8 minute read
Shannon Lawrence - Healthful Wisdom
Healthful
WISDOM
with SHANNON LAWRENCE
ECZEMA
Eczema Prevention
And Treatment
Most of us have probably seen what eczema looks like. Eczema is more common in young children and people who also suffer with asthma and allergies. Children who suffer with eczema may outgrow it. Another name for eczema is atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis means infl ammation of the skin and atopy means having a predisposition to allergic things.
Eczema Symptoms
Eczema symptoms include; redness, itching and dryness. These symptoms usually occur in patches in the creases of the elbows, behind the knees, around the ankles, neck and wrists and may occur on the face and head. Eczema sufferers often have dry and sensitive skin generally. When eczema gets worse this is called a “fl are up”.
Causes Of Eczema Flare Ups
• Skin dryness • Skin irritants such as soap, bubblebath, chemicals, woollen clothes, perfume • Over heating • Stress • Contact with some fabrics • Contact with sand, grass, chlorine in pools • Contact with dust mites, animals
Preventing Eczema Flare Ups
The most important thing anyone can do to keep their skin healthy and prevent fl are ups is to keep the skin well moisturised. This is important for everyone, not just eczema sufferers. Using a soap-free wash or aqueous cream to clean our skin without removing the skin’s natural oils is the fi rst important step. The second step is to moisturise after bathing as our skin absorbs so much more when our pores are open. It is important to use a moisturiser without additives.
Treating Eczema Flare Ups
Your Doctor or Pharmacist can provide creams for fl are ups. It’s a good idea to treat fl are ups quickly so that they resolve quicker. Corticosteroid creams are the most common type of cream and when used appropriately are unlikely to have side effects. It is important to keep using a moisturiser even if an extra cream has been prescribed for treatment. If the skin is really dry, using a skin oil available from the pharmacy really helps and can be added to bath water or sprayed on the skin after showering. If the skin is especially itchy, use an oatmeal based wash or put half a cup of oats in a stocking, tie it up and place in the bath.
Invest in you.
This year NAB have put the fi nishing touches on MAJOR MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENTS WITH THE OPENING OF NEW BANKING HUBS IN TAREE AND PORT MACQUARIE. These new format branches bring together our business and retail banking teams, providing customers with one convenient location for all their banking needs.
Jarrad Williams
Branch Manager Port Macquarie Hub
NAB has been serving the North Coast community for over 100 years, with our Port Macquarie branch opening its doors in 1887. We’re thrilled to continue to support this fl ourishing community with their everyday banking, home purchases or supporting local businesses to thrive.
NAB Retail Customer Executive, Kim Dahler:
Over the years we have seen the use of digital channels grow in popularity with our customers, and it’s important we keep adapting to meet customer needs. While banking has changed signifi cantly over time, the one thing that has remained constant is our commitment to serving customers well. We are adapting so we can continue to serve customers well however they choose to interact with us – whether that’s online, by video, on the phone, or in person.
In addition to the new-look design and open plan layout of our new branches, locals will be able to experience new meeting spaces, our new self-service digital bar, and business change and deposit machines.
We’re excited to welcome local customers and businesses into our new-look design branches where they will also be able to enjoy our new digital services with the same familiar faces there to greet them.
Taree Branch Manager, Adam Platt-Hepworth:
One thing that won’t change is our friendly faces and services that locals are familiar with. We have a great team of over 20 colleagues, including specialists in personal, home lending, small business, and Agri business, all ready to help our customers with their banking needs. NAB Port
Macquarie Branch Manager, Jarrad Williams: “I’m a branch manager who loves seeing my customers get more out of their money.
Big things have happened at NAB in Taree and Port Macquarie.
Corey Beeton
Business Bank Executive Mid North Coast NSW
We were there with you – helping each other recover
The devastating fl oods earlier this year hit the North Coast region hard. In the early days NAB’s disaster relief package provided much-needed immediate support to our fl oodaffected customers. On the ground our teams provided friendly faces and dry spaces for customers to collect their thoughts and plan their next steps.
Three months on, our recovery continues, as does our support for our customers, colleagues and the community. If you or someone you know needs help, please visit the nearest branch, contact your banker directly, or visit nab.com.au/disaster.
NAB Business Bank Executive, Corey Beeton:
We are here to support all NAB customers, employees and the wider community before, during and after a natural disaster. Anyone who needs assistance or advice can contact us so we can discuss their circumstances and work out the best way to help.
Further assistance Customers who need help are encouraged to visit their nearest open NAB branch, contact your banker directly, call NAB Assist on 1300 308 132 (8am8pm Mon-Fri, or 9am-1pm on Saturdays AEST/AEDT) or visit nab.com.au/disaster. Small business that need help can call 1300 769 650, and our Regional Business & Agri customers that need help can contact their banker. For claims, Property and motor vehicle insurance assistance or general insurance, customers can call 1300 555 013.
With a 30 year history in business being celebrated this month WE CAUGHT UP WITH SHIREE BENNETT OF BENNETTS STEEL WAUCHOPE TO FIND OUT HOW IT ALL BEGAN and how they have innovated the business and what they plan for the future.
Hi Shiree - how did the Bennetts Steel business begin?
Bennetts Steel started off as ‘Bennetts Steel & Timber’ in Wauchope in 1991, primarily selling timber and some steel. Timber was becoming less used during the early to mid 90’s due to environmental issues and less milling, so Gordon Bennett decided to step away from timber and only stock steel, becoming Bennetts Steel.
In the late 90’s we relocated to the current site at Industry Street in Wauchope.
What have been your greatest achievements in the last 3 years?
We rebranded the business in early 2019, modernising the look of the business which then enabled us to take our marketing to the next level incorporating our introduction to tv advertising, intensifying our radio presence and tying everything together with print media as well.
When many businesses went into lock down during the pandemic, we made the decision to increase our advertising and create a market for Australian made steel solutions like backyard fire pits. This gave people the opportunity to support local and keep business within our community.
Tell us how you will be celebrating your 30 anniversary of Bennetts Steel.
We want to thank our customers, both old and new, for their support over the last 30 years. We have many loyal customers – or should I say, friends – who pop in regularly to get their steel and we love having a chat and helping however we can.
As a way to give back to our customers, we’re holding seasonal giveaways throughout the year, with 3 major prizes each season. The prizes are selected from local businesses, who over the years have supported our business. All our customers automatically go into the draw to win.
During our birthday month July, we also have daily prizes for people who visit us at Bennetts Steel.
As a thank you to our wonderful staff, we will be having a get-together mid-July to thank them also for their team work here at Bennetts Steel.
What do you hope to achieve in the next 3 years?
Our main goal is to continually improve our customer experience and satisfaction as well as further modernise machinery and equipment within our business. We’re ever evolving and striving to expand with our use of social media marketing and the introduction of our very own monthly video “Around The Yard” starring one of our Bennetts Boys, Glenn Thomas (aka ‘The Russell Coight of Wauchope’ as Gordon says).
We’ve also officially opened the ‘Garden Gallery’ – our on-site outdoor display garden featuring many of our custom-made steel products and also some new signage around the yard.
What do you attribute your longevity to?
Offering steel products and services to continually satisfy our customers’ needs, our knowledgeable and friendly staff and our support to the local community.
