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CENTRES
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.
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.
THEYEAR
IN GENERAL
A huge year in the area with many changes.
The development of our service to Yelarbon
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.
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!
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.
AROUND
OURAREA
Networking with local community agencies
has continued over the year with continued
positive outlooks and outcomes.
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.
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.
IN OUR
COMMUNITY
Centre reports