14
BUNDABERG
THEYEAR IN GENERAL
2012
has been a very busy yet
satisfying year in Bundaberg. As
we sadly bid farewell to Sandra
(
Psych) and Tanya (SLP), we were
delighted to welcome two new staff
members, Heather and Laura, who
easily transitioned into the team
and got straight to work providing
high quality services to the children
and families of Bundaberg! Many
clients have received individual OT,
SLP and Psychology support, in
addition to support being offered
through a variety of groups run by
the FHSW both at the centre and in
local schools. Some of the groups
offered in 2012 included PALS, Fun
Friends, Friends for Life/Stop Think
Do, Friendship, Holiday Craft, Art
and Literacy, PAL literacy, Fine
Motor and handwriting groups.
As always, demand for our services
has been high, resulting in lengthy
waiting lists for individual therapy
services. The lists for psychology
and speech pathology services have
been closed for much of 2012 (our
psychology books have recently
re-opened) and, while it is difficult
to turn a referral away from our
service, we know when a possible
wait for therapy is at least a year,
it is better for the child and family
to access services elsewhere. The
Bundaberg community has been
hugely supportive of our situation
regarding new referrals, and we
feel our team has negotiated well
with other service providers to
ensure children and families have
alternative avenues for accessing
their much-needed therapy.
Our centre welcomed a second year
OT student for a placement in Janu-
ary and February. It was wonder-
ful to have the addition of such an
enthusiastic and willing learner
within our team (albeit for only
three weeks!) and we all enjoyed
imparting our knowledge and
skills, and convincing our student
of the incredibly fun and reward-
ing experiences which come with
working in early intervention.
Since launching of the BUSHkids
rebranding and new website in late
2011,
our bright, eye-catching and
more contemporary image has
generated much positive feedback
from parents, students and other
clinicians who have ‘checked us
out’ on the website. We have also
enjoyed showcasing our bright new
image on our letterhead, business
cards and new work car.
Brett recently serviced the centre
during his week-long maintenance
visit; thanks, Brett, for all your
work in and around the centre.
As a team we were delighted by
the addition of a new therapy
room – almost complete with sink,
shelving, caterpillar tables and
chairs. Thanks to Mumma’s Nest
and the Commonwealth Bank, we
now have a new flat screen TV and
DVD player for viewing Triple P
and various other parent education
DVDs, along with a new lounge for
our waiting room. Verbal feedback
has been overwhelmingly positive.
AROUND OURAREA
Bundaberg is a large regional town
servicing a greater population of
over 100,000 – that includes the
townships of Childers and Gin Gin.
While best known for its sugar and
rum, the Bundaberg region is also
a big tomato, macadamia and fig
producer. The biggest drawcard is
no doubt Bundaberg’s proximity to
the coast and its enviable climate
–
said to be one of the best in the
world (akin to that of Florida!)
–
and this makes it all the more
possible to enjoy the picturesque
beaches of Bargara, Elliott Heads,
Mon Repos (famous for its turtle
rookery) and Lady Elliott Island on
the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
In terms of population, Bundaberg
is a lower socio-economic region.
Many schools have special needs
units attached and we have one
of the largest special schools in
Queensland. This exemplifies
the need for free services such as
BUSHkids within the community.
ACTIVITYAND OUTPUTS
Psychology – reflections by
Heather Moyle
I commenced my role in January,
with enthusiasm and an ideal of
how I would be instrumental in
bringing about amazing changes to
children in this community. I was
attracted to BUSHkids by the proud
history, the philosophy, and the
family-centred focus of service
delivery, and totally passionate
about playing a role. I knew that
in Bundaberg the demand for our
services was high, but it came as
a surprise to find a waitlist of 83
clients on the books, and that it was
continuing to grow. I looked at the
cheerful faces of my colleagues,
took a deep breath, and dived in.
It’s been an amazing journey: I’ve
had the opportunity to meet with,
get to know and understand some
of the personal circumstances of the
many families and children waiting
and depending on our services. I’ve
engaged with parents, developing
personalised treatment plans to
address the specific needs of their
children and/or family. I’ve also dis-
covered that I am yet to meet two
children that are remotely alike!
Most rewardingly of all, I’ve found,
the children and families I have
engaged with have all responded
positively to the BUSHkids style of
service delivery: an investment in
one-on-one, personalised interest,
engagement and time.
Despite limitations with diagnoses,
ongoing family problems, or some
difficult school environments, the