Fellowship News Archive

2010

Hoping community spirit will grow too

A group of North Ryde residents have been working towards establishing an organic community garden.
Community gardens provide a valuable resource in areas where many residents live in units and apartments and in areas where there is very little open space.

The group has been discussing with Macquarie Hospital whether the community garden can be created on unused green space in Norton Rd. Macquarie Hospital is a 195-bed specialist mental health residential facility. Acute services are provided for Ryde/Hunters Hill residents.

Read more...

Professor Patrick McGorry named Australian of the Year 2010

Victorian youth mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry has been named Australian of the Year 2010. Professor McGorry was presented with the award by the Prime Minister, The Hon Kevin Rudd MP and National Australia Day Council Chair Adam Gilchrist at a public event on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra on 26 January.
Read more...

SFNSW - SYMPOSIUM 2010

“CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SUCCEEDIING TOGETHER”

Saturday May 22 2010

8.30am to 4.00pm
Grand Lodge Room, Masonic Centre Sydney
Goulburn and Castlereagh Streets (enter Castlereagh Street)



Speakers include:

Professor Stan Catts
Professor of Community Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Leader in the establishment of the Schizophrenia Research Institute, Foundation Director of the Schizophrenia Research Unit at Liverpool Hospital, Co-chair Australian Psychosis Research Network

Jillian Skinner MP
Deputy Leader of the NSW Opposition, Shadow Minister for Health

Anne Deveson AO

Janet Meagher AM

Laraine Toms - President Carers NSW

                                                        Early Bird (*)

CONCESSION         $40                $35
GENERAL                 $65                $60
PROFESSIONAL     $90                $85

Price includes, Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea 
(*) Early Bird applies until 30/04/2010 (price includes GST)

For Bookings click here

Click here for the Symposium presentation program

Enquiries
Pam Bruce (02) 9879 2600 or email to pam@carerassist.org.au
or Locked Bag 5014 - GLADESVILLE NSW 1675

Dr Joanne Nicholson lecture

The Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc is delighted to welcome Dr. Joanne Nicholson, Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Center for Mental Health Services in Schizophrenia Awareness Week 2010.

Dr Nicholson will be presenting a special program for families and carers on

Monday May 17 at 6pm.

We can look forward to a very interesting program as Professor Nicholson has spend her academic career working with families, and will present on the topic Mental Illness: Understanding the Impact on Families and How to Help.

Dr. Nicholson will provide an overview of her work in developing education and skills training for people supporting a family member with a mental illness. She is passionate about the need for a ‘family education approach” to dealing with the challenges of mental illness and, in particular, how parents might best be supported in their caring role. 

Inside out Theatrical Reading

The evening will also include a theatrical reading from the ground-breaking play Inside Out. Actors Valerie Bader and Benn Welford will enact the struggles of mother and son, as they come to terms with his emerging schizophrenia.

Venue:
NSW Parliament House
Parliament House Theatrette
Macquarie Street, Sydney

This is a free event but bookings are essential. Please click here for flyer details

2009

NSW Health Quality Improvement Program Supports Success for Schizophrenia Fellowship

The Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc is one of a host of success stories of the Quality Improvement Program funded by NSW Health and delivered by QMS between 2007 to 2009. Aimed at non-government providers of health and community services funded by NSW Health, the Program aims to achieve systemic quality improvement based on the QIC quality improvement and accreditation program. 

The Schizophrenia Fellowship commenced its three year QIC quality review cycle in 2007; undertook an external review in June 2008; and is currently progressing with the implementation of recommendations from the review and ongoing quality improvements. The Fellowship was recommended for accreditation and noted for its leading practice against Core Standard 3.3 ‘Incorporation and Contribution to Good Practice’. 

The Fellowship targets all people with a mental illness and their families in NSW as well as professionals in the field and the general population. The organisation’s services are diverse, community based and integrated, and contribute to community development. They include support groups, information, referral, outreach, recovery-based consumer programs, respite and accommodation services, public awareness and education, consumer holidays and individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of consumers and carers.  At the time of the Fellowship’s external review about 48 support groups were operating focusing on a wide variety of needs such as youth, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) issues, and perinatal support.

<Picture caption - SFNSW Quality Coordinator Marilyn Albertson (right) accepts the QIC Certificate from QMS’s Jenny Klause>

In recent years the Fellowship has obtained funding through successful tender submissions resulting in the rapid growth of the organisation in terms of services provided, property managed and staff to deliver the services. Effective systems covering all aspects of the organisation have been crucial to achieving this growth and maintaining high standard of service delivery.

The QIC review cycle was managed within the organisation by Marilyn Albertson, the Fellowship’s Quality Coordinator. Reflecting on the process, Marilyn said that “having achieved accreditation and been noted for our good practice is not the end of the line in regard to the hard work that has to continue. In contrast it is just the beginning of the quality journey. We need to continuously ensure that all of our systems, processes, procedures and policies are continuously reflective of the standard we have attained and the great work we undertake in supporting our consumers, carers, volunteers and staff.”

Marilyn added that in 2011 the Fellowship would again undertake a quality audit review. “The experience of the first and probably most difficult audit is now behind us and having so much more of our continuous quality work in place will enable us to undertake this appraisal with more knowledge and awareness of what the accrediting bodies are seeking and how we can best comply with and exceed those expectations.”

Michelle Breen

Fellowship Members receive recognition from community

SFNSW Board member Pat Boydell was a recent recipient of the McKell award in recognition of her services to the Australian Labor Party and the wider community.

The annual McKell Awards are named after Sir William McKell, Premier of NSW (1941-47) and Governor-General of Australia (1947–53).

Congratulations Pat from all of us at SFNSW.

Hastings Mental Health Support Group leader Sheila Openshaw was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation earlier this year for her contributions to the local community.

Congratulations Sheila from all of us at SFNSW.

Boys are Back in Town go to Wagga Wagga

Over the last few months Mike from Respite Services worked tirelessly to organise a fly fishing trip to Wagga Wagga for the men’s group of SFNSW affectionately known as “The Boys Are Back in Town.” This is the story of our adventure.

The trip to Wagga Wagga started on a Monday morning in  November, with Mike making five stops to pick each of us up from home - there was Noel, Michael, Mick, Nathan, and Adam.

After the last pickup, we headed west and on up through Macquarie Pass, hoping to shorten the distance to the Hume Hwy. Everything was going hunky dory and the boys were settling in and chatting with each other when our poor little Tarago decided to let out a big bang!!!! At first we thought we had blown a tire, but as soon as we got out of the van it was obvious that we had blown the radiator and would not be going any further with her to Wagga. Mike made several phone calls to organise a replacement bus and a tow for the van. All the guys pulled together and we managed to get the van turned around and pointed back down the mountain and off the road side. (So much for trying to shorten the distance).

After getting everyone down the mountain to safety we settled in to wait at Albion Park while Mike went off to get our new bus and retrieve all our bags from the broken-down one. It was quite a wait yet we were able to spend the time chatting and getting to know each other, so it was not so bad.

By late afternoon we finally hit the road again and to our relief the bus was a fair bit bigger and it never missed a beat for the rest of the trip. We made several stops on the way to Wagga, one for dinner in Goulburn at a Chinese restaurant which was excellent and all the boys were happy to have some food in their bellies.

We finally reached Wagga at 11:30 at night and everyone was glad to be off the bus and at our destination. We had two cabins at the Beachside Caravan Park with all amenities and air-con which was a blessing because the heat was incredible.

The next morning we were met by Ray of the Wagga branch of SFNSW. Ray was to be our guide on the trip to Tumut where we were all going to be fishing for trout. Ray gave us all hints and tips all day and was constantly re-rigging lines and baiting hooks for those that did not know how - what a guy.

Ray can also be seen showing everybody just what skill it takes to use a proper fly rod, he made it look so easy and graceful. After this we cooked lunch at the BBQ’s and did battle with the flies of Wagga, what a job that was, there were so many that it took four people around each hot plate waving arms and plates constantly to keep them from landing on the food.

After packing up all the fishing gear we took off back to Wagga and Mike decided to take us to the local pool for a swim, everybody was cheering because it was so hot, we spent about 90 minutes just floating about and soaking it up. It was a perfect way to finish off the day!

Our next stop was Sunflower House - what a place! Big, bright and airy, with lots of artwork done by clients, everybody was extremely impressed and asking when Wollongong will get something like this.

At this time some of the guys found out that Ray also has schizophrenia, which was a surprise to us. He spent some time talking to the guys and giving them advice on how to deal with the illness and giving them hope that they too could one day lead a normal life.

Our second day in Wagga we were greeted with another scorcher, so we went to the local Art gallery and the Wagga Glass Gallery, which were both very interesting, especially the Glass displays. After lunch we went and sat at the Wagga Botanic Gardens and it was so nice being out under the trees amongst nature. We then went to a local museum to have look but did not spend a great deal of time there as all the boys could think of was getting back to the pool.

This time we spent a couple of hours at the pool swimming around and chatting and having a great old time. One of the boys even jumped off the high dive board a few times.

We all pitched in once again to help with cooking dinner and the guys were all working so well with each other that dinner was cooked in no time. We all then settled in to watch a movie on the big screen. We then made our way back to the cabins and most heads hit the pillow pretty quick as we had been on the go all day again.

We all were woken up early and got under way by 8:30 for the trip home. All in all the trip was excellent we all got to know each other a little better and were able to share our problems and our experiences. Everybody helped each other out in some way or another, whether it was with money, or advice, support or friendship.

We all made new friends and experienced another part of this beautiful country. A special mention goes to Mike for all the time and effort he put in to make this trip happen, we got there no matter what and the amount of driving and organising was monumental to say the least. Thank you Mike

We would also like to thank the Schizophrenic Fellowship for funding this trip; it gave us all many things to remember and is greatly appreciated.

Michael Smith - one of ‘The Boys’

Family Connections - Being connected. Staying connected

What is the program about? 
‘Family Connections’ gives information and support to families of young people who recently began to have symptoms of psychosis. Family members will receive one of two programs that are mailed to them over a 12-month period. Both programs help them build on their strengths to deal with this difficult challenge.


What will the program involve? 
Participants in the programs will be asked to:

• Complete a screening telephone interview. This will make sure that the program is suitable.  This should take about 15 minutes at most. 
• Read letters the research team will send over the next 12 months, and complete any activities they suggest. 
• Complete a phone interview and questionnaire on entry into the program and again at 6 and 12 months.

People in the program can of course stop at any time if they wish. 

How will the program help? 
We believe these programs will give family members ideas on how to support their young relative through this difficult situation. It will also give suggestions on how to cope with the stress that psychosis puts on everyone in the family.

How do I get more information?
Call the toll free number (1800 153 340) for more information about the programs.

 Radio interview - Rob Ramjan

SFNSW CEO Rob Ramjan talks on Hobart radio station Ultra106five about schizophrenia.
Read more...

Changing lives

Date Published: December 2009
Source: SportsShorts magazine, December edition - page 5

When the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW visited a Sport and Recreation Centre recently, like all groups, they had fun, enjoyed the outdoors and took on new challenges at camp. But it’s what they took away that proved the most powerful of all.
Read more...

The Annual Minister’s XI Cricket Match

<picture caption 1 - Who is that stealing a catch from the wicket keeper?>
<picture caption 2 - The dramatic final run!>

On Sunday the 6th December, people from Pioneer Clubhouse and Morriset Hospital took on people from Aftercare in a great game of cricket at sunny Callan Park in Rozelle.

This match, now in its 10th year has become a major focus for the Fellowship and our partners, NSW Consumer Advisory Group and Aftercare.

Over the years, the match has become an all consumer affair with teams from Morisset, Pioneer Clubhouse and Aftercare. The Minister of the day has usually attended and handed out the awards.

Pioneer Clubhouse/Morriset Hospital went in to bat first and knocked up a great score of 127. Shane & Daniel opened the attack and started us off strongly, followed by Andrew, Wayne and Peter W. We had built up a convincing lead, and let Morriset Hospital finish the tail end. Peter S came in for the last over and then lunch was served.

We want to thank all the volunteers and staff of SFNSW who organised and served the lunch. We also had a band play some cool tunes while we ate and they kept playing as we went into the second half of the innings.

Aftercare’s opening batsmen clawed down our total but had to retire once they hit 20 each. There was some great work in the field by our players – Shane picked up a great wicket, hitting middle stump and Daniel took a great catch at wicket-keeper. Colin also did some great fielding at fine-leg and saved some important runs.

Two overs to go and Aftercare only needed four runs to win. With a wicket-maiden over, we were still in the game, and it came down to the last ball with scores level. Aftercare’s batsmen made a suicide run, and after a small fumble and a throw on the wicket, they made it safely home. Aftercare reclaimed their shield after Morriset won it earlier this year.

Thank you to all who organised this great event. We loved it so much even though we didn’t come away with the result. Next time we won’t take it so easy, so watch out Aftercare, that shield will be ours!

Members of Pioneer Clubhouse

ABC Radio Sydney 702 Mornings - Living with Schizophrenia

Despite how often they're portrayed in the news or movies, how much do we really know about mental health conditions?

52-year-old Bruce Shoebridge has been living with schizophrenia for more than 30 years. Bruce's first psychosis came totally unexpectedly and he's experienced more since then but has found a passion for life that is more than evident.

He also wants more respect and understanding for people experiencing what he has gone through, and you can hear his description of exactly that in his own words.

Kathleen Smith cares for two people with schizophrenia and relates coping with her husband's onset of schizophrenia and Bill Gye, General Manager of Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW's recovery services says that when communicating with someone going through an episode of schizophrenia, it is important to realise the person is unwell and "stay calm, be patient, and slowly go through time." Click here for audio link.

The full discussion page on living with someone with schizophrenia is also available.

Source - ABC 702 Mornings
Date Published - Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Have you recently experienced a FIRST EPISODE OF PSYCHOSIS?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Early Psychosis Project

The Health Psychology Unit, UTS is offering a free treatment program in conjunction with the Northern Sydney Mental Health Service. 
Click here for further details 

Pioneer’s fitting out to help fit back in

Pioneer Clubhouse is seeking donations to help renovate their premises at Quirk Road in Balgowlah.

Since 1994, Pioneer Clubhouse has been in the building that was formerly the Manly Women’s Bowling Club. When the Women’s Bowling Club moved out they asked Council, who own the building, to use the site for a worthwhile community purpose, so Pioneer Clubhouse was invited to move in. Increasing membership numbers and general wear and tear on the building has resulted in substantial and necessary renovations needed.

Manly Council has generously agreed to provide an extension to the existing structure – but they can only fund it to lock-up stage. Pioneer Clubhouse must find enough funds to do the rest. That includes fitting out: new bathrooms, a new kitchen and a new dining room.

Pioneer Clubhouse was started by local community leaders and residents to meet the needs of people with mental illness and to provide support for their families. It works on an international clubhouse model that helps people recovering from mental illness to fit back into society. There are all sorts of ways you can contribute that would be so much appreciated. Individuals can ‘buy a brick’ for $100, make a donation of any amount or donate ‘in kind.’

Every donation of $100 or more entitles you to have your name engraved on a brick paver as a lasting acknowledgement of your support. The pavers will be laid in our Path to Pioneer leading to the new extension.

“We really appreciate the support of the local Manly area to fund this substantial renovation of our outdated facilities. The renovations will make a difference and we truly appreciate it," said Jason Kioko, Director of Pioneer Clubhouse.

“The members of the Pioneer Clubhouse need the support that our innovative ‘Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation’ is able to offer. And so do their families who are very much part of our community of Manly.”

Please contact Pioneer Clubhouse on 02 9907 9999 or visit pioneerclubhouse.org.au for further information. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The Building Fund brochure has been prepared with the support of Peter Morris and his team at Brand Marque who have donated their time and skills to the project.

Click here to see our building Fund brochure.

SAW 2009 - Inside Out

Inside Out is a ground breaking new drama exploring the impact of mental illness on the relationship between a mother and her son.   One in five Australians will directly experience a mental illness in their lifetime, an experience which is deeply personal, often misunderstood and always leaves its mark.   Inside Out is an honest, courageous and compassionate journey into one young man’s mind, to the place where borders are shifting and battle lines are drawn; and into his mother’s struggle to understand what is happening, to maintain her loving relationship with her son, and somehow find a way to help. What do you do when life abruptly turns you upside down, grabs your heart and squeezes it tight? When you need to find all the love, strength and resilience possible?  Courageous, heartbreaking and yet surprisingly funny, Inside Out is a compelling story of love and insight, where realities collide and lives are transformed. Inside Out will play at the HotHouse Theatre, Albury/Wodonga from May 5 to 9, then at the Seymour Centre from May 13 to 30, 2009. Inside Out is directed by Carol Woodrow and produced by Christine Dunstan, starring Tracy Mann and Lindsay Farris.

2009 Season

5th - 9th May
Hume Building Society Butter Factory Theatre, Wodonga

Tues-Sat 8pm
Thurs mat 1pm
Sat mat 2pm

Bookings - www.hothousetheatre.com.au

13th – 30th May
Everest Theatre at the Seymour Centre
cnr City Road & Cleveland Streets, Chippendale

Mon 6.30pm
Tues – Wed 11am
Wed – Fri 8pm
Sat 5pm & 8.30pm

Performance is 90 minutes duration with no interval
Bookings by phone on 02 9351 7940 or www.seymourcentre.com.au 

SAW 2009 - Annual Symposium

SUCCEEDING TOGETHER -- FOCUS ON FAMILIES

Saturday 23rd May 2009

8.30am to 4.30pm

Venue: Ionic room, Masonic Centre

Corner Goulburn and Castlereagh Streets, Sydney
(enter Goulburn Street)




A range of professional speakers will be presenting including:

• Chief Psychiatrist - Assoc. Professor - John Allan
• CEO Carers Australia - Joan Hughes
• Road to Recovery - Two Personal Stories
• Research on Early Intervention - Dr Anthony Harris
• SFNSW Respite Services - Michelle Lohan

		Early Bird (*)
CONCESSION	$40	$35
GENERAL	$65	$60
PROFESSIONAL	$90	$85

Price includes, Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea

(*) Early Bird applies until 30/04/2009

(price includes GST)

To book, please print out and send the following booking form.

Enquiries: Pam Bruce on 02 9879 2600 or email

SAW 2009 - Annual Parliamentary Luncheon

 Wednesday 13 May - Parliament House, Sydney

This year, our sixth Parliamentary Luncheon, we are pleased to announce that our keynote speaker will be former Olympic swimming Gold Medallist John Konrads.   Konrads learned to swim at a migrant hostel, and came under the influence of the young coach Don Talbot in Sydney at the age of 11.   At 14 he was selected in Australia’s team for the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 – not to compete, just to gain experience. By 1958 he and his younger sister Ilsa were both setting world marks.   At the Rome Olympics in 1960, Konrads 17, won Gold in the 1500m freestyle and collected bronze in both the 400m and the 4 x 200m freestyle relay in Rome in 1960.   He finished with 14 individual world records.

After retirement, Konrads later established a consultancy and advertising firm. He has also publicly revealed his struggles with Bipolar Disorder, and sought to raise public awareness within Australia of Mental Health issues.
 
This is also an opportunity to share in one of the treasures of this state, our grand Parliament House, and to rub shoulders with the many politicians who attend the luncheon. Many members of the Parliamentary Friends of Mental Illness attend as do staffers from the various Members offices.

Numbers are limited so book your seat or your table early to ensure your attendance. To book, please print out and send the following booking form.

Enquiries: Iain Robinson on 02 9879 2600 or email

Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Presents:

Kings Highway Fun Run

Sunday 17th May 2009
at Gladesville Hospital

Registration from: 7:30am - 9am
First Race: 9:30am
Distance: 2km

Early Bird Entry prior 11th May: $10
Standard Entry 11th May and after: $15

Community Fun Run / Dog and Owner Race 
High School Challenge / Primary School  Challenge

Events are run on a 2km cross country course through the historic Gladesville Hospital

To view the course map click here

To Register and Enter please click here

Money being raised is going to the Schizophrenia Fellowship North Shore Support Group & the Eat Well, Move Well, Stay Well Healthy Lifestyle Program.

Nimble Fingers Needed!

Every year in Schizophrenia Awareness Week we give away tens of thousand of packets of sunflower seeds to people all over the state through the nearly 2000 venues which carry Awareness Week Material.

We need some volunteers with nimble fingers to make up the sunflower seed packets. We will supply the little plastic sleeves and the slips of paper and seeds to put in the plastic sleeves to you. All you need to do is put a slip of paper and 5 nice whole sunflower seeds in each plastic sleeve and then send them back to us.

This would be a great assistance to us and is a nice relaxing activity to do when watching TV or listening to the cricket on the radio. Please call Iain on (02) 9879 2600 and he will arrange your supplies.

Many Thanks For Your Help

Our Respite = Caring for Our Mob

Respite Services (Riverina-Murray) are hosting an Indigenous mental health awareness and information day at in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 5 March. This event will also feature an appearance from indigenous Australian actor and television presenter – Ernie Dingo. The awareness event will not only focus on issues regarding Indigenous peoples social and emotional wellbeing, but it will also showcase the many talents of the local Indigenous community to the wider population through stalls showcasing Indigenous Art, Music, Food, Stories and Dance.

Tolland Neighbourhood Centre between 12pm-4pm on Thursday, 5th March

Aims: 
To provide information on Respite and other community services.

To  educate and raise awareness on issues which relate to the social and emotional well being of the Indigenous community.

RSVP by 27th February on (02) 69 216 064

For Media Release click here