Edition Number 92 June / July 2010

INNISFAIL & DISTRICT Community Information Newsletter

Produced by the

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE 13-17 Donald Street, P O Box 886, Innisfail 4860

Phone: 40438400 Fax: 4061 7312 Freecall: 1800 616 001 Email: info@csci.org.au

The Community Support Centre is funded primarily by the Department of Communities

WEB PAGE www.csci.org.au

DISCLAIMER ALL ARTICLES IN THIS MAGAZINE ARE PRINTED IN GOOD FAITH FOR THE

COMMUNITY AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INNISFAIL

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE INC THE CENTRE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY

FOR THESE ARTICLES

Contents Page 2 Editorial etc Page 3 Celebrations, Quotes Page 4 The Storyteller—Annie Wonga Page 5 Legal Advice, Centrelink Online Page 6 Salsa & meringue Dancing Class, Italian Cooking Page 7 Living with memory loss Page 8 The Amazing Cucumber Page 9 Some food for thought Page 10 Recipes

Community Support Centre Innisfail Inc Volunteers celebrating National Volunteers Week 2010

Water There are many reasons why water is good for you. Water plays an important role in our lives, accounting for between 60-70% of our total body mass. Water is essential for maintaining many of the body’s functions and activities, including food assimilation and digestion, excretion, cellular reaction and body

temperature regulation.

If we need eight glasses of water every day, when

is the best time to drink?

• In the morning. Before doing anything else,

drinking one to two glasses of water just after you wake up, can help stimulate peristalsis, lower blood concentration and boost blood circulation.

• Before a meal. Drink a glass of water 30

minutes before meal can help preparing the digestive system to better absorb nutrients.

• After a meal. It is NOT advisable to drink lots

of water during or within half an hour after a meal because it can affect digestion.

• In the afternoon. About 2:00 -3:00 o’clock in

the afternoon, drink 2 cups of water to refresh the body and the mind

• One hour before sleep. The body consumes

water while we are asleep, making us feel thirsty and dehydrated in the morning. Drink some water an hour before you sleep can help replenish any water loss during the night.

Editorial

I have a feeling the colder weather is fast approaching. I had to find my slippers to keep by feet warm. My mother always said “Keep your feet warm and your head cool”. It’s funny how certain things in your life trigger memories. Anyway, here we are again with our little magazine. Hope you enjoy the recipes. I don’t think I’ve done chutneys before. I am always grateful that I live in a place like Innisfail. We still have the small town touch where people care about one another (that is so often lost in a big city). I was trying to turn onto the highway with a large stream of approaching traffic, when a bus driver slowed down so I could turn onto the highway too. It really makes you feel good when people care for one another. Here we are in June and heading towards — dare I say it — Christmas! Here’s hoping everyone is keeping well and happy in our little town. Gwen

FRIENDSHIP

Oh! The comfort, the inexpressible comfort

Of feeling safe with a person

Having neither to weigh thoughts or words Just pouring them all out

Just as they are! Chaff and grain together

Certain that a faithful hand

Will take them and sift them Keep what is worth keeping

And, with the breath of kindness Blow the rest away

Talkabout June/July 2

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Community Support Centre Innisfail is pleased to announce that

the following updated publications are now available for sale

from the Centre ($10.00 ea)

2010 Welfare Services Directory

2010 Directory of Cultural, Service and Sporting clubs

The Directories may also be downloaded free of charge from

www.csci.org.au

Talkabout June/July 3

Monday, 17th May was our staff and volunteer lunch in recognition of Volunteer Week celebrated nationally 10-16th May 2010. The theme year was “Volunteering: Now, More Than Ever” which is an indication of the importance and relevance of volunteering to all of Australia. The Community Support Centre Innisfail (CSCI) has a volunteer base of nearly 20 and almost all wear multiple hats and contribute to the Cassowary Coast region in a wide capacity. To acknowledge volunteer contribution to CSCI, a special function was held at the Flying Fish Point Seaside Cafe where we were treated to a 2 course meal and hot drinks afterwards. Although the weather was wet, our spirits weren’t dampened as the Cafe provided a great venue for staff to emphasise the value of our volunteers and to let them know how vital they are, not only to CSCI, but to the wider region as well.

To the volunteers at the Community Support Centre Innisfail, “Thanks for the hand!”

Community Centres Month was also celebrated in May and the Community Support Centre Innisfail hosted an Open Afternoon on Thursday, 27th May 2010. This was a time to recognise and promote the positive impact of both paid and voluntary staff, and the services we provide, to the Cassowary Coast community. Approximately 40 people attended the afternoon event, which was also covered by the Innisfail Advocate. A unique feature of the event was a power point presentation featuring the CSCI’s volunteers that was enjoyed by all. As volunteering adds to CSCI’s status in becoming a lead agency in the

community, it was important to staff to emphasise their impact upon our service delivery. Our President, Jacqui Szafran, cut the cake and our Manager, Julie French, shared an insight into the significance of community centres, all the staff, and the services to the social health of the wider community. Congratulations CSCI for such a fantastic contribution!

QUOTES

1. Taking responsibility is not a spectator sport. 2. Look around you. Are you soaring with eagles or gobbling with turkeys? 3. Life was never meant to be perfect, it was meant to be lived. 4. Walls keep more things in than they keep out. 5. Passion creates energy. Energy creates passion. 6. What may appear as a life ending experience today, may appear as a life making event

tomorrow.

Talkabout June/July 4

The Storyteller - Annie Wonga by Georgina Ambrum

“In our custom there is always a storyteller who addresses the family members by their totem names. The storyteller is usually a woman, and passes on the ancestral creation stories; and stories of instruction to help the younger family members survive. In our family, the storytelling was passed down to my Auntie Nellie and then passed on to me. My brothers Fred, Jack and Jimmy, and my sister Nancy and I, have not had any children of our own, so for those interested in our stories, I hand over the role to all of you, so that you may have an unbroken connection to our family and the land as you go forward in life and add your own stories...” Some time in late October 2008, each of my children came home from school with a booklet published by the Wonga

Friends’ Committee. The presentation of this booklet was Annie’s gift to all school children, a reminder for years to come of the rich history of Babinda that many did not know. What a treat for me, then, to read with child-like enthusiasm the stories of Annie’s family and what a sensation it was, to grow in appreciation of the sacred beauty of this place that approximately 1200 people call home. While sitting with Annie in the Babinda Information Centre where she volunteers every Tuesday, she informs me that this was actually the old police station. As her mother was a cleaner at the station, Annie and her siblings got to know the Sergeant who used to keep a white cockatoo on a railing near the front entrance. One day he told them not to go near the cockatoo because he would bite, but curiosity got the better of Annie’s second youngest brother, Jack. He stuck his finger out and the cockatoo bit him hard. Annie smiled with nostalgia as she shared her stories of her childhood. We sit and talk about Ernie Dingo visiting Babinda next week, and I can’t help but wonder what she thinks as she sits between two worlds—one of an ancient time, a time of creation and connection that her stories breathe life into; the other of our contemporary time, a time of individualism and struggle that evoke a want for more. It becomes evident as we talk, however, that Annie herself is the link between the two. As she directs a Victorian visitor to the Babinda Creek camping grounds, I catch a glimpse of the Storyteller, the one entrusted with this role to share her family stories. I see Murrai, guiding a visiting soul as to where he can rest while journeying through the land. Annie’s stories tie us all to the land—when read with the heart your soul can’t help but fall in love with what you learn. By accepting the honour she has offered to each of us to share our own story and learn of others, we can build a sense of ownership within our communities. For many today, Babinda will occupy a special place in their hearts because Annie shared her sacred love with this land. This, too, can be true for our children as we embrace and join Annie in her invitation to become storytellers.

“You have a story to tell because you are here...so enjoy exploring your story and the stories of others as we may lay down the tapestry of who we are and who we are becoming, as Australians and humans together.” [quotes extracted from “Bunna Binda” Babinda Stories (2008) by Murrai—Annie Wonga

Talkabout June/July 5

THINKING OF GIVING MONEY TO A FAMILY MEMBER TO

CREATE A GRANNY FLAT AT THEIR PROPERTY? Case Study Example:

Jan wanted to live with her daughter Linda. Jan and Linda agreed that Jan should pay for

modifications to Linda’s property to make it comfortable for Jan to live there. The

agreement was not in writing. Jan put all of her money into building a granny flat on

Linda’s property.

After moving into the granny flat, Jan found that she and Linda could not get along and

disagreements became a problem. Now Linda has told Jan to leave.

When money is paid by one person living in another person’s house for renovations, building a granny flat, or upkeep, there may be a creation of a legal ‘interest’ in the property. When things go wrong, this sort of interest can be very difficult to prove. If it can be proven, this interest can sometimes mean that the person who has paid the money will be entitled to a share of the property. For Jan, establishing her interest would be simple if she had her name on the title of the property. This is easy to do if there is agreement from the person who is already the registered owner. However, now that disagreements have started, Linda is not likely to agree to register Jan as an owner. Because Jan is not a registered owner, she will now need to see a lawyer and she may need to take costly legal action to prove that she has an unregistered interest.

For further advice or support about similar matters which may concern you, call the Seniors Legal and Support Service on 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931.

Acknowledgement: Article provided courtesy of Caxton Legal Centre Inc.

Centrelink online Centrelink is a federal government agency that assists people to become self-sufficient and supports those in need.

Did you know that many of Centrelink’s services can now be done online? Centrelink’s online services offer a quick and convenient way to report, update or simply view personal details without having to visit a Customer Service Centre or speak to a Customer Service Adviser over the phone. For those customers who don’t have ready access to the internet from home or the workplace, there are self service computers in every Centrelink Customer Service Centre that they can use. This will save queuing to see a Customer Service Adviser. Online services are available to all Centrelink customers, current and new, and cover all payment types including Family Tax Benefit, Abstudy and Youth Allowance Payments. When you choose online services, you have more control over when you do Centrelink business.

www.centrelink.gov.au

Talkabout June/July 6

Salsa and Merengue

Dancing Class

Come and join our fun Salsa and

Merengue class with Helen Belbin at

The Community Support Centre

Please enrol by Thursday 17th June by contacting either

Natasha or Federica on

40 438 400.

Morning tea will be provided!

Where: Community Support Centre Innisfail Inc. 13-17 Donald Street, Innisfail (orange building)

When: 21/06/2010

Time: 10 am — 12 noon

Cost: $5.00 per

person

Community Support Centre Innisfail Inc. Is primarily funded by the Department of Communities

Italian Cooking: Learn How to make Crostoli

Would you like to learn how to make

crostoli? Then please join us at the

Community Support Centre

for our monthly

Recreation Day.

When: Monday, 12th July

Time: 9.30am to 12 noon

Where: Community Support

Centre, 13-17 Donald Street

Innisfail

(orange building)

Cost: $5 per person

What is Crostoli you ask? Ribbons of deep fried dough dusted with icing sugar were first associated with Carnevale, the celebration held before Lent– the 40 day period of fasting Catholics observe at Easter. The good thing about eating crostoli at any other time is that, unlike before Lent, you don’t have to give up anything to enjoy them.

Enrolments are essential. Please phone Natasha or Federica on 40438400

before Monday 5th July to book your place.

Talkabout June/July 7

Expressions of interest are being taken from members of the Italian Community

for Alzheimer’s Australia (Qld)

FREE Living with Memory Loss Program 21, 22 & 23 June

Living with Memory Loss programs are designed for people living with early stage dementia and their family members and friends as an information and support group. People living with early stage dementia can attend alone or with a support person. These programs provide a safe and open environment in which each person can feel free to talk openly with others in a similar situation. A range of topics to help with planning the future include:

Keeping the group to a maximum of 16 people allows time to provide information, discussion and to answer question. The program includes:

Some of the benefits of attending include; • Obtain information • Have questions answered • Talk confidently with others in a similar situation • Discuss experiences and express feelings in a safe environment • Focus on maintaining and enhancing skills and abilities • Explore ways of managing now and into the future TIME: 10.00am to 2.30pm. Tea and coffee on arrival and light lunch will be provided.

WHERE: Innisfail Area Venue to be advised.

• Symptoms and diagnosis

• Research and new drug treatments

• Relationships with family and friends

• Planning for the future

• Legal issues

• Adapting to change

• Practical strategies

• Looking after yourself

• Community services

• Where to from here?

• Information sessions

• Group discussions

• Guest speakers

• Video presentations

• Self care and relaxation activities

• Community services that are available

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL Phone Cathie or Shilpi

On 1800 100 500

Talkabout June/July 8

The Amazing Cucumber

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium,

Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and

Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and

make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the

outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in

equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache.

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals

to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will

provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along

the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone.

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students

during final exams.

11. Just finished a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath. The phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible

for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or

fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the

kids have used to decorate the walls.

Office Truths

1. I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow is not looking good either.

2. I love deadlines. I especially like the “Whooshing” sound they make as they go flying by.

3. Tell me what you need, and I’ll tell you how to get along without it. 4. Accept that some days you are the pigeon and most days the statue. 5. I don’t have an attitude problem, you have a perception problem. 6. You can go anywhere you want if you look serious and carry a clipboard. 7. The one time your boss asks for a lift home will always be the day your toddler has

thrown up on the way to pre-school; you put the rubbish bags in your boot to drop off at the end of the drive – and forgot; and the 2 dozen empty cans of beer from your husband’s fishing weekend with the lads are all rolling around the floor.

8. Everything can be filed under ‘miscellaneous’ . 9. Too err is human, to forgive is NOT our policy. 10. Anyone can do any amount of work provided it isn’t the work he/she is supposed to be

doing. 11. If it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.

HOW TO PRESERVE A HUSBAND

1. Be careful of your selection. 2. Take only those who have grown in a good normal atmosphere. 3. Do not choose too young, but slightly matured. 4. When selected, do not keep them in a pickle or hot water, as

this tends to make them sour, hard and sometimes bitter. 5. Most varieties can be made sweet and tender by garnishing with

patience, well sweetened with smiles and flavoured to taste with kisses.

6. Then, wrap in a mantle of charity. 7. Keep warm with a steady fire of devotion and serve with peaches and cream. 8. When thus served, will keep for years.

SLICE OF LIFE

2 lb flour of love 1 lb good looks 1/2 lb sweet temper 1/2 lb butter of youth 1/4 packet rippling laughter 1 oz powdered wit 1 oz dry humour 1/2 pkt common sense 2 oz sweet argument Put the flour of love, good looks and sweet temper into a home. Beat the butter of youth to a cream. Mix together with powdered wit, dry humour and sweet argument. Add them to the home. Pour in gently common sense and rippling laughter. Stir to-gether until all are well mixed. Bake at a uniform temperature forever.

Talkabout June/July 9

Talkabout June/July 10

CHUTNEYS AND PICKLES

Banana Chutney Peel and slice 12 medium sized bananas. Put into a saucepan 1¼ cups malt vinegar, bring to the boil and then simmer. Add another 1¼ cups of vinegar and stir over low heat for another 3 or 4 minutes. Then add ¾ cup of dates, ¼ cup sultanas, 1 cup of raisins, 1 tbls salt, 1 cup of sugar, 1tsp nutmeg, 1

tbls of cinnamon and 2 tsp turmeric, Cook gently, stirring occasionally for about an hour. Pour in to hot clean jars and seal.

Capsicum Relish Mince 6 large peeled apples, 12 large capsicums (seeds removed), 2 large onions, 4 bulbs garlic, 250g dates, 250g raisins, ½ tsp mustard seed. Add 1tbls salt, 1½ cups sugar, 1cup vinegar and 1 cup water. Boil gently for about 40 minutes until thick and smooth. Add extra vinegar or water if too thick. Choko Pickles Cut into small pieces: 4 large chokos, 2 large onions and 1 large cucumber. Soak in salt water overnight. Next morning strain and put into saucepan with ½ half litre of white vinegar. Boil until soft, then add 2 cups sugar and cook until clear. Add 2 tsp mustard, 2 tsp turmeric, 2 tsp curry powder mixed with a little vinegar. If not thick enough, add a little arrowroot with water. Cucumber Relish Take 500g cucumber, 500g onions, 1capsicum diced (red preferably), 1 cup vinegar, 250g sugar, 1 tbls salt, 4 tsp curry powder, 4 tsp mustard and a dash of dill and sesame seeds. Boil all for 20 to 30 minutes. Thicken with 1 tbls cornflour. Mango Chutney No1 Chop into small pieces, 450g dates, 1 bulb garlic, 12 chillies and 450gr of preserved ginger. Make a syrup with 900g brown sugar and 750mls of vinegar. Then put in 25 just ripening mangoes, chopped to the size of a potato chip. Add the other ingredients and then add another 750mls vinegar gradually. Boil gently for 3 or 4 hours. Mango Chutney No2 (Hot) Slice 6kg of mangoes thinly and 1cm long. Put in a non-metallic bowl, cover with salt and stand over night. Chop fine 450g raisins, 700 to 900g of dates, 6 chillies, 250g green ginger and 50g garlic. Put on to boil with 2 litres malt vinegar . Simmer 20 minutes. Add 1½ kg sugar and boil another 15 minutes. Drain brine from mangoes add to boiling pan and simmer till golden brown about 2 or 3 hours. Pour in to hot sterilized bottles. For a sweeter chutney, double the sugar. Preserved ginger can be used. Pawpaw can be substituted for some of the mango. Rosella Chutney Enough rosella leaves to weigh 450g. Wash and dry well. Place in a pan

with450g of chopped apples and 450g onions, 2 large chillies, 1 tbls salt, 1tsp pepper. Put 2 tsp all spice and a few cloves in a bag and crush them. Put all the ingredients in a pan with 2½ cups vinegar, ½ cup Worcester sauce and 3 tbls of raisins. Boil for 10 minutes. Add 700g sugar and boil for 1 hour stirring all the time.

Tomato Chutney Take 2kg ripe tomatoes, ½ kg green apples, 3 onions, 1 cup raisin chopped fine. Add 1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbls salt, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, 2 cups brown sugar and 2 cups vinegar. Mix well and cook gently until chutney is clear and thick.