Maureen ‘Moz’ a gem at Nagambie Healthcare

As many country towns and groups can testify, volunteers are the backbone of a community. Many volunteers have supported local groups as individuals or as part of a team. Some have the nature for helping others in many ways.

One such person is Nagambie’s Maureen Fowler –fondly known as “Moz’ to all and sundry. Most volunteers do not work for their community seeking praise or reward. They are happy to lend a helping hand and gain self -satisfaction out of helping others.

Maureen has worked as a volunteer or member of the Nagambie Golf and tennis Clubs, St Malachy’s Catholic Church and St Joseph’s school, and the Nagamble Larks choir. Nagambie Australia Day Committee, the Community Christmas tea, other local sports groups, the Prayer Options Unified for Rain P.O.U.R Group, to name just a few.

“Moz” has endeared herself to the whole community with her friendliness, kindness and willingness to help others. She is a “Gem” among volunteers in Nagambie.

But the greatest volunteer work “Moz” is known for is her dedication, loving care, and compassion for the elderly folk and staff at the Nagambie hospital, nursing home and now called Nagambie Healthcare. (NHC)

At the NCH’s annual meeting on 24 November

Maureen was presented with a Life Governor award by President of the Board John Palmer for her 20 years of Volunteer service to NHC.

Maureen said I was very pleased to receive this award for my many years of volunteer work that I love doing here.

“I Like to be in the kitchen and dining room facility from around quarter to five most mornings to help the staff set up and ensure my “Folk” get a proper breakfast, especially my favourite “Hot Toast.”

One of her passions is feeding the oldies a meal if they cannot do it for themselves. She has also has been at many bedside vigils for those folk approaching the end of their lives there and who can be comforted by her holding their hands.

Maureen said “Covid 19 had changed a lot of things at the facility. “We used to take the old folk out on weekly trips or social activities. That was stopped for the past few years. But we hope to resume it again soon. I loved going to Philip Island a few years ago with some of the staff and residents for a few days.”

Keith Fowler, Moz’s faithful husband is always agreeable of what Moz does. Whether it is playing sport, singing, helping others. Maureen said “He lets me do what I like to do.” He is very supportive of what I do. We do our own thing. If I am at home late, he asks “Are you sick? Why aren’t you at the hostel?”

“I enjoy meeting the transitional staff who come down from various services and we have become friends. I enjoy meeting the families of the residents and patients and supporting them in various ways to help their loved one.”

This is not the first time Maureen has been recognised for her valuable volunteer work. In 2013 Maureen Fowler was nominated for the State Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) Volunteer of the year award and she and NHC were notified that she had won this state wide prestigious award.

If you are visiting the NHC in the near future, congratulate Maureen on her Life Governorship award. She truly deserves it.

NLCH coordinator Anna Close explains how it was two committee members at the House who first mentioned joining this movement: “Last year, Carol Wallis and Bob Arnold very enthusiastically got behind the idea”, Anna says. “They are not only lovely people but also hard workers with great hearts for our local community. Arranging an event like this, where we all join in to make a difference for the better of our town and for nature, is just up their alley.” The event was a great success with around 40 volunteers joining in and three trailer loads of trash being picked up from our town and surrounds.

“We are certainly not hoping to be finding more trash this year,” coordinator Anna Close continues, “but we would love it if more people came. It’s such a great opportunity to get your kids involved as well, helping them see value in both volunteering and doing something for our environment.”

20 Park Street, Nagambie

If you are after space and tranquility this could be the one for you. The weatherboard home is located in a quiet street on a massive one acre (4,000m2) block. The home has a newly renovated kitchen with ample cupboard space, electric cooktop and oven and timber benchtops. The home has three bedrooms all with ceiling fans and original timber floors adding classic charm and the master bedroom with a built in robe. The large entertainers deck has easy access from the kitchen with views overlooking the beautiful mature gum trees and Strathbogie ranges. A 9mx7m shed is located at the rear of the house with a large water tank connected. Currently leased perfect for the investor or the transition from an investment property to an owner occupier.

10 Penrose Street, Nagambie 4

Number 10 Penrose is a four year old Dennis Family home with four bedrooms and two living areas. A 900mm oven and cooktop, 40mm stone bench tops and tiles through out high traffic areas. The home is strategically placed on the 917m2 block with great access to the double garage and the rear yard to the 6mx9m garage/workshop. A wonderful family home to be Auctioned on the 22nd March, 2023.

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53 Baxters Road, Nagambie

Sale:

$795,000

Mark Boyer 0418 941 628 Nagambie, Vic

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Online Auction: 22nd March, 2023

Mark Boyer 0418 941 628 Nagambie, Vic

3 2 5

This elevated property is situated in the quiet rural setting at the popular Baxters Road, Goulburn Weir only 11km from Nagambie township. The home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, the master with ensuite and walk-in robe and an extra one room bungalow connected to the garage with kitchenette and bathroom. From the newly renovated east facing deck area you wake to the most delightful sunrises over the "Burramurra" lake waterways and from the west facing front verandah the incredible sunsets over the Goulburn River. The home has three split systems for heating and cooling, a cosy wood heater for the winter nights, induction cooktop and electric oven, double glazed windows to the lounge and a 5kw solar system to keep the costs down. The 13m x 7m garage and granny flat is at the rear of the 3,702m2 block and the 13m x 8m caravan shed/workshop insulated, concrete floor and electricity connected on the north boundary.

Sale:

$695,000

Mark Boyer 0418 941 628 Nagambie, Vic

Swampy Marsh visits the Goulburn Valley with a yarn or two.

One of Australia’s favourite storytellers is coming to the Goulburn Valley. Author Bill “Swampy” Marsh will share yarns from his many books and travels, visiting Mooroopna Library 29th March at 7pm, Yarrawonga Library 30th March at 6pm and the Avenel Library 31st March at 2pm.

Bill Marsh has an extensive list of books to his name. Some focus on specific topics, ranging from volunteer firies and outback nurses, to railway adventures and bush funerals. Great Australian Outback Yarns captures the funniest tales from Swampy’s many books in one volume. The colourful characters in these pages are full of generosity, humour and the larrikin Aussie spirit.

Bill has a deep affection and respect for people living in the Australian bush. He has spent more than twenty years travelling to every corner of Australia, talking to people from all walks of life and collecting their memories and stories. These true stories of life in remote and regional Australia are relatable as well as entertaining.

Bill 'Swampy' Marsh is an award-winning writer and performer of stories, songs and plays. He spent most of his youth in rural south-western NSW and now lives in Adelaide. During his visit he will not only share some of his favourite yarns, he is bringing his guitar along too so be prepared to be entertained.

If you like a good old-fashioned Aussie yarn, join Bill at the Avenel Library, Mooroopna Library or Yarrawonga Library. Contact Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765, email mooroopna@ gvlibraries.com.au, yarrawonga@gvlibraries.com. au or programs@gvlibraries.com.au.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event for only $20 per book, cash sales only.

For more information:

Bronwyn Cole Program Co-ordinator, Goulburn Valley Libraries

Tel: 1300 374 765

Email: bronwync@gvlibraries.com.au