JULY/AUGUST 2021
B I T S ‘N P IE C ES
A MESSAGE FROM KATHRIN MEEHAN, CEO It has been a busy and exciting few months for Community Gro and I’m pleased to share some of the highlights with you in this issue of our newsletter. One of our biggest achievements has been holding a successful Community Fun Day at Charles Moroney Park on 5th June 2021. This day was celebrated with over 1800 Community Members and it was a delight to see the enjoyment for all. Thank you to all our Staff and Volunteers who made this day a success and to the Community for supporting the day. Thank you also to the Townsville City Council for sponsoring the event. Throughout the newsletter there are highlights from each of our programs which outlines our progress and success over the past 2 months, as well as some useful information for our Community.
As usual please follow us on Facebook to ensure you keep up to date on activity at our Upper Ross and Garbutt Community Centres. Thank you for your ongoing support of our organization Kathrin Meehan CEO
COMMUNITY FUN DAY
UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Certificate III in Community Services
UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
UPPER SUPPORT HUB UPPERROSS ROSSFAMILY COMMUNITY CENTRE
UPPER ROSS FAMILY SUPPORT HUB
UPPER ROSS ROSS COMMUNITY YOUTH HUB CENTRE UPPER
Monday—Friday Upper Ross Community Centre 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Come along and chill, have a feed - all free! For Ages 10-17 years.
UPPER ROSS YOUTH HUB UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
Upper Ross Youth Hub New Hours! Monday to Friday 6pm to 11pm
COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMUNITY UPPER ROSSINFO... COMMUNITY CENTRE National Diabetes Week 11 – 17 July 2021. What is diabetes? Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes requires daily self care and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it. There are different types of diabetes; all types are complex and serious. The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. How does diabetes affect the body? When someone has diabetes, their body cannot maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short-term health complications. For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. When people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in foods such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets, it can’t be converted into energy. Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood resulting in high blood glucose levels. After eating glucose is carried around your body in your blood. Your blood glucose level is called glycaemia. Blood glucose levels can be monitored and managed through self-care and treatment.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE Three things you need to know about diabetes: It is not one condition- there are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes All types of diabetes are complex and require daily care and management. Diabetes does not discriminate; anyone can develop diabetes. Diabetes is serious. Diabetes can be managed well but the potential complications are the same for type 1 and type 2 diabetes including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, limb amputation, depression, anxiety, and blindness. Symptoms In type 1 diabetes, symptoms are often sudden and can be life-threatening; therefore it is usually diagnosed quite quickly. In type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed being seen as part of ‘getting older’. Being more thirsty than usual Passing more urine Feeling tired and lethargic Always feeling hungry Having cuts that heal slowly Itching, skin infections Blurred vision Unexplained weight loss (type 1) Gradually putting on weight (type 2) Mood swings Headaches Feeling dizzy leg cramps Note: This information is of a general nature only and should not be substituted for medical advice or used to alter medical therapy. It does not replace consultations with qualified healthcare professionals to meet your individual medical needs
Council Mobile Apps To report a problem to Townsville City Council online visit Report a Problem or download the Council Mobile Apps: iCouncil for iPhone and iPad
SUPPORT OURCOMMUNITY ADVERTISERS... UPPER ROSS CENTRE
UPPER ROSS COMMUNITYGARBUTT CENTRE COMMUNITY CENTRE NILS – No Interest Loan Scheme “With my NILS Loan I was able to purchase a fridge and microwave for my household. Without a fridge I could not keep any fresh food and was not able to afford take out very often. I have children, so without a fridge we were struggling a lot. Now that I have a fridge, I am able to store fresh and healthy produce for my family and save money on take out.” Community Gro Client
NILS loans aim to assist those who are low-income earners, to have access to essential resources, such as household appliances, household furniture, repairs and maintenance, technology, education, outdoor equipment, and car related items. This no interest loan has assisted many individuals and families with their daily functioning. To enquire about a NILS loan you can email us on: NILS@communitygro.org.au
GARBUTT COMMUNITY CENTRE GARBUTT COMMUNITY CENTRE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE
KIDS AFTERNOON TEA PROGRAM @ GCC WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY 3:00PM-4:00PM Tiddas Yarning Circle
All children will receive a @ the Garbutt Community yummy afternoon tea and Centre will have access to computers, Fridays : 10:00am iPads, free WiFi, art and craft supplies and toys. Join us for a friendly cuppa and morning tea!
Art & Craft Hub @ GCC Thursdays 10am-11am
GARBUTT COMMUNITY CENTRE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMUNITY VISITORS SCHEME TOWNSVILLE - Recruiting Volunteers NOW The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) 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. Due to the social distancing measures for COVID-19 our volunteers are unable to visit their residents at this time however we know that when the social distancing measures are lifted there will be many residents of aged care facilities that will be in need of social interaction and would benefit from having a CVS volunteer visit. During this period we are working hard to build up our wonderful team of volunteers so that we will be ready to recommence the visits when the social restrictions are lifted. If you can spare an hour each fortnight and would like to visit an elderly resident of a local aged care home in Townsville please call our Upper Ross Centre on 4774 0144. or Garbutt Centre on 4779 7268.
We have some very yummy frozen meals and desserts available everyday from the Garbutt Community Centre. Give us a call on 4779 7268 or pop into the Centre (Tuesday-Friday : 9am4pm) to see what we have available. Cash ONLY!
A MESSAGE FROM AARON HARPER MP
E: Thuringowa@parliament.qld.gov.au
Ph: 07 4766 3100
PO Box 393, Thuringowa Central Qld 4817
Dear Residents, SOCIAL HOUSING
The Minister for Communities and Housing, Hon Leeanne Enoch, recently announced a $2.9 Billion investment in Social Housing in Qld. This billion-dollar investment will build over 5,500 social housing and affordable homes by 2027 throughout Queensland. This is the largest investment in social housing since World War Two. In Townsville, 249 Houses and/or Units will be built over the following 4 years. This is a critical investment at a time that many people in our community cannot find affordable housing – and I’ll be fighting to make sure as many of these properties, as possible, are built in Thuringowa, which will also boost local Trade jobs. This will help alleviate the huge waitlist for housing for vulnerable families and our community. The Palaszczuk Government understands that social housing is not the only answer, which is why the department works with customers to connect them with services that address their immediate housing needs, including accommodation in the private market. Over 54,650 households have been supported since early 2020 including 7,507 allocations to social housing. RENTAL REFORM Renters and lessors will benefit from more certainty in proposed changes to rental laws introduced into Queensland Parliament. The proposed new laws will make it easier for renters to negotiate having a pet and will ensure rental properties meet minimum quality standards. I encourage you to have your say on the proposed changes through the Parliamentary Committee process. Find out more
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/CSSC
Office Location: Thuringowa Centre, Unit 8B, 48 Thuringowa Drive, Kirwan QLD 4817
Looking after Locals Bits ‘n Pieces is a Department of Communities Initiative. Disclaimer: This newsletter is produced with assistance and contributions from the community. The contents of this publication does not, therefore, necessarily reflect the views of the organisation.