Senior΄s Newsletter November 2020

In this edition 1 Love where you live 5 Cheltenham Community Centre 1 Woman of the Year Award 5 Chelsea Heights Community Centre 2 Mordialloc Rotary Club 5 Longbeach Place Inc. in Chelsea

3 Stavroula Bezas – a Community Leader and Poet 5 Highett Neighbourhood Community House 3 Italian Social Club City of Moorabbin 6 Services and Programs 4 Technology helps us to stay connected 8 Kingston AccessCare 4 Kingston Libraries Online Programs

Merry Christmas! Happy Festive Season! Happy New Year! Kingston Council would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Festive Season and good health, happiness and prosperity in 2021.

Love where you live Woman of the Year Award Help make a real difference in shaping Kingston, The City of Kingston is seeking nominations for by telling us what matters most to you in your Kingston Woman of the Year Award 2021. neighbourhood. Nominees should be leaders in their field, who Kingston Council Complete the inspire others and make a difference to our has partnered survey to go into community through their exceptional achievements. the running for $100 with independent ONLINE SHOPPING Nominations close Monday 30 November 2020. one of ten $100 online VOUCHERS The Award winner will be announced at Kingston’s research agency shopping vouchers! Place Score to International Women’s Day ceremony on Friday conduct a city- 5 March 2021. wide Neighbourhood Liveability Study. We want to To be eligible, nominees must: understand what matters most to you, and the wider • Be a woman or individual who identifies as female community, to help us to plan Kingston’s future. • Be aged 16 years and above Results from the Neighbourhood Liveability Study • Live, work or study within the City of Kingston will help shape our next Council Plan and 4-year • Positively influence the changing social, vision for Kingston, which are both due to be environmental or business landscape and be released in 2021. Community feedback will also help leaders (or emerging leaders) in their field. Council to identify priority areas for investment. We encourage nominations from any community Take part for 4 weeks, from Wednesday member or community group/organisation. 4 November until Wednesday 2 December, For more information please visit at yourkingstonyoursay.com.au kingston.vic.gov.au or 1300 653 356. 1 Kingston Clubs and their Members

Mordialloc Rotary Club The Rotary Club of Mordialloc has a proud history of 49 years of community service. The members have a wide range of business, professional and community experience and they put Don Butler with other Rotarians cleaning up at Parkdale Railway this to use in the Club’s many projects and programs. Station in 2010. This year, during lockdown, the members of the Club have come up with new ideas and methods to Mordialloc Rotary support our community. Emergency care packages of non-perishable goods Club and Don Butler have been put together to assist people in crisis. Food and personal hygiene products have been donated and Roydon (Don) Butler joined the Rotary numerous packages have been distributed throughout Club of Mordialloc in 1989. our community via City of Kingston, Police Apart from a period working in Malaya, and other local charitable organisations. Don spent most of his working life with The Club has also continued to support the City of the Postmaster General’s Department, the Kingston’s Rental Assistance Program, which offers forerunner of Telstra and Post. help to those in need in our local area. He has lived in the Mordialloc and Parkdale President Paul Taranto has led a push to support areas for most of his life, attending Mordialloc local businesses and the Club has injected funds by Beach Primary School in the 1930s. purchasing gift vouchers from traders and sharing During recent years, Don has been involved in their stories through the Club Facebook page. The an assisted reading program for students at vouchers have been used as prizes for club raffles the School and has entertained many of the and social trivia evenings held online. participants with stories of growing up in the area. Funds have been raised to be distributed to those in During his 31-years as an active member of need through the making and sale of face masks, Mordialloc Rotary, Don has been an enthusiastic the sale of honey from a local beekeeper, and an volunteer and participant in all the club’s auction of an extensive guitar collection donated by programs and projects, including the Annual a Club member. Art Show, Jumble Sale, and the Beautification The Club has supported a number of projects including Project at Parkdale Railway Station. ‘End Trachoma 2020’, which supports Australia’s The Parkdale Station project was instigated by Indigenous communities, helping to prevent the spread Don who lives in nearby Bethell Avenue and of this debilitating eye disease. Also, ‘Wheelchairs for had been concerned about the appearance Kids’, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that of the station and its surrounding vegetation. manufactures and distributes wheelchairs to disabled After persistent negotiation by Don with children in under-resourced countries. Over recent Council, rail and other authorities, Mordialloc years, the Club has provided funds for the purchase Rotary carried out the first of many working of over 50 wheelchairs. bees to remove rubbish, weeds and other A major event the Club runs is the Gnome and Fairy debris in 2010. The Club also planted shrubs to Festival held annually in March. The Club is preparing beautify the area. While well into his 80s when to hold it again in 2021 should circumstances allow. this project began, Don organised and led the Club’s working bees over the next six years. 2021 is a special year for the Club as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its foundation. The year also In 1992-93 Don took on the role of Secretary for marks 100 years of Rotary in Australia, which will be Rotary District 9810 when another Club member, celebrated nationwide in April. the late Don Holderness, was District Governor. The Rotary Club of Mordialloc is open for new Don has also been awarded a Life Membership memberships. For more information, please visit at the Mordialloc Sailing Club where he was an mordiallocrotary.org.au active participant for over 30 years. facebook.com/rotaryclubofmordialloc/ [email protected] 2 Kingston Clubs and their Members

Stavroula Bezas – a Community Leader and Poet! Stavroula has been volunteering for the community for more than 20 years. One of her greatest achievements is a blossoming seniors’ club – Lemnian Community of Victoria Seniors Group. Stavroula was a foundation Thanks to her efforts some not-for- member and she has been the profit welfare organisations receive Secretary since its establishment. regular donations, including Cancer She is responsible for Club’s Council Victoria. documentation, organising of its Stavroula is highly regarded for activities and preparation of the her community work and for her traditional Greek morning tea and commitment to Greek cultural lunch and is supported by a great heritage. In 2004 she represented team of Committee members. the Federation of Aegean Sea Prior to COVID the Club had Islands of at a Forum approximately 200 members with in Thessaloniki, Greece. She also 130 attending regularly. led a student exchange program For many years Stavroula has also between Melbourne and the been working as Secretary of the Greek island of Lemnos. This Ladies Committee at the Lemnian initiative was funded by the Greek Community of Victoria. She is government to enable Australian involved in organising special events born children to learn about the “Between Two Countries” Book Cover. including Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ country of their grandparents. Day, and Greek Independence Day Australia. The book was published Despite her busy schedule, in Australia and Greece with the which are open to the families of Stavroula worked as a volunteer Club members and the greater Federal Minister for Cultural Affairs visitor at Fronditha Aged Care acknowledging her work and a Lemnian community. These inter- Home where she read poetry, generational events create great special program on SBS produced books and newspapers to Greek as part of the launch. opportunities for younger speaking residents. community members to learn During COVID Stavroula has started about their cultural heritage and In 2019 Stavroula published her working on her second book! strengthen relationships within first book, Between Two Countries. It is a collection of poems in which We wish her every success with and across the broader Australian– her next publication and the vital Greek community. she shares memories and images of her beloved island, Lemnos, community work she and her Stavroula is passionate about and her happiness of living in team undertake. fundraising for those in need.

Italian Social Club City of Moorabbin – letter from the Secretary As we struggle through the COVID-19 virus, we are wondering what our world will be like after returning to our normal old ways? It makes me think of all those culture in clubs, where they could elderly people of many different get together in an atmosphere During COVID Tom spends a lot of time on nationalities, those who came of music, dances, songs and gardening. here many years ago, those who wonderful dinners enjoyed together I would like to say to all of us that worked hard, raised their families, with old and new friends and where life is always full of surprises and and now, being older and more they could share memories from hopes. When all returns to normal fragile, are wondering what to do their home countries. we must all get back to sing, dance, for the rest of their lives. Today lockdown has frozen all that, dine and laugh together again. In the last few years many tried to our joyful days at the clubs are far, Tom Berghella, Secretary of the recreate part of their lives and their remote, and the future is uncertain. Italian Social Club of Moorabbin

3 Online Activities and Programs

Technology helps us to stay connected While we are waiting for the time when we can safely return to our clubs we may need to consider challenging ourselves with the use of new technology. Smart phones, tablets, iPhones, Where can we learn computer skills? Online activities to join? iPads and laptops can open for – Here are some options! us new opportunities. We can connect with our families and • Kingston Libraries assist seniors with gaining confidence in using friends via video calls, we can their smartphone, tablet or laptop. meet in groups or join interactive 1300 135 668 [email protected] activities via ZOOM, Facebook and kingston.vic.gov.au/library/Library-Services/ other methods. This new “digital” Computer-Classes-and-Bookings form of interaction is foreign for • Be Connected, an Australian Government initiative, provides online many of us, but we have adapted learning resources and links you to a network which helps us develop to new technology our whole lives. digital skills and confidence, visit: beconnected.esafety.gov.au Do you remember how strange it was imagining a radio with vision, • Cheltenham Community Centre computer courses a “television”? The introduction of 9583 0095 chelt.com.au/computer-courses.html washing machines, microwave • Longbeach Place, Chelsea: longbeachplace.org.au/courses/ ovens, video tape players and so on? We have seen these and many • Social Support Programs – many service providers have moved other changes and learnt how to their face-to-face group activities online. They may be able to assist make them work for us. Why not to you with accessing appropriate equipment and training to enable you try discovering the world of remote to participate in activities – eligibility criteria apply. Social Support but instant communication? Programs are available through My Aged Care referrals. 1800 200 422 myagedcare.gov.au/about-us

Kingston Libraries Online Programs At Home with Kingston Libraries Digital Jigsaws – Love a good Movie Lovers – Welcome to our jigsaw puzzle but don’t have the Film Feast! Welcome to At Home with Kingston space and the cat keeps knocking This club provides movie lovers Libraries – a portal to tutorials, off your pieces? Try these online with a space to discuss film. Every webinars, jigsaw puzzles and puzzles! All pieces guaranteed. month we’ll propose four movies craft ideas you can enjoy from the to watch from our free movie comfort of your home. Check out kingston.vic.gov.au/library/ streaming service, Kanopy. Each the following: at-home week we feature and discuss one of the films, sharing thoughts, Social Media Tutorials – Find out Online Groups for Grown-Ups questions, stories, reviews and fun how to use Facebook, Instagram, facts.New to using Kanopy? Watch Twitter and more from these Virtual Book Group our online tutorial at: kingston. social media tutorials on Kingston Want to join in a book group discussion vic.gov.au/library/kanopy Libraries Niche Academy. whenever it suits? Join Kingston Libraries new Virtual Book Group. Kingston Write Now! Cooking at Home from Around We’ll introduce a new book each This writing group gives you a chance the World – Learn how to make month. Books can be downloaded to express your creativity as well as different recipes from around the from our BorrowBox collection. connect with fellow writers. Each world. week we post exercises, challenges Kingston Creators How to Weave – Learn the and prompts to help stimulate and The group provides our adult library strengthen your writing skills. techniques of weaving with Helen members with a space to share Collins, artist and illustrator at creative pursuits and connect. Join these groups via our The Fox Box. If you’re a crafter/creator/maker, Kingston Libraries Facebook page: join the discussion! facebook.com/kingston libraries and look under ‘Groups’. 4 Online Activities and Programs

Cheltenham Chelsea Heights Community Community Centre (CHCC) Centre Fitness with Shelly – online class via ZOOM Cheltenham This class will help you work Community Centre toward reaching goals such as offers a variety of increased muscle strength, tone, online recreational and training healthier weight, stronger bones, activities delivered via ZOOM: improved flexibility, balance, posture and improved mood and increased energy. The link to the • $30 for six-week courses in: online group will be provided by the organiser. Cost $3.00 plus a small Line Dancing; Zumba Gold; surcharge. To get more information or to make a booking, please call QiGong; or Gentle Strength & 0401 145 482 or visit the CHCC Facebook page facebook.com/ Balance Exercise. chelsea.hts.community.centre/ • $120 for six-week courses in: Yoga (Chi, Hatha Basic and Hatha) – package includes all 4 yoga classes • $48 for six-week course in Longbeach Place Inc. in Chelsea Pilates Longbeach Place offers a variety of courses and For bookings, please visit: online activities delivered via ZOOM: chelt.com.au 9583 0095 Microsoft Office Apps Level 1 Course Fridays 9.30am–12pm. Cost: $50/term + $5 membership Free online activities: • English as an Additional Language – Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.30am–12.30pm • Exercise for Everybody – Fridays 9am–10am • Zoom afternoon tea & chat – Mondays 2pm–3pm • Chelsea PC Support Group – 1st Saturday of each month 1pm–3.30pm • Bayside Book Group – 1st Saturday of each month 4pm–6pm • Zoom Bingo – Thursdays 2pm–3pm • Drawing – Tuesdays 11.00am – 12.00pm For more information or to enrol: 9776 1386 or 0482 678 284 [email protected] longbeachplace.org.au/courses/

Highett Neighbourhood Community House

The Centre is also running Online activities delivered via ZOOM the Soul Café Lunch Delivery Pilates – improves flexibility, core strength, balance and body program on Wednesdays awareness. You will feel an improvement in your breathing and body 12.30pm–1.30pm, for people posture. Mondays 6pm–7pm who are isolated and need a meal. The Centre delivers to Movement to music – gentle exercise for the mature aged person. 3192 postcode residents only Let’s begin with some low impact easy to follow aerobics then on to and the cost is $5 per meal. balance and core strength exercises. The hour finishes with stretching and you will have lots of fun. Tuesday’s 10.30am–11.30am For more information, please For more information, please visit visit: chelt.com.au/soul-cafe baysidecommunitycentres.org.au/online 5 Services and Programs

Sandybeach Risk of Falls Centre During the pandemic, our time at home in front of the TV or computer has increased. Lack of exercise can result in muscle The Centre offers variety of loss and impact our mobility. To prevent falls and to ensure a online courses delivered via safe return to face-to-face activities having a chat with our GP ZOOM including Pilates, Yin Yoga or physiotherapist might help. They may refer us to appropriate & Meditation, Writing Classes programs if required. We may also need to contact My Aged and new programs: Care on 1800 200 422 to talk about our changing needs and to • Art program, Drawing and request a review of our services. Painting – classes are suitable for beginners or for those with some art experience wanting to refresh and learn some Southern Migrant new skills. • Fit and Fabulous – weekly and Refugee exercise class where you can improve your strength and Centre (SMRC) balance and have fun at the same time. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Programs For more information, please Allied Health call 9598 2155 or email [email protected] This program for CALD seniors offers exercise sessions to increase your muscle mass and strength, improve balance, reduce arthritic pain and manage type 2 diabetes. Sessions are currently provided online via Zoom. Free exercise physiologist assessments are conducted over the phone with an interpreter. Please call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or contact SMRC on 9767 1900 for assistance with a referral. Friendly Visiting InTouch This free program matches seniors from CALD backgrounds with Multicultural trained volunteers who share their language, culture and/or interests Centre against and provide support with social connectedness. Family Violence Volunteers can: • Provide weekly or fortnightly home visits. The Centre provides free, • Provide social support over the phone or online. confidential help for migrant • Accompany clients to appointments, shopping, etc. and refugee women who are experiencing family • Carry out activities based on shared interests such as assisting with violence. computer skills or gardening. For advice and help call Please call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and request the service or 1800 755 988 Monday for more information, call SMRC on 9767 1900. to Friday, 9am to 5pm or visit intouch.org.au. Palliative Care Volunteer Visiting Available to CALD seniors who have a serious, life-limiting illness. If you feel unsafe or are Volunteers share the language and/or culture of the person they visit. fearful for yourself, a child Weekly or fortnightly visits provide the opportunity for sharing activities or family member, please call the Police on . and interests, as well as assistance with attending medical or social 000 appointments. If you are in a crisis, call Safe Steps on For more information, please call SMRC on 9767 1900. 1800 015 188 (24 hours).

6 Services and Programs

Central Bayside Pronia Community Health Telephone Services (CBCHS) Support for Greek Clarinda re-opens Speaking Community CBCHS is once again providing services at its Pronia provides weekly telephone support to older Clarinda site. Temporarily closed due to COVID-19 members of the Greek speaking community who restrictions, CBCHS re-opened on 12 November and are experiencing isolation and loneliness and do is now offering essential Physiotherapy, Podiatry and not have access to internet or other means of Hand Therapy services to high-priority clients on communication. Through the service, members can Thursdays and Fridays. As restrictions continue to enhance their social interaction and be connected ease, more services are planned to re-commence. to relevant services that can assist them in their CBCHS Clarinda is located at 58 Viney Street (next day-day living. To register your interest, please call to the Clarinda Library). For enquiries and bookings, 9388 9998. please phone 8587 0200 or visit cbchs.org.au Dance Up! Community Australia Visitors Scheme This program provides a Program (CVS) wonderful opportunity to learn cultural dances, meet In this free program, Volunteer Visitors are matched new friends and enjoy the to seniors who live in Aged Care Homes or who benefits of movement to receive, or are waitlisted for a Home Care Package. music. Classes are free and The Volunteers make regular contact to build currently are run online over a connections and help reduce isolation. 10 week term. Once COVID restrictions ease, classes will be held at venues in the Dandenong area. Dance Currently visits are via phone call, video chat or letter Up! Australia is open for all ages, all abilities, all writing but once COVID restrictions ease, the face to cultures. Term 2 with Bollywood Dancing starts on face visits will be back! Wednesday 2 December. Contact Esis Tawfik from CVS on 0421 330 230 or For more information, please contact Angela on by email [email protected]. 0407 548 372 or email: [email protected]

Uniting Vic Tas Telelink Telelink is phone-based program enabling groups of people to connect over a similar interest. All group conversations are facilitated by skilled and friendly staff and volunteers. ‘Out and About’ is a new Telelink for people who are passionate Chat and Ring Program this about making a difference. This link embraces and provides a link offers one-to-one phone conversational space for our LGBTI community, conversations. a community that is inclusive of everyone from For more information about all walks of life. The link provides an opportunity programs, please call Intake to come together in a safe and friendly space on 13 93 75. to discuss issues, provide support and develop friendships.

7 Kingston AccessCare

Keep your medical check-ups to stay in good health To remain in good health, it’s essential to continue going to your Reusable regular medical check-ups and undertake any tests you need, masks for even during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s important to follow the Government directions regarding any seniors in the restrictions, delaying cancer screenings or routine appointments for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease can lead to serious high-risk health issues in the future. category If you need transport to get you to and from any appointments, you may be eligible for AccessCare’s taxi card. To check your eligibility, from corona call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The State Government COVID safe car travel tips have supplied Kingston with reusable face masks If you are travelling in a car or a taxi here are some tips: for those residents in the • Minimise talking where possible high risk category for • Use hand sanitiser as needed including once you leave the taxi Coronavirus. If you believe • Sit in the back seat on the left-hand passenger side you are eligible for two free • Wear your mask at all times masks please call Kingston • Avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily on 1300 653 356 and Press 4. Please note there is Volunteer transport a limited supply. The Volunteer Transport service is available for essential medical appointments if you require additional support between 9am to 5pm. This service is dependent on the availability of volunteers. For more Services during information call AccessCare on 1300 819 200. Christmas and New Year IT Funding for Social Connection A reminder to all clients that AccessCare has funding available to assist vulnerable domestic assistance will be closed and isolated residents over 65 years to remain socially from Friday 25 December 2020 connected during the pandemic. The funding can unitl Friday 1 January 2021. provide for mobile digital devices, such as Samsung During this time AccessCare tablets. These devices allow people to remain in regular will be providing personal care, contact with family and friends during this time. To find shopping and respite only. out if you are eligible, please call AccessCare on 1300 819 200. Normal services will resume If you would like to connect with people online, AccessCare has on Monday 4 January 2021. some social group sessions coming soon. Please get in touch if you would like to know more about our online social program by calling our friendly team on 1300 819 200.

For information about activities, or to provide feedback about City of Kingston this newsletter, please contact Alina Urbanczyk, Social Development Team Social Inclusion Officer 9581 4948 or PO BOX 1000 Mentone 3194 P.O. Box 1000 Mentone, VIC, 3194, or [email protected] email [email protected] 1300 653 356

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