MSWA Bulletin Magazine Autumn 16

South West
Regional Round Up
Treendale Gardens update
Paula Kennedy, Respite Coordinator
As you know, in January 2016, devastating fires ravaged parts
of the South West affecting many people, including a number of
our Members and staff in various ways. Fortunately, Treendale
Gardens – MSWA’s residential and respite facility – were in a
position to offer emergency accommodation to Members and
staff until it was safe for them to return to their homes. Messages
were sent out to our local Individual Options team to let any
affected Members know that we were ready and willing to assist.
Some staff sought alternate accommodation after using
Treendale as a base whilst they got themselves organised.
Three Members and their families took up our offer and stayed
between two to five nights in different areas of the facility. One
family in the holiday unit, one family in respite and a Member in
the residential area. We are pleased that none of these families
lost their property in the fires and we were able to offer a safe
place to stay during the ‘watch and act’ and other emergency
warnings in their area. They have all since returned home.
Treendale Gardens itself was on bushfire advice and plans had to
be made in case we actually had to evacuate. Our staff members
were very composed and kept the Members and residents
reassured and fully up to date with what was happening, and
what plans were in place if we needed to evacuate.
We received calls and visits from several local MSWA staff
that are not based at Treendale, offering their assistance and
letting us know that they would have their phones near them
overnight should we need help to evacuate at short notice. We
even had an extra vehicle onsite, kindly loaned by Baptistcare,
to ensure we had sufficient onsite transport options should
we need to evacuate.
Thankfully this was not required but we would like to
acknowledge all the MSWA staff involved for their assistance
and support both locally and over the phone in the metropolitan
area. Sue Shapland, General Manager of Member Services
would like to add:
“I would personally like to thank all of the staff, and especially
Paula, who did such a wonderful job of welcoming our
temporary guests whilst also organising everything in
readiness for a potential evacuation. The residents have
told me they were kept well informed and were both calm
and confident that they were in safe hands during this very
stressful time. The staff were all very supportive and many
had properties under threat or loved ones fighting the fires.
What a great team effort!”
The latest
news from
the South
West
Treendale’s Bunnings Garden
Linda Kidd, Paula Kennedy and the Team
In December 2015, some of our residents approached our
local Bunnings with some of their great ideas about improving
our courtyards. Bunnings then generously offered to supply
and install an accessible fruit/veggie/herb garden in one
courtyard and some flowering plants in another.
The Bunnings Community Activities team came over and
developed a plan, consulting with residents and staff about
what they would like to see in the revamped areas. Plans
were then drawn up and a team of staff from Bunnings were
enlisted to come over and remove the old plants, put in new
soil (generously donated by Australind Landscaping Supplies),
and generally make the area ready for the big planting.
Once all the preparation work had been done, the team came
back and put in raised garden beds and tubs making it easier
for residents to view and care for the plants. They all worked
very hard and really improved these areas, and this has not
gone unnoticed by the residents and their families.
The garden has become a focal point for residents to gather
and chat whilst watering or just soaking up the atmosphere.
We are pleased to report that all the residents’ hard work is
now paying off and we have started harvesting vegetables
such as cucumbers, huge tomatoes, zucchini and mini
eggplants. This produce has gone into the residents’ kitchen
and been incorporated into the delightful evening meals
created by our wonderful cook.
The Treendale Gardens residents and staff would like to thank
Bunnings and their staff for their hard work and generosity.
CEO Marcus Stafford in Treedale’s Bunnings
courtyard with residents.
One-stop shop Centre to open in Bunbury
It was a momentous day as Members and staff came together
in Bunbury to celebrate the build of MSWA’s new Community
and Health Services Centre. The high 30 degree heat
didn’t dull the excitement as our CEO Marcus Stafford and
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan turned the first sod on the
$1.5 million Centre.
Marcus said, “This is a fantastic occasion for us. We’re hoping
that by this time next year, the doors will be open and that it
is fully operational.
“We currently have 234 Members in the region, not including
their family and carers, who will all be able to access a wide
range of services at the purpose built Centre.”
Located on Mason Road in Davenport, the Centre will be a
one-stop shop for people living with multiple sclerosis and
other neurological conditions.
A range of services will be on offer including occupational
therapy, physiotherapy and fatigue management. The large
block of land means more room for outreach sessions,
counselling, peer support groups and will serve as a base for
staff coordinating support for people living at home and staff
orientation and training workshops.
The Centre will also include state of the art equipment such as a
physiotherapy gym with a tilt table, a MOTOmed limb exerciser,
parallel bars, exercise bikes, gym equipment, massage rooms,
disability access toilets and therapy rooms for group sessions.
CEO Marcus Stafford
and Bunbury Mayor
Gary Brennan turn the
first sod on MSWA’s new
Community and Health
Services Centre.
Lynda Whitton was diagnosed with MS in 1996 and is
President of the Bunbury Outreach Group and a National
Advocate for MS Australia. Lynda said that she and other
Members are looking forward to the new Centre and the
services it will provide.
“It will be lovely to have all of the services under one roof.
Our current location is basically a modified house, so it’s
not ideal for people in wheelchairs and the physio room
doubles as a counselling room. And rather than having to
make an appointment or have someone come to visit, in the
new Centre we’ll just be able to knock on the counsellor’s
door and have a five-minute chat,” said Lynda.
“Another good thing will be having plenty of parking for
everyone. I think some people might be currently put off
coming to our current Outreach centre, especially if you’re in
a wheelchair or a walker, because there isn’t enough parking.
“I’d also like to thank the people of the South West who
donated to the yearly Swim for MS in Bunbury. In our first
year alone we raised more than $55,000 and all of the money
from the Swims has gone towards helping us to relocate to
this new Centre, so please keep supporting us because every
little bit helps.”
The build of the Centre has been made possible thanks to
the public’s donations and continued support including for the
Mega Home Lottery.
24 Autumn 2016 The MS Society of Western Australia The MS Society of Western Australia Autumn 2016 25