A program for sustainability
Warragul Parkinson's Support and Carers Group
The next meeting will be held on Monday August 13 from 1.30pm until 3.30pm at West Gippsland Health Care Group, Room 2 Pettit Centre, 31—35 Gladstone St Warragul.
Guest speaker Peter Clarke from Cognitive, Dementia and Memory Services will come along and talk on the services they provide, and the processes involved to access the clinic.
Feel free to come along, join and meet the friendly members in the peer support group.
For more information regarding the group phone Lisa Kimmitt on 0407 221 779.
For any questions regarding Parkinson's contact Parkinson's Victoria on 1800 644 189.Warragul
The annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday next, August 14.
There will be a guest speaker from the police force.
Join the Senior Citizens for its birthday lunch on August 19 and enjoy a hot meal. Cost is only $12 per head with bookings essential. Phone 5623 1132 to book.
Carpet bowls are played each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Hoy, which is like bingo but different, is played on Wednesdays.
The club also has bus trips to various places.
The Warragul Seniors Citizens is looking for someone to show members how to play cards to incorporate it into the club.
It is looking for members aged 55 and above to join.
For more information phone 5623 1132 or call into the clubrooms on the corner of Barkly and Mason streets, Warragul. Its doors are open from 12.30pm daily.
Senior Citizens Warragul Municipal Band
Generally it is the Senior Band members who take a prominent role in playouts and provide the support needed to the junior/learner players.
Over the past couple of months it has definitely been the learners who have stepped up to help out the seniors when players, for one good reason or another, have not always been available.
Musical director of the Learners Band Anthony Gardner has been delighted with the opportunities for his players to display their musical talents and progress in public. The seniors and their musical director Ben Sim have been grateful to have gaps in their ranks competently filled.
Some readers will have seen the Learners Band in action a while ago playing a medley of pieces as part of the entertainment at the gala events day at Waterford Rise.
More recently, a mix of learners and seniors performed at a pleasant sunday afternoon at the Anglican church in Drouin. It was indeed a pleasant musical occasion, much appreciated by the audience.
Junior players have acquitted themselves very well at the West Gippsland Performing Arts Competition.
In the instrumental solos, four band players competed in the 14 years and under: Ilyan Mofakhami, Aaron Remyn, Nate Lucas and Sam Lang. Nate was awarded third place and Sam an honourable mention.
Eloise Hunt was awarded first place in the 10 years and under novice section. Nathaniel Jackson was awarded third place in the 16 years and under and Adelle Lang was awarded first place in the 12 years and under section. Adelle was also the recipient of the Philip Bucknall encouragement award.
Idris Mofakhami performed well in the drum kit solo section. The band congratulate all players.
The band is looking forward to an all-day workshop with the City of Greater Dandenong Brass Band early in September and, later in September, individuals and both learners and seniors bands will be competing in brass sections at the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod.
One band playout which should be noted on everyone’s calendar is the annual garden concert at Rosehill Farm at 170 Tolley Rd, Ripplebrook on Sunday, November 4. Held in the lovely English style garden setting at Rosehill, this is a garden and musical event not to be missed.
More details will be available closer to the occasion.
New Neerim District Health Service chief executive officer Kate Graham is leading a program of change for the health service to ensure its long term sustainability.
Since her appointment six months ago, Ms Graham said the community owned hospital, health and aged care provider had a solid foundation to expand services for the district.
Hospital association president and board chairman Sean Dignum said Ms Graham was showing clear leadership and health business acumen in the early decisions she had taken to strengthen NDHS’ role in Gippsland’s health services network.
“We are identifying ways they we can deliver more services to those people in need of quality health care close to the home,” Ms Graham said.
“We have a unique facility here and that is attracting some leading surgeons and health professionals.”
Ms Graham said NDHS was particularly pleased to have secured long-term partnerships with other major regional health providers, including the West Gippsland Healthcare Group and Latrobe Regional Hospital.
“This will ensure patients and surgeons have access to the facility for day procedure surgical cases and assist with bed flow management.
“NDHS is now being utilised by surgeons to provide a range of procedures including cataracts, plastics, general surgery, dental and urology. There has been a significant increase in theatre cases over the past few months and we expect this upward growth to continue.
“Our plan is to consolidate and build on what we do well and diversify our health business by identifying new opportunities,” she said.
Ms Graham said the health service’s current services included the busy day procedure theatre, hospital beds, emergency stabilization facilities, aged care beds, home base packaged care through the Commonwealth funded Short Term Restorative Care program, along with visiting allied health services.
“Our aim is to increase our presence in the community as well as providing a facilitybased hub for visiting surgeons, consultants and other allied and community health providers.”
Ms Graham said NDHS was pleased its Tarago Views aged care service was commended by the Aged Care Quality Agency in a recent re-accreditation visit. This positive accreditation outcome for NDHS has ensured plans for a much-needed refurbishment project at Tarago Views will begin this month.
She said this major upgrade was made possible as a result of the funding announcement by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the latest round of regional jobs and investment grants.
“The refurbishment will provide more contemporary accommodation and living space for our older members of the community. Our residents, their families and our staff are excited about this refurbishment and all of them will have the opportunity to participate in the planning of the work. We look forward to sharing the plans and progress over the coming months,” Ms Graham said. Other projects underway at NDHS include: Development of plans for remodelling of waiting areas, administrative offices and under-utilised spaces to create new medical and health consulting rooms;
An energy audit funded by the state government to look at options for reducing escalating power consumption costs;
A community arts collaboration with local artists and the Burnt Store Arts Space project to showcase pieces in the hospital and aged care facility
“Being a community owned facility, we are privileged to have so many local people who are passionate and committed to the hospital. This includes our board who have worked closely with me, and the entire staff team, to provide the best possible hospital and health care service.
“We are optimistic about the future of NDHS. We are committed to working collaboratively with other public and private health providers to ensure the provision of health services remains strong in Gippsland,” she said.