Daughter Emma O’Keeffe posted to social media on Saturday to confirm our civic leader had taken a tumble on a wet surface and suffered a “badly broken” ankle.
Cr O’Keeffe emerged from surgery and was quickly back online to reassure everyone she had come through the ordeal.
“Hi everyone, I’m out of theatre and everything went really well. I’m a bit groggy but wanted to thank you all for my beautiful messages, it has meant so much to me,” she posted.
Cr O’Keeffe told the News on Sunday she was out for her daily exercise, it was raining and she slipped on a shiny patch of road in Fryers St.
“My ankle went in one direction and I went in the other,” she said from her hospital bed.
Cr O’Keeffe said bystanders, including an off-duty paramedic who saw her fall were quick to help.
“When I got to hospital they knocked me out and straightened the ankle and the next day sent me for surgery to put in plates and pins,” she said.
Cr O’Keeffe revealed she was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis two years ago which causes bones to lose their strength and break more easily.
Only weeks away from an appointment with her specialist she was under instruction not to break anything.
“It is so frustrating, I was doing all the right things including wearing flat shoes,” she said.
Greater Shepparton City Council’s July ordinary meeting is due to take place at 3 pm on Tuesday.
The meeting will be done via Zoom because of the lockdown in effect in Victoria and Cr O’Keeffe is confident she will still be able to chair the meeting, even if she remains in hospital and is already hatching a plan to resume her mayoral duties.
“Obviously I’ll have to take care of myself, I will have to get one of those fancy scooters to zip around.”
Cr O’Keefe was flooded with messages of support following the accident.
“I’ve been blown away by the community response, it has been wonderful.”
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