GIN GIN COMMUNITY CARE NEWS Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre

GIN GIN COMMUNITY CARE NEWS
Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre
August/September 2015
August/September
Issue 72015
Issue 7
We are a not-for-profit organisation that caters to the needs of the local community. Our aim
is to enfich the lives of the people in our community. Please fell free to drop in!
Opening hours: 8.30am—4.45 pm Mon to Fri
4 Dear Street, Gin Gin Phone 4130 4630
Email ggnc@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
KEVIN LEMMON HAS RETIRED!
Kevin is retiring after 14 years with the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre. Kevin commenced
working with the Neighbourhood Centre when it was being run by the Community Alliance.
The Neighbourhood Centre was then placed under the umbrella of the Kolan Shire Council
and later the Bundaberg Regional Council. Kevin commenced as a volunteer prior to
becoming an extremely valuable employee with Council.
Throughout his time, Kevin has been instrumental in working with Gin Gin and surrounding
areas in a variety of programs including emergency relief and setting up processes to
meet legislative requirements. He has run workshops and training for disadvantaged
youth, young unemployed, socially disadvantaged groups, computer training, support to
community groups as an advisor and MC for events and functions. With Kevin’s guidance
the centre won ministerial awards 2 years running. Kevin’s years of experience and
community involvement will be a huge loss to the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre and the
surrounding community.
From all of us at the Neighbourhood Centre, Bundaberg Regional Council and on behalf of
the Gin Gin Community, we wish Kevin every success and happiness in his retirement and
thank him for his contribution to the community.
Reminder : The Gin Gin neighbourhood Centre has relocated and is now
integrated with the Council Service Centre Dear Street. Pop in and say hello!
Centrelink—The Centrelink office is still operating from 39 Mulgrave Street.
Opening hours are
from 9.00am to 11.45am.
Operational Supervisor of Community Care:
Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator:
Community Care Facilities Coordinator:
Neighbourhood Centre Support Worker:
Kirstin Harrison
Tricia Cross
Steve Mallan
Anita Lee
Our Volunteers :
Kelly & Karen
If you have a community notice you would like to put into
the next newsletter, please drop it in to the
Neighbourhood Centre, or email it to
ggnc@bundaberg.qld.gov.au. We’d love to share your
news with the wider community!
Tax time again. MyTax should be up & running mid-August.
ETax is still available to use but this will be the last year before
everyone has to use MyTax which is in MyGov
Is your washing machine broken down?
Need a new computer for your studies?
Are you a low income earner and have a
Tax Help is a network of community volunteers who help
people complete their tax returns during tax time. This is a
free and confidential service. Volunteers are fully trained,
accredited and supported by the Australian Taxation
Office (ATO).
These volunteers are people from within the community who
give up their time each year. They are not ATO staff, but they
receive training and support from us.
Tax Help is suitable for people with simple tax affairs who
earn around $50,000 a year or less. Tax Help operates
from the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre. For bookings
phone 4130 4630.
health card?
Drop into or phone the Bundaberg
Neighbourhood Centre and talk to them
about a No Interest Loans Scheme
Application. Ph: 41531 614
Loans of up tp $1200 are available for all
approved purchases
Celebrate Seniors Week
Bus Trip to Botanical Gardens
Wednesday19th August 2015
Join us for a lovely day out at the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens
Located on Mt Perry Road on the city’s northern outskirts, the Botanic Gardens sprawl over 27
hectares of land and feature a variety of 10,000 trees and shrubs. A magnificent lake, creating a
habitat attracting up to 114 species of birds, is centrepiece of the Botanic Gardens, while a wedding
chapel, shaded picnic areas, themed boardwalks, Japanese gardens and children’s playground
enhance the appeal of one of Bundaberg’s favourite lifestyle precincts. Train rides, Hinkler House,
Hinkler Hall of Aviation
Bus leaves 8.45am
• Bus returns 2.30 pm
Neighbourhood Centre , Dear Street, Gin Gin
Free Bus
&
morning tea provided.
Bring your own lunch or purchase lunch at Café 1928
Train will be operating. Enjoy a stroll through the gardens,
Feed the ducks, enter the attractions or just relax.
Bookings’ Essential: 4130 4630
Community Events Directory
Free Community Movies at the Moncrieff in Bundaberg
Mon August 17th @ 10am “The Second Best Marigold Hotel” (PG)
Mon Sept 7th @ 10am “The Monuments Men” (M)
Mon Oct 12th @ 10am Concert—”Music in Schools” 2$ Entry
Mon Nov 2nd @ 10am “The Butler” (M)
Contact the Moncrieff Theatre for more information
Free Playgroup—Mobile Playscheme
Dear St Park—Gin Gin 1st, 3rd, & 5th Tues each month
Heusman St Memorial Park—Mt Perry 2nd & 4th Tues each month
Contact Bonnie: 0429 892 225
Free Seniors Bus Trip to the Botanic Gardens—19th Aug
Bookings Essential—Call 4130 4630
Free Seniors Expo—20th Aug
For Information—Call 4130 4630
Gin Gin Athletics: Every Sat 8.30—11.30 am
Sport & Recreation Grounds
Contact: 0429 381 936
Gin Gin Bowls Club Bingo: 6pm—Every Thurs
Contact: Ritchie Manderson 4157 2588
Gin Gin Bowls Club BBQ: Third Fri every month 6pm
Contact Ritchie Manderson 4157 2588
Gin Gin Bowls Ladies Day: Every Wednesday 12—4pm
Contact: Cath Manderson 4157 2588
Gin Gin Bowls Mens & Mixed Social : 12.30pm Every Saturday
Contact Ritchie Manderson 4157 2588
Gin Gin Golf Club BBQ: Every first Friday of the month
GG Golf Club at Bundaberg - Gin Gin Road
Contact Geoff Brandon 4156 2403
Gin Gin On Road Remote Control Racing: 2nd Sat of Month
GG Track located on cnr Station St & Mulgrave St.
Contact: Michael Acquasanta 0488 732 873
Gin Gin Soccer Club: 3.30 pm Thursday
Recreation Grounds—Contact
Gin Gin Theatrical Society Bingo: 2nd & 4th Mondays 9.30am
Godfrey Wilson Hall
2nd & 4th Fridays 6.30pm
Contact Wendi Guy 0404 360 174
Judo Juniors : Every Tues & Thurs 4—5 pm
National Fitness Hall (Mulgrave St)
Contact: Ivan Hills 0439 573 575 / Tamara Kelly 4157 2085
Judo Seniors: Every Tues & Thurs 5—6.30 pm
Fridays 4.30—6.00 pm
National Fitness Hall (Mulgrave St)
Contact: Ivan Hills 0439 573 575 / Tamara Kelly 4157 2085
Quilting Club:- 9.30—3pm Every Thursday
Meets at Boolboonda Hall (on Mt Perry Road). Cost $2.00
Contact: 4178 5903
Tai-Chi: Every Mon 9.30—11.30 am
Youth Centre—Contact: 4130 4630
The Music Group: Last Sunday of every month 1.30—5pm
Youth Activity Centre Contact: 4156 3122
Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre can help you with the following…..
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Legal aid referrals
Photocopy service
Clerical services
Email services
Fax service
Document printing, binding and laminating
Completion of forms
Tax help for low income families and individuals (August to
October)
Administration support (Letters, Resume)
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 Referrals and information (aged care, youth, children, women's
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Community group activities
Tai Chi
Seniors internet kiosk
Volunteers
Taylor Street Legal Service
Community group activities
Ladder of learning (one on one individual need computer use/training)
Referral to emergency relief and assistance
issues, health, mental health, community housing, legal aid,
directions, community groups, disability, medical, domestic
violence, dispute resolution)
If you are 50 or over did you know that you have FREE access to the Seniors
Broadband Kiosk located at the Gin Gin Neighbourhood Centre.
Not sure about the whole computer thing and would like to learn?
Free Tutoring is also available by appointment.
Phone: 4130 4630
KOLAN COMMUNITY OPTIONS
NEWSLETTER
August/September 2015
NEWSLETTER
Bundaberg Regional Council celebrated National Volunteer’s Week on the 12th
May with a morning tea to welcome 89 people who regularly come along and
volunteer, giving freely of their time across all the Council programs. The staff of
Kolan Community Options would also like to say a HUGE thank you to our
volunteers here in Gin Gin. Without their support and commitment we would not
be able to provide all the great services we do, especially at our Day Program
Program at the Centre and when we go on outings. Their
extra set of hands and their caring manner is always
appreciated by our clients!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH….. Pauline, Karen, Ana,
Glenda & Joe
Cheers Linda and staff
Commonwealth Home Support Program
Just an update on the CHSP which commenced on the 1st July 2015 and
replaces the HACC program for people who are over 65 (over 50 for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
Aged Care information and access to assistance is available
on the Federal Government’s My Aged Care website
www.myagedcare.gov.au and by contacting
the My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
People needing Community Care will be screened for eligibility through
My Aged Care and may have a face to face assessment in their home
by a Regional Assessment Officer or by the Aged Care Assessment Team.
Once assessed, referral for services are then sent to Service Providers
who will contact you to arrange commencement of services. As your needs
change you can contact your Service Provider and be assisted to contact
the My Aged Care Centre to be referred for additional support if required
or be referred for Assessment for a
Consumer Direct Care Package as
your needs increase.
NAIDOC WEEK
l.NAIDOC
- National Aboriginal &
Islander Day Observance Committee
5th—11th July, 2015
On Tuesday 7th July, clients, volunteers
and staff from the Day Program visited the
Yarning Circle, on the grounds of the Gin
Gin Historical Society, to honour NAIDOC
Week.
We spent a lovely morning
admiring the Circle that was made by local
Gin Gin High School indigenous students
with guidance and funding from the
Jinjinburra
Indigenous
Corporation.
Faren, one of our support workers who is
also part of Jinjinburra, gave us a very
interesting,
insightful
talk
on
the
Indigenous culture and traditional ways.
Faren also played his Didgeridoo which is
always a crowd pleaser. We must also
send out a very special thank you to
Faren’s wife, Tanya, for making us an
awesome ‘NAIDOC Week’ inspired cake
which we had for morning tea. It was
delicious and very thoughtful.
Kolan Community Options Staff
Linda Lucke Co-ordinator
Lee-Anne Tober - Social Support Supervisor
Kaz Campbell Administration
Community Support Workers
Karen Lindsay
Gayb McNally
Faren Munro
Vanessa Frame
Volunteers
Joe - Ana - Pauline - Karen - Glenda
KOLAN COMMUNITY
OPTIONS
Office phone number:
4130 4626
Office hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
If the matter is URGENT contact
Linda Lucke on
Mobile: 0414 684797
Let’s Talk About….
Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a condition that is common all over the world. It is estimated to affect 1 in 350 Australians and
more than 30 people are diagnosed every day. Here some facts so we understand this condition a little better…
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Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, which is characterised by both motor (movement) and
non-motor symptoms.
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Parkinson’s may affect anyone at any time but the average age of diagnoses is between 55-65 years and
is more common in males than females (5:4).
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Parkinson’s is primarily related to a lack of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which conveys
messages between neurons to ensure effective planning, initiation and maintenance of movement.
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The most common causes of Parkinson’s is environmental, oxidative stress, genes and multi-factorial
Ok so what does environmental, oxidative stress, genes and multi-factorial mean?
Environmental - this area covers medications that are responsible for causing symptoms resembling Parkinson’s
and also exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, herbicides that may have contributed to the
diagnoses of Parkinson’s.
Oxidative Stress - Oxidative processes are basically part of the natural aging process. Oxidative Stress is what
can happen over the aging process. Our Dopamine levels (what keeps us young) are markedly reduced causing
extra stress on our body. Some specialists say that Parkinson’s is a accelerated aging process…
Genes - Like many other conditions it is possible that Parkinson’s has been passed down through the family
gene pool, though this has only been found in approximately 15% of cases. In these cases it has been found in
younger individuals.
Multi-Factorial - This is when there are more than one cause of the Parkinson’s diagnoses.
Symptoms
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Tremor - This is the most common recognised symptom but can also be common to other conditions. The
tremors normally start on one of the body, but over time it can be felt on both sides of the body. The tremor
can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, fatigue and lack of sleep.
Bradykinesia - This can be the most disabling symptom of the condition and refers to the slowness of
voluntary movements. Initially it may be misinterpreted as slowing due to age - however it is not excessive
from normal aging. Bradykinesia affects critical aspects of daily living such as walking, talking, swallowing,
speaking, thought processes and can also affect facial expressions.
Muscle Rigidity - This is a symptom that may not be apparent to the person but may be felt by a medical
practitioner when assessing the flexation of movements. Again this normally starts on one side of the body
and then moving to both sides as the condition progresses. Muscle rigidity is commonly present in the
wrist, shoulder and neck.
Postural Instability - this symptom often develops later in the progression of the condition. As the name
suggests it involves changes to a individuals posture and gait. Often the person will slightly lean to one
side and may have a shorter stride length and may even shuffle.
There are many other symptoms that include but not limited to : Anosmia, anxiety, constipation,
depression, fatigue, changes in verbal fluency and volume, changes in handwriting, excessive saliva and
difficulty eating/drinking due to poor swallowing and mouth closure and increased sensitivity to
temperatures.
The symptoms listed above reflect changes some people may experience. Not everyone will experience all
symptoms. For this reason a review by a medical specialist with an interest in Parkinson’s is recommended.
Medical Options for Parkinson’s
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Medications to assist with dopamine levels. The most common medication is Levodopa.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
Parkinson’s Australia has a lot of information that they can assist you with if you require more
information, have questions or need assistance and guidance. Free call number is 1800 644 189 or
alternatively their website is www.parkinsons.org.au.
The information I have provide has come from the Parkinson’s Australia factsheets.
KOLAN COMMUNITY OPTIONS
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
AUGUST 2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
1st
Jeans for Genes Day
Horses Birthdays
1st
Day Program
First Day of Spring
4th
Day Program
2nd
Bundaberg Transport
5th
Bundaberg Transport
3rd
Day Program
6th
Day Program
6th
Father’s Day
10th
Dental Health Week
8th
Day Program
Healthy Bones Week
9th
Bundaberg Transport
18th
Day Program
10th
Day Program
19th
Bundaberg Transport
15th
Day Program
20th
Day Program
- Senior’s Expo
16th
Bundaberg Transport
17th
Day Program
22nd
Day Program
23rd
Bundaberg Transport
24th
Day Program
24th
25th
26th
Hearing Awareness Week
Day Program
Bundaberg Transport
27th
Day Program
30th
Walk In The Park
- Parkinson’s Awareness Day
Quote
“When women hold off from marrying men, we
call it independence. When men hold off from
marrying women, we call it fear of
commitment.”
― Warren Farrell