Wilson Outreach News

Wilson Outreach News Trip to the zoo Giselle Martin, Activity Coordinator This year at the Wilson Outreach Centre we have been experiencing a virtual ‘Trip around the World’. We have all had a great time engaging in games, activities, crafts and exotic cuisines as we ‘visited’ China, India, Alaska and our last stop this month, Africa. During November, as well as enjoying lunch for the race that stops the nation – Melbourne Cup, we had fun quizzes to get our brains ticking, animal bowling which got our competitive spirit going and ‘Pin the Tail on the Lemur’ to bring out our inner child! Additionally, some strikingly beautiful savannah canvas paintings were made and displayed in Outreach. And, we enjoyed a special screening of ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’ on the big screen, which gave us all plenty of laughs! On 24 November we had a very fun outing to Perth Zoo, with a special trip through the African Savannah section. Our own Jenny Sim had her very first ever trip to the zoo and loved it! She said, “I was thrilled to be asked on the zoo outing for our African theme. Out of all the animals I saw, I found the elephants the most fascinating. “One was having a pedicure while we watched and I couldn’t believe how still it stood! The whole experience was mind blowing and I really enjoyed the talk on the Orangutans, discovering the oldest ever recorded one is 63 years old and still alive and the mother/grandmother/great grandmother to most of the orangutans there!” She added: “We had a lovely picnic lunch watching the lemurs play, with the best part the crème caramel and peaches for sweets! This certainly won’t be my last outing to Perth Zoo and I would like to heartily thank the wonderful MSWA staff for taking us out to experience this amazing place.” Back at Wilson, our Members decorated colourful African drums which were used during the special African drummers’ performance from the group ‘Akwaaba’. They came and performed and boy did they wow us with their vibrant and interactive percussion display! We had been looking forward to this performance all year and they didn’t disappoint! Members and staff joined in the rhythm-making with drums, xylophones and maracas. We sure made a lot of noise and probably drove the offices mad, but such wonderful memory making moments are worth it! The last few weeks we were all kept busy preparing for our annual Members’ and Volunteers’ Christmas Party. Always a wonderful highlight of the year and one everyone looks forward to. During December our halls were decked with holly and the Christmas spirit flowed before the big clean up and pack up for the big break. We are so proud of the wonderful year of great events and opportunities we have had for Members, our special friends, who visit here each week. I know that our Resource team is feeling inspired and ready to deliver another great year in 2016! See you all then. Community concert Nicola Ryan, Resource Coordinator I attended the Community Fundraising Concert for MSWA which was held on Sunday, 9 August at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre in Thornlie. This event was the dream of Joan Crossman who now knows dreams can become reality. Joan is a very special lady with a huge heart, especially when it comes to MSWA. Joan has two friends who are very dear to her living with MS, one being Jenny Sim, a Member who attends Wilson Outreach. Joan worked tirelessly to make this event a great success. She arranged for local businesses to sponsor the event which included LinC Canning Inc, Riverside Gardens Estate, Uniting Church Cannington, Solomon’s Flooring Balcatta, Duo 41 and Curves Gosnells. Along with MSWA staff, volunteers and Members also contributed to the concert by selling tickets, contributing artworks for the silent auction, arranging prizes for the raffles and selling goods on stalls. The concert would not have happened of course without so many wonderfully talented performers who willingly and voluntarily contributed their time to perform on the stage that afternoon. These acts included choirs from Victoria Park Apostolic Society and the Riverside Gardens Men’s Choir. Other acts were the ever-popular Duo 41, Sian and the Rivergums Ukes. Two acts that specifically focused on MS were Bill de Graaf singing a song written about MS and our very own Jenny reciting a poem entitled “My new Set of Wheels” by Darleen Uggen. With solo singer John Keinman and Jytee Larsen playing the Austrian Alpine Bells, the calibre of talent was exceptional! The concert was a memorable event with a capacity crowd. They raised an awesome ,850. Joan presented the cheque to the Wilson Outreach Centre and we will use the funds to buy new height adjustable tables for the group. Joan said, “Knowing this will make a difference to those living with MS and in particular my best friend Jenny has definitely made all the hard work worth it. “Here’s to next year’s event being even bigger and better; and an extra special thank you from me!” 30 Summer 2015 The MS Society of Western Australia

Bunbury and South West regional round up Treendale Gardens, Bunbury Update Paula Kennedy, Treendale Respite Coordinator Treendale Gardens celebrated the race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup, with a lovely luncheon for our residents, respite clients and staff. All of the residents were involved in designing and making their race day hats with support from Susie R and her helpers. We would like to thank two local businesses – Little Gems Australind and Spotlight Bunbury – who gave us generous discounts and donations. The hats were quite spectacular and our respite clients also joined in the fun by wearing the hats they had brought with them. Suzy B organised some Melbourne Cup sweeps and the prize-winners were pretty spread out though some were luckier than others! Our cook, Belinda, prepared a fabulous lunch that was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance. There was even some left over for the afternoon staff to taste! As you can see from the photo, a great time was had by all and people are already talking about next year’s celebration. Painting to regain my self-worth Louise Schutz My name is Louise Schutz and I live in the South West. I was diagnosed 18 September 1998. Feels like it was just the other day! In 2004 while on holiday in Mandurah I had a relapse. I just thought that the change of environment was why I was unable to do simple things like clean my teeth or feed myself! But I have been unable since then. Fortunately, I have a very supportive husband. I use a key guard on my keyboard so I can use my computer, as I have what they call an ‘intentional tremor’ but I so don’t do it deliberately! While I am still weight bearing, my walking is with the help of aids – walls, furniture, walking frame and even the floor! Michelle Payne rides Prince of Penzance to victory in Australia’s biggest race This is just one of the special events that have occurred at Treendale this year. Recently clients have had a bingo morning, those who enjoy it have been out shopping and there have even been visits to local dams and the Bunbury Wildlife Park! We are also in the process of refurbishing our residential communal area to lighten and brighten it up. It’s amazing what a difference paint colours can make! We are also excited, and very grateful to Bunnings Treendale and their staff, who are working on revamping our communal courtyards. Changes will make them more accessible for all our residents, which will be fabulous. We will display these in the next Bulletin. We regularly have vacancies in respite house and the adjoining three bedroom family holiday unit so if you are thinking of taking a sojourn to the country, please give Linda or Paula a call on 9725 9209. Recently with some help from my care support workers I have got into painting! Abstract is my specialty. I really enjoy doing this; the feeling of self-worth when people actually pay me to do a piece for them is so inspirational and it leaves me feeling worthy. The first three paintings I did for our bedroom, the ‘sunset’ I did for a lady who paid me 0 and the last one which is quite large was commissioned by the Disability Services Commission and they paid me 5! Some people were lucky enough to be there and actually witness history being made — a Melbourne Cup that will live forever in the memory of Australian folklore. The rest of us must be content to live vicariously. But what a race it turned out to be! The winning horse was ridden by Michelle Payne, the first winning woman jockey in 155 years of racing. Her brother Stevie, the strapper, was an appealing young man with Down Syndrome who stepped up and had drawn the inside barrier for her and the ‘Prince’. And the horse was a 100/1 long-shot on the tote. Then came the remarkable post-race interview when Michelle Payne told those who doubted her ability to “get stuffed.” How Aussie is that? It has to up there with the last words of Ned Kelly – “Such is life.” Member Athena Doropoulos, ably assisted by her carers Lisa and Jaci, was fortunate enough to attend the Melbourne Cup and witness this extraordinary event. The MS Society of Western Australia Summer 2015 31