Issue 4 - Belconnen Community Service

Transcription

BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter
A CONNECTED, ACTIVE & STRONG COMMUNITY
Issue 4 - 2013
October 1 – December 20
In this issue...
• 10 Gardens, 10
Teams, 10 Hours
– BCS 10/10
p10
Project
• A Time Capsule
Ticking in
Margaret
Timpson Park p11
Take flight
with Skywhale
in Belconnen
Photo by Martin Ollman
• Flying Colours for
Evatt Kids’ Club
p21
Contents &
Acknowledgements
Message from the CEO
Get Involved in Belconnen
10 Gardens, 10 Teams,
10 Hours – BCS 10/10 Project
BCS celebrations
BCS awards
Belco goes to Boopa Werem
Broadway at BCS - Bards of Bridges
Christmas Lights Tours
News from BCS services
social@BCS
gallery@bcs
theatre@bcs
A Time Capsule Ticking in Margaret
Timpson Park
BCS and DisabilityCare Australia
Flying Colours for Evatt Kids’ Club
Employee Profile – Leon Mason
corner@bcs School Holiday Program
Community Calendar
Wow moments
CONTACTS
Belconnen Community Service
Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court,
Belconnen.
PO Box 679, Belconnen, ACT 2616.
Tel: 6264 0200
Fax: 6253 2901
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.bcsact.com.au
www.facebook.com/BCSACT
FOLLOW@BCSACT
www.bcsact.com.au
Australian Government
Department of Industry, Innovation,
Climate Change, Science, Research
and Tertiary Education
BELCONNEN COMMUNITY SERVICE INC.
ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE OF:
The ACT Government
• The ACT Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate
• The ACT Community Services Directorate
• The ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate
• The ACT Health Directorate
The Australian Commonwealth Government
• The Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
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Message from
the CEO
2013-2015 at our Annual General Meeting on
November 23.
In this issue, you’ll read stories of acclaim,
achievement and triumph over adversity. In the
back pages, Belconnen Community Service (BCS)
employees share “wow moments” from their work
that bring them personal joy.
You’ll also find out about how to be involved in upcoming projects and events in Belconnen including
free holiday activities for young people. There are
programs for the community centre, gallery@bcs and
theatre@bcs, and information about ways to find help
and assistance when you need it most.
Would you like to get your hands dirty in a mini
backyard blitz? Read about our 10/10 gardening
project on page five.
As the days grow longer and the fresh winds of spring
blow through blossom-covered branches, I wonder
how the year has managed to slip by so fast. Then I
reflect on all that has happened since term four last
year and I wonder how we managed to fit it all in.
Our final newsletter for 2013, is an opportunity for
us to reflect with pride and appreciation on all the
many ways in which we have come together with
our community to celebrate, collaborate, grow new
initiatives, and tackle new challenges.
A highlight of the year has been our work toward
reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. We
have enjoyed hosting and attending a variety of
celebrations and events. We will launch our second
Reconciliation Action Plan which covers
Are you an emerging DJ or part of a great new band?
Find out how you can play a gig at the corner@
bcs. When can you see the monumental Skywhale
at Belconnen Arts Centre? Read about these
opportunities and more on page four.
Many will remember our fantastic Christmas Lights
tours from previous years. Find out how to get on
board the community bus and join in the fun on page
ten.
Are you or is someone in your family living with
disability? BCS is preparing for the introduction of
DisabilityCare Australia and invites you to take part in
conversations that matter about innovative support.
Find out more on pages eighteen and nineteen.
I look forward to seeing many of you around
Belconnen in the coming months. And as the winds
soften and the sun grows stronger, I wish you a fruitful
and fun end to a year of shared activity and great
outcomes.
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This photo shows the crowd at
the Sorry Day walk which I had
the pleasure of attending with
other BCS employees.
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter
Issue 3 - 2013, 29 April - 22 July
Take Flight with Skywhale
at Belconnen Arts Centre
For your chance to see or take a ride in the Skywhale,
visit Belconnen Arts Centre on Saturday 5 October 8:3010:30am. Everyone’s invited to get creative and there
will be fun activities for kids and families on the day.
Enquiries: 6173 3300 or
[email protected]
Evening Art Classes at
Belconnen Community Centre
Belconnen Community Centre’s Spring Sessions Art
Taster Program had a very successful launch, with the
first workshop reaching full capacity! The workshop
saw participants creating beautiful slumped glass
pieces, using glassworking techniques learned from the
fantastic Gordon and Sally of Divine Glass Design.
The Slumped Glass workshop was the first in a series
of six evening art classes that will give participants
the chance to try their hand at something new and
experiment with a wide variety of techniques. Other
workshops include: textile collage, coloured slip
ceramics, traditional German lantern making, painting
quirky animal characters, and fimo jewelley making.
The Spring Sessions Art Taster Program has generated
a very enthusiastic response and is the first stage of an
increased focus on evening art programs. Stay tuned for
an upcoming pre-Christmas glasswork program: a series
of four workshops, perfect for producing handmade
Christmas gifts!
Photo by Martin Ollman
For more information about evening art classes, please
contact Reception on 02 6264 0232 or
[email protected]
The Corner Calls for Bands
The corner@bcs is hosting gigs on the first Friday of every month. They’re calling for young bands and DJs that can
play a 30-45 minute set between 6 and 8:45pm.
Email: [email protected] or phone the BCS reception 6264 0200.
The corner@BCS is on the corner of Swanson Court and Chandler Street Belconnen. It’s a safe space for young
people to play pool or Xbox, watch a movie, or just hang out. It’s staffed by experienced youth workers and is open
on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-6pm and 4-9pm on Fridays.
10 Gardens, 10 Teams,
10 Hours – BCS 10/10 Project
By Graham McKerchar
Tasks include lawn mowing, whipper-snippering, light
pruning, green waste and light rubbish removal. This
year’s project will also incorporate an energy efficiency
element with the BCS Energy Efficiency Outreach Team
on hand to provide energy and water saving tips.
The 10/10 Project prioritises the need for assistance
around four key areas. If we receive more than 10
nominations, assistance will be allocated on the basis
of need, with priority given to families or individuals
impacted by the circumstances below in the order they
are listed.
• Risk of eviction or homelessness due to the current
condition of gardens
• Current condition of the garden presents a high fire
risk as we move in to bush fire season
• Physical limitations prevent the occupant from
maintaining their gardens
As the weather warms, we come out of the hibernation
of our heated houses and out into the garden. Many
of us love spending time outside, weeding, watering
mowing and whipper-snippering our own little piece of
paradise. But for some, the quick-growing season of
spring is a time of stress, worry and safety hazard. For
those of us who are unable to maintain our gardens, help
can be hard to find and professional gardening services
can be prohibitively expensive.
The 10/10 Project is an opportunity for Belconnen
Community Service (BCS) employees and their
families to give something back to our community and
experience the wonderful world of volunteering. On
Saturday October 26, ten teams of volunteers will put on
their boots and pick up their tools to provide a one off,
free garden clean-up for 10 households in Belconnen.
The 10/10 Project began last year and everyone involved
had a great day. We met inspiring people, heard their
stories, saw some fabulous gardens and really enjoyed
getting our hands dirty. We finished the day with an
incredible sense of achievement and we can’t wait to get
out there and do it all again.
The 10/10 Project is available to participants of
BCS programs living in the Belconnen area. If you
would like to nominate your yard for this year’s 10/10
Project, simply visit www.bcsact.com.au to download
a registration form or request a form from your BCS
worker. Registration forms can be found on the
“Latest News and Events” section under the heading
“BCS Gears up for 2013 10/10 Project”.
Registrations opened on August
1st and close on
September 30th
2013.
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• The current condition of the gardens poses a risk to
children that live there or visit regularly
If you are impacted by any of the circumstances listed
above, why not think about getting involved in the 10/10
Project? We have the date set, we have the teams of
people, we have the equipment, and all we need now is
you and your yard.
To increase the potential reach of this year’s 10/10
Project, BCS has undertaken some fundraising activities,
including a Friday the 13th themed Trivia Night in
September. Funds generated will be used to purchase
equipment and materials for this year’s 10/10 Project so
we can do that little bit extra at some of the nominated
properties.
For any volunteering project to work, we need
volunteers. This year, we invite volunteers from outside
BCS to join in. If you would like to be involved, simply
download a volunteer registration form from www.
bcsact.com.au or contact our Project Manager, Graham
McKerchar on 6278 8126 or email graham.mckerchar@
bcsact.com.au
BCS thanks the following companies for their invaluable
support of our trivia night and the BCS 10/10 Project
for 2013: ACT Skip Hire, National Capital Motors, RSM
Bird Cameron, BWS, Westpac, SG Fleet, IGA Yarralumla,
Yarralumla Flowers, Happy Faces Face Painting,
Kennards Hire Belconnen, Hoyts Belconnen.
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter
Issue 3 - 2013, 22 July - 27 September
people.
During the
week, members of the
BCS team were invited to schools in
our area for lunchtime activities. While visiting,
they promoted the BCS Youth Week Extravaganza for
young people to come together and celebrate.
BCS Celebrations
In our final newsletter for 2013, we look back over the
past year and remember the best times with a smile.
There have been so many great outreach activities,
exhibition openings, and exciting developments.
Here are just a few:
Odgers Lane Art was launched by Minister for the arts,
Joy Burch on Tuesday 27 August 2013. Odgers Lane Art
is a community engagement project by BCS supported
by ACT Health with murals designed and painted by
Susanne Ilschner based on community consultation. It’s
in the middle of the Melbourne Building in the city,
Individual and Family Support Christmas
Extravaganza took place by Lake Gininderra on
Saturday 15 December 2012 and everyone who came
along had a ball! The Lions Club supported the BBQ,
St Johns supplied First Aid, and Copeland College
provided two great DJs. The children (and adults)
enjoyed a jumping castle, sumo suits and workshops
with Warehouse Circus. The Youth Engagement caravan
made its first appearance and a visit from Santa,
performances by Mothers Voice and The Infinite Dance
Crew where absolute high lights! Keep your eye out for
details for the 2013 extravaganza.
Youth Week (April 2013) was launched at Garema Place
in the city. BCS’s youth focused programs banded
together to create fun, energetic activities for young
Belconnen Community Service – the Movie is a
fun, eight minute video about the places, people and
programs at BCS. See it on youtube, by searching for
“Belconnen Community Service the Movie”.
At NAIDOC on the Peninsular our stall attracted lots of
interest and we enjoyed the glorious, winter sun.
Great Acclaim
Throughout the year, BCS programs, services and
employees have been recognised for their dedication,
skill and innovation. Congratulations to all on these welldeserved awards.
Emily Ballard (right) won in the category of Relationships – let’s
talk recognition
ACT Health Promotion Awards 2013
The Leisure Program received an award for “Outstanding
Achievement to Promote Health and Wellbeing in the
Community”. The Leisure Program has facilitated
workshops in smoking cessation, FoodCents (nutrition),
and introduced a range of health focused excursions. In
October 2012 a health screening project was undertaken
with support from Mental Health Week.
The Annual YOGIE Awards recognise, celebrate,
promote and reward outstanding practice in working
with young people. They highlight the exceptional
commitment, talent and innovation that exist in the youth
sector here in the ACT and surrounding area. BCS
employees and received three awards they were:
John and Serena received the award for the Leisure Program
• Matt and Eric – Bit Bent - Outstanding Contribution to
Young People Award – Winners
BCS Awards
• Emily Ballard – Outstanding Youth Worker Award Commendation
At the end of the year, BCS recognises employees
through their “All Star Awards”. 2012 winners were:
• Ciara Duggan – Outstanding New Talent Award –
Commendation
The Community Services Directorate Reconciliation
Champions Award
This award is for a person, team or community
partner of the Community Services Directorate that
has demonstrated their commitment to building and
fostering respectful relationships between Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their clients and each
other. Emily won this award for her work with the Koori
Kids program which is run as a partnership
between BCS and West Belconnen
Child and Family Centre.
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• Inspirational Volunteer – Best Club
• Leadership – Graham McKercher
• Curiosity – Helen Pettett
• Courage – Julie Gorell
• Integrity – Yolanda Ayala-Rivas
• Individuality – Simone Penkethman
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
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Belco goes to Boopa Werem
By Therese Knox
Quality Area 6 of the National Quality Framework
focuses on collaborative relationships and partnerships
with families and communities that incorporate active
communication, consultation and collaboration. We’re
building a respectful and meaningful relationship with
Boopa Werem and believe it will strengthen our ties with
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It
will give us a great understanding of cultural views and
allow us to work together with our friends at Boopa
Werem to grow with and support each other.
Carol and Vicki, the Pre-school Room Educators, sat
the children down and asked them what they thought
would be a great mascot to represent us to the children
at Boopa Werem. The discussion went for a few days
through various group time chats, and finally, they
decided on a plush dog toy and named it Belco.
The children and staff took photos of Belco in various
places throughout our centre; they brought in photos
from home, selected pieces of artwork and put them
all in a folder to send with Belco as an insight into our
centre for our new friends at Boopa Werem.
The Pre-schoolers, Vicki, Carol and I went for an
excursion to the Post Office and personally posted the
parcel off to our new friends. Were excited to hear what
our friends have to say about our parcel and can’t wait
to receive something back from them!
The staff at Belconnen Early Childhood Centre (BECC)
have been travelling on a wonderful and exciting quest
to find and form a relationship with an Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander Pre-school or Kindergarten. We’ve
searched and searched and finally found one. Boopa
Werem popped up onto our Carol’s Computer Screen.
She immediately became excited and brought the
contacts to work at BECC to show us. The excitement
overcame us and I got onto contacting them. Boopa
Werem is a Pre-school that aims their curriculum and
delivery around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Culture.
Carol danced around the centre one Friday morning
after speaking to the Director at Boopa Werem. The
Director was more than happy to take on this partnership
as they too have been searching for a service to form a
relationship with. It was like all our dreams come true.
Finally we could converse with another centre outside
of Canberra and exchange ideas, photos, art work and
programming styles.
Broadway@BCS The Bards of Bridges
By Ben Drysdale
For the last two terms I have been working with the
Bridges program facilitating Drama classes for the
Castaways and Be Active groups. The first term we had
a ball playing games and doing drama exercises, but
as the classes went on I found it hard to keep everyone
engaged in any one activity for very long. This meant
planning lots of exercises, which led to lots of exercise,
and it was becoming rather exhausting for all involved.
This continued until one day I forgot to bring my lesson
plan. What was at first a fit of panic soon became a
revelation when I decided we were going to write a story
together. The group exhibited extreme excitement as
they added to the storyline one by one until a tale of
triumph and terror had been woven. It featured cheeky
mice, vampires, kittens, a policeman, and Sadie the
cleaning lady. The class was over before any of us
realised… how time flies. My mind was blown.
So the next term we ran with it, exploring elements of
character, story, and costume with each group working
towards a performance. With Castaways, we applied
these elements to a song they had learned during their
collaboration with the ANU School of Music’s schools
outreach program. We developed the characters in the
story, created costumes, and delivered a smashing
dramatisation of “She’ll be comin’ round the mountain”,
to a crowd of beaming and bright eyed pre-schoolers
from Ginninderra Early Childhood Centre.
The Evil Dragon
When Cal Jones, who played the “Masterchef” who had
to “kill the old red rooster when she comes” was asked
how he found the experience of performing this musical
masterpiece, he said he “loved it, had lots of fun and
would love to do it again.” Having a bit more time to
work with, the Be Active group actually wrote their own
play entitled “Martin the Magnificent and the Dragon’s
Dungeon”, which features good witches with magic
dust, evil monkeys who eat chocolate banana cake that
a heroic knight has laced with sleeping potion so he
can save his princesses, and (obviously) an Evil Dragon.
The Be Active show will be performed in theatre@bcs
on Wednesday September 18th and if today’s rehearsal
is anything to go by, those pre-schoolers will leave
beaming with equal brightness.
The evil army of monkeys drift off to sleep after eating their
bedtime banana cake
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Martin the Magnificent and his trusty steed
Denise the Donkey pour sleeping
potion into the cake mix
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
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Christmas Lights 2013 Christmas Lights Tours 2013 WHEN: Tuesday December 17th, Wednesday December 18th & Thursday December 19th at 7:30pm. COST: $5.00 per person Christmas Lights Tours 2013 promise to provide more fun filled evenings, as we enjoy the sights of the Christmas lights of Canberra’s northern suburbs. With transport provided by the Belconnen Community Bus Service, we can collect you from home or you can arrange to meet the bus at the Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court Belconnen. Please contact the Belconnen Community Bus Service on 6251 2100 to register with the service, to place a booking or for more information about the tours. Transport @ BCS
“Committed to a connected, active and strong community”
The Community
Bus Service
ACT Government
funded initiative
The Community Bus Service is an Ais
CT an
Government funded initiative
Bridges and Castaways
ER is a federally funded program that assists people
in urgent need to access food vouchers and food
items; emergency clothing and seasonal goods, such
as blankets in winter. ER can also help with the cost
of prescriptions, medical services including specialist
appointments, funeral travel, and expenses relating to
other exceptional circumstances. Some requirements
and exclusions apply but we do our best to help in any
way we can. We also provide referrals to appropriate
programs including free financial counselling and
budgeting assistance.
To access ER or to find out more information please
drop into the Community Centre between 2-4:30pm,
Monday to Friday. Our ER Coordinator will be happy to
discuss your particular circumstances and requirements.
If you’re a participant in a BCS Program please speak
to your case manager who can liaise with the ER
Coordinator on your behalf.
Bridges is a community access program which provides
support for people with disabilities, enabling them to
gain skills and participate in community activities.
Castaways (Community Access and Skills Development
Program) provides skills and recreational opportunities
for people with a disability.
This semester, our budding chefs in the Bridges program
have hosted the wonderful volunteer tutors with Red
Cross’ Healthy Food Healthy You course. As a flow on,
we’ve had a series of cooking classes which introduced
never-tried-before foods for some of our cooks. Cal
now eats rice, Michael and Leanne have been cooking
at home and Malcolm has given up sugar. They all ate
kangaroo meat and tried new vegies.
Our Be Active and Castaways groups have had a
colourful, creative, challenging and colossal emergence
into the world of performance arts. Yoga has given us
new flexibility, and we’re enjoying working with Tim
Burke for the art class which is preparing for the I-day
Exhibition in December.
Help when you need it most
The Child, Youth & Family Gateway is a service for
children; young people and families who are looking for
help with the tough stuff, but are not sure where to go.
We have links to all kinds of programs & services that
can help people to have the best chance to stay on track
in their lives.
In December 2012 the Community Services Directorate
in partnership with Barnardo’s, Belconnen Community
Service, Woden Community Service and YWCA
established the Child, Youth and Family Gateway. It’s
an ACT wide centralised information and referral service
that provides the linkage between community members
and support services. You can contact The Gateway by
phone, email, and via our website, and don’t forget to
follow us on twitter, @TheGatewayACT 1800 647 831,
[email protected] www.thegateway.org.au
One of the many programs offered through Belconnen
Community Centre is the Emergency Relief & Assistance
Program (ER). This is a walk-in service offered
each afternoon from Monday to Friday
between 2pm and 4:30pm.
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
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social@bcs
Mary Porter MLA
with Duncan Smith
and young artists,
Kaihdyn and Kahira
Andrae at the
opening of Ginar
Maliyan exhibition
in gallery@bcs for
NAIDOC Week.
Mick Gentleman
MLA, Simone
Penkethman and
Suzanne Ilschner
at the launch of
Odgers Lane Art.
Carrie De Block
and Felicity
Spellman with
nappy-cake and
sock bouquet
at Carrie’s baby
shower,
corner@bcs.
Friday the 13th Trivia Night – 10/10 Fundraiser
Allison Sullings
Brad Munro - Johnston
Leon Mason and friend
Caitlin Crispin
Gabriela Castillo
Kylie Moore and Karyn Ferraris
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
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What’s on in gallery @bcs
Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen
Open 9:00am – 4 :30pm Monday-Friday
Connectivity
A selection of Multimedia works submitted in the
Mindscapes Festival Art and Photography Competition.
September 30th-October 18th
Official opening Thursday October 3rd 6pm
The Mindscapes Art & Photography Competition
is on again this year to celebrate Mental Health
Week. The theme this year is “Connectivity “and the
exhibition is open to anyone to enter in any medium.
Winners in the competition will be selected from 3
categories: Open, Carer/Consumer and Student.
For more details please contact Kate on 62640200.
[email protected]
Growing Strong Children
within our Community
An artwork exhibition from children attending the
Playgroup in the Park at Dunlop
October 21st - November 1st
Official opening Thursday 24th October 2013 10am
morning tea provided
This exhibition was created by children attending
Playgroup in the Park at Dunlop on Thursday
mornings. Parents, carers and children come from
all over the Belconnen region to attend this program
which includes activities such as painting, craft,
stories and singing. The playgroup participates in
events that include: Reconciliation Day, Multicultural
Day, Harmony Day, Children’s Week, Mother’s Day
and Father’s Day. Guest speakers attend regularly
to provide information to parents and carers on local
services.
This exhibition celebrates children in our community.
The tree represents the community which provides
deep roots for strength and stability, a place to call
home. with messages of reconciliation from the
West Belconnen community.
Colours of Our Country
An exhibition of paintings by Keith Carfrae
November 4th - 15th Official opening
Thursday November 6th 6pm
Mysteries Within
An exhibition of drawings by Aboriginal Artist Rhonda
Kennedy
November 18th -29th
Official Opening November 20th 6pm
My name is Keith Carfrae and I have lived in
Canberra for around 12 years. Painting and the arts
are very important to me as they create a feeling
of wellbeing, happiness, and achievement within
me. The Belconnen Community Centre is a special
place for artists, providing the environment, and
great staff to assist and encourage any person. I
like to paint Australian landscapes in any medium,
with special colours of our country. Such colours
and shapes are my real interests and I endeavour
to paint to make others happy as well as myself. To
all, I wish you good viewing and hope this exhibition
makes you happy.
I draw mostly when suffering from episodes of
severe depression. I don’t set out to create artwork
and never think of a finished product. I just put
pen to paper and draw. I use drawing as a way to
express my internal thoughts and feelings.
There are dark, secretive, stories of twisted pain
captured in these lines. There are mysterious hidden
thoughts within. They are expressions of psycho
human nature. I have never felt that I have had to
explain any certain piece of work. A picture is a
picture and that is what it is. Hopefully, it can speak
for itself or whatever the viewer wants it to say.
21 Reasons
A multimedia exhibition in celebration of I-Day by
Belconnen and Woden Community Services
December 3rd – 13th
Official Opening Wednesday December 4th 3pm
Join local artists and play-makers to celebrate the
21st anniversary of International Day of People with
Disability.
Throughout the year they have been busy making
perfect paintings, marvellous masks, colourful
costumes and berserk ball drawings.
And now YOU can see them! Don’t miss it!
This show proudly comes to you from Belconnen
and Woden Community Services.
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
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Warehouse Circus presents:
Turn the Page
Sneak Peak into
theatre@bcs
Warehouse Circus presents:
Circus for Life Opening Night
Little Show of Horrors
Friday November 1st – Sunday November 3rd
7pm each night plus 2pm Matinee Sat and Sun
Libraries are boring, predictable places, right? WRONG!
Step inside this delightful world of adventure, fantasy
and intrigue, where unsuspecting Library patrons
experience the true wonder of turning over the page…
Sitting down to a nice quiet dose of fiction? Think again!
In our library, the characters jump off the page and
bring the story to life. Bring the whole family along to
this plate-spinning, cartwheeling, trampoline jumping
carnival of escapism! Info and tickets
www.circusforlife.org.au
A Halloween Special Event – Audience dress up!
Thursday October 31st 7:30pm
Cost: Adult $15 Concession $10
This is no ordinary showcase, as the ghosts and ghouls
of the professional world are summoned to perform for
you. We can confirm the feature performance will be by
Melbourne based Almost Exactly Circus and that they
will perform alongside a coven of local professionals for
your viewing pleasure!
Through the evoking of these kindred spirits of Circus
past and present a kind of dark magic will be unleashed
which will bubble over without end from this night
of nights until the close of the festival on the 16th of
November – for in these three weeks CIRCUS will RULE
the WORLD!!
Tickets: www.circusforlife.org.au
Dance Northside presents:
Annual End of Year
Showcase Season
Tuesday November 26th – Thursday November 28th
Kids showcase 6pm , Junior Youth and Adult
Showcase from 7:30pm
$10 for Kids Showcase, $15 for Showcase
or $20 for both performances.
Dance Northside (established in 2007) is a
community focused, recreational Dance
School based in Kaleen ACT. We provide
quality, age appropriate, educational,
non-competitive and fun dance classes in
a safe and nurturing environment.
Information and www.dancenorthside.com.au
A Time
Capsule Ticking
in Margaret
Timpson Park
By Simone Penkethman
In 2001, the Centenary of Federation, young people
who were participants in Belconnen Community Service
(BCS) and Warehouse Circus programs buried a Time
Capsule in Margaret Timpson Park.
Where are they now? What’s in the capsule? When
should we dig it up?
The plaque in the park (pictured) says that it’s to be
exhumed in 2011, ten years after its burial. We’re now
in 2013, the Centenary of Canberra, and the capsule
and its contents remain a mystery to most and a hazy
memory to a few.
Former Belconnen Community Arts Officer, Maryann
Mussared says that there was a big event around the
internment of the capsule in 2001 with dancing, singing,
costumes and a federal politician. Artist, Phil Nizette
who made the capsule says that it’s a cylinder about 60cm long.
BCS has contacted two young people from Warehouse Circus, who are now not so young any more. Rachel says,
“Ah such a long time ago! I remember this vaguely, I think there were just some old photos and things put in it.”
Tom says, “Cool. I vaguely remember that...”
BCS wants to unearth the capsule before this year’s end. Do you know anything about it or its contents?
Do you have a great idea for an unearthing event? If so, we want to hear from you.
Contact: [email protected] 62640200
Phil Nizette of Wellspring
Environmental Arts and Maryann
Mussared, former Belconnen
Community Arts Officer were
both involved with the time
capsule project and are keen to
see the capsule unearthed.
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17
BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter
Disability Care Australia and
Disability
DisabilityCare
Care
Australia
Australiaand
and
Belconnen
Community
Service
Belconnen
BelconnenCommunity
CommunityService
Service
PROVIDE
PROVIDE
PROVIDE
INNOVATIVE
INNOVATIVE
INNOVATIVE
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
WITH:
WITH:
WITH:
VISION,
VISION,
VISION,
PLANNING
PLANNING
PLANNING
AND
AND
AND
COORDINATION
COORDINATION
COORDINATION










Money management
Money
Money
management
management
Household management
Household
Household
management
management
Prepare for leaving home
Prepare
Prepare
forfor
leaving
leaving
home
home
Social and communication skills
Social
Social
and
and
communication
communication
skills
skills
development
development
development
 Find and maintain accommodation
Find
 Find
and
and
maintain
maintain
accommodation
accommodation
 Assistance to access education or training
Assistance
 Assistance
to to
access
access
education
education
or or
training
training
 Transport
Transport
 Transport
 Find informal supports to help you live
Find
 Find
informal
informal
supports
supports
to to
help
help
you
you
livelive
independently
independently
independently








Think outside the box
Think
Think
outside
outside
thethe
boxbox
Innovative ways to achieve your goals
Innovative
Innovative
ways
ways
to to
achieve
achieve
your
your
goals
goals
and
aspirations
and
and
aspirations
aspirations
 Link people and families together to
Link
 Link
people
people
and
and
families
families
together
together
to to
benefit
from
shared
experience
benefit
benefit
from
from
shared
shared
experience
experience
 Find services you need
Find
 Find
services
services
youyou
need
need
 Help make your plans happen
Help
 Help
make
make
your
your
plans
plans
happen
happen
 Provide information
Provide
 Provide
information
information

 

 

INCREASING
INCREASING
INCREASING
INDEPENDENCE
INDEPENDENCE
INDEPENDENCE
AND
COMMUNITY
AND
AND
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
PARTICIPATION
PARTICIPATION
PARTICIPATION
Belconnen
Belconnen
Belconnen

ARTS, SKILLS
ARTS,
ARTS,SKILLS
SKILLS
AND
AND
AND
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
Examples of things you might like to
Examples
Examples
of of
things
things
you
you
might
might
likelike
to to
include:
include:
include:
 Living skills
 Living
 Living
skills
skills
 Recreation activities
 Recreation
 Recreation
activities
activities
 Support to travel and go on trips
 Support
 Support
to to
travel
travel
and
and
gogo
onon
trips
trips
 Art classes
 Art
 Art
classes
classes
 Fitness classes
 Fitness
 Fitness
classes
classes
 Social dances
 Social
 Social
dances
dances
 Community events
 Community
 Community
events
events
 Theatre and concerts
 Theatre
 Theatre
and
and
concerts
concerts
 Only limited by your imagination
 Only
 Only
limited
limited
byby
your
your
imagination
imagination
RECRUITING,
RECRUITING,
RECRUITING,
MANAGING
AND
MANAGING
MANAGING
AND
AND
PAYING
PAYING
PAYING PERSONAL CARE
EMPLOYEES
PERSONAL
CARE
CARE
EMPLOYEES
EMPLOYEES PERSONAL














Identify what you want and need from a
Identify
 Identify
what
what
youyou
want
want
andand
need
need
fromfrom
a a
paid
support
worker
paidpaid
support
support
worker
worker
Employ or choose people
Employ
 Employ
or choose
or choose
people
people
Attract new employees, write job
Attract
 Attract
newnew
employees,
employees,
write
write
job job
descriptions,
interview
and
induct
your
descriptions,
descriptions,
interview
interview
and
and
induct
induct
youryour
own applicants
ownown
applicants
applicants
Get the best from your employees by
Get
 Get
the the
best
best
fromfrom
your
employees
employees
by by
exploring
attitudes
andyour
values
exploring
exploring
attitudes
attitudes
andand
values
values
Manage risks, safety insurances, workers
Manage
 Manage
risks,risks,
safety
safety
insurances,
insurances,
workers
workers
compensation,
superannuation,
PAYG
compensation,
superannuation,
superannuation,
PAYG
PAYG
etc.compensation,
etc.etc.
Provide employees with support,
Provide
 Provide
employees
withwith
support,
support,
planning
andemployees
professional
development
planning
planning
andand
professional
professional
development
development
Focus on performance improvement and
Focus
 Focus
onperformance
performance
on performance
improvement
improvement
andand
address
issues
address
address
performance
performance
issues
issues
INTERVENTIONS
INTERVENTIONS
INTERVENTIONS
AND
SUPPORT
AND
AND
SUPPORT
SUPPORT












Behaviour management plans
Behaviour
 Behaviour
management
management
plans
plans
Early intervention for children with
Early
 Early
intervention
intervention
for children
for children
withwith
autism
autism
autism
Counselling
Counselling
 Counselling
Group recovery
Group
 Group
recovery
recovery
Art therapy
Art
 therapy
Art therapy
Resilience building through creative
Resilience
 Resilience
building
building
through
through
creative
creative
projects
projects
projects










Personal support and care
Personal
 Personal
support
support
andand
carecare
Holiday care
Holiday
 Holiday
carecare
In home respite care
In home
In home
respite
respite
carecare
Emergency short term care
Emergency
 Emergency
short
short
termterm
carecare
Assistance to access health services
Assistance
 Assistance
to access
to access
health
health
services
services
SPENDING
SPENDING
SPENDING
PLANS
AND
PLANS
PLANS
AND
MONEYAND
MONEY
MONEY
MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT








Help you to develop and manage a
Help
 Help
youyou
to develop
to develop
andand
manage
manage
a a
budget
budget
budget
Pay your bills
Pay
 Pay
youryour
billsbills
Help you to negotiate services and costs
Help
 Help
youyou
to negotiate
to negotiate
services
services
andand
costs
costs
Prepare and submit financial reports to
Prepare
 Prepare
andand
submit
submit
financial
financial
reports
reports
to to
the
Disability
Care
Australia
the the
Disability
Disability
CareCare
Australia
Australia
For more information:
For For
more
more
information:
information:
FOLLOW@BCSACT
FOLLOW@BCSACT
FOLLOW@BCSACT
Belconnen Community Centre
Belconnen
Belconnen
Community
Community
Centre
Centre
Swanson Court Belconnen ACT 2617
Swanson
Court
Belconnen
ACTACT
2617
Swanson
Court
Belconnen
2617
PO Box 679 Belconnen ACT 2616
PO Box
679679
Belconnen
ACTACT
2616
PO Box
Belconnen
2616
Phone 02 6264 0200 I Fax 02 6253 2901
Phone
02 6264
0200
I FaxI Fax
02 6253
2901
Phone
02 6264
0200
02 6253
2901
Email [email protected]
Email
[email protected]
Email
[email protected]
Flying Colours for
Evatt Kids Club
“The interactions between the educators and children
were of very high quality and there was a strong focus
on giving children agency throughout the service
program. The service has also established strong links
within the local and wider community.” - Children’s
Policy and Regulation Unit
All early childhood education and care, and outside
school hours care services in Australia undergo an
assessment and rating process. It covers all aspects of
the service, from management through to the planning
and implementation of the curriculum.
There are five rating levels within the National Quality
Rating and Assessment:
• Excellent
• Exceeding National Quality Standard
• Meeting National Quality Standard
• Working Towards National Quality Standard
• Significant Improvement Required
BCS congratulates Evatt Kids’Club on its ‘Exceeding
National Quality Standard’ rating given by the
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality
Authority. The National Quality Framework ‘My Time,
Our Place’ was introduced for school age programs
on January 1 2012. It ensures that children in School
Age Care have opportunities to engage in leisure and
play-based experiences which are responsive to their
needs, interests, and choices and contribute fully to
their ongoing development. ‘Exceeding National
Quality Standard’ is an outstanding result to achieve
so recently after the implementation of the Framework.
It shows the great commitment from the educators
towards the children, families and community. It’s also
a true recognition of the dedication, reflective practice
and learning culture of the educators.
“We felt validated that the hard work the whole
educator team put into to developing our Service
Philosophy was evident. We’re excited that it was
obvious from the report that our commitment to our
‘Community of Learners’ approach is visible to those
that visit the program as well as being just part of
what we do every day.” Kylie Moore, Evatt Kids Club
Director.
the dedication and enthusiasm of our team at Evatt is
unparalleled (in my humble opinion). They are not only
great to work with, but great to spend time with out of
work. Great people seem to gravitate towards BCS from
what I’ve seen in the few months I’ve been working here,
actually…
What has been your greatest achievement
working for BCS?
The greatest of all the achievements I have reached
thus far is being part of a brilliant team of Educators at
Evatt Kids Club who achieved a rating of ‘Exceeding the
National Quality Standard’ in our Assessment and Rating
period – only the ninth overall and second Out of School
Hours Care program to achieve this result across the
A.C.T.
Employee Profile
Interview with Leon Mason
By Leon Mason
Which program do you work for:
I have had the fortunate luck of working across many of
our School Aged Care programs, but Evatt Kids Club is
where I belong!
Describe your role: I assist our director in delivering a
brilliant program for the children of Evatt Primary School
that we’re fortunate enough to share our afternoons with!
We create new and challenging programs that engage
our children and share these experiences with them. We
spend time getting to know our children; their ideas,
goals, lives, hopes and include these into our program,
focussing on the growth and development of our children
while also sharing Evatt Kids Club with our parents, the
Primary School and wider Evatt community.
What is the best thing about your role:
The best part of my job is the great people I get to spend
my time with. The children that we have at Evatt Kids
Club are wonderful, inquisitive, engaging individuals with
their own views on life and idiosyncrasies. The staff
team that we have at Evatt are also fantastic people to
work with. In School Aged Care we tend to have a bit
of friendly rivalry about who has the best staff team; but
21
What are you currently working on that
excites you?
The fact is every day that I come to work there is a new
and refreshing challenge waiting for me. Having the
opportunity to go and lead at our other programs beyond
Evatt Kids Club, seeing how we are each just a little bit
different in process, yet are all striving towards the same
goal of achieving high quality outcomes for the children in
our care has been a real eye-opener for me. This excites
me every week, every shift, every program. You just never
know what might be happening on any given day and
how your involvement can impact on that.
What do you do in your spare time?
Hahahahaha. Spare time? What’s that?? When not at
work, I am a member of our Branch Scout Team. I run
leadership and training courses for Scouts (aged 10.5
– 15) across Canberra and assist in the delivery of the
scouting program. Additionally, I am a member of the
Australian Contingent Team to the National Jamboree in
New Zealand this coming January and am on the Welfare
Team for this years’ Scouts and Guides Gang Show. I
enjoy going to the movies, I barrack for the Brumbies
and the Melbourne Storm, enjoy a good laugh and play
wheelchair basketball.
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BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter
School Holiday Program Spring 2013
the corner@bcs
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 12pm to 5pm Friday: 12pm to 9pm
The corner@bcs is located on the corner of Swanson Court and Chandler St Belconnen. The
corner@bcs is staffed by experienced youth workers and provides a safe space for young
people over 12 years old to hang out. A range of activities is offered every day including: pool
table, table tennis, board games, books, X-Box, Wii, and craft. The school holiday program is
offered in addition to these daily activities.
This program is an ACT Government funded youth initiative.
30th Sept
CLOSED
Holiday
7th Oct
CLOSED
Public
Holiday
1st Oct
2nd Oct
3rd Oct
Zone 3
Laser Tag
4th Oct
Pizza and Pool
Comp
Bubble Wrap
Onesie Party
Rock Climbing
& BBQ Lunch
8th Oct
9th Oct
10th Oct
11th Oct
Hoyts
Magician
Madness
Murder
Mystery Party
Hatching
Chickens
Hatching
Chickens
Crafternoon
Hatching
Chickens
Live Music
6pm - 9pm
•Cost and Bookings: All excursions, activities and workshops are offered FREE of charge! Bookings and permission
notes are essential for all off-site excursions. Due to popular demand in recent School Holiday Programs,
excursions will now be allocated via a preferential voting system, please see the permission note for more
information.
•Transport: We arrange transport to all excursions which is either via BCS Buses or if the activity is close by we will
walk there as a group.
•Departure times: Please arrive at the corner@bcs by 12.30pm for all excursions unless otherwise specified.
For further information, enrolment and permission forms please contact:
BCS Reception: 62640200 or Helen Pettett: 6278 8140
BSC
Community
Calender
Term 4
2013
Call Reception on 6264 0232
GROW Meeting
1.30pm – 3.30pm, Room 1
Mutual support and self-help
group
Call Kristin on 6295 7791
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
1.45pm – 2.45pm, Gym
A women-only fitness class for
Mental Health consumers
Call John on 6264 0202
Monday
Expressive Art
4.30pm – 5.30pm, Art Room
For children’s mental health; ages
6-10
Cost: $30 per term, concession
available
Call Susan on 6264 0242
Mother’s Voice
10am-12pm, Belconnen Library
Community Room
FREE
For mothers with babies and pre
school aged children
Call Reception 62640232
Yoga with Chandrabindhu
10.15am – 11.15am, Gym
Cost $8.50/$6.50conc.
5.45pm – 7.15pm, Room 2
Graduated exercises are
achievable and challenging for all
Cost $16.00/$12.00 conc.
Call Chandrabindhu 0432208763
Social Badminton
ACT Shotokan Karate
Aerobics – Low Impact
10.30am – 12.15pm, Sports Hall
A social game for all levels of
players.
Cost $4.00/$3.00conc.
6.30pm – 8.30pm, Sports Hall
Improve your fitness, strength,
flexibility and coordination
Cost $40.00 per month
Call Ryan on 0414 802 429 or
Wally on 6254 6593
Mature Fitness
11.30am – 12.30pm, Gym.
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Tuesday
Get Into Reading – D2DL
LPACT Women’s Group
12.00 – 1.30pm; LP Mental Health
Program. Light lunch provided; no
cost
Tiny Tumblers
10am – 10.45am, Sports Hall
11am – 11.45am, Sports Hall
Educational Gym Play for underfives.
Cost: $80 per 9 week term
Call reception on 6264 0232
My Art – Open Art Mental
Health/Bridges CASD
10am-12pm, Art Room
Integrated mixed-media art class
Contact Kate on 6264 0232
Women’s Swimming Group
11am-12pm, CISAC.
Contact Janine on 6264 0232
Mature Weights
11.30am – 12.30pm, Gym
Please arrive 15 minutes early
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Swiss Ball Class
12.30pm – 1.30pm, Gym
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Social Chess, Backgammon,
Scrabble
12.30pm – 2.30pm, Community
Room @ Belconnen Library
LP Mental Health Program
Scribblers Writing Group
12.45pm – 2.45pm, Room 1
Creative writing to form friendships
and produce anthologies
Call Steve on 6251 4996
1.30pm-3.30pm, Woden Library
Great fun, beginners welcome;
D2DL Mental Health Program.
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Aerobics/Circuit Class
12.30pm – 1.30pm, Gym.
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
23
BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter
Open Art Mental Health
Painting, Drawing and Print
Making
1.00pm-3.30pm
With Tim
Cost $50 per term
Call Kate on 6254 0232
Stay on Your Feet
2:00pm – 3:00pm, Gym
Strength and exercise for falls
prevention
Taoist Tai Chi – Beginners
A series of slow, graceful
movements designed to relax
the body and mind, improve
concentration and to develop
flexibility and strength
Call the ACT branch on 6249 6117
Wednesday
Mature Strength
10.00am – 11.00am, Gym
Cost $6.50 conc.
Little Hands Artventures
10.00am – 10.45am, Art Room
Fun and creative Art Play group for
2-4 year olds.
Cost: $80 per 9 week term
Contact reception on 6264 0232
Mature Fitness
11.30am – 12.30pm, Gym
Includes the use of Swiss Ball and
hand weights for better strength
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Advanced Badminton
Call Clive on 0424 659 497
Weights Plus
12.30pm – 1.30pm, Gym
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Swimming@CISAC
Buy a voucher at the Belconnen
Community Centre with your
membership
$2 per swim; no class
Interchange AA Group
12.30pm – 1.30pm, Room 1
The only requirement is a desire to
stop drinking
Call Judy on 0408 051 203
Yoga
1.30pm – 2.30pm, Room Two
Integrated for Special Conditions
Contact Janine on 6264 0232
Social Badminton
2pm –3.30pm, Sports Hall
A social game for any level of
player
Cost $4.00/$3.00 conc.
Acting
Drama group for self-designated
performers. For children’s mental
health; ages 6-10
Cost: $30 per term, concession
available
Youth Art Class
Claymation project; ages 12-16
Cost: $30/term, conc. available
Bruce Toastmasters
(fortnightly)
6.00pm – 7.30pm, Room 2
Call Andrew Wirth: 0408 117 113
ACT Shotokan Karate
Cost $10 /each or $40 month
Call Ryan on 0414 802 429 or
Wally on 6254 6593
Canberra Tamil Badminton
Also play Sundays 9am – 10am
Call Sri 6258 0633
Thursday
Fun Fitness with Judy
10.00am – 11.00am, Gym
Cost $8.00 per class
Call Judy on 6288 0768
Belconnen Women’s Group
10.00am – 12.00pm, Room 1
Outings, guest speakers and fun
for women aged 50+
Call Ian on 6259 8068 or Barbara
on 6258 7263
Meditation
11.15am – 12.15pm, room 2
Calming mediation with Serena;
LP Mental Health Program.
Friday
Call Serena on 6264 0232 or
6293 3951
Mature Strength
Mature Weights
11.30am – 12.30pm, Gym
Please arrive 15 minutes early
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
10.00am – 11.00am, Gym
Personalised weight training and
exercise for people over 60
Cost $6.50 conc.
Lunchtime Volleyball
Philosophy@Woden
Call Michael on 6252 5955
Every second Friday at 10.00am;
Woden Library community room;
no cost. Call John on 6264 0202
Stretch & Flex
12.30pm – 1.30pm, Gym
Gentle stretch and flex exercises
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Conversation Group
10:30am-11:30am, One Moore
Café Civic
Contact Serena on 6264 0232 or
6293 3951
Stay on Your Feet
2:30pm – 3:30pm, Gym
Strength and balance for falls
prevention
Open Art Mental Heath
Mosaics
10.00am – 12.00pm, Art Room
Join artist Tony in creating mosaics
Cost $50.00 per term;
Walking Group
1:30pm
With Margaret and Scott
Positive Links
10.00am – 1.00pm, Room 2A
friendly social group for people
who have experienced a stroke or
other life-changing experience
Call Intake on 6264 0200
Beginning Badminton
Come join in the fun
Cost $2.50 per session
Mum’s n Bubs Art Class
Warm Hearts Social Group
10.00am – 12.00pm, Art Room 2
A variety of Art activities for Mums
(and Dads), bubs welcome
Cost $6 per class/$50 10 weeks
Community Room @ Belconnen
Library 3.30pm – 5.00pm
LP Mental Health Program.
25
Social Badminton
10.30am – 12.15pm, Sports Hall
All levels of players are welcome
Cost $4.00/$3.00 conc.
Mature Fitness
11.30am – 12.30pm, Gym
Cost $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Weights Plus
12.30pm-1.30pm, Gym
Strengthen your core muscles and
experience an overall workout
Costs $8.50/$6.50 conc.
Advanced Badminton
A social game of badminton for
advanced players
Call Clive on 0424 659 497
Open Art Mental Health
Sculpture & Ceramics
Create sculptures with artist Tony.
Cost $50 per term
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
1.30pm – 2.30pm, Gym
Fitness class. LP Mental Health
Program.
Happy Fridays
3:00pm to 4:00pm, Room 1
Fun group activities to finish your
week off with a grin. LP Mental
Health Program
Call Serena on 6264 0232 or
6293 3951
BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter
So I flicked
out an email to our
transport volunteers to see if
anyone would be prepared to assist us with
this support on a regular basis. And here is the first
amazing thing to occur in this story; I had a volunteer come
back to me who is happy to help five days a week.
Unbelievable!
WOW Moments
“How cool would it be if we all shared our
“Wow” moments?”
Graham McKerchar - Community Transport
“I’m always excited to hear WOW moments and they do add a smile to my day.”
Sally Paterson - Bridges and CASD
Local Area Coordination
Recently, I attended the Hearing Expo, held at the Hellenic
Club. It was a very interesting experience in that I was
plunged into the world of Hearing Impairment. I realised
that it was I who had the greatest disadvantage as I could
not understand majority of the people there.
Although I’ve worked in the disability field for approximately
8 years, I’ve had very little exposure to hearing impairment
and how it affects people.
I watched the conversations that were going on in the
room in awe. I didn’t understand any of them. I now know
that this is how some hearing impaired people feel when
they are in the community. I was fascinated with watching
people talk with their hands.
I now know what I would like to do when the opportunity
arises, [learn to sign] so the next time I attend a Hearing
Expo or meet someone with a hearing impairment I am
able to have a conversation with them. Debb Moger
Social Support
M is a 57 year old lady who has recently had major surgery
for cancer and is on very strong medications which affect
her short term memory. She suffers from depression
brought about by the short term memory issues, social
isolation and the dramatic changes in her life.
M called our transport program requesting assistance to
go to the chemist six days a week to collect medication.
On hearing her story, I wanted to provide additional
support such as friendly visiting and escorted outings.
I tried to contact M and kept getting an answering
machine. As I was packing up at the end of a long and
busy day, my phone rang, and you go through the, “will I
answer it, won’t I answer it?”
I decided to answer it and I am so glad I did because it
ended my night on an absolute high! I was able to talk to
M about the possibility of going shopping or to the lake to
feed the ducks, or to the museum, or pretty much anything
she wanted to do so that she could reconnect with her
community. She got really emotional because she will now
have the opportunity to do things she’s only dreamt about.
I have to admit, her response even brought a tear to my
eye. Graham McKerchar
Child Youth and Family
Gateway
A referral came to the
Gateway from the police
that seemed like a
straightforward assessment
and referral. A grandmother
who was singlehandedly
caring for her three teenage
grandchildren had concerns
for her grandson who was
getting angry and isolating
himself. She didn’t know
what to do anymore. It only
took 15 minutes out of my
day to listen to this lady
and another 15 minutes
to link the young person
and his grandmother into
supports but in return I
received an unexpected
shower of gratitude and
thanks for what I’d done.
What took half an hour of
my time, it seems lifted
this grandmother out of
isolation and gave her
hope to continue caring
for her grandchildren. It’s
experiences like this that
remind me that I’m dealing
with the lives of human
beings. What only takes a small part out of my day
makes a big difference and renews hope to the lives I am
honoured to briefly be a part of. It makes coming to work a
pleasure. Linda Norris
Community Care
We are very fortunate to have Desi, a student from Monash
University, on placement in our unit.
Our Program Officer, Nicole has been working with Desi
and taking her on home visits to see Nicole’s unique style
of Case Management – believe me Nicole really gets things
done! They’ve been working with a Case Manager at Red
Cross to assist three gentlemen from war-torn Sri Lanka
who are living in community detention.
All three men have lost legs as a result of bomb injuries.
They all speak little English and are extremely socially
isolated. They all have prosthesis which are ill-fitting – to
the extent where the femur of one man’s leg is growing
27
through the stump and causing extreme pain. The men
are dealing with trauma and suffer from PTSD as a result
of their experiences including the loss of family members in
Sri Lanka.
Nicole and Desi have been trying to obtain funding to
enable the purchase of suitable mobility scooters. As the
men are asylum seekers and not residents of Australia,
it has been a difficult task. There are no funds to assist
asylum seekers for these aids.
Through dogged determination, Desi has been able to
procure funding through Salvation Army to purchase three
scooters from Technical Aid for the Disabled ACT. Each
scooter costs between $500-700 so it is a very generous
donation. As a result of this fabulous donation and the
persistence of Nicole and Desi these men will soon be
able to access the community, do their own shopping and
improve their confidence and independence. Sue Aylen
ong community
r
t
s
&
e
v
i
t
c
ected, a
n
n
o
c
A
BELCONNEN COMMUNITY
newsletter

Issue 4 - Belconnen Community Service

Transcription

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