ChILL Term 1 2009 Inside this issue: Sub-committee 2 ChIP In Update 3 Editor’s CRUNCH By Jordan Hammond Geri’s Starlight 4 Welcome, welcome, wel- editing process and has sonally I have made some come to a brand new done such a fantastic job changes to my own life Personal Story 5 ChIPS year. I’m very ex- (especially considering it’s that I hope will help with cited to be leading the her first year on Refer- my health and wellbeing. I Falling into Free- 6 Publications Sub- ence), so well done Geri. joined the gym, have committee again this year, given up partying too hard Camp 7 and what a great team I We have started to plan and am focusing on my have to work with. Karen the whole year and have uni work, and so far it Lay, Eliza Masterson, Geri some great ideas for the seems to be paying off. First RefCom 7 Herd and Kevin He and newsletters and magazine Kristen’s Korner 8 myself will be your Publi- ahead. The team has Anyway I hope that you all cations team for 2009. come up with some fan- enjoy this first edition of 8Week Group 10 tastic ideas and it’s been ChILL for the year and Firstly, congratulations to great working with them, that you spend this time them for putting together even if it has only been for getting in touch with your- 8week Group 10 this wonderful master- a few months so far. self and doing the things Lyrics piece that I must admit that make you happy, like Camp Photos 11 I’ve had very little to do It’s going to be such a fan- I will be . with. A huge thank you to tastic year this year I can Geri who did the whole feel it in my bones. Per- Cheers. Camp and Social 12 Photos Reference Planning Day 2009 Coldplay Review 13 By Eliza Masterson On the 28th of January in too the hospital too help one getting wet we all Social 13 sweltering 43° heat the Megan the music thera- headed back into the 2009 reference committee pist, cart some drums chips office for lunch gathered for a team building over for a bit of music, which consisted of heaps day. which was set up in the of sausages with bread if After a while of forgetting park out the back of the you like, a lovely looking which door led to the chips chips office. salad and other bits and office I finally decided and When we had chosen pieces. After chatting and was greeted by a cheerful our preferred drums, stuffing ourselves with Kristen. I was surprised to Meghan got us to do a sausages, a few people see that I was not the only few drumming exercises headed off leaving the very early person as Geri, including making up remaining people to label Jordan, Felipe, and James some very interesting and stuff envelopes with were already there as well. beats and saying all our the annual chill wrapper. (sorry if I have forgotten great goals for this year A little while later off we who else was there at that and the reference com- went home, looking for- time!). mittee. ward to an amazing, exit- While a few other people After a few more exer- ing year ahead, which I’m arrived, Beth, Tamara, Geri cises, and some games very exited to be a part of. and I ventured out and over which resulted in every- Yay! Reference Sub-committee Updates Socials Update BY Abbie Kinniburgh (Socials Leader) The socials committee team central food court and a and different events through- for 2009 has begun the year casual movie session to out the year. We are also with a motivated, warm and end the day. This will planning a few fundraisers willing to commit attitude. This prove to be unique experi- for the program throughout years socials team that will be ence for many ChIPPERS the year for the ChIPS pro- planning and running the so- full of fun and entertain- gram, which all ChIPPERS cials and events of the ChIPS ment, but also lots of chal- will be informed of and their program for 2009 includes lenges and skill building family and friends are wel- James Williams, Sarah Menta, for many ChIPPERS in come to come along to. Jane Franklin, Beth Sleeman, many different aspects Hope to see you at many of Jemma Young and Abbie Kin- along the way. The socials these events throughout the niburgh. We are beginning the team this year will be year!! From the ChIPS so- year for term.1 holiday social working their motivation cials team 2009. with an African drumming and creativity to run many workshop, lunch at Melbourne entertaining and unique Camp Update BY Stacey Cumming Well planning has already be- resourced new campsites possibly incorporating new gun for another fantastic camp and started thinking skills and activities. It's ALL in 2010. This of themes. The camp staying a secret as usual so year we have a mix of old and evaluations from last year’s can’t tell you too much more new camp committee members camp have been summa- but we all very excited about to lead the way. The team con- rized and discussed with this process and look forward sists of Michaela, Felipe, Lau- the group as to what we to getting the it all going. ren, Heather and Jess, as really want from our camp- our fantastic mentor. We have site and camp in 2010, ChIPS Connect Update By Tamara Myors Introducing the 2009 ChIPS fresh views and new ideas. tunity of joining ChIPS, by Connect Committee Members - Although we do not have beginning our monthly Ward Vassie, Ivano, Davina, Scott, any advocacy talks Visits at the Royal Children’s Tamara (sub-committee booked, we are working on Hospital, starting from April. leader) and Carly (mentor). ideas to make the commu- We are looking forward to Most of our group members nity aware of ChIPS. Cur- another successful and re- are relatively new to being in- rently we are revising the warding year! (If anyone has volved in advocacy roles and ‘Expression of Interest’ details of groups that may be even the position of Sub- form and how to make it interested in learning more committee Leader is unfamiliar more widely known. At the about ChIPS, please feel to me. Yet we are all very ex- same time we are hoping free to e-mail me - cited and each member brings to communicate the oppor- [email protected] ) Page 2 ChILL ChIP In Update The ChIP In Auxiliary are hard at work again to raise vital funds for the ChIPS Program. As the ChIP In Auxiliary play such an important role in providing essential funds for a variety of things including the annual camp I would like to introduce them to you. The ChIP In Auxiliary for 2009 is as follows: Chairperson: Jessica O’Dowd Vice-Chairperson: Leah Stuart Secretary: Jenny Balnaves Treasurer: John Fincher Auxiliary Members: Di Fincher, Wendy Stuart, Jan Spiteri, Charlotte Ballan, Loretta Bellato, Jordan Hammond, Stacey Cumming This year the ChIP In Auxiliary are hoping to organise a number of fundraising events. We need the support of ChIPPERS and their family and friends to help make these events fun and profit- able! All of the events will be advertised through the newsletter so make sure you look for these notices. Some events may also be advertised on the website and/or from time to time you may receive correspondence via email or post. BY Beth Sleeman Some possible activities that we are hoping to run for this year include: Car Scavenger Hunt Movie Night at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville – June Shopping Tour – October/November Chocolate Drive ChIPS Gala Ball Saturday 15th August 2009 A major fundraising event for this year will be the ChIPS Gala Ball. The date has been set and a venue will be confirmed shortly. Please stay tuned for further information. Page 3 Geri’s Starlight Diary In November of last year I was having a pretty grim time. It was nearly five months since I'd seen my doctor and I seriously needed the dose of one of my medications increased. I was alternating between sleeping too much and not at all. The de- pression was a lot worse than usual. Following the advice of other chippers I decided to email Kristen about it. The re- sponse I got was most surprising. Kristen asked me if I would be interested in a referral to the Starlight Children's Founda- tion, for those who may not know what this is, it is a wish-granting programme for children up to the age of 21 with chronic illness or disability. My first reaction was confused. I had never considered myself to be eligible for anything like it, but after I spoke with my parents about it I started to think otherwise. I am a prime candidate for the "well you don't look sick" jabs that could not possibly be more wrong. I have not one, but two, very rare afflictions. One is life threatening, that causes my severe fatigue, anaphylaxis, low blood pressure, abdominal pain and psychological issues. The other caused some moderate deformation before I was born, resulting in some perma- nent deafness, terrible eyesight, the speed with which my brain sorts information and some deformity to my face (many would disagree on this but if you compare my face with those of my family you'd find there is little resemblance.) In short, not only am I too ill to commit to a job or a class but I also have learning difficulties that hinder my actual ability to study.