Welcome to the Summer edition of mecwacare matters. Our newsletter is a quarterly publication featuring stories about our new developments, activities, events, successes and service innovations that support older people and people with a disability in the local community and regional Victoria. While the weather soared, our residents, clients, staff and volunteers had the chance to enjoy a range of outdoor activities. We held our signature fundraising event, the Annual Charity Golf Day, on March 6 (see page 4), celebrated another 40th year service anniversary (see page 6) and announced our staff and contractor service awards (see page 2). Comedic star Jimeoin performed a stand-up routine (see page 3) and one of our clients passed his driver's licence (see page 3). We would sincerely like to thank everyone who donated to our Christmas Appeal, which focused on some of the most vulnerable clients of mecwacare's Home Nursing and Care and Home Care Packages across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Your generosity allows us to help those in need of our support. With over 58 years as a not-for-profit, values-driven organisation, individual and corporate supporters have long been essential to achieving our Purpose and our Vision, and we thank you all for your continued generosity. Your feedback is always valued, so please feel free to email us at [email protected] with any comments or suggestions. Thank you for your support. summer 2017 newsletter featured in this issue ... Saras' amazing story Jimeoin visits mecwacare residents pg 5 pg 3 May Noonan celebrates 40 Years pg 6 Message from the Chief Executive Michele Lewis Chief Executive ... cont'd page 2 The annual mecwacare service awards 2017 On Friday 3 March, mecwacare held the Annual Employee, Volunteer and Contractor Awards 2017 at the mecwacare Malvern Centre. Staff nominated fellow workers who they considered demonstrated excellence in promoting mecwacare's values. Such an occasion was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the hard work of our peers, who maximise the quality of life for people who are aged and people who are disabled in the Victorian community. Congratulations to all the employees, volunteers and contractors who received an award.
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Welcome to the Summer edition of mecwacare matters. Our newsletter is a quarterly publication featuring stories about our new developments, activities, events, successes and service innovations that support older people and people with a disability in the local community and regional Victoria.
While the weather soared, our residents, clients, staff and volunteers had the chance to enjoy a range of outdoor activities. We held our signature fundraising event, the Annual Charity Golf Day, on March 6 (see page 4), celebrated another 40th year service anniversary (see page 6) and announced our staff and contractor service awards (see page 2). Comedic star Jimeoin performed a stand-up routine (see page 3) and one of our clients passed his driver's licence (see page 3).
We would sincerely like to thank everyone who donated to our Christmas Appeal, which focused on some of the most vulnerable clients of mecwacare's Home Nursing and Care and Home Care Packages across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Your generosity allows us to help those in need of our support.
With over 58 years as a not-for-profit, values-driven organisation, individual and corporate supporters have long been essential to achieving our Purpose and our Vision, and we thank you all for your continued generosity.
Your feedback is always valued, so please feel free to email us at [email protected] with any comments or suggestions.
The annual mecwacare service awards 2017On Friday 3 March, mecwacare held the Annual Employee, Volunteer and Contractor Awards 2017 at the mecwacare Malvern Centre. Staff nominated fellow workers who they considered demonstrated excellence in promoting mecwacare's values. Such an occasion was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the hard work of our peers, who maximise the quality of life for people who are aged and people who are disabled in the Victorian community. Congratulations to all the employees, volunteers and contractors who received an award.
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Do you own a local business in Stonnington?
mecwacare is seeking a new location to place a donations bin for our Op Shop collections.
If you have the space for a mecwacare Op Shop donations bin, please contact Linda on
(03) 8573 4888
Together, we can make a difference
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Home Care Packages program continues to growIn great news to start 2017, mecwacare recently acquired an additional 155 Home Care Packages across two regions of Melbourne:
125 Home Care Packages (Levels 1-4) in the City of Greater Dandenong
30 Home Care Packages (Level 2) in the City of Bayside
mecwacare’s Home Care Packages assist older people and people with a disability to remain living at home, and offer choice and flexibility for those receiving care. mecwacare has a suite of quality care options tailored to meet client needs, which includes gardening, shopping, respite care, case management, remedial massage, transport to appointments and social activities that can reduce isolation.
With the additional 155 Home Care Packages, mecwacare now has a total of 403 across Victoria. mecwacare work to integrate each health and wellbeing service to provide premium care.
mecwacare offers level 1-4 packages, depending on the needs of the client in consumer-directed care. For more information, please contact our Home Care Packages team on 1800 163 292.
cont'd from page 1
Administrator of the Year Community Services - Barbara Tudic (Administration Officer - Corporate Services)Residential Services - Hayley Mason (Administration Officer - mecwacare Park Hill)Corporate Services - Ian Dunnadge (Project Manager - Systems Implementation)HNCS/HCP - Milanka Markovic (Administration Officer - Home Care Packages)
Encouragement AwardCommunity Services - Mickael Mariette (Maintenance - Community Services) Residential Services - Mary Jossey (Registered Nurse - mecwacare Vincent House)Corporate Services - Kishor Kumar (IT Systems Administrator - Corporate Services)HNCS/HCP - Jennifer Richardson (Assessment Officer - HNCS North West Metro)
Support Service Staff Award - Sharon Lim (Lifestyle Coordinator - mecwacare Simon Price Centre)
Employee of the Year - Julie McKenna (Client Services Coordinator - HNCS South West Region)
Carer of the Year - Andy Kerr (Carer - HNCS South East Region)
Learning and Development Award - Kathryn Hunter (Low Care Coordinator and Enrolled Nurse - mecwacare Rositano House)
Quiet Achiever of the Year - Sue McInnes (Executive Assistant - Corporate Services)
Volunteer of the Year - Terri Dollman (mecwacare Noel Miller Centre)
Volunteer of the Year (Group) - O'Mara House Volunteer Hairdressers: Glenys Crozier, Maureen Jones, Jenny Monds, Jenni Edmondson, Audrey Sherry, Joan Lyons, Corrie Vandervelden and Sue Oliver
Contractor of the Year - Wes Primrose (Murfett Plumbing)
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Jai gets his licence
Jai Haeusler, a client at mecwacare's Fisher Street Centre, passed his driver's licence test on 17 February. This was celebrated with chocolate cake at our corporate services office. Jai works with mecwacare as a cleaner, commencing his role when we moved from our old offices in 2015.
Jai's involvement with mecwacare extends to multiple areas of the organisation, and places emphasis on the importance of our work skills programs which continue to be a key feature at Fisher Street.
Jai displays leadership on the basketball court, captaining and coaching the Fisher Street A-team to three successive Grand Final victories and inspiring his teammates to continually play with enthusiasm and the desire to improve.
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Jimeoin visits mecwacare Noel Miller CentreInternational comedy sensation Jimeoin donated his time to the mecwacare Noel Miller Centre to delight residents with a range of jokes and tunes.
Accompanied by an extensive group of family members, Jimeoin made comedic observations about a list of topics that residents could relate and laugh to. After his comedic stylings, Jimeoin introduced his children, nieces and nephews up on stage to perform breakdancing routines, rap beats, an acoustic original and cheer to the audience.
It was a pleasure to have such a recognisable Australian comedic star perform in one of our facilities. He also visited an old friend who’s now a resident of the centre. We look forward to future visits from The Craic star.
On behalf of mecwacare, we would like to thank everyone who donated to our Christmas Appeal which focused on some of the most disadvantaged people our organisation has supported during times of great distress.
Social isolation, mental illness, personal hygiene impacted by disabilities or age; these are issues that can benefit from the right methods of intervention and care. It's never too late to support a Margaret, a Natasha or a Thomas, who may be a neighbour or a friendly face you pass by on the street.
Occasions such as Christmas highlight dire circumstances, but this can be an issue resolved before escalation. Some may be homeless, or no longer see their kids, or be dependent on other vices to get them through the night. With your help, we can continue to change lives in the Victorian community and improve the overall conditions of care. To donate, please see the form on page 7 of our newsletter.
Thanking the community: Christmas Appeal Update
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Annual Charity Golf Day 2017
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On Monday 6 March we held our signature fundraising event, the mecwacare Annual Charity Golf Day 2017 at The National Golf Club in Frankston. We were blessed with perfect golfing conditions as our staff, supporters and sponsors enjoyed a fine day on the course. Non-golfers had the chance to compete in a putting competition, before a wine and cheese tent assumed all attention.
After lunch in the club house, the silent auction and raffle offered prizes such as a signed Patrick Dangerfield guernsey, a night at the Parkview hotel and the keys to a Jaguar for a weekend. This year the main purpose of our golf day was to raise funds for Virtual Reality technology designed for residents in aged care. James from EcoVR attended the event to showcase the equipment and left everyone in awe of the VR's capabilities. Providing such revolutionary technology to our aged care residents will allow them to explore lush environments, walk down iconic streets and see natural locations all from the comfort of our facilities. Studies show the benefits of utilising such technology to create and restore memories.
mecwacare would like to thank our gold sponsor Medirest for once again supporting the Annual Charity Golf Day. We would also like to thank our bronze sponsors who help make such an enjoyable event possible: Accru Melbourne, Alrick, Car Leasing Options, CHT Architects, Salary Options, United Physiotherapy Group, Moores, Med Safe and Norden Conversions. We hope to see everyone again next year.
We also received many great donations from the community for raffle prizes, silent auction items and activities for the day. If you would like to support our golf day next year, or be involved in our events, please contact Kathryn Fisher on (03) 8573 4822 or [email protected]
proud supporters of mecwacare's Annual Charity Golf Day 2017
Kelly O'Dwyer donates flag to mecwacare Noel Miller Centre
In January, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer Federal MP for Higgins donated a bright new Australian flag to the mecwacare Noel Miller Centre. It didn’t take long for the flag to be raised, as residents celebrated Australia Day amongst their families and peers. Ms O'Dwyer has been a great supporter of mecwacare and continues to uphold a strong and caring presence in our community.
ANZAC Day presented another opportunity for our residents to raise the flag in honour of our fallen soldiers. Donations from the community continue to provide residents and clients with equipment/upgrades that increase participation and create new activities.
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mecwacare is proudly a culturally and linguistically diverse organisation, with staff speaking 98 languages and representing 89 nationalities. This cultural diversity is particularly evident in our Home Nursing and Care services, where our clients reflect the ever-increasing multicultural growth in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. This helps enhance the care for our clients and residents, as often we place people of the same language together to ensure the best possible communication and understanding in consumer-directed care.
A program we currently offer at Rivendell House Community Centre in Pakenham sees Spanish, Italian and Greek clients from the Pakenham area group together for bus trips to locations that link with their cultural heritage. This helps diminish social isolation, as many elderly clients in the area live on farmland and lack regular interaction with the surrounding community.
Our residential centres across Victoria demonstrate cultural and linguistic diversity, offering opportunities to all residents. This includes activities such as the Mah-jong group at the mecwacare Simon Price Centre, providing Chinese residents with a game they are familiar with and can teach to residents with a non-Chinese background, and Tai-Chi with its emphasis on movement.
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Multicultural mecwacare
Saras joined mecwacare in August 2016 as a carer in the City of Melbourne region. Her humble and caring attitude quickly impressed her colleagues and clients. Recently Saras donated to a foundation to help people with cancer in India. While we’re familiar with head shaving as a way to raise money, this organisation in India uses real hair for wigs. Cancer patients use wigs to regain confidence during recovery. Saras sees this as a small sacrifice to be able to give to a foundation that is close to her heart.
Saras speaks about holding hands and comforting those who have dealt with difficult circumstances. In 2016 Saras experienced significant personal loss, and in her own words "grieving was not helping anyone". She wanted to give back, and it began with her hair.
“I love people. That is why I gave. Living is giving. I know it is not enough, but something so little can be so much for someone else. mecwacare has blessed me, so I can be a blessing to others.”
Wigs against Cancer
mecwacare has been successful tendering to provide integrated Home and Community Care and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services across the shire of Nillumbik, commencing 1 July 2017. Services will reach up to 700 clients in suburbs including Eltham, Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground and Diamond Creek. Our office will be based in Greensborough, expanding mecwacare’s presence in the North East suburbs; complimenting recent expansions in Western Victoria as we continue to establish mecwacare as a Victoria-wide service provider.
mecwacare are recruiting Direct Care Workers and Roster Coordinators. If roles in this region are of interest, please contact (03) 8573 4827 or email [email protected].
Success in Nillumbik: The green wedge shire
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May Noonan celebrates 40 years of service
An Easter Gift: mecwacare May Armstrong Centre
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On Monday 13 February we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the mecwacare May Noonan Centre in Terang, Western Victoria. A morning tea was held at the aged care facility, which is situated furthest from the CBD and is a great representation of our recent growth. Residents and their families, staff and volunteers were in attendance to honour the facility, which was named after a long-serving Matron at the Terang Hospital.
A reporter from the Terang Express joined the event to take photos and write a story about the centre, which has been such an important piece of Terang's history. The same publication covered the opening of the facility in 1977, demonstrating the tight-knit regional community we operate within. One resident talked about how as a young nurse who had recently moved to the area in 1977, she decided to attend the facility opening as a way of meeting people in the area - 40 years later life has come full circle! Thank you to all of the staff at mecwacare May Noonan Centre, especially to the residents who invited us into their home to celebrate the milestone with them.
Renovations have been made to the mecwacare May Armstrong Centre in Malvern East, as we prepare for its opening. This will double the capacity of our day programs and extend our services for two important client groups - young school leavers with a disability and people who are aged in the community.
Located alongside our mecwacare Bowen Street Centre, the facility will provide clients with a computer laboratory as well as woodworking and art therapy spaces. Activities such as gardening or specialised care, including dementia day programs, will reach people in the community who may be socially isolated with limited access to such programs.
Just a short drive from the Great Ocean Road, mecwacare May Noonan Centre is located in rolling hills overlooking the township and golf course of Terang in Western Victoria. The Centre offers accommodation for 40 residents with single rooms.
mecwacare May Noonan Centre offers an outdoor area with raised garden beds, outdoor furniture and shade which is perfect for family gatherings and functions. With a path leading around the home, residents and their families are able to view the Terang landscape during a leisurely walk. Staff and contractors are drawn from the local community to support local sustainability.
At a glance: mecwacare May Noonan Centre
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I would like to support mecwacarePlease complete and return this donation slip to support mecwacare’s vital work.
Please find enclosed my tax deductible gift of:
$10 $20 $50 $100 $200 My choice $ ________
Where would you like your donation to go?
Older people
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Simply call us with your payment details (freecall) 1800 163 292 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. We accept AMEX, Visa and MasterCard.
Fill out the donation form and post your cheque or card information to us in the reply-paid envelope enclosed or mail to mecwacare, 1287 Malvern Road, Malvern 3144.
To make a secure online donation using your credit card, visit our website www.mecwacare.org.au/donate.php
All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.
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Coming Soon: A new residential aged care facility and retirement village in Hoppers Crossing
mecwacare would like to announce the mecwacare John Atchison Centre, an aged care facility on Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing.
This facility continues our service growth and will be an 85-bed aged care facility in addition to a 10-unit retirement village. We plan to open the facility in September once the significant expansion and renovation works are complete. The mecwacare John Atchison Centre will feature a cinema, a library, a hair salon, a cafe, private dining rooms and lounges with fire places to ensure warmth and comfort in the winter months.
Coming Soon: A new boutique retirement village on Malvern Road
We are proud to announce that the excavation and preparation is underway on what will be a boutique retirement village alongside our mecwacare Malvern Centre on Malvern Road.
This facility will have 31 large two and three bedroom units with balconies, in close proximity to transport and shops. This is another exciting mecwacare development in metropolitan Melbourne to serve the community. We expect to open the Centre in December 2018.
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