September Newsletter

Hello Registrants,

With the approaching second anniversary of the Register in October, it is very satisfying to see that registrations continue to grow.  It is also pleasing to see ongoing support in the form of donations from a number of individuals, organizations and clubs on the Bellarine Peninsula.  We are most appreciative of this support which enables the Register to continue to operate successfully.

May I recommend to you two publications, produced by VICROADS that offer important information for older people in our community.  The first, the Victorian Older Drivers’ Handbook, provides much relevant information for the older driver as well as a checklist to encourage you to think about your driving, and to find ways in which it might be improved. Older drivers need to stay alert to their changing health factors, such as eye sight and medical conditions, etc. 
The second publication, the Guide to choosing and using Motorized Mobility Devices, offers important information regarding road rules and handy tips for safe travel to users of such devices.
Both publications are available for download on the VICROADS website, www.vicroads.vic.gov.au or from any VICROADS office.

With winter behind us, now is the time to get out and about and enjoy the spring sunshine.

Regards
Gary Coombes,
Acting Inspector


COMMITTEE REPORT
As part of its future planning and financial viability the Committee is proposing that a two year evaluation be carried out at the completion of the Register’s first two years of operation.

The independently conducted evaluation to include an assessment of :-
The value of the Register to Registrants
The public profile in the  community
The value of the Register to Victoria Police
The financial viability of the Register
The effectiveness of the administrative structure of the Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc. organization. 
UPDATE ON FUNDING   
The Committee gratefully acknowledges the following donations received during May, June and July 2008.
Grants
Magistrates Court of Victoria                        $250.00
Donations
Ocean Grove Senior Citizens Club                    $  50.00
All Saints Anglican OP Shop, Barwon Heads            $200.00
St. Leonard’s Retirees balance of account                $349.88 
12 Registrants                                $255.00

RECOGNITION
On Thursday 16 October we will be celebrating our second anniversary.
To recognize this event we are offering the following “freebies” on or after the 16th October:-
The first twelve Registrants who telephone the Office will receive a free 9 volt smoke detector battery per courtesy of the Ocean Grove Fire Brigade.
The first four Registrants who convince someone to register will receive a free personal alarm. 
The first Registrant who convinces four people to register will receive a free key safe.
Note: To become eligible for items 2 and 3 your name would need to appear on the Registration Form as the “word of mouth” referral.

REGISTRATIONS   
You may be interested to know as at the 30 June 2008 we had recorded 1148 registrations. We encourage you to talk to your friends and neighbours about the Register. According to the registration forms received 16.52% of registrations are due to “word of mouth”.  Recently one Registrant wrote:
                                     “My grateful thanks for this caring service, especially for us Oldies”.

There are now Registrants of all ages ranging from       
1 to 49.99 years ( 20 Registrants) to 100  to 110 years ( 2 Registrants)
The largest age group currently being registered is that of
            60 to 79.99 years ( 428 Registrants)
20% of Registrants have requested a regular telephone call
35% of Registrants live with pets, with 5% of those Registrants not having notified the Register of any emergency arrangements for their pets.

We wish all centenarians good health, pleasurable quality of life and longevity.

DID YOU KNOW?
“Australians now have the fourth longest life expectancy in the world – after the Japanese, Swiss and the Icelanders. Currently, there are 2860 Australians over the age of 100 and that is expected to increase to 78,000 by 2055. “
Source Fifty Plus News
We wish all centenarians good health, pleasurable quality of life and longevity. 
To quote from Good Weekend Magazine, The Age July 26, 2008,  an article called “Aged to Perfection”, reports on the number of centenarians living in some villages in Sardinia and says Sardinians greet one another with “A kent’annos” “May you live to be 100.” 

PETS   
Have you talked to your regular Vet lately about the care of your pets, and also
emergency services for pets which are available should you suddenly become
hospitalized?
Eg. Some boarding kennels will collect pets if their owners are rushed to hospital.
   

FRIDGE MAGNETS
During the last two years we have been given samples of various Fridge Magnets, which include space for detailed medical data.

We realize that the availability of this information would certainly assist with any emergency treatment particularly, if the person requiring such treatment was unconscious. However, when we launched the Register we did consider the need by paramedics for this information, but rejected the idea because of the difficulty in keeping the data up to date.

If this is an issue you feel we should address – either to replace the existing Fridge Magnet or to assist with the supply of other options- would you please let us know.    If there is general interest in other options it might be possible for the Register to purchase from a supplier, on a similar basis as for the key safes etc.

THINK AGAIN CAMPAIGN
Have you heard about the THINK AGAIN CAMPAIGN recently launched by the Geelong Advertiser?  The Geelong Advertiser, local government and non-government agencies, including the Greater Geelong Local Safety Committee, is advocating for improved safety throughout the Geelong community.






















HAVE YOU HAD A CHUCKLE LATELY?
When does Thursday come before Wednesday?   In a dictionary.
Two antennas got married.   The wedding was bad, but the reception was great.
                        kidsview@the age.com.au

What happened to the sheep-dog when it ate some jelly?
It got the collie wobbles
Which hand would you use to pick up a poisonous snake?
 Someone else’s.
                        Addy newshound

COMMUNICATION
Are you finding the latest technology very frustrating to use? How do you communicate with your grand children?  Are you able to use the latest telephone systems, mobile telephones, emails and the internet? Possibly they are the last things you want to use but more and more these are becoming the standard means of communication. Do many people write letters any more?

If you would like to more easily manage your communications, why not consider talking to the staff at your nearest Neighborhood House? New courses are being designed all the time to assist people and you may find others have similar concerns. Also talk to them if transport is a problem - they may be able to suggest some alternative options.

NEW REGISTRANTS   
We have discovered some new Registrants have been overlooking locating their Window Sticker near their entrance door. As you know we encourage people to do this, because it does indicate to emergency personnel that your contact and emergency details are available on the data base.    

From now on we will be telephoning each New Registrant to have a chat and to see if they have any queries.

DATES FOR THE DIARY
Portarlington Golf Club Charity Day for Register
If you are a golfer why not assist with our fund-raising
            and enjoy a game at the same time?  
Publicity will be available shortly.   

Police Band Concert, 1.30p.m. Parks Hall, Portarlington


REMINDER
Please don’t forget to notify the Register office if your circumstances or contact details change, or if you have requested a telephone call and you will be away from home when your regular call is due.


ENQUIRIES
The Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc office is staffed by volunteers each week day from 9.30am until 12 noon.  
Telephone 03 5255 3968.
Correspondence should be addressed to P.O. Box 819 Ocean Grove 3226.
Email address: bpsupportregister@bigpond.com
If you wish to visit the Register’s website go to www.community-support.blogspot.com

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June Newsletter

ABN 458 484 906 50 INCORPORATION A0049036P

JUNE 2008 ISSUE No 7

Hello Registrants,

Recently you may have read some press on 14.04.2008, regarding the closing of the Bellarine Police Station for a short period. Unfortunately, media do like to make issue of anything related to policing and a perennial topic is police numbers. I therefore just wanted to take the opportunity to reassure everyone that police will always respond to incidents or requests for assistance that occur on the Bellarine Peninsula, 24 hrs per day and 7 days per week. 

The Bellarine Peninsula has four stations (Bellarine, Queenscliff, Drysdale and Portarlington) to service their respective communities, plus the overall support of the entire Geelong Police Service Area which includes stations at Geelong, Corio and Lara, not to mention the support of the Surf Coast stations at Torquay and Anglesea.

In the particular incident referred to in the paper, police were called away from the station to assist with an incident in Geelong’s area. This is not an unusual occurrence - to assist Geelong, but, on this occasion, it meant the closure of the police station for a total just in excess of 1 hour. While it is rare for Bellarine to close its doors during the day, this did not mean that police were not available to attend to calls; it just meant that we closed the doors of the station for that period – police were still on duty and available to attend to jobs as required.

Please also remember that in an emergency, if you need police assistance ring 000. This will ensure that your call goes straight to the communications centre for dispatch to the closest patrolling police unit.

I hope this clears and corrects some concerns that may be held regarding your local police and their availability.

Winter Checks - Smoke detectors
Once again winter is nigh upon us and I wanted to take the opportunity to remind you all that it is time to check your appliances, particularly your electrical/gas heaters and electric blankets to ensure that they are all in good working order. Unfortunately it is this time of the year that we see increase in house fires. Please also check your smoke detectors and replace batteries as required.

Volunteers
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer for the Bellarine Police Community Support Register? If so, please express your interest by contacting the chair of the committee via the register (phone or mail).

Regards,

Gary Coombes
S/Sgt 21887


UPDATE ON FUNDING
The Committee gratefully acknowledges the following donations received during
February, March and April 2008:
Donations
St. Leonards Retirees $100
Ocean Grove Senior Citizens Club $50
Magistrates Court, Geelong $200
Ten Registrants $230
Borough of Queenscliffe Grant $500

Sponsorship
Bellarine Memories $1500

DONATIONS
Donations will be accepted at any Bendigo Bank Branch in the Geelong Region. Our Account details are:
BSB 633 108, Account 127715209
When you use this banking facility we would appreciate it if you would advise us of your donation so that we can acknowledge it and forward a receipt. All donations of $2.00 and over are Income Tax Deductible.


BEQUESTS
If you are in the process of revising your Will and wish to consider leaving a Bequest to the Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc, please contact us if you require further information.


REGISTRATIONS
As at the 30 April 2008, we had received 1,068 registrations. This represents 12.18% of our target population. We encourage you to talk to your friends and neighbours about the Register. The most effective publicity is usually “word of mouth”.

Townships % Response Townships % Response
Barwon Heads 13.59% Ocean Grove 14.00%
Clifton Springs 10.65% Point Lonsdale 15.1%
Drysdale 11.21% Portarlington 16.07%
Indented Head 21.69% Queenscliff 7.95%
Leopold 4.83% St. Leonards 12.29%

ID REGISTRATION CARD
If you are one of the very early Registrants your ID card may not note the full telephone number 03 5256 2698. Please contact the Register Office if this is the case and we will forward a replacement card. The 03 reference with the telephone number is particularly important when you travel interstate or overseas.

PROMOTIONS
During the winter our Volunteers will be concentrating on promoting the Register to local groups and organizations as well as in selected Supermarkets. Do stop and say hello if you see them.

SAFETY AND SECURITY REPORT
Key Safes and Personal Alarms
Registrants have now purchased 31 Key Safes, 20 Weather Protective Covers and 19 Personal Alarms. Please contact the Register Office on telephone 5255 3968 if you require an Order Form.


Mobile Telephones
Since announcing the Mobile Telephone Tutorials last September, sixty four Registrants have attended Tutorials which were held in Queenscliff, Portarlington and Drysdale. The majority of those attending succeeded in their aim to “learn how to make and receive a call”.

Unfortunately, the Committee has resolved that it can no longer continue with these Tutorials due to confidentially issues, and because we were not able to recruit sufficient volunteers who are confident enough with their own skills, to teach others how to use their mobile telephones. In fact we understand 40% of those who own a mobile telephone do not know how to use it! If you are keen to update these skills some of the local Neighbourhood Houses have begun to offer a range of classes in a number of IT subjects.

If you are considering purchasing a mobile telephone it has been suggested you should try to purchase one with the following
A model as large as possible, with large and easy to use buttons
A clear screen which is easy to read
If you are purchasing a mobile telephone for emergency and security reasons, then select one which is as simple as possible – why purchase one with all the latest gimmicks if you don’t intend to use it for photographs, music, emails etc.?

Seniors Who Suffer Abuse
In a press release on 27/04/2008 the Senior Victorians Minister, the Hon Lisa Neville, MP, announced the establishment of a free state-wide telephone hot line which will be operating from 10am until 5pm Monday to Friday, to provide support and advice to older people suffering abuse, as well as raising awareness of elder abuse.

“Elder abuse can be financial, physical, emotional or psychological. It can involve mistreatment or neglect. It can include such instances as families pressuring elderly relatives for money, forcing them to sign documents they do not understand or restricting their contact with friends.”

“It is difficult to know the full extent of elder abuse in Victoria, because many cases are not reported. However studies have estimated that between 1 and 5 per cent of older people experience some form of abuse or neglect”.

Anyone seeking assistance or information about elder abuse can telephone Seniors Rights
Victoria on 1300 368 821 or, if out of hours, the Bellarine Police Station on 03 5255 2698 or 000.

NEW DIRECTIONS
Due to lack of interest by Registrants, the Committee will not be planning further Afternoon Teas. Unfortunately, we understand from comments received from those who attended the recently-held Drysdale Afternoon Tea, transport is a problem for those who are now unable to drive.
ANIMAL REGISTRATIONS
Geelong is a pet loving community. With almost 45,000 pets registered in the City of Greater Geelong. This is one of the largest populations of cats and dogs in an Australian municipality. Registrations for 2007 were
Cats 11,902
Dogs 34,778

State Government Legislation requires that all dogs and cats being registered with Councils for the first time, must be microchipped. The registration fee is then levied at a reduced rate. Microchipping assists in the reunification of the pet with its owner should they become separated or stolen. It also improves the direct return of the animal to the owner and cuts out the expense and stress of impoundment.
“City of Greater Geelong Tag Time News”

35% of Registrations have indicated they own pets.



JOKES – Have you had a chuckle lately?
I’ve lost my dog Why not put an ad in the paper?
Don’t be daft – he can’t read!
What part of the car causes the most accidents? The nut behind the wheel!
How did the barber win the race? He took a short cut.
Why didn’t the toast come out of the toaster? Because it was jammed.
Kidsview @the Age- Joke of the Week


REMINDER
Please don’t forget to notify the Register if your circumstances or contact details change, or if you have requested a telephone call and you will be away from home when your regular call is due.


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

Leopold Links

Links have now been made with Leopold as the Bellarine Community Support Register continues to develop. The Register enables people to register emergency information to ensure that next-of-kin, doctors, pharmacists etc can be contacted should the need arise.

The information is held on a confidential database at the Bellarine Police Centre and is available to Police 24 hours a day.


Pictured: Cheetham Ward Councilor, Rod McDonald with Register chair, Ann Nichol OAM


Ann Nichol and Rhonda Rotherham explain the benefits of the Register.