NSW Women’s Week runs from Monday, 6 March to Sunday, 12 March. International Women’s Day is on 8 March and the NSW Women of the Year Awards is on 9 March.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this year’s theme is #CrackingTheCode, with the focus on promoting gender equality and celebrating the social, cultural and political achievements of women.
“The 2023 NSW Women’s Week is an important celebration of women from every corner of NSW. So many incredible women and girls call the Cootamundra electorate home, and this week we are putting their achievements in the spotlight,” Ms Cooke said.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting so many inspirational women throughout the many towns and villages in our region, these ladies are across all age groups and come from many walks of life.”
“All of these ladies enjoy giving back to their community with no request for recognition, many work tirelessly in the background as volunteers on a number of committees or local groups, whilst working on the farm, running their own business, raising a family or just proud of being part of this wonderful region.”
As part of the 2023 NSW Women’s Week celebrations, Young Crisis Accommodation Centre delivered their movie screening of ‘Some Happy Day’, a film aimed to empower women to identify the signs and gain an understanding of the many forms of domestic and family violence.
This was made possible thanks to funding of $5,592.50 through the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to host events during NSW Women’s Week.
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to supporting women’s economic opportunities, health and wellbeing, and participation and empowerment. For more information about events in your area this NSW Women’s Week, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/womens-week
Steph Cooke | 27 Feb 2023 | Health Hilltops Council
Patients at Young District Hospital are benefitting from the installation of a new cutting-edge CT scanner thanks to a $1 Million investment through the NSW Government.
The installation of the new CT scanner is offering emergency and inpatient services for Young and surrounding hospitals.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke this week visited Young District Hospital to inspect the new CT scanner and speak with staff.
“It was a pleasure to visit the Young District Hospital to not only see the new CT scanner in its permanent home, but to hear from our wonderful staff about the difference this cutting-edge new imaging equipment will have on patient diagnosis, care and outcomes,” Ms Cooke said.
“Patients in Young and neighbouring areas will now be able to access lifesaving scans for cancer, stroke, heart and other medical conditions.”
Minister for Regional Health Mrs Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is focused on improving health services for people living in rural and regional NSW.
“The NSW Government has committed a record $11.9 billion investment towards building and upgrading our State’s health infrastructure over the next four years, with nearly a third of that being spent in the regions on important health facilities like Young Hospital,” Mrs Taylor said.
Other major projects across the Cootamundra electorate include:
$80 million Temora Hospital Redevelopment.
$110.2 million Cowra Hospital Redevelopment.
Six new, and three upgraded, ambulance stations delivered through the Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program, including stations at Ardlethan, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell, Harden, Temora, West Wyalong and Young.
Eleven graduate nurses and midwives have begun their careers across eight hospitals and Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) within the Cootamundra electorate, in a major boost for the local community.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said that the new graduates are amongst a record 3,600 nurses and midwives set to commence working across 130 NSW public hospitals and health services this year.
“The work that nurses and midwives do is at the very heart of the public health system, caring for people in our hospitals, at home and in our communities,” Ms Cooke said.
“I am incredibly pleased to welcome the 11 new recruits along with the additional ten recruits to commence later in the year.
“I know that they will make a big difference to the health and wellbeing of our community.
“These enthusiastic graduates have a unique opportunity to play a vital role in our healthcare system at a time when it continues to adapt and innovate to the changes and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Hospitals to see new graduates in this first intake are:
Temora District Hospital – 2 graduate nurses
Narrandera District Hospital – 1 graduate nurse
Cootamundra District Hospital – 2 graduate nurses
Murrumburrah-Harden – 2 graduate nurses
Coolamon MPS – 1 graduate nurse
Boorowa MPS – 1 graduate nurse
Young District Hospital – 1 graduate nurse
Junee MPS – 1 graduate nurse
Six more graduates are expected to commence in local facilities in May 2023:
Temora District Hospital – 1 graduate nurse
Cootamundra District Hospital – 1 graduate nurse
Young District Hospital – 1 graduate nurse
Junee MPS – 1 graduate nurse
Boorowa MPS – 1 graduate nurse
Murrumburrah-Harden – 1 graduate nurse
And a further four graduates are expected to commence in August 2023:
Murrumburrah-Harden – 1 graduate nurse
Young District Hospital – 1 graduate nurse
Boorowa MPS – 1 graduate nurse
Coolamon MPS – 1 graduate nurse
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said more than a third of the record number of graduates beginning their careers with NSW Health have chosen to work in our rural and regional hospitals.
“It is so wonderful to see so many nurses and midwives either choosing to move to the bush or returning home so they can care for their communities,” Mrs Taylor said.
The latest statewide intake of graduate nurses and midwives is an 18 per cent increase on last year. It is also the largest intake of any state or territory in Australia.
NSW Health has the largest health system in the country and employs more than 53,000 nurses and midwives, more than ever before.
Overall, between mid-2012 and mid-2022 NSW Health increased its workforce by an additional 25,700 full time equivalent staff – an increase of 25.2 per cent, including 9,340 more nurses and midwives, 4,140 more doctors, and 2,490 more allied health staff.
The NSW Government recently announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history in the 2022-23 Budget with a $4.5 billion investment over four years for 10,148 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff to hospitals and health services across NSW.
Families across the region who are struggling with the challenges of being a new parent are set to benefit from the recently completed renovations carried out at the Tresillian in Western Family Day Centre at Cowra.
Included as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget, $12.2 million was made available to enable Tresillian and the Gidget Foundation Australia to collaborate. The outcome has provided new and expecting parents in Cowra and surrounds access to a dedicated, specialised service, without the need to travel large distances to Canberra or Sydney.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the improvements to the local Tresillian in Western Family Day Care Centre when she officially opened the services today.
“Sometimes we forget that it can be a stressful and overwhelming time caring for a baby. Having these services close to home is key in ensuring parents feel supported in those difficult days when you’re adjusting to life with a new baby,” Ms Cooke said.
“The significant investment into the new Tresillian Facility will ensure the centre is well equipped to provide education and support to families across the region for generations to come.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said this is all about helping families in need and services like Tresillian have such a positive impact on the wider community.
“I know this new centre will be life-changing for families. The new Tresillian centre takes an integrated care approach that includes practical advice from Tresillian Nurses around issues relating to baby, along with the option for counselling,” Mrs Taylor said.
The service is complemented by two Tresillian residential beds in the redevelopment of the Cowra Hospital, which will provide further access to families in the area requiring intensive support for persistent early parenting difficulties.
“Tresillian is committed to providing more services for families in rural and regional areas, close to home in their local communities,” Mr Mills said.
Tresillian is Australia’s largest not-for-profit Early Parenting Service offering professional advice, education, and guidance to families with a baby, toddler or pre-schooler.
Families seeking parenting support can call Tresillian’s Parent Help Line on 1300 272 736 Monday to Friday. For more advice, tips and support visit
The Cowra community can look forward to soon accessing enhanced health services within a new state-of-the art facility, with early works underway for the $110.2 million Cowra Hospital redevelopment.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke today turned the first sod at the new purpose-built facility, due for completion in 2025.
“The start of early works marks a major milestone for this significant project which will transform healthcare for our region,” Ms Cooke said.
“This $110.2 million redevelopment will provide our community with improved access to new and enhanced services, including the hospital’s first CT scanner and upgraded inpatient beds within a new, contemporary facility.
“Our community will also benefit from a new Tresillian Residential Unit which will provide new parents seeking specialist care and support in the early years of parenting with access to these services, closer to home.”
The new $110.2 million hospital will deliver:
An emergency department,
A general medical and surgery inpatient ward, including spaces to provide palliative care
A peri-operative service (a range of surgical procedures),
A maternity unit with a dedicated nursery,
Ambulatory care (services for outpatients) and Hospital in the Home,
Oral health (dental clinic),
Renal dialysis (dialysis treatment for outpatients),
Oncology (chemotherapy treatments),
Community and allied health
Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services,
Tresillian inpatient beds for new mothers and their babies, and
A medical imaging department including a new CT scanner and ultrasound, and
Staff accommodation.
Ms Cooke said Lipman has been appointed as the enabling works contractor for the project, which involves preparing the site ahead of main works construction commencing later this year.
“The redevelopment has been tailored to the needs of the Cowra community, with feedback from staff and the community informing the hospital’s two-level design, as well as access improvements, new onsite parking, landscaped areas and enhanced district views from the hospital,” Ms Cooke said.
“Over the coming weeks, the existing buildings at the rear of the site will be demolished, alongside earthworks to prepare the site for construction of the new hospital, expected to start on site later this year.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the redevelopment will ensure that the health needs of the Cowra community and surrounding areas are met for many years to come.
“The Liberals and Nationals in Government know how important health care is in the regions, and this $110.2 million redevelopment of Cowra Hospital will not only change lives, but save lives,” Mrs Taylor said.
All patient services will be maintained and continue to operate at the existing Cowra Hospital throughout the redevelopment.
The Cowra Hospital redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
Since 2011, the government has established more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 130 currently underway – of those, more than 90 are in rural and regional areas.
Steph Cooke | 19 Jan 2023 | All LGAs Community Health News Services
Members of the community considering a career as a nurse or midwife are being encouraged to choose a rewarding career with NSW Health, with support available through cadetship and scholarship programs this year in 2023.
“There is no doubt that our community stands to benefit from more people taking on the vital skills of nursing and midwifery, and there is no better place to learn and work than in our public hospitals,” Ms Cooke said.
“These cadetship and scholarship programs will help further boost and upskill our nursing and midwifery workforce to meet the growing demand in our public hospitals well into the future.”
The programs are available to people across the state, not just for recent school leavers but also for people considering a career change.
The cadetships and scholarships will provide professional and financial support to those interested in taking on these rewarding careers in our world-class health system.
The Enrolled Nurse Scholarships offer a position in the Diploma of Nursing program, cover course fees and lead to employment as an enrolled nurse in a NSW Health facility, following standard recruitment and registration processes.
The Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program, and Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships provide Aboriginal people with the opportunity to receive financial and professional support during their university studies.
The NSW Government announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history in the 2022-23 Budget with a $4.5 billion investment over four years for 10,148 full-time equivalent staff to be recruited in hospitals and health services across NSW.
The NSW Government is also incentivising hard-to-fill, critical roles in hospitals and health facilities with an $883 million investment targeted at recruiting and retaining staff in regional, rural and remote areas.
Steph Cooke | 06 Dec 2022 | All LGAs Community Health News
95 per cent of melanoma and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun, and can be prevented with proper sun protection.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has issued a timely reminder of the importance of sun safety, with a newly released melanoma hotspot map showing that 23 of the 25 melanoma hotspots are in regional NSW.
“With summer now upon us, the map serves as a reminder to take simple protective measures when outdoors,” Ms Cooke said.
“Melanoma is the most common cancer among young Australians and the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in all Australians,”
“Regardless of where you live it is important to take on skin protection measures, so you minimise the risk of developing melanoma.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said despite having one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, many of us are still not doing enough to reduce our skin cancer risk.
“This should be a real reminder to our regional communities, if you step outside, whether it’s at the beach or for a walk to the shops or along the river, apply sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, cover up and seek shade,” Mrs Taylor said.
Cancer Institute NSW recently launched a powerful new skin cancer campaign targeting the nearly 70 per cent of 18-24 year olds who fail to protect their skin outdoors.
The campaign focuses on the invisible but potentially lethal threat of UV radiation, illustrated through the use of arrows penetrating unprotected skin.
The most effective defence against UV radiation is to follow five key steps before leaving the house: Slip on protective clothing, Slop on SPF50 sunscreen, Slap on a wide brimmed hat, Seek shade, and Slide on sunglasses. Sunscreen should always be re-applied every two hours.
The new $6 million Canowindra HealthOne, announced as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget, is a step closer with the NSW Government announcing that the existing hospital site as the preferred location.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said by building the HealthOne at the current Hospital site, it will enable patients to receive a range of health services at the one location.
“After extensive examination of both the proposed sites at Mill Street and Canowindra Solider Memorial Hospital, including seeking the views of the community, I’m happy to announce that the build will be progressing at the current hospital site,” Ms Cooke said.
“Through the due diligence site selection process, a number of important factors were considered from traffic assessment, flood planning, proximity to central business district, and future expansion opportunities.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said services at the new HealthOne Centre will include a general practice, along with other community and allied health services.
“Having these teams working together under the same roof makes it easier to better manage health needs of our communities and keep people out of hospital,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Thank you to the community, Cabonne Council, and healthcare staff for providing their feedback, including through the online survey and information sessions, which helped us arrive at a location decision for the Health One development.”
Western NSW LHD will shortly begin the planning and approval processes and will seek to appoint a health design and an architectural consultant.
This will result in a final design to be carried forward through to construction.
The NSW Government has committed a record $11.9 billion investment towards building and upgrading our state’s health infrastructure over the next four years to 2025-2026, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
The NSW Refugee Health Plan 2022-2027 will ensure that people from refugee backgrounds have better access to healthcare communicated in their preferred language to improve their health and wellbeing.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the NSW Government’s investment of $15 million into the NSW Refugee Health Plan 2022-2027, on top of the $20 million it already provides annually to support refugee health.
“The Plan not only recognizes that refugees have unique healthcare needs, but has priority issues such as communication in preferred language, cultural responsiveness of care and targeted promotion and education at its heart,” Ms Cooke said.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that refugees who live or arrive in the area have the best access to appropriate health care services.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the plan was developed in collaboration with people from refugee backgrounds to improve access to healthcare that is culturally responsive and takes into account the impact of traumatic life experiences.
“People from refugee backgrounds, including those seeking asylum, make an incredible contribution to Australia’s social, cultural and economic life, and it’s vital that they have equitable access to healthcare to give themselves and their families a bright future,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Seeking healthcare can be a challenge for people from refugee backgrounds, and this plan will help them access and navigate the right health services when needed while overcoming any communication hurdles, in both country and city areas.”
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said ensuring refugees can access proper healthcare for themselves and their families is fundamental to their settlement journey in NSW.
“As humanitarian crises continue to grip the world, we are seeing more people asking to come to NSW to find safe haven,” Mr Coure said.
“Their settlement journey, however, doesn’t end once they arrive—it also includes ensuring they can have ongoing access relevant services, like healthcare. This plan sets out a pathway for people of refugee backgrounds to access specialised, culturally responsive healthcare in NSW.”
Steph Cooke | 05 Dec 2022 | Cowra Shire Health News
Work to deliver the new $110.2 million Cowra Hospital will commence in the coming weeks, with the early works contractor appointed for the new state-of-the-art health facility.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is pleased to unveil the latest designs for the hospital redevelopment marking a significant milestone in the delivery of the new purpose-built health facility for the Cowra community.
“This is an exciting announcement for the Cowra community, with early work for the hospital redevelopment to start in the coming weeks, bringing enhanced health services tailored to the needs of our community another step closer,” Ms Cooke said.
“New artist impressions showcasing the design for the redevelopment, which will be built on the existing site and provide modernised health services and facilities for patients, staff and the local community.”
“We’ve listened to feedback from staff and the community which has informed the hospital’s two-level design, as well as improved access and onsite parking, new landscaped areas and enhanced views from the hospital.”
“We’re now encouraging the community to view the latest designs, provide their feedback and ask questions at upcoming community information sessions with the project team.”
The new $110.2 million hospital will deliver:
An emergency department,
A general medical and surgery inpatient ward, including spaces to provide palliative care
A peri-operative service (a range of surgical procedures),
A maternity unit with a dedicated nursery,
Ambulatory care (services for outpatients) and Hospital in the Home,
Oral health (dental clinic),
Renal dialysis (dialysis treatment for outpatients),
Oncology (chemotherapy treatments),
Community and allied health
Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services,
Tresillian inpatient beds for new mothers and their babies, and
A medical imaging department including a new CT Scanner and Ultrasound
The redevelopment, and the unique history of the existing hospital is being captured through a detailed photo archival, which will provide a photographic record of the Cowra health service for the local community.
“We’re committed to integrating the hospital’s rich history and the community’s long held connection with the site into the new hospital’s Arts and Culture initiatives, which are being developed as part of the redevelopment,” Ms Cooke said.
Drop-in community information sessions for the redevelopment will be held at Cowra Civic Centre on:
Wednesday 14 December, 12.00pm-1.00pm and 4.30pm-5.30pm
Lipman is the enabling works contractor for the Cowra Hospital redevelopment.
Main construction works for the redevelopment is expected to commence in 2023 after early works are completed.
The Cowra Hospital redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
Since 2011, the government has delivered more than 180 health capital works across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway – of those, more than 90 are in rural and regional areas.
