Bits 'n Pieces Volume 7, Issue 1 2012

Bits ‘n Pieces A FREE Community Newsletter for the Upper Ross Upper Ross Community Centre 1143 Riverway Drive, Rasmussen, 4815 Ph: 4774 0144 Fax: 4774 0909 Email: communitycentre@urcc.org.au A division of NQ Community Services Volume 7, Issue 1

CONTENTS Ÿ Communty

Garden Update Ÿ No Interest

Loans Ÿ Social Activities

at the Centre Ÿ Tuesday

Playgroup Ÿ Free Legal

Advice Ÿ First Aid

Courses Ÿ Free Computer &

Internet Training Ÿ E-Bulletin

delivered to your inbox Ÿ Community

Volunteers Needed Ÿ 2012 Open Day

February/March 2012

NEW FITNESS PROGRAM FOR 2012 Want to get fit?

Want to lose weight?

Want to have some fun?

Want to try something new?

The Upper Ross Community Centre has fun fitness options that are sure to tick all the boxes!!!

For more information call us on 4774 0144 Introduction to Yoga - 4 wk program Thursday 16 February - 9.30 - 10.30am Cost: $10 per class Bookings Essential Introduction to Tai Chi - 6 wk program Thursday 23 February - 6.30 - 7.30pm Cost: $10 per class - discounts available Bookings Essential Zumba Wednesday 8 February - 5.30 - 6.30pm Cost: $10 per class - Just turn up Riverway Walking Group Tuesday & Thursday 5pm Cost: Free Meet at Riverway Carpark near river

TUESDAY PLAYGROUP IS FUN FOR ALL A fully supported playgroup operates at the Upper Ross Community Centre every Tuesday between 9.30am and 11am. This is a chance for mums, dads, grandparents or carers to spend some quality time with their children while also enjoying the opportunity to socialise with other adults.

A fully qualified childcare professional will support you to interact with your children and build those all-important bonds as well as learning some great playtime strategies to make your “together time” even more fun.

Bring morning tea, drinks, sun hats and a piece of fruit for your child’s snack. Cost is only $3 per family.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE Not sure where to turn?

Not sure what to do?

Need some legal advice but don't know who to see?

FREE legal advice appointments are available at the Upper Ross Community Centre every Tuesday afternoon. You will have the opportunity to discuss your issues with a qualified lawyer from a local Townsville legal firm who will be able to advise what your best options will be.

Bookings are essential and 475504042 appointments limited so phone us now on 4774 0144.

SOCIAL GROUPS & ACTIVITIES CRAFT Mondays from 9.30am Love your craft?

Looking to make new friends?

Love to have a chat?

Enjoy sharing ideas?

Want to learn new skills?

Then our Monday morning Craft Group is just what you want. Why sit at home alone quilting, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking or whatever craft you enjoy? Come along and join other craft-lovers, pick up and share tips, ideas and friendship. Every Monday between 9.30am and 11am CARDS Thursdays from 9am Enjoy a good game of cards?

Want to make new friends?

Looking for something different to do on a Thursday morning?

Come along and join our social cards group every Thursday between 9am and Noon.

TIME OUT Tuesdays from 9.30am Lonely? Bored? Nothing to do? Feeling isolated? Need new friends?

Try Time Out - a friendly, social morning for men and women who just want to get out of the house and enjoy a cuppa and a chat. Everyone Welcome!!

MUSICAL MOMENTS First Wednesday of the Month from 9.30am Join Dave South and his band of merry muso’s for a good ol’Aussie sing-along. We supply the music, song books and morning tea and you supply the lungs and the laughter. A fun morning suitable for everyone - You won’t know what you are missing until you try it!!

ONE DAY WONDERS Monthly - Dates to be advised Get out of the house and out of town. A day trip to places of interest for those 50+ to relax, explore and enjoy the company of others.

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SERVICE DELIVERY ADVISOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE Hello Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who needs help, support, advice or assistance with health care, housing, employment, education, child care, legal advice, income support, counselling or something else?

Frank Shepherd from Relationships Australia can assist by directing you to the appropriate services.

Frank will be at the Upper Ross Community Centre each Thursday from 9.00am to 3.00m to listen to you and assist with identifying services that may help your situation.

Feel free to drop in on the day or contact Frank on 0457 704 067

BITS ‘n PIECES TO YOUR INBOX Don’t miss out on getting your copy of Bits ‘n Pieces. Enjoy reading it in full colour and also get a handy free calendar that tells you what is happening at the Centre that month as well as updates on new programs and activities.

UPPER ROSS MECHANICAL Repairs and Tyres

How? Simply drop us a short email to communitycentre@ur cc.org.au and ask to be put on the newsletter mailing list.

(Next to BP Servo)

Guaranteed Mechanical & Auto Electrical Repairs to all vehicles By highly qualified technicians Unit 2, 1231 Riverway Drive Rasmussen

Ph: 4789 1299 Fax: 4774 0980

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! What is the Community Visitors Scheme?

Part of the Commonwealth Government's initiatives to enhance the rights of older people living in residential aged care facilities. A community visitor befriends a resident of a nursing homes who may be lonely and not regularly receiving visitors.

Who will I visit?

Every effort will be made to ensure that you get as much out of befriending someone as they will get out of your visits. We will try to find you someone to visit who has similar interests.

What will it achieve? Ø Improve the quality of life of residents in

nursing homes Ø Assist residents to maintain their

independence Ø Enhance residents social contacts Ø Minimise residents isolation from the general community in which they previously resided.

Think you could be interested? Phone Tina on 4774 0144 for more information.

FIRST AID COURSE You just can’t afford NOT to have a First Aid Certificate these days. This one day course will provide you with all the skills necessary to perhaps save a life - maybe a family member or friend.

Renew your CPR certificate for only $50 or take the full course for $100.

The first course for 2012 is being held at the Upper Ross Community Centre on Saturday 25th February from 8am.

Places are strictly limited so book now by calling the office on 4774 0144

IT’S CYCLONE SEASON!

For most of us the cyclone season between 1st November and 30th April is something we have lived with for years and we prepare accordingly but there are always new residents for whom this will be there first cyclone season. Whilst we hope that it will be an “uneventful” season we also need to ensure that we are prepared for the worst.

By this time of they year you should have; Ÿ Prepared an emergency kit Ÿ Prepared the outside of your home and garden Ÿ Developed an evacuation plan Ÿ Identified the strongest part of your HANDY HARDWARE OP house EN & SE VE Ÿ Ensure you N ELECTRICAL DA YS understand the Try us first warning system For all your maintenance needs in the Upper Ross

To learn more about being prepared for a PHONE: (07) 4773 2428 cyclone visit; Bike Tyres and Tubes Hand Tools http://www.emergency Household Keys Welding Supplies .qld.gov.au/emq/css/c Cnr Gollogoly Lane & Riverway Drive, Condon yclone.asp

OPEN DAY 2012 “Many Cultures - One Community” With a multicultural theme this year’s Upper Ross Community Centre Open Day is going to be bigger and better than ever. Save the date Saturday 12th May, 10am to 2pm, because you don’t want to miss out.

A fun day of children’s rides and activities, multicultural food, market stalls, arts and crafts, community services expo, entertainment, displays, workshops and much more, this is a great way to celebrate the many different cultures that make the community we live in such a great place.

This multicultural extravaganza will have something for everyone.

WANT TO BE INVOLVED? We are currently looking for community members and cultural groups interested in being involved. Dancers, singers, artists, craftspeople, cooks and market stall holders. We still have some spots available if you would like to be part 3 Inglong Street, Kelso of the day.

KELSO VETERINARY CLINIC

If you or your group are interested then call Cathy on 4774 0144 to discuss how you can be part of the community open day.

Dr Jennie Showers BVSc & Associates Dr Paula Hastie BSC BVMS Dr Debbie Clark BSC BVMS Dr Katrina Moon BVSc

Providing Personalised Veterinary Services to the Upper Ross Community since 2002

PHONE: 4774 0433 Clipping and Grooming available

DO COMPUTERS & THE INTERNET CONFUSE YOU?

Want to join the IT Superhighway but need some “driving lessons”?

Want to “get connected” but don’t know how?

The Upper Ross Community Centre offer local residents a number of opportunties to both learn and access computers and the internet.

Basic Computers 1st & 2nd Tuesday of the month A series of free introductory workshops covering topics such as: Personal Computers Internet Email Word Processing

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

These workshops are ideal if you are new to the world of computers and the internet and will open up a whole new world that you never knew existed.

Seniors Kiosk Are you aged 50+?

Want to learn about computers and the internet?

Need access to a computer or the internet?

We offer FREE one-on-one support to residents aged over 50 who are interested in learning at their own pace. Ideal if you have recently purchased your first computer and not sure where to begin.

FREE access to modern, internet ready computers is also available to those who do not have their own equipment

THE COMMUNITY GARDEN NEEDS YOU!!

Did you know that there is a community garden located at the rear of the Upper Ross Community Centre? This garden is a free community resource for local residents who would like to become involved. There are many benefits for you and your family.

Benefits Ÿ Share in the harvest and reduce your grocery bill Ÿ Afford to eat more fresh fruit and vegies Ÿ Make new friends Ÿ Increase family relationships by undertaking an activity together Ÿ Improve your health and wellbeing through physcial & social activity Who can be involved?

The garden is a place for ANYONE, for instance: Ÿ A place for multicultural groups & individuals to grow culturally appropriate fruit and vegetables Ÿ Families and individuals who are not able to start a garden at home Ÿ Anyone who wants to learn more about growing fresh fruit and vegies Ÿ People looking to make new friends Ÿ Those just wanting to get out of the house and try something new How much time do I need to give?

You can spend as little as an hour a week or you can come every day.

There is always something to do and the harvest is shared between those who have attended and distributed based on the percentage of time given.

... e r a We Your CONCRETERS

Ross 0407 654 951

When can I come along?

Come anytime but we want to coordinate group times so the garden is a place for socialising.

Call Cathy on 4774 0144 for times

MIDWIFE CLINIC The community midwives from Townsville General Hospital visit the Upper Ross Community Centre every Thursday to provide an antenatal service for local residents.

Forget having to travel into Kirwan, fight for a parking space and then sit in a crowded waiting room. The clinics are held in “The Hut” which is located in the grounds of the community centre.

Prefer to make an appointment? Phone Penny on 0457925745.

CHILD HEALTH CLINIC A newborn and family drop-in service operates from 9am every Thursday in “The Hut”at the Upper Ross Community Centre.

Qualified community health nurses are on hand to answer your questions, offer support and provide advice in areas such as; Ÿ new baby health checks Ÿ breastfeeding Ÿ new mum’s support Ÿ health promotion information Ÿ playgroup access No appointments needed.

CHEAP 2ND HAND BOOKS NOW ON SALE AT THE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE. PRICES FROM 50c

MORNING TEA & MELODIES Head along to the Upper Ross Community Centre on the first Wednesday of each month and join the fun as Dave South and his fellow muso’s entertain you at Musical Moments.

“ Specialising in the Upper Ross”

9 Connemara Course, Kelso www.rossriver.com.au

Sing your heart out, stomp your feet, clap your hands, even get up and dance if the mood takes you - whatever you decide its going to be fun.

We provide music books so you don’t even have to remember the lyrics and we also throw in morning tea.

What’s more its FREE if you bring a plate otherwise its just $5!!!

Come alone or bring your friends - just don’t miss out. The fun kicks off at 9.30am and we promise to have you home in time for lunch.

NO INTEREST LOAN SCHEME AVAILABLE What is the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)?

NILS offers small loans free of interest and charges to individuals and families on low and limited incomes. Loans are generally for the purchase of essential household items such as fridges or washing machines, and are paid off in affordable amounts, usually over a 12 - 18 month period.

Who can use the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)?

NILS is for people on low incomes who have a Centrelink Concession Card.

What does the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) offer? ·

Loans of up to $1200 (loan availability is limited)

·

Manageable repayments to approved applicants

· Respectful assessment process For more information on the NILS program offered through the Upper Ross Community Centre phone Tina on 4774 0144

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR COPY OF BITS ‘n PIECES Don’t have the internet or a computer at home? You can still grab a copy of the Bits ‘n Pieces newsletter every two months at select business outlets throughout the Upper Ross. Look out for the Bits ‘n Pieces newsletter holders at the following places; *IGA Rasmussen *Riverway Chemist *Upper Ross Medical Centre *McDonalds Rasmussen

*Gumvale Mini Mart *Kelso Fish Shop *Carlyle Gardens *BP Rasmussen

and of course you can always call into the Upper Ross Community Centre and say hello while picking up a copy!!