Community
NEWSLETTER
MAY 2016
CEO UPDATE
Dear Community Members,
Community Opening -It was lovely to see so many
community members come to the opening of the
Aunty Irene Harrison Gathering Place. The hub is very
busy, please feel free to come and use the area at any
time- it is open every day for community.
VACCHO Graduations -I’d like to congratulate some of
our team who attended their graduation ceremony in
Melbourne last month. Stumpy received her
Certificate 1V in Aboriginal Health and Barney
received Certificate III and IV in Aboriginal Health.
Both of them are invaluable in the clinic and we are
very proud of their achievements- well done guys! I’d
like to congratulate Director Kelly Britten also for
receiving her Certificate IV Aboriginal Health Worker
and Business Management.
Medical Clinic- Dr Tony continues to be busy- please
come in and have your health check done if you are
due; we also have Sharyn here on a Wednesday and
we have just welcomed Andrew from Grampians
Podiatry services who is attending one day a month
for podiatry services.
We are busy organizing NAIDOC week already-we are
looking for community members who would like to
contribute to activities to contact reception to register
their interest. We will be sending a flyer out shortly
with events that are organized.
Congratulations also to those involved in the ‘Take the
Pledge’ campaign. The launch of this program held
here was extremely well attended and supported.
Goolum was then requested to present on two
occasions in Melbourne about the program – to
receive recognition at this level is wonderful and a
reflection of the good work being done here. If there
are any community members interested in ‘’taking the
pledge’ please contact Jeremy or Dean. We are
providing support for anyone around smoking
cessation.
Playgroup- numbers attending playgroup have
dropped off lately; please feel free to feed back to us
your thoughts on playgroup as we would love to
continue with this service. Currently we hold
playgroup on a Monday at Darlot House from
12.30pm-2.30pm and on a Wednesday here in Aunty
Irene’s room at 10.30am-12.30pm. Don’t forget we
also provide transport to and from playgroup.
We are also planning for sessions to be held in Donald
and are currently attending the Stawell Powerhouse
Playgroup. We would welcome any new
parents/carers. Please contact Leeanne and Sarah
about dates and times.
Could any community members who change their
address or any details please let us know – we don’t
want to be sending correspondence to the wrong
place! If you would like to receive the newsletter too I
encourage you to sign up as a member of Goolum and
it will be sent out to you.
Negotiations continue with the Department of Health
and Human Services around our housing portfolio.
Repairs to most properties will hopefully commence
early July.
Community members have been involved in the Art Is
project and the Bangarra dancing which is great. Both
groups will be holding activities/concerts to highlight
not only local history but stories and artwork.
Memorabilia- I’d like to thank Aunty Nancy Harrison
for bringing in an award that Goolum was received
some years ago. If anyone else has any memorabilia
please bring into Goolum as we would love to be able
to display it.
Counsellors – I am very pleased to inform you that we
now have Veronica working here on a Monday as well
as Bluey every Thursday to offer counselling services. I
urge community members to come and have a yarn to
either Veronica or Bluey as they are more than willing
to assist you with any concerns you have. These
services are completely confidential.
Short Courses are coming….
For our community members we are going to offer
short courses (held here at Goolum) commencing in
July.
We need your ideas so if you are not currently
working or would like to upskill please contact
reception (53816301) and let us know your interests.
(Some possible courses could include basic computer
skills, Responsible serving of Alcohol, First Aid, White
Card, Fork Lift licences, Victorian Drivers Licence,
developing your resume, preparing for a job
interview)
We will be able to provide transport and meals to
assist you.
Please take up this offer as we now have the facilities
to offer this education service at Goolum.
Until next time,
Wally
Board Report
Hi all,
This is a bit of an update about the repairs and maintenance work to Goolum houses. After much perseverance
we have had it confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services that we will be getting 5 new
builds replacing 3 of our existing houses and increasing our overall number of properties which is great news.
The Board are still to decide where these new builds will be located. The actual repairs and maintenance works
on other properties will also be starting end of June.
Congratulations to staff that have completed their studies and received certificates in the last few months. It’s
good to see that we are helping develop our community members as they are getting a chance at starting a
career. It’s important that we at Goolum help to continually grow the Aboriginal workforce. Our current
Aboriginal workers won’t be around forever and we need to make sure we have in place strategies to develop
future workers/leaders.
We would also like to acknowledge the work the staff are doing with the leadership group. It’s important for us
to develop leaders for the future. One of the common themes from ACCHO’s across the state is the lack of young
leaders within communities. Hopefully we can keep on developing these kids and they in turn become
prominent members of our community.
We would like to say well done to the staff for the work on the Spot the Difference smoking campaign. There
was a really good turnout for the launch and some really good guest speakers. We should all have a sense of
pride seeing local community that have participated in the short video produced by VACCHO and the
advertising on the back of the town bus. This has been a great initiative that has been developed and it is being
recognised as a best practice program. Again well done to the staff and community involved and every
community member please show your support by taking the pledge at www.goolumgoolum.org.au/take-thepledge
‘Close the Gap’ Day Celebration
Goolum Goolum hosted a luncheon on Thursday, 17th of March to commemorate the 10 year
anniversary of ‘Close the Gap’ initiatives. Services from all over the State and many local community
members attended at the Aunty Irene Gathering Place for the event. This also included the launch of the
‘Spot the difference’ anti-smoking campaign. Guest speakers included Julian Harvey - Regional Aboriginal
Health Officer I Grampians Region – Dept of Health & Human Services, Heather MacDonald - Respiratory
Nurse Educator – Wimmera Health Care Group and Louise Lyons - Director, Public Health and Research –
VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation). Goolum Goolum
representatives highlighted the importance of protecting our children from the dangers of exposure to
cigarette smoke. All attendees were encouraged to ‘Take the Pledge’ to not smoke in the home and
around children. For more info on the ‘Spot the Difference’ campaign, call Goolum Goolum or visit
http://www.goolumgoolum.org.au/take-the-pledge
NAIDOC WEEK IS ALMOST HERE
Sunday 3rd of July-Sunday 10th of July
Goolum is having a NAIDOC committee meeting
Wednesday 25th of May @ 10.30am.
Community Members are welcome.
Goolum Goolum’s ‘Spot the Difference’ campaign a big
hit at Melbourne health forums
Goolum Goolum’s health promotion department presented at 2 health forums
in Melbourne city in April to highlight the work done with the local community
and the achievements made with our local initiative – the “Spot the
Difference’. The Spot the Difference campaign is a healthy lifestyle program
which aims to inform the whole of community around the health risks of
smoking in the home and around children. Goolum Goolum have decided to
be community leaders with this health risk and be proactive in the local area
by spreading the word, not only when delivering Goolum Goolum projects but
also in the wider mainstream community. As part of this initiative, Goolum
Goolum is asking all community members (smokers and non-smokers) to take
the pledge online-http://www.goolumgoolum.org.au/take-the-pledge or in
paper form in the Hamilton St Medical Centre, GGAC foyer or Wimmera
Uniting Care foyer. Because of the great success with this project; other
Aboriginal Co-Op’s have asked to adopt this project and State Government
organisations are also looking to take this initiative state-wide.
__________________________________________________________________
Louise King was awarded the
Wannik Education Scholarship
funded by Department of Education
& training.
Austin King, Justin SkinnerBurns, David Rennardson &
Cody Vigenser also received a
scholarship each through
MADEC Indigenous Youth
Leadership Program
Congratulations to Austin King
on winning the Blue Ribbon Award.
To everyone who celebrated their birthdays in March, April and May 2016
All the Staff at Goolum Goolum wishes you a Happy Birthday
Congratulations to some of our
team who attended their graduation ceremony in
Melbourne last month. Stumpy received her
Certificate IV in Aboriginal Health and Barney
received Certificate III and IV in Aboriginal Health.
Both of them are invaluable in the clinic and we are
very proud of their achievements- well done guys!
I’d like to congratulate Director Kelly Britten also for
receiving her Certificate IV Aboriginal Health Worker
and Business Management.
GGAC GYM HOURS
Monday:
Gym Open 11:00am – 7:00pm
Trainer will be available for appointments and will be coordinating the gym
Tuesday:
Gym Open 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday: Gym Open 11:00am – 7:00pm
Trainer will be available for appointments and will be coordinating the gym
Thursday:
Gym Open 9:00am – 6:00pm
Friday:
Gym Open 9:00am – 4:00pm
No one under the age of 18 is allowed to be in the gym without an adult or
trainer.
A health Assessment is required for all people wanting to use the gym and for
people that are using the gym Health checks are required to keep using it. For
Aboriginal Clients a $25.00 Gift voucher for Coles is given on completion of your
health assessment.
Book in with the friendly receptionist in the Medical Centre.
Black Cockatoo Playgroup
Monday- 12.30pm until 2.30pm at Darlot Street House
Wednesday - 10.30am – 12.30pm at The Aunty Irene Gathering Place
GGAC
If you need transport or more information please ring Leeanne on
53816307
HACC News
HACC DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE
If you would like some domestic assistance please call Kylie Taylor on
5381 6324.
Kylie is available Mon-Thurs 9.00am-5.00pm
LADIES’ GROUP
Meets every Tuesday at Goolum Goolum from 9.30am to 3.00pm
HACC PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
If you would like some assistance with property maintenance call Johnny on
5381 6333.
HACC ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to be a HACC client you need to be frail, aged, have a disability or have complex
needs.
HACC FEES
Goolum Goolum does not charge a fee for HACC services
“FLU SEASON IS HERE”
The Clinic now has Flu shots
available
Vaccination is the single most
effective way of preventing the
spread of flu in the community
Phone 53 816330 for an
appointments
MEMORY GARDEN
In memory of all those who have entered the Dreamtime and in remembrance of
Aunty Irene Harrison who the Community Hub was named after, Colin, Geoffrey and
Kyle designed a garden with the help of the Elders. It was unveiled at the
Community opening of The Aunty Irene Harrison Place and it is a special place
where the community can sit and enjoy the surroundings. Well done boys it looks
fantastic
NEW ARRIVALS
Congratulations to Janine Kennedy and Jye Salter-Fear,Kane&Maci
on the Arrival of Zarah Alynna Salter-Fear
Born on 16/03/2016
Weighing 5lb 10oz
Congratulations to Kathy Coleman & Nathan Edmonds
on the Arrival of Layla Maree Edmonds
Born on the 03/05/2016
Weighing 6lb 4oz
SUCCESSFUL MEN’S HEALTH DAY
2016
The Men’s Health Day was a big success with the weather being extremely kind to
us. The 15 men had a fantastic time fishing, eating and yarning. Andrew King was
the guest speaker and the men all enjoyed listening to his stories. We look forward
to having more men’s days in the future and we hope to see more and more
attend. And a HUGE congratulations to Michael Marks for his Redfin!!!!!
Property Maintenance Positions Available
Casual or permanent part time positions are available at Goolum Goolum for
property maintenance (positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
persons only)
A drivers license is essential.
Please apply in writing to Wally Coleman, CEO by Friday 3rd of June .
Position descriptions are available at reception.
Asmol Puffers
Asmol Puffers will now incur a cost of 50 cents per puffer for all clients at the chemist when scripts
are put in.
Aboriginal Health Checks
Letters are being sent out to the community to have their health checks completed, and once
completed they are entitled to a $25.00 Coles gift card. The Health Check is completed every 9
months. Call 53816 330 to make an appointment or to see if you are due for your check.
Health Care Plans (Chronic Diseases)
A Health Care Plan is made for and with any client who suffers a chronic disease such as
diabetes, asthma, hypertension-blood pressure or obesity. These plans are made with the health
team, Doctor and yourself to make sure you receive all the care you need to assist you in
maintaining good health.
Health Care plans last for 12 months and include:
- Reviews every 3 or 6 months with the doctor or Aboriginal Health workers.
- Blood tests every 3 months when needed
- Medication reviews with doctor
- Referrals to specialists/allied health workers (diabetes nurse, podiatry, dietitian etc.)
Home Medication Reviews
Home medications review are also recommended by the doctor for patients on 5 or more
medications/tablets
A Pharmacist will visit you in your home to talk about the medications you are taking and discuss
any problems or concerns you may have.
(An Aboriginal Health Worker can come on this visit too if you would prefer)
Patients who may be helped by having a HMR are usually people who:
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are taking a lot of tablets
have just come out of hospital
have had a lot of changes to their medications
are having problems with medicines or are not taking their tablets
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are taking medicines that need monitoring with blood tests (diabetes, INR)
have had many doctors.
 are not getting better as quickly as expected
New Arrivals
Congratulations to Larny Strawbridge & Eamon Nicholls &
Harlen on the Arrival of Ellorah Lily Nicholls
Born on the 09/03/2016
Weighing 6lb 7oz
Congratulations to Tamika Morgan and Fabian
Tregonning on the arrival of Fabian Daniel
Morgan-Tregonning.
Born on the 23/03/2016
Congratulations to Demi Branson &
Grant Coles on the Arrival of Mahalia
Rose Branson
Born on the 01/04/2016
Weighing 5lb 8oz
Around Town
Goolum Goolum were lucky enough to get State Government money to put on a ‘Youth
Week’ event in April school holidays. Local kids from the area designed and built a huge
‘dragster’ trike that now sits in the Goolum Goolum office foyer. The ‘Deadly Trike’ was
personalised by all the attending kids with their own art work covering the fully
blinged machine. This project officially kicked off the building phase for the Right on
Track program that will see local indigenous kids build Deadly bikes for themselves
and also giving back to community by building/restoring bikes for local community
members in need. Goolum Goolum will also be showcasing this and other deadly bikes
at upcoming local community events such as NAIDOC week celebrations.