Community & Business
4 September, 2024
Reaching out is a community hope
Stanthorpe Rotary raising awareness
Stanthorpians are hoping to continue the vision of being a "dementia-friendly town" and Rotary member Jim Barnes met with us to share more of their vision.
"The barbecue is a free sausage sizzle where Rotary and the Men's Shed are working together to raise awareness and have conversations," he said of the cook up in Maryland Street on August 25.
Beyond conversations and a shared free snag, which was popular with countless passers-by last week, Jim told us that September 10 is flagged as the date for "Dementia Australia Brain Hub" sessions at the Granite Belt Neighbourhood Centre in Hilton Street, Stanthorpe. Similar sessions will also be held in Killarney, Warwick and Toowoomba.
September 10 will "help unpack common myths and stereotypes" about the challenges of those living with dementia, with Jim interestingly saying the use of the term "suffering with..." isn't appropriate or helpful.
"The different types" of dementia will also be discussed in two Saturday's time, as well as a change to experience the "virtual reality ... through their eyes".
The Rotary Club of Stanthorpe are also showing a movie called "Away from Her" at 6pm on September 20 at Arcadia Cinema, in Railway Street, Stanthorpe, to support the vision.
Dementia Week is Monday, September 16 to September 22.
Plus, there's the "Ageing Well" morning teas that Rotary in Stanthorpe run, next held on September 20 from 10am to noon, at the Neighbourhood Centre with guest speaker Lisa Lewis who's an Aged Care specialist. Ageing Well is helped by the Rotary Foundation Grant.
All in all, what an outreaching region we have the opportunity to be part of, in terms of giving and receiving support ... and a classically Australian sausage and sauce on bread, no onions thanks Jim and Kev.
