Welcome to another edition of the Bellarine Police Community Support Register newsletter. I do hope our service is providing you, your partners and families with a level of comfort and support. The fact that your important emergency contact details are being retained at the Bellarine Police Station will certainly facilitate action required by Police in the event of an emergency situation.
With the colder months upon us it is timely to remind everyone of the importance of looking after yourself and your neighbours. Unfortunately house fires are more common in the colder months and a number have been attributed to electrical/gas appliance issues - heaters being left on too close to other flammable material or faulty appliances. Please take the time to check your appliances and if you are unsure, have a qualified tradesperson inspect them.
Congratulations to the Register Committee for the very successful concert held at the Parks Hall in Portarlington in May. A huge turnout enjoyed the music created by the Victoria Police Showband and Pipes. The event was so successful that we've booked them again for next year and will likely make it a regular event on the calendar.
Great news to know that a Medi-Trak system will now be located at the Bellarine Police Station. This system will be used to locate Medi-Trak registered persons living on the Bellarine Peninsula, should they be reported as missing. Thank you to the Rotary Club of Drysdale for their generous donation and to Best of Care, the Bellarine Peninsula co-ordinator of the Dementia Agency Network.
Keep safe.
Regards,
Gary Coombes,
Acting Inspector.
RECENT SUCCESSFUL FUND-RAISING EVENTS
• On Sunday 6th May 2007 the Police Showband and Pipe Band Concert held in Parks Hall, Portarlington, raised $4800.00.
To quote a registrant who attended the Concert: "It was an absolutely wonderful afternoon and I am presently enjoying the wonderful CD I purchased. Could this be an annual event please?"
A big thank you to Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management for sponsoring this event, Bellarine Health for their assistance with the sale of tickets, to those who donated raffle prizes and to Bellarine Memories for their assistance with printing.
• On Saturday 19th May 2007 one of our generous volunteers offered her vacant home in Ocean Grove as a location for a Garage Sale which raised $839.62. Thank you to those involved in organizing this event.
UPDATE ON FUNDING
Grateful appreciation is expressed for the donations received during March, April and May from
• Probus Club of Point Lonsdale/Queenscliff $100
• Queenscliff Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Association 250
• Combined Probus Club Clifton Springs/Drysdale 60
• Queenscliff Senior Citizens Club 100
• Ocean Grove Neighborhood Watch GLG 40 250
• Clifton Springs Neighborhood Watch GLG 58 100
• Swan Bay Ladies Probus Club 50
• Clifton Springs Bowling Club 50
• Magistrate’s Court 750
• Rotary Club of Drysdale 1,000
In addition the Register has also received a number of donations from individuals to assist with the Concert expenses and with other administrative costs.
EXPENDITURE
So far in this financial year the expenditure has totaled $12,899.85 covering such items as
• Updating donated office equipment, purchase of printers and new laminator
• Printing of brochures, registration forms, newsletters
• Frig Magnets and Window Stickers
• Stationery, office supplies, postage and insurance
• Promotion and fund-raising events
• Volunteer training costs
The Register employs no salaried staff and the estimated current value of the time the volunteers contribute is $104,125.00.
The Committee is currently applying to funding bodies for grants to assist with the financial viability of the Register and to enable the Register to extend its services.
Some of you may soon be completing your annual Income Tax Return. You are reminded that the Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc has Discretionary Recipient Gift Status (DGR) and all donations of $2.00 and over are Income Tax Deductible.
We invite you to consider supporting the future development of the Register by including a Bequest or Memorial Gift in your Will.
PROMOTION OF REGISTER
Volunteers will be 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!
SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES
• There has been some confusion about the different telephone numbers on the Frig Magnet and theWindow Sticker.
The Frig Magnet notes the Register Telephone Number (5255 3968) and the
hours the office is staffed. If you have any general enquiries please use that number.
The Window Sticker alerts emergency service personnel to the fact that your
details are registered. The telephone number (5256 2698) is that of the Bellarine Police
Station.
• If someone is reported missing or lost, the Police automatically check the data
base to see whether the person’s details are recorded.
• During October and November the Committee will be arranging a series of Afternoon Teas to promote such safety issues as key safety, ID discs, and home property checks. These Afternoon Teas will be held in four locations on the Bellarine Peninsula and for security reasons will only be open to registered registrants. Details will be provided in the September newsletter.
For emergencies please telephone 000.
MEDICATION
“Medication is an important means of maintaining good health but if misused can severely restrict your capacity to live confidently.
The Pharmacist is an expert on drugs and their effects. You should feel free to ask your Pharmacist about your medication.” From Confident Living for Older Victorians. Page 7 and page 9.
DROUGHT
To quote a recently published CSIRO Report – “we have to plan as if we’ll be living in a different country”.
The Committee would be interested to know how you have been affected by the drought.
• What has been your greatest problem?
• Has it affected your health and general sense of well being?
• How have you risen to the challenge of water restrictions?
We invite you to write to the Register if you have a story to tell or some good tips we
could pass on to other registrants.
FOOD
Spinach and Yoghurt filled baked Potato
Tasty Snack – This dish will serve four people but could easily be prepared for one person.
4 large unpeeled potatoes, washed
1 x 250g packet frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
¼ cup Australian Natural or Low Fat Yoghurt
Cracked black pepper to taste
¼ cup fresh wholegrain breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Australian Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese
Prick the potatoes with a fork and bake at 200oC for 1 hour or until tender (or microwave on high for 15 minutes) Cut the tops off the potatoes and scoop out most of the flesh. Combine flesh with spinach, yoghurt and pepper and spoon back into the potatoes. Top with combined breadcrumbs and cheese. Bake at 200o C for 10 minutes or until top is crisp and lightly brown.
JOKES
Did you hear the story about the burp? Never mind. It’s not worth repeating.
What did the dirt say to the rain? If this keeps up, my name will be mud.
Waiter, will those hamburgers be long? No sir, they’ll be round
“Addy Newshound”
ENQUIRIES
The Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc. office is staffed by volunteers each week day from 9.30am until 12 noon. Telephone 03 52 55 3968 P.O. Box 431, Ocean Grove 3226.
You may wish to visit the Register’s website. Go to www.community-support.blogspot.com
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.
We are finding that when we do follow up with Next of Kin we are generally told their relative is absent because they are either away on holidays, in hospital or perhaps spending some time in respite.
If your regular telephone call falls on a public holiday then volunteers will call you on the first working day following the holiday.
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