A dedicated group of local residents campaigned for the return of health services in Preston, and key features of the campaign were:

• rallies and public meetings
• letter writing campaigns
• regular newsletters to the local community
• sending a delegation to meet with government ministers
• street theatre
• enlisting the support of local business and sporting organisations
• running a mock trial in the main shopping area of the Health Minister's rural electorate and leafleting the town during the state election campaign. (the Health Minister was not re-elected)
• obtaining a commitment from the incoming government to build and fund a public health facility on a site close to the former hospital.
• having representation on the committee of management of the promised public health facility.

Here is a  photographic record of this successful community campaign.

Third PANCH rally a success

MAINTAIN THE RAGE OVER PANCH

The Rally held on Saturday 3rd July, was an outstanding success.The purpose of the Rally was to launch the "Purple Information Centre" and try and have it open daily to give people information about the campaign, and to show the Government and the developer that we are not going away.

The Launch was made by our Federal MP Martin Ferguson, and he spoke to about 500 Darebin residents present about the need for governments to recognise the health demands of the community. He was warmly applauded. He was followed by the Shadow Minister for Health, John Thwaites, who indicated his Party’s support for our demand for an "Integrated Public Health Facility" on the PANCH site.

Marion Harper and Martin Ferguson launch the "Purple Palace"

Marion Harper from the Preston Reservoir Progress Association and its sub-committee, the People for PANCH, urged the community to ‘maintain their rage’ at the continuing deterioration of health facilities in our City.

John Thwaites addresses the gathering

Residents queue to sign PANCH petition

The community were delighted to note that representatives from the Building Trade Unions were present to offer their solidarity in our campaign. They indicated that they would continue to support our struggle.

A cake stall, a white elephant and books stall were most successful in raising money for the cause, and the ‘sausage sizzle’ was declared ‘the best’ by those attending.

The gathering was entertained by northen suburbs musician Casey Bennetto

People for PANCH take to the streets

People for PANCH took a unanimous decision to participate in the May Day March this year in order to demonstrate our opposition to the health policies of the State Government.

May Day has long been celebrated by working people around the world as a day to express their views on society and how its decisions affect the people.

People for PANCH had a very colourful float, decorated in "purple" for PANCH, and we made it clear that privatisation of our health services was not acceptable to the people of Darebin. Because of the importance of the anti privatisation issue, our float was given pride of place in the leadership of the march, immediately after the May Day banner.

People in the city were left in no doubt about our views on health care and the issue of hospital facilities in our City. It was a very successful day.