Activus Newsletter January and February 2021

Out & About Newsletter January/February 2021 Edition Message from the GM Welcome to the first edition of the “Out and The Wellness Champions are back! We will be holding About” for 2021. I hope you were able to 3 information days which will help you navigate My spend some time with family and friends over Aged Care and access services so you can live the life the holidays and look forward to seeing you you love. Online communication is increasing so if you on board our vehicles throughout the year. have an email address please pass it along to our team members for the latest news on the Wellness Champions We have carefully designed our Social Outings and to receive a digital copy of the “Out and About”. Calendar and selected venues with the best COVID-19 practices to ensure our customers Often community transport is unseen within the community are protected. As a result you may see so in an effort to raise our profile and make sure everyone some outings run on multiple days in order to provide everyone knows about Activus Transport we will be running a convoy with the opportunity to attend. This edition has something for through the Sutherland Shire on the 13th March 2021. We will everyone with some scenic drives, great venues for lunch and a be supported by a vintage police escort so keep an eye out cruise down the Georges River! So if by chance you are unable to and give us a wave and a cheer if you see us on the roads! attend or change your mind please phone our office and advise staff as we may be able to offer your seat to someone else. I would also like to remind everyone that even though our COVID-19 safety procedures and plans are in place we do not As we continue to expand our services through feedback become complacent. It takes all of us working together to keep received from our customers, this year we are introducing everyone safe and services like Activus Transport operating. new shuttle services to Rockdale and Figtree along with some additional services to Menai Market Place and Southgate Thank you, Shopping Centre. I encourage you to try these new services and encourage others as their popularity over the next 6-12 months Greg Stanger will determine if we can make them a permanent addition.

Convoy to Cronulla 2021 Mark your calendars for Saturday 13th March, 2021 for the next Convoy to Cronulla. Our fleet of cars and buses will For your chance to win a $100 gift voucher from once again be headed up by Motorcycle Escorts as we Westfield Miranda take a photo of the Convoy as it wind our way from our depot in Engadine at 10am and travel makes its way through The Shire and upload it onto throughout the Shire. See below for a copy of the route. The Activus Transport Facebook page. The photo judged to be the best will be awarded the prize. Keep up to date with Convoy news by checking our Facebook page and website regularly and watch out for Ads in the We’re about to do it all again! For those that can remember Leader and on Radio Station 2SSR, Sounds of the Shire. our Convoy to Cronulla in 2016 and how it showcased our newly branded vehicles and was headed up by Steve Lurman of Motorcycle escorts – well, we’re about to do it all again. Except even bigger and better this time! A Message from ambassador Peter Gonski What a year of change and reflection 2020 resident has tested positive; this is a phenomenal outcome and has been, with the Royal Commission into the staff and families need congratulating. Aged Care and COVID-19 the lives of older people will never be the same again. The Activus Transport has altered its model of care this year and NSW community has endured the social they, along with all other groups providing community care controls to keep COVID-19 to a minimum. have had to be innovative and proactive in their approach. Sadly the inability to go out, meet up with Hopefully life is becoming a little closer to normal however we friends and family and the limitation of all still need to be cautious, maintain social distancing and wash visitation to aged care facilities has isolated our hands. individuals. It has been very tough for a lot of people both socially and financially. Although some are not too affected by The Royal Commission has exposed some disturbing aspects restrictions, others find them devastating. Depression amongst of the care provided in aged care facilities. It has also residents in aged care facilities has increased and sufferers of reflected on some great work and models of care. The 124 dementia have shown more challenging behaviours as they are outcomes recently handed down by the Commission will need not seeing their loved ones as often as previously. consideration and acceptance but I am sure that there will be some significant and beneficial changes over the next 2-3 Community workers and aged care facility staff have worked years. hard to minimise the changes in day to day life and have sometimes become surrogate families. The use of technology We look forward to a better 2021 when everyone can has increased so that communication between people, their reacquaint and enjoy each other’s company (even if we cannot families and their health workers often are through screens hug each other like before). I wish you all a Happy New Year rather than face to face. The overall outcome has seen a and a wonderful 2021. minimal number of individuals infected with COVID-19, in fact in the Sutherland Shire across all aged care facilities only one Regards, A/Prof Peter Gonski Shopping Services are changing in 2021 Thank you to all those customers who provided feedback regarding the Go-Shuttle and Shopping Bus. We’ve listened to you and made some exciting changes to these services for 2021. You will see that we now send a shopping bus to Figtree Grove each fortnight and a Go-Shuttle to Rockdale Plaza fortnightly. These services are open to EVERYONE in The Shire – no matter where you live. Please remember the difference between a shopping bus and a Go-shuttle is mainly that you must be able to get on and off the bus unassisted on a Go-shuttle as it does not have a Transport Assistant on board – other than that – they are both fantastic ways to get all your shopping done for the super low price of just $10 return!

The Wellness Champions is a collaboration of three locally trusted businesses with over 100 years’ of combined experience providing supports and services. Working primarily in the aged care space, each of the businesses has the experience and capacity to assist Shire residents. Wellness is about experiencing life to its full potential. It’s more than being happy or in good health. It’s about living a life that is meaningful, a life that feels worthwhile. There are many things that a person can do to achieve and maintain a sense of wellbeing and, by doing so, live at home as independently as possible. Each business sees you as an individual and works with you to provide a solution for your nutritional needs, transport and home maintenance and modifications. Call them on 1300 637 301 to discuss your needs. From ambassador Cheryl’s desk: Moving forward from 2020, one thing we we soon realised we needed to develop some sort of physical could each ask ourselves is: where are we routine and ritual of community connectivity for Jono. Utilising his headed for in our own mad dash through idle NDIS funding, we encouraged him to participate in a twice life? What is it that we’re actually aiming weekly virtual recreational program delivered by one of his service for? What do we truly value? And why is it providers, and organised a weekly Zoom telehealth physio session that sometimes it takes a sudden change in to replace his gym attendance. This helped provide a semblance one’s life circumstances to make us more of structure from which to alleviate his despondency. conscious about life? About home and family and relationships? The fragility of life itself… However, last week was a significant week for Jono, and possibly a milestone in the context of the ‘new normal’ that Jono, my 35y.o. son with disability, had 4 part-time jobs which is life post-2020. Jono received the news that he could all came to a screeching halt in March due to COVID-19. And as recommence 2 of his jobs in December. The generosity of difficult as it was for us to find him these much-valued positions human spirit shown yet again by these business people (as (2 paid; 2 voluntary), we had somehow managed to take his described some time ago in Jono’s story Paper Cranes) never day-to-day activities of choice for granted. It’s not until you are fails to astound me. They could have easily said it was all without work (or other activities of choice), that you realise the too hard to have him back… citing social distancing issues, significance of social connection. Work, for Jono at least, is and the like. But they didn’t. A lot of companies promote about so much more than monetary gain. It frames his identity, themselves as equal opportunity employers, but until they gives him purpose, and in his own words: “makes me feel like a hire someone with a disability, I believe they sadly fall short regular Joe”. So, despite my husband’s own work setbacks, and of the mark. Jono’s employers – JB Metropolitan Distributors my worrisome health concerns due to the implications of the and Slater & Gordon Solicitors - understand that inclusion of virus, observing Jono flounder was our most difficult situation. the marginalised not only enlarges their world, but connects everyone, teaching greater understanding and empathy. Disenfranchised grief is not often recognised by society or the person themselves. During this pandemic, whilst the whole And on the note of inclusion, we are indeed fortunate that the world was grieving it was, and still is, difficult to acknowledge dedicated team at Activus Transport proved they, too, were adept individual losses… what right do we have to mourn the fact that at implementing safe work practices which enabled them to we can’t work, shop, socialise, see our elderly relatives, when continue to provide services that support individual activities of hundreds of thousands are losing their lives? As a family used choice. Activus are a fine example of investing in our shared social to facing challenges, we coped the only way we knew: we well-being. Investing in community. Promoting societal inclusion. soldiered on. But as the virus forced everyone behind closed doors indefinitely – and Jono’s world shrunk even more – Cheryl Koenig OAM www.cherylkoenig.com.au We are currently recruiting for Volunteer Drivers to take our customers on social outings, to medical appointments, and personal engagements. As an Activus Driver you will need to have a caring disposition, be able to drive cars and buses; have the physical ability to assist customers into vehicles if requested, and have a passion for helping others. In return, we can offer you the chance to make a real difference in a person’s life. If this sounds like you - call us today on 8555 0000 or email [email protected]

JAN/FEB 2021 Time2Enjoy Calendar Important Information Shopping Services - $10 All customers are requested to wear a face mask or a nose We have 2 types of shopping services available. Bus Shopping and mouth covering whilst travelling in our cars and buses. service has a Transport Assistant on-board and Go-Shuttle is a Each bus will have limited numbers and hand sanitiser will be hop on hop off service without a Transport Assistant. provided. If you are not feeling well on the day please remain at home. If you have been tested for COVID-19 please do not Go–shuttles don’t have a Transport Assistant on-board. attend any outings until you have medical clearance. Please Customers must be able to board vehicle unassisted listen to bus crew and take instruction from them. In the event of inclement weather, bus crew will advise of alternative Weather options for the day. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, water and an umbrella in case Closure Dates of hot weather and/or rain. Christmas Eve from 12PM – Monday 11th January 8AM Club Entry–COVID Safe Practice Bass and Flinders Lunch Cruises All visitors will be required to present a valid ID, Pension and/ 22nd–25th February or Concession Card, provide their name, address and contact number when signing in. Visitors will be temperature checked Please pay upon receipt of invoice, payment can be made by venue staff. Please adhere to the venues rules and by Credit Card, Cash or Cheque. Call the office if making a regulations during these procedures. payment by Credit Card. Payments must be received by the 8th February. Lunch Options Cancellation Policy for Prepaid Events Outings where we stop at a park for morning tea, we will usually stop to buy a takeaway lunch. At times, it may be a BYO. For prepaid events, there will be no refund for change of Please ensure you bring enough money to cover lunch costs. mind, cancellations or non-attendance on the day. Individual Pick Up Times You will receive an automated call the day before your trip. Please ensure that you are ready at least 15 minutes prior to your pick up time. Companion Cards A carer travelling with you must have a current Companion Card to qualify for free bus fare or full cost is payable. If you have enjoyed reading this edition of the Out & About and you would like to receive it by email simply send us your email address and we will deliver your bi-monthly edition straight to your inbox! Email [email protected] to sign up today.

SHOPPING CALENDAR FEBRUARY 2021 1 MONDAY 2 TUESDAY 3 WEDNESDAY 4 THURSDAY 5 FRIDAY NO SERVICE SHOPPING BUS SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS WEST EAST & WEST Southgate Southgate Southgate Figtree Grove WEST EAST Menai Market Place Menai Market Place 8 MONDAY 9 TUESDAY 10 WEDNESDAY 11 THURSDAY 12 FRIDAY NO SERVICE EAST & WEST SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS WEST Rockdale Plaza Southgate Southgate Southgate WEST EAST Menai Market Place Menai Market Place 15 MONDAY 16 TUESDAY 17 WEDNESDAY 18 THURSDAY 19 FRIDAY NO SERVICE SHOPPING BUS SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS WEST EAST & WEST Southgate Southgate Southgate Figtree Grove WEST EAST Menai Market Place Menai Market Place 22 MONDAY 23 TUESDAY 24 WEDNESDAY 25 THURSDAY 26 FRIDAY NO SERVICE EAST & WEST SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS EAST SHOPPING BUS WEST Rockdale Plaza Southgate Southgate Southgate WEST EAST Menai Market Place Menai Market Place

ACTIVUS CALENDAR JANUARY 2021 4 MONDAY - 5 TUESDAY - 6 WEDNESDAY - 7 THURSDAY - 8 FRIDAY - OFFICE CLOSED 11 MONDAY - 12 TUESDAY W 13 WEDNESDAY W 14 THURSDAY E 15 FRIDAY E No Outing Today Scenic drive and lunch at Kiama Leagues Club Morning tea at Sunrise Nursery, scenic drive and lunch at Thirroul Beach Pavilion 18 MONDAY E 19 TUESDAY E 20 WEDNESDAY W 21 THURSDAY W 22 FRIDAY E Scenic drive and lunch at Kiama Leagues Club Morning tea at Sunrise Nursery, scenic drive and Bunnings Kirrawee lunch at Thirroul Beach Pavilion and lunch at Sylvania Bowling Club 25 MONDAY - 26 TUESDAY - 27 WEDNESDAY E 28 THURSDAY W 29 FRIDAY W No Outing Today Public Holiday Scenic drive and lunch at Illawarra Yacht Club Bunnings Kirrawee and lunch at Sylvania Bowling Club E = EAST | W = WEST

ACTIVUS CALENDAR FEBRUARY 2021 1 MONDAY E 2 TUESDAY E 3 WEDNESDAY W 4 THURSDAY W 5 FRIDAY E Scenic drive and lunch at Yarra Bay 16ft Skiff Sailing Club, Phillip Bay Morning tea at Sunrise Nursery, scenic drive and lunch at Sublime Point Cafe 8 MONDAY W 9 TUESDAY E 10 WEDNESDAY W 11 THURSDAY E 12 FRIDAY W Scenic drive and lunch at Woolshed Kitchen, Yallah Morning tea at Sunrise Nursery, scenic drive and lunch at Sublime Point Cafe 15 MONDAY E 16 TUESDAY E 17 WEDNESDAY W 18 THURSDAY W 19 FRIDAY E Scenic drive and lunch at Mittagong RSL Club Morning tea at Sunrise Nursery, scenic drive and lunch at Sublime Point Cafe 22 MONDAY E 23 TUESDAY E 24 WEDNESDAY W 25 THURSDAY W 26 FRIDAY W PREPAID EVENT Morning tea at Sunrise Nursery, scenic drive and Bass and Flinders 3 hour scenic lunch cruise Cost $55.00 Limited Numbers lunch at Sublime Point Cafe E = EAST | W = WEST

20 questions with volunteer driver Keith 1. How long have you been Volunteering with Activus? 10. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? May 2018 so 2 ½ years I found this actually the hardest – I think I’d go with John Cleese. 2. What is the one thing you cannot resist? 11. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? That’s actually very hard but I’m going Play the guitar (but I’m tone deaf according with Stones Green Ginger wine to my wife/ kids/ anyone … ) 3. What is your greatest fear? 12. What are 3 words you’d use to describe Activus Transport? Spiders Important, caring, essential 4. Where is your favourite place to be? 13. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Off the coast at Greenwell Point fishing Deposit a good amount into each of my daughters Superannuation accounts (yes I know I’m weird …!) 5. Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? Given I’ve been to many different countries… also could be 14. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the potentially hard but … overall not really – Greenwell Point. My/ time? our spot for relaxation away from the ‘maddening crowds’ Reading a book or going for a walk (other than when the three daughters, their husbands and the seven (so far) grandkids plus one granddog are there too. 15. What is something you learned in the last week? That there used to be a maternity hospital 6. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? in Engadine up near Cincottas Perhaps not ‘weird’ but different – IT manager for the Federal Office of Local Government – varied from buying state of the 16. What’s your favourite indoor/outdoor activity? art (then) 386 computers, to crawling through roof spaces Easy peasy – fishing! installing cables to doing financial analysis (which is much more aligned to the rest of my work career and University degrees). 17. What is the first concert you attended? The Angels at the ANU refectory in 1979 (had no 7. What would you do if you weren’t doing this? idea who they were when my mates convinced Probably be Meals on Wheels – would definitely me to go but … was a great night) be a Shire based volunteering role 18. What music is on your iPhone/Android phone? 8. Any favourite line from a movie? Impossible to list all of that – but I can say the genres are very Make my day (Sudden Impact) very wide (from Country to Heavy Metal to old school rock). About the only things I can’t stand are jazz and classics. 9. Tell us something that might surprise us about you. I’m a ‘real’ Aussie – arrived from England on a ship (my 19. What chore do you absolutely hate doing? parents were teachers and came out as 10 pound poms) as I can’t actually think of one I absolutely hate. a child in jail (my sister and I got mumps in South Africa and the isolation ward was the ‘brig’ on the good ship Himalaya. 20. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Adolf Hitler in his earlier years (so mid to late 1930s). Are you fire safe? • Make sure smoke alarms are installed and working - • If you have difficulty hearing, then consider installing test them monthly and change batteries annually. special smoke alarms which have a flashing strobe light and vibrating pad that can be placed under a • If you are unable to maintain your smoke alarms, pillow and which activates when the smoke alarm contact your local fire station. Firefighters can assist sounds. elderly residents who live by themselves and need smoke alarms installed and batteries replaced. • Don’t fight the fire - get out and stay out and dial Triple Zero (000) immediately. Never assume that somebody • Have an escape plan in place, practice it and make else has done so. sure your family/carer knows about it - it’s particularly vital for people with reduced mobility to practice their • Close internal doors when leaving your home to reduce escape plan. Where possible know two safe ways out fire spread. of every room in your home. • Smoking in bed is dangerous. NEVER smoke in bed. • When at home, leave keys in or near deadlocks so that you can quickly escape in an emergency. • Have an approved electrical safety switch (residual current device) installed. • Switch off small appliances when not in use. • Don’t overload power points.