A man suffering renal failure is forced to go onto peritoneal dialysis.
His brother decides to donate a kidney accepting the risks, even death.
The operation forever changed the lives of these two brothers.


INTRO: “I remember waking up in the early hours of the morning …”  
OUTRO: “… it also changed my life as well” 	
DURATION: 2:00


The Gift of Life

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Intro: It may have begun as a black and white film in 1939, but Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has adapted one of the world’s most famous stories into a musical and it’s coming to the South Coast. Steven White reports.

Intro: With their 40th birthday approaching 
Outro: no place like home on UOW News.

Duration: 60 seconds

Wizard Of Oz News Item JOUR216

Intro: The South Coast is certainly a natural attraction …
Outro: … leaving rail passengers struggling to get on board. This is Steven White reporting for UOW News.
Duration: 4:41

News Reader: The NSW Government has now phased out 14 of its paper tickets and is encouraging people to get involved with the new OPAL card system. Not everyone on the South Coast is ready and people are concerned they’re going to be caught out. Steven White has the story.

Steven White: The South Coast is certainly a natural attraction that invites visitors from around the world to its warm climate and laid back lifestyle. Sydney accounts for around 40% of the market according to Destination NSW. For many people the only means of transport to areas like Nowra, Berry and Gerringong is via train.

The transport minister Gladys Berejiklian has recently announced $2.8 million in rail upgrades. This will include 65 new trains. The far South Coast line isn’t included and will be relying on its ageing diesel train. On top of that, the OPAL card is now underway and rail commuters are confused. 

Kate Morris has raised her family in Nowra and has a son who uses the train.

Kate Morris: “I hadn’t heard much of the OPAL card as a parent of a teenager who uses public transport I’m certainly interested in learning more but currently there’s no information out there or how to obtain one. It’s my understanding it’s $40 to top up the card as well which to me seems quite excessive for public transport for children and also with school excursions how does that impact on families with children attending excursions and then who’s responsible for sorting out the cards for children”

Steven White: Concerned parents aren’t the only ones raising questions about the new system. Local Labour candidate Fiona Phillips met with rail users at the Bomaderry Train Station. Apart from the questions on phasing out paper tickets, pensioners are also wondering how is the OPAL card going to affect them and who can they talk to.

Fiona Phillips:  Why aren’t our rail staff selling the tickets? Our closest retailer is at Kiama which is in the shopping centre in the central business district – you can’t even change train and get a ticket at Kiama. I’m concerned in terms with that with access. 

Steven White: Residents south of Nowra are also questioning how they can purchase an OPAL card if there are no retailers.

Fiona Phillips: We have our station there but we also have a large drawing population from people down at Ulladulla and Sussex Inlet and a commuter from Sussex Inlet actually asked me about it, they can’t buy a ticket anywhere around physically so certainly the government needs to address the implementations.

Steven White: And this is where the problem appears to sit with commuters. The purchasing of the OPAL card. For those fortunate enough to have an internet service and a credit card, the cards can be purchased and mailed out within 7 days. 

Despite concerns from commuters Liberal member, Gareth Ward rejects any issues that have been raised and is happy with the rollout.

Gareth Ward: I live in the Shoalhaven part of my electorate, the place that would be most affected. I travel on the train every week, at least once, sometimes more. Nobody, nobody has raised with me their concerns about Opal card other than the complaints by Labour, who tried to introduce exactly the same system, but spent a whole lot of tax payers' money and didn't deliver it.  

Steven White: Some people have got on board with the new system and despite having problems with topping up the card are happy with the result. Which is exactly what the Minister for Transport is hoping to hear. Jake Owens from the University of Technology in Sydney uses the train to get to the South Coast.

Jake Owens: It’s very convenient, it’s quicker, I don’t have to cue especially when catching the airport train and I might be late for it and I just bypass all the cues but so far it has been very fast.

Steven White: For those people that are concerned Mr. Ward has this advice.

Gareth Ward: Anyone who is concerned about getting an OPAL card. All they have to do is pick up the phone and one will be mailed out directly to you. Like e-tag you don’t buy e-tags at the petrol station.  Broadly the public are welcoming in, you only need to look at the number of people that have signed up to OPAL card, now over half a million in a relatively short space of time.

Steven White: The government is keen to get people on the OPAL system. They’ve been organising a series of popup kiosks at local train stations so commuters can buy the cards and ask questions. 

UOW News contacted the OPAL card customer service centre. Enquiring when the next popup kiosk station would be available for south coast commuters. They couldn’t confirm if one would be back in October or November, leaving rail passengers struggling to get on board. This is Steven White reporting for UOW News.

Image source: Steven White, 2014.


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