Waverley Health Watch

 You may be interested to read what we have achieved over the last few years. We hope to carry on the good work. We would like some feedback from you on what you would like.

Although the gentle aerobics and sit fit exercises have been going well they do tend to fall off. These are tailored to fit so if you want to improve your level of exercise this is the place to go. We look forward to seeing you. Remember use it or lose it.

 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TRIENNIAL MEETING 12 NOVEMBER 2008

It is with pleasure that I present this report of our busy schedule over the last six years. You will say triennial and it was a shock to realise that we had missed a triennial meeting. During this time we have continued to be given contracts with Health Funding Authority through the Taranaki D.H.B

Although our numbers are small we have a loyal band who continue to work tirelessly for the good of the community, each one is pivotal in the makeup of the successful group it continues to be.

Each aspect of the community has been helped in as many ways as possible.

We had Health days in Waverley at the rugby clubrooms which were a lot of fun with participation from Club Gold in Wanganui. As a result the Sit Fit classes commenced in 2005 and are still proving popular, along with the gentle aerobics and the walking group. A Health Day in the Waverley Town Hall combined with Nga Rauru was successful and encompassed all ages and covered such a wide variety. We also held a Mini Health Day in Waitotara to support the refurbishment of the Local Hall following the floods. We joined in the debrief following the floods and were part of the Civil Defence Emergency Procedures.

A successful Kid Safe programme which included Waverley and Waitotara schools, Kohango Reo and some from Wanganui River and Plunket, with monetary input from us.

Were also able to assist as a one off with the “No Sweat Parenting” in Hawera. In spite of extensive advertising this was poorly attended which was a shame as it was enjoyed by those who did attend, with old values being emphasised.

We were able to assist Marilyn the Public health nurse by providing assistance with resources for use in Keeping Children Safe and Sexual Health Kit for pubertal changes. Marilyn attended one of our meetings and showed us the resources and thanked us for providing these resources which are so invaluable and with Waverley School closing the Waverley students are serviced at the Patea Area School.

We assisted with school holiday programme for locals.

Pam attended a government Community Forum in New Plymouth with Ruth Dyson which was very interesting and had a lot of community input.

Mental Health Trips were held to Tawhiti Museum, Canaan Honey and Patea Museum. These trips are such a delight for the participants and during the trip to the museum we were able to join with Patea Old Folks for afternoon tea.

We continue to keep ourselves to the forefront of public issues and have sent a number of submissions to Transport New Zealand and the South Taranaki District Council and attended a community board meeting to speak on such issues as rural communities being disadvantaged with DHB elections under STV, road signs and traffic problems.

Successful meet the people days were held when new residents were welcomed and got an insight into the workings of a rural community.

During this time we met and joined with Web Health, a free on line community connection where one can resource information online, chat assistance and where events can be publicized on their community board.

A Confident Living programme was held on four consecutive Thursdays which was well attended and feed back at evaluation showed that this was a successful way of reaching the people. Extra days were also held as part of follow up, on requests such as a lawyer speaking on power of attorney and living wills as well as advice on wills plus fire prevention.

During this time the Hauora PHO mobile bus visited once a month to Waverley and was well attended. Especially pleasing as some had never attended a doctor.

A very successful skin day was held with Dr Willem Van Niekerk attending; so successful that we had to turn people away. 67 were seen and of these 3 melanoma were able to be dealt with.

Each year we have attended and provided afternoon tea for the Health Watch Social Club Christmas Event.

A major project was to purchase and give out Monty Surprise Apple Trees 200 in all in spite of the dreadful weather. Very happy people went away with these trees which have such amazing properties.

Following on from this on behalf of the Waverley School, Waitotara School, Waverley Kohango and Playcentre we applied to the McBroom estate for funding for raised gardens made by Ray Green. This was successful and they are up and running, great to see the excitement on the faces of the children. Jill Nicholls and Eloise Pollard attended our meeting and will continue with the supervision of growing, obtain funding for plants, and will do anevaluation on nutritional values.

We were able to help with getting a group from Waverley to the Salsa Group Conference in Wellington. This group did remarkably well and helps to keep kids safe and off the streets.

As you can see we continue to assist a wide variety of groups and many have benefited from our input both with resources and project funding. Thank you for your hard work and support over this time, you all deserve a pat on the back.

Patea Freezing Works Update

Plans for the demolition and clean up of the old Patea Freezing Works are on track, says South Taranaki District Council’s group manager of environmental and information services Graham Young.

On Wednesday 21 January, Mr Young received a draft Remediation Action Plan for the old Patea Freezing Works. Mr Young says the document, which has been prepared by environmental hazard specialists ENSR Australia Pty Limited, has been written to provide an action plan to manage the contamination risks that have been identified at the site.

The draft plan is currently sitting with a number of regional and national agencies for their comment, including; the Ministry for the Environment, Taranaki District Health Board, Department of Labour and the Taranaki Regional Council. Once all agencies have responded to the draft plan, the final remedial action plan will be adopted by the South Taranaki District Council. The Patea Freezing Works Working Party, made up of council, community board, Iwi and local representatives has also had an opportunity to review the draft plan.

“While you cannot hurry these things, especially when it involves so many different individuals and other agencies, we want to keep things moving,” says Mr Young. “As soon as we have heard back from these agencies we plan to go out to tender for the clean up work in February. Once we have received the tenders back we will have a better idea when work could start.”

Mr Young says once the clean up of the site has started it will take the best part of a year to complete.

Beneath the smoke

Another year has started and with it some beautiful fine weather. Only two minor calls for us so far this year.

We would like to start this year off with a big thank you to Jenny Murphy – Liquorland Wanganui, Steve – Butcher Boys Waverley, Waverley County & Western group. All of you have supported us with our fundraising and enabled us to get six new radios and a few other things along the way. So again a big thank you to you all.

Not forgetting also a big thank you to the community for their support in attending our garage sale and buying our raffles when we have them. Every little bit helps. So again, thanks to our community.

We are still looking for new members so if you are interested in becoming a volunteer fire fighter, or know someone who might be, just drop in on a Tuesday night between 7 and 9pm and have a chat.

Our fundraising efforts are ongoing this year with more raffles and we are hoping to have another Casino evening later this year. “Watch this space”.

The Crew

Rev. Scaife appointed locally

At the end of February Trevor and Christine James leave the South Taranaki District in order for Trevor to take up the position as Dean of Dunedin Cathedral. The Reverend Clive Chandler who has served Hawera and Stratford Methodist parishes will also be retiring to Wanganui. We are grateful for the work and contribution of these wonderful ministers of the Gospel.

The Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian churches in South Taranaki have been working over the past year to develop a model of ministry across South Taranaki which strengthens each local church through cooperation and collaboration across the whole region from Maxwell in the South to Normanby in the North.

Anglican Bishop Philip Richardson, Methodist Superintendant Tony Bell and Presbyterian Moderator David Anderson are delighted to announce that the Reverend Pat Scaife, former Anglican vicar of Stratford, has accepted appointment to the position of Interim Regional Dean of South Taranaki. Her induction will take place at 7pm on Thursday 26

th  February in Wesley Methodist Church, Hawera. Bishop Philip has indicated that Reverend Scaife will also be appointed by him as Acting Archdeacon of Waitotara. We give thanks to God for Pat’s willingness to respond to the call of God to serve at this critical stage of the development of the South Taranaki mission. This marks another important step in the developing co-operation between these churches in South Taranaki.