THE 10 YEAR
CROSSWORD
CELEBRATION “Who would have thought we would ever reach this after the challenges in 2012 when funding stopped and we continued as a totally volunteer run organisation.” That was Nel Jans opening remark at The South East Junction’s 10th anniversary celebrations in September 2019 and she knew how tough it has been, given she has been at the coalface of The Junction for the past decade. And for all the outstanding work, this award winning organisation has done, funding remained an ongoing issue, relying on the generosity of councils, service clubs and businesses. “ The District Council of Grant was the first one to come on board to officially donate ongoing to The Junction and then the other councils followed with grants and donations,” Nel said at the anniversary celebrations. 2018 saw the first of the corporate support through local businesses and companies. “Continuing would not have been possible without this support, in kind or donations,” Nel said. “The donation of time and expertise or facilitators of workshops and sessions we offer has also been crucial.” So the cake was cut and Happy Birthday was sung as council hierarchy, service club representatives, community
organisations and The Junction volunteers and participants joined in recognising the significant milestone. “This is a celebration of all the work of our volunteers and participants,” Nel said. “This celebration is not just about our achievements but the future. The upcoming year will be very important for developing plans and putting plans in action for our sustainability.” The most powerful demonstration of what The Junction South East has achieved in the community was Bronnie Leibhardt – participant turned volunteer – who shared her story in a raw, engaging way that had the room transfixed and was the perfect testimonial to mark the 10th anniversary of the vital service. Bronnie (pictured below with Nel Jans) has spent most of her life suffering mental and sexual abuse, found out at the age of 10 the man she though was her father was not and consequently dealing with a fractured, dysfunctional family life that saw her turn to drugs and alcohol. “And I continued that pattern of abuse as an adult,” Bronnie said. It was 22 years ago that she moved to Mount Gambier with her son to escape a life she no longer wanted to live, with the exhaustion of her own extreme behaviour taking its toll as the highs and lows
of her anxiety and depression, eventually being diagnosed as bipolar, saw her experience regular suicidal thoughts. The struggles continue for Bronnie, who gave up drinking 13 years ago, has stopped using marijuana and is in the throes of also ditching cigarettes, but The Junction South East proved to be her saviour. The receptionist at Bronnie’s psychiatrist recommended the group and it has proven to be a lifeline. “It was hard to go but once I did I found it a welcoming and a safe place to be and they listened to me,” Bronnie said. “I had a reason to get up in the morning, it got me out of the house and I felt a purpose in my life. Going along to The Junction has changed my life. All I needed in my life was someone to listen.” At the time of the 10 year anniversary celebrations, it had been nine years since Bronnie morphed from participant to volunteer and support worker. “I found helping others on their road to recovery and wellness has helped me too on my road,” she said. “I am much, much more than my mental illness.” As someone who battled her own demons for a long, long time on her own, she shared this piece of advice. “Keep asking for help. If one door shuts another will open.”
ACROSS 1) Bar bill 4) Took the series without a loss 9) Sit through again, as a film 14) It comes after many moons 15) Before the due date 16) Fancy pitchers 17) “Neither” partner 18) They produce wool 20) Receive at the door 22) _ noire (fearsome thing) 23) Glossy cottons 26) Insufficiencies 31) Eight-piece bands 33) Cement-finisher’s tool 34) His wife took a turn for the worse 36) Spread widely 38) Commemorative marker 39) “The Morning Watch” author James 41) Heads towards the sky 43) Sound heard in a barbershop 44) Ruled territory 46) Introduction or preface 48) Dram of liquor 49) Spoken, as an agreement 5l) Unwavering 53) Examined, as ore 55) Delighted in 58) A million bucks? 60) Manicurist’s board 61) Large ursine 67) Feel below par 68) Lustrous black 69) Numskull 70) “The most trusted name in television,” once 71) Barbershop boo-boos 72) Hot alcoholic drink 73) _ Mateo, Calif.
DOWN 1) Sharp tastes 2) Hub of old Athens 3) Be a horrible orator 4) Groups of six 5) Half a trumpet’s sound 6) “ ... _ he drove out of sight” 7) Commoner, briefly 8) Composed on a keyboard 9) Accepts an appeal 10) Ram’s mate 11) Poseidon’s domain 12) Drop the ball 13) Feminine ending 19) “Leave it in,” to an editor 21) Common Market letters, once 24) Volleyball needs 25) Barbershop accessory 27) Deteriorates 28) Two decades 29) Prefix meaning “sun” 30) Got some shuteye 32) Major department store 34) Caterpillar, for one 35) Curved moldings 37) Composed 40) Site of Napoleon’s exile 42) Caught in the act 45) Distress calls 47) Stately splendor 50) Onion relative 52) Perignon’s title 54) Ledger entry 56) “All My Children” vixen 57) “Blowin’ in the Wind” singer Bob 59) Change completely 61) Barbie’s beau 62) It’s a wrap 63) Elmer, to Bugs 64) Publicity, slangily 65) A hand 66) Pistol, slangily
