BENDOC WHEEL JUNE 2012

Inside this issue: Meet the New Snowy Patrol Minister The Rev Rowena Harris.

The new Snowy River Patrol Meet the new Snowy River Patrol Minister 1

Minister, The Rev Rowena Bendoc Neighbourhood Bus Hire 1 Harris called into the Bendoc Resource Centre on Tuesday Free Internet Access 1 29th April 2012. A son for Ben & Kelli O’Connor (nee Sanajko) 2

Rowena said, “It was a great Delegate Play Group 2 chance to see the region and meet the Coordinator, Bar- East Shire Staff Visit 2 bara Philbrick and begin to Vale Margaret Oliver (nee Yelds) 2 get a feel for the place”. Her Gippsland Medicare Local Transition Board 3 visit also included a brief tour of the lovely heritage listed Public & School Holiday Dates 3

Bendoc Union Social Saturdays in Bendoc 3

Rowena thinks its a beautiful part of the world and she is looking Notices 4 forward to meeting folk from the church and wider community. Distance and cold weather don’t phase her, she thrives on adven- Further delays on Brown Mountain 4 ture and loves to meet and make new friends. Coming to the Logical Thinking 4 whole region is something she thoroughly enjoys. During her career in ministry, she has worked as a Chaplain in a Jail, a school, several hospitals and the community in various states, “After the jail,” Rowena said, “I can cope with anything!” Al- FREE INTERNET though this is her first visit to the region following her recent move ACCESS to from the Mallacoota/ Region, she has some At the Bendoc Resource understanding of what it is like to live in remote . Centre Rowena plans to visit the area again in the near future for a more Tuesday & Wednesday extended stay and meet with people in the area. 09.00—4.30pm Surf the Web, using our superfast Broadband internet connection Bendoc neighbourhood bus IS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE AT REASONABLE RATES Please contact the Coordinator, Bendoc Resource Cen- tre 02 6458 1402 Tuesday & Wednesday or 0415 117 553 after hours.

The Bendoc Wheel is produced by the Bendoc Resource Centre/Neighbourhood House and the Bendoc Progress Association Inc. Edited by the Neighbourhood House Coordina- tor, Barbara Philbrick 02 6458 1402 Email: [email protected] A son for Ben & Kelli O’Connor (nee) Sanajko

Crosbie William O’Connor was born 23rd April 2012 at the Bairnsdale Hospital to Ben & Kelli O’Connor weighing in at a healthy 6lb 12oz. Proud grandparents Stefan & Nola Sanajko of Bom- bala and Tim & Faye O’Connor of Canberra are delighted with the new addition to their families!

Delegate Play Group Thursday 10.00am—12.00noon Delegate Preschool Call Tonelle 6458 8196 For further details

East Gippsland Shire Staff visit the Bendoc Resource Centre.

Staff of the East Gippsland Shire including Lynda Arnold (Service Centres Coordinator), Kylie Pinkerton and Coleen Branch (Bairnsdale Library) and Cherrie Corrin (Corporate Ser- vices) visited Bendoc last week. Although Lynda has visited pre- viously, this was the first visit for the other staff so they could get an understanding our operations and location. The main item of discussion, was the Mobile Library and time- frames for the new library vans. Progress has been slower than hoped with the fit-outs, but should be completed before the end of June. In the meantime the Mobile Library will continue as usual, visiting Bendoc every four weeks.

Vale Margaret Oliver (nee Yelds) Residents of Bendoc and surrounding districts were saddened by the recent death in the Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney of Margaret Oliver. Margaret’s sudden illness followed by her death was a shock to all. Margaret grew up in Bendoc and married Barry Oliver and spent many years on a farm before re- tiring to Tura on the South Coast, where she and Barry were active in the sports of golf and bowls. Margaret’s funeral took place at St Andrew’s Church, Delegate on Friday 11th May followed by internment in the Delegate Cemetery. Margaret is survived by husband Barry, two sons, Tom and Doug, daughters-in-law Rowena and Gloria and three grandchildren, and two sisters Annette and Claire. The family would like to thank all those who have helped them through this difficult time. Deepest sympathies are extended to the family for their loss.

BENDOC WHEEL Bringing communities together

Page 2

Gippsland Medicare Local Transition Board Key Messages: May 2012 The Department of Health and Ageing has issued branding The Gippsland Medicare Local (GML) Transition guidelines to Medicare Locals which link the use of branding to Board was appointed in March 2012 and has been specific stages in the funding process. The GML is unable to use working with the Gippsland Divisions; Central West Medicare Locals branding at this stage but hopes to introduce Gippsland Division of General Practice, East Gipp- this to stakeholders in the not too distant future, along with a sland Primary Health Alliance and General Practice new website. Alliance South Gippsland to ensure a smooth transi- tion of programs, services, staff and assets to GML The Board is in the process of establishing its sub committee from 1 July 2012. structure, with a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nomination Com- mittee already working on the CEO recruitment, and plans un- The GML Transition Board Directors are: derway for a Risk Management Sub Committee and a Stake- - Dr John Harte – Independent Chair holder Relations Sub Committee. - Dr Julie Thompson The GML will operate out of the offices currently occupied by - Ben Leigh the three Divisions for the time being. - Linda Giddy Gippsland Medicare Local Contact Details - Dr David Monash - 16 Kirk Street Moe - Phone 5126 2899 - Di Jamieson - 87A Main Street Bairnsdale – Phone 5153 0383 In March 2012, Linda Stoneman commenced as - 11 Williams Street Inverloch – Phone 5674 0900 Transition Manager for GML. Any enquiries about the GML can be directed to: The GML Board would like its Gippsland stake- holders to be aware of the points below: Linda Stoneman, Transition Manager - The Board reaffirmed the immediate priority Phone: 5126 2899 which is to ensure that there is no disruption to Mobile 0409 020 898 continuity of programs and services currently pro- Email: [email protected] vided by the Gippsland Divisions of General Prac- tice. To this end, the Board is working with the Divi- sions to finalise a transfer deed which will guide Public Holidays how assets, staff and liabilities are managed. Queen’s Birthday Monday 11th June - The position of GML Chief Executive Officer has been advertised nationally and the Board will un- dertake interviews as soon as possible. School Holidays - In line with the establishment of Medicare Locals and their role in planning and supporting local after NSW & Vic Friday 29th June—Monday 16th July hours services, the Board is taking steps to gather ACT Friday 6th July—Monday 23rd July comprehensive information from General Practices in Gippsland regarding The Department of Health and Ageing has issued branding guidelines to Medicare Locals which link SOCIAL SATURDAY AT BENDOC HALL the after hours services operating in the region. The results of the survey will help the GML to plan for, Saturday 15th June 2012 and fill, priority gaps in after hours primary care. Come and join in the fun in a relaxed environment  The GML is undertaking a thorough due dili- Play some music, or some games gence process with respect to the transition of Division staff and assets. BYO Lunch, drinks, etc. (BBQ facilities available) Cost $5.00 per family It is planned that these will be held 3rd Saturday of each month ALL WELCOME!!

BENDOC WHEEL BENDOC WHEEL Page 3 NOTICES

MOBILE LIBRARY IN BENDOC — Friday 22nd June 09.00—09.45am

BUS NEWS— Next bus trip is to Merimbula scheduled for Friday 8th June 2012. Call Claire 6458 1433 or Nola 6458 3285.

BENDOC CRAFT GROUP — 12th June 2012 10.00am—2.00pm ALL WELCOME 26th June 2012 10.00am—2.00pm

BENDOC PROGRESS ASSOCIATION INC— General Meeting Tuesday 19th June 2012 @ 11.00am—ALL MEMBERS WELCOME TO ATTEND.

MORE DELAYS ON BROWN MOUNTAIN, HIGHWAY. Drivers using the between the Bega Valley and the in the south east are being warned to expect delays on Brown Mountain from the end of May until 30th June. The Highway reopened in early April after a mudslide closed a section of the road for six weeks. Crews are now upgrading culverts and installing safety barriers 3kms downhill from Piper's Look- out. A spokesman from the Transport Management Centre, Brett Moore, says drivers will still be able to get through, but should prepare for delays. “This is going to go on for around the next six or seven weeks, weather permitting,” he said. “It is going to be taking place during the weekdays, Monday to Friday from around 7am - 2.pm “There's going to be some delays there. “The road is open but there will be alternating traffic there at times, so stop-go in place, and then maybe full lane closures.”

Logical Thinking: A teacher said to the class. “Write an essay with the title “If I were a Millionaire”. Everyone but Joe started writing, when the teacher asked “Why don’t you begin” Joe answered “I’m waiting for my secretary”.

Bendoc Progress Association Inc is a not-for-profit organisation. It is the auspices organisation for the Bendoc Resource Centre and Neighbourhood House. The resource centre as up to date internet and computer technology available to the public, including free internet access on superfast broadband. Other equipment is available for hire such as digital camera, video and audio recording equipment. One-on-one tuition is available for anyone who wishes to learn how to use the equipment. Bendoc Neighbourhood House is part of the East Gippsland Network of Neighbourhood Houses whose mission is to bring adult education, life skills and group activities to anybody who wants or needs them, in an inclusive, non-threatening environment, as well as to serve as a drop-in centre for those who desire a little company or just to share a cuppa. The Bendoc Resource Centre is also an East Gippsland Shire Library Outreach Centre. Information on Shire Services are available as are the local newspapers, The Bombala Times and The Snowy River Mail. We now have copies of the Bombala Historical Newsletter for you to read here at the Centre.