The iconic Lakes Entrance Footbridge will be transformed into a symbolic “waiting room” on Saturday, May 9, as the community rallies to attract a new senior doctor to the region.
The event, titled The Longest Waiting Room, will see 90 chairs placed across the footbridge at 1pm. Each chair represents one of the 90 additional weekly medical appointments that could be made available to locals if just one more senior doctor joined the Cunninghame Arm Medical Centre (CAMC).
A joint initiative between the Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association (LEADA) and CAMC, the event aims to highlight local healthcare needs in a positive, community-led way.
Dr David Campbell AM, Practice Principal at CAMC, said the practice urgently needs to strengthen its senior capacity.
“CAMC is a valued teaching practice that provides essential care while training the next generation of junior doctors and registrars,” Dr Campbell said.
“Right now, we need to bolster our supervision capacity so we can continue to meet the needs of our community.”
LEADA president Sharen Cameron emphasised that the event is also a recruitment tool, designed to show potential doctors that Lakes Entrance is a town that stands behind its medical professionals.
“This is about showing potential recruits that this is a town that values its doctors and supports its medical centres,” Ms Cameron said.
“Your voice and presence will help show the strength, care, and spirit of our community.”
Organisers are calling for 90 community members to participate by “taking a seat” on the day. Participants are asked to arrive by 12.45pm for the official 1pm photograph and media activity.
A community-provided barbecue lunch will be available from noon.
Those taking part are also encouraged to share their personal experiences regarding why local healthcare matters to them, with responses used to support the ongoing recruitment campaign.
