Record donation supports vital service Craft group hands over cheque to In Home Hospice Care service after exhibition Twisted Threads has held its annual exhibition and sale earlier this month and as a result have been able to handover a record donation to Mount Gambier’s In Home Hospice Care (IHHC). The craft group held its traditional Autumn Exhibition for the 12th time at Mount Gambier’s City Hall and last week handed over the $1000 of fundraising for the palliative care service with IHHC manager Sandi Elliott heading to the group’s meeting last week to share the history of the service, how it is being utilised and the way forward. “We’re like that extended family member, we are there to provide holistic support,” Mrs Elliott said. “We’re not medical or clinical. We are not taking away from any medical services already catered for in the community.” The hospice service manager shared how the Mount Gambier service had been set up based on a successful Warrnambool model
that in a decade has seen people dying in the comfort of their own home lift from 15 per cent to fifty per cent The Mount Gambier service started with 20 trained volunteers, added another eight recently and has 11 on the books ready to be trained to be part of the IHHC service. “And what we would like long term is our own purpose built hospice in Mount Gambier,” Mrs Elliott said, as she pointed out the diversity of the services offered by the IHHC. “It is also about supporting the carer – that’s a big thing as well,” Mrs Elliott said. John Amoroso has also added his Justice of the Peace skills to the service to help clients and families with advanced care directives, while a grief, loss and bereavement counsellor is now also part of the team, working one on one as well as holding community workshops. That role
has been facilitated through the recently awarded Masonic Lodge grant. “We have also had a lawyer come on board to help with preparation of wills at a significantly reduced rate,” Mrs Elliott said. The support of the community, including donatio0ns like the Twisted Threads windfall has been encouraging for IHHC officials. “The generosity of the community has been amazing – we’ve been overwhelmed,” she said. “And we keep trying to raise the profile and get the word out there about what we are doing and what we are trying to do.” IHHC are also all about matching their volunteers and clients and already have some heart warming stories about their work over the past few months. “So often they are no longer just volunteers, they become friends,” she said. The group Twisted Threads meets
on Wednesday mornings at the Mount Gambier Library from 9am12.30pm in one of the meeting rooms and new members are always welcome. Twisted Threads has around 30 members, with each weekly chat ‘n’ craft session attracting around 15 participants as they
knit, crochet and sew their way to stunning handcrafted creations. COMMUNITY SUPPORT: IHHC volunteer representative Jane Shepherd; Twisted Threads members Diana Moskwa & Julieanne Woodruff & IHHC manager Sandi Elliott.
Feel free to just drop in Community support space officially opened “It’s been amazing to witness the community and stakeholders in Mount Gambier come together in a really short space of time.” That was Wellbeing SA Manager, Suicide Prevention & Capacity Building Brendan Kelly’s thoughts as he attended the opening of a Pop Up Drop In Community Support Space in the former Bookmark Café inside the Mount Gambier Library as it takes on a new role, front and centre of fostering community wellbeing. Officially opening its doors last Wednesday, the former coffee shop has been transformed into a Pop Up Drop In Community Support Space, an initiative of Anglicare SA’s StandBy Support After Suicide, with the support of a raft of local community organisations. Wellbeing SA has been part of the stakeholder and community discussions regarding just what the community needs in the mental health and wellbeing space, with an eye to suicide prevention, and Brendan was very much part of those discussions. “The in kind support from the City of Mount Gambier and service providers, both government and non-government providers have been phenomenal,” Brendan said. “To see groups come together with a coordinated response, accepting that the community
“…it all happens because people here are so willing to work together – they know we are better together…” Brendan Kelly) (Wellbeing SA Manager, Suicide Prevention & Capacity Building)
“…they have put this together using their own resources – they just find a way to make things happen…” Brendan Kelly) (Wellbeing SA Manager, Suicide Prevention & Capacity Building) clearly wants to do something.” It might be for only five weeks but it will give organisers a strong sample size, not just from patronage, but the feedback sheets on offer in the centre, as to whether this type of service can form part of future strategies. The space will be available two mornings, from 9am until 1pm, and two afternoons, from 1pm to 5pm four days a week to provide some flexibility for people to call in after school drop off, in their lunch break or after school and the service will run until the end of next month. There will be at least one free craft activity each week to attract people to call in, stay for the activity, have a chat and take away some help seeking information. Plans are in place to also host a weekly Friday morning breakfast barbecue outside the library to introduce people to the Pop Up. Brendan said Mount Gambier had been a State leader in this space for some time. “They have put this together
using their own resources – they just find a way to make things happen,” he said. “Mount Gambier set up the first Suicide Prevention Network, the first to set up an Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Network and many other initiatives and it all happens because people here are so willing to work together – they know we are better together.” The aim of the repurposed library café space is for anyone to be able to drop in for a chat about any concerns they have for their own wellbeing or of someone they know. The agencies on duty at each session will provide a listening ear and suggestions around the services that are most appropriate for the particular concern of the individual. The roster of opening times will be available at the library or people can contact StandBy Support After Suicide Tracey Wanganeen (pictured) on 0437 503 520 or email standbycountrysa@ anglicaresa.com.au
Mexican cottage pie 1 tbsp olive oil 500g lean beef mince 4 green shallots, coarsely chopped 35g packet taco seasoning 425g can kidney beans, rinsed, drained 420g can corn kernels, rinsed, drained 400g can chopped tomatoes 800g sebago (brushed) potatoes, peeled, chopped 60ml (1/4 cup) milk 50g butter, chopped 2 tbsp finely chopped pickled jalapeño chillies 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves, plus extra, to serve 200g plain corn chips 100g (1 1/4 cups) coarsely grated cheddar Method Heat oil in a frying pan over medium‑high heat. Add beef and shallot. Cook, using a wooden spoon to break up any lumps, for 5 minutes or until browned. Add seasoning and stir for 3 minutes. Stir in the beans, corn and tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened slightly. Meanwhile, cook potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling water for 8‑10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Return to pan over low heat. Mash then stir in milk and butter. Remove from heat. Stir in jalapeño and coriander. Season. Preheat grill on high. Transfer the beef mixture to a 2L (8 cup) baking dish. Top with mash then chips. Sprinkle with cheddar and grill for 5 minutes or until the cheddar melts. Top with coriander to serve.
