Dear Registrants,
In this second newsletter I am very pleased to report that the Register is going well.
Thanks to the recently appointed volunteer Co-Ordinator Kathy Sommers the Register office is working smoothly and there have not been any major teething problems.
However, one unexpected problem did arise when the laminator had to be replaced because so many registrations were being processed that it was burnt out!
The Police often receive calls from relatives living some distance away from their elderly relatives. These callers frequently say “I have been trying to ring my mother, father, or grandparent for the last three days and they are not answering. I am really worried, would you please check it out for me”.
As you talk about the Register to your friends and neighbours I urge you to encourage them to consider registering their details. Apart from assisting in an emergency its
availability does reassure family members.
I thank all those who have worked so hard to establish the Register and am confident it will grow from strength to strength.
Sincerely,
Snr. Sgt Gary Coombes
Officer in Charge
Bellarine Police Station
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – POLICE SHOWBAND AND PIPE BAND CONCERT
Sunday 6th May, 2007,
1.30pm.
Parks Hall, Newcombe Street, Portarlington
$10.00 per person
All proceeds will go towards the Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc.
Tickets may be purchased at all Bellarine Health Centre locations in Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove, Drysdale, Portarlington and St Leonards or by phoning 52593202.
UPDATE ON FUNDING
Grateful appreciation is expressed for the donations received during January and February
• Seeding grant from Lions Club of Ocean Grove $500
• Seeding Grant from GLG59 St. Leonards Neighbourhood Watch $100
• A donation from a Registrant $50
• Volunteer’s applications for financial members $335
Some of you may soon be considering completing your annual Income Tax Return. You are reminded that donations to the Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc of $2.00 and over are Income Tax Deductible items.
We invite you to consider supporting the future of the Register by making a Bequest or Memorial Gift.
PROMOTION OF REGISTER
This month the Volunteers will begin promoting the Register at supermarkets and shopping strips. If you see our Banner and volunteers handing out Brochures and Registration Forms please stop and say hello!
ARE YOU A TRAVELLER?
Please remember to carry your ID card with you when traveling. In a report recently
received from the Rosebud Police Seniors Register it noted that one of their
registrants collapsed and died in a hotel in Singapore. Because the person was
carrying their ID card the police from Singapore were able to facilitate arrangements
very easily.
SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES
• Feeling unsafe and asking for help is not foolish
Rely on those who you can trust – relatives, friends, neighbours and police
“Crime Prevention Tips number 35”
• Telephone
Program “000” into your phone
If you do not have a speed dial keep a sticker with the emergency number on your phone. Even though it is an easy number to remember you may need this prompt in a high stress situation.
“Neighbourhood Watch Virtual House Safety and Security”
• Smoke Detectors
Don’t forget to change your smoke detector battery on the 25th March when you change your clocks from daylight saving time.
If this is difficult for you contact your local CFA to see whether they have some-one available who could assist you.
• Do you leave your house key with anyone permanently?
This question is asked in order to facilitate entry to your home in an emergency. If the data base
records the location of a spare key it means that the police do not have to break into your property during an emergency.
This question has raised some problems for some registrants because
(a) they don’t have any neighbours
(b) they wouldn’t leave a key with a neighbour
(c) they leave a key with a next of kin who often lives some distance away.
(d) they wonder should they hide their key somewhere, if so where/how?
If there is sufficient interest in these questions the Committee is prepared to arrange a demonstration afternoon sometime during July or August to talk about security in general and keys in particular.
Details about this afternoon would be included in the next newsletter which will be published in June and the afternoon would probably be held in July/August.
If you are interested in this topic would you please write to or telephone the Register office by the end of April.
FOOD
START THE DAY WITH A HEALTHY BREAKFAST
Hearty Apple and Cinnamon Porridge
(Quantities serves 2)
¾ cup rolled oats
2 cups Australian Reduced Fat Milk
½ cup canned pie apple
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons castor sugar
Combine the oats, milk and apple in a saucepan and stirring,
bring to the boil. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally,
before removing from the heat. Serve into serving bowls and sprinkle with combined cinnamon and sugar. Serve with extra milk if desired.
“Recipes for Good Health” produced by Dairy Good with the assistance of Diabetes Australia.
BUILDING A MORE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
Your actions could make a difference?
• Smile when you make eye contact with a stranger
• Introduce yourself to a new neighbor
• Send a card to a friend or relative you haven’t seen recently
• If the person behind you in the shopping queue only has a few items,
ask them if they would like to go ahead
• Do you “keep an eye” on your neighbor in case they need some assistance
Source: Australian Kindness Movement
JOKES
What is the worst thing a kettle can catch?
Boils
What is higher than a chef?
A chef’s hat
How do you make a banana split?
Cut it in half
Why are you never alone with a banana?
Because they go around in bunches.
How long should a person’s legs be?
Long enough to reach the ground
“Addy Newshound”
ENQUIRIES
The Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc. office is staffed each week day from 9.30am until 12 noon. Telephone 03 52 55 3968.
You may wish to visit the Register’s website. Go to
www.community-support.blogspot.com
REMINDER:
Don’t forget to notify the Register if your circumstances or contact details change.
TELEPHONE CALL
To avoid unnecessary concern, if you have requested a regular telephone call and are away from home on your specified call day, we would appreciate it if you would notify the office of your absence.
Our procedure is that if a volunteer is unable to contact you after a certain number of attempts they then contact your next of kin.
Ann Nichol OAM
Chair of Committee.
