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We respectfully acknowledge the country on which our Community House is located, Wadawurrung country and pay our respects to traditional owners, ancestors and elders, both past, present and emerging.
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Hello Surfcoast,
My name is Kahlee Kendrick and I have just started my new role as the new Coordinator of the Torquay Community House.
I am local to Torquay, I have a gorgeous 5 year old little girl who has a great love for art, crafts & preforming. On weekends you will likely see us soaking up the sun at Whites Beach with the doggies, grabbing coffee, gobbling down cheese platters and playing chess.
My professional career has seen me working as a Real Estate Agent for 8 years before changing paths and pursuing my passion in community & human services. I have worked in various program areas such as Alcohol and other drug addiction, Disability, Homelessness, Family Violence, Aged Support and most recently working as a Program Coordinator for the Humanitarian Settlement Program housing newly arrived refugees and Asylum Seekers.
I have a great enthusiasm for our unique & wonderful community, and I am extremely passionate about making a positive difference in people’s lives. I possess a strong desire to live in an inclusive and diverse world which is why I am beyond excited to join the Team at The Torquay Community House.
I would love to get to know everyone and hear any have ideas you would like to share or suggestions you may have. Please feel free to pop into the house for a cuppa and a chat anytime during the week.
Warm regards,
Kahlee Kendrick
Torquay Community House Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her/Them
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Our dear Laura's lovely writeup in The Surf Coast Times
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The house is opening on Monday 4th October for the last term.
Our opening hours are 9am – 4pm Monday to Thursday. Closed Fridays.
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Most of the programs will continue to run in Term 4.
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Pat McKenzie's Acrylics Studio 14 | Thursday
The Thursday watercolour group continues to explore the many facets of painting and watercolours. Subject matter ranges from landscape vistas, to ocean and seascapes, to still life and our pets. (Something to look forward to after the lockdown.) More information here.
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Young Wolves Tutoring
We continue to enjoy the sessions we do and would welcome any new students as we have places available. Young Wolves is our Maths and English tutoring program for grade 5 and 6 students. Students get a weekly, 40 minute one on one session with a tutor to focus on any areas of Maths or English they may need help with. You can find more information here (Young Wolves page on our website).
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Term three has been a challenge for us given the recurring lockdowns but zoom delivery has enabled us to keep in touch with many members.
Our term four program (October 11th – December 3rd) has just been released and we are being more ambitious than ever, with 29 classes on offer. Apart from regular classes we have also planned some additional activities including:
- A contribution to the Surf Coast Shire’s Positive Aging month in October showcasing our classes in Art, Ikebaba, Poetry and a Trivia Quiz.
- An Occasional Lecture covering the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen program to be run at Torquay Primary School with Terri Mintram
- Local surfing Icon, Bob Smith, will lead a tour of the Australian National Surfing Museum
- Family History Research a practical course for people who wish to learn more about how to access and use online Family History resources with Toni McCormack
- Launch and readings from the poetry group’s anthology 'Wondering and Wandering and two poetry pamphlets by members Jean Bohuslav (Strings) and Helen Seymour ( Shot Silk to Gun Shots )
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Torquay RSL Appeals to Afghanistan Veterans
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RSL President Bob Tyler
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Torquay RSL President Bob Tyler has appealed to Afghanistan veterans and their families to call the local RSL if they need support, or a path into DVA for any claims.
As the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Andrew Gee, said last month “This is a distressing time for many of our Defence personnel and veterans who served our nation in Afghanistan with courage, dignity and honour, and made such a significant contribution to the allied military effort.
“We must never forget the 41 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“Australia owes a great debt of gratitude to all our veterans who served with distinction and their families who supported them. “
Torquay RSL President Bob Tyler, said he was concerned about the wellbeing of our veterans who served in Afghanistan, following the latest reports of Taliban successes in that country.
“I understand how many of those who served in Afghanistan might be feeling at this time, as I had similar feelings when we evacuated from Vietnam.
“We have trained Wellbeing Advocates who are here to help anyone who served in Afghanistan, and to help them reach out to support services available to them and their families if they need it”, he offered.
“Help and support is there for you. Contact the Torquay RSL office on 0417 142 156 or email torquayrsl@gmail.com if you would like us to help you access services; or call Open Arms for counselling support.
“Any ADF people, veterans or their families can call Open Arms 24 hours a day on 1800 011 046”, Mr Tyler advised.
“If you need to talk but don’t want to disclose your name, please call Safe Zone Support which offers anonymous counselling service for ADF personnel, veterans and their families. Its free and available 24/7. You can call 1800 142 072.”
Mr Tyler reminded Afghanistan veterans to particularly reach out to any mates and their families who may be finding it difficult at this time.
“Although COVID restrictions are keeping us apart, there has never been a more critical time to ensure we stay connected”, he concluded.
---o0o---
Further Information
Peter Thomas
Ph: 0417 374 249
Email: peterjthomas264@gmail.com
Bob Tyler
President
Ph: 0417 142 156
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Torquay Lions Gift Comfort Bears to Police
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Torquay Lions President Neil Roche (right) and Leadership Chairman Lion Colin Bellis handover Teddy Bears to Sergeant Peter Christo at Torquay police station.
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Torquay Lions Club recently presented 12 Comfort Bears to Victoria Police members at the local station.
Police and other organisations use the bears to assist young children caught up in stressful situations.
During the past 35 Years with the support of Lions Clubs throughout Victoria, and now nationally, Lions Crimewatch has distributed over 53,000 Lions Comfort Bears to Emergency Services.
Torquay Lions President Neil Roche pointed out local Lions had been part of “Lions Operation Comfort Bear” for some years.
“Bears are handed out to kids at motor vehicle accident sites, at courts, at house and bush fires, in domestic violence homes, hospitals, children’s cancer units and on myriad occasions where children might be distressed,” Lion Neil shared.
“With Lions clubs ongoing support of “Lions Operation Comfort Bear”, jointly we continue to supply bears to Police, SES, CFA and others where children might become anxious and stressed,” he said.
Distributing Comfort Bears is only one way the Torquay Lions help support people in our local community.
“Our Lions provide teams to deliver meals distributed by Feed Me Surf Coast, a voluntary food and meals distributor based in Torquay,” Lion Neil declared.
“The number of meals distributed each week has caused the Lions to call out for more volunteer drivers to help on Wednesdays when the most meals are delivered each week.
“When we began deliveries about 18 months ago, we delivered 30 crates containing from one to five meals.
“Last week, we delivered 220 crates to various addresses where single people and families would not have had sufficient food items to prepare meals,” Lion Neil advised.
“And that’s not all we do, he said. “In the last financial year, despite COVID restrictions causing a great drop in funds raised from the community, we were able to help numerous people or organisations like Foundation 61, a rehabilitation centre which helps men rebuild their broken lives.
“Overall, we managed to disburse almost $35,000 to worthy recipients in our region, nationwide or internationally to help with natural disasters,” Lion Neil concluded.
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From Fundraisers to Wood Gatherers
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Torquay Lion Peter McMahon emerges from the Moonah Woodlands with an armful of old stakes recovered from the area as part of a Lions Club Environmental and Recycling project.
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Torquay Lions Club fundraising activities have ceased because of COVID restrictions, but its members have moved to lift their community service activities.
The Club’s emphasis this month has switched from fundraising to wood gathering and collecting old plastic plant guards abandoned in the Moonah Woodlands at the east end of The Esplanade.
Club President Neil Roche has care of the environment as one of his projects for this year.
“I believe caring for our fragile environment is critical today to ensure it’s OK for future generations,” he said.
“Liaising with Surf Coast Shire officers, we offered to help clean up the Moonah Woodlands, collecting long abandoned stakes and plastic left lying about in this wonderful native reservation.
“Our environment project has become also a recycling project as the wooden stakes and some of the plastic guards will be recycled for use in future plantings,” Lion Neil advised.
In their morning spent in the Woodlands, the Torquay Lions collected hundreds of old stakes and numerous bags of disintegrating plastic.
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Torquay Lions Club has taken on more community activities as fundraising projects have been restricted by the pandemic. An environmental and recycling project suggested by the Surf Coast Shire was to clear the Moonah Woodlands of old stakes and plastic plant guards. Volunteers (from left) Lion Bill Ferguson, Gayle Roche, Lion Peter McMahon, and Club President Neil Roche gather stakes and plastic from the bush.
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Torquay Lions Club always mixes fundraising with projects which help individuals and groups in the Torquay area.
“Because we are restricted in our fundraising activities at this time, we are spending more time on community activities, but, hopefully, it will not be too long before we can raise funds to give back to the community and continue helping others needing support in these uncertain times,” President Neil opined.
In recent times, Torquay Lions have taken part in ‘Lions Operation Comfort Bear’ continuing to supply bears to Police, SES, CFA and others for situations where children might become anxious and stressed.
“As well, Lions provide teams to deliver meals distributed by Feed Me Surf Coast, a voluntary food and meals distributor based in Torquay,” Lion Neil declared.
“The number of meals distributed each week has caused the Lions to call out for more volunteer drivers to help on Thursdays when most meals are delivered each week.
“And that’s not all we do, he said. “In the last financial year, despite COVID restrictions causing a great drop in funds raised from the community, we were able to help numerous people or organisations like Foundation 61, a rehabilitation centre which helps men rebuild their broken lives.
“Overall, we managed to disburse almost $35,000 to worthy recipients in our region, nationwide or internationally to help with natural disasters,” Lion Neil concluded.
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Further Information about TORQUAY LIONS:
Peter Thomas
Torquay Lions Club
Ph:0417 374 249
Neil Roche
President Torquay Lions
Ph: 0427 336 484
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Join the Coffee & Kids Playgroup
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Coffee & Kids Playgroup is starting up again for Term 4 on Friday 8th October. All babies & preschoolers and their carers are welcome for just a gold coin donation each week. Lovely toys, indoors & outside playspace, fruit & crackers provided for kids with coffee or tea for adults. Oak Tree Place, 25 Anderson Street. Torquay. Contact Heather on 0409 176 319 to book a place. Numbers are limited.
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Torquay Theatre Troupe One Act Play Season - Take Two!
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After finally opening our 2021 One Act Play Season on August 20th and shutting it down the next day due to lockdown 6, we are thrilled to announce we are bringing it back in November 2021.
The two plays, Introverts’ Outing by Sindi Renea and The Knock on the Door by Bruce Olive will be back on the boards November 18 th , 19 th and 20 th at 8 pm and Sunday 21 st Matinee at 6 pm.
Audience numbers are restricted to 20 in a theatre at this time but we are hoping that those restrictions will be changed by mid-November.
However, as we may still be restricted with audience numbers we recommend you purchase your ticket as soon as they go on sale in mid-October.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page, Torquay Theatre Troupe, and the website, ttt.org.au for further details.
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Highlander Street Children offering free packets of sunflower seeds.
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Plant Sunflowers this Spring
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Sunflowers are joyful flowers and for many they symbolize optimism and happiness which are positive values in these present COVID-19 days of anxiety and uncertainty.
A positive initiative at the beginning of September has seen the establishment of The Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers. Local residents, school communities, residential care and retirement communities are being invited to plant sunflowers throughout the Shire.
A group of local enthusiasts are offering free packets of sunflower seeds with the idea of spreading some cheerfulness. When you plant things, it’s an expression of hope and promise, which are things we can do more of right now and what better way to do that than to grow seeds.
Sunflowers grow well in our Surf Coast Shire. All one needs is ample sunshine, good composted soil and regular watering and a sense of wonder and enjoyment. October is the time to plant sunflower seeds.
As a finale to the Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers there will be a small low-keyed get-together in early February for the community to celebrate and show off sunflowers grown over summer.
Packets of free sunflower seeds can be collected at various cafes, including Mavis Mavis (Torquay), Salty Dog (Torquay), Swell (Jan Juc), Evoke (Torquay, Esplanade near Horseshoe Bend Rd), Uforic (Surfcoast Highway, Mt. Duneed), and in front of a number of homes of sunflower seed-sharing enthusiasts.
Further information can be found at: facebook.com/groups/surfcoastsunflowers (Bronwyn McNamee – Admin).
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Hi There!
I’ve lost count – is this the 5th, 6th or 7th lockdown we have had to endure? It doesn’t really make much difference does it. Been there once, or twice it’s all much the same.
Regardless of all that, have you recently moved down here to the Surfcoast to join the rest of us happy campers? You’ve unpacked all the boxes, found homes for most of the stuff and now you’re looking around, saying to yourself “what now”.
Or maybe you have been here for a while (months/years) and COVID 19 has thrown a spanner in the works as far as your mental health is concerned and you are struggling to climb out of that black hole. Let me tell you, you are not Robinson Crusoe! We have all been affected one way or another.
Have you heard of the Men’s Shed movement? If you have, that’s great but, if you haven’t, then we have some news for you. Right here in Torquay we have our Torquay Community Men’s Shed Inc. which is a not for profit registered charity whose primary role is men’s health. We have been operating since 2007 and are still kicking goals for our members and our community.
The Shed is located at 18 Price Street, which is next door to the Senior Citizens Club, and behind what used to be the Police Station (now known as TOPS (aka Torquay Old Police Station).
We are open on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the moment from 8:30 to 12:30 and is made up of a woodwork workshop, a metalwork workshop and a meeting room. The latter is also known as the ‘Table of Knowledge’ where the World’s problems are dissected and solved every week! We also have a monthly free BBQ on the last Wednesday of every month, which is a great opportunity to socialise. To help offset the costs, we have tea, coffee and munchables available, all for the low cost of $2 (the BBQ is thrown in for nix).
Of course there are some constraints still imposed upon us to comply with COVID 19 requirements, including temperature checks, hand sanitising, QR code registration and social distancing measures. All of this is to reassure our members out there, that we are as safe as we can be.
If any of the above rings a bell for you (no pun intended), and you are going stir crazy at home, then come in, make yourself known at our place and visit for a cuppa and a chat!
Hope to see you soon at the Shed!
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THE END IS IN SIGHT – HELP US TO END POLIO
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For the month of October, we're walking to End Polio and this is your invitaion to join Team Torquay Rotary All you have to do is use the link below to go to our team page, sign up, ask your friends and family to support you, and start working. Then record your progress as the month progresses. We're challenging ourselves to walk, run or roll 10, 20, or 50km throughout the month and raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world. Please join me and take part in this challenge for such an important cause! To follow the update on eradication of Polio cases globally CLICK HERE
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Members of the Surf Coast Community are always welcome to join in the Torquay Rotary Club meetings which are held 6.30pm Monday nights either:- Face2Face at Kithbrooke Park Community Centre or on ZOOM. To hear some good speakers and have some fun getting to know your local Rotarians go to https://torquayrotary.org.au/ Or contact the President on Ph 0423 620009
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Need a helping hand?
Information on food resources and financial help is available. Click here.
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Need help with something else?
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Check out our support services page HERE for links to services that offer mental health assistance, housing advice and more. Or call 5261 2583 11am-2pm, Monday-Wednesday during term time.
The Surf Coast Shire also has a comprehensive page of with information on support services for all these issues and more. Please visit the page HERE
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THINK OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT BEFORE YOU PRINT THIS.
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