Celebrating Kingston Centenarians COVID-19 Updates
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City of Kingston Senior΄s Newsletter May/June 2020 In this Edition 1 COVID-19 Updates 4 “Your Local Community Radio Station” 1 Celebrating Kingston Centenarians 4 Be Physically Active Senior Citizens of Freccia Azzurra Club 5 Social Support 2 “Nonni Days” Carer Support: 6 3 Stories of Support and Fellowship Services Operating During the Pandemic 3 Kingston Libraries Digital Support 8 Kingston AccessCare Service Reminders 3 ‘Be Connected’ Program COVID-19 Updates For comprehensive information about COVID-19 and associated support programs, please visit Department of Health and Human Services website: dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19 Celebrating Kingston Centenarians Kingston Council will host its annual ‘One Hundred Years of Memories Luncheon’ to celebrate the lives of Kingston residents Kingston Mayor, Cr Georgina Oxley and (From left) Kingston City Council CEO Julie who have reached the milestone of 100 years. Junior Mayor Jack O’Connor present a Reid, Centenarian Hiek Neang, Kingston The Centenarians and two family members Certificate to Mavis O’Neill Mayor, Cr Georgina Oxley or friends will be invited for the luncheon. The Mayor will present our Centenarians with commemorative gifts and certificates. If you, your family member or friend will celebrate a 100th birthday in 2020 or in the beginning of 2021 or are over 100 years of age, please contact Alina Urbanczyk – Social Inclusion Officer on 9581 4948 or email [email protected]. Guests - Kingston Centenarians, Kingston Mayor and Kingston Junior Mayor Celebrating Kingston Centenarians event 2019 1 Kingston clubs and their members Senior Citizens of Freccia Azzurra Club “Nonni Days” There are more than 60 senior clubs in Kingston and surrounding areas. All of them play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of their members through participation in activities and socialising over a cuppa, lunch or dinner. Senior Citizens of Freccia Azzurra The “Nonni Days” are very popular Club was established in 1997 to with around 350 people attending, provide activities for seniors of of which half are children. Italian background. Currently the Antonietta is very passionate Club has over 500 members who about the Club and its members. represent many backgrounds She says “attractions must be including Italian, German, Dutch, of the highest possible quality Polish, Hungarian, Russian, Greek, despite limited resources. Each English and Australian. The Club’s event does require a lot of activities include bocce, billiards, planning and preparation, but it cards, social bingo, information is worth it. Seeing the families sessions and day trips as well as having great time together, weekly nutritious lunches cooked grandchildren playing bocce with by skilled and trained Committee their grandparents or dancing members. Once a month the Club together. It is so rewarding seeing holds a lunch and dance event with the smiles on their faces, receiving a professional chef’s cuisine. comments about how great the Antonietta Coppola, Club day was. It is a rare opportunity Secretary, came up with a for the grandchildren to see new, very special idea – Senior their grandparents having fun, Citizens of Freccia Azzurra Club playing games, dancing, looking “Nonni Days” (Grandparent’s and feeling young. It is also the Letter to Club’s Secretary from Ruby – young Days). Since 2018, three times time when generations can learn participant of a Nonni Day a year, during school holidays, something about each other, the grandparents come with strengthen their relationships and their children, grandchildren and build respect towards each other. great grandchildren to celebrate The unforgettable moments are information she receives from tradition, culture and family values. often watched by the families on Kingston Council about support “Nonni Days” are themed with the Club’s Facebook page and the programs available during this the April event focussed on the bookings for each event are made difficult time. making of Easter decorations and way in advance”. Council’s Social Development Team preparing Easter baskets. In July Antonietta says that during would like to thank Antonietta it is a Lego Day with participants COVID-19 social distancing when all and the other Club Committee working on their individual activities are suspended, she and members for the great work they building projects, and in October the other Committee members are doing for the community. it is a Show Day with a dancing have a lot of time for planning. For information please call competition for seniors and their In future the Club will increase Antonietta on 0414 922 797 grandchildren. There are always the number of day trips and will or visit facebook.com/ prizes and show bags for the continue with all other activities frecciaazzurrascc/. children. Other attractions include including “Nonni Days”. In the face painting, an animal farm, meantime, Antonietta is in touch bocce competitions, live music, with Club members over the phone dance, and delicious, healthy meals or on Facebook – socialising, cooked by a professional chef providing support and forwarding supported by Club volunteers. 2 Staying connected during COVID-19 Stories of Support and Fellowship Dingley Central Probus Club woollen rug and the photography vulnerable members to ensure Prior to the lockdown the Dingley group will have photos to share that information about support Central Probus Club held its Annual with the theme ‘At home in isolation’. programs and services is General Meeting and elected In between newsletters, Greg has forwarded to all who may need their new committee. Their first put out special bulletins to keep help during this difficult time. motion was to cancel all meetings in touch with the membership. Anonymous and activities, which is not what In addition to the regular welfare you would normally expect of a group, the Club has also set up a The Club didn’t want to be club committee. But these were care team of volunteers who make mentioned by name but was not normal times, with COVID-19 themselves available to assist happy to share their story: dictating changes to nearly all where needed or phone those aspects of our lives. without internet access. “Our Club is maintaining Club President, Greg Pullen, has COVID-19 has challenged the contact with members via not yet had the opportunity to Club to find new ways to keep newsletters, a phone tree, preside over a normal meeting but their membership together by welfare checks and Messenger initiated trial video conferencing communicating regularly to keep group Committee meetings. using Zoom. Once some test their spirits high and maintain This is working well, and we sessions were completed, the fellowship with each other. can act upon any individual committee met via Zoom which member’s needs forwarding included a telephone link to those Other strategies used by Clubs help as needed. We are without a computer. Some clubs continue their finding our generation still The Club has their regular monthly activities online or just meet in has resilience for hard times. newsletter that has continued to small social groups using Zoom. Some are ordering meals, be published despite having fewer Members of Clubs stay connected groceries, using the opportunity activities to report. The members through Facetime, Houseparty, to upgrade their banking skills, are encouraged to knit colourful WeChat or WhatsApp. All clubs’ downloading books to read etc.” squares to eventually make a committees are in touch with Kingston Libraries Digital Support ‘Be Connected’ The Kingston Library team is working hard Program to ensure we are still available to support the Many of us are now willing to community whilst our branches are closed. learn more about technology You can contact our friendly staff for help with using the internet, or and the devices we may or smart device including tablet, iPad, computer, and smart mobile phones. may not have. The ‘Be Contact us to help build your confidence on getting online and to help stay Connected’ program is an connected to those you care about. Australia wide initiative Call Kingston Libraries between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on empowering all Australians 1300 135 668 or email us at [email protected]. to thrive in a digital world. It is an online learning Please provide details of the type of device you are wanting support with resource as well as a network and what you are hoping to learn. A staff member will get back to you to of community partners who conduct a one-on-one consultation to assess your needs and how we can offer in-person support, so assist you. you can develop your digital The Library also has a wealth of online tutorials available for you to skills and confidence. For more practise your computer skills at home. For further information visit information, please visit kingston.vic.gov.au/library or call 1300 135 668. beconnected.esafety.gov.au. 3 Activities during COVID-19 “Your Local Community Radio Station” During these uncertain times where, social distancing is the new ‘norm’, the radio and music are welcome partners to those feeling alone and isolated. Golden Days Radio (GDR) 95.7FM commenced broadcasting in 1991 and in 2001 the station was granted a full-time licence to broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Established for the Over 50s, especially the senior community, GDR showcases a broad range of music drawn from Jazz, Swing, Dance and moving into ‘baby boomer’ tunes. Today GDR is operated by some 90 volunteers from all walks of life and broadcasts from a modern studio complex at Glen Huntly along with an Outside Broadcast Unit. Being Physically Active Several websites and resources have become available to encourage older people to exercise and be active while staying safe at home. Safe Exercise at Home Digital LGBTI+ Dance Club The Australian Physiotherapy Association has launched a new website Enjoy this free online dance Safe Exercise at Home which shares simple, gentle exercises and gives platform that celebrates ideas of safe ways for older people to increase activity levels while at Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, home.