Two on the move to beat arthritis
MOSAIC panels made by tenants of a Mt Martha women’s housing group will be unveiled tomorrow (Wednesday) by Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bev Colomb. Earlier this year the housing group was awarded a grant by the shire to run an art project at the rooming house. Artist Amanda Foster consulted with the tenants and ran a 10-week mosaic workshop which produced two panels to be displayed in the front garden. The mosaics will be shown at community centres before being fixed to the house garden wall. “Due to the great response from the tenants we are in the process of creating an art studio in an unused area of the rooming house where tenants can use art as therapy, and also learn other ways to express themselves,” community housing worker Veronica Hunt said. The unveiling is at 11.30am 14 Tangerine Ct, Mt Martha.
Grant writing Darwin bound: Stan Proctor and Mike McKenzie are riding their bikes to Darwin to raise awareness and money for arthritis research. Picture: Meredith O’Shea
he was diagnosed with spondylitis, and since then his father Mike has been diagnosed with the same form of arthritis at age 64. Proctor also knows the pain of arthritis. A veteran of the squash court, he has it worst of all in his right wrist, but also in his hips and shoulders. “It’s been a learning exercise for me. I had not realised arthritis affects people right across every age range. It can be people as young as Bradley, and younger still, that suffer.” The fundamental message that Proc-
tor and McKenzie want to demonstrate is that once you have arthritis it is important to maintain as much movement as possible. As a result, their theme, supported by Arthritis Victoria, is the “make a move ride”. “However much you are able to move is going to be beneficial. Sometimes it’s really hard to start your joints moving. After a lay-off they can be very hard to start, but as much mild exercise that you can fit into your life is going to be hugely beneficial.” The two riders intend to use every
seventh day as a rest day and, like footballers, will be seeking out cold water pools to revive their muscles after each day’s riding at an average speed of around 26kkph. All going to plan, Proctor and McKenzie will be in Darwin on 25 October. For more about the ride visit makeamoveride.org.au. *First published in the July 2015 RoyalAuto, the RACV's member magazine.
A GRANT writing workshop will be hosted by Volunteering Mornington Peninsula to help people and organisations learn how to apply for grants. The free Effective Grant Writing Workshop will be held in two sessions: 12.30-4pm or 5.30-9pm, Thursday 23 July, at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Queen St, Mornington office. Sue Driscoll will guide participants through the grant submission process with tips on producing professional responses to grants and tenders, streamlining the process, seeking and working with partners to secure grants, and writing to meet set criteria. Bookings essential at eventbrite. com.au or call 5950 1638.
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By Ian Munro* AS he pedals out of Dimboola with three days’ cycling from Melbourne behind him, Stan Proctor will be just beginning to enjoy himself, which is just as well because his destination will be Darwin. His experience of long distance riding tells him that by the fourth day he will be riding for the pleasure of it. “It’s pretty tough for the first three days regardless of the preparation you do,” says Proctor, who has previously ridden from Melbourne to Sydney, and on 27 September will set out to ride to Darwin. “For the first three days your body is asking ‘why are you doing this?’ By the sixth day, when we got to Sydney, I could have kept on going at 150 kilometres a day, which is what we are going to do on the Darwin ride.” The first answer to the “why” of it is that, for Proctor, of Mornington, the 3750 kilometre ride over 30 days is “kind of like my Everest. I am closing on 65 so there’s not going to be too many more years I can take on a challenge like that”. But the bigger reason is that he is doing it to support his riding mate, fellow Mornington resident Mike McKenzie and his son Bradley, who have both been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory form of arthritis that attacks the joints of the spine. Riding to raise awareness about arthritis and funds for arthritis research projects will likely help to sustain them on the ride, says Proctor, a 47year RACV member. Bradley McKenzie was 28 when
Art on show
To celebrate the launch of the “Beginner’s Creative Writing” and d ““Bring Bring on the Sass” classes; MCCI is offering an exclusive Winter Warmer discount of 50% for any of the following 8 week classes: (2.5 hours per week for 8 weeks) • Beginner’s & Advanced Computer Compu uter classes • MYOB • Bookkeeping • Write Stuff • Sewing & Fashion Design • Digital Diaries & Devices • iLearn iPad • Advanced Creative Writing NEW: • Bring on the Sass • Beginner’s Creative Writing
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Come along and escape the winter blues with a warm coffee, cappuccino, latte or hot chocolate whilst learning exciting new skills. Available for Term 3 only - commencing July 21st 2015. For more information please contact us on: (03) 5975 4772 www.morningtoncci.com.au g www.facebook.com/morningtoncci / g 9-11 Albert Street, Mornington 9-11 Morningt g on
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Ageing in Place Villages located at Mount Martha, Carrum Downs & Berwick Mornington News 14 July 2015
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