Issue 23, April 2015
Congratulations Nindila!
On the re-registration as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)!
The team have worked tirelessly to update a mass amount of course work and meet
requirements and have now commenced training again in 2015...read more on page 2.
What’s in this Newsletter...
Nindila Re-Registration
2
Student Profiles
3
Healthy Weight Week
4-5
Employee of the Month
6
New Starters and appointments
7
Sustainable Gardens
8-9
Specialist Clinic Calendar, Contacts and information
10-13
Tobacco Action
14
NEW New Directions
15
Closing the Gap
16
Thithigoo Creche
17
General Staff Meeting, March
18
Global Domes and Dreamtime Story
19
Hilarious Hiccup
20
Holiday Destination
21
The Scoop
23
1
Nindila - Registered Training Organisation
Nindila Training Centre has just passed their
Accreditation for Registration to operate as a
Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The process
of preparing for audit was a massive task to undertake
as the three (3) Qualifications have increase in units:

Certificate 3 in Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander Primary Health Care has increased
from 14 units to 17 units.

Certificate 4 in Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander Primary Health Care Practice 13 units
to 21 units

Certificate IV in Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander Primary Health Care Community Care
qualifications has increased from 13 units to 21
units.
Block 1 started on the 9th February to 20th February
2015, with students studying the following units of
competency:

HLTAHW016 Assess client’s physical well-being

HLTAHW022 – Address social determinants of
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health

HLTIN301C – Comply with infection control
policies and procedures
On completion of the Certificate in Primary Health Care
Practice students can fill a variety of job roles
nationally or continue to work locally with
opportunities at the Bega Garnbirringu Health services
clinic, SSU, New Directions and Mobile Clinics.
We do have all three (3) qualifications on scope but at
this stage Nindila will only be teaching the HLT40213 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Primary Health Care Practice.
This training will run for 12 months with seven (7) two
(2) week blocks. As well as 500 hours of skill practice.
Students will also be participating in Clinic Placements
at:

Bega Garnbirringu Health Services

Clinic

Social Support Unit (SSU) and

New Directions

Amana Living

Kalgoorlie Health Campus (Kalgoorlie Hospital),
and

Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni (NTP)
On completion of the course students will be known as
ATSI Health Practitioners, in accordance as per the
new Aboriginal Health Practitioners Regulator Agency
(AHPRA) guidelines.
The role of the AHW has
been superseded by the
Practitioners scope of
Practice.
The first class at Nindila since re-registration as an RTO,
with trainer Naomi Zaro.
2
2
Nindila Student Profiles
Nindila is dedicated to the ongoing training and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and
strives to nurture and support students through their educational journey and this is demonstrated with the current
students very appreciative of the opportunity to develop in themselves in order to help others. Here are a couple of
students undertaking the training at the moment and what they have to say..
Jaimee Jones
Darren Stokes
Darren’s family history of diabetes inspired the
beginning of a career in health and with aspirations to
help people within the community and a shortage of
male health workers, it all made sense. Previously
having worked at Bega as a Youth Support Officer,
Darren is hoping to return to the Clinic or perhaps going
out into the community once completing the course
next year.
Jaimee in action completing some prac with client
Joanna McDonnell
Jaimee Jones is a 24 year old single mum with ambition
and drive to both support her family and help her
community.
“Diabetes runs in our family and I felt that I would like to
work in that Health Area and the time seems just right
to do it.
There is a shortage of male health workers and I want to
help my people in the Goldfields.”
Jaimee worked as a volunteer Ambulance Officer for
about 12 months after completing a PAC Officers course
in May of 2013 (Primary Ambulance Care). Having
thoroughly enjoyed her time as an ambulance officer,
Jaimee still felt there was more to be done and started
thinking about helping people so they didn’t need an
ambulance.
“I wanted to help people and educate people as well as
myself about health before they needed to be in an
ambulance. I love my culture, I love my people and I
wanted to help them.”
Bega are on the local Tjuma Pulka radio station every
Thursdays letting everyone know what’s going on.
“I heard it on the radio about the courses and so I
mentioned this to My Auntie (she worked at Bega) and
she said she would take me to Nindilla. And I enrolled.
I am loving the course and loving the prac even more,
though I love it all. The staff are fantastic, they don’t get
sick of questions, they are eager to help and the clients
are great too.
I want to get a job at Bega and help my people. My
biggest goal is providing for my children while making a
difference.”
3
Darren completing some practical work at Bega
Clinic, checks Albert McKenzie’s blood pressure.
Darren is enjoying the course and has already
commenced doing the practical component in the Clinic
gaining valuable exposure to on the job learning.
“The course is good, The teachers are increasing our
knowledge and now I am doing my clinic prac. I am
enjoying the working environment and the staff and the
clients. I am doing something different because
previously I have worked in other jobs dealing with the
people of the Goldfields. I previously worked here as a
Youth Support Officer and am really pleased that I have
moved into the Health Industry.”
3
Healthy Weight Week
Bega went bananas on healthy eating this healthy
weight week, to encourage everyone to achieve a
healthy weight for themselves and maintain it. It was
all about the scales, but not what you would normally
think - it’s about balancing life around healthy eating
and not the other way around.
Eating your two fruit and five veg doesn’t have to be
hard if you get prepared and make it fun. Get several
snacks sorted in one go and without thinking, you can
grab and go from the fridge each day.
Bega staff distributed over 2,200 serves of fruit, veg
and yoghurt cups throughout the five days. That’s
1,442 serves of fruit from bananas and plums to
grapes, 361 yoghurt cups, 32 fruit wraps in crèche and
380 veggie cups.
Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of
chronic disease, including heart disease, diabetes, high
blood pressure and stroke.
Moderate exercise is also a great way to reduce the risk
of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some
cancers.
No one is alone in the struggle against the bulge and in
healthy eating. Help each other out by sharing your ideas
and motivating each other. Weigh up your options and
ask yourself; is it going to fill me up?
In Australia, 61% of the adult population (18
years and over) were overweight or obese (in
2007), with 25% of these classified as obese.
(www.health.gov.au/).
Above: Haysie Penola, Maternal Support Worker, Louise Crogan, Administration Assistant and Myat Soe, Public Health
Officer, get set to distribute the veggie cups across Bega to staff and clients and pose for a photo for the Kalgoorlie Miner.
The photo appeared on the front cover of the Kalgoorlie Miner on Monday 23rd February 2015.
4
4
Eating a Rainbow 16 - 20 February 2015
All fruit and vegetables have different vitamins and minerals
and can benefit your health in different ways. That’s why it is
important to get some colour in your diet.
The Veggie Cups are a quick and easy way to eat a rainbow:
Shopping List:
2 Sticks of Celery
Cost:
(whole celery) $3.50
1 Capsicum
$2
1 Cucumber
$2.50
2 Carrots
$0.50
1 punnet of cherry tomatoes
(Cubed cheese optional)
$4
(without cheese) $12.50
Pictured (top left clockwise):
Daz Blunt (Manager Health Programs) and Loretta
Trott (Coordinator, New Directions) making
yoghurt cups.
Method:
Wash all ingredients. Lay out cups of 250ml containers
(makes around 15 cups). Cut veg in strips to fit container. Top
a cherry tomato and cube of cheese if desired. Pack and Go!
Serves: over 15
Preparation time: 15 minutes for 15 snacks isn't bad
5
Fred Edwards (Maintenance Officer) assisting with
transporting some of the 1,500 odd fruit.
Carol Escudero (Administration Assistant, Clinic)
delivering yoghurt cups to clients.
Myat Soe (Public Health Officer), Sachin Khera
(Healthy Lifestyle and Tobacco Action
Coordinator) and Joanna McDonnell (Specialist
Administrator) packing veggie cups to go.
5
Employee of the Month
Employee of the Month is an award given for outstanding service to well deserving employees. The mob at Bega
are all doing different things to come together to provide quality services for our clients. In recognition of this,
employees are nominated by management for their contribution. All those nominated celebrate with a lunch with
the Chief Operations Officer, Clive Holt, and the Employee of the Month receives a certificate and gift as well.
February’s nominations saw the same employee nominated
which has never happened before. The nominations were...
And the January Nominations were...
Carol Escudero
Carol is always friendly, professional and always helpful to
everyone. Nothing is ever too much for Carol, from
preparing reports to chopping up fruit! You are amazing
Carol, thank you and keep up the good work.
Haysie Penola
Haysie spends her days transporting our maternal clients
around for appointments, visits them at home and at the
hospital, and goes above and beyond to make our clients
happy and comfortable with our service. She has also been
allocated the collection of data and has embraced this role
with no questions asked. Haysie is an asset to the New
Directions team, and we can’t wait to have her on board as
a Health Practitioner.
Elaine Bourne
For all the commitment and hard work she put into Health
Weight Week to make it a huge success while most of the team
were away. She went way beyond her usual duties to assist the
whole organisation in making this a success, on top of attending
to everything else she does.
A huge thanks to Louise and everyone else from other
departments that helped out.
Louise Crogan
Louise has been nurturing the Healthy Lifestyle program since
the staff have diminished in the area. Louise has also done a
fantastic job with creating our first calendar. Louise is always
polite and willing to help in any area.
Well done Louise and keep up the good work.
Elaine often goes beyond her role as Rough Sleeper and can
be called on to help other departments when needed to
deal with reluctant clients, often with happy endings.
Elaine has a great attitude to the work she does and never
complains. She does what is required and a whole lot more.
No job is too big or too small for her. Keep up the great
work.
Henry Dalgetty, Karen Rooimans, Robbie Bonney, Lisa Bell,
Stephen Morrison and Daniel Graham
This mob attended the Survival Day Concert in Perth on
Australia Day and provided health promotion in all areas
covered by Bega, in particular smoking cessation. This mob
gave up their long weekend and did a fantastic job, having
almost 600 people look at our mobile clinics. They let Beth
know where they were and what they were doing on and off
all weekend. Tony Shaw called me after the event and
commented on how well the mob represented Bega. Henry
also spoke on the Noongar radio station at the event. Well
done to all of you, we at Bega are proud of you all.
Carol Escudero (below) receiving the award from Clive Holt
6
Louise Crogan
6
Louise Crogan
For the work and promotion of the Healthy Weight Week.
Louise Crogan with the fruit bouquet for the GSM. Below
receiving the award from Clive Holt, COO.
Rebecca Forster
HR Officer & Exec
Assistant to COO
Rachael Dimer
Payroll
As a new employee we welcome you to Bega. We consider the employment of every individual to be an important
factor in the constant growth of our organisation. You have been employed here because of the skills you have and
the contribution you can offer to our service.
Dr Keen Cheok
GP Registrar
Dianne Logan has been
made permanent in the
position of Social
Support Unit Manager
Kerrin Yepwi
Marelda Tucker
Bringing Them Home
Counsellor
Aboriginal Health
Worker
(New Directions)
Daz Blunt has been
made permanent in the
position of Health
Programs Manager
Jocelyn Carmichael has
been made permanent
in the position of Nindila
Training Centre Manager
7
Erin Zaro
Administration
Assistant Corporate
Services
Lisa Bell has accepted
the position of Mobile
Clinic Coordinator
7
Sustainable Gardens Taking off at Bega
Bega is getting set to roll out Sustainable Gardening in
our community with a self watering idea.
Gardening guru, David de Vries has worked with rural
and remote indigenous communities in the Northern
Territory to develop a system of sustainable garden
suitable to the desert climate. David recently visited
Bega’s Nindila Training Centre to share his learning and
expertise on the topic with Bega employees.
Eddie and Edward Evans also got a grape vine and
some help with existing fruit trees. The trees were
planted some time ago and the lawn had encroached
its growing space soaking up previous water. The team
got stuck into it, despite the searing and humid heat,
to get rid of the weeds and lawn and put in some
mulch using the lawn clippings.
The training on creating sustainable gardens within
community houses and around the homes was not
only about placement, materials and technique but
also about helping our clients become involved in a
rewarding activity.
A wealth of knowledge, employees learnt from David’s
experience and lessons on the best way to encourage
community members to take on their own project and
to ensure it is one that can be left when gardeners go
travelling.
Staff used second hand barrels, added their own
pattern and flare, and turned them into wicking beds.
The concept is simple – create a space in the bottom
for water to sit and seep up into the soil allowing the
gardens to go around a week without watering.
Once staff were up to speed, it was time to put theory
into practice and the mob went on a mission to install a
couple around the place. First stop was to deliver a
Melanie O’Donoghue, Gareth
L-R .Graham Nudding, Ripley,
wing off
de Vries and Jodie Reid sho
Stokes, Cody Winter, David
.
the new sustainable garden
couple between Clinic, Creche and Social Support Unit
so everyone can keep an eye on how it all goes. The
kids are loving watering their own garden too!
Next stop Ninga Mia to help show active gardener,
Melanie O’Donoghue, and her family how to make their
own barrels and tubs. From repotting her fruit trees to
herbs and a new silky pear, it was all hands on deck. It
also goes to show that second hand materials can be
used to complete the garden, with an old gate used to
run the silky pear along.
What is a Sustainable Garden? A garden that
will survive in the environmental conditions at
low cost and is often one that provides edible
plants for their owners.
8
8
Left: Watering the new garden. Above: Sachin Khera installing
the fig tree in the clinic courtyard. If you have a chance,
check out the one in the Clinic courtyard next time you are
there.
Sustainable Gardens at Ninga Mia
Graham Nudding, Ninga Mia Substance Misuse Worker, new
sustainable gardeners, Edward and Eddie Evans and Cody
Winter, Environmental Health Worker, showcasing the new
grape vine. Eddie will also make his own vine support.
What Next? Bega hope to help establish many more
sustainable gardens for the community and its members.
Gardening is a beneficial health activity as it can be very
therapeutic, create many social discussions and be
rewarding through both a sense of achievement and from
eating the fruits of your own labour! Watch this space.
Left: (the before
shot) fruit trees in
pots were not
taking off as fast, so
the Bega team helped
Melanie and Gareth to
replant them. Right (the
after shot): Gareth Stokes
and Jodie Reid, Youth Support
Worker, making the final touches
to the fruit trees. Planting in tubs is
also great because they are portable take them with you when you move!
Tips for planning your garden:






Choose a location close to the water supply is to make it easier
Find a spot that has some shade from the afternoon sun, either
under trees or next a fence, house or shed
Use mulch to keep the moisture in
Use a good fertilizer once a month, such as seasol
Recycle old barrels, fences, crates to get the job done
Try find manure to mix in with the soil
9
9
April Specialist Clinics
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Sat Sun
1
2
3
4
5
11
12
18
19
25
26
Antenatal Class:
Relaxation and
Pamper - looking
after yourself, baby
and pregnancy
Good Friday
(closed)
6
7
8
9
Easter
Monday
Dentist
DENTIST (extra day) Podiatrist
Physio
Diabetes Clinic with Dentist (extra day)
Dr George
Paediatrician
Diabetes Educator
Jane Walton
(closed)
13
10
14
DENTIST (extra day) Dentist
15
16
DENTIST (extra day)
17
Physio
Paediatrician
20
21
23
24
Dentist
Podiatrist
Physio
Paediatrician
Dietician
27
28
Anzac Day
(closed)
Dentist
10
22
29
30
Paediatrician
10
May Specialist Clinics
Monday
4
Tuesday
Friday
Sat Sun
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
Dentist
Podiatrist
Physio
Paediatrician
Diabetes Clinic with
Dr George
16
17
23
24
30
31
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
Diabetes Educator
Jane Walton
11
18
12
13
14
15
Dentist
Physio
Paediatrician
Opthalmologist
(eye)
19
20
Dentist
21
22
Podiatrist
Dietician
28
29
Paediatrician
25
26
27
Dentist
Physio
Paediatrician
11
11
June Specialist Clinics
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Sat Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
11
12
13
14
Dentist
Podiatrist
Physio
Paediatrician
Diabetes Clinic with
Dr George
20
21
27
28
Dentist
Podiatrist
Paediatrician
8
9
10
Diabetes Educator
Jane Walton
15
16
17
Dentist
18
19
Podiatrist
Physio
25
26
Paediatrician
22
23
29
24
Dentist
Physio
Paediatrician
Dietician
30
Dentist
Paediatrician
12
12
THE SPECIALIST CLINICS/CHRONIC HEALTH TEAM
Joanna McDonnell
Albert Dougherty
Jane Walton
Administrator Specialist
Clinics
Aboriginal Health Worker
Diabetes Educator
Diabetes, Renal, Australian
Hearing and Ophthalmologist
(Eye) Clinics
See Jane for any concerns
related to Diabetes: Eating,
Exercise and Foot Health
Dental, Physiotherapy,
Podiatry and Spectacles
Reminders from the team:

Have you had your Flu Vax this year? See Albert

Have you had your Health Care Plan made up with the Health Worker?

And have you had your annual Health Check by Dr?

Does your children need their ears checked?

What about a Dental Health Check or do you need to see the Physio or Podiatrist? See Joanna

Do you need glasses? See Joanna

Diabetes Education? See Jane
The Bega Team is here for the mob. We will assist you as far as possible—even with Transport.
Please come in and place yourself in our care, because we are here to support your health needs. We want you to
feel welcome and comfortable.
Flu Vaccinations are now available,
Flu Vaccinations are now available
Who is particular at risk of complications from influenza?
please see Albert
People with underlying medical conditions such as:

Heart Conditions

Severe asthma

COPD and other lung conditions

Diabetes (type 1 and type 2)

Kidney problems

Impaired immunity such as HIV infection

Malignant cancers

Chronic neurological disorders

Pregnant women
People ≥ 65 years of age, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island adults
aged ≥ 15 years are also at increased risk of severe complications from influenza.
Who else should be protected by vaccination?
People who care for or are in close contact with at-risk individuals are advised to protect themselves against influenza to avoid
passing on the disease.
Vaccination is also recommended for travellers and many otherwise healthy Australians who wish to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.
13
13
Mobile Clinic at Clontarf Academy
 Facilitating health pathways for Aboriginal youth both
internal and external of Bega Garnbirringu health
services
 Developing and maintaining culturally appropriate
service.
The program promotes that the importance of health
checks as a way of helping to find problems before a
persons health gets worse.
The health assessment program takes a view of health that
includes the social, physical, emotional and spiritual parts
of a person.
The Mobile Clinic not only services the Communities outside
Kalgoorlie, but also within the local community and has
attended local schools to conduct health checks. Recently,
the mobile clinic visited the Goldfields Clontarf Academy and
with great success.
With a strong focus on primary health care, the mobile clinic
involvement with the Goldfields Clontarf academy youth
program has several aims including:
 Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal youth
within Kalgoorlie and surrounding areas
 Advocating for Aboriginal youth and community
involvement
Working with the Goldfields Clontarf Academy,
participant’s age range from 12yrs to 17yrs. At the
conclusion we conducted 63 child health assessments. We
also put on a BBQ for the participants, this was a good
opportunity to hear their views and ideas on how they see
and think about their family and themselves in future and
for a healthy lifestyle.
The Mobile Clinic is run by a small team, but is an
invaluable service that encourages more people to look
after themselves and see a doctor whether within the local
or wider Goldfields community.
Australia Day Concert
Mobile Clinic and the Social Support Unit attended the Survival Concert for Australia Day held in Perth this
year. The event was very successful, despite the very hot day, and the clinic saw around 600 people. Bega
also had a stand distributing pamphlets about the whole of Bega, giving away promotional items and
Henry Dalgetty also spoke on Noongar radio about Bega.
Pictured below left, the mobile clinic in action at the Survival Concert and right, all the staff manning the
stand: Daniel Graham, Robby Bonney, Steven Morrison, Henry Dalgetty, Karen Rooimans and Lisa Bell.
14
14
The NEW New Directions!
Libby Berry
Chantelle Gleeson
New Directions, also known as Mums and Bubs, have had a
change of scenery. Specialist Clinic and New Directions have
swapped around to make better use of the space. Specialist
clinics are now all held in the same location and have a larger
waiting area since we can sometimes have clinics daily and they
are always busy. New Directions have also benefited by linking
the Coordinators (Loretta Trott’s) room better with the Health
Practitioners, Midwives and the Maternal Support Worker. The
Paeds Clinics will now be held in the New Directions area as well.
To visit New Directions, when you go through the clinic doors
and into the court yard, you will find their offices straight across
the court yard.
Kerrin Yepwi
Jane Walton
Specialist Clinics are now all held in the back left corner - where
the Dentist and Podiatrist have been running from already.
The New Directions team now have all positions filled and are
running full steam ahead! Meet the team, pictured left.
Libby - Midwife, Chantelle - Health Practitioner, Kerrin - Health
Practitioner, Jane - Midwife & Diabetes Educator, Delveen Midwife, Haysie - Maternal Support Worker & Loretta Coordinator of New Directions.
Delveen Dowsett, Haysie Penola and Loretta Trott
Bike Week
Bike week is the Department of Transport’s annual
celebration and promotion of riding a bicycle for transport.
It is held every year in March across Western Australia. In
Kalgoorlie, the Bike week was held from Saturday 14th to
Sunday 22nd March 2015. The main aim of the event was to
encourage people of all ages to take up cycling as a healthy
and inexpensive mode of transport, thus promoting health
benefits of everyday bike riding. Bega has worked in
partnership with Population health, Cancer council WA,
Department of sports and recreation, Eastern Goldfields
cycle club and SDERA to promote the event.
One of the Learn to ride sessions’ held behind the
Goldfields Oasis by the Eastern Goldfields Cycle Club.
Promotional displays at Bega Clinic Reception Area
15
Bike week was promoted through a collection of activities
conducted throughout the week., including ‘Bike and road
safety education sessions’ at primary schools and ‘Learn to
ride sessions’ by the Eastern Goldfields Cycle Club . The
participants learnt skills and practical knowledge on safe
riding. The course benefited to everyone, even if the person
is new rider or confident rider.
Hundreds of community members benefited from the
range of activities ran throughout the week. Bega
promoted the event by setting up a display at the clinic
reception area for clients and staffs; and radio
announcements. Bega has also supplied fresh fruits and
water during the ‘Learn to ride’ sessions. Bega would like to
encourage our staff and clients on bike riding and become
healthier.
15
Closing the Gap Celebrations
The ‘National Close the Gap day’ is celebrated to create
awareness about improving health of Aboriginal people.
In Australia, the life expectancy of Aboriginal people is 10
-17 years less than non-Aboriginal people. This event
gives people the opportunity to show their support and
commitment for closing the life expectancy gap within
the generation.
talked about the importance of language and rituals
such as the smoke ceremony and after, a group of kids
played musical symphony organised by the music
teacher at the Nulsen primary school. There was a good
audience of kids who enjoyed the show and sang along
with the music. The school teachers then divided each
class into groups of 15-20 kids and attended individual
stalls, completing activities and learning about the
services they offer.
The Bega mob took the Community Engagement Vehicle
to supply fresh fruits and water during the event. The
kids took part in an apple slinking activity, run by
Stephen and Sachin, as an innovative way to eat fresh
fruits with around 100 kids eating a slinky apple they
made (pictured left). Hand hygiene was encouraged with
kids asked to sanitise their hands before performing the
activity and eating fruit. Kids’ parents were supplied with
promotional materials, bananas, water bottles and mini
hand sanitisers that can be attached to a belt or bag.
Marelda also talked with community members and gave
On Wednesday 18th Mar 2015, Bega Health Programs and out promotional material.
Social Support teams travelled to Esperance to attend
The organisers supplied damper and stew for
‘National Close the Gap day’ event at Nulsen primary
participating agencies and everyone was able to enjoy
school in Esperance. Sachin Khera, Stephen Morrison and
the live band. Kids and their parents enjoyed the overall
Marelda Tucker attended this event. Bega received an event and received useful information. Bega would like
invitation from the Esperance Community Mental health to thank the organisers, participating agencies and
team, who were the organiser of the event. Other Nulsen primary school for the invitation and support.
healthcare agencies including Population health, The event was successful and Bega will be happy to be
Centrecare and Escare also had their stalls at the event, the part of future events and activities in Esperance
which started at 10 am with Welcome to Country by local community.
Aboriginal elder, Uncle Sonny Graham. Uncle Sonny
16
16
Thithigoo and Mobile Crèche
Thithigoo Crèche is a service set up to help our
clients by looking after their children while
receiving health care at Bega. This is a
complimentary service for any client who is
seeing the GP or a specialist.
indoor play spaces. The outside has also been
upgraded and a new playground installed,
shades for outdoor undercover play time and a
Sustainable Garden commenced.
Check out some of the material our crèche
Staff are also able to utliise the service for any children have been working on...
family member under 12 years old up to a
maximum of 12 hours per week at the low cost
or $4 per hour. Our crèche facilities are only
available for limited times because we are a not
for profit organisation, running a non-registered
crèche. With that comes certain limitations that
we cannot be flexible with. See below for full
details.
While in our care, we follow the Education
Departments quality frameworks to deliver
valuable education programs that are
determined by the child’s own desire to learn.
Healthy snacks and finger food are provided and
along with organised activities children can
take part in free play in the newly renovated
Opening hours
Crèche is open all week, Monday to Friday.
We offer two Care Sessions.
Care Session 1: 9.00am—12.00pm
CLOSED FOR 1 HOUR.
Parents will need to collect their children
while crèche staff take a lunch break between 12 and 1.
Care Session 2: 1.00pm—4.30pm
(Closed at 4pm during school holidays)
Children can attend Crèche for up to 12
hours each week.
No more than 3 hours in one session.
WHO CAN ATTEND
We welcome all children aged 8 weeks to 12
years old who have parents or relatives:
• Visiting the Doctor or Health Specialist at
Bega
• Enrolled in a course that is held at Bega
• Working on the premises.
17
INTRODUCING THE TEAM
Thithigoo and Mobile Crèche Coordinator:
Ana King
Senior Early Childhood Educator:
Lulu Bourne
Early Childhood Educator:
Tiarma Harris
Casual Educator:
Leearnie Thorne
Caroline Yarran
17
Bega General Staff Meeting
Bega understand that without staff working together we would not be able to achieve as much as we
do. Keeping everyone up to date is an important part of working together as a team. So every month a
General Staff Meeting is held to get the mob together to share news and happenings about Bega. The
meeting is hosted by a different department each month and also offers that department an
opportunity to have a little fun with the event planning.
These meetings are pretty light hearted and a little competition often crops up. Here’s what Health
Programs did in March...
Make a penguin competition - with no instructions, staff
had to try make a penguin with the supplies provided in
one minute. Some awesome masterpieces were made
(above) and Marcus Mcguire (Youth Support), Carolyn
Smail (Community Links) and Jodie Reid (Youth
Engagement) from SSU won the prize packs. It was quite
a laugh and showed our team work in action!
Top Left: Sachin Khera
and Louise Crogan
running the penguin
activity.
Top right: winners of the best
penguin, Marcus McGuire,
Carolyn Smail and Jodie Reid.
Bottom left: Bega mob ready for the meeting
Center: edible fruity bouquet
18
18
Global Domes an Inspiration
by Joanna McDonnell
a primary school – that info is on the Cal-earth website.
Then I found the Global Dome. A dome that you can erect
in 4 hours. They are building a lot of them in Woodend in
Victoria as emergency housing. Also in Queensland in a
mine site. I particularly like the pinstripe effect inside. I
think I would feel like a genie in a bottle. I think it would
make a fantastic art room and would inspire a lot of
creativity. You can buy a basic one for about $10,000 or
less. Check out the Global Dome website.
I am so inspired. First it was the Moon Cocoons, I just
love them. I would like to build and live in one. They
don’t cost much as you make them with long sandbags
and dirt basically. You just need to buy the sandbags,
barbed wire a selection of poly pipes and wood for the
windows and doors and get a plumber and electrician in
if you want that in your Cocoon. Also cement or lime.
The Earth One homes are good as well and you can
connect them to the Moon Cocoon. Just google Moon
Cocoon and you can get to the Cal-Earth Website. Check
it out. Also check out if your shire will allow you to build
one. They have made a couple of them in Melbourne in
Dreamtime Story
These dome buildings are becoming popular all over the
world as they are said to be environmentally friendly,
sustainable and strong and can endure strong winds and
earthquakes. In fact it is stated that because of their
round shape they are the strongest buildings you can
construct. They are even stronger than the stress test
machines!
Not only is the strength of the domes amazing but the
feeling inside of the round shape is comforting. It is said
that it is like being in a womb. I hope you have enjoyed
this info, it certainly inspires me as it has many other
people all over the world.
Bohra’s face and wake him up.
This story explains
how night and day
began and explains
why the Emu is a fast
and scaly legged
bird.
In the dreamtime
everything was dark
because there was no
daytime.
Finally he said, "Dinewan, Come with me." So they
went off into the darkness, stumbling along, falling
over logs and especially scratching the emu's legs
until the feathers around that area fell off, making
her legs very scaly.
Then they came to a clearing where Bohra said, to
his wife, "Wait here." And he begun to roll back the
night until daylight came through and his wife
began to run around, happy at last, and he was able
to lay around and sleep again.
Bohra, the Kangaroo,
took Dinewan, the
emu, to be his wife and they were happy for quite a
while. Then the emu became very restless because
Bohra only wanted to lay around all the time and
sleep. And because the Emu ‘s are used to a lot of
exercise she longed to stretch her legs. So she
began to complain about his laziness and then
about the dark.
Dinewan would fiddle with the leaves on the
ground and the leaves would sometimes fall on
19
19
Hilarious Hiccups
Triple Trouble
it just wasn’t my day!
It started out well – I got to work early!
A short time later I thought I was in trouble when I spotted the
Clinic Manager and the Clinic Co-ordinator outside my office. I
looked around, there was nowhere to hide. But everything was
still ok – it was Natasha’s Birthday – It seemed ok anyway!
Then a client came into my office with a problem. After
listening, questioning I decided to check with my manager. I
dialed a number but this is where my day started to go bad.
“Hello Tony” At this point I realised that I had made a mistake.
The person on the other end was male it should have been a
female.
I read the name on the phone – it wasn’t Tony…………The
mistake was worse than I had thought – how could I have got 3
numbers mixed up…….. I looked at my client (she was a former
employee) with shock and horror, swallowed hard, took in a
deep breath and bravely said
“Hello Wayne, I am so sorry, I dialled the wrong number”, (it
was Wayne, you know – THE WAYNE – THE CEO!)
We ended up talking about cameras and global domes – will
tell you about those later.
The moral of the story is of course to make sure you dial the
correct number especially as our CEO is very busy.
The day gets worse.
I was called into the clinic kitchen by you know who – the Clinic
Manager – Beth! Am I in trouble, I wondered?
Not in any trouble at all but a slice of her wonderful
cheesecake! Yum Cheesy, creamy topping, made with no sugar
and lovely biscuit base. Mmmmmmmmmm Delicious! Beth is
so well known for making lovely treats and for goodness sake it was Natasha’s birthday. I went to grab a small muffin on
leaving.
Spot the difference
Everyone was in fits of laughter at
a recent management meeting,
and its no wonder. See if you can
spot the difference…
Social Support Unit Manager,
Dianne Logan pictured right (with
shoes on) and the offending
shoes also pictured. Not quite
two left feet, at least they were
for the right foot as well!
20
20
“No Joanna” a female voice said “You have had enough”.
I desperately went to the other side of her where it almost
came to push and shove and almost ended in blows. Some
thought this very amusing, all I wanted was a small muffin.
“Now go – get back to work!”
I thought it advisable not to argue with management. I know
who would come off worse.
I skulked back to my office. It was a busy day the Renal Clinic,
sandwiches, cups of tea and coffee to keep the clients spirits up.
To my surprise AW appeared – “I have brought you the muffins,
I felt sorry for you”.
OOO thanks I just wanted to try the Choc Chip.
The moral of this story is – “don’t mess with management but
keep on the right side of your colleagues and they may bring
you a nice treat”!
The day turned out well really, Bega is a great place to work.
There are rules that you have to stick to – like not ringing the
CEO – (he is very busy working for the organisation), and
fighting with the Managers doesn’t work – you will end up
worse off.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Holiday Destination
By Haysie Penola
Fingal Head NSW
13kms from the Gold Coast
Airport and with a population of 544 people, Fingal
Head is a small local beach
community. But don’t let size
fool you as this hidden treasure has some of the most
beautiful beaches in the
world and is known for its
great fishing, surfing and untouched beaches.
Send us through
yours for the next
newsletter!
21
21
The Social Club
On the Radio
The Bega Social Club is run by staff for staff. There
are various events and benefits including free or
discounted tickets suitable to all tastes, sporting
teams and a Race Round lunch to name a few.
Every Thursday, Bega have a spot on the Tjuma
Pulka radio station at around 10am, after the news,
and different staff members go along to talk about
their areas and what they are up to. Debbie is
always helpful and friendly, so staff who have been
once are at ease to go again. These are some of the
staff members who have braved their nerves to tell
the community
what we are up
to. If you are a
Bega staff
member and
have something
you would like to
share from your
work area,
contact Joanna
McDonnell.
There is a Social Club Committee but ideas and
suggestions are welcome from all members.
To join the Social Club all staff have to do is fill in a
Social Club Membership Form (HRI-07). This form is
found on the Bega Intranet home page under
Human Resources – Induction. New staff members
are also given the option to join the Social Club as a
part of the Induction process.
The form is filled in by the new member and is to
be returned to Finance. $6.00 per fortnight is the
cost that is automatically deducted from your gross
pay.
Currently, Social Club Members are being asked
whether they would like 2 adult fair tickets or 2
adult cinema tickets, paid for by the Social Club.
All staff are busy within their roles and
departments and this year have only met once and
trying to have as many members as possible attend
is hard but we do remain in contact with each other
and hope to have another Social Club meeting in
April 
If you want to find out more
information or nominate to join the
committee, then contact Naomie Zaro.
Above: Melbourne Cup luncheon for Social Club Members.
Right (from the top) On the radio, Sachin Khera with Debbie
Carmody, Manager Tjuma Pulka Radio, Louise Crogan showing
Debbie the Bega Calendar and Debbie on the spot with Bega.
22
22
The Scoop
Haysie Got Married!
Clinton & Haysie became ...
MR & MRS Penola on the 25th of October
2014. Married on the QLD/NSW border line at
Point Danger look out. Looking over Haysie’s
favourite place and home town of Fingal Head.
Photo credits to Mrs Penola, Kaleb Slabb and Wedding Pics by Jessica Togo .
BRIDAL PARTY:
Shari TOGO, Kerrin
YEPWI, Sipa TONGA,
Gemma TONGA &
Jazmin Allen.
Blaize PENOLA, Jia
QUAKAWOOT, Stewart SATINIE, Jacob
BOBONGIE & Dane
NIELSEN
23
23
Delicious baked pears with ricotta, walnuts and cinnamon
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Serving size: 4 (1 pear half being a serve)
Per serve (1 pear half being
a serve)
Energy = 614kj/147cal
Carbohydrate = 8g
Fat = 7g
Sat fat = 2g
Fibre = 4g
Ingredients

2 large firm pears, halved

100g of low fat ricotta

¼ cup of walnuts, chopped

Ground cinnamon
Methods
1. Preheat the oven to 180° and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Scoop out the seeds of the pears, leaving a small hole that can be stuffed with the ricotta mixture.
3. Combine the ricotta, walnuts and cinnamon (to taste).
4. Spoon the ricotta mixture into the pear hollows.
5. Sprinkle with cinnamon, place on the baking tray and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the pears are tender.
A Healthy recipe taken from diabetes SA—www.diabetessa.com.au
“000”
Call 000 in an emergency if you feel someone is at risk of harm
Hospital
9080 5888
Poison’s Information
131 126
Men’s Domestic Violence Help Line
800 000 599
Women’s Domestic Violence Help Line 1800 007339
Family Violence Prevention Legal Service 9021 0244
Sexual Assault Resource Centre
1800 688 922
Crisis Accommodation
Family Help Line
Parenting Line
Grand Care
Quit line
Alcohol & Drug Information Service
9021 2836
1800 643000
1800 654 432
1800 008 323
13 78 48
1800 653 203
Help Line Contacts
Contact
Phone
Website
Beyond Blue
1300 224 636
www.beyondblue.org.au
Crisis Care helpline
1800 199 008
(Country free call)
E headspace
1800 650 890
www.eheadspace.org.au
Healthdirect Australia
1800 022 222
www.healthdirect.gov.au
Kid’s Help Line
1800 55 18 00
www.kidshelpline.com.au
Lifeline Australia
13 11 14
www.mensline.org.au
Men’s Line Australia
1300 78 99 78
www.mensline.org.au
Mental Health
1300 555 788
Emergency Response Line
Rurallink (mental health)
1800 552 002
(AFTER HRS) www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
The Samaritans Care Line
9381 5555
Free call 1800 198 313
24