Connecting creativity, human dignity, leadership

SWARA Sunshine Welfare & Remedial Association

101 Park Road Woolloongabba QLD 4102

Website: www.swara.com.au Email: admin@swara.com.au

Phone: 07 3391 4119 Fax:3391 0922

April - June 2017 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!!!

https://www.facebook.com/swara.brisbane/

FROM THE MANAGER

It is with a heavy heart that I advise that Moyia O’Brien passed away in the early hours of Thursday 4th May 2017. As she would like me to describe it, her soul is liberated. She was in the arms of her niece, Katina, when she left us all. Both her hands rested in Ranji’s, a practice they have enjoyed together for decades. Cuddled into the next life. So appropriate for she who only knew love. She journeys forward now, with a strange and beautiful flower in hand

What if you slept?

and what if, in your sleep

you dreamed?

And what if, in your dream,

you went to heaven and there plucked

a strange and beautiful flower?

And what if, when you awoke,

you had the flower in your hand?

Love and warm wishes. And thank you

TP O’Brien

Funeral for the late

Moyia O’Brien

Date: Thursday 11th May 2017 Time: 11am Church: St John Vianney Catholic Church Cnr Kooralgin and Ernest Streets, Manly Qld If you require further information please don’t hesitate to contact SWARA on 3391 4119

2

Hello everyone, I’m finding it hard to believe that we are in the month of May. Where have the first five months of the year gone.

Life at SWARA has been extremely busy with a number of key projects already completed.

In February, we welcomed our external auditors from IHC for our three-yearly recertification audit. I’m pleased to advise that we were successful in maintaining our certification against the Human Services Quality framework and would like to thank the clients, families and staff who were willing to be interviewed by the auditors. Hearing first hand from clients who use our services assists the auditors in determining if we are meeting the required standards.

Now that we have completed our audit and received a copy of our audit report we can continue with our NDIS registration. The NDIS commenced in the Toowoomba region on the 1st January and will commence in the Ipswich and Scenic Rim areas from the 1st July 2017. SWARA currently has clients who live in the Ipswich area and will be ready to welcome NDIS participants from July.

If you or your family member are contacted by the National Disability Insurance Agency and would like some assistance please don’t hesitate to contact me.

An NDIS information session is being held at SWARA on Thursday 4th May. This session will provide an overview of the NDIS and discuss some key points in relation to preparation and planning.

SWARA is continuing their preparation for NDIS and the many changes that will come with this. We are working closely with Disability Services Queensland to ensure that clients who receive support through our block funding are receiving the correct number of support hours allocated to them. SWARA will be in contact with all clients/families/advocates in the near future to discuss their current funded support hours.

For many years SWARA has provided morning tea and lunch to clients, staff, visitors, and volunteers. With the increase in the cost of

grocery items and fresh fruit and vegetables the cost to SWARA is increasing significantly.

Unfortunately, SWARA will be unable to continue to fund the entire cost of morning tea and lunch and therefore would like to introduce, from the 1st July 2017 a small fee to contribute to the costs. This will allow us to improve the quality of the food provided.

• Morning tea - $2.00

• Lunch - $3.00

These prices will be reviewed in the coming months with further increases possible.

Clients are welcome to bring their own morning tea and lunch and fridges will be made available for clients to store their food.

I understand this a significant change for clients and families and seek your support in making these necessary changes.

At the beginning of the year I started having conversations with Career Keys, Wesley Mission Queensland in relation to our clients having the opportunity to complete an accredited Certificate 1 in Vocational Skills. I am pleased to advise that we had an incredible amount of interest in this program and now have three groups of clients participating in the six-month course. At the end of the course a graduation ceremony will be held for the presentation of certificates and a celebratory morning tea. Family and friends will be invited to attend.

During February, we identified the need to increase our volunteer workforce. I was overwhelmed with the response received through our listing with Volunteering Queensland. This resulted in three volunteer information sessions being held over the course of a week and the commencement of seven new volunteers and several others still waiting on approval of their yellow card positive notices.

The development and delivery of our first volunteer induction workshop occurred on the 17th February. This workshop has been developed to provide new volunteers with an overview of the history of SWARA, the human services quality framework, disability awareness, organisational information and

3

policies and procedures. Volunteers are then buddied with a support worker to continue their learning and build confidence to appropriately support our clients.

In March, we hosted a group of Inclusive Education Specialist from Indonesia who were on a study tour with QUT. We started the morning with a tour of SWARA and an overview of the range of programs and activities on offer. The group spent some time chatting with staff and clients and many a story and laugh was shared. During a formal presentation light refreshments were served by the hospitality team. The morning was completed with a very moving performance from the choir with our visitors joining in to universal songs such as ‘Imagine’. A very humbling and moving experience to see how music and song can unite two very different cultures.

As you can see we have had a busy start to the year. I will be taking a couple of weeks annual leave from the 14th May. Deb Kilvington will be the acting manager during my absence. If I can be

of assistance to you in any way please don’t hesitate to contact me on 3391 4119 or email manager@swara.com.au

Best Wishes

Kerrie Grice

Manager

KEY LEARNING AREAS

SUNSHINE CAFÉ

In 2016 SWARA saw the beginning of what’s known as the Hospitality Team which was started by the lovely volunteer Maureen Davison. Towards the end of the year, the Hospitality Team was very busy with some catering orders.

Now in 2017, the Hospitality Team is looking to build on the foundation set in 2016. We have already had two more members join the crew. In one of our sessions we had clients Adrian, Jeff and Kate teach other clients how to make Hummus. In this way, everyone is learning a new skill or learning how to teach and communicate effectively. The most important life skills learned in the kitchen with the Hospitality Team is teamwork! Which all the “Chefs” are doing fantastically! We are looking forward to a fantastic 2017!

4

SUNSHINE BAKERY

The Bakery team is delighted to announce that

we have reopened our popular bakery stall at

SWARA on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please come

and visit if you are passing by and our very

efficient sales team John R, John P and Jamie M

will help you to choose from the popular cakes

and biscuits.

Tour to Statpack in Rocklea

On Monday 27th March Baz drove the bakery

clients to Rocklea to a store named STATPACK to

see about new bags and containers for our

biscuits and other produce. SWARA always tries

to get containers that are environmentally

friendly. The clients included Debbie D, Ruth G,

Sally M, Anne S, and myself.

STATPAC is across the road from the Rocklea

Markets. We bought lunch at a subway store

(Anne had her own) and enjoyed it before going

back to STATPAC to see what they had. I go to the

markets each Saturday morning with my mother

and sisters.

When we went through the store, Baz showed us

numerous containers that she was interested in

buying and among these were bags with

windows.

These windows are sheet of plastic across a hole

in the bag that allows you to see what is in the

bag. Unfortunately, the window bags we were

interested in, size number 6601 were not in stock

at the time but the lady behind the counter,

Fiona, promised to get in contact with us when

they become available.

We also bought some plastic containers similar to

our present biscuit containers and some bags for

our customers at our stall.

Fiona and the other ladies there were keen to

hear about what we make at SWARA and Anne

eagerly piped up about all our different produce.

Thanks to her, Fiona has become a customer

asking for a fruit cake next time we come over.

We are comparing STATPAC with our current

supplier, hoping for a better bargain. Gaining new

customers like Fiona and her friends will also be

beneficial.

So, yes it was a good and interesting trip all

round. We dropped Anne off at the train station

before returning to SWARA.

Tim H

5

COMMUNITY INCLUSION

Our Community Inclusion outings really took off last

year and in the closing months of 2016, we extended

our outings to twice a week! This year we are looking

to maintain the two outings per week. We really got

involved in some great outings last year which were

also educational or physical. We visited the science

centre, the ANZAC Experience, beach days, hiking,

bowling, and we even caught a flick towards the end

of the year. If you would like to join us on any outings

please feel free to contact us. The following dates are

scheduled for upcoming Community Inclusion outings:

Date D Location Bus Money Facilitator

3.5.17 W Mt Nebo hike Yes No Matt

5.5.17 F Victoria Barracks Museum

No No Matt/ Mary

8.5.17 M Sailing @ Manly

No $15 Matt

12.5.17 F GOMA No No Matt/ Mary

15.5.17 M City hall Clock Tower

No No Matt/ Richard

19.5.17 F Willowbank Raceway Practice Viewing

Yes $10 Matt

22.5.17 W Movie Day “A Dog’s Purpose”

No $15 Matt

26.5.17 F Lunch in the City

No Yes Matt

29.5.17 M Maroons Festival Southbank

No No Matt

31.5.17 W Ten Pin Bowling

Yes $20 Matt/ Richard

5.6.17 M Art Exhibition 266 George St – “Memes”

No No Matt

9.6.17 F 1 Million Stars Project – 22 Fulcher Rd Red Hill 10:30am

Yes No Matt

12.6.17 M New Farm Park Trip

No No Matt

14.6.17 W Brisbane City Farmer’s Market

No Maybe Matt/ Richard

19.6.17 M Ten Pin Bowling

Yes $20 Matt/ Richard

23.6.17 F AUSTRALIA ZOO

Yes $100 Everyone

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Creative Arts

We have an exciting program of Art Workshops

planned for 2017, where clients will have the

opportunity to enhance their existing skills or learn

new ones. Some of the workshops we will be running

include: colour mixing, watercolours, printmaking, and

felting. Also, weather permitting, we plan to do some

‘plein air’ (outdoor) drawing and painting at the

Botanical Gardens or Southbank Parklands.

2017 Brisbane Festival Exhibition

Art from the Margins are holding their annual

exhibition in September at City Hall this year and we

have 33 enthusiastic participants so far.

This year’s theme of “Celebration” is producing lots of

vibrant and lively interpretations, which our clients

should be very proud to exhibit at the festival.

SWARA 2017 “Love Token” Art Exhibition

“Call for Artists!”

The exhibition is open to Clients, Carers, Volunteers,

Support Workers, and Health Care Professionals to

enter. If you would like to be a part of our exhibition

6

and make a love token yourself, please see the entry

details at the end of this newsletter.

Community and Culture

One of this year’s new programs, Community and

Culture is now well underway. So far, we have

explored Australia, digging a little deeper into our

own culture, food, and history. We also investigated

the Polish culture. One of our clients kindly brought in

some beautiful traditional dolls and clothing for us to

look at. We are currently looking at the Solomon

Islands and are making drums in the style of the

Solomon Island artists. Our catering team have been

making tasty treats from each of the countries for us

to enjoy during presentations. We have tried a potato

dish called Pierogi and a dessert made of chocolate

and dates named Sliwkaw.

Women’s Club

Another new program for SWARA this year is our

Women’s Club and clients have already identified

several topics of interest. We begin each of our

sessions with mindfulness. Inviting professional

speakers to give talks about fall prevention, podiatry,

nutrition, diabetes, and eye care. Our ladies are also

keen to have a little pampering and want to practice

manicures on one another as well as learn how to

create new hairstyles and apply make-up for special

occasions. We will also be having the occasional

outing to local cafes for a cuppa and chat!

RECYCLING ENTERPRISE

Last year we had a record number of 2987 metres

delivered to Swara. A big thankyou goes out to

Formway meters for their contribution and even

delivering them to us. We are fortunate enough to

have raised enough money out of these meters to buy

our brand new 7’3’ slate pool table plus new

accessories to come in the next few weeks. As many

of our clients play pool, they are all excited and

looking forward to it.

HORTICULTURE

Welcome everyone to 2017 we are hoping to really

take off horticulture this year by starting a few new

projects such as learning about different plants and

what they need to really flourish. A big thank you to

Cliff Still and John Gwizadalla for mowing our lawns

twice this month as well as Adrian Lang, Wayne Bauer

and David Monghan for consistently watering our

gardens will have plenty of news to come in the

coming months so stay tuned.

LEARNING SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENCE

This year our clients are once again excited about

developing their learning skills. At present, we

are using Literacy Planet to enhance clients’

ability to improve their reading, spelling, and

comprehension skills. We are also encouraging

them to complete written tasks. Thanks to the

volunteers and student from QUT and TAFE for

their continued support in this area.

7

Sandra’s area has been relocated and she is now

teaching Numeracy in the Learning Centre. The

clients enjoy working with Sandra on Thursdays

and Fridays. They are using Mathletics and

Mathseeds programs.

A big that you to Nirmala Deo, Latchmi Reddy,

Lakshmi Singh, Maya Reddy Dunn, Kala Kumar,

Mantra Dunn, Shainiel Deo for providing us a lovely

curry lunch in April. We are so lucky to have them

donating lunches for past many years.

General

NEW PICK UP ZONE

We have now moved the pick up zone to the little

gate close to the bakery to make a safe

surrounding for our clients to enter. There will be

a staff member at the gate from 2:30pm onwards

to supervise clients to get into the taxis and cars.

Once the car/taxi is stopped for pick up, the client

should enter to the left of the car.

CLIENTS ATTENDANCE

Clients are to attend on the days they have

booked in for the week. We expect that block

funded clients will not be exceeding the hours

they have funded for in a week. If you are not

sure of the hours you have funded for, please talk

to Kerrie.

ABSENCE OF CLIENTS

If a client is absent from SWARA, please email the

office – admin@swara.com.au or call on 3391 4119.

EVENTS

Call for Artists!

SWARA 2017 Exhibition

“Love Tokens”

Following the success of SWARA’s art exhibition held

during our 40th Anniversary celebration in 2015, we

have decided to host another exhibition for 2017.

8

Exhibition Title: The theme of our exhibition is

“Love Tokens”.

So, what are Love Tokens and why are they

special?

Historically love tokens come in many shapes and

forms. From convict love tokens, smoothed down

pennies engraved with images and messages for a

sweetheart or family member. They were given

before transportation to foreign lands with the full

knowledge that they may never return to their

homeland again. Australia has the largest collection

of love tokens in the world. To pin cushions made by

sailors whilst away on long and often perilous

journeys, they would send them to loved ones as a

keepsake until their return. Other tokens of love

include love spoons from Wales and rings, broaches,

pins, and bracelets from the Victorian era.

The idea of a love token has universal appeal,

providing the giver a way to show their love for

someone special, as well as being remembered by

them. For the recipient of the keepsake, they are in

no doubt that they are loved and cherished.

What kind of love token would you create for your

loved one?

Who can participate in the exhibition?

The exhibition is open to all community organisations’

clients, support workers, health worker professionals

and carers (must be over 18 years old), to either

participate in SWARA’s exhibition or to hold your own

exhibition and join us on Facebook to show off your

creations.

We would love to see video footage of works to

stream on the opening night so that everyone

attending the exhibition at SWARA can see works by

other organisations.

Key Information/Dates:

• Organisations wishing to participate in SWARA’s

Love Token Exhibition should RSVP by Friday 26th

May.

• Completed Entry Forms should be returned to

SWARA by Wednesday 25th August. See entry

form attachment.

• ‘Bump In’ (Exhibition set up) Tuesday 17th and

Wednesday 18th October from 8:00am-4:00pm

each day.

• Each organisations’ representative will be

responsible for hanging participating artists’

artworks on these days.

• Hanging materials e.g. D-rings, small nails, Velcro

dots or gel dots to be provided by participating

organisation.

• Red dots for sold items to be provided by

participating organisations.

• Artwork labels will be typed up by SWARA using

the information provided on the Entry Forms.

• All artworks should arrive with the following

information on the back of each work:

o The organisation name

o The artists’ name

o The title of the artwork

o The sale price or NFS if not for sale

• ‘Bump Out’ (dismantling exhibition) Friday 27th

October from 8:00am-3:00pm.

• Works not collected by Friday 10th November will

be disposed of by SWARA.

• Sales: Organisations who choose to participate in

SWARA’s exhibition must have a representative

on-site to organise their own clients’ sales.

• Artists selling their works who do not have an

ABN are required to fill out a ‘Statement by a

Supplier’ form and provide this along with an

invoice to purchasers. This form can be printed

from the ATO website:

https://www.ato.gov.au/uploadedFiles/Content/

MEI/downloads/Statement%20by%20a%20suppli

er.pdf

• While every effort will be made to take care of

artworks before, during and after the exhibition,

SWARA does not accept responsibility for any

damage caused to the artworks.

• Photography and Promotion: By entering the

exhibition artists are agreeing to have their

names and photographs of themselves, and their

work appear on SWARA’s and participating

organisations’ websites, as well as on social

media e.g. Facebook.

• Participating artists guarantee that their entries

are the original artworks of the artist and as such

indemnifies SWARA and its participating

organisations in case of any breach of copyright.

Art Works:

• Should be disk shaped and no more than 12cm

in diameter. They can be made from clay, wire

and beading, textiles – handmade felt, crocheted,

9

• material, knitted and embellished with sewing,

embroidery, ribbons etc.

• Number of entries: No more than 3 per artist.

Awards:

There will be four categories:

• Overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each participating organisation

– decided by each organisation taking part.

• A Participation Award for all entrants

• Carers, Volunteers, Support Staff, and Health

Care Professionals

Awards will be presented on Opening Night

Exhibition Dates

• Opening night: Friday 20th October 2017 at

5.30pm (by invitation only).

• Exhibition open to all on:

o Monday 23rd October - 11:30am-2.30pm

o Tuesday 24th October - 11:30am-2.30pm and

4:00pm – 8:00pm

o Wednesday 25th October -11:30am-

2:30pm.

Location: SWARA, 101 Park Road, Woolloongabba,

4102

Benefits for participating clients, SWARA and

outside organisations:

• Provides opportunities for clients to expand their

social circle by meeting people from outside

organisations.

• Social Role Valorisation – client as artist, event

organiser, host.

• Social Inclusion, Community Access.

• Partnering with like-minded organisations,

locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Creates a strong social media presence on

Facebook.

• Making connections with important local

dignitaries, councillors, galleries etc.

• Potential for increased donations/philanthropy.

Contact: If you require further information about the

exhibition, please email admin@swara.com.au or call

(07) 3391 4119

UPCOMING EVENTS NDIS Forum for Families and Advocates

Thursday, 4th May 2017 5:00 – 6:00pm. Please RSVP

asap.

___________________________________________

Australia Zoo Excursion

Tuesday, 23rd June

___________________________________________

Community Inclusion

03.5.17 Mt Nebo hike

05.5.17 Victoria Barracks Museum

08.5.17 Sailing @ Manly

12.5.17 GOMA

15.5.17 City hall Clock Tower

19.5.17 Willowbank Raceway Practice Viewing

22.5.17 Movie Day “A Dog’s Purpose”

26.5.17 Lunch in the City

29.5.17 Maroons Festival Southbank

31.5.17 Ten Pin Bowling

05.6.17 Art Exhibition 266 George St – “Memes”

09.6.17 1 Million Stars Project

12.6.17 New Farm Park Trip

14.6.17 Brisbane City Farmer’s Market

19.6.17 Ten Pin Bowling

23.6.17 AUSTRALIA ZOO

___________________________________________

June break

Monday 26 - Friday 30 June SWARA will be closed

for one week returning Mon 3rd June

___________________________________________

SWARA 2017 Exhibition “Love Tokens”

Opening night: Friday 20th October 2017 at 5.30pm

(by invitation only).

Exhibition open to all on:

Monday 23rd October 11:30am-2.30pm

Tuesday 24th October 11:30am-2.30pm and 4:00 –

8:00pm and

Wednesday 25th October 11:30am- 2:30pm.