This grant will assist us in continuing to spread the word RE: prostate cancer and the importance of men from 50 years of age or if there has been history in the family, men from 40 years of age to get regular check-ups.

Basically it means to request from your doctor the test required and in doing so will detect if there is any prostate cancer present.

The figures presently show that approximately 3500 men will die this year, these figures could have easily been decreased in the basic test had been carried out.

As this area has been one of the highest incidences of prostate cancer the generosity of the grants given by both the local clubs enables our group to continue to promote prostate cancer awareness.

On behalf of the Griffith Parkinson's Support Group, would like to thank Kenji Sato for the well presented article on Shirley Gibbs, battle with Parkinson's and the life changing Deep Brain Stimulation Operation Shirley had. Thank you for making people more aware of Parkinson Disease.

I have had a lot of feedback on how good the article was. In conjunction with the article, Griffith Parkinson's Support Group Held a raffle for World Parkinson's Day, in Griffith Central which was well received, with money raised going into Parkinson's research.

As yet there is no cure for Parkinson Disease, and research into Parkinson's is vital. With medication we can only try to manage the Disease.

I would like to thank all the wonderful people who donated vouchers and goods for the raffle, they were F and R. McNabb Caltex voucher, Yenda Pioneer Butchery voucher, IL Corso Restaurant Vouchers, IGA Coffee Machine, Giuseppe's Restaurant vouchers, and Sue for her Brooms vouchers.

The four prizes were won throughout the area, going to Yenda, Whitton, Hillston, and Griffith.

Finally I would like to thank the public who purchased tickets to help our cause, people who help sell tickets, and I would like to thank Cheryl from the Griffith Central for allowing Griffith Parkinson's Support Group to sell there.

Our basin communities face unique water issues.

Nobody else in this country is burden with the issue of equitable access to water for irrigation versus environment, or water policy not supporting their community.

And the idea that we are alone seem to be forgotten by so many in the irrigation community.

While rallies and demonstrations are important and bring our community together, throwing effigies into the river or horses heads at politicians go a step too far and simply alienate us from those who dwell in the city. Politics is a numbers game.

You need to have the numbers in an electorate to be elected. Then you need to have the numbers in Parliament to be in power.

With water being a such a contentious and localised issue, and an issue at odds with the political ideals of so many Australians, it beggars the question why would any of the major political parties want to represent our people or fight for our electorate back?

For our community to bring about the changes to water policy that we want and need, we need the goodwill support of the rest of Australia.

With 40 percent of Sydney's population born overseas, we need to do more than protest. We need new community leaders who can bring our community together while also educating the rest of Australia on what we do and why it is important for the national interest.

Only once our region has Australia's support can we move ahead.

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