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PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
1
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
MISSION:
To provide services, information,
advocacy and referral to all our
communities focusing on the people who
are vulnerable, isolated or at risk.
VISION:
A safe, connected community, which
celebrates diversity and grows together.
DETAILS
Parkes Neighbourhood Centre
Address: 80-82 Currajong Street
PARKES NSW 2870
Phone: (02) 6862 3757
Fax: (02) 6862 5045
Email: manager@pinc.org.au
Website: www.pinc.org.au
Management Committee
Chairperson: John Magill
Vice Chairperson: Monica Murray
Treasurer: Graeme Dean
Secretary: Ken Engsmyr
Member: Julie Russell
Member: Terry Job
Member: Barbara Newton
Member: Steven Campbell
Member: Kay Craft
Patron: Alan Somers
About Parkes Neighbourhood Centre
The Centre first opened in 1977, in the Health Centre in Court Street. After several changes of address, the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre finally settled into its current premises in Currajong Street.
Our Centre is overseen by a Voluntary Board of Management and a full-time Centre Manager to oversee the day to day operations of the Centre. Pam Symonds has been the Centre Manager for the past seven years and has worked in the Community Sector for the past twenty years.
The Parkes Neighbourhood Centre is committed to ensuring a high quality of service to its clients and realises that appropriately trained staff (paid and unpaid) is an important element in providing a service of high quality. The Neighbourhood Centre has a culture that promotes opportunities for staff development and encourages staff to expand their knowledge and skills.
This Centre provides numerous opportunities for people to become involved in programs, communicate and liaise with others in the community and contribute to the community.
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
The wonderful story that is Parkes and District Neighbourhood and Community Information Centre Inc. has concluded another successful year servicing the needs of clients in the Lachlan, Forbes and Parkes Shires. We as an organisation look
back with thankfulness that we have been given the privilege of having an input into the lives of so many across our communities thus making their quality of life that little bit better.
This organisation has been going for many years now with great stability and support from both within or outside the organisation. That support is of course still there even though the rate of change seems to be increasing all the time. Over the last few years change has certainly been part of our journey and will continue to be as we adjust to the new funding criteria across all areas of our service to clients.
The role of the board of an organisation like
this is not only to manage the business of the year but to develop a platform and environment that will take it strongly into the future, this is the challenge facing the board in the ensuing year.
The position of Centre Manager is a demanding position and as a board we would thank Pam Symonds for her great expertise in the ever growing role as manager.
Working together with Pam is a wonderful and capable staff – our thanks go to you all for the professional and efficient way you all go about your duties.
Parkes Neighbourhood Centre could not function without our volunteers, thanks to all of you for giving of yourselves so willingly week by week.
Thanks to the whole board for the way in which you bring all your wonderful skills that gives this organisation the ability to function as it does.
John Magill
Chairperson
John Magill
Back Row L to R - Terry Job, John Magill, Ken Engsmyr, Graeme Dean Front Row L to R - Barbara Newton, Kay Craft, Julie Russell, Monica Murray
Inset: Steven Campbell
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
SERVICES & PROGRAMS 2012-2013
Services Provided
Aboriginal Youth Worker
Aboriginal Community Project - Closing the Gap
Community Restaurant
Community Strengthening Project
Community Visitors Scheme
Condobolin Community Transport
Family Support Service
Housebound Library
No-Interest Loans Scheme
Parkes Palliative Care Volunteer Service
Parkes/Forbes Community Transport
Parkes/Forbes Social Support
Parkes/Lachlan Home Modification &
Maintenance Service
Supported Playgroups
Volunteer Referral Agency
Work Development Orders
Other Services Provided
Ageing, Disability & Home Care
Binaal Billa
Camera Club
Children’s Court Clinic
Companions Through Cancer
Compassionate Friends
Consumer Trader & Tenancy Tribunal of NSW
Currajong Street Mental Health Service
Domestic Violence Committee
Embroidery Guild of NSW
Insight Services
Legal Aid NSW - Civil & Family
Lifeline Central West - Gambling Counselling
Look Good Feel Better
Multicultural Group
Parkes Carers Support
Parkes Interagency
Parkes Shire Food Service Inc.
Parkinsons Support Group
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Lynette Pengilly - Volunteer Coordinator
Judy Barter
Kim Cefre
Gay Daley
Sue Hennessy
Gloria Jones
Laurel Mackenzie
Elizabeth Matthews
Sharon O’Malley
Monika Parry
Carol Ramsay
John Short
Brooke Soeder
Margaret Thurn
RECEPTION
VOLUNTEERS
Lynette Pengilly
Gay Daley
Carol Ramsay and
Sue Hennessy
Laurel McKenzie
Gloria Jones
Elizabeth Matthews
Sharon O’Malley
Margaret Thurn
John Short
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
The Parkes
Neighbourhood
Centre is a not-
for-profit
community
organisation
and receives
funding from
the NSW and
Australian Government to provide a variety
of information, advocacy, referral and
support services for the Parkes, Lachlan and
Forbes Local Government Areas. The
Centre is learning to adjust to a rapidly
changing and unfamiliar financial and service
delivery environment. It has already
undertaken some scenario planning and
elected to invest in exploring the
opportunities of this new environment, rather
than simply protect its current role and
function. How the Centre undertakes these
envisaged changes will be the major
challenge of the next financial year.
Services provided
The Centre was successful in securing
grants from the Parkes Services Club and
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
– Caring for Ageing Rural Australians in
March of this year. A unique partnership has
been formed with the Parkes Community
Health Service to form the Parkes Palliative
Care Volunteer Service. This service is to
coordinate and support volunteers to provide
social support for palliative patients and their
carers in the Parkes Community. The
Centre has formed partnership with the Aged
Health Service - Dementia Advisory Service
to provide support and education to
community members
within the Parkes Shire.
Through this program a
Carers Support Group
has been formed and
meets monthly at the
Centre. After
negotiations with Legal
Aid, they have
commenced providing monthly Free Legal
Aid advice through their Outreach Solicitors
for both Civil Law and Family Law. This
service can be utilised by all members of the
community.
A partnership was formed under the
Specialist Integrated Community
Engagement Model (SpICE). Stakeholders
included - Charles Sturt University,
Indigenous Coordination Centre, Community
Based Services, Health and Education. This
project is to implement a new approach to
improving family and community wellbeing
by building capacity and social capital
through a dynamic community of learners.
The aim is to improve the delivery of
specialist services initially targeting speech
therapy in the rural and remote communities.
The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILs) and
TAX HELP facilities continues to grow rapidly
for the disadvantaged members of the
Parkes Shire. The Centre held an Open Day
providing a barbeque and numerous
activities to support the many valued
volunteers of the Centre and younger
members of the Parkes community as well
as facilitated the “Good Neighbour Awards”
in conjunction with the Parkes Rotary Club.
CENTRE MANAGER’S REPORT
L to R - Samantha Radburn, Pam
Symonds, Maria Abbey
Aboriginal Youth Worker
- Rebecca Sanders
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Peak Hill Service Enhancement
The Centre received enhancement funding
to support the Aboriginal Child, Youth and
Family Strategy (ACYFS) at Peak Hill.
Rebecca Sanders is employed as the part-
time Aboriginal Youth Worker based in Peak
Hill and supports the families, parents and
carers of Aboriginal Children. The ACYFS
partnership and network services target
organisations and community capacity
building services for the Peak Hill
community. Funding was received through
Ageing, Disability and Home Care which will
be administered by Transport for NSW to
provide Aboriginal specific transport for
HACC eligible Aboriginal people living in the
Peak Hill area.
New facilities for the Centre
Again this year the access to the Centre has
been improved by gaining funding for the
installation of automatic doors placed at the
back of the Centre. The Parkes Film Society
engaged the Centre for their Film Nights
throughout the year, however unfortunately
due to lack of interest from members of the
Parkes community the Parkes Film Society
folded earlier this year. This was very
disappointing for the association, however
the Film Society have kindly donated their
Multimedia Projector, Electric projection roll
up screen and supporting equipment to the
Centre. These facilities will benefit the
Centre in providing social events for the
vulnerable and socially isolated members of
the Parkes community.
Staffing
I would like to take the opportunity to
acknowledge the staff for their enthusiasm,
dedication and efficiency in providing service
to their targeted clientele. With the
uncertainty of continuing funding there have
been considerable challenges to which all
staff have responded to magnificently. We
also welcome new staff members to our
team, Rowen Pearce – Family Worker for
Family Support, Samantha Radburn -
Administrator, Jenni Field - Administration
Assistant for Parkes Community Transport,
Jacqueline Grallelis – Service Administrator
for Forbes Community Transport and
Christine Anderson – Service Assistant for
Forbes Social Support.
Conclusion
Unfortunately this year we lost a valuable
volunteer Gladys Hoskins who was part of
the initial setup of the Centre in 1977,
volunteered at the front desk for over 20
years and coordinated the Housebound
Library for many years. We were also
saddened by the death of the Chairperson
for the Parkinson Group, Gordon Wright.
Gordon showed such passion and
commitment for the Parkinson Group and will
be sadly missed. I would like to thank the
Board of Management for their leadership
and expertise over the past year. The Board
effectively bears the governance
responsibility for the Centre and has
provided fine direction and guidance. I also
acknowledge the wonderful reception
volunteers who are so loyal and reliable in
providing a welcoming first point of contact
for the clientele who telephone or call into
the Centre for assistance. I also commend
all other volunteers that support the
Neighbourhood Centre, without their
dedication and continued support the Centre
would not run in the smooth manner it does
on a daily basis.
Pam Symonds
Centre Manager
Centre Manager’s Report (continued)
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Parkes Family Support Service is funded by
the Department of Family and Community
Services. We provide 130 hours of service
weekly to the local communities of Parkes,
Forbes, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore.
The Early Intervention and Placement
Prevention (EIPP) model focusses on
providing advice and referral, parenting skills
programs and support to families and local
youth.
Staff
The Service Coordinator position is held by
Tina Nash. Two Family Workers are
employed on a part time basis and these
positions are filled by Noeline Francis and
Rowen Pearce. Our Early Childhood
Professional is Kristy Lamond who is
employed part time. The Community
Support Worker role is filled by Dan
Fredericks. This position is split between
Family Support Service and the
Neighbourhood Centre.
Service Delivery
Supported Playgroups are continuing to be
facilitated in Parkes, Forbes, Trundle and
Tullamore for parents and young children.
The Thursday afternoon Peak Hill Boys
Youth Group is proving to be popular with
numbers regularly increasing.
During the last 12 months the youth at Peak
Hill have had the opportunity to attend and
participate in a variety of free events. The
highlights have been Dubbo Sportsworld for
a day of activities, and the Look Good Feel
Good modelling workshop with a Teen
Supermodel. They were then able to show
off their newly learned modelling skills to the
general public at the Youth Week Fashion
Show.
Sorry Day/Reconciliation Week celebrations
involved a movie and activity night at the
PCYC. In addition Youth Week’s “Rumble in
the Concrete Jungle” was held at Parkes
skate park.
Wednesday morning Peak Hill mums group
have participated in a range of activities
during the year including the “Marang Dhali”
Eating Well cooking program presented in
conjunction with Western NSW Local Health
Network and the Indigenous Triple P
parenting program.
All staff continue to deliver free programs for
families in our local communities. In the
twelve month period, courses offered were:
Triple P
Indigenous Triple P
Keeping Children Safe
Keeping Kids in Mind
FRIENDS
Drumbeat
“LOVE BITES”
PARKES FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE REPORT
L to R - Noeline Francis, Kristy Lamond, Dan Fredericks, Tina Nash, Rowen Pearce
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Networking and Service Promotion
Family Support have continued to work in
partnership with local organisations to meet
the needs of our communities. These
existing partnerships include:
Peak Hill Central School
Parkes High School
Forbes SACC (Schools as Community
Centres)
Tullamore Health Service
Trundle Children’s Centre
Dubbo School of Distance Education
Parkes Shire Aboriginal Project Officer
New partnerships successfully formed
throughout the year have included:
Trundle Central School
Parkes Public School
Centacare
Legal Aid Family Law Early Intervention
Solicitors
Civil Law Solicitor
Family Support staff continue to actively
represent at various meetings including:
Peak Hill Services Meeting
Tullamore Interagency
Parkes Domestic Violence Committee
Forbes Domestic Violence Committee
Parkes Interagency
Parkes Forbes Community Housing
Family Support Regional Meeting
Family Services NSW Regional
Representative Forum
Staff have promoted the service at:
NAIDOC Celebrations
Tullamore Mini-Expo
Parkes Neighbourhood Centre Open
Day
Parkes Shire Careers Roadshow
Youth Week
I would like to thank the team in Family
Support for their continued dedication to local
families.
I would also like to acknowledge the Centre
Manager, Management Committee and
volunteers for their contributions.
Tina Nash Service Coordinator
PARKES FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE REPORT (continued)
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
PARKES/FORBES COMMUNITY
TRANSPORT REPORT Parkes/Forbes
Community
Transport
Service, under
the auspice of
Parkes &
District
Neighbourhood
& Community
Information Centre Inc. is a not-for-profit
organisation providing transport options to
the Local Government Areas of Parkes,
Forbes and Lachlan Shires. We are funded
by Federal and State governments with
funding administered through Transport for
NSW and Health, Western NSW Local
Health Network. We continue to provide
individual and group transport to the target
population under the various funding
criteria for the frail aged, younger disabled,
carers and those who are transport
disadvantaged through physical, health,
geographic, social or financial
circumstances.
The service has seen continued expansion
this year with the addition of the Forbes
office, vehicle, Service Administrator and
Volunteers. Whilst Parkes, Condobolin and
Forbes offices coordinate transport for their
own clients and vehicle/s, the localities
work together to combine service where it
facilitates cost efficiency.
The bus from Tullamore, Trundle, and
Bogan Gate to Parkes still runs twice
monthly and continues to transport to near
full capacity. We have organised and
contributed to social outings in conjunction
with Parkes/
Forbes Social
Support,
Condobolin Meals
on Wheels and
Parkes Shire
Food Service. A
major three day
social bus trip to
Floriade in September 2012 proved very
successful.
Changes
There have been many changes in our
service this year. Compliments/
Suggestions and Complaint forms have
been placed in all vehicles and we have
had some great feedback through these
forms.
Identification cards were developed and
issued to all service staff and volunteers.
Health and Safety continues to be
paramount, with our Driver Training Officer
Ray Brown being appointed the
Neighbourhood Centre Health and Safety
Representative for all volunteers. Service
perimeter timeframes for volunteer driving
were introduced and are being enforced.
The addition of a budget unit costing tool
and vehicle planner has given greater
insight into expenditure by our service and
will be used to monitor costings on each
trip and vehicle. It will also assist in
planning vehicle replacement costs and
timeframes.
L to R - Jenni Field, Lyn Townsend,
Cheryl Chamberlain
L to R - Jacquie Grallelis,
Rhonda Williamson
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
We now look forward to the next twelve
months which will see changes in driver
requirements, increased CTP funding and
the implementation of a “Spare Capacity”
program which will facilitate vehicles
travelling to regional centres at maximum
client capacity.
Staffing
Forbes Jacquie Grallelis
Condobolin Rhonda Williamson
Parkes Lyn Townsend
Cheryl Chamberlain
Jenni Field
Statistical Information
This financial year we travelled a total of
453,021 kilometres over the Parkes,
Forbes and Lachlan LGAs, and brokered
taxi transport of 43,369 km, making a total
of 496,390 km (up 12% from last year).
Total client trips increased 29% from the
2012 period.
Volunteers
We sadly farewelled voluntary drivers Tony
Parkinson and Fran Barby who both moved
away. We welcome the following new
voluntary drivers to Parkes – Steve Ryan,
Carol Ramsay, Paul Parry, Kevin
Robinson, Geoff Lindsay, and Monika
Parry. New drivers for Condobolin: Maurie
Seaton and Wayne Denyer. New drivers for
Forbes: Vince Roberts, Maurie Westwood,
Tom Edols, Verna Lane, Bill Dolle, June
Dolle, Cyril Sly, Trevor Drury, Linden
Byrne, Robert Parsons, Peter Norris, Terry
Shannon, Wilma Hepburn, Judy Ellis,
Barbara Hoswell and Jean Hodges.
Volunteer drivers and driver support have
all participated in regular driver meetings
throughout the year and received training in
first aid, work health and safety, driver
education and “knowing your boundaries”.
The Service has grown enormously over
the past twelve months with outputs
reflecting that growth. The commitment
given to our service by volunteers and staff
are second to none and we must
acknowledge the dedication they continue
to give in the face of an ever-changing work
environment.
Lyn Townsend Service Coordinator
Below is a breakup of the amount of trips provided to clients from 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2013.
Parkes/Forbes Community Transport Report (continued)
FUNDING STREAM SOCIAL SHOPPING HOSP/MED GP/SPEC TOTAL
Home & Community Care (HACC) 7,896 255 1,664 4,148 13,963
CTP (Community Transport Program for financially, socially or transport disadvantaged clients 2,345 129 130 161
2,765
Dept of Veteran Affairs (DVA) 63 2 167 478 710
Health Related Transport (HRT) 55 33 557 762 1,407
Other Transport provided (Full cost Recovery) 16 4 240 102 362
TOTAL 10,375 423 2,758 5,651 19,207
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
PARKES/FORBES SOCIAL SUPPORT REPORT
Parkes/Forbes Social Support receives funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and complies with the Community Care Common
Standards. Parkes/Forbes Social Support has a long history and has been operational since 1979 initially as a Home Help Pilot Scheme. Our service is a member of NSW Neighbour Aid and Social Support Association and we attend regional network meetings with the West Country forum. The core objective of our service is to enable our consumer group to be engaged with community. We achieve this objective through:
Assisted Shopping Service
Monthly Morning Teas
Fortnightly Knitting Group
Housebound Library
Friendly Visiting
Community Restaurant
Social Outings Staffing The service employs a part-time Coordinator based in Parkes, a part-time Service Assistant based in Forbes and three part-time Field Workers delivering 60 hours of service per week. The service engages casual field staff and utilises a pool of dedicated volunteers, for social morning teas, knitting and chat group, social outings, housebound library, community restaurant and friendly visiting.
Parkes/Forbes Social Support staff and volunteers have travelled approximately 14000 km in providing 5517 hours of social support to an average client grouping of 109 during the July 2012 – June 2013 period. The service continues, as in past years, to operate at capacity levels and is offered to as many eligible service users as possible. Service Activity
Service is predominantly assisted shopping in Parkes and social activities in Forbes. Social outings and the Sports Ability Program have been service highlights this year. Sports Ability is a term used for modified sports or fun activities to enable all participants to compete at the same level. We competed in Wellington in October and Cowra in February, with a group of actively ageing, fun loving, committed participants. During the past year, a total of 35 referrals have been made to the service and 4 ComPacs have also been completed. We have taken 56 clients on various social outings and have embraced the enablement model in order to assist our consumer group.
L to R Kerri Dunn, Barbara Chislett,
Tracey Dumesny
L to R
Christine Anderson
and Emily Moore
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Clients have been referred to the service throughout the year. These referrals have come from the following sources:
During the twelve months, 21 clients have left service due to the following reasons:
Referrals of Social Support clients have been made to other services including Home Care, Community Restaurant, Aged Care Assessment Team, Vital Call, Community Transport, Community Nursing, Australian Hearing, Incontinence Specialists, Forbes Meals on Wheels and Parkes Shire Food Service. The next twelve months will see the service reassess its partnership with Red Cross and develop its own wellbeing phone chat service. We will continue to involve volunteers in order to plan social outings, engage in Sports Ability activities, develop a social calendar of events for both locations, foster existing partnerships and explore any new opportunities. Parkes/Forbes Social Support would like to thank the Board of Management and the Centre Manager for their valued support and look forward to the exciting challenges of another year.
Kerri Dunn
Service Coordinator
Parkes/Forbes Social Support Report (continued)
Reason No. of Clients
Died 4
To Aged Care Package (CACP)
4
To Residential Care 10
Moved out of area 3
No longer requires assistance due to changed needs
0
Source
of referral
No. of Clients
Parkes
No. of Clients
Forbes
Self-referred 6 5
Allied Health 1 2
ACAT 7 1
Home Care 4 1
Other Providers (ComPac) 3 4
Other 0 1
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Under the auspice of the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre, Parkes/Lachlan Home Modification and Maintenance Service received funding from the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) for the Commonwealth Home and Community Care
(HACC) program. This project has been operational since 1991 and during the past 22 years has been able to provide modifications and maintenance to the homes of our target group; frail aged, younger people with a disability and their carers to enable them to continue living safely in their own homes. The service covers the Parkes and Lachlan Shires with a combined population of over 21,000 and a total area of 20,919 km
2.
Staffing
The service employs a part-time Service Coordinator, a builder and a carpenter on a full-time basis, and a part-time administration assistant.
Craig Thornton has now been with the service for 19 years and his experience, knowledge and expertise are valued not only by this service but by Home Modification Services across the state in his role as a Contracted Building Inspector (CBI) for NSW Home Modification and Maintenance Service (HMMS) State
Council. Malcolm Stone continues to provide quality workmanship and service, and he is well respected by our clients.
Dianne Scott (Service Coordinator) Samantha Radburn (Administration) and Carol Ramsay (Administration) manage all aspects of the administration and operation. The service also engages specialised subcontractors for electrical, painting, plastering and plumbing work when required.
Client Information
Over the past 12 months client numbers have decreased. The demand for major bathroom and access modifications continues to remain steady with a number of Level 2/3 modifications completed during the year.
PARKES/LACHLAN HOME MODIFICATION &
MAINTENANCE SERVICE REPORT
Services Provided by Value
(2 Year Comparison)
2011/
12 2012/
13
Jobs under $500 125 127
Jobs between $500-$1000 37 31
Jobs between $1000-$5000 19 15
Jobs over $5000 5 3
L to R - Malcolm Stone, Craig
Thornton, Dianne Scott, Samantha
Radburn, Wally The Dog. Inset
Carol Ramsay
Actual Referrals Received
(5 Year Comparison)
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
Parkes Shire
141 122 131 155 134
Lachlan Shire
57 44 36 47 48
Total 198 166 167 202 182
Type of Referrals (2 Year Comparison)
2011/12 2012/13
Maintenance 26 16
Full Cost 11 7
DVA 46 30
HACC 119 129
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy continues to dictate the number of jobs received which has reflected on the number of referrals as seen in the tables on the previous page.
Parkes Community Health employs a full time Occupational Therapist (OT) to service Parkes and Forbes clients, a part-time OT (Parkes), and a part-time OT that specialises in palliative care, servicing Parkes, Condobolin, Trundle, Tullamore and Tottenham.
The OT position at Condobolin became vacant at the end of June 2013 and at the time of writing Condobolin Health Service was still in the process of recruitment. This vacancy now leaves the clients residing in Condobolin, Trundle, Tullamore and Tottenham vulnerable, at risk and without service.
A Medicare Local/OT based in Hillston was established last year and currently the Lake Cargelligo area is serviced by this position for one day per week.
A private OT is continuing to operate in the Parkes and Lachlan Shires for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) clients.
OT services are also subcontracted periodically by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) at Parkes Health Service to service Parkes and Forbes clients that only require home modifications.
DoHA HMMS Model Review
Under the Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms, DoHA will be undertaking a review of Home Modifications within the next six months. It is still unclear what direction and what the impacts will be after June 2015.
NSW HMMS State Council
NSW HMMS State Council has seen some dramatic changes over the past six months. With significantly reduced funding, the State Council reviewed and restructured its activities and resources, including staffing. The Head Office has been relocated from Lismore to Sydney with most staff choosing not to transfer.
Operating out of Sydney will enable the NSW HMMS State Council to work more closely with related agencies and better support home modification services in their transition to an environment featuring individualised funding and person-centred planning.
The restructure has affected the Quality Assurance (QA) and OT programs, with NSW HMMS State Council awaiting a clear direction from ADHC to advise members of any review or restructure of the programs within the funding that has been allocated.
Advocacy and lobbying for the sector will continue on both a State and National level. It is the NSW HMMS State Council Executive Office Bearers’ intent that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Disability Care Australia) and the Aged Care reform systems will acknowledge and utilise the experience and expertise of the NSW HMMS provider network to help inform them on quality home modification outcomes for their clients.
Craig, Malcolm, Samantha, Carol and I would like to thank the Board of Management and the Centre Manager for their valued support for this service and we look forward to another successful year.
Dianne Scott Service Coordinator
Parkes/ Lachlan Home Modification & Maintenance Report
(continued)
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
15
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
COMMUNITY VISITORS SCHEME REPORT
The Community Visitors Scheme is funded by the Federal Government through Department of Health and Ageing. It was established as a link for people living in Aged Care Nursing Homes and the local community in which they live.
The scheme’s objective is to improve the quality of life of isolated residents who live in Aged Care Nursing Homes, who have limited family and social contact. These residents are often isolated from their community for social or cultural reasons or through disability. The community volunteer visitor befriends a resident in a facility within their area, who may be at risk of being isolated. The requirement for a resident to be visited by a Community Visitor is one who would have no meaningful contact with family or friends. The Community Visitors Scheme has a basis of visiting once a fortnight, although they are able to visit more frequently if desired. The Community Visitors Scheme commenced as a pilot project in Queensland and South Australia in 1990 and has since grown to be a very successful program operating across all States and Territories. The Parkes service covers Condobolin, Forbes, Parkes and Peak Hill. The scheme has volunteers that visit regularly with their matched up friend. These relationships are valued by the
residents in the Nursing Homes. They enjoy their visits and are keen for the next visit knowing that someone is coming in to see them, to listen, talk and share with. A close bond is formed by the visiting volunteer and resident, they are seen as a sincere friend. Both volunteer and resident are rewarded with a friendship that fills an empty space in a residents heart. This period in the life of a Nursing Home resident can be quite lonely, and is often a painful time in the later stage of their journey through life. The volunteers feel that they are helping these people and this in turn helps them. They enjoy the life stories that they hear and find themselves learning valuable lessons, through great conversations. In March, we advertised for volunteers in the school newsletters in the Parkes and Forbes areas. Two residents from Forbes have shown an interest in community visiting. The scheme was advertised in the local Champion Post classifieds, and as a result, three new volunteers came forward. The Community Visitors Scheme celebrated 20 years of service this year. During the year we enjoyed thanking four volunteers who have been active in visiting their resident for their first year in the Community Visitors Scheme. In June, a certificate of appreciation was presented to a volunteer in Forbes who has been visiting for 10 years. The Community Visitors Scheme employs one part-time Coordinator. The service is funded for 18 volunteers.
Val Mann
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
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2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Volunteer Activities
Upon induction into service a thank you gift has been given to volunteers
Quarterly newsletters
Phone calls and birthday cards when required
Morning teas and luncheons
Christmas lunch combined with other services
Thank you Christmas gift presented to volunteers
Val Mann Service Coordinator
Nursing Home No. of Volunteers
Niola Nursing Home 4
Rosedurnate Nursing Home 3
Southern Cross Village 3
Jemalong Retirement Village 1
Mater Nursing Home 2
Condobolin Nursing Home 2
Peak Hill Frazer Court 0
Community Visitors Scheme Report (continued)
Service Coordinator Val Mann presenting Joanne McRae a Certificate for 10 years service
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
17
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
The Parkes Aboriginal Project Officer role has been designed to support the establishment and development of a Parkes Aboriginal Action Plan for the Parkes Aboriginal
Community Working Party (PACWP) and Advisory Group. The position is a partnership between Parkes Shire Council and Northparkes Mine. This role helps to positively address the human service needs and related issues that have been identified by the local Indigenous community.
The PACWP was formed through the Parkes Shire Aboriginal Community Meetings and continues to advocate on behalf of both Parkes and Peak Hill Aboriginal communities about key issues and initiatives under the Governments Closing the Gap agenda.
Closing the Gap
Part of the role of the Aboriginal Project Officer is to source medical services to outreach in the local area. Since February 2011 the following gaps have been closed:
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service now provide a dental clinic with referrals being made through the Currajong Medical Centre
Bathurst Australian Hearing outreach to Indigenous Communities holding their clinics at Carewest
Wellington Aboriginal Medical Service provides a free eye clinic with appointments being made through the Aboriginal Project Officer based at the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre.
Australian Department of Health and Ageing Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) - provided the Aboriginal Project Officer with support and training to attend the Brien Holden Vision Institute University of NSW in Randwick to be able to coordinate Eye Health Clinics within the Shire.
The Aboriginal Flag erected outside of Parkes Shire Council Library
Parkes Shire Elders’ Advisory Group established
Development of Reconciliation Action Plan with Land Care
Events
The Aboriginal Project Officer coordinated the National Day of Healing at both Parkes and Peak Hill High Schools. The PACWP, the Parkes Reconciliation Group, Parkes Family Support and the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre all worked together in holding a free sausage sizzle lunch for the school children. This included both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous children, bringing them together to talk about the National Day of Healing and what it means to them.
The Aboriginal Project Officer was successful in an application to DEEWR requesting assistance from the NSW State of Origin to host an Indigenous Job Market for the Parkes Shire and surrounding areas. A number of NSW State of Origin legends spent three days in Parkes and also held a charity bowls evening which raised money for a local sporting group. The NSW State of Origin legends held the coaching clinic the day after the job market for the high school students.
ABORIGINAL PROJECT WORKER’S REPORT
Amanda Corcoran
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
18
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
In September 2012 the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre funded the NAIDOC Celebrations which were held in Cooke Park. A number of amusement rides, stalls and activities were held on the day including a free concert in the park with Indigenous double Golden Guitar Winner, Amos Morris who performed on the day. Feedback from the community was that NAIDOC Celebrations 2012 was one of the most successful NAIDOCs Parkes has had in many years. Similar preparations for NAIDOC 2013 are now underway.
Youth Week was held in April 2013. The Parkes Family Support and Parkes Neighbourhood Centre held a “Look Good Feel Good” modelling workshop for the local youth with mentor and teen supermodel Michaela Swamy. The Aboriginal Project Officer met with stakeholders to ensure partnerships were formed which included local clothing outlets, hair salons, makeup artists and photographers. A fashion show was held at the Parkes Leagues Club. This event was highly successful and received positive feedback after building confidence in a number of young participants.
In May 2013, in celebration of National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2013, the PACWP partnered with the Parkes Reconciliation group and the Parkes PCYC in holding an event titled “A Deadly Flick.” The movie “The Sapphires” was shown on the big screen after holding an afternoon of activities and Aboriginal Trivia. The role of Aboriginal Project Officer was to form partnerships and to assist with coordinating the event with all the parties involved. “A Deadly Flick” was very successful with approximately 67 in attendance which included Parkes Family Support youth groups from Peak Hill travelling to the event by bus to attend.
Amanda Corcoran Aboriginal Project Officer
ABORIGINAL PROJECT WORKER’S REPORT (continued)
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
19
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Housebound Library is a
service to the community
with twenty volunteers
giving their time freely
each fortnight. Books,
CDs and DVDs are
delivered to private homes,
Niola, Rosedurnate and Southern Cross
Village. As well as delivering items to our
recipients, time is taken for a little chat.
This year, the Volunteers of this service
have given 502 hours, travelled 940
kilometres and delivered 3531 items to 1018
clients.
Recently with much assistance from library
staff member Maureen Miller, the deliveries
have been rearranged to make a more even
distribution of the service. Where possible,
two volunteers have equal numbers of
clients to choose items for. Southern Cross
Village still has three volunteers as 12-13
clients often like to have up to eight items.
Attendance at the monthly Morning Tea
varies with both the library and
Neighbourhood Centre hosting them.
Transport to and from each venue is
offered.
Two of our very long serving volunteers Joy
Gillies and Maude Harris retired early in
2013. We do miss them and hope they are
enjoying more leisure time. Should they feel
the need at any time just a telephone call is
all it takes to have this service provided to
them.
We joined with other services from the
Neighbourhood Centre at the Seniors Week
Expo held in March at the Services Club. A
great way to publicise all that is available in
this community.
We thank both the Neighbourhood Centre
and Parkes Shire Library who with their
staff, support us to provide this service. As
volunteers, we take pleasure in helping
others and are happy to assist.
We would like to make special mention of
Mrs Gladys Hoskins who was a volunteer at
the Neighbourhood Centre in 1977. She
agreed to coordinate the Housebound
Library and did so for many years. Sadly
Gladys passed away in July and had been
receiving books until then.
We are grateful for the many volunteers who
give so freely of their time and energy.
Jacqui Abbott, Barbara Donnelly, Leigh
Douglas, Jan Freeman, Doreen Gamble,
Joy Gillies, Maude Harris, Veni Jacobs,
Laurel MacKenzie, Lee Ramsay, John Short
and Miriam Stewart. Our reserves are
Laurie Ashcroft, Margaret Crowley, Henry
Dawson, Judy Magill and Ivy Rooke.
Ivy Rooke
Housebound Library Volunteer Coordinator
HOUSEBOUND LIBRARY REPORT
Ivy Rooke
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
20
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
During the first part of this
year, our Chairperson
Gordon Wright,
encouraged the members
to explore the ways and
means by which we could
change the focus of our
meetings. He hoped this
would generate a more relaxed social
gathering and increase membership.
Monthly attendance varies from eight to
fifteen members.
Guest speakers through the year included
Cathy White who spoke on depression, its
causes and the help that is available. Liz
Matthews, who gave a very entertaining
view of her holiday in Africa. The
photographs of the Gorillas of Rwanda
where they are protected was both amusing
and concerning as in some parts of Africa
they are hunted for commercial gain.
Red Bend Year 11 student Lara, who was
writing a paper on Parkinson’s, had many
questions on how to have ‘quality of life’
when dealing with Parkinson’s. Members
were pleased to offer their thoughts on this.
We joined with other services from the
Neighbourhood Centre at the Seniors Week
Expo held at the Services Club. This
helped to increase community awareness
on the support available to Parkinsonians
and their carers.
The inaugural Big Bike
Ride to raise awareness
and funds for Parkinson’s
research took part in May.
A large number of
motorbikes and riders from
Sydney, Wollongong,
Wellington, Parkes, and all
the places in between, made for an
interesting weekend. Entertainment by
Angry Anderson, Marty Rhone and other
musicians made the evening ‘go with a
swing.’ Parkes Rotary Club members
catered to the appetite of all in attendance.
Our compliments for a well organised and
executed service. Several staff members
from Parkinson’s NSW came to Parkes for
this event which gave us an opportunity to
meet with them personally. We are waiting
to hear from Parkinson’s NSW regarding a
possible repeat of this event.
The annual M & D Charity Concert included
the Jack Scoble Memorial Concert on the
Sunday afternoon. We are most
appreciative of the time and efforts that
members of Parkes M & D give to all their
performances and are grateful for their
donation of $2,000 towards Parkinson’s
research. Special thanks also to the ladies
of Parkes Quota Club who prepared and
served the afternoon tea and to the
business houses who supported us.
PARKES PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP REPORT
The late Gordon
Wright
Ivy Rooke
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
21
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
We wish to express our appreciation of the
continuing interest and support from Mayor
Ken Keith, Councillors and staff of the
Parkes Shire Council. To Centre Manager
Pam Symonds, all staff and volunteers of
the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre, many
thanks for your constant help.
Sadly our chairperson Gordon Wright
retired before the end of 2012 due to ill
health and passed away earlier this year.
Our thoughts are with his wife Joy and
family. Gordon will not be forgotten.
Since February 2013 I have been privileged
to be chairperson of this group. My thanks
to my hardworking executive and supportive
members who encourage me to continue
with ‘change of focus’ initiated by the late
Gordon Wright.
Ivy Rooke
Chairperson
Parkes Parkinson’s Support Group Report (continued)
Parkes Parkinson’s Group
PARKES NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
22
2013 ANNUAL REPORT
In the past four months, extensive training
has been given to a group of volunteers.
These men and women are now the
Volunteer Palliative Group. The training
was professionally and sensitively given
over many hours where each volunteer was
encouraged to learn about this work and
assess themselves regarding their
suitability. Registered Nurse Bernadette
Orange, Clinical Nurse Specialist Level 2,
presented the training over many weeks
assisted by the coordinator of the
volunteers, Kittie Dwyer. All of this under
the auspice of the Parkes Community
Health Service and the Parkes
Neighbourhood Centre.
Some of the volunteers have begun to
make use of this training. When a person
is identified by the Clinical Nurse Specialist
and has a terminal diagnosis, they are
offered the services of one of these
volunteers. The coordinator will then select
a volunteer acceptable to the client/carer.
After introduction and both parties are
comfortable with the arrangement the
volunteer will begin to visit on a regular
basis - to walk the journey of the illness
with them whether it be weeks or months.
They are trained to not take over in any
way or to interfere with other services, but
to be there, just be available for that
particular situation. In many situations to sit
quietly beside the person just to be there.
This is very special work, needing
dedication and committed people.
This last week the volunteer palliative team
with Sister Bernadette Orange and Kittie
Dwyer attended the National Palliative Care
Conference in Canberra. They attended
the full Volunteers Day and were absolutely
thrilled to hear the enthusiastic speakers,
some from overseas and to be able to mix
and speak with many highly experienced
palliative care volunteers. This team will
work closely with Sister Orange and will
share monthly meetings, further training
and mutual support and hopefully be of
great comfort and support for clients with
terminal illnesses and their carers/families.
Kittie Dwyer
Coordinator
PARKES PALLIATIVE CARE VOLUNTEER
SERVICE REPORT
Palliative Group Volunteers - Back: Adrianne Brown,
Pauline Gosper, Bernadette Orange, Kittie Dwyer.
Front: Ray Brown, Laurel Mackenzie, Chris DeDobbelaar,
Allan Draper, Jo-Anne Tye, Warwick Wheeldon.
Funding Provided By: Parkes Services Club and the
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) -
Caring for Ageing Rural Australians (CARA)
Recommended