New programs expand service

IN-HOME care services were a great addition to the growing community and allied health area, according to Inglewood and District Health Service clinical and community services director April McKenzie.

Ms McKenzie said IDHS had started delivering Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home and Community Care –Program for Younger People in southern Loddon communities since July 1.

“IDHS has excitedly continued to employ local people to provide these services to the community,” Ms McKenzie said.

IDHS and Boort District Health were named among new service providers after Loddon Shire withdrew following Federal and

State Government reforms in the sector.

Ms McKenzie said IDHS services under the Commonwealth program for people over 65 included personal care providing older people with support to help them maintain appropriate standards of hygiene and grooming and assistance with house cleaning, linen service, unaccompanied shopping, clothes washing and ironing.

The program also assists clients to maintain their home in a safe and habitable condition, services linked to assisting clients to maintain their independence, safety, accessibility and health and wellbeing within the home environment.

“We are also providing for older people with access to meals, these are prepared and delivered to the client’s home or meals provided at a centred or other setting,” she said.

Social group activities and flexible respite are also part of the program.

“IDHS will work with individuals to help them maintain their independence in their own homes,” she said.

She said the HACC-PYP was a program providing support for people under 65 years of age, with disabilities whose capacity for independent living is at risk, including personal care, domestic assistance and respite and property maintenance.

Good books entice young bookworms

LIBRARIES across the Loddon Shire are ready to encourage voracious reading appetites in youngsters.

Goldfields Library Corporation has relaunched its 1000 Books Before School program with children recognised as they thumb their way through hundreds of books.

The corporation services libraries in Boort, Inglewood, Tarnagulla, Wedderburn, Dingee and Pyramid Hill.

Once children have read their first 100 books, they’ll receive a newly-designed reading record booklet, canvas library bag and a merit patch to stick onto their bag. Other milestone rewards are on offer as young readers head towards 1000 books.

“Enjoying books together is the key. As you read, your child will not only learn to love reading but also learn valuable listening, language, social, emotional and motor skills as they watch and copy you. These vital skills help set them up for success at school and beyond, and happen all while having fun.” said Goldfields Libraries’ programs and events co-ordinator Tammy Higgs.

RAYWOOD Primary School’s Link Zurkus has been awarded the East Loddon Lions Club junior public speaking competition top prize.

More than 50 people attended Sunday’s finals where judges Reece Collier, Renae Colls and Kaye Leech awarded the Year 5-6 prize to Link for his speech on the set topic of Strange World Records in History. Runner-up was Raywood’s Mia Blake with the achievement award presented to East Loddon P12 College’s Tahlia Smith.

Competition co-ordinator Dan Straub said it was the first time Raywood students had participated in the club’s junior public speaking competition.

In the section for Year 3-4 students with the theme of Oh No You’ve Turned into a Giant, the winner was East Loddon’s Emily Lister with Hazel Phillips, also from East Loddon, runner-up. The achievement award was presented Raywood’s Mia Blake.. Winners will represent East Loddon in the Lions V6 district final.