NEWSLETTER
February 2014 September 2014
WALLSEND AREA COMMUNITY CARERS INC. PHONE 4950 2555 Fax 4950 2280 EMAIL:
[email protected] www.wallsend-carers.org.au
Funded through the Home and Community Care Program (HACC). The service is managed by a management committee made up of volunteers from the organisation. Management committee members: 2013—2014 President Alf Rodway Vice President John Caban Treasurer Dale Baldwin Secretary Solara Zwaneveld General Members Loretta Block John Walmsley Moira Campbell Jeanette Turner Client Representative:
Betty Vaesson
We acknowledge the support of the following organizations:
WALLSEND DIGGERS CLUB NEWCASTLE LIMOUSINES AND HIRE CAR FASSI COMPUTING SUNNYSIDE TAKEAWAY MICHAELS SLICE OF LIFE
The summer of 2014 is upon us. Hope everyone made use of the sunscreen and hats! Management advises the following:
After nearly 30 years of service to the local community as an independent organization Wallsend Area Community Carers Inc. will merge with Mercy Services as of 1st July 2014. We will still be known as “Wallsend Carers” but will be part of the larger Mercy Services organization. From the 1st July all administrative tasks will be the responsibility of Mercy. For example this will include client records, service delivery reporting, account payments, insurances, wages, funding applications, meeting commonwealth standards and guidelines. All current assets and resources will transfer to Mercy. We are not expecting any changes to our service delivery, phone number or office location. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday programs will remain in their current form. We will continue with home visits, transports, assessments, accept new clients where appropriate, and basically have wonderful volunteers providing a great service to the community. If you would like further information or have any questions on the above please phone the office on 49 502 555. The coordinator or, if you prefer, a member of the management committee will discuss your queries with you. The CEO of Mercy Services is happy to meet and discuss / address any concerns of clients or volunteers. Just ask us to organize this for you. We will keep you up to date as further information and progress is made in relation to the merger.
to both organisations and looking forward to a great partnership.
Continuing on with good news: we are waiting for the birth of the 2nd child for Wayne and Kerrie and a playmate for Riley. Wayne is our “office neighbour”. He assures us the nursery is ready to go. All the best to the family. Program Updates:
Tuesday Luncheon: 1st Tuesday of each month Cost: $10 (includes transport and meal) BBQ: March 4th 2014 at Blackbutt Reserve Cost: $15 Bring: your own utensils / plate / cup. Clients will be picked up by the bus—need to be ready by 9am The March BBQ is a celebration of OBE (Over Bloody Eighty). For those who have reached this milestone – well done, for everyone else – well we have just have to try to live up to the example set by the OBE’s Thursday Shopping: continues each 2nd Thursday Cost: $10 Friday bus program: operating each Friday Cost: $15 We have vacancies for the Friday Program – please give us a call if you are interested. A great day out is assured. Transport: volunteers may be available to assist with your transport requirement to medical or other appointments. Cost:
up to 12 kms: $7.00 12 to 20kms: $10.00 20 to 30kms $15.00 Over 30kms: $18.00 Please note: all transport requests are to be phoned to the office. Please give as much notice as possible for transport requests. There are times when we are unable to provide transport. Another option for your transport needs is to contact Newcastle Community Transport—4961 3113. An initial referral from us may be required but any further service from them is a phone call away. In-home respite, home visitor services: remain as per the Service Information booklet. If you have any concerns in regard to any costs, questions or concerns associated with the service please speak with one of the coordinators. This will be confidential and they will assist wherever possible. Reminders: A paper / document shredder is available at the office if you have “personal”
papers you would like to turn into thin strips of paper for recycling. If required, a JP is available to witness signatures. Please contact the office for more information.
An American (Tom) decided to write a book about famous churches around the world. He bo On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs, when he noticed a golden teleph The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and for $10,000 you could talk to God. She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God.
Tom travelled across many other countries. In every church he saw the same looking golden Tom travelled to Newcastle NSW to see if Australians had the same phone. Again, in the firs Tom was surprised. He asked the priest about the sign. 'Father, I've travelled all over KEEP SMILING: If you are proud to be an Aussie pass this on!
The Blondes are back (with compliments from Solara) A blonde & her husband are lying in bed listening to the next door neighbour’s dog. It has been in the backyard barking for hours & hours. The blonde jumps up out of bed and says, "I've had enough of this". She goes downstairs. The blonde finally comes back up to bed and her husband says, "The dog is still barking, what have you been doing?" The blonde says, "I put the dog in our backyard, let's see how THEY like it! Lynn & Judy were doing some carpenter work on a Habitat for Humanity
House. Lynn was nailing down house siding, would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail & either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in. Judy, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, 'Why are you throwing those nails away?' Lynn explained,' When I pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head on the wrong end & I throw them away.' Judy got completely upset & yelled, 'You moron! Those nails aren't defective! They're for the other side of the house!' Did you hear about the two blondes who froze to death in a drive-in movie? …….They had gone to see 'Closed for the Winter.'
This Grandma is certainly planning ahead! Stating the Obvious
Not for the colour blind!
Not sure this one will make the Work Health & Safety manual.
Or you left the swimmers at home
The Volunteer Page: 2014 will be a special year in the life of WACCI. The story began in 1984. Many chapters have been written since 1984 and now 30 years later we are adding another chapter to the story. WACCI will become part of Mercy Service on July 1st. (see page 1) We all have many memories of incidents over the years. I would expect a few more to come. We are looking at celebrating the 30 th birthday by either combining the birthday with volunteer week in May or with the volunteer Christmas party in November. This is still being investigated and we will distribute the plans when they are available. We are open to suggestions – the vineyards have some great destinations, and a day on the water is always an option. With volunteer input, the future direction of WACCI will continue to be a positive, caring and supportive environment allowing everyone to give of themselves and to receive the same in return. Now is the time for lots of hugs and maybe a few tears!!!. Welcome to our new volunteers. We certainly appreciate the contribution of all our volunteers—your support is invaluable. The documentation of volunteer activity with WACCI is fantastic. We continue to be well above our contracted hours. PROMPTS: Client requests regarding service or changes to service delivery MUST be directed to the office. We record day and time of service delivery in client file. If you are not able to provide a service we will arrange for a replacement based on the information on client file. If a client asks if you are available for their next appointment, you may be available and arrangements can be made immediately BUT please ask the client to phone us and give the details. All volunteers with email / internet access are requested to check you inbox. We are sending information through email—quick, easy and cheap.
REQUESTS: Do you know someone interested in sharing their time with us. We are in need of volunteers in all aspects of service provision. Spread the word—a great way to spend some time with other volunteers, to contribute to the community and be part of a fantastic community organization. 2014 SOCIAL EVENTS:
Tuesday March 4th 2014 - a BBQ at Blackbutt Reserve (Carnley St entrance) Need to bring your own utensils. Cost is $10 if you are not allocated to bring food. For above event please RSVP to Loretta (phone: 4955 8179) or add your name to the list at general meetings. Other volunteer outings / lunches are arranged by Loretta and are usually advertised at the general meeting. Solara will also send information by email so check the inbox. May: will see a volunteer celebration – details to be determined. September 2nd: BBQ at Blackbutt Reserve (Carnley St entrance) (Details as for March) November 25th – Volunteer Christmas Party. Venue to be decided. Suggestions definitely welcome. Any suggestions for topics or bright ideas for the newsletter would be greatly appreciated.
