Community Fluoride
History of Fluoride in Hepburn Shire
October 2004. Dr. Paul Connett visits Daylesford and has meeting with Hepburn Shire Council.
November 2004. HS Council tried to move a motion at a meeting in Mollongghip Hall, when Warren Maloney was Councillor, to request fluoridation for Daylesford’s water supply. Motion was defeated at a council meeting on 16 November 2004, after much discussion from the floor and people objecting.
March 2006. Maureen’s e-mails regarding non-consent letters were distributed. Anti-fluoride petition was gathered, presented to Dianne Haddon, at that time an ALP member in the upper house of state parliament. She presented petition to state parliament, but no action was taken on it.
10 May 2006. E-mail from David McRae (BAFF) to Maureen stating that Geelong had officially been notified that it was on the list for fluoridation of water supply.
25 September 2006. Maureen Corbett tried to register Daylesford Water Quality Group with DHS directory. Was informed by DHS that the group probably would not fit into their criteria for listing.
23rd – 27th April 2007 HAVE YOUR SAY unaddressed mail survey Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.
May 2007. Local doctors in medical fraternity prepared a letter, sent to DHS, requesting that Daylesford’s water supply be fluoridated. Letter was prepared and sent in secrecy, without public announcement.
July 2007. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs residents alerted about letter written to DHS from local Doctor Fraternity requesting fluoride to be added to our water supply.
July 2007 Wombat Water Watch Action Group formed (now known as Wombat Water Watch) after warning given about Doctors' letter to DHS.
14 July 2007. Zalen Glen writes a letter to Dr Greg Stewart seeking further information and requesting a meeting with wombat water watch members -Zalen, Shirley Lovell, Mary Sakara to discuss our concerns. He also stated - "Perhaps obtaining a copy of a letter which we believe may have been sent to the Health Department would be useful start." NO REPLY FROM DR STEWART OR MEDICAL FRATERNITY.
DHS gave presentation to Hepburn Shire Council and Ballarat City Council in August 2007.
December 18th article printed in the The Advocate "Fluoride Coming" announced fluoride for Creswick. Creswick is the only Hepburn Shire centre connected to the fluoride-bound Ballarat system. DHS stated they planned to eventually fluoridate all regional water systems, but that the rest of Hepburn Shire was a fair way off.
A spokesperson for DHS said it was likely the rest of the Shire would be fluoridated but planning was less advanced than in Ballarat and there were plans to fluoridate all regional water systems.
February 2008. Mary Sakara representing Wombat Water Watch Action Group and concerned residents, gave a power point presentation to Hepburn Shire Councillors at Daylesford Town Hall, regarding dangers of water fluoridation. Mary was assisted by Private Water Consultant Chris Ewan from Ballarat, who runs a water filtration business there. To view powerpoint click below
Fluoride Presentation (in Powerpoint 1.7 mb) created by Ingrid Sorum and Mary Sakara
9th april 2008 Notice in Advocate stating fluoride for Hepburn Shire
16th April 2008 Full page letter from Zachary Casper in response to notice
16th April 2008 Notice from DHS stating notice published 9th April incorrect, Central highlands Water will not be Fluoridating Daylesford.