the foothills magazine
Curbing anxiety with books | page 5 Is enough being done to prevent youth suicide? | page 8 Mental wellbeing & the arts | page 24
EDITION 24 MENTAL WELLBEING FOOTHILLS | 1
Art: Savannah Laird 2 | FOOTHILLS
THE FOOTHILLS MAGAZINE GUEST EDITOR
CONTRIBUTORS
Leanne FitzGerald – CCH Team Leader
Bernadette Dimitrov, David Jewell, Lisa Ford, Denis Cody, Coral Kennedy, Jacqui D Sylva Cr Karin Orpen, Sandi Wallace, Ingrid Ward, Terry Barca, Marina Cook, Leanne FitzGerald, Ananda Braxton-Smith, Les Chessells, Janice Shaw, Janette Scott, Savannah Laird, Sierra Laird.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Marina Cook Leanne FitzGerald
PRINTER
DESIGN TEAM Graphic Designer Emily FitzGerald - emilyfitzgerald.com.au
Hornet Press
Photographer Greg Ford - gregford.com.au (cover image)
PUBLISHER
Photographer Bron Anderson - flutterbycreative.com Photographer Barbara Oehring - barbaraoehringphotography.com Photographer Darren Clarke - dclarkephotography.com.au
Coonara Community House 22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 03 9758 7081
Proofreader Lisa Hearn Views and comments expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of any member of The Foothills magazine or Coonara Community House unless acknowledged as such. Products and services listed or advertised in the newspaper should not be considered as endorsments. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of editorial content, The Foothills magazine takes no responsibility for errors. The Foothills is distributed in Tecoma, Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully. Total distribution of 6,000.
If you would like to contribute please email your ideas to thefoothills@coonarahouse.org.au
From Editor Leanne FitzGerald This issue of the Foothills explores mental wellbeing from several perspectives and reflects upon many factors that impact on it for different individuals, those with mental wellbeing issues and those with loved ones in need of understanding, acceptance and support.
When it comes to mental wellbeing, other people matter. When it comes to mental wellbeing, other people matter. Evidence shows that good relationships with family, friends and the wider community are important for mental wellbeing. However if the community
is not accepting and inclusive then people who have mental health problems can have their quality of life eroded. It’s a two way street really, almost a chicken and the egg situation. Building stronger, broader social connections can increase an individuals’ feelings of happiness and self-worth. However a community that shuns or ignores rather than reaching out and supporting others can contribute to social isolation and depression. Social inclusion builds stronger and more resilient communities in which people feel a sense of belonging and social connection, one in which their needs are met and their differences are respected. Neighbourhood Houses and other volunteer based organisations make
a significant contribution to social inclusiveness and connecting people to their local community. The Foothills area is fortunate to have a wide range of community organisations that include sports, culture, recreation, the environment, the arts and civics. All these play their role in making our community a healthy and harmonious place to live. The next edition of the Foothills will focus on The Arts and music of the Foothills. If you have a story to tell, or know of a person who should be featured, please contact us. thefoothills@coonarahouse.org.au Leanne FitzGerald CCH Team Leader
FOOTHILLS | 3
Count your blessings, name them one by one‌
On the days you are "down" and feel so alone ..
When your whole world takes on a cheerless tone ..
When the smallest problem resembles a mountain ..
When all you see are black clouds on your horizon ..
What you need is a dose of an old fashioned remedy -
A little 'count your blessings to cheer up' therapy.
Start on your list of big and small blessings..
The good, happy bits which are part of your living.
Concentrate on what you still have
Rather than dwell on what is now missing.
Remember to add all that your senses make possible -
For example..
to see in the early sunlight, the drops of dew
turn into sparkling diamonds of every hue;
to hear as night falls, birds giving last calls;
to taste a fresh summer rain straight from the sky;
to smell the fragrance when damp and eucalypt combine;
to feel the soothing, cooling ease of a summer's night breeze.
Of the abundance around you, to relish and to treasure.
Though it is true, real problems will still exist,
These gifts from Nature are just a small measure
A happier mind may see solutions earlier missed.
With no added weight of gloom, troubles will feel lighter ..
Black clouds cannot thrive in brightness - they will disappear
And the sun will return again to your sky, bringing its warmth and its cheer.
Ingrid Ward Writer
4 | FOOTHILLS
Curbing anxiety with books
At 18, I had lost a high school friend of mine to suicide, which was my first experience with sudden and traumatic loss. The same aim drives my work as a contributor to The Foothills, crime writer and personal trainer: to help, touch, educate or entertain with every story or interaction. As an avid reader, I understand how books and reading can foster connections, which bridge continents, time zones, oceans, accents, cultures and ages. As a writer, I have recognised that the virtual linking of people as a wider community – a worldwide one – can be an important means for management of some health conditions. And Melissa Rose’s story is an uplifting example of this. I met Melissa, a 25-year-old native of Vancouver, Canada, on Goodreads, a site for readers, authors and book recommendations. We are both members of the Aussie Readers group, which is for Australians or those interested in Australia, whatever their reading tastes are. Melissa is “super fascinated by Australia and Australian culture” and admitted to me, “Maybe it is because you guys are very closely related to us, yet you are very different than us – with cooler accents.” Through our book friendship, I discovered that Melissa suffers from severe anxiety. Although saddened by a young woman’s life afflicted by this condition, I found her openness about it to be inspirational. She explained, “I believe the more anxiety and mental illness is talked about, the less weird and mysterious it seems. Additionally, I have found the more I talk about my experience, the more people come in and say, ‘Hey, I have experienced this too.’ Ultimately, one of the good things about anxiety (if there can be a good thing) is that you can make it easier for other sufferers to talk about their experience.” The other layer to Melissa’s story is that it demonstrates the power of books and other forms of writing in managing mental illness. Reading, reviewing, interacting with other readers and
authors, blogging and running her website Around the World in Books <www.aroundtheworldinbooks.ca> help Melissa manage her condition. “I think for me a huge portion of my anxiety was insecurity and a sense of worthlessness; so when I discovered blogging, it helped me build up a lot of confidence, therefore helping me manage my anxiety,” she said. The key component is connection through her blogging. If nobody interacted back with Melissa, the benefits would be absent, again highlighting the importance of social media and the book community. “I know for a long time people have been saying online communities aren’t ‘real’; however, at a time when I was mainly housebound, it was all I had. Through social media, I met book friends from Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada, and even Saudi Arabia. I think it has helped me to talk about something I am passionate about with people who share the same love. Social media is an interesting tool; I mean like anything it has its negative uses. However, it sometimes amazes me that I am talking books with someone in Australia or India. I don’t know if I can explain it fully or properly but it does help me.” For every sufferer of anxiety, the onset, symptoms, severity and trigger – if there was a defining trigger – varies. For Melissa, she always felt mildly anxious, even as a young child. She told me, “I can clearly remember worrying over Christmas holidays because I felt like I was missing something – I could never relax.” Then a major trauma triggered her first full-blown episode of anxiety. Continued on next page... FOOTHILLS | 5
“At 18, I had lost a high school friend of mine to suicide, which was my first experience with sudden and traumatic loss. The night after the funeral, at about midnight, I awoke in a panicky fit – I thought I was going to die. It was scary.” Fortunately, Melissa’s anxiety isn’t a constant state. She’s had times when she thought it was gone. Now she feels that it will always be something she will need to manage. It has impacted upon relationships, which she finds uncomfortable to admit. Equally, it has made employment problematic; she has had to leave a few jobs because of her anxiety. Melissa is not currently employed, although she considers blogging her job for the time being. On the upside, Melissa is fortunate to have the support and love of her family and two “not so smart but lovable” dogs. And for the most part, she is happy. As to the effects on her daily life, Melissa explained, “At its best, my anxiety does not affect my life much. However, in my anxious state it is much like being afraid of everything, although the real fear is of fear itself. When I am anxious, I cannot go to everyday places like the grocery shop, the doctor, the mall, etc. Anxiety is a very limiting disease and it is very easy for sufferers to become ashamed of this fact.” It is hard not to dwell for a moment on what this young woman’s condition will mean for her future, but the way Melissa exudes optimism with realism is very positive. As is how she combines traditional methods of treatment for her anxiety – such as antianxiety/antidepressant medication and regular contact with her therapist – with the unconventional and innovative approach of reaching out to link with the book community, reading her way around the world and writing about it. I asked Melissa to leave us with a final word. She said, “I would like to say thank you to Sandi for inviting me to talk about my anxiety. I am very glad that mental health issues are being talked about more regularly these days. So for those who do suffer anxiety, you are most definitely not alone.”
Sandi Wallace Crime Writer www.sandiwallace.com
Learn to Dance Club Latina at Kenlaurel Dance Studio
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Private and group lessons available Bridal dances specially choreographed 6 Janesleigh Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully Opposite National Park Entrance
6 | FOOTHILLS
9758 1376
Contacts for Emergency Assistance, Crisis Support or Further Information: If you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, contact Emergency Services – Dial 000 To Talk To Someone Now: • Lifeline 13 11 14 • Kids Helpline (for those aged 5 to 25 years) 1800 55 1800 • MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 • Suicide Call Back Service (phone or online counselling for people 15 years or over, whether feeling suicidal, caring for someone at risk of suicide or bereaved by suicide) 1300 659 467 For Information and Support: • Your general practitioner • Beyond Blue phone 1300 22 4636 (available 24/7) or web chat (available 3pm – 12am) www.beyondblue. org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support • Headspace (youth mental health foundation) 1800 650 890 • Sane Australia Helpline 1800 18 7263 •
Support After Suicide www.supportaftersuicide.org.au
Beyond Blue lists other national helplines and websites at www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-helplines-and-websites. Beyond Blue provides resources for sufferers of anxiety and depression and others impacted by these conditions, along with chat support. It “is working to reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and understanding, empowering people to seek help, and supporting recovery, management and resilience.”
Foothills Classifieds - Services Mobile Animal Husbandry Service John & Peggy Spink 9754 6993 0435 907 633 Need takeaway menus? Fast & affordable design, print & delivery contact design@emilyfitzgerald.com.au
Life, Holidays & Happiness! Heart Breathing: A Practice - From Inner Stress to Inner Ease
My friend author George McLaird in his latest book “I Hear You are Afraid of Dying” reminded me that approximately 100,000 humans die each day. Life could end abruptly for you, me or a loved one at any moment. So don’t wait for sometime in the future to start living with more inner ease. It’s the inner calm that helps you rebalance and show up each day living and loving from a better version of you. Let’s face it, you’re simply not enjoying life when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed with challenges or inner turbulence, and probably no one is enjoying life much around you either. So you want to counterbalance these effects with a good practice. Here’s one that I discovered recently, love and now practice daily - the inner ease practice, also known as heart mastery 101. It’s simple, easy and loaded with benefits.
for effective reasoning, discernment and interactions. The lack of coherent alignment between the heart, mind and emotions generates resistance to “flow,” resulting in stress from anxiety, indecision, frustration, impatience, anger, self-judgment and much more. Operating in the ease mode will slow down your mental and emotional reactions. The ones that are often regretted at the end of the day, that compromise friendships, cause avoidable mistakes, create grumbling and excessive internal drama, draining your energy and compromising sleep.
SHIFTING TO YOUR INNER-EASE SPACE You can use it in the morning to prep for the day, especially before engaging in potentially stressful situations, complex decisions etc. or simply to keep yourself in balance. This is not an instant fix for your challenges, but it will shift you to feel, deal and show up better in life.
BASIC STEPS FOR ACCESSING THE STATE OF EASE:
1.
BENEFITS OF THE INNER EASE PRACTICE
If stressed or feeling out of sync, stop and acknowledge your feelings such as impatience, anxiety, frustration overload, mental gridlock, being judgmental, angry, etc.
It is a good daily practice for the general maintenance of balance and resilience in your mental and emotional system.
2.
It can prevent as well as reduce much personal stress. You’ll also recoup quicker from unexpected stresses as they show up. It stabilises and slows down the vibrationary rate of the mind and emotions, helping you get back into your heart, which re-connects you with your reasoning capacity and clear view. Decisions, choices and actions will have a more balanced perspective. It also promotes more flow - intuitive connection with your higher potential
Start heart-focused breathing by breathing a little slower than usual and imagine or feel that you are breathing through your heart. This is a proven breath technique that creates coherent wave patterns in your heart rhythm which helps restore balance and calm in your mental and emotional nature.
3.
While breathing from the heart imagine with each breath that you are drawing in a feeling of inner-ease, infusing you with balance, love and selfcare from your heart. Radiating love and self-care through your system activates beneficial hormones and boosts your
immune system – this too has been scientifically proven. Remember that the mind and emotions operate on a vibrational level. Slowing down the stressful vibration helps re-establish the cooperation and balance between heart, mind and emotions. Like an old electric fan that rattles until you turn it to a slower speed, which often quiets and restores the unbalanced vibration. Some emotions take longer for the vibrational rate to slow down. Keep breathing inner ease from the heart. Remember, you’re not trying to fix the emotion; the ease-state helps to quieten the significance within the emotion so you can reduce stress, reason and discern with objectivity.
4.
Once you feel inner ease or when the stressful feelings have calmed, affirm with a heartfelt commitment that you want to anchor and maintain the state of ease as you re-engage back into your daily life, projects or challenges. If you find yourself out of ease at some time through the day just re-set your intention with a genuine heartfelt commitment and move on. You may need to do this a few times while starting out. With daily practice you’ll remain longer in the ease state with lower maintenance. This is a practice I discovered from Doc Childre founder of HeartMath Institute. The above is a summary of the practice and benefits. If you would like a free copy Doc Childre’s book “The State of Ease”, detailing more about the practice and findings, go to www.heartmath.org/stateof-ease to download it. Happy heart breathing! More love, happiness & peace to you xx Bernadette Dimitrov aka Mrs Claus Peace & Happiness Ambassador www.TheSantaSchool.com & www.HowCaniBeHappy.co FOOTHILLS | 7
Is enough being done to prevent youth suicide? “Kirsten” was only 16 years old when she gave up her life, as she felt it was the only option...
When I was nine years old, in Grade 3, I went to school early one morning, said “Hi” to my friends and we played in the playground until the bell rang and it was time to go to the classroom. A boy in my grade was away from school one day which was odd because everyone always went to school happily. The teacher told us to sit down on the floor, and the principal greeted us in the room, which was also strange. It was the principal that told us that the boy’s older sister, who was only fifteen years old, had committed suicide. As all of us were only 9 years old, none of us really knew what this meant. We were told to give the boy and his family sympathy when he was ready to come back to school, and we were also told not to speak about it after the principal left the room. Eight years later and it’s 2013. I was 16 years old, in Year 11. I logged onto Facebook one night as I always would. It was the night of July 18th when my peers and I were overwhelmed to hear about the sudden death of our friend. “Kirsten” was only 16 years old when she gave up her life, as she felt it was the only option. It impacted me greatly. Dealing with the issue of youth suicide at only nine years of age, and eight years later, it still appears that nothing has changed. It affects so many people. No child as young as nine should need to face this issue at such a young age, yet the community needs to know the alarming fact that so many youths are still feeling the need to kill themselves. Not enough is being done to prevent youth suicide. I was astonished to discover that the leading cause of death amongst youth in Australia aged between 15 and 24 is, in fact, suicide, with the second cause of death being road accidents. Over time the ages of these people have started to become younger and younger, with Western Australia being the leading cause of death to teenagers aged between 13 and 17-yearsold. No person of any age should feel so worthless that they feel the need to kill themselves, and to know that teens and youth as young as 13-years-old are doing this is devastating. Let’s start from the beginning. Why is it that youth feel the need
8 | FOOTHILLS
to commit suicide? This would vary between each individual, but the major factor of depression is common among every youth who takes their life. Cyber bullying is a new theme, which may contribute to the numbers of youth suicide increasing recently as new technologies are becoming more popular. Rosanna Capolingua, the chair of the Governing Council for Child and Adolescent Health in Western Australia, addressed this issue referring to the leading cause of death to Western Australian teens being suicide. She said: “Something significant is happening to kids in that age group in WA, and maybe across Australia, for them to take their lives and we know that social media plays a big role in this.” What is even more concerning than youth suicide, is that an indigenous child between the ages of ten and 17 living in Queensland, has ten times the likelihood of committing suicide compared to a non-indigenous youth anywhere in Australia. The underlying causes related to aboriginal youth suicide highlighted mental illness, substance abuse and sexual abuse trauma. In June 2013, the Baillieu government axed a support program that helped thousands of vulnerable students at risk of suicide, self-harm and drug abuse. The vital service was established by the Victorian Government back in 1997 in response to the Suicide Prevention Taskforce and was funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to work across schools. In 2011, nearly 50,000 children participated in these projects. The youth support program costs about $7.5 million a year, but if that $7.5 million is going to save thousands of lives then surely any price is worth it. The State Member for Clayton, Hong Lim, was quoted as saying: “This is yet another example of the Baillieu government’s cuts to education hurting our local community - in this case, vulnerable children.” There are so many youths crying out for help, and the fact the Australian Government won’t offer their support to them is cold hearted and monstrous, and this is a prime example of why there is not enough being done to prevent youth suicide.
Due to lack of government support, only few companies are dedicated to preventing youth suicide, such as Headspace and Kids Helpline. These services offer much support and advice for youth who are suffering from depression and are in need of help. Schools today heavily promote anti-bullying, such as ‘R U okay day’, which encourages youth to acknowledge any problems their peers may be having in order to offer support. But with these organizations dedicating their work to help, it is still not enough to prevent youth suicide, as there are still youths feeling that death is the only option. What I believe needs to be done is to offer help to youth before it becomes a problem. Catch teens in the early days of depression to stop it getting worse. Many young people feel excluded from the world around them, due to their problems not being addressed and therefore feeling like they have to keep their feelings to themselves. There are many factors to look out for that may put a young person at risk of suicide, such as family history of suicide, a stressful life event or loss, and easy access to lethal methods. Every person who suspects a youth to be having dark thoughts needs to acknowledge these and put the person in a professional’s hand, such as a psychologist, to help their bad thoughts. Nine months on from the death of our young friend Kirsten, every person who knew her still grieves every day wishing they could do something to bring her back. But the thing is, death can’t be reversed. Once someone takes their own life there is no turning back, and not only are they gone forever, but they will always leave holes in the hearts of everyone who has loved them. NB: Names have been changed to protect the families involved.
Sierra Laird Age 18 Foothills contributor
Illustration by Savannah Laird FOOTHILLS | 9
Wellbeing in nature
When I mentioned to a friend from Upper Ferntree Gully recently that the next edition of Foothills was to be themed around Mental Health and Wellbeing, his instinctive and enthusiastic response was ‘Of course, you will write about the beneficial effects of living among nature in the Hills for our mental wellbeing!’ Well, to be perfectly honest, that wasn’t exactly my first thought. Instead, I had been, rather typically really, pondering what goes on in our heads to shape our mental wellbeing, or sometimes the lack thereof. Yet ruminating later on my friend’s passionate outburst, I had to admit he was on to something. We humans have always had a hunger for nature, a yearning for connection with the elemental, with our source. This association of nature with wellbeing has recurred throughout history, notably through nature-worship in early pagan and indigenous societies where people lived most closely with nature. Later societies were to conceive of God differently, but even Adam and Eve were depicted as ‘living the dream’ in the Garden of Eden. Early writers such as the Greek philosopher Aristotle and the Roman philosopher Seneca gained immense satisfaction from the spectacle of nature, probably because powerful natural events remind us of what we are powerless to change, of what we must accept. Earthquakes, cyclones and, here in the Hills, sometimes bushfires, stand as impressive, albeit terrifying emblems of what is bigger than us. In the human-constructed world, especially in our current Age of Individualism, we convince ourselves that we choose our destiny, and hope and worry accordingly. But it is also apparent that, in the limitless night sky where infinite stars twinkle, there are also mysterious natural forces which are simply beyond us.
In the human-constructed world, especially in our current Age of Individualism, we convince ourselves that we choose our destiny, and hope and worry accordingly. But it is also apparent that, in the limitless night sky where infinite stars twinkle, there are also mysterious natural forces which are simply beyond us. 10 | FOOTHILLS
Sometimes, society itself reminds of our relationship to nature. In the 18th century, Western civilisation appeared to celebrate nature. It developed a fashion for more casual clothing and simpler architecture, for pastoral poetry such as Wordsworth’s I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud and for romantic literature in which nature reflected our true selves, such as Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. However this wasn’t because people were becoming more in touch with nature. Instead, the Industrial Revolution caused many people to move from the country to the city, where they lost touch with the natural in their lives. Hence its compensatory appearance in cultural artifacts of the times. The Father of Naturalist Writing, Henry David Thoreau, also wrote his famous book Waldon around this time, based upon his experience of building a rough hut in the woods where he lived in retreat for two years. He was deeply interested in the idea of survival in the face of hostile elements and natural decay; at the same time he advocated abandoning waste and illusion in order to discover life's true essential needs. His words may ring true in the hearts of some foothills dwellers even today: ‘I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn
what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.’ Despite the contributions of naturalists such as Thoreau to our understanding of our place in nature, the West has been steadily enshrining comfort, and more recently, luxury, as a societal goal ever since. This direction tends to remove us further from nature, as evidenced by Australian cities’ McMansions built on small blocks with little or no space for gardens and the increasing population of city dwellers in high rise concrete apartments. The Technological Revolution and our increasing screen time compounds the trend away from nature, as demonstrated in the sad anecdote of the child who ran to a tree in a park and tried to swipe the trunk like an iPad. By contrast, traditional Zen-influenced Japanese architecture was designed to remind home-dwellers of their connection to and dependence on nature, and the unity of all living things. For instance, it featured little insulation, a wooden verandah intended to rot and necessitated going outside to pass through different rooms.
NE FOW L R AR HI G RE E R – OO EN M Q A UI V RE AI NO LAB W LE !
Yet even in Japan, and across Asia more broadly, the relentless march of economic development places increasing distance between its peoples and nature. This is perhaps most pronounced in China’s early plans to build a megacity of 130 million people, stretching from Beijing where nature is already almost invisible, to the port city of Tianjin. Economies of scale and reducing carbon
footprints aside, which are worthy goals in themselves, what will the quality of life be for the multitudinous residents who will have virtually no contact with nature in the greatest urban sprawl in the world? We know from research into health and wellbeing that contact with the natural world is good for us. Patients rehabilitating after surgery in a room with a view of nature will recover, on average, 3 days earlier than patients whose window faces a brick wall. A recent article in the journal Health and Place reported that contact with the natural world is good for the elderly. And the British Journal of Sports Medicine now provides scientific proof that walking in nature and spending time under leafy shade trees causes electrochemical changes in the brain that can lead people to enter a highly beneficial state of ‘effortless attention’. Presumably this is something many foothills residents already intuitively understand, living as we do among towering eucalypts, rambling gardens, winding creeks, plentiful wildlife and nearby National Parks. The foothills are not wealthy areas, and our generally humble housing plays second fiddle to the natural environment. But on a lazy summer’s day, gently swaying in a hammock under the dappled shade of our immense oak tree, I sometimes feel like the richest person alive.
Lisa Ford Contributor to The Foothills Magazine
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FOOTHILLS | 11
Coralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden We use colour in our gardens to create an attractive area to live in and share with passers by. The Egyptians, along with the Greeks and Romans, linked health with divine influence before developing a very solid tradition of plant based medicine. The Chinese followed this tradition too. There are many traditional healing methods around the world. The most ancient, the Indian Ayurvedic system, is still common at a community level in India. In Africa, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, the indigenous people have deeply rooted ideas about healing in their culture and traditions. Some of these plant drugs have subsequently been adopted by modern medicine. The world wide use of medicinal plants makes very interesting reading. Many of us use this method of healing and have personal favourites. This is a gardening column, and I would never presume to suggest any of these remedies to you. Enjoy your own research in this field. All the mentioned ancient philosophies have a common basis of working with the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. These five senses are also used when we are developing our gardens.
SIGHT We use colour in our gardens to create an attractive area to live in and share with passers by. The style you use is a matter of personal taste and can often reflect the personality of the creator. Some choose a riot of colour, while others limit their choice to a single colour. White is often chosen, or a combination of two pastels. Some gardens are left entirely green and rely on form and texture.
12 | FOOTHILLS
HEARING Our feathered friends create the most common sounds heard in our gardens, but water is also used for a soothing effect, and wind chimes are often added too. A gentle breeze can add its own sounds as it rustles the leaves.
TOUCH The variety of textures in the foliage is endless. It is not hard to create a pleasurable experience for the vision impaired in the garden.
SMELL We all have our favourites in this field and are spoilt for choice in what we use to give us the scents we love in our gardens. These change with the seasons too. Perfumes can be as powerful or gentle as you please and some are more pronounced in the evenings. Smell isn't limited to the flowers, the foliage too contributes, some in response to rain, others when handled or crushed in the hand or underfoot.
TASTE This is probably the most widely appreciated sense in the garden. Whether it is fruit, vegetables or herbs you harvest, your garden can supply an abundant supply all year round to please all tastes. Children are particularly delighted in the sensory garden where they can see, touch, smell and taste too. Get out there and experience all the pleasures of your garden, even through this cold wet winter.
Coral Kennedy Gardening Guru
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FOOTHILLS | 13
Taking Good Legal Care of Yourself ‘Taking Good Legal Care of Yourself’ is a regular contribution by Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) to raise awareness of legal needs in the community, and encourage people to seek legal advice early. ECLC is a not-forprofit community service that provides free legal advice to Melbourne’s outereastern communities, including Tecoma, Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Kyle Maestri, Intake and Administration Trainee at ECLC with free information resources for tenants
Jasmine’s Story Jasmine and her daughter lived in a rental home which was managed by a real estate agent. Jasmine had received a Notice to Vacate for rent arrears. She had lost her job several months earlier and was receiving Centrelink benefits whilst she was looking for work. Since becoming unemployed, Jasmine had struggled to pay the weekly rent and manage other living expenses like her daughter’s school fees, utility bills and food. Jasmine rang ECLC and spoke to ECLC’s tenant advocate. The tenant advocate helped Jasmine access emergency financial assistance from another organisation and negotiated a re-payment plan with the real estate agent for Jasmine to pay back the rent arrears. The real estate agent also agreed to help Jasmine find another affordable rental home because of her good history and her commitment to repay the rental arrears from the previous property.
Are you living in a rental property? Do you need help with –
The ECLC tenant advocate is able to assist: • Private tenants; • Rooming house residents; • Caravan park residents; and
Other Information & Support
• Retirement village residents with a rental agreement.
• Statewide Homelessness Assistance 1800 825 955
“Living in safe and affordable housing is the building block for everything else that is important in life, such as health, study, work and play”, says Denise Budge, Manager ECLC Outer-East. “At a time when homelessness is an issue in the community, we encourage any tenant who is living in poor housing conditions, or who is at risk of homelessness, to contact ECLC for free advice and assistance.”
• Dealing with an eviction notice?
Although ECLC is an appointment-only service, the tenant advocate is able to provide advice and assistance over the phone because of the specific processes involved in tenancy matters.
Call ECLC to speak with the Tenant Advocate
Please call 9762 6235 if you have a tenancy problem or would like to
• Getting repairs done? • Bond or compensation claims?
14 | FOOTHILLS
know more about tenants’ rights and responsibilities. If ECLC is unable to assist, the friendly staff will refer you to another service that can help you.
• Tenants Union of Victoria phone advice line - 9416 2577 or www.tuv.org.au • For more information on Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities go to www.consumer.vic.gov.au/ housing-and-accommodation/renting
Suite B, 6 Floriston Road (PO Box 747) Boronia VIC 3155 Phone: (03) 9762 6235 Email: outereast@eclc.org.au www.eclc.org.au
Wally Tew playground re-opened The sight of three, 6m steel bugs that have landed in Ferntree Gully is quite startling, but I’d urge residents not to panic. The monstrous arachnids are part of the renewed Wally Tew Playground which was re-opened to the public just recently and celebrates a ‘Forest Floor’ theme. The improved playground is the news on everyone’s lips lately – Council has been contacted frequently by residents who “couldn’t wait” for the temporary construction fences to be taken down and the play equipment free to explore. The fences finally came down just weeks ago and despite the wintery weather, I’ve watched with pleasure as many families have braved the cold to explore the improvements to their local hub. I also look forward to its official opening in the coming months, which I’m sure will be well attended. When the weather warms up, you’ll also see the addition of some sun shades over some of the equipment too. The entire playground is constructed from wood recycled from the previous playground, as well as steel, logs and rocks. While maintaining the usual elements of a playground, the facility will also encourage more nature and
imagination-based play with garden beds, sand pits and native plants. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to take a look for yourself at the park just off Glenfern Road and behind the Ferntree Gully Library. Council is also starting to put the wheels in motion for improvements to Talaskia Reserve with a new Masterplan. We’re also in the early stages of preparations for a renewal of the Kings Park playground, which will greatly benefit the many families in our area. In other news, Council has also acquired more than four hectares of open space off Glenfern Road and is currently working with Melbourne Water to compile a management plan to regenerate Ferny Creek in this space. We’ll have further details on this during a community information session to be held in October. You can keep up-to-date on these projects and more by ‘liking’ Knox City Council on Facebook, or following us on Twitter (@KnoxCC).
Karin Orpen Dobson Ward Councillor
FOOTHILLS | 15
ange R a r r s Ya
Counselling Counselling and Psychotherapy Chronic Pain & Illness Management Groups and Workshops Adults and Children
100 Main St Upwey 8288 1744 www.yarrarangescounselling.com.au info@yarrarangescounselling.com.au
UPWEY BELGRAVE RSL A SECRET TREASURE AT THE FOOT OF THE DANDENONGS pleasant, peaceful surroundings with NO pokies >> >> >> >>
>>
Bingo – second Monday of the month 7:30pm sharp Free live entertainment every Friday night Seniors morning tea first Thursday of the month Running Rabbits Military Museum open Thursday and Sunday morning or by appointment Ariettes Bistro – serving northern Italian cuisine open every day for lunch and dinner
Upwey Belgrave RSL, 1 Mast Gully Rd, Upwey (behind 7/11) | 9754 3665 16 | FOOTHILLS
FREE
Events & Activities
What’s coming soon to the Community Space? Friday 4 September, 9.30 - 10.30am
Pop Up Careers – Working Smarter not Harder Gain insight into the secrets that Recruit-ment Companies use to find vacancies.
Knox Learning Alliance & Peiris Consulting
Monday 7 September, 10.00 - 11.00am
Volunteering & Learning in Knox
Volunteer for Knox & Knox Learning Alliance
Wednesday 9 September, 9.30 - 10.30am Pop up Careers – Monkey See Monkey Do Knox Learning Alliance & Peiris Consulting Understand why the one mould does not fit everyone. Learn about how technology is changing the face of work. Thursday 10 September, 9.30am - 4.30pm
What would you like to learn? – Come and put your thoughts on our wall of ideas
Knox Learning Alliance
Friday 11 September, 9.30am - 4.30pm
Get into softball!
Northvale Softball club
Saturday 12 September, 9.30am - 4.00pm
Get into softball!
Northvale Softball club
Tuesday 15 September, 10.00 - 11.00am
Take great photos with your iPhone with Rebecca
Knox Learning Alliance
Thursday 17 September, 2.00 - 3.00pm
Volunteering & Learning in Knox
Volunteer for Knox & Knox Learning Alliance
Friday 18 September, 7.45 - 8.45am
Customer experience networking Get tips on how to build your customer base, grow your business and improve your service.
Knox Learning Alliance & Peiris Consulting
Friday 18 September, 9.30 - 10.30am
Pop up Careers – Transition to retirement Has redundancy or restructure pushed you out of the workforce too early? Get support in understanding how to use your transferrable skills in alternate industry sectors.
Knox Learning Alliance & Peiris Consulting
Friday 18 September, 11.00am - 12.00pm Which Device is right for you?
Knox Learning Alliance & Eastern Regional Libraries
Monday 21 September, 9.30 - 10.30am
Volunteering & Learning in Knox
Volunteer for Knox & Knox Learning Alliance
Monday 21 September, 1.00 - 2.00pm
Get a focus on learning photography
Knox Learning Alliance
Tuesday 22 September, 9.00am - 4.00pm
Early childhood education and more….
Swinburne Children’s Centre
Wednesday 23 September, 9.00am - 4.00pm Early childhood education and more….
Swinburne Children’s Centre
Thursday 24 September, 9.00am - 4.00pm
Early childhood education and more….
Swinburne Children’s Centre
Friday 25 September, 9.00am - 4.00pm
Find your nearest playgroup
Knox City Council Playgroups
Saturday 26 September, 9.30 - 10.30am
Knox Learning Alliance Pop up Careers – Monkey See Monkey Do & Peiris Consulting Understand why the one mould does not fit everyone. Learn about how technology is changing the face of work.
Tuesday 29 September, 9.30am - 5.00pm
Activities for all ages – ask us what’s on
Knox Leisureworks
Wednesday 30 September, 9.30am - 5.00pm Activities for all ages – ask us what’s on
Knox Leisureworks
The Community Space is located near the Market Place, Level 1, Westfield Knox. Facebook.com.au/CommunitySpaceKnox Limited spaces available. Please book through Coonara Community House 9758 7081 or enquiries@coonarahouse.org.au. FOOTHILLS | 17
Coonara Community House Pathway courses
Computer courses
Try before you buy sessions
Preparing for a career in hospitality Interested in working in a cafe? Dreams of opening your own? Aspirations to appear on My Kitchen Rules? All good reasons to do our Prep for Hospitality course. Saturdays 10.00am – 1.00pm Oct 24th – Dec 12th $70
Computers for the timid Are you new to computers, know a little but would like to know more? This course is for complete beginners and those who are hesitant to try things on their own. Tuesdays and Thursdays 1.45 - 3.45pm Nov 10th - Dec 3rd $70
iPads next step - Tuesday 29th Sept 10am – 12pm at Coonara Computers next step - Thursday 1st Oct 10am - 12pm at Coonara Creative writing for beginners – Monday 20th Sept 10am – 12pm at the Community space Knox city
Computers intermediate – Microsoft office If you’ve completed our beginners course or its equivalent and would like to know more about Word, Excel and file management? Need to brush up on your Microsoft Office skills for return to work or study? This is the short course for you. Tuesdays 9.30am – 12.00pm Oct 20th – Dec 8th (7 weeks – no class Cup weekend) $70
Back to basics Christmas pudding (slow cooker style) Tricia will demonstrate how to make your pud in the slow cooker and whip up brandy sauce in the microwave Monday Nov. 9th 10.00am – 11.30am $5
Professional & creative writing for beginners Always thought that you’d enjoy a career in writing or publishing? Liliane is an inspirational teacher of creative writing skills. Mondays 6.30 – 9.15pm Oct 12th – Dec 14th (7 weeks no classes 2nd 16th, or 23rd Nov) $70 Communication skills managing conflict Whether it’s in the workplace or the home conflict management skills are essential. Thursdays 6.30 – 7.15pm Oct 22nd – Dec 10th (7 weeks no class Nov. 19th) Computer courses iPads beginners Bring your own iPad or borrow ours and learn all the basics. Tuesdays 9.30am – 12.00pm Oct 20th – Dec 8th (7 weeks, no class Cup weekend) $70 Doing more with your iPad Have you mastered the basics with your ipad and would like to learn more? This is the short course for you. Thursdays 9.30am – 12.00pm Oct 29th – Dec 10th (7 weeks) $70
18 | FOOTHILLS
Mobile device photography This is a practical and creative course aimed at improving your photography skills, best suited to those using I devices (iphones and ipads). Topics will include; camera craft, making memorable images, organizing your files, selecting your best shots, post production with apps, image sharing with Instragram and more. Mondays 9.30am – 12.00pm Oct 19th – Dec 7th (7 weeks – no class Cup weekend) $70 Taming your tablet – intermediate skills If you’ve completed our beginners class for androids or have basic skills this course will introduce you to more wonderful things that your tablet can do. Wednesdays 9.30am – 12.00pm Oct 21st – Dec 2nd (7 weeks) $70
Cooking & food courses
Cooking with fresh local food Each week you will plan, budget, cook and eat a delicious lunch from locally sourced, in season ingredients. Learn kitchen skills suitable for home or entry to the workplace or as preparation for an accredited hospitality course. Thursdays Nov 12, 19, 26 and Dec 10 9.30am - 2.00pm $50 Social & community activities Coonara fresh food hub Coonara is a member of the South East Food Hub. Order and pay for your fresh local produce online and collect it from Coonara every Tuesday afternoon. www.southeastfoodhub.org Community Xmas party – Friday 18th Dec 6.30pm – 8.30pm $5 per family Grassroots market Sept 19th 9am – 2pm European wasp eradication in your back yard Coonara bee keeping club workshops will be held in November & December – leave your name with us for more information enquiries@coonarahouse.org.au
22 Willow Rd Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 www.coonarahouse.org.au (03) 9758 7081
Accredited courses Coonara Community House is a Registered Training Organisation approved to deliver training in the following Nationally Recognised Qualifications, in 2015. Diploma Early Childhood Education for those with existing certificate III October 2015 - November 2016. Thursday nights 6:30pm - 9:00pm plus one Saturday per month and some online classes. Cert III Early Childhood Education February 2016 - October 2016 Tuesday night 6:30pm - 9:00pm plus one Saturday per month and some online classes. March 2016 - November 2016 Wednesday day time. Diploma Early Childhood Education February 2016 - June 2017 Tuesday night 6:30pm - 9:00pm plus one Saturday per month and some online classes. March 2016 - July 2017 Wednesday day time. First aid
Pete the Permie
Pete the Permie
Critical care of fruiting trees Why is this month the most critical for watering, what to do to prepare for good fruit & bud set now & for next years fruit set, design swales to reduce your summer watering Sunday 1st November, 10am - 4pm All about Espaliers Selecting the right trees, what shapes to use for which species, creating and maintaining them. Sunday 15th November, 10am - 4pm Cider, perry varieties and other fruit for wine making What varieties & rootstocks to use and how to maintain these, how to layout & grow these trees Sunday 6th December, 10am - 4pm Bring your lunch Cost $95 each Includes a walk around the collection of over 1000 vars, to look at the relevant aspects of that class.
Cider, Perry & Fruit wine making We will look at different methods of making Apple cider and the very popular Perry- Pear cider also apple cider vinegar. What are cider varieties of apple or pear and how can you use what you have at home on your trees. We will also look at ways to turn any kind of your excess fruit into a dessert wine & make a batch. This day will also include tasting cider & home made wines and is strictly for over 18 year-olds. At Telopea Mountain Permaculture Farm, Monbulk Saturday 28th November, 10am - 4pm Please bring lunch Cost $100
Full day courses in Cheese making Learn how these cheeses can be made with cow, goat of sheep’s milk. If you wish to bring your own this will need to be pasteurized on the day. Otherwise all materials are supplied. You will take home your own 3 products with you. We will make and eat Ricotta on the day as well. These courses are held at Telopea Mountain Permaculture Farm, Monbulk. Please bring lunch to share. Cheese making at home level 2 Camembert, Gourmet Fetta, Sour Cream & Ricotta Sunday 29th November, 9am - 4pm Cost $100 Cheese making at home level 1 Feta, Mascarpone & Greek Style Yogurt Saturday 5th December, 9am - 4pm Cost $100
About Coonara We provide social, educational and recreational activities within a welcoming and supportive environment. Coonara Community House offers a large number of qualifications in Children’s Services up to Diploma level, subsidised computer classes, workshops on gardening, cooking and getting ‘back to basics’. We provide pathways to employment and build learner confidence. Other programs include a food garden, a community newspaper and many volunteering opportunities. Please note that in the interests of asthma sufferers, Coonara is a perfume and after-shave free zone. Thank you for your co-operation.
How to enrol Contact us for enrolment details and conditions on refunds and concessions. FOOTHILLS | 19
FRESH F OOD HUB IN U PPER FERNTR EE GULLY
VISIT WWW.OPENFOODNETWORK.ORG.AU TO ORDER Coonara Community House has joined the South East Food Hub to enable local families to access their choose-your-own food box delivery service. Supported by a collective of farmers in Victoria’s southeast, they deliver fresh, locally grown food at an affordable price that’s fair to the consumer and the farmers. The project aims to support the movement away from the industrial food system by strengthening localized, fair food systems. It helps small and medium producers to sell their produce locally, and in turn locals benefit from competitive prices and freshness that is unbelievable.
The South East Food Hub is a social enterprise so any profit is reinvested into building a thriving local food system.
fresh, in-season food that you have purchased. It’s healthier and more sustainable.
Shopping at the food hub avoids the series issues attached to buying fruits and vegetables at major supermarkets where farmers often don’t get the price they want for their produce, the food is kept in cold storage and excessive food miles and food waste occurs.
How it works:
Buying your food from our local food hub also helps you to change your cooking habits. Instead of shopping for food according to a recipe you find yourself researching recipes that combine the
1. Visit: www.openfoodnetwork.org.au (orders open 12pm Tuesday and close 12pm Friday) 2. Select: Coonara Community House 3. Shop: choose your fresh fruit and veg and pay online 4. Collect: every Tuesday afternoon between 2.30 and 5.30pm from Coonara Community House 22 Willow Rd Upper Ferntree Gully.
Ingrid Ward's Books of Verse, Bookmarks & Thoughtcards are now available from Belgrave Book Barn, 1630 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave
20 | FOOTHILLS
Sassy Fox & the Book Exchange Sunny Saturdays are hard to come by at this time of the year, so when one magically appeared after a week of rain, I seized the chance, saddled up the doggies and launched myself into the outside world. I didn’t get far before one of my dogs stepped on a piece of blackberry, so I had to take him back home. A second attempt at ambulation saw me solo, and equipped with a back pack, a book and a laptop. After dropping into the aquarium shop in Tecoma to grab some dog treats [I know, that sounds a bit strange, but they do have dog stuff as well], I went past Sassy Fox. I had noticed that they have set up a book exchange, but I am usually up to my knees in dogs, and not everyone likes having dogs in their shop [not sure why] so I haven’t got around to going in. I’m glad I did on this occasion. I met a lady with a beautiful English accent who laughed when I asked if she was the boss. She referred me to Jo [who is the manager of a co-op of ladies who run the shop]. Her son is a writer and she was very pleased to tell me about his success and his time in Prague [a very proud mum, and why not, with a successful playwright in the family]. I love books [I’d have to be an idiot if I didn’t, being a writer], but it is more visceral for me. I love the smell and the weight of a book, especially a second
hand book. I love imagining who has owned it before me. I get a kick out of finding an inscription. ‘For Michael, on the occasion of his graduation. 1954’. I wonder how Michael got on. Did he live a happy life? How did this book leave his possession? I’ve read about book exchanges, especially in little towns in Canada, but this is only the second one I have come across here in Melbourne. Tecoma is technically in Melbourne, isn’t it? With all the silly behaviour that continues to happen in our little town, it is very pleasing to find an enterprise that shares the love. Hopefully this will help to counteract the negative attention that a few misguided individuals have brought to our sleepy little town. Long may the tiny book exchange flourish. Maybe one day you will find one of my books on the shelf. They are good reading and excellent to prop up a wonky leg of a table.
I love the smell and the weight of a book, especially a second hand book. I love imagining who has owned it before me...
Terry R Barca Contributor to The Foothills araneus1.wordpress.com
FOOTHILLS | 21
The Kayser Factory, UFTG
In 1947 that well known stocking manufacturer, Kayser, set up a temporary factory in Upper Gully Progress Hall. This provided much needed employment opportunities for local girls and young women. The Company purchased land in Rose Street, Upper Ferntree Gully and commenced plans to build a factory on that site. This ‘state of the art’ factory was not completed till early 1950 and by 1954 the Kayser Stocking factory in Rose Street was employing nearly 100 men and women to operate the numerous machines necessary in the manufacture of the high-class Kayser stocking.
In 1955, the company was celebrating 25 years production in Australia. An open-house at the Ferntree Gully factory was held on Thursday April 14th as part of those celebrations. 22 | FOOTHILLS
An article written by Robert Ross appeared in the Ferntree Gully Times in 1954 and describes the facilities at the Rose Street factory, “the factory is well fitted with amenities for all the staff; these include a dining hall and cafeteria, as well as shower and wash rooms, not forgetting the first aid centre.
It is also interesting to note that each room is painted a different colour, thus relieving the staff of colour monotony. An air conditioning plant keeps the air both fresh and at the temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit.” In the same article, Mr Ross describes the manufacturing process. “The nylon yarn used in making nylon stockings is obtained from England and America. This yarn, which is in two gauges, 51 and 60 (the former is used for 15 denier nylons, whilst the later for 12 denier) is used in the knitting magazines. After the knitting process has been completed, the stockings are ready to be seamed (sewn along the back from the top to the toe). This is the final process before each stocking is individually inspected for faults of any kind. The stockings are then packed in bundles and sent to Kayser’s Richmond factory to be dyed and sorted for sale.” In 1953 it was decided to hold a third anniversary Kayser Ball which was very well attended. It was held in Ferntree Gully Shire Hall on Burwood Highway on Friday July 10th. Chosen on the night as the “Belle of the Ball” was Miss Thelma Jackson, who wore a “bouffant gown of white figured organdie , featuring a portrait neckline.” Miss Jacksons’ partner was Mr. John Peacock. The “Matron of the Ball” was Mrs Hughes of Upwey with her husband as per partner, Mr J Hughes. She wore a white lace gown with a black lace stole. Others present on this occasion were Mr and Mrs Reeves, Mr and Mrs Burdon, Mr and Mrs Jones, along with the manager of Kayser Ferntree Gully Mill, Mr
Osborne, and Mrs Osborne, and the personnel manager of the Richmond branch mill, Mr Badger and his wife Mrs Badger. In 1955, the company was celebrating 25 years production in Australia. An open-house at the Ferntree Gully factory was held on Thursday April 14th as part of those celebrations. Guests were welcomed by the managing director of Kayser, Mr D Goodenday. Amongst the dignitaries present on the day were Sir George Knox MLA, Cr Pickett Shire President, Mr Simmons Shire Secretary, Mrs Stevens President of the Upper Gully Progress Association, and Mrs Rosenbrock wife of the secretary of the Progress Association. A grand gesture of the management was the presentation to all one hundred employees at the mill of a pair of stockings! An article in the Mountain District Free Press state that “The Ferntree Gully mill is one of the most modern production units in Australia.” Kayser Pty Ltdf was the Australian subsidiary of Kayser Bonder Ltd of England. In the 1950s the company was the largest hosiery, lingerie and brassiere manufacturer in Europe. In 1955 the weekly production from the company’s nine factories worldwide, including Upper Gully, was 360,000 pairs of stockings, 100,000 lingerie garments, and 75,000 brassieres. Written by Catherine Turnbull for ‘Memories’ – A pictorial and oral history of Upper Ferntree Gully References: Mountain District Free Press 18/11/1949, 14/4/1955 Ferntree Gully Times 16/7/1953 and 11/2/1954
The Grassroots Market is in your neighbourhood Saturday 19th September 2015, 10am - 3pm, Kings Park
www.grassrootsmarket.com.au contact@grassrootsmarket.com.au 9758 7081
FOOTHILLS | 23
Mental wellbeing & the arts Mental Wellbeing is one of the positive outcomes for the ‘Burrinja Arties’ program. As a part of their experience of Creative Arts Therapies’ at Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey, this group of adults of all abilities have overcome many obstacles that life and circumstances have given them. Their ages range from twenties to the seventies and they travel to Burrinja by bus for a weekly arts program during school terms. ‘The Arties get so much out of special programs like this, it is wonderful to experience’. Dr. Ross Farnell Executive Director, Burrinja
‘The Arties get so much out of special programs like this, it is wonderful to experience’. ~ Dr. Ross Farnell, Executive Director, Burrinja
THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND THE ARTS AND MENTAL WELLBEING I am Lynette Forrest, an experienced Professional Creative Arts Therapist; I have designed and facilitated the Planned Activity Group program at Burrinja for the past nine years. The group are known affectionately as the Burrinja Arties. Many of the participants have first-hand experience of mental health issues, ranging from depression and anxiety, through schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and so on, yet they leave each session with smiles on their faces and a sense of peace, wellbeing and achievement. I see from each of their individual demeanours and expressions how much they have improved during a session. And when they return next time, with a little of that spark, I can see that it has been a lasting change and the next session builds on that base. In photo 1. One of the Arties told us how much he likes the dance/ movement sessions we have had this year. In his words: ‘I can shake and move out all that shit I have in my head.’ In photo 2. This man has limited verbal and cognitive abilities, but performing his art work, he held the whole group spell bound. The smile on his face and the change in the way he carried himself after the performance was amazing. He has set it as one of his goals to play the keyboard again at the Arties opening of their annual art exhibition in November. Other musical outcomes include another program participant who could play the harp with her stroke affected hand, while others who have lost speech can sing. All these amazing happenings with music and the arts enhance a person’s self esteem and mental well-being. 24 | FOOTHILLS
In Photo 3. The Arties are viewing the first edit of a video being made for and about the group. The intergenerational help and use of technology boosts their sense of self and worthiness, that people chose to spend their time with the Arties, valuing and recording their creative arts journey. Through the circumstances of their lives this group of people often experience limited opportunities to express and celebrate their individuality, many referring to themselves by their mental health diagnoses. In this program volunteers are there to fully participate and lend a hand when asked by anyone they are working alongside. We are all of us The Arties, whether volunteer, or participant. An example of the efficacy of this approach was when a volunteer was asked openly by one of the participants how long she had suffered with schizophrenia. He asked this ‘because that was what the group was for and why we were all here making art together’.
THE VALUE OF BURRINJA IN THIS RESPECT FOR OUR COMMUNITY The Arties Group is managed by Burrinja and funded by Burrinja and the Department of Health and Human Services, and has for a decade been a living example of Burrinja’s mission statement Building Community Through Arts. The Burrinja Arties are a community developing mental wellbeing because of the value and healing power of the creative arts. Music, dance, photography, drama, narrative, painting and construction all give the participants an avenue to express themselves, find meaning and add value to their lives. The community of the volunteers and staff at Burrinja hold the values of community building and the arts as their core. From the moment The Arties are picked up on a Friday morning by their volunteer driver, arrive and converse with the front of house volunteers and staff, they are treated with respect and individuality. The program encourages participant’s abilities and supports them to challenge themselves and take positive risks by trying new activities, learning with artist mentors and exhibiting and selling their work in professional art galleries. The positive impact of music and the arts on mental wellbeing is most definitely illustrated by the success of the Burrinja Planned Activity Group, ‘The Arties’. The group is open to talking with artists who would like to join the group and mentor Arties in developing new art skills for the preparation of art for Arties exhibition A Whisper and Flutter, opening late November upstairs in the Jarmbi Gallery. For more information contact Burrinja.
Lynette Forrest Contributor to The Foothills Magazine
Photo 1. Movement and dance at the Butterfly Ball. The Arties and friends in action.
Photo 2. One of the Arties, playing his art work. This was his first experience of playing a keyboard.
Photo 3. Seeing a film being created for the group.
Photographs by Lynette Forrest FOOTHILLS | 25
RETAILERS TRAINING TO BE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY Local business owner Suzanne McLoughlin is passionate about creating dementia friendly communities. Ms McLoughlin, Director of Home Instead Senior Care Outer East and Chairperson for Eastern Dementia Network, is implementing a free training program for all retailers in Melbourne’s Outer East to assist business owners and their staff to understand dementia and how to communicate effectively with people who have dementia. According to Ms McLoughlin, “The best place for a person with memory loss is in familiar surroundings – this includes interacting with local community organisations. Therefore organisations can make a significant difference by becoming Dementia Friendly.” Statistically one person is diagnosed with dementia every 6 minutes in Australia. Seventy percent of those diagnosed live in the community and forty-eight percent have difficulty communicating with retail staff and service providers. Ms McLoughlin went on to say, “We 26 | FOOTHILLS
train and educate staff to recognise and understand dementia and how to communicate effectively with people who have dementia. Creating dementia friendly organisations is just one small way we hope to make a big difference to the lives of people with dementia.”
“We train and educate staff to recognise and understand dementia and how to communicate effectively with people who have dementia...” The training sessions run for approximately thirty minutes and participants will learn how to better understand dementia, identify a customer who may have dementia, communicate with someone with dementia, support customers in their service experience, improve customer service and customer experience and maintain a dementia friendly environment.
Suzanne McLoughlin is the Owner and Director of Home Instead Senior Care Outer East. Since 2011 Suzanne has been committed to providing exceptional client focused non-medical care to seniors in the Outer East community so that they may maintain their independence through a variety of services. Her company motto is - “To us, it’s personal”. Suzanne has over 30 years experience in the Home Care Sector, both as a nurse working with the Royal District Nursing Service and as an Executive Manager in a large national case management organisation. She is passionate about educating the wider community about Dementia and is a Chairperson for the Eastern Dementia Network and the Outer East Aged Care Network.
Suzanne McLoughlin Director of Home Instead Senior Care Outer East & Chairperson for Eastern Dementia Network
SUPPORTING SENIORS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia, affecting a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory, behaviour, emotions and ability to perform everyday tasks. As confronting as this disease can be, people with dementia can still live well with the right care and support. Here are our top tips on how families can help their loved ones with dementia live better, both physically and psychologically.
PRESERVE INDEPENDENCE AND PRIVACY Help your loved one to do as much for themselves as possible. It is important that wherever possible you are assisting them instead of doing everything for them. Supporting them in this way will preserve their privacy, independence and sense of self as best you can, for as long as possible.
ENCOURAGE INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION As dementia progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for people with dementia to communicate. This results in a lack of confidence and social isolation. As language becomes challenging, encourage them to communicate visually with body language, gestures, writing or drawing. Be positive, speak clearly and calmly and allow them plenty of time to think and respond. Remember to pay attention to what they are trying to communicate and give them plenty of encouragement.
HELP THEM TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR APPEARANCE Self-confidence takes regular knocks with dementia, so it is important to find ways to give your loved one a
confidence boost wherever you can. Compliment them on their looks and encourage them to be proud of their appearance. It is common for people with dementia to make odd clothing choice i.e. wearing mismatched clothes, a coat during summer or a hat in bed. Try to help them make more suitable choices, however as long as it does no harm, it is better to accept their choices and promote independence than to create confrontation and insecurity. Home Instead Senior Care Outer East provides specialist support for people with dementia and their families. Our services are available 24/7, even on public holidays, to support seniors to live safely and independently at home. For more information call 9754 4861 or visit www.zee.homeinstead. com.au/outereast
FOOTHILLS | 27
BACK TO BASICS Planning your meals around the availability of fresh produce, either home grown or sourced locally, is a way of life that seems to have been lost in the modern world of large supermarkets with produce from all around the world available all the time. However it is events such as the frozen berries food poisoning that occasionally get us to rethink the
food we are providing for our families. Starting your meal planning around what is currently in season is the healthy way to eat. Instead of finding a recipe you like the look of and setting off to buy the ingredients at the supermarket just because you can why not reverse the process and search for recipes that make use of fresh, seasonal produce.
CHICKEN, FENNEL AND LEEK RISOTTO 1/4 cup olive oil 2 crushed garlic cloves 2 leeks, sliced thinly (substitute brown onions if leek is not seasonal) 1 fennel bulb, sliced thinly 1 1/2 cups arborio risotto rice 3 cups chicken stock 600gm chicken tenderloins, cubed 1 lemon 1/2 - 1 cup grated parmesan (adjust to taste and fat tolerance) Salt and pepper Using large frying pan or wok, cook chicken pieces in some olive oil and set aside. Add remaining olive oil and cook leek, fennel and garlic till soft. Add rice and stir to cook for approximately 1 minute. Add stock and reduce heat to simmer for about 15 to minutes till rice cooked to your taste. Add chicken and lemon rind (grated or in thin strips) and 3/4 of parmesan. Serve with additional parmesan and parsley to taste.
28 | FOOTHILLS
Members of the South East Food Hub (www.southeastfoodhub.org) are experiencing the pleasure and the health benefits of doing this. It encourages you to try new foods and recipes as well as ensuring that you are eating fresh and avoiding adding to â&#x20AC;&#x153;food milesâ&#x20AC;?. Here are a few recipes for Spring produce available in Melbourne.
Ferntree Gully and Rowville Community Bank® Branches
BROCCOLI, SILVER BEET AND POTATO SOUP Add spinach. Simmer for 1 minute or until just wilted. Set aside to cool.
Olive oil spray
1 tablespoon basil pesto
1 brown onion, finely chopped
Fresh basil sprigs, to serve
2 garlic cloves, crushed
Crusty bread slices, to serve
4 cups vegetable stock
Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Spray with oil. Add onion and stir for 5 minutes or until soft.
400g potatoes, peeled, coarsely chopped 450g broccoli, cut into florets 75g baby spinach leaves or silver beet or chard 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (if not available leave out as the pesto added after cooking gives you the basil)
Add basil leaves. Blend one-third of mixture in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a clean saucepan. Repeat twice with remaining mixture.
Add garlic and stir for 1 minute or until aromatic.
Cook soup over medium heat for 2 minutes or until heated through.
Add stock and potato. Bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine sour cream and pesto in a bowl.
Add broccoli and simmer for 6-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Divide soup among bowls. Top with pesto cream and basil sprigs. Serve with bread.
90g (1/3 cup) light sour cream
We are open extended hours and with a wide variety of experienced Male and Female GPs can usually offer ‘on the day’ appointments.
Our highly experienced GPs offer a complete range of Family Care and Urgent Care including: Baby and Child care Occupational Health Preventative Health Family planning
Men’s and Women’s health Skin Cancer Clinics Travel and Sports medicine Minor surgery
To arrange an appointment please call:
9780 8900 Suite 1, 1101 Wellington Rd, Rowville
All your health care needs can be managed in a single location with a large variety of Allied Health providers on site including: Audiology, Dietetics, Diabetes Educator, Podiatry, Massage Therapy, Psychology, Speech pathology and Occupational Therapy as well as Medical Specialists that consult from our premises on a sessional basis.
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CARE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH An enthusiastic group from the Coonara Community gave up their time to undertake a Level II First Aid Certificate on Saturday, July 25 in the Coonara House Long Room. The group of twelve came from varied backgrounds with as many underlying reasons for wanting to do the course, ranging from new grandchildren to work requirements in childcare and Community House class leader, and one obtaining a crane driver’s licence. One common theme underscoring every response was the desire to be better able to respond to emergency medical situations in the community. The course, conducted by professional training company South Eastern First Aid, was conducted in two parts. Prior to the practical assessment on Saturday, we were required to complete a theory test of 93 multiple-choice questions, with answers sourced from a 275 page first aid booklet. Trainers Brett and Nadine, both qualified Ambulance Paramedics and enthusiastic about their lifesaving work, took us through a range of first aid situations covering broken limbs, burns and bites, internal and external bleeding, heart attacks and stroke. As a compulsory part of the practical assessment we were required to show that we were proficient in administering CPR on CPR dummies ranging in size from infant to adult. A skill once learned, you hope you never have occasion to use. EpiPens for Anaphylaxis, puffers for asthmatics, ethical and confidential treatment of patients, and seeking appropriate support for mental health issues were 30 | FOOTHILLS
all dealt with as significant medical issues in today’s community. Brett took us through a series of real life scenarios from his own experience, including an instance of treating a large, now blue faced gentleman chocking on something stuck in his throat. What emerged after Brett applied the required hits to the back was a large piece of steak, eliciting the response from the patient “I guess I should have cut that smaller.” Trying to bring the group into the scenario playing, Brett asked for an incident someone had been involved in that could be used as an example. It was at this point that I appreciated the error I had made in asking my wife, Paula, to join me on the course. She happily disclosed to the group that I had more than once fallen out of trees, landing on my back. After the laughter and undeserved ridicule had died down, Brett was able to take us through the appropriate first aid for this and other typical household injuries. The 6 hours we spent on the program was quite intense, however both Nadine and Brett managed to lighten the experience with humor and were very gentle with us in ensuring that we understood the important messages to be learned. It’s a big thanks to Leanne and the others at Coonara House for helping us to help others in the community, and we encourage others to take the same course.
Denis Cody Contributor to The Foothills
He fell from the tree onto his back.
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Looking for volunteers? Look no further. Volunteer for Knox has a long list of volunteers looking for placements.
Contact us today
0429 968 822 | www.volunteerforknox.com.au
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