Tribute to long-term Sub Branch president

Members of DoyalsonWyee RSL Sub Branch held a special event to say thank you to Bob Couper OAM who has retired as president after 12 years in the role.

Couper joined the Sub Branch on March 17, 1993 and served as Vice President, Trustee and

President.

During his time he transformed the Sub Branch into one of the largest on the Central Coast with 226 members and more than 45 auxiliary members.

“I’ll continue to be an active member of the Sub Branch but it is time to retire and enjoy spending more time with my wife Joan planning holidays,” Couper said.

Incoming President, Bob Dokter, said he would follow-on from where Couper left off to ensure all serving and exserving personnel (veterans) and their families continued to get the support they needed. If any veteran requires service was vital in supporting older vulnerable people who needed intensive support.

“This could be an older person who has no trusted carer or support person, someone who has difficulty communicating, finds it difficult to understand information, is reluctant to engage with aged care or government or who will be in an unsafe situation if they do not receive services,” she said.

Naden said Bungree’s care finder services would be delivered in a collaborative and culturally responsive manner.

“Clients will be allocated a dedicated care finder staff member who will conduct regular in-home visits or inperson meetings to understand the client’s situation and assist them to connect with the relevant aged care services and community supports,” she said.

“Care finder staff will assist clients with items such as talking to My Aged Care on their behalf, arranging assessments and appointments, attending and providing support at appointments, finding aged care providers and services in the client’s area, completing forms and providing assistance with understanding service agreements.”

In addition to My Aged Care, care finder staff will help clients connect with other relevant supports in the community including health services, mental health services, social services, housing and homelessness services, drug and alcohol services and community groups.

“Accessing aged care and health services can be quite daunting due to the volume of information and administration work required,” Naden said.

“It can be even more daunting for older people who are isolated or those who have difficulty communicating or comprehending information and often these are the individuals who need the support services the most.

“I’m thrilled Bungree Aboriginal Association is able to launch this vital service to further assist vulnerable people within our community access the care they need,” Naden said.

Source: Media release, Feb 23 Bungree Aboriginal Association support or assistance they can visit the Sub Branch on either a Wednesday or Friday morning at the Sub Branch office located at the recreation club, The Doylo, on the corner of Wentworth Ave and Pacific Highway, Doyalson.