Activus Newsletter 2021March / April

Out & About Newsletter March/April 2021 Edition Message from the GM Welcome to the March/April edition of the face of adversity have adapted and continued to deliver ‘Out and About’. 2021 continues to be a services that improve the lives of our most vulnerable. testing time for everyone however there are a number of fantastic community Many community services operate unnoticed until such a time services within the Sutherland Shire that as they are required. I often question what the impact would be are here to enhance your quality of life if services such as Activus were not readily available. Activus and support you through this difficult time. alone has a customer base of 5000 individuals providing more Please reach out to us if you feel there than 60,000 trips per year for vital appointments, treatment, may be other services you need – Activus seeing family, staying connected to the community. As you know can refer you onto many services which Activus is shaped by our customer feedback and we continue are available throughout the Shire. As you know we have an to expand and provide more services such as shopping and active collaboration with Sutherland Food Services & Home social outings to different and unique destinations each year. Modification Solutions as a part of the “Wellness Champions”. We would love to know how our service positively impacts your Our friendly Customer Services team is here to help! If you, a life and what it would mean to you if our service was no longer friend or family member are unsure where to start on the My available. Often funding decisions are made without the human Aged Care journey, Home care packages, eligibility requirements aspect being fully considered. I think it is so important to be able or if you would like more information on the services Activus to tell these stories and relay the personal experiences of our can provide please don’t hesitate to call and speak to our team. customers to the decisions makers around Aged Care Services. In this edition of the Out & About we have enclosed a new feedback We receive funding from the Commonwealth Home Support form to capture this information, if you could please take the time Program this funding allows us to provide subsidised to complete and return to your Driver or Transport Assistant on community transport services for customers within the your next trip or if you would prefer to do the survey by phone Sutherland Shire. In February we will see the final report from please give our customer service team a call on 8555 0000. the Commission into Aged Care, this report will determine the future for funded services like Activus Transport. As you Thank you, know COVID-19 has put the Aged Care sector in the forefront of the public eye and although there are some issues we Greg Stanger should still celebrate the hundreds of fantastic services that in

The Convoy to Cronulla is back for 2021 It’s been a few years since our last successful Convoy to We are asking anyone along the route to take a photo and Cronulla and we thought ‘why not do it all again?’. It’s a upload it to our facebook page for the chance to win a $100 great way to show off our colours and for Sutherland Shire Eftpos gift card. The Convoy will leave the Activus depot at residents to check out the Activus fleet in all its glory. Once approx. 9:30am and will be at Don Lucas Reserve at 11am. again Motorcycle Escorts will head up the convoy and lead us We’d love to see you along the route - check out the route through the Shire on our way to Don Lucas reserve Cronulla. map below. It takes place Saturday 13th March 2021! There we will line up for a special photo opportunity and flypast. RAV4 Toyota Hybrid joins the fleet Look out for this impressive new vehicle with the brightly coloured branding that we’ve recently added to our fleet. The RAV4 Hybrid is a brilliant mesh of fuel efficiency and comfort – 2 of the most important aspects when considering additions to our fleet. Getting in and out is easy too. It is just the right height off of the ground for most people to step in and out without issue. The door frames are tall and wide enough to prevent most people from having to stoop in order to avoid banging their heads. But wait…. There’s more – it has a really spacious cabin too! Four adults can easily stretch their legs out. There will be no bumping elbows against one another or taller rear seat passengers having to slouch down for a lack of head space. Just what you need during these COVID times! We hope you get to travel in her soon. Let us know what you think! Home Library Books are available in regular or LARGE PRINT and as sound recordings. DVDs, Sutherland Shire Libraries provide a Home music and magazines can also be Library Service for residents who are unable provided. to visit the library regularly because of frailty, disability, illness or carer’s duties. If you or someone you know would like to join the home library please contact This can be on a permanent or temporary basis. the Home Library Service, Sutherland Library. A referral may be required. Phone 9710 0459 (between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday) Free fortnightly deliveries are made to Email [email protected] Sutherland Shire residents in private homes, aged care services and participating nursing homes. Items are selected to suit individual customer preferences.

Orana Food Pantry A huge thankyou to all those wonderful people who so generously donated to the Orana Food Pantry drive. No sooner had we put out the call for collections than items started to flood in. We received everything from tinned goods, biscuits, pastas and sauces and sweet treats, soaps and shampoos and many other items. Orana was delighted with the collection which was divided up into much needed food hampers for those in need. The generosity of our Activus customers is nothing short of amazing – thank you again. Whats the origin of the humble ANZAC biscuit? Anzac biscuits have long been associated with the Australian METHOD and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I. It has been claimed that biscuits were sent by wives and Step 1 Preheat oven to 170C. Place the flour, oats, sugar and women’s groups to soldiers abroad because the ingredients coconut in a large bowl and stir to combine. do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation. Step 2 In a small saucepan place the golden syrup and butter and stir over low heat until the butter has fully INGREDIENTS melted. Mix the bicarb soda with 1 1/2 tablespoons water and add to the golden syrup mixture. It will 1 1/4 cups plain flour, sifted bubble whilst you are stirring together so remove from the heat. 1 cup rolled oats Step 3 Pour into the dry ingredients and mix together until 1/2 cup caster sugar fully combined. Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and place on baking trays lined with non stick 3/4 cup Desiccated Coconut baking paper, pressing down on the tops to flatten slightly. 150g unsalted butter, chopped Step 4 Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown. 2 tablespoons golden syrup or treacle 1 1/2 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon Bicarbonate Soda Important Dates March and April 2021 8 March 2021 International Womens Day 17 March 2021 St Patricks Day 20 March 2021 Equinox (Equal Day and Night) 21 March 2021 Harmony Day (celebrating cultural diversity) 2 April 2021 Good Friday 4 April 2021 Daylight Savings Ends 4 April Easter Sunday 5 April 2021 Easter Monday 25 April 2021 ANZAC day

Tired of cooking for one or two? Sutherland Food Services is the Over 60 meal choices leading meal service in the Shire. Easy to order Frozen or hot, the choice is yours. Frozen or hot delivery Our team is COVID-19 safe and ready to deliver. Safe, trained and trustworthy volunteers Affordable and easy payments Regular well-being checks Nutritious and delicious Take the worry out of meal preparation and eat well at home just like Barry! Give us a call today on 9540 7365 to find out more about our meal service. We’ll even throw in a FREE dessert with your first order*! *Terms and conditions apply. Complimentary dessert for new customers who order five or more mini/main meals.

SHOPPING & GOSHUTTLE SCHEDULE SHOPPING BUS SERVICE $10 Bus Shopping service has a Transport Assistant on-board. MONDAYS TUESDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS NO SERVICE Figtree Grove Southgate Southgate Southgate FORTNIGHTLY WEEKLY WEEKLY WEEKLY East and West East East West $10 Go–shuttles don’t have a Transport Assistant on-board. Customers must be able to board vehicle unassisted. MONDAYS TUESDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS NO SERVICE Rockdale Plaza NO SERVICE Menai Market Place Menai Market Place FORTNIGHTLY WEEKLY WEEKLY East and West West East

MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS Scenic Drive & Lunch at Jamberoo Pub East Group: Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th March West Group: Monday 1st & Tuesday 2nd of March Enjoy a scenic drive to one of Sydney’s oldest Tudor styled pubs built in 1857. The pubs walls and ceiling are lined with sporting and historical memorabilia and photos. They offer a great selection of classic pub meals, wines, beers and ciders. Scenic Drive & Lunch at The Ocean Beach Hotel Shellharbour East Group: Wednesday 3rd & Thursday 4th March West Group: Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th March Hop aboard and take in the scenery as we make our way to the Ocean Beach Hotel at beautiful Shellharbour for lunch. Established in 1929 it was built to represent a fashionable inter-war free classical style hotel. Scenic Drive & Lunch at Bundeena Community and Services Club Friday 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th March Take in the beauty of the Royal National Park as you make your way to the newly rebuilt Bundeena Community and Services Club. Enjoy the spectacular views from the dining areas whilst enjoying your lunch. One of the Shires best kept secrets! Apple Shack Darkes Forest & Lunch at Tradies, Helensburgh East Group: Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th March West Group: Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th March Visit a 6th generation family orchard and take in the “Appleshack’ where you can purchase fruit and specialty cider. For those feeling adventurous, hop aboard the tractor for a tour of the Orchard ($10). Following on from the Orchard we will lunch at Tradies Helensburgh. Scenic Drive & Lunch at The Robertson Hotel East Group – Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd March West Group – Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th March One not to be missed! Enjoy a scenic drive to the Southern Highlands as we make our way to The Robertson Hotel. Originally established in 1924, and once considered the most luxurious hotel in the Commonwealth. Explore the pristine gardens or simply take in the beauty of the building itself. Devonshire Tea & Lunch options available from the café. Scenic Drive & Lunch at Picton Bowling Club East Group– Monday 29th March West Group – Tuesday 30th March East & West Groups – Wednesday 31st March The ever popular Picton Bowling Club is back! Daily lunch specials from just $12. Cost for subsidised customers is $20 for bus fare. Meals and beverages at your own cost.

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS Lunch at St George Motor Boat Club East & West Groups – Thursday 1st April Kick off the long weekend in style with a lunch by the water at the Marinas Edge Café at St George Motor Boat Club. Shopping at Salvos Windang & Lunch at Club Windang East Group – Tuesday 6th April West Group – Wednesday 7th April East & West Groups – Thursday 8th April You asked & we listened, this time we are heading to the Salvation Army before lunch at Club Windang – Lunch specials from $10 at the Wok & Grill Restaurant. Scenic Drive & Lunch at Towradgi Beach Hotel East & West Groups – Friday 9th & 16th April Delight in the stunning ocean views of the coast on this scenic drive to our lunch destination the Towradgi Beach Hotel. Always a buzz of activity with delicious food & luxurious spaces to explore and enjoy. Shopping at Millers Revesby & Lunch at The Piazza Bankstown Sports Club East Group – Monday 12th April West Group – Tuesday 13th April Need some retail therapy? Well Millers Revesby has you covered with a great range of women’s clothing available. Enjoy a delicious Italian lunch at La Piazza at Bankstown Sports Club with a huge range of Pizza, Pasta, Tapas & Seafood options available. Scenic Drive & Lunch at The Friendly Inn Kangaroo Valley East Group – Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th April West Group – Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th April Sit back and take in in the World class scenery as we make our way to Kangaroo Valley. Enjoy lunch at The Friendly Inn, one of the oldest pubs in the region and a favourite with locals & travellers alike for its panoramic views of the escarpment and top notch Aussie style menu with seafood, steaks & schnitzels just to name a few! Scenic Drive through La Perouse & Lunch at The Boatshed East Group – Monday 26th & Tuesday 27th April West Group – Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd April Enjoy a scenic drive around the historic La Perouse followed by lunch on the water at The Boat Shed, expect some of the freshest seafood in Sydney presented with modern Australian and Mediterranean flavours. High Tea at Camellia Gardens East & West Groups – Friday 23rd & 30th April It’s High Tea Time! Set amongst the lush Camellia Gardens the Tea House is an oasis within the Shire and the perfect setting to enjoy High Tea. At $55 per person you can expect all the trimmings – this is one not to miss! Narellan Town Centre Shopping & Lunch East & West Groups – Thursday 29th April Back by popular demand. We are heading to Narellan Town Centre to satisfy all your shopping needs! Lunch as you please in the food court with lots of options available.

20 questions with Activus Driver, Gloria 1. How long have you been working with Activus? 12. What are 3 words you’d use to describe Activus Transport? Six Months Friendly, helpful & reliable 2. What is the one thing you cannot resist 13. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? A cup of Tea Buy a home 3. What is your greatest fear? 14. When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass Dying alone the time? Relaxing with my dogs 4. Where is your favourite place to be? Home with my two small dogs 15. What is something you learned in the last week? How a person survived alone for two weeks during 5. Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? COVID-19 lockdown in a Sydney Hotel. Switzerland. Its scenic beauty 16. What’s your favourite indoor/outdoor activity? 6. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? Indoor relaxing with my dogs, Outdoor – seeing a Sorting archival books in a dim & dusty storeroom movie/going to the live theatre with a friend. 7. What would you do if you weren’t doing this? 17. What is the first concert you attended? Rideshare Local church concert in my youth 8. Any favourite line from a movie? 18. What music is on your iPhone/Android phone? Same time, same place next year. A variety of all genres of music (easy listening) 9. Tell us something that might surprise us about you. 19. What chore do you absolutely hate doing? I spent the first 6 years of life in an orphanage Cooking 10. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as 20. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you your mentor? meet? Queen Elizabeth II Audrey Hepburn 11. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Forensics Activus Volunteers are priceless! Volunteers are the cornerstone of Activus. We salute every single volunteer for the wonderful work they do and we rely heavily on their commitment and dedication. Without them, we simply could not meet the needs of our community. We thank them for helping to enrich the lives of our customers. As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to • Make a difference • Meet new people • Gain new skills • Help others • Become a valued team member • Give back to the community We are always on the lookout for more volunteers, so if you think you’ve got what it takes – don’t hesitate to call us and speak to Kylie on 8555 0000.