We met John at the Holbrook 40th anniversary dinner a few weeks ago and found that he is one of the original Club charter members and the connection to RCA has a 40 year history. RCA members spent a lot of time assisting the Holbrook Club recruit members and get the Club up and running following RI policies and procedures.
John delivered a truly moving presentation about his role as a dementia patient carer - just so happens the patient is his wife Anne, it was a brutally honest account of how a beautiful married life is turned upside down with the onset of dementia. The impact on friends, family and life in general, from total avoidance, straining relationships or help and assistance. The feeling of insecurity, not knowing how situations will play out and life being like walking on eggshells waiting for everything to crumble beneath him.
Much work is needed in this area and John's provided an insight into the problems one may encounter - admitting every person has different conditions but how this is coped with takes an enormous amount of patience, understanding and will power because it is a 24/7 responsibility for a dementia carer. John spoke of the local support from the Holbrook community and has started a dementia coffee club to meet and share stories and even provide a short period of respite.
We presented John with a certificate of appreciation and the RAM mosquito donation for sharing his story of dementia caring with us.
IN OTHER NEWS
Jean announced that the Purple Chicken coffee fellowship is going into recess, a decline in numbers, a clash with other appointments and the availability of someone to pick up and drop off Ken. In the future this may start up again in a different format - maybe lunch but wait and see what happens in this space.
Membership — Chris Lewis returned to his membership presentation, after splitting the members into tables of 4 he started a progressive brain storming session where each table added responses to questions about membership covering what we do well, what we need to do, what attracts members, why do we lose members. Input from the groups will be collated by Chris and new membership strategies will be developed based on the feedback provided.
Numbers were down a little on the previous meeting but hopefully this will set us up for recruiting new members moving forward. Well done Chris.
Monday 3rd Nov — RCAN Melb Cup event instead of our regular meeting, at Sodens - 15 members attending NOTE - Bring $5 cash for prizes and sweeps
RYDA - Volunteers required!
18th Nov - 6 volunteers
19th Nov - 7 volunteers
25th Nov - 8 volunteers
26th Nov - 8 volunteers
Please contact Peter
You’re invited to take part in a safeTALK Suicide PreventionWorkshop — a practical, half-day training that helps peoplerecognise suicide warning signs and connect those at risk with life-saving support.
This workshop will be held 9am–1pm, Saturday 15 November, andis open to anyone aged 15 and over who wants to make a realdifference in building a suicide-safer community.
Led by Chris Pidd, this engaging session will give you theconfidence and skills to:
Notice when someone may be struggling
Ask the right questions
Listen with care
Help keep them safe
This event is a project of the Rotary Satellite Club of Corowa,Freestylers.
