Bits n Pieces Mar-Apr 2020

B I T S ‘ N P I E C ES CELEBRATE WOMEN’S WEEK WITH COMMUNITY GRO IN MARCH The theme for Queensland Women's Week 2020 is “Celebrating our Diverse Community of Strong Women”.

The theme highlights the diversity of women in Queensland and aims to empower and inspire Queensland women and girls to embrace and celebrate their unique qualities and experiences.

Come along to one of our Women’s Week Events to celebrate:

MONDAY

Craft Group 9:30am-11:30am “Off Your Rocker” Seniors Fitness 9.30am-11.30am

Free one-on-one Computer lessons 1pm-3pm

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY FREE BREAD (subject to availability) follow our Facebook page for updates https://www.facebook.com/communitygro/ Krafty Kapers Free Justice of Child Health Clinic Craft Group Peace Service 9am-12pm 9:30am-11:45am 9am-11am Time out – Board & DATSIP Playgroup Card games Every fortnight 9:30am-11:30am 9:30am-11:45am 9:00am-12:00pm Shield of H.E.R.S. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Women’s Group 10am-11:30am Men’s Support Al-ANON Group 1pm-2pm 12pm-2pm Free one-on-one Free one-on-one Kid’s Activities Computer lessons Computer lessons 3pm-4pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm Free Legal Service 4-4.30pm

Youth Drop-In (for 10-18yrs): Thursday to Monday 3.00pm to 8.30 pm.

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Al-Anon Family Groups, including Alateen, offer understanding and support to families and friends of problem drinkers.

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If your home is unhappy because someone drinks too much ...

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We can help you.

Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups

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FREE

Office Services

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FREE JP Service —

FREE Legal Service —

Playgroup is BACK! We are looking forward to a brand new year of weekly playgroups in 2020. Our playgroup is on every Thursday morning during school term from 9:30am to 11:30am.

Playgroup helps children to learn and grow.

Children learn through play, and giving them these opportunities during the all-important first 5 years has been proven to benefit children in lots of different ways.

If you live in the Upper Ross and need a lift to playgroup please call the Upper Ross Community Centre on 47740144 and ask for Tina. Please also contact us if you would like any further information.

ENROL NOW FOR HIPPY 2020 -

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Benefits for Children:

Benefits for Families:

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Training and Employment Opportunity

Connecting Families with Community

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Now taking expressions of interest for our next Cert III in Community Services course which commences in March 2020 (at the Upper Community Centre).

Expression of Interest forms are available from the Community Centre or by emailing the program coordinator Marlina, MReganMurad@communitygro.org.au As a participant in the program you will have the opportunity to complete · A Certificate III in Community Services · First Aid/CPR Training · Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set · CORED Suicide Prevention Training · Resume and job search help Limited spaces available.

Eligibility criteria applies.

Contact Marlina for more information.

This Skilling Queenslander’s for Work Project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.

Shield Of Hers Women’s Group I have been a participant of the Shield of H.E.R.S Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group since 2017. I strongly encourage all our Indigenous women in our community to attend, you will not be disappointed. We do so much and there is never a dull moment. We have different age groups that attend the women’s group. I find the different conversations help me a lot as I hear different women’s perspective on life and issues and it’s amazing. It is so much better than going to a counselling session. Having the open yarns, that are culturally appropriate, helps me to open up and yarn freely.

The activities are so much fun and helpful, especially about self-awareness. We laugh a lot and enjoy the bonding time.

We are always reminded that we are “Strong, Deadly Black Women”. This group is something that I look forward to attending every week.

Everyone looks up to Topsy, she is helpful and caring and connects each and every one of us. She comes with a lot of cultural knowledge and builds on our confidence.

The ‘worry’ Activity is so powerful, as it has definitely worked for me. During this activity we write down the worries that we have no control over and throw it away into our worry box. This really helps. We as indigenous women take on so much from our families and extended families, but the reality is we only have control of our own lives and feelings, if we don’t have the control to change it – why worry .

Cheers Gertie x

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A Saver Plus Participant’s Journey

Benefits for participants’ Who can join?

87%

78%

88%

80%

Continue to save the same amount or more

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Reported increased self-esteem

How did it start?

Since 2003’:

Were better equiped

had more control over their finances

Find out more

40,000+

$23m+ $18m+

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*many Centrelink payments are eligible, please contact your local Coordinator for more information 1 RMIT University, 2018. A number of Saver Plus program evaluations have been carried out since 2003.

For mor information see anz.com/saverplus Saver Plus is an initiative of the Brotherhood o St Laurence and ANZ, delivered in partnership with Berry Street, The Benevolent Society and The Smith Family and other local community agencies. The program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to 222.dss.gov.au for more information.

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Shout Out to Tenants! - Become a ‘Tenant of Choice' Community GRO, in partnership with the Tenancy Skills Institute, is delivering Skillsets for Successful Tenancies - Dollars and Sense program. This FREE competency-based training program is designed to help tenants successfully secure and keep a rental tenancy.

This training will equip participants with skills and knowledge that are key to taking control in a positive way.

Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate which they can include with their rental application, giving them a competitive advantage over other tenants. If you have no rental history, property managers can sometimes be a little hesitant on accepting your application. With this certificate, property managers know you have taken the initiative to learn the vital skills needed to maintain a residential tenancy giving the application higher merit than those without this evidence.

The 10-hour training covers four key skillsets that are vital for a successful tenancy including communication skills, tenant rights and responsibilities, cleaning and maintaining a property and budgeting. For more information contact the Community GRO on 47740144.

Skillsets for Successful Tenancies is full of expert knowledge that can be used to kick-start your rental journey

COMMUNICATION

Delivered by

RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES AS A TENANT MAINTAING & CLEANING A PROPERTY FINANCES & BUDGETTING

Skillsets for Tenancies—Dollars and Sense is funded by the Queensland Government TENANCY SKILLS

Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights @ the Upper Ross Community Centre 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm Come along and chill, have a feed, all free.

For Ages 10-17 years

Being part of a social group is good for your health!

It’s well established that people who feel socially isolated, or as though they don’t belong, have worse mental health than those who feel socially connected.

Research has found “social connectedness” is at least as good for your health as quitting smoking or exercise. It aids recovery from physical and mental illness, and provides resilience for stressful life events and transitions. Improving someone’s social connectedness can support and protect the health of people in their everyday lives.

What is social connectedness? Social connectedness isn’t about being popular, or having a lot of friends. Although it can come from the personal relationships you have with other individuals (friends and family), research finds it’s belonging to groups that’s most important for your health.

Both of Community GRO’s Community Centres have a range of social group activities throughout the week, ranging from art and craft groups, board and card games, and Men’s and Women’s groups.

Check the weekly timetable for Upper Ross Community Centre (URCC) on pg 2 or call URCC on 47740144 or Garbutt Community Centre on 47797268 for more info.

Find Community Gro on Townsville Family Life Townsville Family Life is a locally owned online resource for current information on family friendly products, services, groups, community organisations and kid’s activities in Townsville and surrounding areas. It’s a fantastic initiative and you can now find Community Gro in their online directory! Search for Townsville Family Life on both Facebook and Instagram and also at https://www.townsvillefamilylife.com/ to find out what is happening at Community Gro and also become aware of lots of exciting things happening around Townsville for families.

Thank you so much to Amanda for providing this amazing resource for our community!

Do you have one spare hour a fortnight and would like to visit the elderly in the local Aged Care Homes in Townsville?

The Community Visitors Scheme is a national program funded by the Australian Government. The CVS aims to enrich the quality of life of residents of aged care homes who are socially isolated or lonely, and would benefit from a friendly visitor.

For more information please contact the coordinator on 4774 0144 or email tglenwright@communitygro.org.au

We bulk bill for services provided to DVA, HCF “More for Teeth” program & children and teenagers are eligible through the Child Dental Benefits Scheme · · · · · ·

Tooth Cleaning Fillings Extractions Dental Sealants Dentures Crowns

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Bridges Veneers Root Canals Cosmetic Dentistry Whitening

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Garden Gro Program @ the Garbutt Community Centre Community Gro’s Garbutt Community Centre is located in the heart of Garbutt in Lonerganne St. It’s a lovely old cottage style facility and our garden is an oasis for many in the community.

We are looking for community-minded people across Townsville to help us in restoring our garden and assisting in the development of a Community Garden at the back of the property – produce grown will not only assist community members but also provide for some of our programs such as our Community Kitchen.

Volunteers interested in helping out can meet each Thursday at the Centre from 2pm-4pm to work as part of a group – or come along throughout the week from Tuesday-Friday from 9am-4pm to help with general jobs such as watering and weeding.

Please contact Rebecca on 4779 7268 or 0498 004 159 or rmiller@communitygro.org.au if you need more information.

E: Thuringowa@parliament.qld.gov.au

Ph: 07 4766 3100

PO Box 393, Thuringowa Central Qld 4817

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Office Location: Thuringowa Centre, Unit 8B, 48 Thuringowa Drive, Kirwan QLD 4817

Looking after Locals