Bits 'n Pieces e-Newsletter Vol 8

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@nqcs.org.au Website: www.nqcs.org.a A division of NQ Community Services

Volume 8, Issue 1

March/Arpil 2013

CONTENTS Ÿ Communty

Garden Ÿ No Interest Loans Ÿ Playgroup Ÿ Craft Group Ÿ First Aid

Course Ÿ Free

Computer & Internet Training Ÿ JP Service Ÿ Legal Advice

2013 “Meeting Place” Upper Ross Family

EXPO Saturday May 25th 10 am - 1pm at Upper Ross Community Centre 1143 Riverway Drive Rasmussen

MARKET & INFORMATION STALLS Craft, Plants, Fruit & Veg, Health, Education, Employment and more Want to be part of this exciting day contact Upper Ross Community Centre on 4774 0144 to reserve your spot

Upper Ross 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 and offer support and provide advice in the following areas:-

: new baby health checks : breastfeeding : new mum’s support : health promotion information : playgroup access No appointment needed.

Benefits of Attending a Playgroup For Children: Ÿ Have fun Ÿ Play with other children Ÿ Do things they may not be able to at home Ÿ Develop physical and social skills

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

For Parents: Ÿ Enjoy playing with your child Ÿ Enjoy a break from isolation of being at home Ÿ Make new friends Ÿ Share parenting experiences and build a network

NO INTEREST LOANS NOW AVAILABLE ARE YOU ON A CENTRELINK BENEFIT? DO YOU NEED HOUSEHOLD GOODS BUT JUST DON’T HAVE THE CASH UP FRONT? CAN’T AFFORD THE HIGH INTEREST FROM PAYDAY LENDERS? The Upper Ross NILS Program could be the answer to your needs.

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No Interest Loans are now available to Upper Ross residents on low incomes to assist with the purchase of household items such as; fridges, washing machines, essential furniture and other ms that will make life easier.

Like any loan there is an application and assessment process and not all loans are approved.

Loans of up to $1,200 are available with a repayment time of up to 18 months. The great thing is that you will only repay the amount of the loan and you will NEVER be charged interest of any sort.

This is a revolving community fund - as repayments are made on loans more loans are made available for others.

To enquire as to your eligibility for a NILS loan phone the Upper Ross NIS program on 4774 0144.

TUESDAY PLAYGROUP IS FUN FOR ALL A 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.

Bring morning tea, drinks, water bottle for children, sun hats and a piece of fruit as a snack for your child. Just turn up or phone 4774 0144 for more information

New FREE Counselling Service Bookings essential - please phone 4774 0144 Where: Upper Ross Community Centre When: Thursday from 9.30am Who: Callie-Anne Callie-Anne is a Qualified Counsellor and member of the Australian Counselling Association Inc. Qualified in providing counselling for Individual and Family Therapy on life issues including grief & loss.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE Do you need to speak to someone about a legal concern?

The Upper Ross Community Centre offers a free Legal Advice Clinic every Tuesday.

Bookings essential Phone 4774 0144

UPPER ROSS MECHANICAL Repairs and Tyres (Next to BP Servo) Guaranteed Mechanical & Auto Electrical Repairs to all vehicles By highly qualified technicians Unit 2, 1231Riverway Drive Rasmussen

Ph: 4789 1299 Fax: 4774 0980

TAI CHI CLASSES Tai Chi classes are held at the Upper Ross Community Centre every Thursday night from 6.30pm. The classes are run by qualified instructors Mike and Denise Soric.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of martial arts and includes warm up and breathing exercises.

With ongoing classes and continued practice, participants have developed better balance, improved blood circulation, some relief from joint pain and reduction in stress levels.

Overall, Tai Chi aims to achieve an improvement in health and wellbeing and is a great alternative to the gym and much safer than walking alone.

EASY RECIPE FOR THE KIDS - NO COOKING VANILLA PIE 1 cup Lite Sour Cream, 1 cup Milk, 1 pkt Vanilla Instant Pudding, 1pkt Biscuit Base mix Make biscuit base as per instruction on packet. Beat sour cream and milk until smooth, add the pudding mix and continue beating slowly until mixture thickens. Pour cream mixture into re-made biscuit base mix and chill for an hour.

JP SERVICE

GUITAR AND BASS LESSONS Contact Henry Johnson All Styles and techniques Studio Airconditioned 25 years teaching experience Phone 4774 0545

NOW AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY 9am to 11am AT UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women’s Legal Service NQ Inc Now attending the Upper Ross Community Centre on a monthly basis.

Providing

Free Legal Advice ATSIWLS can help clients with family matters including child protection; separation and divorce; and family violence concerns. They can also help with victims assist and problems with debt.

A representative from the service will be at the Upper Ross Community Centre on the last Thursday of every month from 10.00am to 12.00 noon.

Appointments are necessary so please call 1800 082 600.

· F a s t F r ie n d ly s e r v ic e · W e b s t e r P a c k in g · N D SS Sub Agent

O PEN 7 DAYS · 8 – 8 w eekdays C n r R iv e r w a y D r iv e a n d G o llo g ly L a n e , R a s m u s s e n Phone: 4755 4654

ARE YOU READY TO DANCE YOURSELF INTO SHAPE? Because that’s exactly what Zumba is all about. It’s an exhilarating, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorieburning dance fitness-party that’s helping millions of people all over the world to have fun while getting fit.

Zumba classes are held at the Upper Ross Community Centre every Wednesday from 5.30pm.

All you need is a handtowel, water bottle, sneakers or flexible footwear, comfortable clothing such as shorts and t’shirt and $10.00.

Come on, give it a try, it will be the most fun you have had in ages.

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National ROCK OUT @ THE ROCK WALL Where: Upper Ross PCYC Youth When: 12 April 2012 - 6.30pm to 8.30pm * rock wall challenge * hip hop dance workshops Week * food & drinks * more info 47 892 145

New Centre Site Found

Existing Upper Ross Community Centre

UPPER Ross residents will have a new state-of-the-art community centre built next to the PCYC on Allambie Lane after a deal was brokered between the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and Townsville City Council, by Thuringowa MP Sam Cox. The centre was due to be moved to

The Upper Ross Community Centre is now on Facebook.

Visit our page and hit the “LIKE’ button plus suggest us to your friends.

a new facility on Santal Drive, but residents were outraged by the smaller site that was located on the corner of a busy intersection.

Mr Cox said finding a more suitable location for the community centre was one of his top priorities after being elected. ‘’They just didn’t want to go where they were being told to go,’’ he said.

Design work for the new centre is expected to be completed by the end of the year, but there is no construction scheduled yet.

Cr Jenny Lane, who represents Upper Ross, said it was a fantastic outcome for the local community.

Cr Lane said, ‘’I would really like to thank the local member Sam Cox. He has done a lot of work with the community to ensure the community centre found an adequate new site.’’

FREE COMPUTER SUPPORT & ACCESS FOR SENIORS Are you aged 50+ Have an issue with your computer or the internet?

Need access to a computer or the internet?

FREE one-on-one support is available to residents aged over 50 who need a one off assistance in relation to emails, word processing etc. We can help you.

Bookings are essential phone 4774 0144 _________________

An inspiration to all One of our own has been honoured by being the recipient of the “Inspiring Women Award”.

Upper Ross Community Centre director, Helen Hobson was recognised for more than 30 years service when she was given the inaugural Queensland Inspiring Women’s Speaker’s Award at a surprise ceremony on Monday 11th March 2013. Member for Thuringowa Sam Cox presented the award and a purple orchid pin to Ms Hobson.’

Mr Cox said the award aimed to recognise pioneering Queensland women and in making his nomination he was looking to name a woman who had made a significant difference in the lives of others and who had dedicated herself to helping the community in Thuringowa.

One name came to mind,”Mr Cox said and that was Ms Hobson.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES @ the COMMUNITY CENTRE CRAFT Mondays from 9.30am If you love your craft, like to have a chat, enjoy sharing ideas, want to learn new skills and make new friends as well, then our Monday morning Craft Group is just what you are looking for. Why sit at home alone quilting, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking or doing whatever craft you enjoy? Come along and join other craft-lovers, pick up and share tips, ideas and friendship.

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

Try Time Out - a friendly, social morning for men and women who just want to get out the house, catch up with old friends or make new ones and enjoy a cuppa and a chat.

Everyone Welcome!!

CARDS Thursdays from 9am Looking for something different to do? Enjoy a good game of cards? Want to make new friends Come along and join our social cards group.

UPPER ROSS BIGGEST MORNING TEA Come along to our morning tea to raise money for the Cancer Council.

Where: Upper Ross Community Centre When: Tuesday 18 June 2013 at 10.00am Queries: phone 4774 0144

Got Suga WORKSHOP Townsville Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health Services & Diabetes Qld wish to invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to a talk about tackling diabetes together.

When: Wednesday 17 April 2013 from 9am to 4pm Where: Riverway Arts Centre Morning Tea & Lunch Provided Please book by 8 April 2013 on 4759 4095

Community Visitors 20 years Involvement with the Community Visitors Scheme Recently at the Upper Ross Community Centre two volunteers with the Community Visitors Scheme were presented with a certificate of appreciation for 20 years of volunteering.

Both Beverly Montgomery and Lorraine Hegarty were presented with a certificate to celebrate their 20 years involvement with the Community Visitors Scheme. This was presented on behalf of the Department of Health & Ageing and the Townsville Regional Community Visitors Scheme. Well done ladies!

Centre Manager Helen Hobson presenting certificate to Beverly Montgomery

Centre Manager Helen Hobson presenting certificate to Lorraine Hegarty

What is the Community Visitors Scheme?

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

“ Specialising in the Upper Ross�

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

WHAT’S ON AT THE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE March/April

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 8.30-10am Community Garden 9.30am Craft Seniors Computer Kiosk

8.30-10am Community Garden 9.00am Gentle Exercise 9.30-11am Playgroup 9.30-11.30am Timeout 4.00pm Legal Advice 5.00pm Walking Group 5.30pm Fit Camp Seniors Computer Kiosk

8.30-10am Community Garden 5.30pm Zumba Seniors Computer Kiosk One Day Wonders monthly 10.30-12.30am Computer Classes

5.45am Fit Camp 9.00am Child Health Clinic 9.00am Social cards 5.00pm Walking group 6.30pm Tai Chi Seniors Computer Kiosk ATSIWLS Last Thursday of month

SATURDAY 8.30-10am Com. Garden

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 for the Bits ‘n Pieces newsletter holders at the following places; *IGA Rasmussen *Gumvale Mini Mart *Riverway Chemist *Kelso Fish Shop *UR Medical Centre *Carlyle Gardens *McDonalds Rasmussen *BP Rasmussen and of course you can always call into the Upper Ross Community Centre and say hello while picking up a copy!!