Upper Ross Community Centre1143 Riverway Drive, Rasmussen, 4815Ph: 4774 0144 Fax: 4774 0909Email: communitycentre@nqcs.org.au

A division of NQ Community Services Volume 8, Issue 5

CONTENTS

Ÿ Communty Garden

Ÿ Child Health Clinic

Ÿ First Aid Course

Ÿ Free Computer & Internet Training

Ÿ Free Legal Advice

Ÿ JP Service

Ÿ No Interest Loans (NILs)

Ÿ Playgroup

Ÿ Tax Help

Ÿ Walking Group

Bits ‘n PiecesA Community Newsletter for the Upper RossFREE

September/October 2013

Financial Info Session for Families

Upper Ross Community Centre10.00am

Tuesday 1st October

These ladies attended the financial info session for Seniors that was held recently at the centre.They received advice and information from a Centrelink Financial Information Services Officer and a professional Financial Planner, both of whom will be at the session on the 1st October.

UPPER ROSS MECHANICALRepairs and Tyres

(Next to BP Servo)

Guaranteed Mechanical & Auto Electrical Repairs to all vehicles By highly qualified technicians

Unit 2, 1231Riverway Drive Ph: 4789 1299 Rasmussen Fax: 4774 0980

DO YOU NEED HOUSEHOLD GOODS BUT JUST DON’T HAVE THE CASH UP FRONT?

No Interest Loans are now available to Upper Ross residents on low incomes to assist with the purchase of household items such as; fridges, washing machines, essential furniture and other items that will make life easier.

Loans of up to $1,200 are available with no interest on repayments.This is a revolving community fund - as repayments are made on loans more loans are made available for others.

To find out more information and apply for a NILS loan phone the Upper Ross NILS program on 4774 0144.

NO INTEREST LOANS

FIRST AID COURSEYou just can’t afford NOT to have a First Aid Certificate these days. This one day course will provide you with all the skills necessary to perhaps save a life - maybe a family member or friend.

Renew your CPR certificate for only $50 or take the full course for $100.

The next course is being held at the Upper Ross Community Centre on Saturday 9th November 2013 from 8am.

Places are strictly limited so book now by calling the office on 4774 0144

Riverway Snack Bar Only the best @ The Gumvale Shops

Burgers, Large Mackerel, Family Packs, Sea Food, Tasty Snacks

Great Range of Drinks

Hours: Tuesday 4.00pm - 8.00pm

Wed/Thur 11.00am - 2.00pm, 4.00pm - 8.00pm

Fri-Sat-Sun 11.00am - 8.00pm

See you ThereEftpos

Available

The Upper Ross Walking Group meet in front of the Headspace building in the car park at the Riverway Complex on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During the winter months they meet at 4.30pm and in summer they meet at 5.00pm.Do not be deceived by their maturity, this mixed group of men and women do a challenging circuit around Riverway but combined with taking in all the beauty that nature has to offer. Like the many different plants and species of bird life.They talk animatedly about seeing caterpillars crawling in a line up a tree and a family of magpie geese with 7 chicks that they have observed grow. When the group first noticed the magpie geese they observed 4-6 adults circling and protecting the chicks whenever the family were on the move.The group also talked about seeing the progress of construction around Riverway, such as the apartments and

bridge. They now know a lot about construction and said they could probably build a bridge.But all agreed the greatest benefit of all apart from health was the friendships they have made and how they share things like news from holidays, recipes and information in general.If you are interested in improving your fitness and developing new friendships you are welcome to join the group at the Riverway Complex or phone the centre for more information on 4774 0144.

Meet the Walking Group

Morning tea with the walking group: Helen, Kathy, Tina, Susan, Lyn, Lillian & Ray.

One Day Wonders Trip to Magnetic Is

Having lunch at Picnic Bay: Natasha, Shirley, Merle, Marie, Joyce, Betty, Noel, Vi, Elsie, June & Sid.

On an idyllic NQ winters day we ventured to Magnetic Island and enjoyed being outside in the sun and taking in the magnificent water views. We had a picnic morning tea at Horseshoe Bay, thanks to Marie and Susan for their wonderful home cooking. Stopped in at Arcadia for some sightseeing and the ladies appreciated the view at the beach.After all the sun and sand we were ready for some retail therapy and headed for the shops at Nellie Bay.Then it was on to Picnic Bay for lunch where we enjoyed good food, good company and

some bawdy jokes. It was a great day with lots of laughing and singing, unfortunately the bus driver was a bit of a party pooper and we didn’t get an ice-cream on the way home.Marie was the winner of the trivia compet i t ion because she answered all the questions correctly and handed her form in. Well done!The next trip is planned for October to the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

TAX HELP IS BACKNeed Help Preparing Your Tax Return? The Upper Ross Community Centre is once again offering free assistance for those needing to lodge a tax return.

Tax Help is available for individuals and appointments can be made ONLY when all group certificates have been received.

Phone 4774 0144 to make an appointment.

CHEAP 2ND

HAND BOOKS

NOW ON SALE

AT THE UPPER

ROSS

COMMUNITY

CENTRE

PRICES START

FROM 50c

At Upper Ross Community Centreon Thursday from 9.30am

with Callie-AnneA Qualified Counsellor and member

of the Australian Counselling Association Inc.

Qualified in providing counselling for Individual and Family Therapy on

coping with life’s concerns.

FREE Counselling

Bookings essential - please phone4774 0144

From 9am on Thursdays at the Upper Ross Community Centrequalified community health nurses are on hand to answer questions and offer support on:

new baby health checks breastfeeding new mum’s support

No appointment needed

Upper RossChild Health

Are you aged 50+?Want to learn about computers

and the internet?Need access to a computer or the

internet?

FREE one-on-one support is available to residents aged over 50 who are interested in learning more about computers and the internet, but at their own pace.

Don’t have your own computer but would still like to access the internet?

FREE access to modern, internet ready computers is also available to those who do not have their own equipment.Bookings are essential on 4774 0144.

At the Upper Ross Community Centre.....

FREE LEGAL ADVICE

Do you need to speak to someone about a legal concern?Free Legal Advice Clinic every Tuesday from 4pm.Bookings are essential. Phone 4774 0144

Free Computer Support & Access

Aboriginal Building

Connections Seminar

What’s it about?Aboriginal Building Connections is a 3 hr seminar that has been developed to support Aboriginal parents practice positive ways of parenting after breaking up.It aims to encourage parents and family members to gain an awareness of the importance of giving up conflict to support kids and grow them healthy, safe and strong.What will happen in the Seminar?We will talk about how to communicate with the other parent; setting goals; where to get support through other services; and looking after yourself.

If you are interested in attending a seminar please contact the Family Relationship Centre on 4772 9000 or this centre on 4774 0144.

· F a s t F r i e n d l y s e r v i c e · W e b s t e r P a c k i n g · N D S S S u b A g e n t

O P E N 7 D A Y S · 8 – 8 w e e k d a y s

C n r R i v e r w a y D r i v e a n d G o l l o g l y L a n e , R a s m u s s e n

P h o n e : 4 7 5 5 4 6 5 4

Upper Ross Community Centre will once again be fundraising

with NQ Family Portraits offering family portrait sittings

on Saturday 2nd November.

Sittings cost just $15 and include a 11 x 14" portrait

of your family.With Christmas fast approaching, this is a great opportunity to have a professional photographic sitting with the whole family. If you have not had a family portrait taken recently then this is a great, low-cost option to capture a memory .

Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning the Upper Ross Community Centre on 4774 0144.

FREE

FAMILY PORTRAITSBOOK NOW

SENIORS WEEK 2013

Centre Activities

On 21st August Ian and I attended the showed the table and seat number.RSL Stadium and enjoyed the venue When walking around it was under where we were able to walk around in cover and not as crowded as previous comfort and visit all the service years even though there were more providers. people. The entertainment and There was free tea, coffee and speeches were easily heard although biscuits plus tables and chairs which drowned out by conversations at the were most welcome when rest was table.needed. Cold water was in plentiful supply and Also, when we drove to the stadium the young people were very good at we found parking easy. replacing the water when they saw On 23rd August the Community the bottle nearly empty.Centre organised a bus and we were Both venues receive my tick of taken to the Reid Park venue for the approval and if you didn’t go this year, luncheon. We were able to get off the remember 2014 Seniors Week is only bus in the pit area and walk through to 11 months away.were we were seated, plus it was Jeanette Eadieconvenient to have tickets which

Ladies enjoying doing various craft activities at the community centre.

TIME OUTTuesdays from 9.30am - 12.30pmLonely? Bored? Nothing to do? Feeling isolated?Try Time Out - a friendly, social morning for men and women who just want to get out of the house, catch up with friends or make new ones and enjoy a cuppa. Everyone welcome!CARDSThursdays from 9am - 12noonLooking for something different to do? Enjoy a good game of cards? Want to make new friends? Come along and join our social card group.

CRAFTMondays from 9.30am to 12.30pmIf you love your craft, like to have a chat, enjoy sharing ideas, want to learn new skills and make new friends, then our Craft Group is just what you are looking for. Come along and join other craft-lovers and share ideas and friendship.

Colouring InQuick Crossword

Across1. Evolve5. Windstorm6. One more7. Proposition

Down1. Diminish2. Wordy3. Tanned animal skin4. Computer instructions

Answers on the next page.

John, his wife and their daughter wish to cross a river.The row boat can only hold 100 kilos. John weighs 80 kilos. His wife and daughter weigh 40 kilos each.Question: How do all three cross the river?

Brain Teaser

JP ServiceAvailable

Wednesday9am to 11am

Upper RossCommunity Centre

“ Specialising in the Upper Ross”

9 Connemara Course, Kelsowww.rossriver.com.au

Solutions to puzzles from previous page.

Mum and daughter cross first. Daughter gets out of boat, mum returns. Mum gets out of boat, dad crosses. Dad gets out and daughter goes back to get mum.

Cranbrook State School Fete

Friday20th

September5pm to

9pm

Alice St, Cranbrook

Heaps of fun -* BeatBox Comp* Graffiti Display* Cent Sale* Raffles* Stalls* Rides* Slides

Contact Fete Coordinator, Jacqui Bawden on 0400 416 514 or

for more information.jacquibawden@hotmail.com

* Laser Skirmish* Friday Night Football on the Big Screen* Yummy Food and Drinks

The advantage of belonging to a group in which people help each other is that the group is often better equipped to deal with outside threats. People intuitively realise there is strength in numbers and take comfort in the company of others.It’s all good and well that we can unite against an external foe but what is more interesting is the result of recent studies that people who are part of a group are also far better to conquer an internal foe - the threat of bad health.To appreciate the impact of social connection on the state of your body, you need only consider what happens when it’s abruptly cut off. Consider the expression, “hurt feel ings” that compares the pain of social rejection to the pain of physical injury.In these studies on the health benefits of social relationships there was evidence that social ties and increased contact with family and friends are associated with a lower risk of death in treating breast cancer and a similar conclusion with respect to surviving heart surgery.So the moral of this story is, join a group!

Benefits of Belonging

DHA DevelopmentUpper Ross residents will be welcoming new neighbours as the Defence Housing Australia (DHA) development gets underway between Beck Drive and Riverway Drive at Rasmussen. Civil works for the first 126 lots have begun on the site, which is expected to contain over 1,100 new homes at completion. I’m sure the friendly people of the Upper Ross will make any new residents welcome when they start to arrive.Riverway RoadworksRoadworks are underway adjacent to the DHA development site to improve access, including a new set of traffic lights. This new access point will connect with Pinnacle Drive which, once complete, will continue to Allambie Lane. I know roadworks can be frustrating so please be courteous and watch out for the safety of the workers trying to get the job done.Community Hub PlanningPlans for relocation of the Upper Ross Community Centre to adjoin PCYC on Allambie Lane are well underway. All parties are excited about the upcoming move and are working closely to design a Youth and Community Hub that will meet everyone’s needs and I know it’s long overdue for the people of the Upper Ross. Watch this space....

Change underway in Upper Ross

MEN’S SHED

We welcome men who like to come together to apply their skills (or learn new ones) for the good of the Townsville community.Current projects:Ÿ Construction and selling of Mynar bird trapsŸ Wooden toysŸ Decorative boxesŸ Making Chess figures for Rasmussen School

Opening Times: 8am - 12.30pm Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

Behind PCYC Allambie Lane

NQ Community Services Inc(Upper Ross Community

Centre)

AGM

Monday16th September

7pm

WHAT’S ON AT THE UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY CENTRE

September/October Activities

Mondays Ÿ 8:30-10:30am Community Garden9:30am Craft9:30-12:30pm Free Computer Access

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ 9:00am Gentle ExerciseŸ 9:30-11:00am Playgroup

9:30-11:30am TimeoutŸ 4.00pm Legal AdviceŸ 5.00pm Walking GroupŸ 5.30pm Fit Camp

Ÿ

Wednesdays

Tuesdays

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

8:30-10:30am Community Garden9.00-11:00am JP Service9.30am Seniors Computer Kiosk10.30-12.30 Computer Classes

Thursdays

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

9:00am Child Health Clinic9.00am Social Cards9:00am Counselling9:30am Seniors Computer Kiosk5:00pm Walking Group5:30pm Fit Camp6.30pm Tai Chi

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR COPY OF BITS ‘n PIECESYou can download the Bits’n Pieces newsletter online at our website OR you can grab a copy at the following places:

http://www.nqcs.org.au

Advertise in the Newsletter - Phone 4774 0144

*IGA Rasmussen *UR Medical Centre*Gumvale Mini Mart *Carlyle Gardens*Riverway Chemist *McDonalds Rasmussen*Kelso Fish Shop *BP Rasmussen

OR you can always call into the Upper Ross Community Centre and say hello while picking up a copy!