Last roll of the dice

By Tania Martin
For months the Emerald-based palliative care unit has been under a dark cloud, facing closure as Federal Government money dries up.
Supporters have until the end of the month to come up with more than $300,000 to keep the unit open.
They have appealed to both the State and Federal Governments for help, to no avail.
Last May Fernlea House was granted an 11th hour reprieve when the Federal Government stepped in with a $270,000 cash injections.
But continued attempts this year for funding have so far failed.
Committee president Anne Davis hopes that spending time with the Ms Roxon and showing her the value of the day hospice will be enough to save Fernlea.
Unit manager Helen Pike and project manager Gerald Overton will join Ms Davis and are hoping to get a one-on-one interview at the cabinet meeting.
Ms Pike has joined recent calls by Ferntree Gully’s Hassel Rutland for politicians to spend a day at Fernlea House to see what it offers dying people.
“A visit never fails to inspire people with the work that has gone into developing Fernlea and the commitment of its staff and volunteers…but I hope we get the opportunity at least to tell her face to face,” Ms Pike said.
The community cabinet meeting will be held at Emerald College on Tuesday 19 May from 6pm.
For more details turn to page 20.