Flourish magazine - Summer/Autumn 2021

FLOURISH ISSUE NO. 11

SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021

13 NO INTEREST LOAN GETS PUP BACK ON HER FEET IN THIS ISSUE:

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7

10

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New affordable housing project gets green light

Aged care complex welcomes its first residents

Families feel the impact of our Christmas Appeal

Poetry group prepares for first ever performance

Our inaugural trainees celebrate their graduation

“ It has been an honour and a privilege to lead UnitingSA and to work alongside so many people committed to making a positive difference in our community.”

CEO LIBBY CRAFT, 2021

WELCOME

S

o much has happened across UnitingSA since our last publication of Flourish and it’s great to be able to share some of our highlights with you in this latest edition.

In addition to these highlights, our teams have continued to work against the challenging backdrop of COVID-19, which has had an ongoing impact on the way we deliver services. Thankfully, we have been able to largely return to ‘business as usual’ this year, however there are still many precautions in place to ensure we can support our community while protecting everyone’s health and wellbeing.

Our new aged care complex in West Lakes has transformed from a building site into a welcoming home, with the first residents ready to move in during March and April. Turn to page 7 to read about one of the first couples moving into the top floor Retirement Living Apartments.

I continue to be inspired by the dedication of our workforce, who have always put others’ needs first despite the ongoing challenges of this global pandemic. We are now in the process of preparing for the COVID-19 vaccination program, which will roll out to those in our Residential Aged Care homes in the coming weeks.

We’ve had our Christmas Appeal, which now seems like a distant memory, but was a wonderful demonstration of our community uniting to bring a smile to others during what can be a particularly stressful time of year. Read all about it on page 10.

Finally, this year has seen me make one of the biggest decisions of my career.

In February, I announced I will retire from my role as CEO in August 2021. I have given six months’ notice to allow sufficient time for a comprehensive recruitment process and a smooth transition.

Our inaugural group of trainees attended their graduation ceremony in March, having completed their Certificate III in Individual Support through the pilot program. See page 14 for all the pictures from their big day.

After more than 25 years with the organisation, I will be taking with me incredible memories, enriching experiences and lifelong friendships.

It has been an honour and a privilege to lead UnitingSA and to work alongside so many people committed to making a positive difference in our community.

We’ve also made significant progress on a number of new housing developments, including an important project in Ferryden Park creating affordable housing for older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our special feature on pages 8 and 9 will explain not only what is being built, but the incredible story of how it came to fruition through pure determination and heart.

UNITINGSA

Libby Craft Chief Executive Officer

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

IN THIS ISSUE

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Meet the Wesley House resident who has her first pen pal at the age of 80

Work progresses on new housing project to tackle homelessness among older women

Wesley Social Enterprises employee Khoi explains what he loves about being part of the team

UPCOMING DATES March

April

May

16 National Close the Gap Day

2 Good Friday

9 Mother’s Day

20 International Day of Happiness

8 UnitingSA birthday

17–23 National Volunteer Week

21 Harmony Day

25 Anzac Day

27 National Reconciliation Week begins

UNITING SA ANNUAL PROFILE 2019-20

14,103

1,003

93

2,463

4,631

PEOPLE SUPPORTED

EMPLOYEES

VOLUNTEERS

PEOPLE CARED FOR ACROSS AGED CARE

OCCASIONS OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT GIVEN GREEN LIGHT

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e are excited to be progressing our plans for a new community housing project in Prospect, which will greatly improve access to affordable housing in the area.

The UnitingSA Housing development will include 40 apartments over four levels, centred around an internal courtyard to encourage interaction among residents.

Prospect Council provided planning consent for the development in December, marking a significant milestone in this important project.

UnitingSA CEO Libby Craft says the development builds on the organisation’s goal to ensure there is safe, secure, affordable housing for all in our community.

“This project will replace six outdated properties with 40 modern apartments, greatly increasing positive housing outcomes for our community,” Ms Craft says.

“There is so much revitalisation happening in Prospect and to be a part of that change is really exciting.

“We are delighted the City of Prospect can see the value in our vision and look forward to contributing to the mix of housing in the area and responding to community need.”

The development will be located on a 2,240sqm site on the corner of Gurr Street and Devonport Tce, near local shopping precincts and public transport routes.

The design, which was developed in collaboration with City Collective,

incorporates communal and private outdoor spaces for residents, along with vertical gardens and bike storage to support healthy lifestyles.

Ms Craft says it will cater for a diverse mix of residents of all ages, from single occupants to small families.

“We want to build community housing that is accessible to a broad range of people in this highly valued location,” she says.

“Considerable time has been spent to ensure the design provides for a high quality development that links residents with their local community and enhances the vibrancy of the area.

“We are really excited to progress work in 2021 – it’s going to be a big year.”

LIBBY

Construction on the Prospect development is anticipated to begin late in 2021 and continue through 2022.

PICTURED: Artist impressions of the community housing development planned for Prospect.

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

“I really like writing back and forth and I feel excited when I get a letter.”

Nanette finds the experience equally exciting.

“I get a lot of pleasure out of writing to Sophie and I’ve kept every letter she has written me,” she says.

“I’ve got them where I can see them every day on a nice stand we made in craft.”

After six months of writing, Sophie and Nanette had the chance to meet in person when Carolyn took Sophie to Wesley House – a memory they will never forget.

As Sophie rounded the corner and introduced herself, Nanette’s face broke into a smile and she excitedly called out, ‘There’s my pen pal!’

Ever since, the two have caught up on several occasions, always embracing in a big hug and sitting and chatting about their lives.

But even though COVID-19 visitor restrictions have eased and the pair can now catch up in person whenever they want, they have no plans of stopping writing letters.

There’s just something very special about receiving an envelope and opening it to discover what words lie inside.

YOU’VE GOT MAIL – A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP

W

hen COVID-19 was just beginning to impact the lives of South Australians in early 2020, a young girl living in Adelaide’s western suburbs felt the need to reach out to others.

“I wanted to make more friends and I wanted to make other people happier,” Sophie, age 8, says.

And with that, she began her journey to find a pen pal at Wesley House Aged Care, where her nanna Carolyn works.

When Sophie wrote her first letter, she did not know who the recipient would be.

Carolyn took the letter to Wesley House and, after it was released from quarantine, the Activities Team identified a resident who was keen to become the youngster’s correspondent.

“It’s something to really look forward to.”

NANETTE

Nanette, age 80, was excited to get involved and the two began writing letters regularly.

They shared details about themselves, their hobbies, their outings – forging a friendship through words along the way.

During the ups and downs of COVID-19 restrictions, which at times impacted visitation in aged care, the letters were a special way of connecting.

“I wrote about my pets and what’s going on and about my holidays and Christmas, when Santa got me a bike,” Sophie says.

“I’ve made her some pictures too, and sometimes I send colouring in and I colour in part of the picture and Nanette finishes it.

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PICTURED: Wesley House resident Nanette with her 8-year-old pen pal Sophie.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

END OF AN ERA FOR ST TERESA AGED CARE

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esidents and staff at St Teresa Aged Care are preparing for their next chapter, as they farewell West Croydon and move to UnitingSA’s new aged care complex in West Lakes.

After operating St Teresa’s for more than 30 years, UnitingSA has decided to sell the facility once residents have relocated to the new state-of-the-art complex at the former Football Park site in April.

St Teresa Aged Care Director of Nursing, Teresa Anderson, says it is bittersweet to be leaving the site that has provided such a welcoming home for our residents.

“Our staff and residents are excited to have a new beginning in an incredible new complex, but of course there is a bit of sadness to be leaving St Teresa’s behind,” Teresa says.

“St Teresa’s has provided a culturallyrich home, with a focus on people with Polish heritage, which was missing in South Australia at the time it was established.

“It has given residents the opportunity to spend time with people of their own age and culture, who really understand them.”

“I’ve got to know so many amazing people over the years – both staff and residents – and I feel so privileged to have been a part of the St Teresa story.”

TERESA

St Teresa’s began in 1988 when our organisation was provided a Federal Government grant to support the establishment of a nursing home with priority access for people of Polish background.

We bought the Western Nursing Home, which was later renamed St Teresa’s Aged Care, and started to employ bi-lingual and bi-cultural staff to support residents.

Over the years, the resident mix has diversified, but the home has maintained its strong links to the Polish community – especially through our close relationship with the Polish Federation of SA, which has been a key part of our service from day one.

In fact, the idea for St Teresa’s came from the Polish Federation, who approached us to develop the home after identifying a gap in cultural support for Polish people as they aged.

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“We want to say a huge thank you to Edward Dudzinski and Wanda Kopek, from the Polish Federation of SA, who have provided invaluable support,” Teresa says.

“A huge thank you also goes to the Polish Women’s Community Choir, for their incredible performances over the years.”

A really important part of the closure of St Teresa Aged Care has been ensuring the history of the site is preserved.

We have been delighted to secure a place for St Teresa’s historical photos and memorabilia in the Polish Hill River Church Museum, in Clare.

“There are photo albums of us from the beginning, and families have also given us photos of their loved ones over the years,” Teresa says.

“It’s a great outcome that it will all go to the museum, so our history will not be lost and can be shared with others.”

Events to commemorate the final weeks at St Teresa Aged Care were held for staff and residents in March, ahead of the April move.

PICTURED: Staff and residents at St Teresa Aged Care, West Croydon, which will close in April.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

FIRST RESIDENTS MOVE INTO WEST LAKES

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utumn is a really exciting time for UnitingSA, with our new aged care complex in West Lakes transitioning from a building site to a welcoming home.

After more than 18 months of construction, the finishing touches are being put on UnitingSA West Lakes, with the first residents moving into the top floor retirement living apartments in March.

They will soon be followed by residents from our St Teresa Aged Care and Westminster Village Aged Care homes, who will start to occupy the three levels of Residential Aged Care in April.

Among the first residents to move into UnitingSA West Lakes are Hazel and Merv Dann, who have secured one of the top floor Vista Apartments.

The couple say they were drawn to the apartment’s “magnificent views” and the opportunity to join a community of like-minded people.

“At the end of the day, it’s about more than physical security. It presents peace of mind and a whole new community of friends,” Hazel says.

“If we want to go away, we can just lock the door and off we go, knowing everything will be safe and secure.

QUICK FACTS

“We’re close to health services, shops, cafes, golf courses and our family, and there’s a new library just down the road which will be fantastic.”

y 108 Residential Aged Care rooms across three levels

Merv says access to services was a “big thing” in the couple’s decision to move.

y Views across the oval, lakes, ocean and city

“We can get support in our home and have priority access to Residential Aged Care, if and when we need it, which is very reassuring,” he says.

y Residents begin moving in during March and April

“It means we can get on with life, knowing there are services there and we’ll never have to move again.”

y 17 top floor Retirement Living apartments

y Ground floor shops and services

Visit unitingsa.com.au/westlakes for all the details.

PICTURED: Hazel and Merv Dann are among the first residents to move into Vista Apartments at UnitingSA West Lakes.

UNITINGSA

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

Days Road Gospel Mission Site History 1921 y The Days Road Sunbeam Sunday School commences for local children y Parents start meeting in a local family’s home for church services y Fundraising begins to build a church on Days Road

1926 y The Days Road Gospel Mission is built and the first church service is held y The constitution is signed by Charles Brister, Edward Boxer and William Elliot, as site Trustees, stating the land must be used “for the benefit of the Days Road Gospel Mission for ever”

1930s y Sports teams start at the church, beginning with tennis and later netball and football which continue through to the 1990s

1960s y The church reaches its peak, with about 70 people regularly attending

1983 y An op shop is opened to raise funds to continue the church’s operations

2006 y On the back of dwindling church members, lifelong member Judy Bynoe starts to speak with others in the congregation about the site’s future

2007 y Solicitors advise the church cannot be sold and the proceeds donated to charity because it would not uphold the constitution y The Port Adelaide Central Mission (now UnitingSA) is approached to consider taking over the site

HOUSING FOR OLDER WOMEN A GROWING NEED

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ork is well underway on our new housing development in Ferryden Park, which will cater for the rising number of older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness in South Australia.

The $2.6 million development on Days Road includes eight two-bedroom houses, which will be rented to women aged 55 and over facing significant housing stress.

2014

The project has been made possible through a partnership with the South Australian Housing Authority (SAHA), which provided a $1 million grant, and members of the former Days Road Gospel Mission, who gifted the Ferryden Park site.

y The Supreme Court rules in favour of the church site being gifted to UnitingSA, provided it is used to create housing for people in need

It is incredible to see the project finally come to fruition, after many years of tireless work by members of the Mission (see separate story).

2020–2021

UnitingSA CEO Libby Craft says the development aims to address the increasing rate of homelessness among older women, who have become the fastest growing homeless population in the country.

2007–2014 y UnitingSA Minister Les Underwood and Judy Bynoe work together to find a solution for the site’s future

y SA Housing Authority grants UnitingSA $1m towards the development of eight houses for older women at risk of or experiencing homelessness y Work begins on the housing development, which is expected to be complete by 30 June 2021

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Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the number of women aged 55 and over experiencing homelessness increased by more than 30 per cent to almost 7,000 between 2011 and 2016.

“There are a range of factors making older women particularly vulnerable to homelessness, including limited savings, superannuation and assets,” Ms Craft says.

“Without an adequate financial buffer, a relationship breakdown or job loss can quickly escalate to homelessness and affordable housing is crucial to provide safety and security.

“This housing development will not only provide older women with a safe and secure place to call home, but with a range of wraparound services to improve their health and wellbeing.”

A sod turning ceremony was held in October to officially mark the start of works on the project, and it is anticipated residents will be able to move in mid-2021.

PICTURED: Artist impressions of the housing development in Ferryden Park for older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

SITE’S HISTORY AS IMPORTANT AS ITS FUTURE When you drive past 154 Days Road in Ferryden Park today, it looks like any other building site. But dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover a rich history, full of people determined to ensure that this patch of earth will always be used for good.

This is the story of how the former Days Road Gospel Mission became a site to house older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

W

hen a blacksmith from Islington, a coppersmith from Yatala South and a labourer from Kilkenny wrote the constitution for the Days Road Gospel Mission in 1926, they could not foresee what the one-page document would mean for future generations.

They could not envisage that their signatures would cement what was to become a labour of love for the yet-to-be-born Judy Bynoe.

Judy was born in 1937 and jokes she entered the world “on a Sunday night at 7pm so my mother made sure I was out in time for church”.

From her time attending church as a baby through to her years enjoying Sunday School picnics, church sports teams and playing the organ during service, the Days Road Gospel Mission was an integral part of Judy’s life.

In 2006, as church members aged or moved away and the congregation dwindled, Judy started to wonder what

would become of the church and its land, which was once owned by her grandfather.

After speaking with others from the congregation, it was decided the best outcome would be to sell the church and surrounding land and donate all of the proceeds to charity.

However, on speaking with a solicitor, it was quickly realised it couldn’t be sold because of the wording of the constitution signed 80 years prior.

Specifically, the constitution said the land must be used “for the benefit of the Days Road Gospel Mission for ever”.

Determined to find a solution, Judy starting “thinking and praying”.

Having learnt of the work of the Port Adelaide Central Mission, she decided the organisation may be able to play a role in the land’s future.

Enter Les Underwood, the Minister for the Port Adelaide Central Mission at the time, which has since become UnitingSA.

Les recalls: “It was 2007 and I got a call from a solicitor asking if we would be interested in obtaining a church.

“He explained it wasn’t going to be simple but these people were anxious that it would be passed to a like-minded organisation.”

So began a seven-year journey, in which Judy and Les worked together with solicitors to develop a proposal whereby the land would be gifted to UnitingSA in a way that would uphold the values of the Days Road Gospel Mission and the constitution’s intent.

The proposal made it all the way to the Supreme Court, which handed down its ruling in September 2014.

The judgement was in favour of UnitingSA being gifted the land on the condition it “utilise the property to provide low cost housing to low income earners, people with mental illness and other disadvantaged people”.

Fast-forward to 2021 and that vision is now being realised in the development of eight houses for older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Judy says she and Les were “over the moon” with the outcome, after dedicating so many years to finding a solution.

Les agrees and says “patience and goodwill were the key ingredients to making this happen”.

Despite the countless hours spent finding a solution and the many years of uncertainty, Judy can now see merit in what that blacksmith, coppersmith and labourer were trying to achieve way back when.

“Even though initially we wanted to sell the church and give the money to charity, I’m really much happier with this outcome,” she says.

“So maybe those Trustees knew what they were doing all those years ago.”

PICTURED: (Left) SA Housing Authority Chair Gary Storkey, UnitingSA Board Chair Gael Fraser, Days Road Gospel Mission representative Judy Bynoe, UnitingSA CEO Libby Craft and Minister Les Underwood at the sod turning ceremony.

(Top) The former Days Road Gospel Mission.

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

Despite the far-reaching financial and economic impacts of COVID-19, local businesses, schools, church congregations and individuals came together to support fellow South Australians.

Community Host Collectors from across Adelaide sourced donated gifts from employees, customers and clients, which were distributed at our magical Toy Room in Port Adelaide.

Families attended the Toy Room during the two week lead-up to Christmas to choose a gift, stocking fillers and wrapping paper for their children.

Nearly 400 children were able to wake up to these gifts on Christmas morning, with an amazing selection of scooters, board games, science and art kits, books, and much more donated to the appeal.

A number of employees from long-standing donor, the SA Power Networks Employee Foundation, volunteered their time to restock the Toy Room, help with appointments and talk to parents and caregivers as they made their gift selections. City of Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor, Claire Boan, even dropped by to donate gifts and learn about the appeal’s impact.

UNITED IN SEASON OF GIVING

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he final figures for UnitingSA’s 2020 Christmas Appeal are in and we are so grateful to all our generous donors for another season of incredible support.

The appeal raised over $30,000 for emergency relief efforts and enabled us to distribute more than 1,200 gifts for children who would have otherwise missed out.

Christmas Appeal Fast Facts

$31,743

raised to support individuals and families in need

$16,000 worth of grocery vouchers distributed

391

children received a gift and stocking fillers

623

Alongside gifts for children, families experiencing financial distress received a $40 grocery voucher to purchase basic food items or produce for a Christmas lunch. A number of non-perishable foods and personal hygiene items were also offered.

To conclude the appeal, a COVID-Safe Christmas Day lunch for vulnerable and isolated individuals was hosted

by UnitingSA Minister Les Underwood at the Child, Youth and Family Centre in Port Adelaide.

Over 40 attendees enjoyed a delicious spread of ham, chicken, salads, puddings and other treats, which were lovingly prepared and served by a team of volunteers. A big thank you to Para Hills Quality Meats, Costco and Woolworths at West Lakes for supporting the catering of this lunch.

Although a number of other fundraising events were cancelled as a COVID-19 precaution, the unwavering dedication from staff and support from donors has ensured the 2020 Christmas Appeal could still have a wonderful positive impact.

Small acts of kindness brought our community together in the true spirit of Christmas.

people supported through the appeal PICTURED: Bianca, from UnitingSA, gets ready to distribute gifts from our Christmas Toy Room.

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

POETRY, PUBLICATIONS AND PERFORMING

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embers of Taperoo Community Centre’s poetry group are practising diligently for a very special occasion, when they will perform their own poems to an audience for the first time.

Centre Coordinator Kathy Miller says the performance will be an incredible accomplishment for the group, with some members having only started reading and writing in the past few years.

The performance is the culmination of many months of hard work, which began when group members collaborated to write three humorous poems last year.

Each participant was then encouraged to write their own poem, drawing from their life experiences.

What resulted was an eclectic mix of poems with topics as far ranging as puppies, raindrops, hats, relationships and rock’n’roll.

The poems have since been collated into a book, A Potpourri of Poems and Pictures, with artwork by Taperoo Community Centre’s painting group bringing much colour to the publication.

“It is amazing to see how far they have come,” Kathy says.

“Bear in mind a lot of people in this group have not long been reading and writing.

“A couple of years ago, there is no way they would have attempted to write poetry, let alone perform it.”

“I am so proud of each of them and it has been incredible to watch their development – they should be very proud of themselves.”

KATHY

Dotti is among the group participants whose work has been published in the poetry compilation.

In the centre’s autumn concert, Dotti plans to perform her poem as a song to the tune of wartime musical hit, ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’.

She says Taperoo Community Centre, which offers a broad range of classes including in the areas of computing, literacy, personal development and creative pursuits, has been life changing for her.

“When I first came here, when my carer dropped me off they almost had to carry me in,” Dotti says.

“Then I saw the sign on the wall that says ‘Enter as a stranger, leave as a friend’ and that’s what made me feel comfortable.

“Now I don’t want to ever leave… that’s the problem!”

To find out more about Taperoo Community Centre and the range of classes available, contact Centre Coordinator Kathy Miller on 8248 2122 or visit unitingsa.com.au/communityservices/taperoo-community-centre to download a timetable.

Her poem talks about her love of Taperoo Community Centre, which she says is like her second home.

Kathy says the high quality of the publication is secondary to the impact the process has had on participants’ lives – especially their confidence.

PICTURED: Poetry group members are excited to be performing their own poems for the first time.

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

“My first job at WSE was with the sewing team, making things for customers like pillow cases, fitted sheets and quilt covers,” Khoi says.

“I had done sewing before in home economics class in high school.”

Khoi honed his sewing skills over 10 years, before moving to other roles at WSE including office cleaning and sorting second hand shoes for people in need.

He also spent time working for WSE’s indoor plant hire business, where his years tending to his family’s cucumber and tomato crops put him in good stead to care for the various plants.

In more recent days, he has joined the graffiti removal team, which Khoi says is one of his favourite positions since starting at WSE. He has particularly loved learning new skills and having a laugh with his workmates as they clean railway stations along Adelaide’s Grange, Gawler and Outer Harbor lines.

He also lists the morning tea breaks at Semaphore beach as one of the perks of the job.

MEANINGFUL WORK FOR ALL

“I really enjoy going out with the guys to the stations to do graffiti cleaning,” he says.

“I’ve worked with them for a while and we’ve become friends.”

“Outside of work we go out and eat together and celebrate things like birthdays.”

KHOI

Wesley Social Enterprises is a unique part of our organisation, offering meaningful supported employment for around 100 people with disability across metropolitan and regional South Australia each year. Meet Khoi, who shares with us what he loves about his role in the team.

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or Khoi, the rewards of working at Wesley Social Enterprises (WSE) stretch much further than a weekly wage.

He will tell you it is the friends he has made, and the banter they have when working on site, that have been of greatest value to him.

Seventeen years on from joining WSE, Khoi has no plans on leaving.

The routine of work and the camaraderie with his fellow teammates suits him well.

“It’s really good to be able to work with other people with a disability,” he says.

“It’s much better than staying at home.

Khoi spent his early years in Vietnam and moved to Adelaide as a 10-yearold, ready for a new life Down Under.

Never one to be idle, upon leaving high school he went straight to work packing supermarket shelves and helping his dad on the family’s vegetable farm.

Then came factory work, with Khoi learning to make car parts, before he joined WSE as a supported employee in 2003.

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“I’m only 45 – I’ve got a long way to go.”

Find out more about Wesley Social Enterprises at unitingsa.com.au/ social-enterprises

PICTURED: Khoi loves working with the Wesley Social Enterprises team.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

PUP’S MESSAGE OF THANKS

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ridges, washing machines and air-conditioners are commonly bought through our No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) but lately more and more people have been accessing loans to look after their beloved pets.

David is one such person, and thanks to a NILS loan late last year, his best friend Sweet Pea is almost back to full health after an upsetting dog attack left her needing surgery on her back leg.

David didn’t know how he’d be able to afford the $2,600 vet bill to fix Sweet Pea’s torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) until a mate told him about the NILS program.

“I had already saved $1,000 to get new glasses and do some work on my car, so I knew I could use that, but I didn’t know how I was going to come up with the rest,” David says.

“I knew I could easily raise $100 but there was still a $1,500 gap.

“You have no idea the relief I felt when I found out about the loan.”

The NILS program offers people living on low incomes access to interest and fee-free loans of up to $1,500 to help buy essentials such as household furniture, items to assist with education or electrical appliances.

UnitingSA’s NILS Microfinance Officer Daya says as word of mouth spreads, more people have also started accessing loans to pay for vet bills,

which can place extreme financial pressure on households.

In David’s case, he was so grateful for the support, he wrote a thank you card from Sweet Pea (see right).

Months later, Daya still has the card on her pin board to remind her every day why she comes to work.

Sweet Pea’s Letter Hi, My name is Sweet Pea and I am writing to say a big

“When you get that kind of positive feedback, it inspires you to continue doing what you are doing,” Daya says.

thank you for helping my dad

“We get into this work to help people and it’s really great when you can see the impact it has had on someone’s life.”

fixed up. I was out for a walk

David says Sweet Pea is almost back to full health but some days she only manages two neighbourhood walks with him – down from their regular three.

bad dog who did some damage

He is delighted his card of thanks brought smiles to the UnitingSA team in the lead-up to Christmas, which is an extremely busy time with many people needing financial assistance.

“When it was all done I wanted to thank the people who had helped me,” David says.

out with a loan to get me when I was attacked by a very to my back leg. Thanks to you I am slowly on the mend.

I have a really great dad who was worried about me and he really loves me.

Thank you again.

“I thought, ‘If I can make a few people smile with a card from Sweet Pea, then that’s great’.

Lots of Love and a

“I got a call on Christmas Eve from the team at UnitingSA saying ‘Your card has lifted our spirits so much’.

xXx

“The fact it has touched so many people’s hearts is mind blowing.”

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Merry Christmas.

PICTURED: David with his beloved pup, Sweet Pea, who was able to receive surgery thanks to a No Interest Loan.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

FIRST TRAINEES CELEBRATE SUCCESS

A

special graduation ceremony has been held to celebrate the wonderful achievements of UnitingSA’s inaugural cohort of trainees.

UnitingSA’s Board Chair Gael Fraser and CEO Libby Craft joined key staff and representatives from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC) to congratulate trainees as they received their Certificate III in Individual Support, in the presence of family and friends.

Our pilot traineeship program began in March 2020 as part of the joint State and Federal Government-funded Skilling South Australia initiative.

The opportunity enabled our organisation to both develop the skills of new workers and in turn, address skills shortages across the community services and aged care industries.

The traineeship blended on-the-job experience within our Aged Care Services, with mentoring and

What they said: DAVE, MENTOR, HAWKSBURY GARDENS AGED CARE “My hope for the trainees is to move forward and enjoy the job that I enjoy.”

supervision provided by UnitingSA staff members and educational components delivered through ANMEC. All trainees have since been offered ongoing employment with UnitingSA, including Timothy, who was a trainee at St Teresa Aged Care and is now working with our Wesley Social Enterprises team.

“One of the key things I’ve learnt is that when you serve other people, you also serve yourself,” Timothy says.

“When I started the job, I realised at the end of each shift I felt really good about myself because I’d made somebody else’s day just a little bit brighter.

“That gave me the fortitude, attitude and skills to come back to work the next day and do it all again.”

We thank all of our trainees for the positive impact they have had on UnitingSA residents, clients and teams throughout their traineeship.

Our People and Culture team look forward to growing our traineeship program next year to help South

STEPHANIE, TRAINEE GRADUATE “I look forward to becoming a fullyfledged Personal Carer and doing a bit more training around dementia to get a better understanding of how to best care for the residents.

We are in their home so we need to treat them with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”

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Australians develop the skills and qualifications needed to build meaningful and lasting careers.

For more information about our traineeship program, contact our People and Culture team on (08) 8440 2200.

PICTURED: Our inaugural trainees (top from left) Tayler, Amy, Stephanie, Daniela, Raisa and Timothy and (inset) Albina with UnitingSA mentor Sandra.

TIMOTHY, TRAINEE GRADUATE “I was working in a few other industries and didn’t feel fulfilled.

I always knew I had a knack for caring for people and so I thought I’d give this industry a try. It’s been really rewarding.”

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

Betty was honoured with a visit by current members of the Air Force, who presented her with a certificate and commemorative coins as part of their ‘Connect with a Centenarian’ initiative.

There are fewer than a dozen veterans who will be honoured in this way during the year.

Family and friends joined Betty for the presentation, including a special visit from her great-granddaughter Emma, who is currently serving as a Leading Aircraftswoman with the RAAF and flew in for the occasion.

In an interview with the RAAF, Emma spoke about following in Betty’s footsteps and what it meant to be able to attend her great-grandmother’s special day.

“I am so proud to be her great-granddaughter, I am so proud of her achievements and I am so proud that I have the opportunity to attend this very special presentation to her.”

SPECIAL DAY FOR CENTENARIAN

W

estminster Village resident Betty Howells made history in February when she became the first WWII Royal Australian Air Force veteran to turn 100 in the same year as the Air Force’s Centenary.

EMMA

“Great-grandma had a very fast career progression from recruit to sergeant in three years. She was obviously very intelligent, a hard worker and must have adapted very quickly to her roles.

“I love my Air Force career and I look forward to a long career as a Personnel Capability Specialist and hope my career progression is as rapid as my great-grandmother’s.”

Betty served with the Air Force from 1942 to 1945, providing invaluable administrative support during the war efforts.

To read her full story, visit the Air Force’s special ‘Air Force 2021’ website, commemorating their Centenary – airforce2021.airforce.gov.au/news/ turning-100-air-force

PICTURED: Westminster Village resident Betty Howells with her great-granddaughter Emma at her special 100th birthday celebration.

Photos courtesy of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 11 | 2021

70 Dale Street • PO Box 3032, Port Adelaide, SA 5015 P. (08) 8440 2200 E. unitingsa@unitingsa.com.au W. unitingsa.com.au @unitingsa Photography: Catherine Leo at cathleo.com.au Editorial enquiries or feedback: (08) 8200 9213 © Copyright 2021 UnitingSA