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You may know Havilah for its renowned care for the retired and elderly, but were you aware that Havilah has a volunteer Group that also caters food for events? Over the past ten years, Havilah staff and volunteers have provided dinner for The Maryborough Rotary Club on some forty evenings each year. Up to twenty volunteers, under the guidance of Raeleen Brooker and Susan Edmondson, peel vegetables and cook meals (no pre-cooked food here) . Raeleen plans the menus and does the shopping. "They know me well down at the local supermarket". Through their community network they have catered for funerals and functions and now weddings "just finger food, not the whole sit down affair" says Raeleen. They are starting to cater for other events and dinners as people find it so convenient to order finger food for their parties. The Rotary dinner involves the works. Sometimes casserole or fish and chips; other nights it is a roast or even a theme. Raeleen and her volunteers like the challenge. For one dinner Rotary had just returned from a trip to India and they thought it might be nice to have Indian food for dinner. They asked Raeleen if she would like to order in from the local Indian restaurant but she wanted to give it a go. When they served it Rotary thought it was so good they asked if it was ordered in. For special dinners like that or fancy desserts Havilah Chefs Phil O'Shea, Di Jackson and Greg Murray help out. The group of volunteers help set tables, chop, bake, dish up and clean up. Some have special skills. Moira Saul specialises in dessert. "Tonight when I go home I have to make three wedding cakes!" she says. Moira has been volunteering for Havilah for ten years. She loves helping and has family members living at Havilah. "It's good to volunteer for the community. We have fun," says Moira as she looks for the chicken leg she asked for to take home. Instead a volunteer has plated up a whole bowl. "You see what happens when you ask for a chicken leg here?" Other volunteers such as Rosalie Douglas and Stu and Glenis Argall also help because they want to raise money for Havilah. They enjoy helping and Rosalie’s husband Brian was involved in the development of Havilah. Barb Duffin CEO of Havilah is also plating and cleaning up in the kitchen tonight. "Raeleen and Sue run the catering" says Barb. "along with lots of others I just help out" she says, as she efficiently manages her volunteer duties. They raised $20,000 last year. In the old days they used to cater for Rotary in a different kitchen. They would be transporting equipment each week and hand-washing the dishes. Since moving to Havilah on Palmerston in 2013 with everything in place in the commercial kitchen situated there, the volunteer time has reduced and flexibility of what can be provided has increased. For dinner volunteers can start at 6pm and be out by 8.30 thanks to the commercial dishwasher and modern equipment or they can come in for an hour in the afternoon and set up the tables. This is great for volunteers who can be involved by donating just one or two hours. If someone wants a salad or has a special dietary requirement they can easily whip something up. In total $175,000 has been raised up to December 2014. If you would like to be a part of this volunteer group please contact Raeleen Brooker or Sue Edmondson by telephoning 5461 7300. Published in Maryborough Advertiser, March 2015.
At the heart of any strong community is a willingness to help, and Havilah has a wonderfully strong team of volunteers who happily give themselves to assisting the residents and their families in many different ways. Whether it is catering, entertaining, helping with transport or simply being available for a cup of tea and a chat, there's always someone at Havilah ready to share their time. Ken and Maureen Evans are two such people. For ten years they have helped with the Xmas BBQs, driving the bus, helping with the canteen and making sure residents can get to doctor appointments. Maureen's mother was at Havilah, and their involvement started then. "We can relate to the residents," says Ken. "It's pretty poor if you can't give something back to society in your life." One person who could never be accused of not giving back to society is Bob Osborne. Renowned for his willingness to help promote and assist Maryborough in so many ways - from sport to council representation to entertainment - Bob volunteers to help entertain the residents at Havilah by singing with the Wattle City Players and other groups each week. "Don't ask me how many years I've been doing this," he says. "I just enjoy entertaining people, and enjoy singing." Bob is adamant about the importance of volunteering. "It's the backbone of society. We need to encourage people to volunteer whenever they can." Two newer volunteers are Robyn Wagstaff and Marjorie Beaumont. Robyn has been giving her time at Havilah for two years; Marjorie for 18 months. They help run the bingo and indoor bowls, help with meals, and Robyn drives the residents on outings in the bus - going to Castlemaine, Bendigo, Ballarat or just nearby. "I love the residents. I get on really well with them. It's good to make them happy, see them smile." The sound of music and singing wafts gently from the dining room at Heath House, Havilah, as the quarterly dance takes place. Residents are seated at their dining tables eating a three-course meal, or are dancing on the parquet floor to the tunes of their youth and early adulthood. Team leader Patricia Boyd is moving in and out among the residents, encouraging some to dance, making sure others are being catered for with plenty of lovely roast lamb and vegetables. There are anywhere between eighty and one-hundred people in the room, and Patricia and her volunteers glide in and out between tables. The atmosphere is vibrant as Bob Kolmorgan leads his band and singers through hits from the 30s through to the 60s. The Chicken Dance gets everyone moving early, and there's a dose of Elvis shortly after. The dance is a natural progression from the Heath House 'cafe' where, on summer Saturday afternoons, residents sat in the warmth singing, dancing and talking. Patricia's eyes gleam as she explains how the music benefits the residents, stimulating them into conversation and giving them a break away from routine. "It just brings them happiness," she says. Families of residents are welcome and help the volunteers to organise the dances and serve the food. It's a big responsibility to set up the dance and make sure it runs smoothly on the Saturday morning - but Patricia says it's worth it. "The music takes the residents to another place. By promoting dancing, their skills improve - not only dancing, but mobility overall. There's lots of laughter." ---------------------------------- For retirees and aged-care residents Havilah on Palmerston is just a short stroll away from the Maryborough CBD, medical clinics, clubs, restaurants and cafés and is ideally positioned to enjoy the culture and fine dining of the surrounding wine and goldfields regions. Activities and entertainment ranging from gold prospecting to boating, tennis, bowling, golf, theatre outings in Ballarat or Bendigo, fine dining in Castlemaine or the Pyrenees, touring and tasting in several wine districts and events such as the Avoca races, Castlemaine State Festival or various festivals in the Daylesford and Hepburn region are all within an hour’s drive. If you are looking for an affordable superior lifestyle as you age, come and talk to us at Havilah. Havilah Respite Care
Among the many services Havilah offers is respite care. Respite care is a short-stay program whereby carers may apply for up to 63 days accommodation. This accommodation is paid for by the carer, although veterans may apply for 28-days paid accommodation. Included in the respite care is 24-hour access to a registered nurse; personal assistance; hair dressing facilities; access to podiatry nursing, occupational therapy and access to physiotherapy. All meals, as well as morning and afternoon tea are provided, and dietary needs are catered for. Aged care assessment is required. Havilah staff can assist with referral to the appropriate health provider. Havilah encourages carers staying in respite care to join in both internal and external activities, including their monthly dance at Heath House which is well-attended by residents from within all the Havilah sites, and by relatives and friends of residents as well. Havilah celebrates public holidays and other community events. Bus facilities are available to residents for travel to outings. Internal activities include carpet bowls, card games, and a happy hour in Havllah dining rooms. Executive Assistant Raelene Brooker says Havilah is very sensitive to the needs and the emotions of those choosing to take advantage of the respite care program. She understands that people can be fearful of making a move to care, so a short stay is a good way of determining if respite suits the carer and those in need of care. Havilah will attempt to make the transition to care as easy as possible. Ms Brooker says most respite residents enjoy the social aspects of their stay, some so much they wish to extend their time. The respite care program at Havilah is catered to provide a service to those in need, and attention is provided according to availability and prior arrangement, as the care is often fully booked. Those wishing to take advantage of the service are advised to contact Havilah as soon as they think they may need a position. Ms Brooker says that, as our aged population increases, many family members are finding they need to look after elderly relatives, and the respite care service can provide those carers with a break, as well as an introduction to social activities around Havilah. Those staying may find it provides an idea of life full-time at Havilah, or simply that much-needed space for recuperation and time to themselves. |
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