This comes after a rescission motion was put forward in the Greater Hume Shire Council meeting last week.

At the crux of the debate was whether or not the funds should be quarantined for use within Holbrook or be directed to the Shire as a whole for services not yet determined.

Greater Hume Shire Councillor John McInerney lodged the rescission motion with Council after their December meeting when a report on the hostels was presented by General manager Steve Pinnuck which suggested that the monies be used to “expand and improve health and medical facilities in Greater Hume Shire Council”.

Cr McInerney said, “I believe that where a community makes a significant contribution to a facility such as Holbrook did, both financially and materially, Council would be wise to make an exception to the argument (that we are one council and that the funds should not be set aside for one community).”

The Holbrook Health and Medical Services Working Group have formed to work towards more comprehensive medical services in the town.

Cr McInerney added, “There have already been positive signs -albeit early - of attracting another doctor to the town at least on a part time basis.”

Cr John Ross spoke against the motion saying, “As I see it if this goes ahead, this will be the beginning of the disintegration of the Shire for the simple reason that we have worked together as a council since 2004 and if this decision goes through we will become a divided council.

“It is very dangerous and that is why I moved the amendment at the last meeting and it was carried by a large margin, it is the best thing for the Shire,” Cr Ross went on to say.

Also in the motion, an amount of $17,500 will be refunded to the Holbrook Sub Branch of the RSL in recognition of the contribution that they made to the establishment of the Hostel.

Secretary of the RSL, Ian Harpley said, “The RSL is happy to receive the money and we will endeavour to use it towards welfare and supporting other things in the town.”

The RSL Sub Brach wrote a letter to GHSC in July last year detailing the contributions they made to the hostel and stating that they made the arrangements with Holbrook Shire to support war widows in the area and would like to see that support continue.

“We will be pleased as long as people within the RSL have access to and benefit from the services,” he said.

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