Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

Letter from the editor:

Welcome to the second edition of Community Connect 55. Thank you to those that have subscribed, given feedback and ideas, which has assisted with putting this next edition together. Please feel free to contribute any information, articles or ideas. This newsletter has been designed and distributed to people in the Mansfield Shire that are aged 55 years plus to help keep people engaged and linked to their communities. Community Connect 55 is a part of Mansfield Shire Council’s “Age Friendly Project”. What is the Age Friendly Project? Mansfield Shire Council was one of four local councils across regional Victoria to receive the Age-Friendly Communities grant that focuses on improving and creating Age Friendly Communities. The project commenced in 2019 with extensive community engagement to identify 5 key projects. The project I am promoting in this edition is: ‘Technology café sessions’ – This project will establish technology sessions that foster intergenerational connections whilst increasing technology knowledge and skills amongst adults over 55 years in Mansfield Shire. I’m excited to share with you that Mansfield Rudolf Steiner School has decided to work with Mansfield Shire in delivering this project.

Our Technology café sessions will provide an opportunity for Year 9 students to mentor community members aged over 55 years, to problem shoot areas that can assist them to gain confidence and knowledge on their own individual devices and therefore promote socialisation and connection. The students will assist participants with downloading and using apps, such as Zoom, Microsoft teams, Microsoft outlook, Gmail, Skype, Facebook, messenger etc. The technology sessions will be held at Mansfield Shire Youth space at 7 Erril St, Mansfield. Due to the current social distancing requirements, only 10 community members and 10 mentors will be possible per session. The sessions will be held between 11.30am and 1.30pm on:

Thursday the 23 July

Thursday the 30 July

Thursday the 13 August and

Thursday the 20 August A light individual snack will be provided to participants and students. Bookings are essential, so that we can manage covid-safe requirements and keep you informed if there are any changes due to the social distancing regulations. If you require any further information about the technology cafe sessions or would like to book into a

session visit https://www.mansfield.vic.gov.au/residents/community/age-friendly-communities-project or contact Bianca Hurle, Age Friendly Project Coordinator on 5775 8563 or email

bianca.sheeran@mansfield.vic.gov.au or Mansfield Shire Council on 5775 8566 We hope that you enjoy this edition, with your input and suggestions, we hope this can become a regular, valuable resource.

From Bianca Age-Friendly Communities Project Officer

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

COVID 19 UPDATE

As we get out there again, it’s up to all of us to –

STAY COVID FREE

1. WASH YOUR HANDS

2. PHYSICAL DISTANCE

3. HAVE THE APP

And if you're experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, stay home and speak to your doctor about getting tested.

In this edition:

Get to know our Community care team

It’s ok to have home care

An update on Council Services

o Mansfield Library

o Councils Customer Service Counter

COVID19 advice for people with pre-existing medical conditions

Mind matters

Victorian Seniors Festival re-imagined

Safe Exercise at Home

North East Multicultural Association (NEMA) information

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

Get To Know Our

Community Care Team

Profile name Samantha Donnelly

Your role within the team? Community Care Worker

What is a fun fact about you?

I do like to sing and sometimes my kids and I will make up songs together.

What area of Community Care do you enjoy the most?

I love everything about my job, especially listening to clients stories.

What is your specialty or passion with regard to your work?

My passion is to care and help people, knowing that even the little things I do makes a big difference.

What are your personal interests outside of work

Spending time with my kids and all our farm animals.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

What strategies or tips would you like to share on how you manage the following aspects of your life?

Sleep

Sometimes I listen to soft music to help me go to sleep. I also find the smell of lavender helps.

Nutrition

I try to eat a lot of fruit and veggies.

Movement

I always try to walk, I’m always playing with my kids or working on the farm.

Stress management

I find being with my horse or feeding our pet lambs helps reduce stress

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

It’s ok to have home care Information from the Australian Government Department of Health

Mr Squiggle aka the man with a pencil for a nose who lives on the moon-ran for a wopping 40 years and have five different female assistants during this time – Jane Fennell, Gina Curtis, Roxanne Kimmorley, Patt Lovell and Rebecca Hetherington, who was the daughter of the show’s creator, Norm Hetherington. When the show first aired, Norman took command of the puppets, operating and voicing them, his wife Margaret wrote the scripts. What a family affair!

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

It’s OK To Have Home Care Information From The Australian Government Department Of Health

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

The Mansfield Library re-opened on 9 June 2020 with reduced hours to enable staff to undertake additional tasks required to ensure social distancing and hygiene. The hours of operation commencing Tuesday, 9 June are:

Day Time

Tuesday 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Wednesday 10:00am – 12pm

Thursday 10:00am – 12pm

Friday 10:00am – 12pm and 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Saturday Closed

The Click and Collect service will continue and the use of the on-line collections is encouraged for those that would prefer to continue to stay home as much as possible. Due to the requirements and restrictions, the following changes will also be in place when the library opens:

There will be a maximum of 20 people, including staff members allowed in the Library at one time and people will be asked constrain their time to a maximum of 15 minutes for borrowing and browsing

One public internet computer available only and one catalogue computer available with a 30 minute limit on use of the computers. One person allowed per computer (unless they are family members)

Newspapers, toys and activities will not be available No room hire, study space or group activities is available until further notice Returned items will be quarantined for a minimum of 4 days before being available to

reloan Loans from outside the High Country Network collection are unavailable Outreach to Woods Point and Gaffney’s Creek via Stewarts Bus Service (monthly) will

continue Outreach visits by a Librarian will not occur On-line story time will occur at the same time story-time normally occurs (first and third

Friday of each month)

Mansfield Library

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

Mansfield Shire Council re-opened its Customer Service Desk at 33 Highett Street, for limited face-to-face service on Monday 1 June. Services available will include;

Limited VicRoads services including photo point services for drivers and firearms licences, work diaries and VicRoads forms

Drop-off point for sharps containers and disposal of batteries and X-rays Payments via Eftpos and cheques for rates, animal registrations, debtors, planning,

building, environmental health and engineering, if unable to pay online. In-line with the Victorian Government’s advice many Council staff will continue to work from home. The most effective way to contact a specific staff member and do business with Council will continue to be via phone, email or our website. The no-cash policy at the Customer Service Desk will continue and at this stage learner permit driver tests will also be unavailable. Council’s preference is that all payments are made online.

Council Customer Service Desk at 33 Highett Street

Key Health and COVID-19 Contacts

Central General Practice 5775 2591

Mansfield Medical Clinic 5775 2166

Mansfield District Hospital 5775 8800

Emergency Ambulance 000

Coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398.

For up to date information:

For Victorian updates: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

For national updates: health.gov.au/news/latest-information-about-novel-coronavirus

For international updates: who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/novel-coronavirus

World Health Organisation resources: who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

Mind Matters

WHO AM I???????? I was born on the 26th July 1943 I am an English singer, songwriter, and actor. I was born and grew up in Dartford, Kent. I met Keith Richards in 1950 when we were classmates at Wentworth Primary School. We lost touch when we went to different schools, but after a chance encounter at a railway station in 1960, we resumed our friendship and discovered our shared love of rhythm and blues. I studied at the London School of Economics and seriously considered becoming either a journalist or a politician before abandoning my academic career to join a band. The rest is history… no rock band has sustained global popularity for as long as we have and we can still fill a stadium over 50 years later. We are known as one of the greatest rock bands in history. I was married once and have 8 children. My initials are MJ

See answers at end of

newsletter.

Riddle: How many animals did Moses take on the Ark?

Anagram: (Rearrange the letters to form another word)

Satin Clue: A virtuous person, holy

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

Mind Matters – Cross Word

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

The Safe Exercise at Home website has been developed by physiotherapists from around Australia with clinical and academic expertise in exercise and other forms of physical activity for older people and people with mobility limitations. Visit: www.safeexerciseathome.org.au

This year our much loved seniors festival will look a little different. The Victorian Seniors Festival will be bringing the Festival straight to into your homes through online performances, Zoom interviews and story-telling.

2020 is the 38th year the Festival and we welcome Tristan Meecham and Bec Reid as our hosts. With strict social distancing rules in place, Bec and Tristan meet and host performers from the comfort of their own homes using technology in ways the Festival never knew were possible.

We've had a lot of fun creating and reimagining the Festival for you, and we hope you enjoy it - and sing along! Leave us a comment on our website or through social media, and get in the groove!

Link to the Victoria Seniors Festival

https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festivalsandawards

Safe Exercise at Home

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

North East Multicultural Asciation (NEMA) has been the voice of multiculturalism in the Mansfield Shire since 2005. They hold monthly dinner meetings at MACE on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The July meetings theme will be ‘Meet the teacher.’

Beginning July 16, a free weekly English class will be held at MACE. If you or anyone you know has never really learnt to speak English well or you are beginning to forget what you did learn, these lessons could be for you or someone you know.

NEMA also offers a ‘phone a friend’ service. If you would like to speak with someone or know someone that would benefit speaking to someone in your / their own language, to talk about ‘home’ or talk about what it means to move from another country and make Australia home, give NEMA a call and they will find you a ‘phone a friend’.

NEMA phone number is: 5721 2090

Mobile: 0432 595 493

Email: nema@nema.org.au

Useful Contacts

If you are in need of additional support, these services may be useful.

Australian Department of Health Web: www.health.gov.au Phone: 1800 020 080

My Aged Care Web: myagedcare.gov.au Phone: 1800 200 422

Victorian Department of Health & Human Services Web: www.dhs.gov.au Phone: 1800 675 398

Council on the Ageing (COTA)

Web: www.cotavic.org.au Phone: 1300 135 090

National Seniors Australia Web: www.nationalseniors.com.au Phone: 1300 765 050

Dementia Australia Helpline Web: www.dementia.org.au Phone: 1800 100 500

Beyond Blue Web: coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au Phone: 1300 224 636

Lifeline Web: www.lifeline.org.au Phone: 131 114

Scam Watch Web: www.scamwatch.gov.au Phone: 1300 432 273

Stay Smart Online

Web: cyber.gov.au Phone: 1300 292 371

Multiculturalism in the Mansfield Shire

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th, Seniors Rights Victoria are held a Stir A Cuppa for Seniors day.

Here is one of our community residents photo taken on 21st June in support of WEAAD

This is a Tolmie resident Helen Seiker with her 95 year old father Cliff Imer, Helen is stirring a cuppa for seniors.

Cliff lived independently in his home until February this year where he had a fall and sustained a fractured shoulder. He has been residing with Helen in Tolmie since March.

Thanks for sharing your photo Helen and Cliff, and supporting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Welcome to our community Cliff.

Cyber Safety

According to Scamwatch, Australians lost more than $142 million to scammers in 2019. Scammers use all types of sneaky tactics to trick you into parting with your money, but knowing what to look out for can help you to spot the signs. Scamwatch has received over a thousand reports on coronavirus (COVID-19) related scams.

Be wary of emails or text messages claiming to be from experts with updates and official information. There are also reports of fake online stores selling fake vaccines, face masks and cures that don’t exist, as well as investment scams claiming coronavirus has created opportunities to make money.

For up to date news and alerts on scams visit https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

To test your ability to spot common online scams visit https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/about-scamwatch/tools-resources/online-resources/spot-the-scam-signs

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

July’s Article of Interest: Volunteer Path to Paid Work Rosie Finn OA

Rosie Finn OA had a brief fling with retirement before throwing herself into a volunteering role that led her return to paid work where she manages 100 people. Now in her seventies, Rosie had retired at 65 after a lifetime in community development in Australia and overseas; and a stint as a dental nurse for the Air Force, where she earned an Australia Day award for her heroic actions during Cyclone Tracy. Free time ‘I was excited about retiring. I thought I would have all this free time and would do all the projects around the house that I wanted to do, and go out for lunches with friends and have a grand old time,’ Rosie says. But, 12 months in, Rosie could see that retirement wasn’t quite for her. ‘I did most of the things I could: I painted anything that stood still, like the front fence and did other things around the house. But, then I realised the bigger things I wanted to do needed money, like re-carpeting the lounge room ... I had time but then, I didn’t have money. ‘I would book lunches with people but most of my friends are a bit younger than me and are still working and they would cancel or just give me half an hour. Understandable, but it was the highlight of my week! So that didn’t fit the vision I’d had of retirement.’ One-way conversations Comically she recounts: ‘One day I found myself making our German Shepherd dog a cup of tea in one of those big soup cups and sitting down with her on the floor and having a conversation, which, I have got to say, was one way!’ Rosie finished her tea, called her wife to tell her she really wasn’t ready for retirement, and promptly began volunteering at a not-for-profit organisation three days a week.

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

‘They realised I had the skills they needed to do locums in their different programs, so I did locums in emergency food relief, no interest loans and the L2P Learn to Drive program. Then a paid position became available in the Victorian Learn to Drive program and I interviewed for it and got the job.’

Road to employment Rosie now works a four-day week, managing 100 people: 50 young learner drivers and the 50 volunteer mentors who accompany them on the road. ‘The mentors are mostly retirees, so I fitted into that category, and the other element is assisting young people who don’t have any help to get their 120 hours driving experience to get their probationary licence,’ she says. ‘I had worked in the youth sector a lot and I have a teenage daughter, so it was an ideal job for me.

‘When I first went back to four days it was fairly tiring and I was pretty happy to not have to get up early on Fridays, so that took some adjustment, but I’d say I’m well and truly used to it – I’ve been doing that for five years now.’ Rosie has no doubts that finding work can be harder for older people but says volunteering definitely helped her land her paid role. Interviews for over 50s ‘Because I worked in the community sector, where there is lots of project-based work, I was applying for a new job every few years and I was used to getting an interview at least. Once I was 50, it was quite a bit harder. I didn’t get a response at all for many applications, didn’t get an interview, didn’t even get told – I’d have to chase them. And I’d say that wasn’t my experience before I turned 50.’

Rosie says volunteering is a good option for people who are looking for ways to contribute their skills and experience to the community, and can even be a path to paid work. Employers are missing out if they discount older workers, she says. ‘I think I have more to offer now than when I was younger.'

To read this story, and others like it online please visit Seniors Online: https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/emag

July’s Article of Interest: Volunteer Path to Paid Work Rosie Finn OA

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

Mind Matters Answers

RIDDLE: answer None it was Noah

ANAGRAM: answer Saint

Community connect 55 June edition 2

Edition 2 July 2020

Community connect 55 has been designed for people within Mansfield Community aged over 55 years stay connected.

If you would like to continue receiving Community connect 55 or know of anyone who may like to receive an edition.

Please register your interest by completing the enclosed form

Or contact

Bianca Hurle, Age Friendly Project Coordinator on 57758563 or email bianca.sheeran@mansfield.vic.gov.au or Mansfield Shire Council on 5775 8566

We hope you have enjoyed the 2nd edition.

If you have anything that you would like included or a good news story please get in touch.

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