Jan feb colour copy

Bits ‘n Pieces A FREE Community Newsletter for the Upper Ross January / February 2016 Upper Ross Community Centre 1/43 Allambie Lane, Rasmussen, 4815 Ph: 4774 0144 Fax: 4774 0909 Email: communitycentre@nqcs.org.au A division of NQ Community Services Volume 11, Issue 1

&CONTENTS Ÿ Child Health &

Midwife Ÿ Community

Courses

Community Garden ready for planting The Community Garden project has finally reached the final stage, planting. The project, which commenced in June 2015, could not have been completed without the generous support and donations from local businesses and community organisations.

The garden features raised garden beds to make it easy to maintain the plantings, loads of seating areas, Free Computer and will incorporate a worm farm Access and eco friendly watering system.

Free Legal The planting of seedlings will commence in the coming weeks Advice and community members are encouraged to get involved in this fantastic project. Everyone is welcome, no experience HIPPY necessary. Come and learn tips of growing your veggies at home. Watch our Facebook page for a start date or contact the community centre to register your interest.

Homework Program A big thank you to our project supporters: Bunnings Northshore, Taubmans Paints Garbutt, Break Thru People Solutions, Gtec, JP Rotary Club of Thuringowa and Riverway Rotary, Wingate Properties and DHA Bluewattle.

No Interest Loans

Ÿ First Aid

Course Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ Playgroup Ÿ Puzzle

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/upper.centre

Upper Ross Community Markets - Apex Park, Riverway Dr Rasmussen Every 2nd Saturday 8.00 am to 1.00 pm

What’s on in your community ...

WHEN

EVENT

TIME

COST

REGULAR EVENTS Tuesdays

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander WOMEN’S Group meet at the Upper Ross Community Centre. Fun activities, arts & craft, education & support services. Contact the Community Centre for more info.

Tuesdays Uncle Alfred’s Mens Suport Group - meets at the Upper Ross Community Centre. Delivering mentoring and overall guide of Cultural men’s business. Contact Uncle Alfred 0422 872 011 3rd Fri of Dive-in movie Nights at Riverway Lagoon the month See Townsville City Council website for more info.

Every 2nd Upper Ross Community Markets - NEW TIME Sat Apex Park, Riverway Drive Rasmussen (Opposite Shops) Upcoming dates: 30th Jan, 13th & 27th Feb, 12th & 26th march

10.00 am to 12.00 pm

Free

2.00 pm 4.00 pm

Free

7.15 pm 3 pm to 7.00 pm

Free

Starts at

Free

January Tues 26th Australia Day Celebrations - Riverway

Sat 23rd

7.30 am Fun run & BBQ at 7.30 am Twenty20 cricket match at 8.30 am Live bands, Citizenship and Welcoming Babies ceremonies 10.00 am - Free Upper Ross Junior Rugby League sign on Charles Maroney Park, Clint St, Kelso see page 8 for more info 2.00 pm

Sat 30th

PCYC Netball Sign on - PCYC Rasmussen 43 Allambie Lane Rasmussen

11.00 am 1.00 pm

Sun 31st

Get Active Expo for Girls & Women RSL Stadium, Murray Lyons Cres, Annandale Discover new ways to Get Active

10.00 am - Free 2.00 pm

February Sat 13th Sat 13th

Upper Ross Junior Rugby League sign on Charles Maroney Park, Clint St, Kelso see page 8 for more info First Aid Training - Upper Ross Community Centre First Aid $100, Anaphalyxis & Asthma $60, CPR Refresher $50.

Contact the Community Centre to book Ph 4774 0144

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) What is NILS and how does it work?

10.00 - am Free 2.00 pm 8.00 3.00 pm

$50 to $160

NO Fees NO Interest NO Charges

The NO INTEREST LOAN SCHEME (NILS) provides individuals and families on low incomes access to safe, fair and affordable credit. The loan (up to a maximum of $1,200) can be used to purchase essential household goods and services. Loan repayments are made through affordable fortnightly Centrepay Deductions (repayment amount calculated based on a maximum loan term of 12 months).

Eligibility criteria applies. Call Upper Ross Community Centre on 47740144 for more information or drop into the centre to collect an application form.

Upper Ross Community Centre & PCYC Open Day The inaugural Upper Ross Community Centre and PCYC combined Open Day held on 7th November 2015 proved an outstanding success. It was great to see the community get behind the event and feedback from many who attended was that it provided a great family outing for the whole family.

The celebrations kicked off with the Welcome to Country which was performed by Dorothy Savage, followed by the smoking ceremonyperformed by Mr. Alfred Smallwood. The Wulgurukaba Walkabout dancers and the Torres Strait Islander dancers also performed during the opening ceremony.

The event enabled the community to come along and see what programs both the Community Centre and the PCYC had to offer and to try out some fun activities.

The event also served as the official opening of the Community Centre. We all eagerly look forward to our next Open Day which will be held early to mid year in 2016 to take advantage of our wonderful North Queensland balmy Autumn days.

Clockwise from top left: The Official Opening, Children joining in with the dance performance from the Wulgurukaba Dance Group, Aicey Day and the Torres Strait Island dancers, Mr Alfred Smallwood performing the Smoking Ceremony, dancers from the Wulgurukaba Dance Group, Susan Perry CEO NQ Community Services, The Honorable Coralee O;Rouke MP, Mi nister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister for Seniors and Minisiter Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, Aaron Harper MP Member for Thuringowa,and Councillor Jenny Hill.

Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters

2016 sees the commencement of year 3 of our HIPPY program. Over the previous two years many local families have benefited from participating in HIPPY and it is rewarding to receive feedback about how both parents/carers and the children have enjoyed participating in the program.

HIPPY is a two year home-based early childhood enrichment program. The program builds confidence and skill of parents/carers to create a positive learning environment to prepare their child for school.

The program is not super intensive and time consuming. Parents/Carers and families are encouraged to read, play with and enjoy educational activities with their child for 15 mins per day, five days per week over the two year program. The program is delivered through a home based tutor model where the HIPPY tutor visits the family weekly for aged 4 and fortnightly for age 5.

The program is open to families from the Upper Ross area - Condon, Rasmussen, Kelso.

HIPPY is free and all children receive fun learning resources to keep.

Enrolments are now open for 2016. Contact our HIPPY coordinator, Liana Jones on 0427 251 993 or 4774 0144 for more info.

STAFF PROFILE: Liana Jones - HIPPY Coordinator Liana brings a wealth of knowledge to her position as the HIPPY Coordinator. Liana has approx. 30 years experience working in child care. Starting out as an assistant and working up to being a coordinator in the Outside School Hours Program sector. During this time she was also employed as a teacher’s aide for 19 yrs. For 6 years she was employed as the coordinator at Yarrabah PCYC OSHC. She has also spent 3 years employed as a project officer for QCOSS-IPSU and assisted with budget based indigenous communities all over Queensland. Liana is a ‘local’ residing in the Upper Ross and looks forward to establishing links with families in the Upper Ross Community.

Books for sale/exchange Like reading - drop into the Community Centre and checkout our books which can be either purchased or exchanged for books you bring in.

We need good quality children’s books. If you have some that you no longer need please consider donating them.

Homework Club

Wednesday 3-4.30 pm (during school term) for Prep - year 6 students Let our tutors help take the stress out of homework Call the Community Centre 47740144 to book a place

School Transport Conveyancing Allowance Do you drive your children to school? You may be eligible to receive a conveyancing allowance if you live more than 3.2 km (primary school) or 4.8 km (secondary school) from the closest school of the type your children attend (e.g. state or private)?

Example; If you reside in Kelso and your child/children attend Ryan Catholic College Junior Campus (0-yr 6) your eligibility would be assessed based on the distance from your home to the Good Shepherd Catholic School as this is the closest school of the type your children attend. However, if your child/children attend Ryan Catholic College Senior Campus the distance would be calculated from your home to the College as this is the closest school of its type.

Minimum payment is $10.40 per week, calculated weekly and paid twice a year in June & December (20 weeks per period).

For more info and the application form visit: www.translink.com.au/tickets-andfares/other-tickets/school-tickets-and-fares/conveyance-allowance

The purpose of the workshops is to boost your skills to find work. Over the course of six weeks you will Ÿ learn how to write a resume, address selection criteria and get some interview tips Ÿ gain an insight into what employers are looking for in employees Ÿ look at volunteering as a path to paid employment Ÿ consider your health and wellbeing Ÿ look at study opportunities for upskilling or reskilling If you are interested, firstly email your contact details to library@townsville.qld.gov.au and then attend an information session at the Von Stieglitz Room, Thuringowa Library at 9.30am on Friday January 29

Bits ‘n Pieces is a Department of Communities supported initiative.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is produced with assistance and contributions from the community. The contents of this publication do not, therefore, necessarily reflect the views of the organisation.

Department of Human Services set to trial weekly visits to the Community Centre Staff from the Department of Human Services Centrelink will commence weekly visits to the Upper Ross Community centre every Tuesday afternoon from 2-3pm, starting 2nd February.

The purpose of the visits is to enable Dept. Human Services staff to work with vulnerable families and individuals from the Upper Ross who may be at risk of losing their payments as a result of not understanding their obligations or due to family or personal circumstances.

Tammy Chapman from Dept. of Human Services Centrelink acknowledged the importance with working with vulnerable persons addressing issues such as budgetting and family problems and provide help before things go wrong and payments are cut.

Contact the Community Centre for more info.

Free Computer Access & one-on-one training The Community Centre has computers available for everyone to use. FREE - No bookings required.

We also have FREE one-on-one computer lessons. Got a new computer with Windows 10 and need help? Maybe you have an iPad or tablet and are not sure how to use it.

Want to learn Microsoft© Excel or Word basics?

Our volunteer tutors will teach you whatever you want to learn about.

Lessons are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays. Bookings essential

Upper Ross Child Health Clinic Thursdays 9.00 a.m.- 12.00 pm at the Upper Ross Community Centre A qualified community health nurse on hand to answer questions and provide support. Ÿ New baby health checks Ÿ Breastfeeding advice Ÿ New mum’s support

No appointment needed

Upper Ross Community Centre Thursday Morning

9.30 – 11:30am No need to book, just come along Healthy and nutritious morning tea provided Free transport available (must book transport) Check out our facebook page to see all the fun our families are having at playgroup each week. www.facebook.com/upper.centre

Get Started Vouchers help with the cost of sport & recreation activities Up to $150 per child is available for children and young people who can least afford or may otherwise benefit from joining a sport or recreation club.

Parents can apply for a voucher to help pay for club membership and/or participation fees.

Clubs must be registered with the Get Started Voucher program to accept the vouchers.

Round 7 Funding Key Dates: Applications open on 27th January 2016 and close on 30 March 2016 or earlier if all vouchers are allocated.

Vouchers must be presented to a registered club by 6th May 2016.

For more info or to apply go to: http://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/ funding/getinthegame/getstarted/apply/

Get into sports, get active and have fun !

When you think sporting clubs in the Upper Ross area, most people think Junior Rugby League and Soccer. However there are many more sporting clubs and activities available within the Upper Ross and surrounding suburbs. If your child is not into footy or soccer why not challenge them to try something new.

The following sport and recreation clubs are all registered and can accept the Get Started, Vouchers, either directly or through the relevant QLD sports association. Contact clubs for more info.

Football - Upper Ross Junior Rugby League, Charles Maroney Park, Clint St, Kelso Sign on - 23 Jan & 6 Feb 10am to 2 pm www.upperrossrams.com.au Soccer - Ross River Football Club, Charles Maroney Park, Clint St, Kelso Meet & Greet, Info and Sign on day - Sat 30 Jan, 1-3pm. Contact Catherine Rush 0412 583 532 or email admin@kelsocrocs.com.au

Scouts - Loam Island Scouts. All sorts of fun outdoor activities (see add on previous page) Tenpin Bowling - Kirwan Tenpin Bowling, 101 Bamford Lane, Kirwan . Ph 4775 5743.

Baseball - Northern Jets Baseball Club.

Jabiru Park, Jabiru St, Condon.

Ph 0450 410485 www.northernjetsbaseball.teamapp.com

Athletics - Ross River Athletics starts early PCYC - Upper Ross PCYC, 43 Allambie Lane, Rasmussen. Ph 4789 2145 March. www.rossriverthletcis.org.au for info Boxing, Judo, Karate, Netball.

Hockey - Commercials Hockey Club, Netball sign on Sat 30th Jan 11am to 1pm Corner Charles St & Bamford Lane, Kirwan Sign on - Sun 31st Jan, 10am - 2pm In-Line Hockey - Townsville In-line Hockey. email: secretary@chct.org.au or 11-13 Casey St, Aitkenvale phone: 0400 608 359 Sign on 6th Feb 9am to 4.30pm.

Contact Jodi Jacabson 0400 381 983 Squash - West Squash Club email townvilleinlinehockeyassoc@gmail.com 101 Bamford Lane (@ Kirwan Tenpin Bowl) Ph 4773 2133 Water Polo - Long Tan Memorial Pool & Tennis - Tennis Blast, Kalynda Parade, Bohle Ignatius Park College Pool.

Phone: 0422 276 237 Plains. Phone 0457 041 074 www.townsvillewaterpoloassociation.com.au KalyndaChaseTennis@outlook.com.au

SHALOM CHRISTIAN COLLEGE MANY CULTURESiONE FAITH

“POSITIVE BY CHOICE AND PROUDLY INDIGENOUS” Prep to Year 12

· Free Bus Service Provided · Free Breakfast Program · Small Class Sizes · Cultural, Respect and Support

· National Curriculum Followed · Literacy Support Enrol Now: Phone 07 4750 3400 Website: www.shalomcollege.qld.edu.au

RASMUSSEN “ Specialising in the Upper Ross” MECHANICAL 9 Connemara Course, Kelso

Repairs & Tyres

www.rossriver.com.au

Unit 2 / 1231 Riverway Dr Rasmussen

N & J DEVALTER

Next to Puma Servo

Ph: 4789 1299 Guaranteed Mechanical Repairs to all vehicles

YOUR LOCAL BLOKE SERVICING THE UPPER ROSS AND SURROUNDS

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING SERVICING ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

PHONE: 0429 648 399 Electrical Contractor No. 69820

Advertise in Bits ‘n Pieces - help locals support locals 12,000 print copies distributed annually to local businesses, organisations and local residents. Contact the Upper Ross Community Centre on 4774 0144 for more info.

council issues, parks, roads, crime or any other topics – this group will provide the perfect platform to work together and resolve issues. A similar committee exists in the Northern Welcome to 2016, I hope everyone had a good Beaches area which works very well. and safe Christmas and an enjoyable New Year. Queensland Police Service(QPS) play an integral As your local State member I am looking role by being part of the administrative forward to working with the community committee. through 2016. I believe there is a lot more work We will be calling for interested motivated to be done in the Upper Ross area, and we can community members to nominate for a achieve a lot more by working together.

President and Treasurer and other committee I am keen to see a Community Consultation roles as required. Local QPS will be nominating Group in the Upper Ross commence this year, for the secretarial role. I look forward to seeing and as such am sponsoring the inaugural as many people as possible at the inaugural meeting. I am working with the new meeting on the 10th Feb. Community Centre, local police and other interest groups to see this kick off on the 10th If you are interested in attending this – please. contact the Upper Ross Community Centre on February 6:30-8pm at the Community Centre.

4774 0144 to log your interest in attending.

I encourage all local people to attend this meeting. The aim of the meeting will be to More media will occur on this important engage with the community on a broad range of initiative. issues and allow member s of the community to Sincerely, voice their concerns, whether around local Aaron Harper

UPPER ROSS MEDICAL CENTRE 11 9 9 R I V E R W AY D R I V E , R A S M U S S E N - P H . 4 7 7 4 0 2 9 9 Open 7 days - Extended weekday hours

PINNACLE MEDICAL CENTRE 9 7 5 R I V E R W AY D R I V E , C N R G O L L O G LY S L A N E - C O N D O N - P H . 4 7 7 3 5 1 7 0 Open 5 days (Monday to Friday) 8am to 5pm

www.urmc.com.au FAMILY ORIENTATED - BULK BILLING FOR ALL PATIENTS Female Doctor available, experienced GP's Special interests include - Skin & Health Checks, Women's Health, Chronic Disease Management, Aged Care Other services provided by - Mental Health Nurse, Physiotherapist, Dietician Phone for an appointment – walk in's also accepted Trivia Answers: 1. 1974 2. Neville bonner 3. Quicksilver 4. Crocodile Dundee 5. Castle 6. Wallaman Falls 7. Winton 8. B 9. Earthquake 10. Broken Hill

Answers on page 10 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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7.

8.

What year did Cyclone Tracey hit Darwin Who was Australia’s first Aboriginal Senator?

What Australian company is the largest surfwear manufacturer?

What is the highest grossing Australian movie?

What Australian movie includes the phrase “Tell him he’s dreaming”?

What is the tallest waterfall in Australia?

Where is the `the official birthplace of Qantas'?

Which of the following is not an Australian innovation? A) Chiko Roll B) Lawn Sprinkler C) Plastic bank notes D) Dual flush toilet E) Wine Cask?

9. What natural disaster killed 13 people in Newcastle on December 28, 1989?

10. In which Australian City known as the Silver City was BHP started

WHAT’S ON AT THE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE Regular weekly Activities 9:30 - 12.00pm Craft Mondays 9:00 - 4.00pm Free Computer Access Ÿ Ÿ

Tuesdays Wednesdays

Thursdays

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

9:00 - 4.00pm 9:30 - 11:30am 12.30 - 3.30pm 2.00 - 3.00 pm 4:00 - 4.30pm 9:00 - 11:00am 9:30 - 3.30pm 9:00 - 4.00pm 3:15 - 4.30pm

Free Computer Access Timeout - Games/Cards Free Computer Lessons Dept of Human Services Legal Advice Service Free JP Service Free Computer Lessons Free Computer Access Homework Program

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

9:00 - 12.00pm 9.30 - 12.00pm 9.30 - 12.00 9:30 - 11:30am 9.30 - 3.30pm 9:00 - 4.00pm 3.00 - 4.00pm

Child Health Clinic Social Cards Sewing morning Playgroup Free Computer Lessons Free Computer Access Children’s Arts & Craft

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

F

New Centre Opening Hours Monday - Friday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm We are now open on Fridays

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR COPY OF BITS ‘n PIECES Our Bits’n Pieces newsletter is available online at our website http://www.nqcs.org.au OR you can grab a copy at the following places: *Kelso Fish Shop *Carlyle Gardens *UR Medical & Pinnacle Medical Centres *Gumvale Mini Mart *Riverway Chemist *Riverway Snackbar *McDonalds Rasmussn *Woolworths Rasmussen *Salvation Army Beck Rd OR you can call into the Upper Ross Community Centre to pick up a copy and stay for a chat.

Advertise in the Newsletter - Phone 4774 0144