ISSUE 2: August 2012
The
Tuart Times A Warm Welcome to WAGS!
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to volunteers Jennifer and Marilyn from the WA Genealogical Society (WAGS) who are doing some brilliant family tracing work at Tuart Place. We would also like to welcome Jan Newman, who describes herself as an ‘amateur genealogist’, but has also achieved some great results for Tuart Place service users. At Monday’s session in our computer lab, Jennifer located significant family information for Dave, for whom it provided yet another piece of the ‘jigsaw puzzle’. Some of
WAGS volunteer Jennifer with Dave
the information they uncovered was quite confronting, and Dave found Jennifer to be “very sensitive and understanding”. Fellow WAGS volunteer Marilyn worked with Tom to investigate a Canadian link in his family tree, to try and fill in some gaps in Tom’s family history. Judith received assistance from Jan, who put Judith’s mind at ease by locating new information about her grandmother’s journey from Scotland to England. Jan also found out more details about Judith’s mother’s birth in Australia.
Judith with Jan Newman
Judith said, “Jan went to a lot of effort to find things out for me and it was much appreciated.” Other service users at Tuart Place have received assistance from Sylvia, Lyn and Errol, who are developing considerable expertise in the family tracing area. Our family tracing sessions are proving very popular and bookings are essential. For bookings and further information contact Sue Stafford on Freecall 1800-619-795 or email admin@tuartplace.org .
WAGS volunteer Marilyn with Tom
Helping out with the Find & Connect Web Resource Another key person in our network of family tracing and records experts is Dr Deb Rosser, the WA Historian for the Find & Connect web resource. Debbi’s previous work includes Signposts, a state-of-the-art guide for people seeking records and information on out-of-home-care in WA. As part of her work with the Find & Connect project, Debbi attended ‘website usability testing’ sessions at Tuart Place in May this year. Five of our service users volunteered to participate in the sessions with web expert Roger Hudson, and provided feedback on the ‘userfriendliness’ of the Find & Connect site.
Testing the Find & Connect website at Tuart Place (L-R) Roger Hudson with Mark, Sarah, and Debbi
WHAT’S ON?
PROGRAM OF EVENTS SEPT - NOV 2012
MONDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAYS
10.30am Drop in Drop in for a coffee and a look around our centre. Borrow a book from our library or chat to the friendly staff and other visitors.
10am - 12.00pm Support Group New members are always welcomed. It’s a relaxed, informal group where people can meet with others who have had similar experiences. Susy, the group facilitator provides an easy-going environment where discussion and support go hand-in-hand.
10.30am - 12.00pm New Group! Communication Skills Introductory 4 week course: 13, 20, 27 Sept & 4 October. Developing your interpersonal and communication skills can help to avoid misunderstandings, lead to better relationships and give you the tools to stand-upfor-yourself. These small group sessions will be friendly, relaxed and fun!
12.00pm Sausage Sizzle Come and join us for lunch. We either get out the barbie and sizzle some snags or cook up other delicious treats. 1.00 -3.00pm Family Tracing Ring up for a time to come in and meet our friendly volunteers, who will help you find out about your family history.
1-3pm Open Computer Class Whatever your skill level (even if you’ve never turned on a computer before) you can get individual help. If you want to browse the internet, use Ancestry. com, develop keyboard skills or send emails, this is your chance!
A visitor from Lotus Place
L-R: Maryla, Susy, Ron, Dougie, Pip & Mark (at front)
It was lovely to receive a visit from Maryla Rutnya of Lotus Place in June this year. Maryla is a counsellor at Lotus Place in Queensland – a ‘sister service’ to Tuart Place in WA. Maryla’s bright and bubbly personality was a real hit with Tuart Place service users on the day, but there was also a serious side to her visit. Agencies such as Tuart and Lotus Place are keen to strengthen
WHAT IS AVAILABLE AT TUART PLACE?
Tuart Place provides individual counselling, support groups, social activities, computer skills classes, access to family tracing, assistance to obtain records, and help in dealing with other agencies.
the links between key agencies and to develop National best practice standards to ensure that Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants across Australia have equitable access to services of the highest possible quality and standards.
Locating Mental Health Records in WA The Tuart Place family tracing program welcomes the work of Dr Philippa Martyr, who recently completed a history of the major mental health hospitals in Perth. In the course of her project Philippa received many family history enquiries from people who spent time in psychiatric hospitals during childhood, and from people looking for relatives who were institutionalised. Philippa writes: ‘At
Graylands Hospital we have a small Mental Health Museum run by volunteers, which is open on the first Wednesday of every month, and I am there to show people around and answer questions”. The Museum has also prepared a brief guide on Researching your family history in WA mental health records. Copies of the guide are available at the Museum and at Tuart Place.
Dr Philippa Martyr with FACT Inc Board member Ron Love at the launch of Tuart Place
SINGING - Just for fun! People often tell us that some of their best memories from childhood are of singing in a choir or having sing-alongs around a piano. Since our last newsletter we’ve heard from lots of people who would love to sing again – just for the joy and fun of it. Some people want to join in occasional sing-alongs, while others want to be part of a regular singing and music group. So let’s get this show on the road!
You can register your interest in singing with Sue at Tuart Place (Freecall 1800619-795). Please advise Sue of your preference for a day and time. We’re also keen to hear from anyone who can play the piano or another musical instrument for our singers. Why not make contact with some old friends and come along together, or come on you own and sing – just for the sheer joy of it!
A day at Kings Park Early in July a group of Tuart Place service users went on an expedition to Kings Park. Pip picked up the bus we borrowed for the occasion and brought it down to 24 High Street where the group was ready and waiting in the winter sunshine. Sue, our friendly office manager, had been busy making sure we had everything ready for our excursion including a large supply of lollies, cakes and drinks. Everything but the kitchen sink. Jen, one of our group members, is used to driving small buses and she did a wonderful job of getting us there safely, even with (or despite) all the ‘help’ from the back seat drivers - especially me! We parked up and off-loaded all our goodies before walking off to the gazebo near the memorial. After settling in and chatting for a while, people went down the hidden tracks and Jen even decided to go for a run. I almost had a heart attack watching her exercise so energetically! After lunch everybody went walking to wear off the effects of all the treats we’d eaten. Me – I stayed where I was, because exercise is not in my constitution. About an hour later, the group started to return. Some looked as ‘fitas-a-fiddle’ but others looked a bit worse for wear. Maybe they should have stayed with me.
Sylvia had brought along a small stone turtle and this was awarded to the person who had ‘come out of their shell’ the most. Congratulations Dougie! Before we left, we had a group hug, then a group photo with the Perth CBD in the background. It was a sad moment when we had to return. I was having such a good time because I was with the people with whom I connect the most. We arrived back safe and sound, thanks again to Jen. I think that the smiles on people’s faces showed that a good time was had by all. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed it immensely and hope there are more trips to come. I wish to thank all those involved for organising the trip. It was a great success!
by MARK P – Jnr Roving reporter.
Self Help & Support Groups National Awareness Day Wednesday 5th September 2012 ConnectGroups WA is hosting the 2012 National Self Help and Support Groups Awareness Day – United Voice of Compassion on 5th September at the WA State Library Theatre. This year’s event includes an interactive networking session, Sharing Stories & Towards Good Practice, which will showcase good practice models for Self Help and Support Groups. We will also be launching two new initiatives which will impact favourably on Self Help and Support Groups.
The annual Expo of 30 Self Help and Support Group Associations will run throughout the day at the Perth Cultural Centre with the inclusion of Local Musicians busking for Self Help and Support Groups! Tuart Place has a stall at this year’s event, so why not come along and say hello to Susy and our reps Dougie, Tom, Ron and Jen. While you’re there, you can also visit the WA State Memorial to Forgotten Australians, which is located on the grassed area near the State Library in Northbridge.
NOTICE BOARD Can you help?
We are looking for a piano or an electronic keyboard for the Tuart Place music and singing group. If you have either of these and are willing to loan or donate it to Tuart Place, please contact Sue on Freecall 1800-619-795.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to the many people who have contributed donations to Tuart Place and the work of FACT Inc. Our special thanks go to: Melissa Parke MP Alliance of Forgotten Australians Eris Harrison Arthur & Nola Stanton Maureen Briggs-Trewin Chris McAdam & family Lionel Dowler Disability Services Commission Leon Craven Patricia Keleher Edward Cogan Thanks also to Sharon Thompson, Liz Pattison and Anthony Brennan for donating books to our library; to Mike Carroll for the books and the overhead projector; to Errol, Sylvia and Lyn for helping others with family tracing; and to Dougie Fishwick for donating a guitar and sheet music, and especially for his kind help in assisting new students to learn the guitar. Love your work Dougie!
SEEKING CONTACT
Robin Rogowski (nee Richardson) seeking contact with anyone who was at St Joseph’s Victoria Square boarding school between 1945 and 1950 Please phone Robin on 9490-9605.
SEEKING CONTACT
Trish Rowney (nee Whelan) is seeking contact with her brother John Whelan, who was born in 1960 and was at Nazareth House between 1963-71, then Castledare for a few years before he was sent to Parkerville and other Homes. Trish last saw John at their mother’s funeral in 1996, when he was living in the Busselton area. Trish would also like to hear from any women who knew her from childhood days. Trish was at Nazareth house Geraldton between 1959 to 1972, and was known as ‘Paddy’ Whelan Please contact Trish on 9752-2931 or email vincent_trish@bigpond.com
SEEKING CONTACT
Marcus Ward would like to catch up with other Riverbank Old Boys from the late 1960s. Please phone Marcus on 0418-926-326.
An extra special thank you to Ron, who each month produces our other newsletter, the fantastic Tuart Place Newsletter. To subscribe to this monthly publication, contact Sue on Freecall 1800619-795 or email admin@tuartplace.org
Tuart Place: Contact Details and Opening Hours 24 High Street Fremantle WA 6160 Phone (08) 6140-2380 Freecall: 1800-619-795 Email admin@tuartplace.org Web: www.tuartplace.org
Opening Hours 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday Wednesday Thursday