Welcome to another year – 2009 is already in full swing as we enter the second month. This month we will begin to develop the Operational Plan for 2009. Already the results and recommendation from the consumers’, community partners and staff surveys are being collated as we consider where to from here.
This past Australia Day I attended a wonderful ceremony honouring volunteers. At the Lilley Day Awards one of our volunteers, Sandra Clark was presented with a Lilley Day Award for her contribution to the Aspley Respite Centre. Sandy has volunteered here for almost 18 years, helping in group and recreational activities, various kitchen duties and general tasks. At this function, 43 volunteers were acknowledged as people who made very significant contributions in various areas across the local community.
Courage, resilience and compassion were the words and theme that not only echoed throughout the Lilley Australia Day Award Ceremony but also in the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and the Governor General Quentin Bryce Australia Day speeches. While there appears to be plenty of doom and gloom around regarding the impact the global financial collapse will have on our future, I look, listen and observe our clients, carers and community and see courage, resilience and compassion abounding. I have no doubt that these values and characteristics will continue to shape our future. It seems that tough time often brings out the best in people.
While many of our staff appreciated a well earned break over the Christmas/New Year period, many worked the public holidays and continue to provide care and support to clients – thank you.
The Australia Day picnic was cancelled due to rain. I don’t think clients were disappointed as staff did a great job transforming the centre into a picnic area with the picnic chair, flags and balloons. It was the perfect setting (in air conditioning) for all the usual fun and celebrations.
The preparation work for the extension is continuing. The Council required us to place a notice on the front of the property advising the community of the extension and also provide Council with a landscape plan as we will need to remove 3 trees. This has now been completed and it is hopeful that we will receive a Building Approval in the near future. In the meantime the trees will be removed in readiness to begin construction.
Centacare services have completed a joint submission for additional Home and Community Care (HACC) funds to provide support and services in the Brisbane North Area. If we are successful we will have increased hours for domestic assistance, personal care and social support. We are also in the process of completing an application for funds to replace the Coaster. The Coaster is 6 years old and has done over 100,000 klms.
For Aspley Respite Centre, 2009 will be a big year and we have plenty to celebrate. At the annual Planning Day we will be discussing options for our 21st year celebration, the completion of the extensions and ways to increase opportunities for consumers. Our community and world is changing, there are plenty of challenges. We will take on the motto from President Barack Obama, “YES WE CAN”, as we consider these changes, challenges and opportunities to continue to provide competent and compassion care to our community.
Like the theme of the Australian Day speeches – YES WE CAN – We have the Courage – to take risks; Resilience – to stay the course and the Compassion – to extend an outstretched hand.
Regards Elizabeth.
