Upper Ross Community Centre1143 Riverway Drive, Rasmussen, 4815Ph: 4774 0144 Fax: 4774 0909Email: communitycentre@urcc.org.au

A division of NQ Community Services

Volume 7, Issue 1 February/March 2012

CONTENTS

Ÿ Communty Garden Update

Ÿ No Interest Loans

Ÿ Social Activities at the Centre

Ÿ Tuesday Playgroup

Ÿ Free Legal Advice

Ÿ First Aid Courses

Ÿ Free Computer & Internet Training

Ÿ E-Bulletin delivered to your inbox

Ÿ Community Volunteers Needed

Ÿ 2012 Open Day

Bits ‘n Pieces

NEW FITNESS PROGRAM FOR 2012

A FREE Community Newsletter for the Upper Ross

Want to get fit?Want to lose weight?

Want to have some fun?Want to try something new?

The Upper Ross Community Centre has fun fitness options that are sure to tick all the boxes!!!For more information call us on 4774 0144

Introduction to Yoga - 4 wk programThursday 16 February - 9.30 - 10.30amCost: $10 per classBookings Essential

Introduction to Tai Chi - 6 wk programThursday 23 February - 6.30 - 7.30pmCost: $10 per class - discounts availableBookings Essential

ZumbaWednesday 8 February - 5.30 - 6.30pmCost: $10 per class - Just turn up

Riverway Walking GroupTuesday & Thursday 5pmCost: FreeMeet at Riverway Carpark near river

TUESDAY PLAYGROUP IS FUN FOR ALL

FREE LEGAL ADVICENot sure where to turn?

Not sure what to do?Need some legal advice but don't know who to see?

FREE legal advice appointments are available at the Upper Ross Community Centre every Tuesday afternoon. You will have the opportunity to d iscuss your i s s u e s w i t h a qualified lawyer from a local Townsville legal firm who will be able to advise what your best options will be. Bookings are e s s e n t i a l a n d appointments limited so phone us now on 4774 0144.

475504042

A fully supported playgroup operates at the Upper Ross Community Centre every Tuesday between 9.30am and 11am. This is a chance for mums, dads, grandparents or carers to spend some quality time with their children while also enjoying the opportunity to socialise with other adults.

A fully qualified childcare professional will support you to interact with your

children and build those all-important bonds as well as learning some great playtime strategies to make your “together time” even more fun.

Bring morning tea, drinks, sun hats and a piece of fruit for your child’s snack. Cost is only $3 per family.

SOCIAL GROUPS & ACTIVITIESCRAFTMondays from 9.30am

CARDSThursdays from 9am

TIME OUTTuesdays from 9.30am

MUSICAL MOMENTSFirst Wednesday of the Month from 9.30am

Love your craft?Looking to make new friends?Love to have a chat?Enjoy sharing ideas?Want to learn new skills?Then our Monday morning Craft Group is just what you want. Why sit at home alone quilting, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking or whatever craft you enjoy? Come along and join other craft-lovers, pick up and share tips, ideas and friendship. Every Monday between 9.30am and 11am

Enjoy a good game of cards?Want to make new friends?Looking for something different to do on a Thursday morning?Come along and join our social cards group every Thursday between 9am and Noon.

Lonely? Bored? Nothing to do? Feeling isolated? Need new friends?Try Time Out - a friendly, social morning for men and women who just want to get out of the house and enjoy a cuppa and a chat. Everyone Welcome!!

Join Dave South and his band of merry muso’s for a good ol’Aussie sing-a-long. We supply the music, song books and morning tea and you supply the lungs and the laughter. A fun morning suitable for everyone - You won’t know what you are missing until you try it!!

ONE DAY WONDERSMonthly - Dates to be advisedGet out of the house and out of town. A day trip to places of interest for those 50+ to relax, explore and enjoy the company of others.

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SERVICEDELIVERY ADVISOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE

Hello

Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who needs help, support, advice or assistance with health care, housing, employment, education, child care, legal advice, income support, counselling or something else?

Frank Shepherd from Relationships Australia can assist by directing you to the appropriate services.

Frank will be at the Upper Ross Community Centre each Thursday from 9.00am to 3.00m to listen to you and assist with identifying services that may help your situation.

Feel free to drop in on the day or contact Frank on 0457 704 067

BITS ‘n PIECES TO YOUR INBOXDon’t miss out on getting your copy of Bits ‘n Pieces. Enjoy reading it in full colour and also get a handy free calendar that tells you what is happening at the Centre that month as well as updates on new programs and activities.

How? Simply drop us a s h o r t e m a i l t o

and ask to be put on the newsletter mailing list.

communitycentre@urcc.org.au

UPPER ROSS MECHANICAL

Unit 2, 1231 Riverway DriveRasmussen

Repairs and Tyres(Next to BP Servo)

Guaranteed Mechanical & Auto Electrical Repairs to all vehiclesBy highly qualified technicians

Ph: 4789 1299Fax: 4774 0980

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!What is the Community Visitors Scheme?

Who will I visit?

What will it achieve?

Part of the Commonwealth Government's initiatives to enhance the rights of older people living in residential aged care facilities. A community visitor befriends a resident of a nursing homes who may be lonely and not regularly receiving visitors.

Every effort will be made to ensure that you get as much out of befriending someone as they will get out of your visits. We will try to find you someone to visit who has similar interests.

Ø Improve the quality of life of residents in nursing homes

Ø Assist residents to maintain their independence

Ø Enhance residents social contactsØ Minimise residents isolation from the general

community in which they previously resided.

Think you could be interested? Phone Tina on 4774 0144 for more information.

FIRST AID COURSEYou just can’t afford NOT to have a First Aid Certificate these days. This one day course will provide you with all the skills necessary to perhaps save a life - maybe a family member or friend.

Renew your CPR certificate for only $50 or take the full course for $100.

The first course for 2012 is being held at the Upper Ross Community Centre on Saturday 25th February from 8am.

Places are strictly limited so book now by calling the office on 4774 0144

IT’S CYCLONE SEASON!For most of us the cyclone season between 1st November and 30th April is something we have lived with for years and we prepare accordingly but there are always new residents for whom this will be there first cyclone season. Whilst we hope that it will be an “uneventful” season we also need to ensure that we are prepared for the worst. By this time of they year you should have; Ÿ Prepared an emergency kitŸ Prepared the outside of your home and gardenŸ Developed an evacuation planŸ Identified the

strongest part of your house

Ÿ Ensure you understand the warning system

To learn more about being prepared for a cyclone visit; http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/cyclone.asp

HANDY HARDWARE&

ELECTRICAL

Try us first

For all your maintenance needs in the Upper Ross

Cnr Gollogoly Lane & Riverway Drive, Condon

Bike Tyres and TubesHand Tools

Household KeysWelding Supplies

PHONE: (07) 4773 2428

OPEN SEVEN DAYS

OPEN DAY 2012“Many Cultures - One Community”

With a multicultural theme this year’s Upper Ross Community Centre Open Day is going to be bigger and better than ever. Save the date - Saturday 12th May, 10am to 2pm, because you don’t want to miss out.

A fun day of children’s rides and activities, multicultural food, market stalls, arts and crafts, community services expo, entertainment, displays, workshops and much more, this is a great way to celebrate the many different cultures that make the community we live in such a great place.

This multicultural extravaganza will have something for everyone.

We are currently looking for community members and cultural groups interested in being involved. Dancers, singers, artists, craftspeople, cooks a n d m a r k e t s t a l l holders. We still have some spots available if you would like to be part of the day.

If you or your group are interested then call Cathy on 4774 0144 to discuss how you can be part of the community open day.

WANT TO BE INVOLVED?

KELSO VETERINARY CLINIC3 Inglong Street, Kelso

Dr Jennie Showers BVSc & AssociatesDr Paula Hastie BSC BVMSDr Debbie Clark BSC BVMS

Dr Katrina Moon BVSc

Providing Personalised Veterinary Servicesto the Upper Ross Community since 2002

Clipping and Grooming available

PHONE: 4774 0433

DO COMPUTERS & THE INTERNET CONFUSE YOU?

Want to join the IT Superhighway but need some “driving lessons”?Want to “get connected” but don’t know how?

The Upper Ross Community Centre offer local residents a number of opportunties to both learn and access computers and the internet.

1st & 2nd Tuesday of the month

A series of free introductory workshops covering topics such as:Ÿ Personal ComputersŸ InternetŸ EmailŸ Word Processing

These workshops are ideal if you are new to the world of computers and the internet and will open up a whole new world that you never knew existed.

Are you aged 50+?Want to learn about computers and the internet?Need access to a computer or the internet?

We offer FREE one-on-one support to residents aged over 50 who are interested in learning at their own pace. Ideal if you have recently purchased your first computer and not sure where to begin.FREE access to modern, internet ready computers is also available to those who do not have their own equipment

Basic Computers

Seniors Kiosk

THE COMMUNITY GARDEN NEEDS YOU!!Did you know that there is a community garden located at the rear of the Upper Ross Community Centre? This garden is a free community resource for local residents who would like to become involved. There are many benefits for you and your family.

Ÿ Share in the harvest and reduce your grocery bill

Ÿ Afford to eat more fresh fruit and vegies

Ÿ Make new friendsŸ Increase family relationships by undertaking an activity togetherŸ Improve your health and wellbeing through physcial & social activity

The garden is a place for ANYONE, for instance:Ÿ A place for multicultural groups & individuals to grow culturally

appropriate fruit and vegetables Ÿ Families and individuals who are not able to start a garden at homeŸ Anyone who wants to learn more about growing fresh fruit and vegiesŸ People looking to make new friendsŸ Those just wanting to get out of the house and try something new

You can spend as little as an hour a week or you can come every day. There is always something to do and the harvest is shared between those

who have attended and distributed based on the percentage of time given.

Come anytime but we want to coordinate group times so the garden is a place for socialising. Call Cathy on 4774 0144 for times

Benefits

Who can be involved?

How much time do I need to give?

When can I come along?

CONCRETERSYour We are

...

0407 654 951Ross

MIDWIFE CLINICThe community midwives from Townsville General Hospital visit the Upper Ross Community Centre every Thursday to provide an antenatal service for

local residents.

Forget having to travel into Kirwan, fight for a parking space and then sit in a crowded waiting room. The clinics are held in “The Hut” which is located in the grounds of the community centre.

Prefer to make an appointment? Phone Penny on 0457925745.

CHILD HEALTH CLINICA newborn and family drop-in service operates from 9am every Thursday in “The Hut”at the Upper Ross Community Centre.

Qualified community health nurses are on hand to answer your questions, offer support and provide advice in areas such as;Ÿ new baby health checksŸ breastfeedingŸ new mum’s supportŸ health promotion informationŸ playgroup access

No appointments needed.

CHEAP 2ND HAND BOOKS NOW ON SALE AT THE UPPER

ROSS COMMUNITY

CENTRE. PRICES FROM

50c

“ Specialising in the Upper Ross”

9 Connemara Course, Kelsowww.rossriver.com.au

MORNING TEA & MELODIESHead along to the Upper Ross Community Centre on the first Wednesday of each month and join the fun as Dave South and his fellow muso’s entertain you at Musical Moments.

Sing your heart out, stomp your feet, clap your hands, even get up and dance if the mood takes you - whatever you decide its going to be fun.

We provide music books so you don’t even have to remember the lyrics and we also throw in morning tea. What’s more its FREE if you bring a plate otherwise its just $5!!!

Come alone or bring your friends - just don’t miss out. The fun kicks off at 9.30am and we promise to have you home in time for lunch.

NO INTEREST LOAN SCHEME AVAILABLEWhat is the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)?

Who can use the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)?

What does the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) offer?

NILS offers small loans free of interest and charges to individuals and families on low and limited incomes. Loans are generally for the purchase of essential household items such as fridges or washing machines, and are paid off in affordable amounts, usually over a 12 - 18 month period.

NILS is for people on low incomes who have a Centrelink Concession Card.

· Loans of up to $1200 (loan availability is limited)

· Manageable repayments to approved applicants

· Respectful assessment processFor more information on the NILS program offered through the Upper Ross Community Centre phone Tina on 4774 0144

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR COPY OF BITS ‘n PIECESDon’t have the internet or a computer at home? You can still grab a copy of the Bits ‘n Pieces newsletter every two months at select business outlets throughout the Upper Ross. Look out for the Bits ‘n Pieces newsletter holders at the following places;

*IGA Rasmussen *Gumvale Mini Mart*Riverway Chemist *Kelso Fish Shop*Upper Ross Medical Centre *Carlyle Gardens*McDonalds Rasmussen *BP Rasmussen

and of course you can always call into the Upper Ross Community Centre and say hello while picking up a copy!!