MAY 2017
In This Issue
Board Briefs
Around the Workshops
Adult Literacy
Gone Fishing
Nursery News.
Bruce’s Bit
Ocean Encounter
ESL & Literacy for Life
Pelican AKtion Club
Board Briefs
As we were due to have an Open
Forum, we asked that if anyone had
any questions or concerns, they should
put them in writing to Bruce or me.
Only one person had a question, which
Bruce was able to answer there and
then. Consequently, with the thought
that everyone is happy and satisfied in
the present and future direction of the
Centre, the Board has decided not to
have an Open Forum at this stage. The
next Open Forum will therefore be the
AGM in September.
If, at any stage people have questions
or concerns, they can always approach
anyone on the Board. They will have,
“Board Director” on their name tags.
For those who may have forgotten who
.
is on the Board:That’s ATTITUDE.
Have a happy
day and live your life
Ian Driver
(Chairman)
like
the
stories..
Narelle Barlow (DeputysixChair)
Carol Gibson (Secretary)
Janet Martin (Treasurer)
Tony Jordan (Public Officer)
Pat Richter
Rodger Bassham Sandra Henwood
We are almost there with the new bus.
It is currently at McIlroy’s where a new
tow bar and step are being fitted and
should therefore be available for us to
use this week, then the signage
arranged. Also, after the success of the
Car Boot Sale at the end of April, we
1will be announcing another sale soon.
Ian (Chairman)
Bruce’s Bit
We celebrated Volunteer Week with morning
tea each day, thanks to our kitchen helpers. Our
long serving volunteers were recognised for
their help over 10 years – Narelle Barlow, John
Danvers, Heather Slattery, Sue Smith-Allen,
Kevin Turner, Doug Richter, Irene Vatta, Judith
Ryan and Glenys Wormald.
15 years – Pat Richter, Jan Harvey-Crowson,
Peter Layton, John Allen, Jim Crinson, Jan Green,
and Bill Howat.
20 yrs - Bill Harvey-Crowson and Kate Barnaby.
30 years –Jim Miles
Thank you to all volunteers for all that you do.
There are three new volunteers this month Cliff Foulds in Workshop, Helen Earle in Nursery
and Ocean Street shop and Kym Edwards in
Programs and Nursery.
We are still in need of volunteers to help with
Pelican Club and Ocean Street shop, as some of
our regular volunteers are going to be away
during the next few months. If you or anyone
you know can help, please see me or Kath.
We are still looking for a volunteer who enjoys
using various forms of social media, to help
maintain our Facebook Page and to look at
other ways of interacting with online customers.
This could also extend to further online
marketing, etc. If this sounds like you, or
someone you know, please see me.
We had visits this month from Victor R-7
Disability Unit, Kirribilli and VH Childcare who all
enjoyed their visits.
The preparation for NDIS is currently taking
quite a bit of my time. We believe that it will be
a better way to meet the needs of the
Participants, but will bring changes. For anyone
who would like to know more, please attend our
meeting on Thursday 15th June at 2pm.
Bruce
Around the Workshops
Hi Everyone. It’s now officially Winter. This year
is rapidly heading to Christmas, just have to
make it through the icy period.
A few weeks ago we had our old Mercury
Vapour lights in the workshop and paintshop
replaced with L.E.D High Bay Lights. (This was to
the value of $5000, through a Government
incentive.) The old ones were 400 watts each
and the L.E.D are 120 watts each, which is
around 4000 watts we are not using every hour
the lights are on.
This should represent a considerable financial
saving to the Centre; the light emanating from
the new L.E.D is far brighter than the old M/V
lights.
The production for ‘Such Great Heights’ has
slowed as they moved to Byron Bay, which is
good, as the pace of last year was unstainable,
so it is plodding along nicely.
Sales over the last two months have been
excellent for both shops and the Toy Trailer.
About two months ago we introduced a new
line ‘Colin the Crane Truck’ and sales have been
really good.
So, thanks to everyone for their outstanding
efforts in the work & paint shops.
Cheers.
Jamie.
Ocean Encounter
(People supporting People)
During May we celebrated National Volunteer
Week. Once again I wish to thank all of the
people who generously give of their time to
support the programs to run successfully at
Encounter Centre. We would not be able to
provide such meaningful activities without the
assistance of these very giving people.
We travelled to Hindmarsh Island for a “Cruise”
provided by a local company. For $20, groups of
four people were able to travel on the water for
around 20 minutes. For those who had the
opportunity, it was a great experience and for
some of us we just enjoyed a day out and
coffees at the Marina.
On Wednesday 21 & 28 June, Australian
Hearing will be visiting Encounter Centre with
2
their Hearing Bus. If you would like to have a
FREE hearing test, please let me know and put
your name on the list.
Don’t forget to purchase your People’s Choice
lottery tickets from Marie before they are sold
out. You can also buy them online and 100% of
the money goes to Encounter Centre programs.
Carol (Disability SA)
NDIS Information Session
On Thursday 15 June at 2pm, we will be
presenting information regarding the National
Disability Insurance Scheme. You will hear
about preparing for your Planner’s meeting
and the changes to program payments.
You are encouraged to attend as this will be
valuable information for Participants, Carers
and Family members. If you are unable to
come along during the day, an additional
evening session may be considered.
For further information contact Bruce at
Encounter Centre on 8552 2995
Adult Literacy
Our theme for Term 2 is ‘A Mixed Bag’ and
consists of various topics.
Week one we looked at shapes and how they can
be found everywhere around us.
After
identifying all different shapes, including 2D and
3D, students completed a worksheet. They then
made a cardboard cube, some marking them as
dice.
Week two: Because Mother’s Day was the
coming Sunday, we learnt about three
extraordinary women and their amazing journeys
against all odds. Those women were Helen
Keller, Mother Teresa and JK Rowling. The
class watched videos outlining each of their lives
and the dedication and determination of these
women.
Week three: We were a week behind everyone
else with Volunteer Week but thought our
volunteers are worthy of at least two weeks of
recognition. The class identified the volunteer
positions at the Encounter Centre and then
personally interviewed volunteers from various
areas. They also presented their tutors with a
certificate of appreciation for their time and
support.
Week four: Transport, in particular alternative
transport, was the topic of the day. After a
PowerPoint presentation showing a lot of
different methods of transport, including
animals, students completed a worksheet. The
worksheet included a story about South
Australia’s only bushranger John Peggotty who
committed his crimes in the Coorong area while
riding an Ostrich.
Week five: As a follow up to the transport
theme, we visited the Goolwa Airport where
Richard showed us a small plane. It was great to
be up so close to a ‘flying machine’. We then
headed to the Goolwa Motor Museum where
Michael has on display so many amazing, shiny,
old cars including a Goggomobil, Jaguars,
Chryslers, MGs and an array of motor
memorabilia. A great time was had by all.
Thank you to all tutors and students for putting
in a great effort so far this term.
Wendy
ESL
(English as a Second Language)
Well into second term and already it’s the end
of May.
At ESL, the group is forever changing! We were
missing a few faces at the start of this term – as
some students returned overseas, or moved to
other areas; but that didn’t last long, as we also
welcomed 2 new students - Daljit Kaur from
India, and Anna Elliot from Germany, who joins
our Intermediate group. We also have a new
tutor Mandy on board, who brings a wealth of
knowledge as an experienced ESL teacher in
Thailand.
We have been focusing on community this term
and have included lessons on finding
information in the community guide, reading
maps, understanding weather maps and TV
guides; exploring the local newspaper including
reading and understanding stories and issues.
We have looked at asking questions, how to
frame questions – and students are using
journalistic questioning to write about their
house, family, street or community. Students
will make a short presentation next week on
their chosen topic – we are all looking forward
to this, as students love to practice speaking in
3
English, and we as tutors love to hear their
stories.
Literacy for Life continues to be a fun, informal
learning environment with an array of needs and is as diverse a classroom as ever! The room
is a hive of activity, with students working on a
range of interests; it is a very interactive class,
enhancing social skills and confidence along the
way.
We welcomed a brand new tutor to the group –
Kym Edwards who joined us for the first time
last week.
We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful
group of volunteer tutors involved in both
programs; who work closely with students,
building a strong and trusting rapport, and
providing ongoing support to students and their
learning, and so much more! Thank you for your
time, patience and humour!
Anita
Gone Fishing
May 2: On our first fishing day back after the
Easter & School holiday break we were greeted
with a cool cloudy morning with a forecast of a
few showers.
We stopped off at Kent Reserve for morning tea
of a variety of yummy cakes and hot coffee to
warm up.
Then on to the Jetty at the Bluff but with the
road closed due to road works we set up camp
in front of The Whalers Inn and started fishing
from a nearby pontoon.
All the guys hooked a few bites & nibbles but
only Barry landed a puffer fish. We all enjoyed
being back in action, catching up with friends,
with lots of chatter and laughs. The weather
warmed up with sunny periods which also
helped to make a fun day.
May 9: Today was a lovely mild day with blue
skies and warm sunshine. We were a few guys
down this week including poor Adam who has
again been in hospital. We wish him well and
hope to see him back with the group soon.
We tried our luck at the Reserve under the
bridge in Goolwa but the fish weren’t biting
today and we also managed to lose a few hooks
and sinkers in the process.
Some of the group went for a walk to the wharf
and on board the Oscar W, while others just
relaxed by the river.
A lovely setting with river views, checking out
the gulls, ducks and a cheeky water rat who all
managed a good feed.
So even on a poor fishing day we all still had a
great day out.
May 16: It was a cool cloudy morning with a
forecast of rain when we set off for our fishing
trip to Granite Island. Many thanks to Bruce for
his hard work in organizing our permit.
Some of the group walked across the causeway
while the rest waited for the tram to take us
across the causeway. While waiting for the tram
we enjoyed morning tea in the shelter next to
the jetty. We fished off the Screw Pile Jetty and
all the guys got plenty of bites with six good
sized Rock Cod and Red Mullet were caught. The
latter two by Clive, Steve, Kym & Carey, with the
rest of just fattening up the fish for next time.
The weather stayed good with only a few spots
of rain but a stiff breeze made the water very
choppy, but as always everyone enjoyed the day
and we look forward to other successful days
fishing on the island.
May 23: After a very wet night the morning
turned out lovely with plenty of sunshine and
blue skies.
We decided that after last week, Granite Island
is the place to go with shelters and toilet
facilities and also a great Jetty to fish from. Not
much action this week in fact zero catch but it
was still a very enjoyable day out with our
friends.
May 30: Back to Granite Island again (we’re
really loving going there, as is rather obvious) on
a drizzly day with a very cold southerly wind.
However the inland side of the island provides
good shelter and calm conditions, so it made for
another good trip.
About eight small fish were caught including a
couple of undersize whiting so we had a bit of
action with a family of dolphins paying us a visit
which was great and enjoyed by all.
Peter, Steve, & Roy.
Pelican AKtion Club
May 1: Pelican AKtion Club Dinner Meeting
tonight starting as usual with our Community
Service commitment at Carrickalinga House.
As you know we clean and tidy the grounds,
weed the garden beds and occasionally plant
some new seedlings. All good fun.
Back to the centre for the meeting and dinner of
shepherd’s pie, followed by a healthy fresh fruit
dessert. Yum.
May 8: What a fun time – a crazy hat and fancy
dress costume night. We all dressed up in an
array of different costumes and hats which we
made at home. Think we’re still laughing.
To add to a great evening we danced to our DJ’s
music, and for tea curried sausages with rice
followed by Neapolitan ice cream and fruit.
May 15: Another fun night > disco and karaoke.
In fact it was an hilarious evening with most of
us having a go at karaoke and trying to dance at
the same time.
For dinner Julie cooked spaghetti bolognaise
with baked apples and ice cream for dessert.
May 22: Off to the Noarlunga Bowling Centre
tonight. We always enjoy our bowling nights
and although it’s all in fun we do like to compete
with each other.
We have been going to Marion Bowl but decided
to try Noarlunga as it’s a bit closer and the extra
time saved meant a few more games.
On the way home we went to Hungry Jacks for
tea which of course we all enjoyed.
May 29: Games Night. We played Family Feud
with Nat being Quiz Master and it was such fun.
Can’t remember who won, but that didn’t
matter.
For tea we had a choice of two soups (pumpkin
or pea & ham) and both were yummy and for
afters we had water melon.
Thanks Julie (for the yummy food you cook for
us) and our other helpers – you all make sure
we have a wonderful night at Pelicans Club.
From the Gang.
4
Nursery News
As I write the rain falls softly to the earth giving
the soils & plants a good soaking. Certainly all
the potted plants would love this extra
watering….and just after a few native plants and
a huge yucca have been planted out in the
‘forest’.
The ducks and a grey heron have returned to
the pond as the lake level rises.
With Paul retiring and other volunteers heading
off on big trips up north to Queensland and the
NT to escape the cold, Irene and yours truly
being by ourselves are quite busy. Joe is also
away on Kangaroo Island so the nursery is very
quiet.
Jeff. B.
Old Age (Continued – and enough for now)
>I read recipes the same way I read
science fiction.
I get to the end and I think
Well, that’s not going to happen.”
>My Doctor told me to start killing people.
Well not in those exact words.
He said I had to reduce the stress in my life.
SAME THING REALLY!!
>Don’t get all weird about getting older!
Our age is merely the number of years the world
has been enjoying us!
Always Remember This
>You don’t stop laughing because you grow old.
You grow old because you stop laughing.!!
5