A Message From the Executive Officer - Neighbourhood Central
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80-82 Currajong Street
Parkes NSW 2870
Phone 1300 810 771
APRIL - JUNE 2020
A Message From the Executive Officer
Neighbourhood Central cares deeply about our communities, volunteers and employees and
is carefully considering everything we can do to respond and help reduce the transmission of
COVID-19. The pandemic is forcing everyone to consider how they interact with the world.
Your health and wellbeing are paramount and our absolute priority during this time. We are
continuing to monitor and follow guidance provided by the Australian Department of Health
and the World Health Organisation, amongst others.
We are doing all that we can to keep you safe and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. To
reassure you of our plan of action, these are a few of the steps we’ve taken to respond to the
current pandemic:
• ensuring workers follow a protocol of regular handwashing and sanitising
• suspending all non-essential services and activities such as social morning teas, lunches,
meetings and events, groups, some domestic services and some community transport trips
• limiting face to face meetings and conducting telephone meetings instead
• encouraging payments through online banking or credit card via telephone to minimise
cash handling
• advising workers to stay home and seek medical attention if they are sick or experiencing
any of the known symptoms. We encourage our clients to do the same. In the best interests
of the community our team members will be asking additional pre-screening questions to
ensure you don’t pose a risk.
In these uncertain times, we urge the community to act with care and compassion as we
support each other to face this challenge together.
We will remain connected with our communities, through phone calls, messages, emails, and
the Neighbourhood Central Facebook page and web site.
We are always here to help and are happy to answer all of your questions. Please don’t
hesitate to contact your local office.
Take care.
Sharon Scott
Executive Officer
Seniors Festival 2020: Keeping Parkes Seniors Young at Heart
Neighbourhood Central Parkes recently held a successful week of activities for the NSW
Seniors Festival. Participants enjoyed a movie day with choc tops and popcorn, a lovely
morning tea and games morning, and a Savvy Seniors session with Dan Fredericks from
Parkes Shire Library and Senior Constable Daniel Greef from Parkes Police.
The Savvy seniors learnt about online safety, along with computer and internet training
modules available free of charge at the Parkes Shire library. They also took the
opportunity to participate in one-on-one sessions with their phone, email or internet.
On Friday there was a trip to the Parkes Radio Telescope where participants enjoyed
a special presentation by research technician Lawrence Toomey, and some astronomy
videos before enjoying a lovely morning tea with delicious scones at the Dish Cafe.
Above: Dan Fredericks from
Parkes Shire Library with Senior
Constable Daniel Greef from
Above, visiting the Dish: Lorna Dent, Aileen Townsend, Janet Parkes Police.
Sharpless, Rex and Jacqui Abbott, Jean Danson, Stephen
Klein, Mary Callil. Below: clients viewing a Doris Day film on Below: Ray Brown, Aileen Townsend,
widescreen in the Scoble Room. Jean Danson, Mary Callil.
Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program
The Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Program which have been running in Parkes, Forbes,
Peak Hill and Condobolin have been suspended until further notice.
The activities, which include Tai Chi, Hydrotherapy, Modified Exercises, Stepping On
(designed to help prevent falls), Yoga and Music will resume once the present situation is
over.
Above left: coordinators for the Program Louise Tosetti and Rachel Brown of Neighbourhood
Central.
Above right: Clients Aileen Ahearne, Barbara Weaver, Neryl Jackson, Terry Grabham and
Annette Tinkler doing Exercises with Amy. (Photos courtesy of Parkes Phoenix)
Community Transport
At this time Community Transport continues to provide taxi vouchers, and regional
trips for essential reasons only, i.e. medical and hospital appointments. The Peak Hill
bus is running for the usual services. Community Transport will advise when social
trips resume.
Community Transport
FOR NDIS PARTICIPANTS
Neighbourhood Central
can assist with local or
regional transport costs
for travel to appointments .
For information come in to
our office at 80 Currajong St,
Parkes. 1300 810 771
transport@ncentral.org.au
www.ncentral.org.au
Aboriginal Project Officer Neighbourhood Central’s Aboriginal Project Officer, Amanda Corcoran, has collaborated with the Parkes Shire Council to organise a Walkabout Barber event for Youth Week 2020. Walkabout Barber is a Trauma and Recovery workshop held by Brian Dowd, and includes youth hair cuts. Brian Dowd is a trauma specialist and a barber who now uses a converted trailer to travel the country and provide young men with the latest hairstyles while counselling on mental health first aid. Date: This event, originally organised for April, has been postponed to a date to be advised. Peak Hill Girls Group The Aboriginal Youth and Family Worker and Aboriginal Project Officer recently worked with the Peak Hill Girls Group to create Aboriginal head pieces made out of twine and Emu feathers. The girls are learning a traditional Aboriginal Dance (The Cleansing Dance) in the hope to perform at the Nation Dance in May 2020. For enquiries call Bec on 6869 1037.
Family Support
Left: Shonel
Redfern, of
Neighbourhood
Central’s Family
Support team,
is pictured with
Tracey and her
grandchildren
who attend the
play group at the
Tullamore CWA hall.
We look forward to
being able to advise
of the next date.
Shonel is the coordinator of a new group at our Parkes premises to facilitate all new
and expecting mums and dads, called Bumps ‘n Bubs. Temporarily suspended, we will
advise when the next appointment will be held.
Neighbourhood Central Staff
Left: Tracey
Dumesney,
Lyn Townsend
and Tina Nash
receiving flowers
as a token of
gratitude for
their service with
Neighbourhood
Central.
Thanks to
Tracey for her 10
years, to Lyn for
her 13 years and
to Tina for her 25
years of service!
Forbes Morning Tea The Forbes monthly morning tea clients were pleased to welcome Jane Atkinson from Relationships Australia to their February cuppa. Jane spoke about her role as mediator and the free service provided by Relationships Australia with regard to elder mediation. Relationships Australia do not provide legal aid or advice, but rather a safe space to have a conversation about what the older person needs and wants. Jane coaches participants on holding difficult conversations and how to express opinions, feelings and wants without hurting people’s feelings by improving conversation skills. Pictured below: the lovely group of Forbes clients who attended the February morning tea. Forbes held a Green Morning Tea in March to celebrate St. Patrick’s day, with many participants dressing in green. The morning tea fare was also green to keep with the theme.
Drought Response Officer
Roger Kitson assisted Parkes Shire Roger partnered with Dianne Gill from Rural
Council’s Event Officer to successfully Advisory Mental Health Program (RAMHP)
run community events in Peak Hill, to deliver a vacation care day for the youth of
Tullamore and Trundle in January. Tullamore and Yeoval in January.
These events were very well supported Children in Yeoval were treated to a double decker
by local communities, and all who bus ride to Tullamore to spend time with other
attended were extremely grateful. rural children and participate in a day full of crafts,
Live music was provided which
activities and movies.
created a welcoming and enjoyable
This was a collaborative effort and support was
atmosphere for a range of age groups.
Also, local musicians in each local offered from James Cleaver from the Department
community were encouraged to of Primary Industries, Local Land Services and
showcase their talents. other community groups to ensure a successful
and fun day for rural children during the drought
affected Christmas break.
Roger assisted in promoting and catering as well
as delivering a drumming workshop.
Frozen Meals are Available
Whilst the social morning Meal Vouchers
teas and luncheons are Meal vouchers are still
temporarily suspended, available for Parkes,
Neighbourhood Central’s Forbes and Condobolin
FROZEN MEALS are clients with the usual
still available for clients. conditions.
Peak Hill and Trundle
We offer free delivery for
clients can continue to
My-Aged-Care assessed receive meal vouchers for
clients who live in Friday lunches.
Parkes.
If you would like to use Housebound
this service and have Library
not yet been assessed
Neighbourhood
contact us for details on
Central in conjunction
1300 810 771.
Frozen meals menu with the Libraries of
Parkes and Forbes,
Roast Beef with Gravy, Roast Lamb with Gravy,
has suspended
Roast Chicken with Gravy, Roast Pork with Gravy,
Housebound
Cottage Pie, Sausages and Gravy, Lamb Chops,
Library until further
Rissoles and Onion Gravy, Silverside. All of these come
notice.
with vegetables.
Desserts: Apple Pie and Cream, Sticky Date with www.ncentral.org.au
Caramel Sauce. admin@ncentral.org.au
80 Currajong Street, PARKES (02) 6862 3757
7 Harold Street, FORBES (02) 6851 4550
7 Melrose Street, CONDOBOLIN (02) 6895 4190 Phone
87 Caswell Street, PEAK HILL (02) 6869 1037 1300 810 771
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