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Community Noticeboard

Wildlife carers needed NOW!

Demand for carers is on the increase. State wildlife coordinator Janet Gamble says wildlife carers are finding themselves swamped with too many patients to look after and too much compassion to say no.
“In the last 12 months, in south-east Queensland alone, the big wildlife hospitals have seen over 20,000 sick, injured and orphaned wildlife patients. We are using the same people and they are burning out."
Chairperson of QWRC Ms Annie Saunders is urging people across the State to get involved.
“All you need to do to help is calculate how much time you can spare. Could you help with young birds, or injured birds or perhaps pre-release birds, mammals or reptiles? Can you offer your local group assistance to free a trained carer from food collecting, cage building, daily maintenance and fundraising?”"
Anyone caring for native wildlife must hold a permit issued by the Department of Environment and Resource Management). Membership of your local group may offer this permit or training to assist persons to apply. At www.qwrc.org.au/grouplist.html you can find a contact list of registered wildlife groups in Qld. These groups can provide you with support and training, as these are essential tools for meeting patient welfare needs.
Wildlife caring is on a volunteer basis and receives no government funding.
If you can't help personally then local wildlife carers and RSPCA Qld are always in need of aviaries and other assistance.

Lens a hand to city’s image

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is calling on Brisbane’s photographers of any age and experience to enter original and creative statements about life in Brisbane for the 2010 Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards.
The sixth annual Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards are free to enter with more than $10,000 in prizemoney and are open to any Brisbane resident. Entries close on 27 August.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said judges would be looking for images that explore Brisbane’s unique culture, community and lifestyle.
“We are hoping to attract entries that reveal Brisbane’s diversity and strengthen its reputation as Australia's New World City,” Cr Newman said. “This year's finalists will be seen by more people than ever before when they go on display in King George Square and also online at ourbrisbane.com.”
“We’ve increased this year's prize money and the winning entrant in the Open category will be included in the City of Brisbane Collection, creating a lasting legacy for the people of Brisbane.”
Brisbane residents are invited to enter their photos in the following categories:
• Open: $10,000 prize money
• Youth (30 years and under): $2,500 plus professional development opportunities
• Ourbrisbane.com People’s Choice Award (decided by popular vote online): $500
Entry forms are available to download at www.museumofbrisbane.com.au or can be collected at Museum of Brisbane, 157 Ann Street, Brisbane or by telephoning Council on (07) 3403 8888.

Generous donation boosts work of 139 Club

Ricoh state manager Andrew Hopper and his staff present 139 Club Inc club manager Rod Kelly with a very generous donation to support the homeless community of Brisbane. Mr Kelly said donations from community minded businesses such as Ricoh kept homeless and marginalised people alive.

Help for the elderly ... and not so old!

The Metropolitan Senior Citizens' Centre in Church Street, the Valley, is a dynamic organisation that provides a variety of services for frail older persons and younger persons with disabilities living in the local community. The MSCC also self-funds an Activities for Seniors Program which offers a diverse rage of programs for all seniors. It also offers additional respite services based in its Bryce House Respite Centre. For more information about the MSCC and its services, contact centre coordinator Marion Dwyer on 3252 2731.

Bridging the gap

Social contract bridge players are welcome at the 50+ Social Club that meets on the third floor, 157 Ann Street, City on Mondays and Thursdays from 8.30am Contact 3279 1201 or 3356 7084 for more information.

Beautiful begonias

The Queensland Begonia Society meets at the Uniting Church complex at 52 Merthyr Rd, New Farm, at 1pm on the third Saturday of each month. Visitors are welcome to look over plant displays, a trade table and listen to speakers as they talk about the many types of begonias suitable for balconies, small courtyards or gardens. Contact Secretary Peter Henderson on 3359 4319.

Quiet time needed?

Looking for some peace and quiet?

Take an hour out of your busy schedule for quiet group meditation. Sessions begin with a small amount of skills/spiritual input but are mostly in silence. We meet at 6 pm on Wednesdays at Merthyr Road Uniting Church. Everyone welcome. No fee.
Contact Atholl on 0410 565 081 for more information.

Volunteers also needed to phone elderly

Every day of the year hundreds of dedicated Red Cross Telecross volunteers make an early morning phone call to an elderly or frail person, just to make sure they are safe and well.
Greg Goebel, executive director for Red Cross in Queensland, says the daily phone calls from Telecross help provide peace of mind to older people and their families.
“It breaks down the sense of isolation many elderly people feel and allows them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. “
“Becoming a volunteer is an opportunity to make a difference in your community, by providing vital support for some of our most vulnerable citizens” Mr Goebe said.
To register as a Telecross client or volunteer, ring the toll free number 1300 885 698 or email qldagedcare@redcross.org.au.
Telecross volunteersare provided with ongoing training and support.

Speaking from the heart

Do you want to know more about living longer and healthier: have you ever wondered how to do something about it - and in the process change your lifestyle for the better? Heart, stroke and blood vessel disease is the major public health problem in Australia, causing more then 35 per cent of all deaths annually. The Heart Foundation has a network of local volunteer speakers available to visit your club, community group or organisation to speak about general heart health focusing on the benefits of lifestyle change and practical information on how to go about it. To invite a volunteer speaker to your organisation to help raise awareness of heart health throughout the community, or if you would like to volunteer as such a speaker, please contact Margaret Richards at the Heart Foundation on (07) 3872 2507.

Computer training

Brisbane Seniors OnLine (BSOL) provides affordable computer training for over 50s in the Brisbane area and is seeking new learners who would like to receive one-on-one lessons in their own homes or in our city training centre. By arrangement, we can also provide training in other venues such as community centres or public libraries. BSOL teaches both Windows and Apple Mac. New volunteer mentors are always welcome. The cost to learners is $40 a year plus a one-off $20 joining fee. For this, learners receive approximately 12 one-hour lessons and ongoing support for the balance of the membership year. Membership is free to mentors. Contact BSOL on 3210 6983 or at www.bsol.asn.au

Bags needed please!

The St Vinnies store on the corner of Brunswick and Alfred streets in the Valley urgently needs plastic bags to pop those great bargain buys into.

Corker of an idea

The Queensland branch of the Huntington's Disease Association is seeking bottle corks as part of its fundraising efforts. The association sells disused corks to a recycler. Corks can be dropped off at the association's office at 385 Ipswich Road, Annerley. For details ring 3391 8833.

AA meetings

The New Farm Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the HADS unit of the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Mondays at 7pm. It also meets every Thursday and Friday from 7pm to 8.30pm and on Saturdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at 505 Bowen Terrace New Farm. The 24-hour helpline number is 3255 9162.

Emotional help needed?

Emotions Anonymous (EA) is a non-profit 12-step organisation that has helped many people learn to live with unsolved problems as diverse as depression, anger, acrophobia, broken or strained relationships, grief, anxiety, low self-esteem, panic, abnormal fears, resentment, jealousy, guilt, despair, fatigue, tension, boredom, loneliness, withdrawal, obsessive and negative thinking, worry, compulsive behaviour and a variety of other emotional issues. Emotions Anonymous meets on Saturdays at 10:45am at the Community Health Centre, Biala, Level 3, 270 Roma Street, Brisbane (opposite the Fire and Rescue Station). No membership fee is required, only a desire to get well. For further information go to their website: www.emotionsanonymous.org

Potted plants

The Society for Growing Potted Plants hold meeting on the second Saturday of each month in the Uniting Church Hall at 52 Merthyr Road, New Farm, commencing at 1.15pm. There are interesting guest speakers and plants for sale. Visitors are most welcome at a friendly and informative afternoon. Contact Ann on 3276 7223.

Quilters meet

A small group of non-profit quilters who meet at 10am on the first Saturday of each month at Trinity Place, Church Street, Fortitude Valley, is are looking for new members. Experienced or beginners are welcome. For more information contact Barbara on 5496 1195.

Jigsaws solved

Jigsaw Queensland, a non-profit, post-adoption resource service, holds support meetings as follows: Open support group: Anyone touched by adoption is welcome - first Tuesday of each month (except January) 7pm to 9pm; adoptee support group: for adoptees only - third Wednesday of each month 7pm to 9pm; birthmother support group: for Birthmothers only - third Saturday of each month 1.30pm to 4pm except for December. All meetings are held at SANDS House, 505 Bowen Terrace, New Farm. Further information is available online at: www.jigsawqueensland.com

Golden gurus wanted

Volunteering Queensland is looking for people aged 50 and over with business skills to join its Golden Gurus initiative. The group wants the gurus to help pass on their skills and experience to others. People interested in becoming a Golden Guru can register by contacting Volunteering Queensland on 3002 7600 or by visiting www.volqld.org.au

Unclaimed bonds

The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) is asking people to check if they are entitled to unclaimed rental bonds. The RTA is holding $4.5million in unclaimed bonds from 22,000 people and businesses. Bonds can be checked on the RTA website www.rta.qld.gov.au

BEAN THERE, DONE THAT!

Red Cross might be better known for its tea and scone making skills, but Red Cross Training Services in Brisbane is now running one-day courses on how to prepare and serve the perfect cup of coffee. A recent course in barista and coffee making at Bowen Hills included a brief history on coffee, how to prepare espresso coffees, cappuccinos and café lattes, how to texture milk, how to present coffee, and the cleaning and maintenance of espresso machines.

Red Cross trainer David Charles said: “Having the skills to make various coffees is almost a pre-requisite these days for any hospitality job. Our course is primarily designed for people looking to gain basic skills in coffee making such as café attendants, restaurant staff, and bar and gaming workers; but is also caters for home entertainers.”

Coffee making courses are run by Red Cross throughout the year and funds raised are used to support Red Cross services in Queensland such as personal support during disasters and emergencies, aged care, hospital visits and daily phone calls to the elderly. Bookings are essential. To inquire about next year’s training dates or to request a registration form contact Red Cross Training Services on 3620 7000 or email dcharles@redcross.org.au

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