Victoria’s needle and syringe program has been strongly supported by all sides of politics for many years, including the previous Victorian Coalition government. Leaving aside the significant number of lives saved, the economic arguments for this initiative is compelling.

According to Commonwealth Government figures, for every dollar invested in NSPs, up to $27 dollars will be returned in healthcare cost-savings to the community –  a figure likely to increase still further in the future. 

The needle and syringe program is a vital component in a national strategy to reduce blood borne viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C.  It is estimated that in the 10 years between 2000 and 2009 NSPs have directly averted more than 32,000 new HIV infections and nearly 100,000 new Hepatitis C infections.

The program provides health education and a pathway into treatment and recovery for people who use drugs – many of whom have little other contact with the health system. 

The same research demonstrated that needle and syringe programs across Australia had prevented 140,000 years of life lost due to ill-health, disability or early death. 

I recently visited the renovated Soldier’s War Memorial and Military Museum.  

I was very impressed with the modern look of the museum and the many interesting exhibits.  

Of particular interest to me was the exhibit covering the Siege of Tobruk and the legendary Rats of Tobruk.

This reminded me of the fact that a large number of men from Bendigo and surrounding districts fought at Tobruk during the siege.  

Bendigo had a very active sub-branch of the Rats of Tobruk Association, which unfortunately closed down a number of years ago, due to reduced numbers of surviving Tobruk veterans.

Read more: Bendigo Soldiers’ Memorial opened after $5.1 million revitalisation

I am the membership officer for the only surviving Rats of Tobruk Association in Australia, which is based in Melbourne. A number of years ago the then surviving veteran members decided to open membership to descendants of Tobruk veterans.  

Since then our membership have grown to over 500 descedants from across Australia.

There are still a number of original Rats who regularly attend our meetings and functions, including our President Bob Semple.

I would like to encourage and descedants of Rats of Tobruk living in Bendigo and surrounding districts to consider joining our association.  

More information about our association and the Siege of Tobruk can be found on our Website www.ratsoftobrukassociation.org.au  Anyone interested in joining can send and email to ratsoftobruk41@gmail.com for further information.

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