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APRIL 2020 | Issue no. 1

“The strength of the team is each individual member.

The strength of each member is the team."

Great things happen when everyone works together. Welcome to “Meals and Memos” a partnership between Sutherland Shire Council, Sutherland Food Services, Seniors Reference Group and also the Youth Reference Group. Together we wanted to provide a ray of sunshine in these trying times.

Meals and Memos is an opportunity to share your thoughts, ideas or suggestions through a ‘pen pal’ engagement. The aim is to connect you with a ‘pen pal’ who are vetted community members eagerly awaiting to hear from you! Food Services will act as the postman and deliver and collect your messages. All your content will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.

Sue Green | Service Manager Sutherland Food Services

The Sutherland Hospital 9540 7111

Health Direct COVID Hotline 1800 022 222

1800 171 866

Centrelink 13 24 68

Lifeline 13 11 14

St Vincent De Paul 13 18 12

Orana NSW Inc. 9521 8280

Salvation Army 1300 371 288

Red Cross Telecross 1300 885 698

3 Bridges 1300 327 434

Hopefield 9545 0299

Engadine Community Services 9520 7022

Orana NSW Inc. 9521 8280

Gymea Community Aid and Information Services

9524 9559

9544 0104

9540 7175

My Aged Care 1800 200 422 Multicultural Aged Care 9718 6199

Sutherland Food Services 9540 7365

Community Directories

Covid Support Linefor Seniors

Southcare (The Sutherland Hospital)

Be Connected Community Services

We look forward to providing interesting reading, tips and opportunities to engage with your community.

Activus Transport 8555 0000

SENIORS DIRECTORY

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Alice Cashin Nurse Memorial

Anzac Day Shire Reflection

Nurse Matron Alice Cashin of the Queen Alexan-dra Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, died in 1939, she was buried in an unmarked grave. It was not until 2016 that a memorial to this brave and distinguished woman was finally real-ised

In an unmarked grave at Woronora Memorial Park rests a heroine of WWI, registered nurse Alice Cashin, the first Australian to be awarded a Royal Red Cross plus the bar to that medal for her incredible bravery during WWI.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) officially dedicated and unveiled the Alice Cashin Nurse Memorial on the 11th October 2016, which celebrates the qualities and values displayed by this extraordinary Australian nurse and in honour of all nurses and midwives.

Alice trained as a registered nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney and later moved to England to pursue her career. When WWI broke out, she signed up with the British Red Cross and in July 1915, joined the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR).

Her first posting with the QAIMNSR was in Egypt and for her work and bravery there, Alice was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class Medal. On 30th March 1917, Alice was Matron on the hospital ship HMHS Gloucester Castle, which was torpedoed without warning in the English Channel. Alice defied the Captain’s orders and refused to leave the sinking ship until all her 399 injured men and 33 nurses were safely on lifeboats. She left on the last lifeboat.

For her ‘example of coolness and devotion to duty, and rendering invaluable service’ on that terrible and cruel night, Alice was the first Australian to receive the Bar to her Red Cross Medal.

Alice’s training set her up to cope in the most try-ing and challenging circumstances – whether it was close to the front in France, in charge of a large surgical unit in Egypt, or on the seas or managing a large military hospital. She showed the qualities that all nurses and midwives aspire

to professionalism, courage and devotion to duty. This memorial honours all nurses and midwives who share the values of Alice Cashin.

From 7th May 1917 Matron Cashin had charge of the 400-bed military hospital at Whittingham Barracks, Lichfield, England. On leaving in July 1919 she was showered with daisies gathered by “her boys”. She returned to Australia in the Morea on 18th October 1919.

Daisies, in memory of the send-off given by “her boys” at the English hospital, are planted on her grave, as our send off to her, with thanks, and in memory from a grateful nation. Lest we forget.

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Tell us your Anzac Day reflection

What does Anzac Day mean to you?

With Food Services acting as your postman we will deliver and collect your messages. All you need to do is tear off this page and start writing. It can be anything, but perhaps you’d like to share your thoughts and experiences of

Anzac Day.

What is your favourite Anzac Day memory?

Q & A - What do our young and

young at heart think? Have you ever wondered what goes through the older or younger generations head? Often times young

people and seniors are portrayed to never get along and disregard perspectives. However, here at

Sutherland Shire’s Youth and Senior Reference Groups we know this isn’t true. We’ve come up with

questions where you can see how both the youth and seniors gain some advice from both generations!

Youth asking Seniors

Luiza and Cooper: If there was one piece of information that every youth could hear in the next 24 hours

what would it be?

Lynne: When I was much younger, I wish I'd known how important it is to take opportunities when they present

themselves rather than over-thinking things. Most of us have plenty of time to gather up a lifetime of regrets. I've

always liked the Latin phrase 'carpe diem' - advice about seizing the day. Now I'd combine it with the much more

contemporary song title 'Let it Go'!

Luiza and Cooper: What is one skill that you think everyone in their lifetime should learn?

Lynne: The capacity to be kinder to each other as well as ourselves is a skill that perhaps we could all be

working on right now. What these 'unprecedented' times means for so many of us has exposed just how wide the

gap is between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots', both in our own country and globally. A world after COVID19 that

we'd all like to live in could depend on how well we look after each other when things are tough, not when things

are sailing along just fine and we've been able to take so much for granted.

Seniors asking Youth Lynne: 2020 is a year we'll all remember no matter our age category. What’s surprised you most about the

impacts of COVID19 on your regular schedule?

Cooper: It’s not often that you’ll hear a student say, of all things, missing school! I believe this is the result of a

renewed appreciation of the importance of school community and friendship. This actively serves as a reminder to

be consciously checking in on the wellbeing of those close to us, in addition to our own wellbeing, in times when

we may not get the regular chance.

Luiza: What’s surprised me the most is how often I was out of the house and out and about. As an active person

I’ve found it challenging to stay inside most days, only going out to exercise! I am extremely lucky in the sense

where I have a big family so am never bored at home but can’t wait for things to get back to normal. As Cooper

said above now is the time to be kind to everyone in your life and check up on these close to you.

Lynne: When we're able to go back to our more usual way of life, what are you most looking forward to?

Cooper: Simply being able to closely interact with others in person! There ’s something special about a

simple g’day, even if just to a stranger at the shops.

Luiza: I’d have to agree with Cooper! I can’t wait to interact with my friends again in person, head down to the

beach after school and simply as much as I never thought I say it, be back in school!

A bit about the authors:

Lynne Edwards - 'Mostly' retired secondary educator, Lifeline Telephone Crisis Support volunteer, Nana,

1st year Seniors Reference Group member.

Cooper Ganno - Year 12 Student at Kirrawee High, funny socks enthusiast, School Captain, and Youth

Reference Group member.

Luiza Knijnik - Year 11 student at Caringbah High School, obsessed with dogs, Youth leader in changing the

narrative and Youth Reference Group member. Page 4

In a normal flu season, people are usually advised to wait until May to receive their flu vaccination, but with the current COVID-19 crisis, the RACGP is advising people to call their GP to discuss getting their flu vaccine as soon as possible.

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Dr Mary Beth MacIsaac

(MD, CCFP, FRACGP)

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR

FLU VACCINATION?

Dr Mary Beth MacIsaac is an experienced GP at North West Medical Practice in Gymea. Mary Beth is a keen advocate for improving the delivery of primary health care for older people. In this edition Mary Beth provides some useful tips and advice on the importance of protecting yourself from the flu.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged patients to get their influenza vaccination from their GP earlier than usual this year to reduce strain on the health system caused by COVID-19.

With the current COVID-19 situation, this year it is more important than ever for older people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Protecting yourself from the flu with a vaccination now will help reduce your chances of becoming unwell with the flu.

Mary Beth also pointed out that it was important for patients to speak to their GP to discuss getting the right flu vaccine for their age group.

Older people aged over 65 years are advised to wait for a special flu vaccine for their more at-risk age group that provides enhanced protection. Patients should now be able to get the special the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) from their GP as of mid-April.

In line with RACGP recommendations Mary Beth said it was important for people to call ahead before visiting their GP for their flu vaccination. This allows clinic staff to make sure that they do not have any flu or COVID-19 symptoms before coming to the clinic, and to ensure their safety in the presence of other patients, GPs and staff.

Tips

I. Call your GP to discuss getting your flu vaccine as soon as possible

II. Receive the right flu vaccination for your age: People under 65 should see their GP for a vaccination as soon as possible. Those over 65 are advised to get a special vaccination from their GP available mid-April.

III. From 1 May 2020, you should

have your influenza vaccination in order to visit an aged care facility.

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Did you know?

Aurora’s Anzac Crossword

Welcome to the first issue of Meals and Memos, in conjunction with all participating parties we will endeavour

to keep you up to date with interesting facts and figures about where you live in the Sutherland Shire.

If you are reading this newsletter you would be part of the huge growth of over 65 year olds in the Sutherland

Shire as a proportion of our total population in the Shire.

From the 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics the population of the Sutherland Shire consisted of 218,464

people living in 84,533 dwellings.

The largest changes in age structure in the Sutherland Shire from 2011 to 2016 were in the age groups 70-74

plus 2062 persons , 65 -69 plus 1780, 85 and over plus 1340 and 55-59 plus 1128.

From the 2016 ABS the Sutherland Shire has a higher proportion of persons aged 60 and over than the

Greater Sydney area.

By Russell Stevens

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Share your story We’d love to share you

advice with others

What I’m missing most right now is…………………………………...

I’m doing fine but could use some help with ……………………………………

During Isolation this has worked for me ………………………………………..

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Tell us more!

We’d love to hear about your handy hints, recipes,

poems, riddles, interesting facts or whatever else you'd

like to share to publish in our next edition.

Don’t hold back.