ISSUE 09 | NOVEMBER 2015

By Margaret Rosenthal Board Chairman

The Wingecarribee Shire Council’s decision to vote 5-3 against making it possible to build a hospice in Berrima on the 5-acre site at 25 Greenhills

Road, was a serious blow to SHCH. The vote was against an amendment to Schedule 1 of the Local Environment Plan 2010.

We considered this land ideal for building the hospice: in a quiet and tranquil area, with access to accommodation and food for patients’ relatives, and all necessary services available. As well, the 5-acre site would cater for parking, with no on-street parking needed.

The council decision means that the SHCH Board is again considering all options for delivering palliative care services in the Southern Highlands. Discussions are being held with all parties involved, and the Hospice Project is also being assisted considerably by members of the community. There have been numerous offers of advice and assistance and also the suggestion of additional properties for consideration. This support and assistance is greatly appreciated. It is proving to be very useful and every offer and suggestion will be followed up.

SHCH has always had the vision to build a state-of-the-art community hospice, modelled on the more than 240 community hospices in the UK, others in NZ, and now hospices in other parts of Australia. Many of these have been operating successfully for over 25 years. Somehow this vision must be achieved for the Southern Highlands community and we will keep working to do so.

All options on the table after Council decision

How SHCH’s furniture transporters evolvedFrom the home trailer and personal vehicle, to sponsored covered trailer, to the whole transport package: as SHCH’s furniture moving business grew, so did the modes of transport. Read the story on Page 2.

‘No crystal ball’, Board Chairman Margaret Rosenthal told the AGM last month, ‘but all options for the Hospice Project are on the table’. The new Board is pictured on Page 8.

NOVEMBER 2015ISSUE 09

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By Bruce Robertson Furniture Shop Manager

When the first Hospice Fashion Shop opened in 2012 in High Street, people asked about donating furniture. This was a great business opportunity so the first Furniture Shop opened in September 2012.

We targeted the shop to a market segment focussing on high quality donated furniture -- rewarding for donors to see their pre-loved item/s well promoted and appropriately priced, and value-for-quality for customers.

Like all fledgling businesses, we lacked capital and the first pickups and deliveries were by my Toyota Troop carrier and box trailer. We drew hilarious comments as we carted valuable antiques or high quality furniture into and out of the shop. It was a juggling act around fine days and wrapping and strapping so goods weren’t damaged (very few were).

In February 2013 Fantastic Furniture donated a covered-in purpose-built trailer. Until mid-2015, this hauled furniture across the Southern Highlands and made 1760 delivery or pickup trips, done by a small group of ‘strong-back’ volunteers.

Mid September 2015 brought the purchase of a specially fitted out VW Van and support from Moss Vale Motor Group. The combo of VW van and furniture trailer now allows quicker movement of furniture and acts as a moving sign board for us.

The Furniture Shops at Bowral and Mittagong have proved very profitable and our ‘removalists’ have had the pleasure of receiving high quality furniture, being invited into beautiful homes, and spending time and hearing the history of goods and life stories from those very generous people supporting our project.

The furniture delivery story

Meg WilsonShop VolunteerBeing an SHCH volunteer ticks several boxes for Meg.

As a young nurse she unexpectedly found herself working in a palliative care ward in a busy hospital. She enjoyed working in palliative care more than she had anticipated, but says she now firmly believes that “care in a hospice offers huge advantages for patients and their families. I’d love to see a hospice in our community.”

As the busy mother of three sons, she wanted to find a way to meet people, contribute to the community and show her sons that work can be meaningful without being paid.

“I discovered that since I had been out of nursing for 10 years, I’d have to do another degree to be registered,” Meg says. “I didn’t love nursing that much, and wondered if working in retail would suit me.

“Volunteer work in the Hospice Shops has given me a good taste of retail, and I do enjoy it. I find our customers very interesting, and I love helping them find what they are looking for. I’ve met some wonderful people of different ages amongst my fellow volunteers. Many are older than me, and I’ve come to value their insights on many aspects of life, particularly parenting.”

Meg balances the demands of her busy life as wife, mother, ballet student and volunteer at her sons’

school as well as the Hospice Shop by heading to the kitchen. Baking cakes, biscuits and slices is her favourite way to relax. Just hearing about her chocolate brownie recipe will make you drool!

Above: Meg sorts through garments at the Bowral Retro Shop.

Volunteer Voice

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JUNE 2015

Nella GrayShop Volunteer

My family migrated to Australia in 1952 following a pretty harsh time during the war years in Holland.  At first we had so very little of anything that the country ladies rallied around and donated old clothing and other necessities. We would unpick the clothes and Mum would use the treadle sewing machine to alter them.

My career was in nursing and OH&S. When we retired to the South Coast, I found I needed more action so I joined the rural fire service and served as a volunteer on the truck and in an advisory capacity on OH&S matters at head office.

In Bowral, my husband and I are doing up our 14th house! When I saw an ad seeking volunteers for SHCH, it seemed like a great way to meet interesting people and so it has proved. And when a donation of clothes arrives, it takes me back to my childhood in the country!Earlier this year I was able to attend a Pastoral Care course in Goulburn. This was a new thought! I’d hoped to be useful in the Hospice in a practical way – taking around a library trolley or something similar. I was reassured that this may be just the time for someone to wish to talk, so I accepted. I was glad that I did. Though I found the course daunting at first, I feel I have gained a lot personally from it.  I’ve been able to apply my learnings

in everyday settings and hope it will be of even more use when our Hospice opens.

Above: Among the many activities Nella in involved with at the shops, she’s a dab hand with the garment steamer at the Bowral Fashion Shop.

Bob SharpeManaging men’s fashion

After 40 years in the airline and events business, I decided to sell my events and incentive business to devote more time in community work at Wesley Mission.

My wife Christine and I relocated to the Southern Highlands 14 years ago. I continued to work with Wesley Mission at their headquarters in Pitt Street, Sydney with major fundraising roles as Centre Manager, Events Manager, and Charity Flowers and Spring Fair Manager.

After retiring in 2011, we became permanent residents in the Highlands, and I joined the SHCH

Fundraising Committee in 2012. I started by organising a fashion parade at Annesley that proved extremely successful.

Now I’m very involved in the Hospice Shops and of course, my focus is menswear. I reorganised the menswear area at the Bowral Fashion Shop, which has increased men’s sales and I worked with Cyndi (Fashion Shop Manager) to introduce menswear at Mittagong Fashion. I hope the sales trend will continue there.

And all my colleagues also know that Christine makes great morning tea as I bring her cooking treats into the shops on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Hospice is something I believe in and support strongly. I hope more men will become involved in the SHCH as its greatly needed and worthy work.

Above: Bob carefully inspects a quality coat before deciding on price and how best to display it.

Volunteer Voices

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NOVEMBER 2015

SHCH’s Gala Dinner at the Centennial Winery Restaurant at the end of June was not only a major fund raising event but also a wonderful confirmation

of the generosity of the business community in the Southern Highlands.

  The dinner team members approached dozens of businesses in the local area, both retail and commercial, to obtain items for auction and the response was wonderfully positive. Team members found that this task, which had seemed somewhat daunting on first appearances, proved just the reverse and was in fact a humbling experience, when several smaller businesses who themselves struggle at times in a tough retail market, gave so graciously in the form of gift vouchers and products. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to these generous 60+ local businesses who donated the items for auction on the night.  Donations included Alpaca clothing, beauty treatments, hair makeovers, furniture, dinners at many

of the best local restaurants, a golf weekend and a personal portrait painting by a well-known local artist.  The many gift vouchers were auctioned in the form of ‘surprise’ hampers and proved very popular.

We can only thank our business community once again for their continued support and here is the roll call.

Hats off to local businesses for their generous support

h 2 SKINNY COOKS LARDER DOOR

h AFFINITY h ARTEMIS WINES h AUBERJEAN h BASKERVILLE & BROWN h BELL GALLERY h BERRIMA COURT HOUSE h BERRIMA DIESEL SERVICES h BERRIMA NATURAL

AUSTRALIA h BERRIMA PUBLIC SCHOOL h BOWRAL BAGS h BOWRAL BOOKSHOP h BOWRAL BOXERS h BOWRAL CO-OP h BOWRAL SWEETS & TREATS h COTSWOLD FURNITURE h COUNTRY ACCENTS h COUNTRY HOMES

& INTERIORS h CRIMPERS (NAIL SPACE)

h CRIMPERS HAIR h DAVE THOMAS h ECCETERA TRATTORIA h ESCHALOT h GIBRALTAR HOTEL h GLAM h IGA h INTERIORS FOR YOU h JOADJA WINERY h JOSH’S CAFÉ h LE MANS AUTO h LIGHT HORSE GALLERY h LIN & BARRATT h LORRAINE’s of BOWRAL h MIC MAC h MILK FACTORY h MITTAGONG GARDEN

CENTRE h MOSS VALE GOLF CLUB h MT ASHBY WINES h NINA LEON SHOES h HARRY & PAUL     

h ONESTA CUCINA h OSBORNE REED h OXLEY BUTCHERS h PEPPERS CRAIGIEBURN h PEPPERS MANOR HOUSE h PORTFOLIO h PRATU h ROBERT BILLINGTON

Photography h ROUNDABOUT THE HOUSE h SALLYS CORNER WINES h SALON 31 h SAVOIR FAIRE h SENSORIA h SHUWURX h SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

WINES h SPORTS POWER h STONES PATISSERIE h THE BAY TREE h TONY SHEFFIELD h VALENTINO’S

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By Kate Mitchell Roster Coordinator

When I took over the rosters I didn’t know what I’d let myself in for!  Five shops, six days a week with two rotations of volunteers each day. 60 shifts a week. It isn’t all smooth sailing, but I’ve started to enjoy the experience.  

One of the best things is meeting the volunteers. It is truly amazing the time and effort so many of them are happy to make to help realise our vision of a Hospice for the people of the Southern Highlands.  

Our volunteers come from varied backgrounds, which makes a wonderful mix of interesting people and I enjoy their rewarding friendships.  We also have such silly fun occasionally with lots of laughs!

It is so nice to watch people working together on their set days and enjoying the ongoing cycle of life. Many volunteers have become grandparents over the past few years and it’s lovely to welcome the babies and see the joy they bring, not just to the families, but to our group as a whole.

In early November, Kate was joined by Debbie Darling to share the huge job of managing the rosters. They’ll be a great team.

We continue Volunteer Coordinator Niki Kallenberger’s  article on SHCH volunteers. Last issue she looked at the range of skills, experience and interests that volunteers bring to SHCH. PART 2 summarises their commitment and scope of their contribution.

SHCH’s shop volunteers give 324 * hours each week  – the number of ‘person hours’ needed to keep our shops open.  We also have volunteers who collect furniture, help  with fundraising, events, administration and ‘handyman’ jobs, and do a myriad other tasks needed to run a busy community organisation. 

Some volunteers come knowing what they want to do, others without a clear view of how they can best help. However, all come with interest, energy and enthusiasm

and are willing to “give it a go” to help us build and operate a community-owned hospice. Are you someone who can help us too?

So chances are you have skills and experience we can use. If you have some time (3 or 4 hours one day a month makes a big difference) and would like to help SHCH achieve its goals, please contact me (niki.kallenberger@shchospice.org.au or 0408 818 028) to talk about how you can help.

* How did we come to that number? The shops are open 6 days a week; 6 hours each day. That’s 36 hours each week. We need 9 people on duty at any one time. 9 people times 36 hours equals 324 “person hours”.

Of rosters – 5 shops, 6 days, 60 shifts!

Volunteers’ commitment covers wide scope

ISSUE 09 NOVEMBER 2015

As well as the rosters, Kate is a shop supervisor and here she brings a new garment out for display.

If you are interested in learning about or becoming a volunteer SHCH Volunteer Coordinator Niki Kallenberger would love to hear from you. Email niki.kallenberger@shchospice.org.au or phone 0408 818 028.

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SHCH Volunteer and Pastoral Care specialist Fiona Brown attended two palliative care events earlier this year gaining insights to assist SHCH develop specialist training for volunteers interested in working the Hospice.

She attended Palliative Care NSW’s Volunteer Co-Ordinators meeting and the NSW Palliative Care Volunteers Conference; Care and Compassion in Palliative Care and here is a summary of the take-home messages.

The first meeting for volunteer coordinators mainly dealt with funding, sourcing and supporting volunteers and future legislative and administrative changes around volunteering in NSW.   It was also a good occasion for these managers who tend to work alone and can be quite isolated, to meet and gain personal and professional support.

This was the first such meeting attended by a SHCH representative and offers of help and support were freely given.

The conference focussed on care and compassion in palliative care volunteering.

Speakers from medical, social work and psychological backgrounds spoke about their personal growth through work in palliative care both professionally and in volunteer roles.

There were also sessions on self-care for volunteers. Practical sessions in mindfulness meditation, hand massage and walking meditations were available.

As SHCH’s representative, Fiona could interact with volunteer workers at the coalface of palliative care: those visiting patients.

It was very clear that they had a strong need for emotional and spiritual support, both for themselves and those they visited and that travelling the journey with those approaching death is both challenging and rewarding.

ISSUE 09 NOVEMBER 2015

Business and Shops’ Updates

Challenge and reward of work in palliative care

By Joanne Bransdon Business Director

Volunteers and supporters helped SHCH complete significant improvements to some of the shops and the new office recently.

The office above the new Furniture Shop at 77 Main Street, Mittagong (on the corner of Victoria Street) is up and running, thanks to a wonderful volunteer team (too many to mention), and the IT expertise of Terry Hatton, from Melrose IT, who set up all our new office equipment. Thanks so much!

Volunteer John Eccleshaw has patiently painted the Furniture shop, the office and the Mittagong Fashion shop, after creating the back room ‘snug’, which now offers smaller items of furniture and bric a brac. Hats off John. Thank you!

We also thank Volunteer Bruce Price for his carpentry skills on a range of projects, and most visible in the new ID photo room, built in the back area of the Mittagong Furniture Shop.

Others who have added their carpentry and painting skills to our team include Steve Ethell and John Gray.

And John and wife Nella are also helping move gear out of the small storage areas at the Bowral Fashion shop to Mittagong where there is more space. Thanks very much. (BTW, Nella is one of our Volunteer Voices this issue.)

Finally, Mittagong Fashion Shop Supervisor Donna Wright and family have just completed a further improvement there, and customers will find a more modern and streamlined shop, offering a lovely boutique shopping experience, for both women and men – with men’s fashion now available. Thank you Donna.Further improvements are underway or planned for the Bowral shops. Watch our Facebook page and website.

Furniture Shop Manager Bruce Robertson, Deputy Chairman Richard Bramham and Volunteer Kate Fletcher at the Mittagong Furniture shop launch.

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NOVEMBER 2015

SHCH was a recipient of the Springett Family Foundation’s annual allocation of funds to community organisations in the Wingecarribee Shire.

SHCH received $25,000 from the  Foundation  and the funds have been used to upgrade and improve the operational side of business – setting up the permanent office, fitting out the Mittagong Furniture Shop, revamping the Mittagong Fashion Shop and updated signage for all shops.

SHCH is delighted to be one of the beneficiaries of the Foundation’s generosity.

The funds allow us to progress more quickly on fundraising through a high quality, well presented retail presence across the five Hospice Shops and a professional office for managing business and administration and presenting a professional corporate identity for SHCH in the Southern Highland.

By Cyndi Tebbel Fashion Shop Manager

Small not-for-profit organisations like the Hospice Project depend on community support to succeed.

At the Hospice Shops that support includes a team of dedicated volunteers who give their time and talents to ensure we continue to present you our customers with the high quality goods you’ve come to expect from us.

Our aim is to create an enjoyable shopping experience, and we welcome your feedback.

We also think it’s important to tell you how much we appreciate your ongoing custom. Not only as dedicated shoppers, but as generous donors.

It is rewarding and exciting to accept the abundance of fantastic clothing, accessories, furniture and bric-a-brac

that finds its way from your homes to our shops on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis.

For our volunteers, it’s akin to celebrating Christmas every day! We never know what we’re going to discover, but every donation reminds us of the spirit of goodwill and community so evident in this beautiful part of the world.

Without your generosity, we wouldn’t be where we are today – with five Hospice Shops across the Highlands and strong support from locals and visitors. From all of us to all of you – thanks for your ongoing support!

You can provide feedback via our website shchospice.org.au or email admin@schospice.org.au

Grant speeds up SHCH efforts to improve business

The Hospice Shops: How you contribute

Board Chairman Margaret Rosenthal with Tony Springett at the Springett Family Foundation reception for grant recipients.

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NOVEMBER 2015

NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Graphic Design by ICEBLINK CREATIVE (info@iceblinkcreative.com.au) Printed by MATCHBOX PRINT (info@matchboxprint.com.au) Photographs - Terry Bransdon & contributors Editor: J. Bransdon

PO BOX 1448 BOWRAL NSW 2576shchospice.org.au

SHCH Office Bearers and Ordinary Board Members 2015-2020

Last month’s AGM included the election of Office Bearers and Ordinary Board Directors of the SHCH Board, 2015-2020.

The SHCH Board for 2015-202 comprises:• Chairman, Margaret Rosenthal• Deputy-Chairman, Richard Bramham• Secretary, Harry Gray• Treasurer, Ross Cowley• Ordinary Director, Robert Finney• Ordinary Director, Jim Foran• Ordinary Director, Niki Kallenberger• Ordinary Director, Michelle Sloane

Here is a brief bio for each Member. More detail will be published on the SHCH website.Dr Margaret Rosenthal, AM, MScAgr, PhD, MEdAdmin, Chairman. Committee Member since April 2012. Margaret is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to promoting and developing tertiary nursing education, and the development of youth through Guides Australia (NSW). She began her career as a nurse and in 1991 became the first Professor of Nursing at Sydney University. Richard Bramham, RIBA, ARAIA (retd), Deputy Chairman. Founding Member and Committee Member since May 2010. Richard is a retired architect/project director who focussed on designing and supervising construction of healthcare buildings in the UK and Australia. Ross Cowley, Treasurer and Public Officer. Committee member since March 2014. Ross is a Certified Practising Accountant and has a Bachelor of Business Degree (Distinction) from the University of Technology, Sydney, is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a Registered Tax Agent. Harry Gray, B Sc, B E, Secretary. Harry has degrees in in Science (Mathematics) and Engineering (Mechanical). He began his career with IBM in the early days of digital computing in Australia and worked in many roles in the computer industry, mostly in Australia. He has extensive experience in project management as well as divisional and general management. Robert Finney. Robert’s experience is across contract management in construction and industrial projects, in mechanical, civil and structural engineering, in fire services, A/C systems, and instrumentation.

With Standards Australia he audited companies Australia-wide for quality, environmental and OH&S compliance. He continued this through his own company, adding consulting services for private clients.

Jim Foran, BA, MPH, MBA, PhD. Committee member since June 2014. Jim was an executive director of family planning and MS organisations. He moved to NSW public hospitals focussing on installing IT systems (Mt Druitt and Young District hospitals) and renovating an old building at Macquarie Hospital to modern wards and operating theatres.

Niki Kallenberger, BA, MA, Grad Dip (Teacherlibrarianship). Niki was the NSW State Library’s Education and Training Manager, responsible for a variety of educational programs. She has been a secondary school English teacher and teacher-librarian, has had state-wide support roles with the NSW Education Department, and been a consultant to schools, libraries and the library profession. She became a volunteer in 2012 and Volunteer Coordinator in June 2014.

Michelle Sloane, Committee member since October 2014. Michelle has nursing and business qualifications and has been a manager in the healthcare industry for most of her career. She is the Independent Private Hospitals of Australia Executive Director, responsible to the Board for the performance of six private hospitals in NSW and Victoria. She is based at The Sydney Private Hospital, Ashfield, where she is the Hospital Director.

CREATIVE

(L-R) Robert Finney, Niki Kallenberger, Richard Bramham, Margaret Rosenthal, Jim Foran, Harry Gray, Michelle Sloane, Ross Cowley.