That's the deadline the nursing home faces as it endeavors to bring its operation up to required standards.

At risk, according to the Federal Government authority responsible for accreditation of nursing homes, is Commonwealth funding for the home.

Although relatives and residents have been told there is nothing to be alarmed about - that is something perhaps more easily said than done.

The nursing home has been found wanting and in the event that funding is stopped, what then?

This is more than a matter of a building and a business. It is about vulnerable people and their relatives who must know as soon as possible what the future holds.

People in their senior years should be able to feel secure in their lodgings and the sooner the situation at Kirralee is resolved the better.

Phelps leaves rivals in his wake in medal bid

THOSE keeping an eye on sporting events in Beijing would surely be marvelling at the gold medal machine that is Michael Phelps.

Widely tipped to win a swag of gold medals before the Games, the American swimmer has lived up to the hype, leaving rivals in his wake as he accumulates victory after victory in individual and relay swimming events.

He has now overtaken compatriot and former swimmer Mark Spitz, who won nine gold medals, including seven at the 1972 Munich Games.

If an athlete's greatness is measured in gold, Phelps, with 11 Olympic gold medals, stands alone at the top of the tree.

And good news from Beijing is that Ballarat's Shayne Reese will receive a bronze medal for helping propel her team-mates into the final of the women's 4x100m freestyle relay.

Reese swam a sizzling final leg in the semi-final to help Australia finish a clear third with a time fast enough to secure a place in the final.

Although her time was considerably faster than her team-mates, Reese was the unlucky swimmer who had to make way for Libby Trickett.

In the final, Australia finished third and the medal for Reese is recognition for the role she played in getting the team there.