Ageing with dignity...

J U N E 2 0 1 4 I S S U E N O . 1 2

WHAT’S

INSIDE. . .

D u n d a l o o S u p p o r t S e r v i c e s PROFILE ON F R AN K

C L I V E

WOOLCOT T

- A

R E M A R K A B L E

L I F E

DSS4U

W I NN E R S &

G R I N N E R S

ATHOL AT

HOME

CONT’D PAGE 2

R E D E V E L O P M E N T

NEWS

Frank Burns lives at the Bukalbi Unit complex surrounded by his friends Cam, Marshall, Glenn and Lyn. Frank considers Bukalbi a safe and respectful place to be. His unit is cosy and from the moment you step inside you get a sense that Frank has some intriguing interests. His vast collection of wartime DVD’s and war song music CD’s echoes important memories for Frank. His father’s photo and wartime medals are preserved beautifully framed on his wall. A bright red replica Japanese sword is strikingly displayed on the wall. Frank proudly shows me his two colourful tattoos on his arms and then discusses with Katie, his support worker, the food in his pantry, ready for their cook-up on the coming weekend.

Frank shares with me stories of his favourite holidays, like his trips to Broken Hill, Dubbo, Gold Coast and a cruise to Tasmania. Back at Bukalbi he enjoys his trips to the Leagues to play the pokies and share some happy times with his friends.

Life hasn’t always been fun and safe for Frank. Born in Cessnock in 1940 he lived with his family, he was the 2nd youngest child. Frank’s father went to war when he was 3. Frank has a really strong memory of returning home from the pictures one day and his Dad was in the house. This was 2 years later and is the first memory of his father that he can recall.

Frank struggled at school. He recalls every time a lesson was on the teachers sent him out to chop wood. He felt nobody wanted to teach him and they called him names like nitwit, brainless, idiot and stupid. When he left school he worked for a short time at Mitchells Limited, a brick factory, but when it closed down he helped his Mum and grandmother around the house, mowing lawns for money. He remembers family called him handicapped and didn’t have much to do with him.

Frank was admitted to Peat Island when he was 18 years old. He tells me he was there for 10 years and 2 months. He worked there and was allowed to go out and recalls it was ‘OK living there’. From there a decision by his family found him at the Men’s Hostel and he has lived independently for the past 10 years.

Frank is currently undergoing radiation therapy daily in Port Macquarie. Cancer Council workers and Dundaloo Support workers share the daily drive to Port with him. Frank feels he has been at the centre of the decision making about his current treatment and feels well supported into his recovery.

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Ageing with dignity cont’d... Bukalbi tenants, his friends and his support workers are constant reminders that things are different for him now. Frank has been able to live and age with dignity in a fair and decent environment.

We support Frank and his right for a happier and better life in a safe and respected environment. We trust Frank will soon see the benefits of the radiation therapy and continue to live his life with dignity and fulfilment.

Athol at home Athol grew up in the Macksville and Nambucca Heads area and has lived at Dundaloo residence for over thirty years! He has been with his partner Cathy, for over 20 years. Athol worked at Valley Industries for many years but is now retired.

Now he attends Bluegum Cottage five days per week and enjoys it very much and has made a lot of friends. He especially enjoys doing the art/craft and the woodwork.

Athol has close contact with his brother Neville and his wife Jenny, and visits them regularly. He is looking forward to the redevelopment and to soon move into Stevenson Street.

He says that it’s going to be really good to live in a brand new home with his friends and is looking forward to the Sod turning ceremony there—he is actually going to turn the soil.

Athol loves country music, some of his favorite artists are Keith Urban, Charlie Pride and Johnny Cash.

Winners & Grinners

Gavin for 1st place in 25m breaststroke and 3rd place in 50m freestyle.

Jackie for 1st place in 25m freestyle and 3rd place in 25m breaststroke

Kurri swim meet

To Nicole and Adam on their recent engagement...best wishes

from us all!

Clive Woolcott—R.I.P.

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A remarkable life... Clive was born 1925 in Sydney to parents Charles and Vi with brother Warwick (deceased). Charles secured a job with Texico in Taree and the family moved in 1932. Clive went to primary school in Taree then was selected to go to Sydney Boys Technical High School in Sydney. He lived with grandparents in Balgowlah whilst in high school and finished there in 1941. In 1942 he gained apprenticeship to Hayden’s Engineering as a Fitter and Turner. After a period away from Taree again, Clive returned in 1951 as an engineer to purchase the then named Ellis Engineering, which was situated near the north coast wharf.

Clive renamed the company to Woolcott Engineering and in partnership with Ryan’s Shipyard and Hayden’s Engineering, they built boats for WWII. Clive married a Tuncurry girl, Molly in 1955, and together they had one child, Richard. In 1956 Clive and Molly purchased a beautiful home overlooking the Manning River.

It was through a conversation that Clive had with his friend, Dr Baildon that he and Molly decided to support “The Sub-Normal Association”, now known as Dundaloo Support Services.

Bobbie McCaffrey and Clive at Dundaloo 60th last year

Richard, Clive’s son, has an award that was given to his parents for their generosity and dedication toward the organisation in the form of a pewter plate presented to them in 1967. Richard also remembers the selflessness and kindness of one of the first teachers of the school, the wonderful Mrs McLean.

Clive was known as a man of integrity – honourable and truthful – a man who wanted the best for people and a man who was humble. Richard has always admires his father’s selflessness.

Dundaloo pays tribute to a wonderful and kind man who was part of the beginnings of what is now Dundaloo.

He was a life member of our organisation and attended the 60th year celebrations held last year with cutting of the celebratory cake.

His support and dedication will be remembered – a wonderful man who had a “remarkable life”.

Clive had made some notes about his association and volunteering efforts with our organisation and had cited that in 1967 the organisation he had joined “flourished painfully”.

So much effort, time and dedication was given by the volunteers back then to help the organisation move forward.

Everyone was involved with raising funds with the children with disability and their school, Clive being no exception. Stalls and fetes were held with Clive, John Machin and the wonderful Bobbie McCaffrey and others lending a hand where possible.

Bobbie McCaffrey tells DSS4U about her life and involvement with Dundaloo in a future issue soon….

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Note from Shelly

Redevelopment

Phone: 6551 4214 Fax: 6552 4372

Contact us...

This month we can announce exciting news that the building company appointed to build our first three new group homes; Stevenson Street, Edinburgh Drive and Brooke Close is Ware Building

Pty Ltd from Forster/Great Lakes area.

Ware Building representatives have attended our recent Project Implementation Committee meeting and now understand how important and life-changing the project is for the people who will be living in the new homes.

The builders will commence construction around 9 June and Dundaloo will be holding a sod turning ceremony prior to that date. We are hoping the NSW Minister for Disability, John Ajaka MLC will be in attendance at the event, along with a contingent of service users, family members and neighbours.

The tender process for the final two properties, Apanie Close and Old Bar Road, is almost complete and we should be able to make an announcement on the successful builder very soon.

Look out for our next issue in which we will bring you highlights of the upcoming sod turning event!

Administration: 316 Wingham Road, Taree 2430

Email: admin@dundaloofoundation.org.au

Web page: www.dundaloofoundation.org.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dundaloo

Hello Readers, Our society often seems smitten with physical beauty; frequently missing the beauty from within. We often hunger for our youth, our physical capabilities of our 20’s and 30’s, maybe we felt formidable and more attractive – who knows? What we do know is that ageing will end up harassing most of us; chasing us down and changing our physical state and maybe eventually impairing our judgement. The stories that we have included in our Newsletter this month are a celebration of life; life with all its beauty and heartbreak.

Frank and Athol are very good people, as was Clive, and each person has contributed much of themselves to Dundaloo, and have been of great assistance and guidance to people like me. Who we are and the quality of what we contribute ought not to be based on who did or gave the most; rather it is about giving the best of who we are. What I did know of Clive and know of Athol and Frank is that they have given their best, as hardworking, decent and caring people, who have tended to give, rather than receive. In truth, some have experienced a lot of love and success, some have experienced less, and these circumstances, for whatever reason have contributed to the good people that they are or became. In the end, ageing with dignity becomes a choice; Clive did it with enthusiasm, Athol does it with a smile and Frank does it by being positive when times are tough. It is with great respect that I farewell Clive Woolcott, a good and respectable man and it is my privilege to know Athol and Frank as men of integrity and honour. In a few days the NSW Minister for Disability Services, Hon. Jon Ajaka will be here in Taree to celebrate with us the first turning of soil (sod) on our land at Stevenson Street, Taree. Athol will join with the Minister and Lindell Prince in grabbing a shovel and officially starting the building phase of the Dundaloo re-development. Athol has spent 35 years of his 70 years here at Dundaloo; it seems fitting that one our “elders” is involved in such an historical moment. My sincere thanks go to Hon. Stephen Bromhead for his efforts in ensuring that Minister Ajaka would be in attendance at our sod ceremony. Steve is a good friend of Dundaloo and really gets what we are trying to achieve and why we are doing it. Thanks Steve. Regards Shelly