BUSHkids Annual Report 2015-16

CENTRES

Centre reports

Inglewood

Mount Isa

Warwick

A time of growth, development and consolidation in the area. Two conferences in the past 12 months has been quite different with a new venue and training paths to follow. Challenges with delivering new programs (why do I stress so much before I do them – once I start things just seem to flow!). Working with others on a daily basis is also very different for me and at times is challenging, however flexibility is the key. The staff in Brisbane continue to be so very supportive and I would like to thank each and every one of them for every plea for help I send – there is always a helpful voice on the other end – Ken seems to get most of these calls so thanks heaps, Ken! I would also like to thank Carlton and the Council for their continued enthusiasm and support for our rural services. has been so incredibly well received in that school community. In a meeting with the principal we discussed delivering a fortnightly service to the under-fives of Yelarbon and were generously offered the school as a venue and also school resources were put at our disposal. We began with a great attendance and numbers continued to be consistent throughout the year. We offer Read and Grow and activities to the chil- dren and the parents seem to derive a great enjoyment from the colouring-in activities. It is great to see dads turning up with their kids and getting involved. Inglewood remains my home base (although it seems I’m not here very often!) and I continue to have my monthly playgroup here with many of the clients being in the toddler and under-two age range, plus a young special needs lad coming along also and delighting in the activities. Networking with local community agencies has continued over the year with continued positive outlooks and outcomes. A huge year in the area with many changes. The development of our service to Yelarbon

This year has brought many changes to our Centre: OT Rebecca Maxwell and second SLP Jessica Allen left the team at the close of 2015. We continue to be short-staffed in 2016, with only SLP and FHSW support available. Nonetheless, the services we are able to offer continue to be recognised in the community, and service delivery has remained consistent. FHSW Lynette commenced study leave in July 2016 and we have welcomed Carol Costello to the team in her stead.

It’s been a very busy and exciting year for Warwick. The move to our new Centre in 2015 was quite a change from our cosy small centre in Guy St to such a spacious environment, but it hasn’t taken long for the team to settle in and make good use of the new centre. We welcomed SLP Georgie Devine to the team in March, as we bid a sad farewell to Alison Dowdle and Lauren Fitzpatrick. It’s lovely to have Helen O’Connell back from maternity leave and we look forward to an additional OT on the team when the advertised part-time vacancy is filled. We are continuing to implement new procedures (for example, in Case Manage- ment Meetings) which are working well. Management is very supportive and much focused on the growth of the organisation and the direction it’s going. We continue to strengthen community awareness. The start of the year was more positive than previous times for the community with no significant events influencing the region. Moving and setting up in the new premises impacted slightly our ability to provide client sessions, however this soon picked up again once we settled in. We have noticed an increase in foster families within the region wanting to access the service.

THEYEAR IN GENERAL

The local election saw long-standing mayor Tony McGrady replaced by Mount Isa’s first female mayor, Joyce McCulloch. In other news, James Cook University (JCU) had six fourth-year Speech Pathology students placed in Mount Isa for eight weeks. The students and Clinical Education Co- ordinator Louise Brown provided speech pathology services within recognised community service gaps. JCU aims to establish ongoing services in Mount Isa based at the Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health (MICRRH). This is fantastic news as our community will certainly benefit from additional services!

AROUND OURAREA

Friends of BUSHkids has continued to grow over the past 12 months, going from strength to strengths. Sandra Head is volunteering three days per week and has been a huge help in supporting the staff. Our clients appreciate her friendliness and warmth on their arrival to our centre. Friends of BUSHkids continues to be instrumental in planning and organising events such as the BUSHkids Golf Day and Bush Dance.

BUSHkids has continued to engage in community events to maintain and expand our local profile. We attended network meetings, Mega Playgroup, and local library events. We have continued to receive positive feedback regarding the Karen Stagnitti workshop from community members who have put her learning into practice.

IN OUR COMMUNITY

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