DARTS Launches a New Bus

 

Disabled Alternative Road Travel Service (DARTS) is a small charity based in Sydney that organizes transport for people with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs, providing door to door pick-ups in special mini buses fitted with hoists.  DARTS provides social, recreational and educational activities using these wheelchair accessible buses for transport.  The clients are adults with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs.  The organization has 3 buses and each is equipped with a hydraulic lift.   

 

The service supports people with physical disabilities so that they can remain in their own homes and not have to move to nursing homes.  DARTS increases its members’ independence by overcoming their transport difficulties and enabling them to get out into the community reducing social isolation.  Family or other primary caregivers are also given the opportunity of respite from their role.

DARTS has been operating for 30 years and their members are frequent visitors to Dee Why RSL Club.   

 

On 10 June, 2009 DARTS launched their new bus, proudly sponsored by Dee Why RSL Club.

Pictured from left to right are: Judith Brain (Project Manager, DARTS), Venessa Crane (Member, DARTS), Graeme Liddell (Dee Why RSL Director), Karl Parkes (Dee Why RSL Director) and Ann Deagan (President, DARTS)

 

To find out more about the services offered by DARTS please visit their website at: http://www.darts.org.au

 

Mave Still Swings The Clubs at 94!

 

Mave Gates turned 94 years of age on 17 June 2009.     Mave, a testament to a healthy lifestyle and a member of Dee Why RSL Ladies Golf Club for over 20 years still manages to play a round of golf without using a golf cart. She is an excellent putter & joins in all Club matches and activities.

 

Pictured are members of Dee Why RSL Ladies Golf Club celebrating Mave’s birthday.    Congrats from all of us here at DYRSL!

DYRSL Takes Home 3 Awards

 

On Friday 5^th June Dee Why RSL Club again confirmed their reputation as one of the best clubs in the industry at the Annual ClubsNSW Awards for Excellence.   The Club was proud to take home the winner’s plaques for Outstanding Community Service, Best Casual Dining (Flame Restaurant) and Best Gaming Venue. This incredible achievement reflects the effort and commitment of everyone at Dee Why RSL Club – from the Board to the staff.

 

For five consecutive years Dee Why RSL Club has stood out from hundreds of other clubs across NSW to be named finalists in multiple categories for these prestigious industry awards.   This year’s list of finalist nominations included:

 

• Best Casual Dining Venue
• Bets Entertainment Venue
• Best Gaming Venue
• Best Function Venue
• Outstanding Financial Management
• Corporate Governance
• Outstanding Community Service

Club members should feel very proud that Dee Why RSL Club has once again been recognised by the industry as achieving excellence in so many areas of their operation and service to the community.

DYRSL Club Turns the Turf on Retirement Village

 

The Honourable Brad Hazzard joined the Board of Directors of Dee Why RSL Club and representatives from construction company Wideform to “turn the turf” on the Oceangrove Seniors Living Village last week.   The village is being constructed adjacent to the Club on Pittwater Road with access from Dee Why Parade.  

 

The DYRSL Club received DA approval from Warringah Council to develop the site to include 76 independent living apartments, extensive gardens and community spaces.     

 

Club President Chris Olive stated “the DYRSL Board is extremely proud to be in the position to bring this much needed seniors living village to our local community.   Seniors in surrounding suburbs will now have a high quality facility that will enable them to stay close to the shops, services and social networks as well as the fantastic Dee Why Beach.”

 

A Display Suite and Sales office is currently operating out of the Club’s premises at 932 Pittwater Road.   Keen interest is already being shown in the project with nearly a dozen deposits received.

 

The Wideform Construction site is moving towards a completion date in late 2010.  Interested parties should contact the Oceangrove Sales Office on 9972 5490.    

Clients Have a Ball with the help of DYRSL

Frenchs Forest Flexible Lifestyles (FFFL), is a division of the Sunshine Home that supports some 25 clients who have both intellectual and physical disabilities, very high support needs and significant mobility issues in a day service program. Their clients enjoy customized, stimulating day programs and community participation opportunities 5 days a week.

 

For 2 years now, Dee Why RSL has supported Frenchs Forest Flexible Lifestyles, particularly in the development of their Sensory Room. Because the clients experience significantly disadvantaged ranges of movement and levels of cognizance, sensory stimulation is one of the most beneficial therapies that FFFL can offer them. Motion and sound sensitive equipment serve to augment their levels of awareness of and facilitate their response to various stimuli as well as to increase their periods of sustained attention. For some clients, this affords a means of communication and self expression, unavailable to them in the more conventional avenues of speech and movement.

 

Thanks to Dee Why RSL, the latest improvement to the Sensory Room– the Ball Pool – has arrived. Navigating the Ball Pool requires the clients to use many major muscle groups, which is one of the main objectives for a group of people who have an extremely limited range of exercise options available to them. Plus…the “fun factor” is so high that no one realises that they’re doing any work at all !

 

Sunshine is a not-for-profit organisation that also provides accommodation, day service programs, employment support and respite services across the Upper and Lower North Shore, the West and the Central Coast . More information on Sunshine, Frenchs Forest Flexible Lifestyles and how you can help can be found on www.sunshinehome.net.au .

Stewart House Day

 

Friday 8 May 2009 was designated 'Stewart House Day'.       The day coincided with Stewart House's annual presentation ceremony where schools' contributions for 2008 were honoured and Stewart House supporters, both individuals and corporations were rewarded with a thank you and a plaque in acknowledgment of their contributions.

 

Pictured are Dee Why RSL Directors – Karl Parkes & Graeme Liddell receiving the plaque on behalf of Dee Why RSL who have funded Stewart House for many years,   contributing funds in excess of $30,000.  Just one of the 100+ local community organisations supported by Dee Why RSL Club.

Local Lad Wins the Main Event

 

At the ripe age of 18 years and 10 months, Ryan Howarth proved he has what it takes to mix it with Australia’s best when he outlasted a 170+ player field to claim the Oz Poker Tour Main Event on Sunday 26 April at Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club.  Ryan was supported at the Main Event by his friends and family including mate  James Towers and Ryan's proud father, Phil and partner Carolyn.

 

Since turning 18, Ryan has enjoyed his regular local poker game at Dee Why RSL where he secured enough points to gain himself free entry to the monthly final. He took that opportunity with both hands and secured the lion’s share of the $20,000 prize pool. 

 

Dee Why RSL Club congratulates Ryan on his success and we hope to see even better results from this young talent down the track.

(Pictured are the winning team, with Ryan second on the left)

Helping Hands for the Holidays

 

Northern Beaches Interchange (NBI) are all about Respite, Recreation and Support.   NBI is a non profit organisation providing respite and support to families caring for children or young adults who have a disability.

 

For some years Dee Why RSL Club has sponsored the ‘Seagulls Holiday Program’ which caters for children aged 5-12 years with moderate to high support needs. It runs for 3 days / week during some of the school holidays supported by trained staff.  The program offers a variety of group recreation opportunities to the children while giving their family members some much needed ‘time out’. 

 

Pictured at the latest activity day on Tuesday 21 April are two of the children making Easter paper baskets.    A variety of games kept the children busy – from painting to puzzles, making Easter bonnets and going on an Easter egg hunt. This coupled with physical games such as ‘chasings’ and going on a walk to the shops was topped up with music and videos to keep them entertained especially whilst it was raining.

 

Many of the children don’t have a regular circle of friends, so these holiday programs are very important to their social development, providing interaction with other children of similar ages and abilities.  

 

This is only one of the many programs and services offered by NBI. For more information please visit their website at: www.nbi.org.au or Tel: 02 9970 0500 for further details.

 

Northern Beaches Interchange – one of the 100+ local community organisations proudly sponsored by Dee Why RSL Club.

Out Of Hours Fun

 

Northside Enterprise Inc. provides Dept of Ageing, Disability and Home Care funded day programs in independent living, pre-vocational and community participation skills to adults with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities.  

 

Dee Why RSL sponsors the ‘Pathfinders’ Out of Hours program providing organised access to community based social and learning facilities and activities for needy and relatively socially isolated people with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities. The program provides support and facilitation by trained staff.   Groups/activities are Dinner Club, Art Club, Fitness Club, Coffee-Shop/Movie Club and Learning Circle Club.   The project enhances and facilitates a better and meaningful integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of community life and social fabric.

 

Pictured is the ‘line dancing class’ which runs as one of the activities during the day program in Brookvale.  A popular class with lots of singing, hand actions and dancing to music to get everyone moving and interacting with their friends.

 

There are many other programs & services on offer at Northside Enterprise Inc. To find out more please visit their website at: http://www.northside-enterprise.org.au/ or Tel: 9905 5377.

 

Dee Why RSL is proud to sponsor Northside Enterprise Inc. – one of the 100+ community organisations supported by the Club.

Australia - Our Home

 

The Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater (ASG) formed in 1979 began as a treaty organisation and later developed into a community of people committed to supporting Aboriginal & Torres Strait people in their broader struggle for justice. The ASG never speaks on behalf of Indigenous people and is committed to ‘being there’ with effective, informed support.

 

Located on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, the ASG members meet regularly to discuss issues, causes and events and to plan actions moving forward to support Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.   Members share a passion to see right relationship forged between Indigenous and Settler Australians, seeking to change the way non-Indigenous people understand and relate to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.

 

Dee Why RSL for some years now has provided funding to help produce elimatta - the bi-annual newsletter produced by the ASG. In one Aboriginal language elimatta means ‘our home’ and with this name the ASG expresses its dream for this country – a real home to all Australians, to be ‘at home’ with each other and to each other. Elimatta covers local as well as state and national Indigenous issues and events. 

 

If you are curious to find out more about Indigenous Australia, the issues of Reconciliation and the Aboriginal history of our area, please visit the ASG’s website at: www.asgmwp.net or telephone 9913 7940 or 9982 1685.

Reaching Out To Our Youth

Youth Reach – the ‘special work’ of the St Vincent de Paul Society exists to help young people in crisis and also to move them beyond the basics of day-to-day survival towards a more positive life of empowerment.

 Youth Reach encourages young people to help themselves through a variety of programmed opportunities by helping them to realise their potential & giving them the skills to take control of their own lives. With direction and guidance from trained, skilled staff Youth Reach provides a safe place to go where no one is judging, just an open door offering assistance.

 

With it’s great new location at 12 Powells Road, Brookvale,  the large space has been well utilised. With the help of many individuals & organisations the warehouse has been transformed:

• The wall to wall graffiti artwork breathes life into the big rooms offering a canvas where the local graffiti artists can legally display their work.
• A computer room is on site to aid with job searches & assistance is provided with writing resumes. 
• A fully equipped gymnasium helps release all that youthful energy whilst keeping everyone fit.
• There are pool tables and a ping pong table
• The Youth Reach basketball team are local stars and
• There are plans for a recording studio to be built in the near future.
• Peer group facilitators teach Hip Hop classes  - the kids learn routines and funky moves and will put on a concert at the end of the year to showcase their talents.   Music has proved to cross all barriers and Youth Reach has a multicultural flavour with youth from all backgrounds joining the fun.

 Youth Reach also provides many advisory & legal referral services. Amongst these, Dee Why RSL Club provides funds to sponsor the ‘Family Group Conferencing’ programme which assists with the mediation process, providing a safe haven & neutral territory for meaningful discussions to take place with extended family groups in crisis.

 

 

Youth Reach services the entire Northern Beaches region and they rely solely on support from the community.   Your donation or services would be greatly appreciated and well used.

To find out more about Youth Reach  please call (02) 9907-2604 or visit their website at: www.vinnies.org.au/youthreach

A Special Way To Say Thank You

 

On Tuesday 24 March, 2009 the donors and sponsors of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) were treated to a morning tea by way of a thank you to all.    After being briefed with all the latest news in regards to funding, works in progress, services, schools and the future ahead, the audience was delighted with performances by several of the classes at the Vern Barnett School in Forestville.  

 

Dee Why RSL Club is proud to sponsor Aspect’s work – most recently the Club supported their “Someone to Turn To” parent support program providing specialized training and mentoring for the program’s parent volunteers who offer telephone support and advice to families who are struggling to cope with their child’s recent diagnosis of autism or a challenging behaviour or situation.

 

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is the leading Australian service provider for people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.  Aspect works with over 6000 people with autism, their families and service providers within NSW.  It provides an extensive range of services from early intervention and special schooling, through to adult services and family support.

 

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong developmental disabilities characterized by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours and sensory sensitivities.  The word ‘spectrum’ is used because the range and severity of the difficulties people with ASD experience can vary widely.   

 

Studies show 1 in 160 children aged 6-12 have an ASD and it is more prevalent in boys than girls.   The effects of an ASD can often be minimized by early diagnosis and with the right interventions, many children and adults with an ASD show marked improvements.   For more information please visit Aspect’s website at:

www.autismspectrum.org.au

 

Aspect is one of the 100+ local community organisations sponsored by Dee Why RSL Club.

A Vision for the Future

 

On Friday 27 March 2009, three of the Dee Why RSL Directors and the Club’s Community Support Coordinator visited Vision Australia at Enfield. This was to be a tour with a difference. Our tour guide for the day was Nicholas (Nick) Gleeson, Community Development Officer for Vision Australia. Nick, who became blind at age seven, runs the Speaker’s Network and educates the public on blindness and low vision and on Vision Australia’s services.   He is a shining example of all that can be achieved through learning how to live independently. He has tandem sky dived, bungee jumped and scuba dived, run marathons and in 2000 Nick became the first Australian who is blind to reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Nick was able to answer a flurry of questions from the Directors with first hand experience.

 

On our tour we visited their sensory playroom where children with vision loss develop an awareness of their senses by playing with objects like bells, drums, furry fabrics, brushes shiny toys and flashing lights. We also tried out some interesting gadgets such as talking watches and calculators, as well as braille games and saw adaptive computer software in action which allows easy access to printed information. 

 

Vision Australia is a living partnership between people who are blind, sighted or have low vision. They are united by the passion that in the future people who are blind or have low vision will have access to and fully participate in every part of life they choose.

 

Vision Australia relies on strong partnerships within the community to make a difference to the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. With the support of organisations such as Dee Why RSL, Vision Australia can assist people who are blind or have low vision to fully participate in life,” said Mr Gerard Menses, Vision Australia’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

There is so much more to tell than we can cover here about the invaluable work Vision Australia does, so please visit their website for further information at: www.visionaustralia.org.au.

 

Dee Why RSL is proud to sponsor Vision Australia – one of the 100+ community organisations supported by the Club.

Connecting Our Local Community

 

As the name suggests, Northside Community Connect is all about putting people in touch with each other and connecting people with the right services and information in a local context.

 

Northside Community Connect provides support, counselling and information services to Carers living in Warringah, Manly and Pittwater.     They also provide information and referral on a broad range of other services from health to family services, legal & financial matters, conservation & the environment to name just a few!

 

Just one of the success stories highlighted here is the original version of the north side ‘Backyard Blitz’ otherwise known as the ‘Easy Care Gardening’ programme.    This service provided by Northside Community Connect assists residents in the Warringah, Manly and Pittwater areas who are frail aged or people with a disability and their carers by providing an affordable gardening service as well as advice on how to plan a low maintenance easy care garden.

 

Under the supervision of a qualified horticulturalist and professional staff, over 105 trained and dedicated volunteers work in teams of between 2 to 20 throughout a 6 day week to create more manageable and safer garden environments to help their clients remain in their own homes.

 

Dee Why RSL is proud to sponsor Northside Community Connect – one of the 100+ local organisations supported by the Club.

 

If you would like further information please telephone:9931 7777 or

visit Northside Community Connect’s website at: www.northsideconnect.com.au

Art For The Child's Sake

 

Dalwood Spilstead Centre assist vulnerable families who are experiencing difficulties in the care and parenting of their children during the early years.  The program supports families where there are complex family issues and children with social, emotional or developmental needs.

 

For some years Dee Why RSL Club has sponsored the ‘Art Therapy’ program at Dalwood.  The program is run by an experienced Art Therapist who builds a dynamic & close interpersonal one-on-one relationship with the child setting firm boundaries and clear goals.   Art therapy is a creative process, suitable for all ages, and particularly for those who may be experiencing life changes, trauma, illness or disabilities causing distress for the individual and their family.

 

Over the years, the Art Therapy program has continued to achieve results with significant emotional growth for the children.  They gain confidence and emotional stability, resulting in the majority of these children being able to access a mainstream school or pre school setting and interact with peers in an appropriate way.

 

Pictured is the ‘art therapy’ room where children can find a safe haven to release and express their emotions.    It is important that every time they come to this space that every item in the room is in exactly the same place as the last visit.    Establishing trust and security with their therapist and in the work space is all important to the success of the program.

 

For more information on the early intervention and support programs offered by Dalwood Spilstead Centre, please Telephone 9951 0365.

 

Dee Why RSL Club is proud to support the Dalwood Spilstead Centre, one of 100+ local community organisations sponsored by the Club.

 

Local Identity Honoured with 2009 Seniors Award

On Monday 16 March 2009 Hank Scheffers was presented with a 2009 NSW Senior Achievement Award.   The Hon. Paul Lynch, MP presided over the ceremony held in Angel Place, Sydney.

The NSW Seniors Week Achievement Awards are a prestigious recognition of NSW seniors for their contribution to the development of our community, for their leadership and for their initiative. The awards provide an opportunity to formally thank older people for the contributions that they make to the quality of life in our State.

Hank – a well known figure in our local Dee Why community was awarded under the Category “Community Service/Volunteering” for his dedicated and tireless commitment to the Dee Why RSL Day Club for Seniors which has been running for over 20 years.  Hank has been the volunteer co-ordinator of the Day Club for 8 years.   In this role he supervises and supports the 10 volunteer helpers who assist in the weekly program of activities for over 50 elderly participants.   Hank has successfully raised the profile of the Day Club & also extends his skills to advising other Day Care Centres as a Committee Member for 60 day clubs.   

Hank is also Vice President of the Dee Why RSL Sub Branch as well as a member of the Manly Warringah Pittwater District Council.

Please join us in congratulating Hank in receiving this well-deserved Award.

A Child's Memories of a Holiday by the Sea

Stewart House leaves a lasting impression on childhood memories.    Staff say it is not uncommon for adults to revisit many years later and tell of the joy and happiness of their visit to Stewart House when they were a child.    For some of these children it may be the only holiday or fun, light-hearted time they encountered in an otherwise tough upbringing.

Stewart House, based at Curl Curl on Sydney’s Northern Beaches was established in 1931.   Stewart House provides short-term care for public school children in need of a break.   Every 12 days 90 children from across N.S.W. and the A.C.T. participate in the program.   There are usually 45 children from the Sydney metropolitan school area and the remaining 45 from a regional area.    The children are nominated by their School Principal, Counsellor or Teacher as being in need of a break for reasons such as ill health, emotional or other distress, family problems, financial or social disadvantage, neglect or isolation.

At the end of their 12 day stay, sometimes for the first time, children will have developed self care skills through practicing personal hygiene, increased independence, developed self esteem, resilience and team building skills, undergone health screening, dental and optometric checks and participated in experiential, recreational and educational excursions, such as playing games on the beach at South Curl Curl as pictured, a ride on the Manly Ferry or a trip to Taronga Zoo.

For more information on Stewart House please visit their website at: www.stewarthouse.org.au or Tel: 02 9938 3100

Dee Why RSL Club is proud to support Stewart House – one of the 100+ local community organisations sponsored by the Club.

Clubhouse with a Pioneering Spirit

Pioneer Clubhouse began operating early in 1995 in Quirk Road, Balgowlah and is still going strong – bigger and better than ever with a big wish list to fulfil and a new building in the works!

Pioneer Clubhouse is a Clubhouse model rehabilitation program for adults living with a mental illness providing a socially and emotionally supportive environment in which members gain the skills & confidence necessary to regain employment and meet educational goals.

The Clubhouse is a hub of daily activity with members working in the ‘unit’ of their choice.  Options are in the clerical, administration & technology unit, restaurant & maintenance unit or research group.  Extra programs on offer include social outings and a young adult program.

In 2008/9, Dee Why RSL Club provided funds to equip the Clubhouse kitchen with an industrial fridge and cooking & serving equipment for their food service program.    Members prepare & serve lunch daily as job training.

Once members feel ready to rejoin the workforce, they are assisted by an employment and education program in-house at Pioneer – helping members to write a resume, go for interviews and then at the next stage via the Transitional Employment Program (TEP) allows members who lack work experience, confidence or skills for open employment, the opportunity to work at real jobs for real pay.

For further information please visit the Pioneer Clubhouse website at: www.pioneerclubhouse.org.au or Tel: 9907 9999. Dee Why RSL is proud to support Pioneer Clubhouse – one of the 100+ local community organisations sponsored by the Club.

MISSION POSSIBLE

Sailing on Pittwater on a Tuesday sounds like fun – a relaxing day out without the hustle and bustle of the weekend crowds on the water.  Well it is, but what if I was to tell you that Alan Clarke of Street Mission in conjunction with other youth charities were also giving less fortunate kids in our society a chance to escape the stress of their daily lives and in the process learn the skills and pleasures of sailing.   The sailing program is a useful tool for the Youth Workers and a wonderful natural environment for them to work in to encourage the kids to open up and relate to other adults in a social situation without any pressures or judgments being made upon them.   

The sailing program is run once a week on a Tuesday, weather permitting and Street Mission are hoping to increase this to twice per week in the near future.  A typical day out is sailing up Pittwater to Lion Island, then over to the Basin for a BBQ lunch.   The kids are encouraged to hoist the sails and steer the boat – a hands on approach to helping them develop and grow.    Volunteers are also on board to assist with sailing, cooking and of course conversation with the kids, which can be anything from sport to sailing to directing the kids thoughts towards their futures.

Street Mission is a self-funded organisation which feeds and provides life essentials for the homeless and disadvantaged in society.  Mission impossible becomes possible with the help of this dedicated team of volunteers. In addition to their Street Mission Café in Manly run every Saturday night, they also fund and support food and welfare programs such as the sailing program above and assist several other local charities, with particular emphasis on youth – Street Work, The Burdekin Association and Youth Reach.

For more information about the wonderful work Street Mission does in our local community, to make a donation or to volunteer your services, please visit their website at: www.streetmission.com.au or Tel: 8901 0679. Street Mission – one of the 100+ local community groups proudly sponsored by DYRSL Club.

DYRSL Recycles Uniforms to Donate to PNG High School

Porgera High School in the central ranges of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is the proud recipient of a new school uniform donated by Dee Why RSL Club.

Dee Why RSL Club updated their staff uniforms recently with new shirts and a different style of jackets and trousers.     Recycling was the obvious choice for clothing still in good condition and via our community network the Rotary Club of Dee Why Warringah facilitated the transaction on behalf of the Club.

Pictured are some of the 600 junior & senior students from Porgera High School who are looking forward to receiving their new school uniform in the near future. Dee Why RSL donated approximately 800 blue shirts and various grey uniform pieces – jackets, trousers, as well as discontinued waterproof jackets and winter coats which should come in handy for all types of weather in PNG.

Dee Why RSL Club – helping communities in need near and far.