes who are concerned about their sight or have suspected DME discuss the appropriate testing and treatment approach with their ophthalmologist,” Dr Chang added.

Following the approval by the TGA, Bayer is working with the Government to secure timely
reimbursement and listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) for EYLEA in DME.
In addition to the Australian registration, EYLEA is also approved for treatment of DME in the US, Canada, EU and Japan.

TGA approved indications

EYLEA (aflibercept) is indicated in adults for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

For further information about EYLEA please speak with a healthcare professional and access the full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available at: http://bayer.com.au/scripts/pages/en/bayerrsquos_products/index.php aktion=details&id=642&l1=
&l2=