Volunteer Newsletter

Hello From Elizabeth

Well we are at the halfway point of another year and winter is upon us, which means that a lot of you are about to head north for some sun.

The big news is that this year we are not having a Christmas Concert. After much discussion, debate and consultation we have decided to have a slap up lunch in October, instead of a concert in December.

For those of you who have enjoyed the entertainment side of the concert over the years, there will still be some music for you to enjoy. For those of you not keen on a sit down concert event, this might be more down your street. A free lunch – now you can’t say no to that. The BCH staff will be your waiters and waitresses, there to mingle, and enjoy your company.

With the Geelong Cup on the day before, and Melbourne Cup the week after, we have decided to give the lunch a theme and make it a hat party. Those of you who like fancy dress can go the whole hog, those of you who hate it can just grab a cap on the way out the door – or not, but there will be prizes for the best hats on the day.

The BCH Hat Party - Volunteer Lunch will be at the Point Lonsdale Golf Club on Thursday 25 October 2007 from 12noon till 2pm. Please put this date in your diaries and RSVP to me - ASAP - on 5258 0853. Please just leave a message with your name and contact number if you are attending so we can continue our planning.

So that’s the big news. I hope all you concert die hards will come along and enjoy the luncheon as much as you have enjoyed the Christmas Concert in the past. For those of you who have not made it to the concert in past years, I hope The BCH Hat Party - Volunteer Lunch will appeal to you. This is what BCH has decided to do as our annual thank you to our volunteers, so please come along and help to make it the fabulous event it should be.

So far this year we have run three successful training days, and have another one set for August 8 at Ann Nichol House in Portarlington. For any existing volunteers who have not yet attended a training day, please consider coming along. Experienced volunteers have a lot to offer in group discussions and can help to make the day more interesting for the newcomers. You are welcome, so please call me to book a place. If you have any family, neighbors or friends interested in volunteering for meals on wheels or any other area at BCH, please ask them to call me on 5258 0853.

Meanwhile, thank you all for the sterling job you do helping us to provide a quality service to our community. To those of you heading to warmer weather, travel safely and we look forward to seeing you when you get back. To everyone else, rug up and enjoy the winter.

See you all at The BCH Hat Party - Volunteer Lunch on Thursday 25 October 12pm – 2pm at The Point Lonsdale Golf Club.
Elizabeth Hopkin, Coordinator of Volunteers

Speaking of golf, here is the poem Monica Clemow performed at last year’s Christmas Concert.

GIVE GOLF A GO
While some it suits down to a tee, I fear this game is not for me. The skinny stick, the tiny ball, A hole too far away, too small. Hold the stick, bend the knees, Swing the arms, ball in trees. Mind is in a million places, Hopeful helpers, cheerful faces Try again, they say with glee Practice, how great might you be? I swing again, it dawns on me That this is pure futility.

Birds a twitter, sun shines down Divots, dust & flies abound. Punctuated by hopeless swings Countless rules & other things. Midst promises of pleasant strolls Endless effort takes its toll. But then you thwack with fair precision Whack that ball so there’s no derision, Ball in the hole with accuracy – Then comes the game’s great travesty What happens then, who made it so? There are but 17 holes to go.
Monica Clemow, Occupational Therapist

Portarlington Chc & St Leonards Healthlink
The staff at both Portarlington and St Leonards are forever grateful to our volunteers who assist us and the community in a variety of ways.

At Portarlington Evelyn assists Wanda with administrative duties.

St Leonards have regular volunteers, Doreen & Trish, who attend weekly on Wednesday and Thursday when the centre is open.

The Foot care and Podiatry services are well assisted with Possy, Jocelyn, June, Trish and Doreen.

The volunteers not only assist us as the providers, but they are a friendly, welcoming face to our BCH clients. This makes their visit to the service a more personalized occasion.

On behalf of the staff of PCHC and St Leonards I would like to say “thank you” to all our volunteers for giving their precious time so willingly and for when they are called upon at short notice. Also for the care and compassion they show in their contact with the community. This is much appreciated and makes a considerable difference to our community.
Margaret Ahern, Primary Care Nurse

Special Thanks To Margi
Margi Robinson has been great at helping out with the tidying up of a garden bed; being involved in a community garden BBQ; giving valuable information; being a real whiz on the computer; and helping me to put information together. So here is a big THANKS to Margi for her efforts!
Linda McKinnon, Community Development/Health Promotion Coordinator

Meals On Wheels News
Hello to all our fantastic Meals on Wheels team.

My name is Barb Clarke and I will be covering Faye Price’s position as Meals on Wheels Coordinator for the next three months whilst Faye is away on leave.

While I hope to meet you all eventually as you arrive to start your rounds, please feel free to pop in to visit at the District Nurses rooms or phone me on 5258 0846 should you have any problems.

Meals on Wheels is an important service to our community and our small team of volunteers do a great job.

We have placed an advertisement inviting community members to join our Meals on Wheels volunteer team, so hopefully we will be able to boost our numbers and make it easier for everyone.

In the mean time keep smiling. Your efforts make the world a brighter place!
Thank you.
Barb Clarke, Meals on Wheels

Ode to a Volunteer
Many will be shocked to find When the day of judgement nears That there’s a special place in heaven Set side for volunteers. Furnished with big recliners, Satin couches and footstools, Where there’s no committee chairman, Nor group leaders or car pools. No eager team that needs a coach, No festival and no bake sale, There will be nothing to staple, Not one thing to fold or mail. Telephone lists will be outlawed, But a finger snap will bring Cool drinks and gourmet dinners, And rare treats fit for a king. You ask, “Who’ll serve these privileged few And work for all they’re worth?” Why all those who reaped the benefits, And not once volunteered on earth.
Author unknown

To Our Volunteers
You’ve been so very good to us. You’ve been kind in every way. You’ve made us treats and helped On all our special days. Today we’d like to thank you For all you’ve done this year, And to tell you that you’re special And so very, very dear. Today we’d like to tell you In our own special way: We appreciate the things you’ve done More than words can say.
by Paulette, TLC

Planned Activity Group
The Planned Activity Group (PAG) program staff and clients say a sincere thankyou to all of our valuable volunteers for their continued support. A warm welcome is extended to our newest volunteers: Bob in the Mens group and Charles in the Wednesday program at Portarlington. We hope that you enjoy your work with us. A special thankyou also to Laurie, Graham & Ray who so willingly gave their time recently to drive our PAG buses to Dandenong and Geelong for repairs and service.
We sometimes take for granted In the rush of all we do And forget to say a special THANKS To volunteers like you! So we send this note to tell you How much all you do means, Your gift of time and of yourself Are special ones indeed.
Author unknown

Each week over 25 volunteers give their time and skills working in a range of capacities in our PAG programs as bus drivers, jockeys, kitchen and activity assistants. There are many ways to become involved as a P.A.G.volunteer and assist our clients. You may have a hobby you would like to share, enjoy playing card games, be able to assist with kitchen duties, serving, clearing and setting tables, bus driving, assisting clients on and off the bus or enjoy chatting with and meeting new people.
To find out how you can get involved, contact Elizabeth Hopkin, Co-ordinator of Volunteers. Training and ongoing support is provided.
Lyn Hunter, PAG Coordinator

Friends Of Ann Nichol House
Since the idea of the building of a hostel in Portarlington was suggested there has been a group of volunteers known as the “Friends of Ann Nichol House”. This group has changed over the years but has been tireless in their fund-raising endeavours for the hostel.

When the original building was to be constructed it was suggested that a kiosk for the convenience of residents be incorporated in the plan. This idea came to fruition and since the hostel opened the kiosk has operated for three mornings a week, between about 10-10:30 am. On most of these days - rain, hail or shine - a volunteer will be there to assist any resident or visitor with their purchases and have a chat.

I think I can speak on behalf of the residents, staff and relatives in thanking all these volunteers - past and present - for their untiring efforts in providing a service, which I am sure must be appreciated.
Monica Sweatman, Volunteer

Post “Volunteer Week” Thoughts
We who are able to give time and energy to volunteer our services in our local neighbourhood do not need a drum roll. We do this freely and with commitment. It is however satisfying to be thanked with our much anticipated get together, this year to be held in October.

To have the opportunity of attending training sessions organised by our Co-ordinator of Volunteers, Elizabeth Hopkin, is proof of the sincerity of Bellarine Community Health in offering a professionally trained volunteer network that gives satisfaction to all. A “thank you” and the support invested in our training is proof of this. The October get together is an added bonus.

Thank you Bellarine Community Health for a more suitable way of showing your appreciation by investing in our training and treating us as a valuable asset. No Drum Rolls needed.
Ronda Symon, Volunteer

Do you volunteer in your community?
Mental Health First Aid is an award winning course that is being offered free of charge to all Geelong volunteers.

Mental Health First Aid Course An Award Winning Program While people often know a lot about common physical health problems, there is widespread ignorance of mental health. This ignorance adds to the stigma of mental health problems and prevents people from seeking help early and seeking the best sort of help. It also prevents people providing appropriate support to colleagues and family members, simply because they do not know how. In order to help people provide initial support for someone with a mental health problem, the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University has developed a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course.

Content of the course The Mental Health First Aid course provides skills and knowledge designed to help a person better manage a potential or developing mental health problem in him/herself or in a family member, a friend or a work colleague. Like other first aid courses, it does not train people to diagnose or treat health problems. The course runs over 2 days for a total of 12 hours teaching time. It covers helping people in mental health crisis situations and/or in the early stages of mental health problems. The course provides information about depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis and substance use disorder. Participants in the course learn:

how to recognize the symptoms of these mental illnesses; the possible causes or risk factors for these illnesses; the evidenced based medical, psychological and alternative treatments available; how to give appropriate initial help and support to a person experiencing one of these illnesses; how to take appropriate action if a crisis situation arises involving suicidal behaviour, panic attack, stress reaction to trauma or threatening psychotic behaviour.

The course is available to BCH volunteers on Friday 31st August and Friday 7th September 2007 at the Ocean Grove Community House and is fully catered.

A certificate of completion is awarded to all participants that complete the 12 hour course.

If you are interested in attending the Mental Health First Aid course please contact Mindlinx Ph 52792542.