In the House

By Marcelle Renkin, Program Coordinator

It feels like things are almost back to normal here at the Community House with plenty of people coming and going and getting involved through activities, social groups, volunteering, recycling and just popping in to say hello.

Connecting to Place

Anglesea Community House was recently awarded a small grant from the Surf Coast Shire Council to implement a project that aims to create spaces for community to become more aware of First Nations history and current considerations in this area. The hope is to further develop ways we can all walk WITH our indigenous communities moving forward.

Keep a look out for information about future session dates on our website and through social media.

Focus on Youth

During high school years, mental health problems for young people are among the main causes of difficulties in friendship groups, relationships, substance use or abuse, or events in a young person’s life that can have a long lasting impact.

The Community House is proud to collaborate with Youth Gurus to bring a FREE mental health accredited Youth & Teen Mental Health First Aid training to Anglesea.

This training is targeted at parents or adults who support or work with young people, and provides participants with the knowledge and confidence to recognise the warning signs of a mental health crisis, and to respond and reduce stigma around mental health in the wider community.

We are also pleased to be able to offer a series of workshops for secondary school aged children during the school holidays, with the Active Kids Active Futures program, which will provide engagement through activities to provide a safe space for young people to gather and connect.

Zero Emissions Ideas Fest

ACH is celebrating National Science week in August and this year’s theme is A cclimatise: T he Science of Sustainability and Adaptation.

With the support of The Royal Society of Victoria, the Anglesea Community House is proud to present “Zero Emissions Ideas Fest” on 22August 2021 at the Anglesea Memorial Hall.

Working with an emerging local group of climate mobilisers “Zero Emissions Surf Coast”, we will be bringing together community groups, businesses and local community members to share ideas, be inspired and celebrate action on climate change. Keep 22 August free to check out our familyfriendly event. Power Saving Bonus

We are helping people in our community apply for the $250 Power Saving Bonus.

This is a one-off payment to help you with the cost of living. To be eligible, someone in your household must have a pensioner concession card or receive JobSeeker, Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance.

Please give us a call on 5263 2116 to make an appointment.

More Activities and Events

We have many more activities coming up in the next few months that aim to provide a way for you to get and or stay connected with others in the community.

Check out the Activities, Courses and Events guide here in NewsAngle, or our website for up-to-date information about how you can get involved in your local community. www.anglesea.org.au

By Dr Stuart Jones, Anglesea Medical

DIETARY MANAGEMENT OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL Due to the restrictions of the past 12 months, some patients have noticed a rise in their cholesterol due to changes in their dietary habits and reduced activity.

Hypercholesterolemia (or high cholesterol) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart attacks.

Types of cholesterol

When you are told you have high cholesterol this often refers to your total cholesterol. The two main types of cholesterol are: 1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol because it can build up fatty deposits in your arteries leading to coronary heart disease. 2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol which helps to protect against coronary heart disease.

What causes high cholesterol?

 Low intake of healthy fats

(polyunsaturated and

monounsaturated fats) that increase the good (HDL) cholesterol – such as oily fish, nuts, seeds and avocado.

 High intake of unhealthy fats (saturated fats and trans-fats) –such as fatty meats, butter, and deepfried takeaway foods and baked products (such as pies and pastries).  Low fibre intake – fibre (such as vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and nuts) can reduce the LDL (bad) cholesterol.

 Genetics – some people will have high cholesterol even if they have a healthy, balanced diet low in saturated fats and trans-fats. These people may need to take cholesterol lowering medicine and should discuss this with their doctor.

Healthy eating tips to lower cholesterol

 Limit takeaway foods and salty, fatty, sugary snacks (such as cakes, pastries, lollies and chocolate).  Eat lots of vegetables – aim for 5 serves every day (1 serve is ½ a cup of cooked vegetables).  Choose wholegrain breads, cereal, pasta, rice and noodles.  Snack on plain, unsalted nuts and fresh fruit (two serves of fruit/day).  Include legumes – such as chickpeas, lentils and beans into at least two meals a week.

 Replace saturated fat (such as butter, coconut oil and cream) with unsaturated fats (such as canola, sunflower or extra virgin olive oil spreads).  Have 2 to 3 portions (150 grams each) of oily fish every week (such as salmon, mackerel, blue fin tuna and sardines).  Choose lean meat (meat trimmed of fat, and poultry without skin) and limit unprocessed red meat to less than 350g per week.  Avoid processed meats including sausages and deli meats. Triglycerides

In addition to cholesterol, your blood also contains fats called triglycerides, and high triglycerides increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Your body stores any extra energy from your food as triglycerides. In addition to the above healthy eating advice, some ways to reduce triglyceride levels include:  limit sugary, fatty and salty takeaway meals  limit sweetened drinks  reduce alcohol intake  include foods with omega-3 fats (such as salmon, sardines and tuna).

Final thoughts

Be mindful about how much you are eating. Portion sizes have increased over time and many of us are eating more than we need. Ideally, a healthy plate includes servings of ¼ protein, ¼ carbohydrates and ½ vegetables. Make the healthy options the easy options. Try not to buy the unhealthy snack foods when grocery shopping. Strategies to help with this include going with a list, avoiding shopping when hungry and avoiding impulse buying. Regular exercise will also help to improve your cholesterol and your cardiovascular health. If you have further questions please consult your doctor.

Banking on our Community

By Rob Cameron Bendigo Community Bank ®

The local community is starting to return to some normality, as the COVID restrictions in regional Victoria have become a little less imposing, but no less serious.

The Anglesea Roos footy team has performed extremely well so far this season, providing their faithful followers with some excitement for the winter and a vibrant, happy environment for their junior footballers and netballers to join and grow together, as all good sporting clubs should.

During these times it has been noted that the restriction on gathering for all types of community groups has had a serious effect on people of all ages, and general health and wellbeing is being tested.

Many folk rely on their friends or fellow volunteers for support and fulfilment, and when the purpose of connection is taken away and routines are broken, many people feel anxiety and loss.

Small communities like ours have been extremely proactive in finding new ways to keep connected and special thanks must go to work done by our local churches, Lions Club and sporting groups for reaching out to check on members and friends.

It is times like these that the true resilience of a community is tested – and Anglesea and district has certainly passed that test.

The Bendigo Bank was thrilled to be able to provide support for victims of the devastating Mallacoota bushfires. Assistance was provided for impacted residents to visit Anglesea and stay for a little respite.

They were extremely grateful for the warmth and hospitality shown by the local community and businesses that extended a welcome to all.

The renovations for the new Community Bank at the old Rose’s Restaurant site are well under way and on track for relocation of local banking services by the middle of the year.

The Community Bank owners, Corangamite Financial Services, is thrilled to be taking over the new premises and continuing to provide all of the banking facilities in a new modern site. We hope the transfer of business location will be smooth and cause little inconvenience to our loyal customers.