NEWS DESK
True passion the source of author inspiration MOUNT Eliza author Gaby Chase (right) has written a coming-of-age story that has an unusual focus on cooking and ambition, which helps it resonate with both the target audience of young readers, as well as their parents. Chase says the story, Joe Turns Pro, is about the importance of finding your true passion. “I love the story of Billy Elliott and I wanted to write an equally inspiring story about an average kid, one with no obvious talent, and how they go about finding something they’re good at and find that they love – discovering their passion,” she said. “In my experience, it involves a lot of trial and error, mainly error, until maybe something sticks.” Chase says the narrative also quietly explores unhealthy relationships with food and generational obesity. “Gradually, Joe takes his family on his food journey with him and through it they find a healthier relationship with each other,” she said. First and foremost, Joe Turns Pro, is a feel-good story that kids can enjoy and relate to, with an underlying message that while you may not initially know what you want, if you give it a go and muddle around long enough eventually you find the things you love. Chase says some kids are born with clear talents, which are then nurtured by those supportive people around them. But she wanted to write about the young people who take a little longer to work out their strengths and demonstrate their talents? “What about normal kids who don’t have all the right supports,” she said. Joe Turns Pro is for those kids who are trying to find their moment to shine. Joe Turns Pro started out as a screenplay that won the prestigious Final Break Family Category in 2020. This was the biggest year of the competition with 13,000 entries, which made the win even more special. Chase writes screenplays and novels for adults and older children.
“Writing novels provides a freedom to explore the character’s inner workings. I’ve always loved writing, but when I decided to have a red hot go at it, like Joe I quickly found out it takes practice,” Chase said. “Lots of practice. But after a couple of books, I definitely feel I am finding my feet.” Joe Turns Pro follows Joe who is looking for ways to make fast money so he can attend a tenpin bowling tournament. The high school cooking competition has a cash prize of $5000, and although never having cooked before, he gives it a go. With the help of a teacher, Joe finds that he’s actually quite good at cooking and, more importantly, he loves everything about it. Gradually, Joe takes his family on his food journey with him and through it they find a healthier relationship with each other. First and foremost, Joe Turns Pro, has the underlying message of ‘give it a go’ and if you muddle around long enough eventually you find the things you love.
Time of crisis: Lisa Bolton, Jodie West and Di Walton prepare blankets for winter. Picture: Yanni
Call for help after donation drop RSPCA op shops are appealing for more donations to help vulnerable people keep warm through winter, and to help animals in need. Liz Irvine, RSPCA Victoria’s op shop network supervisor, said RSPCA Victoria’s op shops relied on donations and community support to continue their critical work of caring for animals. “To support us in our work we’re calling on the local community in Mornington and surrounds to consider clearing out unused items this winter and donating them to the RSPCA op shop,” Irvine said.
“We have recently experienced a significant drop in the donation of goods across the state, including in Mornington. While we don’t know exactly why we’ve seen this decrease, we suspect this is due to winter, when people are generally less active and donations decrease. “Winter is a busy time for RSPCA Victoria, with more than 3200 animals expected to come through our doors. Donating and shopping at the RSPCA op shop is a fantastic way to support animals in need while grabbing a bargain.” The RSPCA has op shops in Mornington, Frankston and Chelsea.
Home services crisis after switch to private providers THOUSANDS of elderly Mornington Peninsula residents caught in the middle of the former Morrison Government’s decision to move home care servicing to private providers have been left without vital support. While the move to private providers is a result of recommendations outlined in the Aged Care Royal Commission Final Report, critics say it’s implementation without clear advice, time frames or options has left some recipients fearful and without any service at all. On the eve of the 1 July transition to private providers, many of the estimated 4000 home care recipients were still confused about what was happening and had still not received any contact from one of the designated private providers to alert them to when services would start. The shire announced in May that the federal government had appointed two new providers (Mecwacare and Bolton Clarke - formerly the Royal District Nursing Service) to deliver inhome care to peninsula residents under the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Marj Thomas said her 94-year-old mother Joyce, who lives alone in Rosebud, was “distressed” and confused about what was happening, and had not been able to understand the paperwork or find out when she would next get help. “She was due for an assistant to help her shower on Friday, but the service we had has finished and nobody turned up to help mum so we don’t know what’s happening,” she said. “I go down as often as I can but I can’t be there all the time and mum won’t leave her home, not should she be forced to. “I think it’s pretty disgusting, we are lucky and can take care of most of mum’s needs, but there will be families in a very difficult position and lots of elderly people left not knowing what’s going on. “I’m worried there are people who could actually die because of not getting the help they need, or end up being forced into nursing homes, which is not what they want.” Ms Thomas said she finally got to speak with someone at Mecwacare late on Friday, who said they were “hoping” to have someone phone this week to arrange services for the following week. The shire’s manager Community Services,
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Frankston Times
5 July 2022
Jo Bradshaw, said it had been assured by both Mecwacare and Bolton Clarke that all essential services would continue to be delivered from Friday 1 June. “We did offer to keep a small number of staff available to assist with the post-transition period however this was declined by the federal government’s Commonwealth Home Support Program,” Bradshaw said. However, Ms Thomas said her mother’s lack of shower assistance on Friday showed the system was not working. Balnarring resident and home care recipient Barb Rimington said her many phone calls and letters to the shire’s CEO John Baker had gone unanswered, and there didn’t seem to be any “interim transition planning”. “My details have apparently been passed on to a nominated private provider, have tried to ring it on several occasions: no answer,” Ms Rimington said. “It takes no stretch of the imagination to wonder how many aged and incapacitated people across the peninsula have been left to rot. How many will be found dead?” On the day before the changeover, Bolton Clarke’s At Home Support Operational Performance, Sharon Kehoe, said the “team” was working hard in preparation for the transition of services the next day. “With a large number of clients involved, we are still receiving information from the council. Once their information is received, we are working to quickly be in touch with people to schedule services and understand individual needs,” Kehoe said. “We apologise for any disruption during this time as we prioritise essential care services.” The Times understands staffing difficulties could be adding to the delays. Kehoe said Bolton Clarke was continuing “to grow our dedicated team by actively recruiting across the region and welcome applications from local people who are interested in employment opportunities”. She urged clients who had questions or who had not yet heard from their new provider to phone on 1300 221 122. The federal government and Mecwacare did not respond to media requests before deadline. Liz Bell