My Canberra – Dick Telford (Page 1)

By Thomas McCoy (click to enlarge)

My Canberra – Dick Telford (Page 2)

By Thomas McCoy (click to enlarge)

Reducing road accidents for young and old

By Thomas McCoy

Melissa Weller presenting the session.
Photos: Thomas McCoy.

More than 30 people gathered at Yass High School last Wednesday evening (May 4) for a two-hour session on “Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers”.

Run by Yass Valley Council’s Road Safety Officer Melissa Weller, the session was attended by parents and their learner-driver children, and offered advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice and training.

The session began with a heartfelt presentation by a courageous young local woman in a wheelchair whose life has been forever changed by a fatigue-related accident on the Barton Highway almost three years ago.

Driver fatigue accident survivor Samantha Longmore shares her story.

Back in 2013, then 20-year-old Samantha Longmore was working two jobs: on a rural property during the day and at a Canberra club during the night, and this meant she would often drive back to her home in Binalong in the early hours of the morning.

“I was doing way too much, working too much, socialising too much, like a typical young person, and fell asleep driving back from work,” she said.

“I don’t remember much about what happened, I remember leaving work, I got some petrol, a coffee, and something to eat, and I think I had one sip of my coffee and here I am lying in hospital not knowing what the rest of my life would bring … nobody did.”

Samantha now has hemiplegia, and is paralysed on the right side of her body, unable to move her right arm or leg.

“If you fall asleep at the wheel it’s not just you that it will hurt, it could be other road users, and will definitely hurt your friends and family,” she said.

“And playing loud music in the car doesn’t help. No matter how much you pump up the volume it won’t keep you awake if your body wants to sleep.”

Samantha’s powerful message, which she delivered on the day that was also her 23rd birthday, set the scene for an engaging session.

An attentive audience listens to Samantha’s personal account.

Other presentations were given by Johanna Brown from NRMA, who described the Free2go program (which provides a year of free roadside assistance for 16 to 20 year olds), and Sean McGrath from Ascent Training Services, who outlined the Safer Drivers Course.

Session presenters Melissa Weller, Sean McGrath and Johanna Brown.

For Melissa Weller, who has been running the sessions for many years, this one was the most successful and she was delighted with the outcome.

“We had the highest number of people attending this time and I think we were able to get the message through that driving a car is dangerous and you need to take it seriously.”

Melissa explained that high traffic volumes on the Barton Highway, the state of the road, and the increasing level of commuting meant people had to be extra careful with their driving.

“We have around 46 per cent of our workforce commuting to the ACT for work and kids going back and forth to uni, and this commuter lifestyle is a safety hazard with people being tired after a long day or becoming impatient on a road that has limited overtaking opportunities.”

“Fixing the road, and maybe even doing duplication would be a good thing, but that could take many years so in the meantime we’re working on behavioural aspects, right from the get-go where people are learning to drive,” she said.

As part of her road safety initiatives, Melissa will also present a free two-hour session for the older age group at 10am this Wednesday (May 11) at the Yass Golf Club entitled “On the road 65 Plus”.

This will include presentations by a local pharmacist, as well as an occupational therapist and will cover issues affecting older drivers such as modified licences, safe driving habits, and mobility scooters.

Bookings can be made by calling Yass Valley Council on (02) 6226 9248 or by e-mailing Melissa at Melissa.Weller@yass.nsw.gov.au.

For full details see: www.yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/news.

Distance education spreads further afield

By Thomas McCoy

Successful meeting: (from left) Bronnie Taylor, Dean Lynch, Duncan Taylor, Zoe Dawson, Sarah Mitchell, Rebecca Heron-Dowling, Jessica Price-Purnell, and Carolyn Ewart.
Photo: Thomas McCoy.

It began in Cooma three years ago. Then, a few months back, it expanded northwards into the town of Young. And now, the Cooma Universities Centre (CUC) is looking to bring its highly successful “distance with assistance” model to the people of Broken Hill, more than 1,000 kilometres away.

This all came about through a chance conversation among staff of the Far West Local Health District in Broken Hill, who had implemented school-based apprenticeships in 2014, and were wondering how students could extend their education to tertiary level.

Ms Rebecca Heron-Dowling, who was responsible for setting up the apprenticeships, had heard about the reputation of the CUC and approached the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health and Western NSW, Ms Sarah Mitchell, to see what could be done.

As a result, Ms Heron-Dowling and Ms Mitchell came to Cooma last Tuesday for face-to-face discussions with CUC board members and to participate in a teleconference with stakeholders from around NSW.

“I was especially interested in this because of the difficulty regional areas have in attracting staff to the health sector,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The school-based apprenticeships, that were being provided through TAFE, had attracted students from wide-ranging areas such as Wilcannia, Ivanhoe, and Menindee, and they were wondering what they could do next.

“In remote areas, being able to retain local people to work in the health sector, who have strong community connections, particularly with a large Indigenous population, is a huge benefit and this is where the opportunities being provided by the CUC are so valuable.”

During the meeting, Cooma-Monaro Shire Council mayor and CUC board member Dean Lynch outlined some of the benefits that Cooma had experienced through the centre.

“This is a model that works well and it gives people options they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Mr Lynch said.

He described the difficulties that Cooma-Monaro Shire Council has in attracting qualified town planners, and how the CUC allowed two town planners, who had almost finished their qualifications, to relocate to Cooma and finish their studies here while working at council.

CUC Board Chairman Duncan Taylor explained that towns such as Broken Hill and Young can benefit from the work that has been done in Cooma.

“We’ve created university partnerships, we’ve got a business model up and running to make this kind of centre sustainable in a small community, and we’re happy to share this with other towns around Australia under the Country Universities Centre banner,” he said.

The teleconference was chaired by Mr Taylor and was highly successful, involving eight parties from Parramatta, Broken Hill, and Wagga Wagga, and organisations including the University of New England and the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute. The mayor of Broken Hill, Mr Wincen Cuy, also participated.

Mr Lynch described the reaction of the participants as very positive.

“They were really keen and all they’ll now have to do is get the students, and we’ll develop the cohort and do all the hard work for them. We’re glad to be involved with this,” he said.

Sea change for Leonie

By Thomas McCoy

Leonie (R) is farewelled with flowers as she hands over her role to Kelsie (L).
Photo: Thomas McCoy.

Around 30 children, along with staff, ex-staff, and parents gathered at the Cooma Children’s Centre last Tuesday (April 5) afternoon to farewell coordinator Leonie Smith.

A born and bred Cooma girl she is heading south to Maramingo Creek, which is between Eden and Mallacoota, to start a new life in “the middle of nowhere” with partner Joe on a vacant block of land.

She has found her work at the Children’s Centre very rewarding and staff commented on her ability to keep the children engaged and occupied.

“I started in family day care and eventually moved into after school care, which has been fulfilling and sometimes challenging,” Leonie said.

In her role as coordinator she was responsible for five staff, arranging activities and programs for before school, after school, and holiday care.

Regan signs the farewell card, assisted by Kelsie.
Photo: Thomas McCoy.

Taking over the coordinator role will be Kelsie Schubert, who is completing her Bachelor of Education through the Cooma Universities Centre and has always wanted to be a teacher.

“I loved school but got bullied a lot and that made me want to try to make things better,” Kelsie said.

So how does she feel about taking on the new role?

“To be honest, I’m a bit nervous but I know everyone will help me and I love working with the kids so it should be OK,” she said.

The Cooma Children’s Centre is located at Cooma Public School and offers holiday care between 8:30am and 5:30pm, as well as before school care from 7:30am to 9:30am and after school care between 3pm and 6pm.

For enquiries, phone 6452 1933 or 0450 127 090.

New Cooma business offers the write stuff

By Thomas McCoy

Nicole McKenzie, owner of Inspire, Write and Educate stands in front of the book nook with her children Elizabeh and Tyler.
Photo: Supplied.

Nicole is a mother of three who has been home-schooling her children for years and was finding it increasingly challenging to run learning activities in her living areas.

“We’d end up doing lots of things on the dining room table, especially with craft, and then it was always a mad rush to clean everything up before dinner so I started searching for other options,” she said.

A month ago, Nicole rented a vacant shop in Vale Street, opposite the Cooma library, and now does her home schooling in more spacious surroundings that are complete with tables, chairs, and even a chalkboard.

Realising that other people in the community might want an indoor place where they could meet and engage in activities together, as well as being able to eat and drink, she has created the Inspire, Write and Educate centre.

The centre provides a supportive environment for parents to home school their children, but is also running a broad range of other activities, with new ones being added constantly.

A strong focus of the centre is writing, and this is driven by Nicole’s previous career as an editor for a publisher in Melbourne.

“I know a few writers in the area who were looking for somewhere to get together so we’re now doing a monthly meeting of the Cooma Writers’ Group where anybody can get advice on their work and how to become published,” she said.

Nicole will also look at publishing suitable work through her business and offers weekly writing groups for children too.

As a qualified editor and publisher, she is able to offer a high level of professional advice on writing with a strong focus on quality.

“One thing that used to frustrate me when I was working in editing was the poor quality of some of the work that was submitted. In several cases the writers should have gone back and done major revisions and in our workgroups we like to aim for good writing from the start and help people develop their skills,” she said.

The centre also provides a library that includes educational resources, books on writing and editing, board games, and puzzles, and home-schooling resources are on sale.

“With school holidays starting next week there’ll be kids with nothing to do so I’ve got lots of different activities planned that include origami, making pet rocks, jewellery, Chinese dragon masks, kites, puppets, and balloon monsters. We’ll also be doing science experiments, magic lessons, and creative writing workshops.

“As well as helping children learn, this can give parents a break over the holidays.”

Another new event offered by the centre for anybody over 12 years of age is a “Pizza and Games Night” for the Warhammer fantasy game, which is played with little figurines.

“Even if people don’t have the Warhammer figurines they’re welcome to join in because we’ve got players with spare figurines, it’s a lot of fun.”

For more information about the activities taking place at the Cooma Inspire, Write and Educate centre, visit the website at: ww.inspirewriteandeducate.com or phone 6452 5588 during opening hours (Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm).

Rotary calls for Youth Exchange applicants

By Thomas McCoy

Ally Johns from Connecticut (USA), who has made Cooma her home for the last eight months as a Rotary Youth Exchange student.
Photo: Thomas McCoy.

The Rotary Club of Cooma is looking for high school students who would like to join their international Youth Exchange program.

Successful applicants spend a year going to school overseas while living with host families. This allows them to experience another culture, see the world from a new perspective, and perhaps even pick up a foreign language.

The cost of the program is around $7000, which is needed for airfares and other expenses, but this has been kept as low as possible through the generosity of volunteers and host families.

Interested students should now be in Year 9, 10 or 11, and be aged between 15 and 17.5 years in mid-January 2017, which is when they would depart for overseas.

The available countries are Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and the USA.

As part of its contribution to the program internationally, Cooma Rotary has hosted a Youth Exchange student from the USA since August last year.

Ally Johns from Connecticut is currently in Year 12 at Monaro High School and has been thrilled to call Cooma “home” for the last eight months.

“I’ve always wanted to come to Australia, it’s been on top of my bucket list for a long time, and switching from a big US city to the peace and quiet of the Cooma countryside has been amazing,” she said.

“I’ve now spent a few weeks on farms, and instead of the sounds of traffic I’ve heard sheep bleating and watched kangaroos on the hill outside.”

However, there were also some challenges to begin with, like adapting to our Australian accent.

“I had trouble with the vowel sounds, so often I’d just have to nod and smile when I didn’t understand, and it also took me a while to get used to the Australian sense of humour and the really direct way that Australians speak, but I’ve adjusted to it so I think some people might be surprised when I return home in three months.”

But right now, along with 43 other Rotary international exchange students, Ally is on a three-week “trip of a lifetime” bus tour of Australia that is visiting the Red Centre, the Great Barrier Reef, and the East Coast.

Local Rotary board member Ash Constance, who has been doing the behind-the-scenes work needed for Ally’s stay, is delighted with the outcome.

“Ally’s application jumped out at us from the start and it’s been a huge success. This is one of the best programs Rotary offers and we’re keen for a local student to have an overseas experience similar to Ally’s next year,” Ash said.

If you would like to find out more about the Rotary Youth Exchange program, visit www.rotaryexchange.org.au or ring Ash Constance on 6453 5585.

Applications should be lodged by April 15, 2016.

Monaro teachers help improve Indigenous students’ education

By Thomas McCoy

The group celebrates the 100th workshop with facilitators Toby and Dyonne.
Photos: Thomas McCoy.

This week Monaro High School has been hosting an innovative leadership workshop that aims to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.

Delivered by the Queensland-based Stronger Smarter Institute (SSI), the workshop is being attended by more than 20 teachers and principals from schools across the region.

Participants have come from schools in Cooma, Bredbo, Berridale, Adaminaby, Jindabyne, Michelago, Jerangle, Bombala, and Queanbeyan, and this is the first time the workshop has been run in Cooma.

The weeklong workshop has now been delivered at almost 600 schools across Australia, to more than 2,000 educators, and the Cooma session will mark its 100th delivery.

“We’re delighted to have the workshop running here,” Monaro High School Principal Adrian Bell said.

“In the Monaro about 8 per cent of school students are from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and the fundamental message of the workshop is that we should have high expectations of all students and not be misled by stereotypes.”

Workshop facilitators Dyonne Anderson and Toby Adams brought inspirational messages.

The workshop is being facilitated by Indigenous SSI staff members Toby Adams, a Kullilli man, and Dyonne Anderson, a Bundjalung woman, and is running from March 21 to 24.

Participants are seated in a circle, and are challenged with a range of stimulating and thought provoking activities and lots of interaction.

“I love the use of the circle,” Monaro High School visual arts teacher Alenka Macnab said.

“It’s a very organic and inclusive shape that makes us feel united, and we’re able to connect at a basic human level.”

“We have 34 Indigenous students at our school and there’s a reverence that I personally feel towards one of the oldest cultures in the world; it’s humbling to participate in something like this,” she said.

Teachers Shannon Salvestro and Alenka Macnab match up during a group exercise.

English teacher Alison Latimore from Karabar High School in Queanbeyan appreciated the supportive environment.

“There’s been lots of team building and getting to know each other, feeling safe and comfortable in the space we’ve been sharing so we can get into looking at how we can support our kids better,” she said.

For Sonja Sim from Jerangle Public School the experience has been thought provoking.

“It’s been really good because there’s lots of reflection going on, inwardly, about how to be inclusive with all kids and how the community is part of the school,” she said.

This week, the two facilitators have the added challenge of cramming a five-day course into four days, because of the Good Friday holiday, but so far things are going well.

“The enthusiasm and participation of everybody has been exceptional, even though we had to run from 8:30am to 8:30pm for the first couple of days,” Toby said.

“We want a better future for all children and the way we can create change is by working with the people who run the schools, the principals and the teachers, and explaining the stronger smarter approach and how they can use it in their context.

“We really appreciate their commitment,” he said.

Dyonne, who has taken three years’ leave from her usual role as principal of Cabbage Tree Island Public School near Ballina in northern NSW, has found this experience personally rewarding.

“I try to follow my heart in what I do and feel very privileged to be in this role because this is making a difference for our kids all over Australia and that’s what they deserve,” she said.

CUC celebrates a successful year

By Thomas McCoy

Kailey, Shannon and Jayde staff the BBQ.
Photos: Thomas McCoy.

The community gathered at the Cooma Universities Centre (CUC) yesterday (December 9) for a special BBQ to celebrate the achievements of the year, to wish CUC Manager Zoe Dawson the best for her maternity leave, and to welcome new staff members Shannon and Jayde.

Zoe accepts a gift.

The BBQ was attended by CUC Board members, Cooma-Monaro Shire Council staff, students, and members of the community.

One of the students, Lynda Coveny, who has just completed a Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Pastoral Studies by distance education through Charles Sturt University, said she could not have done it without the CUC.

“I’ve worked in aged care for more than 26 years and wanted to update my knowledge,” Ms Coveny said.

“And the CUC provided me with fast internet, big screens, and a printing capability.”

“I live rurally with poor internet access and without the CUC I don’t think I’d have completed the course.”

Lynda Coveny, who recently completed her Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Pastoral Studies.

CUC Board Chairman Duncan Taylor.

During the BBQ, CUC Board Chairman Duncan Taylor reflected on the achievements of the year and acknowledged the support that had been provided.

“This facility was only made possible through a supportive Council and we are extremely grateful for the contribution of Snowy Hydro, who have fully gifted the centre to the community,” he said.

“Other regions are now looking to work with us; we’ve had enquiries from as far afield as South Australia and Queensland, and are working closely with Young, Boorowa and Goulburn.

“We’ve got lots of exciting things planned for next year and want to keep enhancing our support for students by providing increased academic skills and face-to-face support,” Mr Taylor said.

International Games Day hits Queanbeyan Library

By Thomas McCoy

Amanda Cline puts the finishing touches on props for a photo booth as part of International Games Day.
Photo: Thomas McCoy.

What do you think of when you hear the word “library”?

A place of serious concentration and silence, or one filled with raucous laughter and game play?

On Saturday, November 21, Queanbeyan City Library will be transformed as, for the first time ever, it hosts International Games Day.

The purpose of the day is to encourage people to participate in games, not just on electronic devices, but in real life, face-to-face, with real people.

This year it will be happening at more than a thousand libraries around the world.

Queanbeyan City Library staff member and former teacher Amanda Cline is the local organiser.

“I’m really excited about this event, it costs nothing and in the main part of the library we’ll have sit down table games like Cluedo, Connect Four, and Operation, as well as card games,” Ms Cline said.

“Downstairs in the activities room we’ve set up a range of huge games including giant Jenga and giant Kerplunk.”

This is an event Ms Cline has been putting together for two months.

“Getting all the materials and building the games has been lots of work and people have been generous in contributing things.

“My co-workers provided a kiddie pool, an inflatable giant bowling game, the balls for the Kerplunk game, and we were loaned the giant Jenga game by the Youth Access Centre across the street,” she said.

The event is suitable for people of all ages, but has a focus on young adults.

“We don’t do many things for teenagers so we wanted to expand our horizons in this area, but younger kids and adults are very welcome to attend and will have lots of fun. “People can come with friends or families or even on their own. Our friendly staff will organise groups of players and show them how the games work.”

Apart from the games, the library has also set up a place for people to take Mario Brothers photos.

It includes the green Mario tube, a Mario backdrop, hats and moustaches on sticks.

“We’ll even have a Princess Peach crown for people to wear if they don’t want to be Mario or Luigi,” Amanda said.

During the afternoon a pizza lunch and drinks will be available for $3 and people are also able to bring their own games.

Staff will be supervising throughout the day.

International Games Day at your library will be on from 10am to 3pm at Queanbeyan City Library, 6 Rutledge Street, on Saturday, November 21.

For more information, visit library.qcc.nsw.gov.au or phone 6285 6255.