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FROM two elections, a pandemic, ongoing health sagas and the opening of many new facilities there were plenty of ups and downs for Gladstone in 2020. Here are some of the highlights from the year that was. Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher and Calliope State High School Principal Pete Stansfield with students cutting the ribbon to mark the first day of high school at Calliope State High School.
It was history in the making as 165 students walked through the gates at Calliope State High School for the first time in January.
Excitement and nerves was a prevalent theme between Year 7 and 8 students as they began the first day of their secondary education.
Eight months after Queensland Health flagged its purchase of the Mater Hospital, there is still no confirmed reopening date. Queensland Health began renovations on the Rosella St facility after Mercy Health closed the Mater Hospital in October. Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher this week asked for patience from residents, with a significant amount of renovations still under way. Queensland Health director project manager office Steven Gall said substantial renovations and equipment were needed after Mercy Health stripped the facility bare and took regulators, fixtures and fittings during the move. Mr Butcher announced the purchase in April, when he claimed it would ensure the community s health services were retained and improved.
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No action will be taken regarding a complaint to the Queensland Police Ethical Standards Command concerning the investigation into an incident involving Neville Butcher and a One Nation volunteer during 2020 early voting.
At Boyne Island Community Centre on October 21, One Nation volunteer Ian Paterson alleged an incident occurred involving he and the former Queensland Police officer, who is the father of Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher.
On the day of the incident, Glenn Butcher said his father was informed of Mr Paterson when he arrived at the booth to deliver how-to-vote cards.
Glenn Butcher said Mr Paterson came up close to his father, “within an inch of his face”.
QUEENSLAND Health has officially taken ownership of the Mater Hospital, with the facility now known as the Gladstone Hospital West Wing.
The $42 million emergency department was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $21.8 billion health budget for 2020-21, with $661 million allocated for Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services.
CQ Health chief executive Steve Williamson said the emergency department would undergo more work from early 2021, and was expected to take up to three months.
The work includes fitting out operating theatres and procedure rooms as well as a new linkway between the West Wing and main hospital campus.
“The tender for the design works has just closed and is being evaluated. This phase is expected to take two to three months.”
Palaszczuk Government ramps up health services in Gladstone miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.