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December 2007
Christmas Edition
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Newsletter Archive: - - - - - - - - - - -
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On behalf of the NCACCH Board and staff we would like to wish all our members, partners, colleagues and fellow community people a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2008. 2007 has been a very productive year for NCACCH and without the support and commitment from everyone we would not be where we are today.
Please drive safely over the holiday break and take care of yourselves and each other over this joyous but hectic period. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year with a bright outlook for 2008 and all the challenges and opportunities to come.
OFFICE CLOSURE DATES
24 DECEMBER 2007 - 04 JANUARY 2008
All referral applications will be processed by Cultural Healing
during this time: 0414 671 534 |
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The NCACCH Health Access Card has a brand new look! Your new Health Access Card will be on it’s way to you before Christmas and is valid until 30/06/09. The new cards will be issued to everyone that completed and returned their yellow update details form. Individual cards are also being issued to all dependants who are over 18 years as at 31/12/07 (a yellow update details form must be completed before they receive their new card).
The NCACCH Health Access Card is accepted by over 180 General Practitioners across the NCACCH coverage area. Participating GP’s will not accept the old card from 1 January 2008.
Yellow update details forms are available from all Referrers, alternatively, call our office on: 5443 3599 |
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NCACCH is funded by The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing
through the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
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This years Sexual Health Poster competition “Sexual Health and Relationships Through the Eyes of an Indigenous Teenager” was open to all youth between the ages of 13 - 18 residing in the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola regions. This was an opportunity for all our Murri youth to put their artistic skills to work and come up with a poster on their views on Sexual Health and Relationships and what it means to them. We had a total of 15 eligible entries from all age groups and NCACCH would like to congratulate all our entrants on a fantastic and job well done! We all know how closed this subject can be and the shame a lot of our teenage youth feel when the subject comes up. This competition is all about promoting Sexual Health and Relationships, preventing and educating our young ones on the importance of not only safe sex but the importance of healthy relationships with our families, friends and partners.
The competition commenced on 23rd April 2007 and closed on 31st October 2007. The entries were judged by an official panel and then placed on display at the Awards Ceremony on 30 November 2007. All the winning entries will be placed into the 2008/09 NCACCH Sexual Health calendar.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS
13-15 Age Group
1st Dylan Shaw
2nd Renee Wootton
3rd Josie Shaw
4th Sade Beezley
5th Stephanie O’Hanlon |
6th Tenille Anderson
7th Jordan Currie
8th Haydan Witteman
9th Jessica Guszlovan
10th Kiah Day
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16-18 Age Group
1st Kimberley Andrew-Kay
2nd Colleen Manski &
Tessa Sullivan
Fantastic effort to all entrants on a job well done |
HOPE and
PCYC are
putting
together this
wonderful
Christmas
event for the
Community
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Nambour PCYC
Thursday the 20th
December
Activities 2-5pm
Carols &
Entertainment from 6-9pm |
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Due to lack of numbers for our Women's Group meeting on 12 November, we were forced to cancel. This was really disappointing for the regular women who look forward to these informal gatherings.
If anyone in the community is interested in coming along (transport provided on request), please ring the North Coast office and we’ll put you on the list for the next one.
It’s a great way to have a yarn with family and friends in a safe and welcoming environment..
So come along, don’t be shame……...and if you can think of ways to make it better let us know, cause it is your group too!!! |
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The Men’s and Women’s groups are held each month at either Currimundi or Gympie.
It is a great opportunity for community members to get together and have a free feed and yarn to other men and women from the community about issues important to them and their families.
It is also a chance to talk and listen to guest speakers (requested by each group) about subjects they are interested in e.g.. Diabetes, Hearing, Doctors etc. There are even activities that you can be involved in such as walking, cooking & other activities.
If you or someone you know is interested in coming along, phone NCACCH and have your name placed on the mailing list. |
Sunday 09 December 2007 2.00pm
Tewantin Noosa RSL
14th Annual Community gala Christmas Carnival
RSL Park TEWANTIN
Join in and enjoy carols by candlelight beside the river and to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
Saturday 15 December 2007 6.30pm
Maroochy Mayor’s Carols by Candlelight
Cotton Tree Park, The Esplanade COTTON TREE
A family favourite on the Sunshine Coast event calendar. The Maroochy Mayor’s carols by Candlelight will see a 4000 strong audience at Cotton Tree Park to bring in the Christmas season. Commencing with the Mayor’s welcome, the evening’s festivities will be hosted by celebrity appearance's and feature performers will be evening highlights. The stirring sound of 4000 voices will be the focus of the evening—community carol singing will be accompanied by the Australian Youth Choir and Oriana Concert Choir.
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born.
Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
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Sunday 16 December 2007
6.30pm - 8.30pm
Yandina Community Christmas Carols in the Park
Yandina Historic House, Roundabout on Pioneer Rd YANDINA
Community Christmas carols, guest artists, lollies from Santa for children.
Sunday 16 December 2007
Noosa Community Christmas Carols
Noosaville Lions park,
Gympie Tce NOOSAVILLE
Entertainment, carols and fireworks
Away in the Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray!
Bless all the dear children, in thy tender care
And take us to heaven,
to live with Thee there. |
Sunday 23 December 2007
Carols on Kings (Beach)
Kings Beach Amphitheatre
KINGS BEACH PARK
Great family fun. Sing along to all your favourite Christmas carols. Bring your blanket and nibblies and enjoy the entertainment. There will be lots of children’s activities and games, food outlets, glow sticks, fireworks and a visit by Santa Claus. Buses will be running from the Caloundra CBND to avoid parking congestion.
Monday 24 December 2007
Peregian Beach Christmas Carols
Peregian Beach Park
(near Surf Club)
Peregian Beach Nippers Choir and local entertainers sing carols in the park to entertain the community and visitors. Sausage sizzle, drinks and Christmas novelties available. Santa arrives in a helicopter with gifts for the children. Fireworks finale approx 8.00pm.
Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord has come:
Let earth receive her King.
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns:
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love. |
The Sunshine Coast Division of General Practice have a GP Allied Health Team (GPAHT) which consists of a team of psychologists and social workers providing either individual or group therapy to patients referred by their GP.
Therapy is used to address psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, phobias, stress, personality issues, low self esteem and anger management.
The GPAHT counselling service is provided through programs such as More Allied Health Services (MAHS) and Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative (BOiMHC). As these programs are funded by the Commonwealth Government there is no charge to the patient for attendance at the sessions.
The service aims to provide wider access to mental health services throughout the Sunshine Coast, Cooloola and Hinterland areas.
Services provided:
# Up to 6 sessions of therapy in addition to the treatment you receive from your GP
# Sessions involve identifying core psychological issues and providing education and strategies
# Seeing both your GP and therapist may help to improve your psychological wellbeing
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From 01 November 2007 new Medicare dental items were introduced to cover services by dentists, dental specialists and dental prosthetics. You must be referred by your doctor to be eligible for the service.
Eligible patients can receive up to $4,250 in Medicare benefits for dental services over 2 consecutive calendar years. You must have a chronic medical condition and complex care needs being managed by your GP under a GP management Plan and Team Care Arrangements, or a multidisciplinary care plan for residents of aged care facilities. Your oral health must also be impacting on, your general health.
Dental practitioners may set their own fees, which means the patient may have out-of-pocket expenses.
Contact your local doctor and they will take into account your condition and care needs to decide whether you are eligible for this service.
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| Why do I keep getting cavities even though I brush my teeth often?
After each meal or snack there will be bits of food left behind. The more often you eat or drink beverages the more often you need to brush your teeth. It is not just sweet food but also healthy snacks that can leave food behind. This allows bacteria to release acid which causes decay. It takes time for your saliva to buffer and dilute the acid levels in your mouth. Check your toothbrush, flossing technique and your time spent brushing. Some helpful tips to stop holes are:
- Cut down on frequent snacks and just stick to your main meals
- Avoid grazing (eating all day) and sipping on drinks
- Drink milk or fluoridated tap water instead
- Brush or wash your mouth out after your meal/snack
Regular check ups with the dentist is a must for good healthy teeth |
- Chew sugar free gum. This stimulates saliva which helps protect your teeth
- Visit your dentist to have a cavities risk assessment and preventative program done
Why do my gums bleed?
Gingivitis
In its mild form, gum disease presents as gingivitis where the gums are swollen, puffy and occasionally bleeds and sometimes tender. (Your gums may also bleed if your toothbrush is too hard) Most of us have gingivitis if we are a bit slack with our tooth brushing and flossing.
Plaque when left behind develops into ‘tartar’ which causes further gum irritation. Tartar cannot be removed by tooth brushing but you can have the dentist remove it by scaling. If it isn’t removed it could turn into Periodontal disease.
Diabetes is commonly associated with gum disease |
Periodontal Disease
This is the progression to the more severe form of gum disease. It is the major cause of adult tooth loss. Deeper gum pockets develop as there is damage done to the gum that holds your tooth in place. The deeper the pocket, the harder it is to fix. This will eventually make your tooth fall out.
What can I do?
See a dentist regularly and have them clean and descale your teeth. You need to make sure you brush and floss your teeth regularly to stop holes and abscess forming. The key to gum disease is prevention.
Undiagnosed diabetes is a common health condition that can lead to Periodontal disease, so check with your doctor as this can be why you are having problems with your teeth.
This is part two of a three part series on your teeth and good oral hygiene. The next article will talk about Tooth Brushing and Older Adults. |
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Do you need help to stay at home?
Are you looking for information about community aged care, disability and other support services in your local area?
Are you a family member, friend or neighbour caring for someone in the community who is frail, aged, has dementia, a disability, a chronic health condition, a mental illness or requires palliative care?
We can assist you to take a break or have “timeout” from your caring role based upon your needs.
We are able to be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week in case of any emergencies.
1800 052 222
The information is free and confidential.
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PROMOTING HEALTHY OUTCOMES AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND THEIR BABIES
This program aims to assist Indigenous mothers to utilise preventative health care including comprehensive pre-natal care from health service providers. |
As a participant in the program:
- You will have access to a trained midwife
- Your midwife can meet in a place suitable to you both. This may be in your home or at an agreed place
- You will work out with your midwife a plan of action and “get together” times
- You can choose your own General Practitioner or care providers
- You will be linked through your facilitator into existing health services and community networks
NCACCH Principles for the program:
- Respect for the clients and their individual needs
- Confidentiality in all aspects of client care, choices and decisions
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The Mum’s & Bub’s Program will:
- Provide mothers with access to registered Midwives. The Midwives can meet with clients on a regular basis in a suitable place eg home
- Will assist with information, networking and access to other service providers
- Provide support and advocacy during pregnancy and up until baby is one year old
- Cover the costs—no charge to you
You need to be eligible for a NCACCH Health Access Card to qualify |
The Sunshine Coast Family Relationship Centre provides a wide range of information and services to help families, whether together or separated, to build better relationships such as education, and skills training (with a stress on child focused practice) counselling referrals, family dispute resolution, family relationship advice and referrals, parenting orders program and children’s contact services.
Family dispute resolution is the name in the Family Law Act for services such as mediation and conciliation that help people affected by separation and divorce to sort out their issues concerning property, children or money. You may not be able to talk to each other at all.
Family dispute resolution can help you ort out these issues without going to court. If you can resolve your differences you’ll save yourself time, money and a whole lot of stress.
What is compulsory family dispute resolution?
From 1 July 2007, if you wan to apply to the court for a parenting order (and you have not previously applied), you will need a certificate from a registered family dispute resolution provider which attendance at family dispute resolution was made.
It is expected that, from 1 July 2008, this requirement will apply to all parenting applications, including those seeking changes to an existing parenting order. There are some exceptions to this requirement, such as cases involving family violence or child abuse.
Making changes for our children
The reforms to the family law system are the most significant in 30 years and are aimed at helping families deal co-operatively and practically with relationship difficulties and separations.
Statistics show that more than one million children in Australia have one parent living elsewhere. One in four children from separated families sees their non-resident parent only once per year or not at all.
Why is the system changing?
The current system is being changed to work better for children who face family separations and breakdowns. Reforms are being made to put children first. The changes are based on the following important principles:
* All children have a right to know both their parents and to grow up with their love and support, |
* All children have a right to be protected from harm,
* Parenting is a responsibility that should be equally shared, provided this does no put children at risk, and
* Parents should be able to work out together what is best for their children rather than fighting in a courtroom.
What is the focus of the changes?
The main focus of the changes is that the children come first. When working out shared parental responsibilities following a family breakdown, the new laws make it clear that it’s all about putting the needs and the best interests of the children fist.
The reforms also take the view that responsibility for children’s physical and emotional wellbeing should be shared equally by both parents, except where there are issues of violence or abuse.
What are the exceptions to compulsory family dispute resolution?
You are not required to attend family dispute resolution:
- Where you are applying for procedural orders, interim orders or consent orders
- Where the matter is urgent
- If the court has reasonable grounds to believe that:
- Family violence or child abuse has occurred, or
- There is risk of violence or child abuse if there was to be a delay
- Where it is not practical for you to attend (for example, it is too far to a dispute resolution provider or you are physically unable to attend)
- Where the person has contravened and shown a serious disregard for a court order made in the last 12 mths
If you use the exception relating to family violence or child abuse, you will need to get information about your options from a family Counsellor or family dispute resolution practitioner or by ringing the Family Relationship Advice line on 1800 050 321.
However you do not have to get information if the court has reason to believe there is a current risk of violence or child abuse. |
How well do you know your bush tucker? The following foods have been extracted from the Tukka Restaurant website. If you can, have a try of some of these delicious bush treats in your next cook up and be pleasantly surprised at the different flavours.
Taste: Delicate aniseed flavour from the leaves.
Where from: Rainforests along the east coast.
Bonus: Related to the Lemon and Cinnamon Myrtle. Also know as Aniseed Myrtle.
Taste: The flesh is a deep red and has a rich berry taste with a spicy finish.
Where from: Rainforests on southeast QLD.
Bonus: The berries are metallic blue and a little bigger than a blueberry, with a large stone.
Taste: Deep purple, red flesh, tart crab apple flavour with high tannins.
Where from: Rainforests in southeast QLD
Bonus: The fruit has a huge stone and very little flesh. |
Taste: Spicy piquant flavour, similar to concentrated sun dried tomatoes with strong tamarillo/caramel character.
Where from: Central desert regions.
Bonus: The plant dies in humidity. Also known as Akudjura in its ground form, Desert raisin or Desert Tomato.
Taste: Delicate aniseed flavour from the leaves
Where from: Rainforests along the Eastcoast.
Bonus: Related to the Lemon and Cinnamon Myrtle. Also known as Myrtlifolia.
Taste: Sharp acidic plum taste
Where from: Rainforests of northern NSW, southern and far north QLD
Bonus: It’s related to the pine family. The fruit contains two flat and very hard seeds (they look like stingrays). |
FIZZY FRUIT PUNCH
Ingredients
1/2 rockmelon, deseeded
750ml (3 cups) mango nectar, chilled
750ml (3 cups) pineapple juice, chilled
625ml ( 2 1/2 cups) sparkling natural mineral water, chilled
1/2 pineapple - peeled, halved, hard core removed, coarsely chopped
Method
Use a melon baller to scoop balls from the rockmelon (if you do not have a baller, cut up into small cubes)
Combine the mango nectar, pineapple juice and mineral water in a bunch bowl or jug
Add the rockmelon and pineapple to the mango nectar mixture. Serve immediately. |
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Sunshine Coast ‘Black Swans’
Wanna Be Deadly Regional Touch Carnival: 16th – 18th November 2007
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A special mention to Gordon Browning for mentoring & playing with the newly formed NUMULLA (Mary River – Gympie & Tin Can Bay area). Also Toby Adams for mentoring & coaching the Mooroo-Gudji team in an inaugural win over the Cherbourg (Red Devils). The finals lived up to expectation with Caboolture redeeming their loss against Cherbourg Red Devils in April & winning 7 -5.
A big thanks to Uncle Evan Blackman for presenting Winners and Runners Up with their awards. Sunny Coast Youth who received trophies were: Best & Fairest Runner-Up - Lenny Miller, Deadliest Attitude - Bianca Miller, Deadly Journey Award - Kilah Jones. Congrats to all the participating ‘Black Swans’ that will receive a WBD medallion: keep an eye on the postie. PS ‘Get Well Dale’
“Strengthening Community via Youth Engagement”
The Sunshine Coast “Wanna Be Deadly” Steering Committee would like to thank: Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre, NCACCH, ICP – Cultural Heritage, Qld Health, HOPE, Dept of Employment & Industrial Relations, Dept of Youth Justice, Family Planning & all our wonderful Volunteers |
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140 youth from the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Cherbourg-Murgon, Hervey Bay and Caboolture-Redcliffe played some electric touch football action at the Maroochydore Rugby League Grounds a few weeks ago. Major gratitude to main sponsors: Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre & NCCACH.
All teams were accommodated at the scenic and relaxed Mudjimba Apex Camp. Excellent feedback was received from the both camp staff & MRLC volunteers on the WBD youths’ cooperation, attitude & behaviour. Additionally, on the Friday night the Sunshine Coast ‘Black Swans’ had the opportunity to engage in a Sexual Health pre-planning workshop.
A big thank-you to both Aunty Merle & Beverly Hand, their comments inspired the Touch Carnival proceedings. Fitted out in their new Wanna Be Deadly Jerseys (funded by ICP-Cultural Heritage) which consisted of three teams:- MOOROO-GUDJI, GULOOM & NYINDURREE, the Sunshine Coast ‘Black Swans’ were looking deadly & playing smart and skilful footy over the weekend. |
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Neurologist’s state that if they can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours they can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. They state the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK, to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently: It is sunny out today).
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. |
Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this:
Ask the person to ‘stick’ out their tongue...if the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call for an ambulance immediately and describe the symptoms to the operator.
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Earlier this year NCACCH mailed out a Yellow Updated Details Form to all current Health Access Card (HAC) holders. On his form it advised if forms were not returned by 15 November 2007, you will not be re-issued with a new HAC in 2008.
Because the cards have been changed completely, all GP’s have been notified not to accept any old cards from 01 January 2008. If you have not completed a form, fill out the enclosed one and send it in ASAP. If you know of anyone who needs to complete one, have them contact NCACCH for a form.
We want as many Indigenous people as possible to hold a HAC as this helps NCACCH with funding, which means better services for you, the community!
The new cards will be valid until 30 June 2009 and will have all dependant details on there (similar to your Medicare card). If there are any changes, contact NCACCH ASAP to ensure all information is correct when you get your card. |
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REFERRERS
NOTE: This list is current for December 2007. For an up to date list please follow this link.
PO BOX 479
COTTON TREE Q 4558
Phone: 5443 3599 |
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Suite 15
27 Evans Street
MAROOCHYDORE Q 4558
Fax: 5443 8899 |
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