Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast Ltd. - Fortnightly Facts -

30 September 2022

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Rosters Text only (for rostering purposes only) - 0408 082 147

After Hours (for emergency after hours phone calls)* - 0404 830 867

Office – (07) 5527 8011

Senior Management Team 

• Marie Kavale (Clinical Care Manager) - 0418 462 870 
• Jessica McAdam (Community Programs Manager) - 0412 174 700
• Corrine Butt (Support at Home Manager - South) - 0406 657 593
• Gerald Perez (Support at Home Manager - North) - 0476 555 044

• Susan Gordon (Systems Administration Manager) - 07 5527 8011 

CURA Care Support

• Sue Bloomfield - 0459 947 763

Care Advisors

• Bozena Zdybell (Gold Coast) - 0404 895 528  (returning from leave on the 14th of November) 
• Yoshiko Moore -RN (Gold Coast) - 0439 874 429 
• Sun Hee Park (Gold Coast) - 0439 936 990
• Amila Kaludewa (Gold Coast) - 0487 174 175
• Fiona Small (Gold Coast South) - 0438 295 010 (Tues-Fri) 
• Jennie Burton (Gold Coast) - 0447 030 073  
• Lupe Chadwick (Gold Coast) - 0439 349 162  
• Zarina Montenegro (Gold Coast) - 0438 285 024
• Karin Andres (Gold Coast) - 0487 103 451
• Leanne Rose (Moreton) - 0438 879 506
• Kerry McCoombes (Moreton- Lifestyle) -  0407 792 665
• Kerry Crokam (Sunshine Coast - Lifestyle) - 0458 526 289

Community Programs 

• Candice Sullivan (Community Development Officer) - 0409 322 645
• Koren Hannah (Settlement Case Worker) - 0436 317 994 
• Asmeret Kesete (SETS Support Worker) - 0436 450 207 
• Maria Nagy (Community Pathway Connector) - 0422 497 414 (on leave until end of October)
• Kyzzy Romano (Work Towards Coordinator) - 0484 361 811
• Camila Solorza (Work Towards Support Worker) - 0400 724 436
• Brendan Marks (NDIS Support Coordinator) - 0438 203 197 
• Laura Bernal (NDIS Support Coordinator) - 0438 866 413

Executive Team 

• Shane Klintworth (Chief Executive Officer) - 0438 347 202
• Troy Nicholls (Chief Operations Officer) - 0459 958 172
• Goran Avramovic (Chief Financial Officer)  - 0439 459 225  ​
• Vanessa Whitiora (People and Culture Officer)– 0428 684 721
• Tory Ishigaki (Marketing & Communications Officer) - 0431 250 701

Please be reminded NOT to text the after hours phone, the message will not be received. 

We are very excited to be welcoming our newest team member onboard to MCCGC/CÜRA:

Kam Pang Ching (Ben) – Home Care Worker – Gold Coast region

Please make sure to say G'Day if you see them around the office!

Get $250 for every successful referral

Did you know if you refer a friend to work with us, you'll get $250 when they pass probation? 

If you know anyone who you think would like to work with us, please send them our way! We are looking for more people to join our CÜRA team across all regions.

*Please note referral bonuses are added to your regular pay and taxed at the usual rate

We are hiring:

MCCGC

• Quality Support Administrator - Full time >> Apply Now

CÜRA

• Roster Officer - Full time >> Apply Now 
• Purchasing Officer - >> Apply Now 
• Client Staff Liaison Officer >> Apply Now 
• In Home Domestic Workers Gold Coast - Casual >> Apply Now
• Home Care Workers Gold Coast – Casual  >> Apply Now 
• Home Care Workers Tweed Shire – Casual >> Apply Now 
• Home Care Workers Sunshine Coast – Casual >> Apply Now 
• Home Care Workers Moreton – Casual >> Apply Now 

Please make sure you're following us on social media so you can share our posts!

Follow CÜRA on Facebook

Follow CÜRA on Instagram

Follow CÜRA on LinkedIn

We now have over 50 local services and businesses listed on our Multicultural Services Directory but we need your help to add more!

Please share the directory with any of your local providers so that we can build it up to be a valuable community resource. It is FREE to sign up and a great way to promote services to multicultural communities. 

Who can sign up for the directory?

• Anyone who provides a service on the Gold Coast in another language (aside from English) or can work with Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS) 
• Any type of service - doctors, retail, lawyers, restaurants, coaches, counsellors, non-profits, etc. 

Our goal is to connect community with service providers that speak their language and to promote diverse providers to multicultural communities. 

Please share with your networks or even send a list of providers you know to directory@mccgc.com.au so we can reach out to them! 

Respect for the Aged Day at CÜRA 

CÜRA hosted Respect for the Aged Day with some of our Japanese clients and community members at our Wellness Centre

We had a special visit from Consul-General Ono Masuo from the Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane, enjoyed traditional Japanese cuisine and watched incredible performances.

In Japan, Respect for the Aged Day is a public holiday that recognizes the contribution and achievements of their elderly population.

We would like to thank the representatives from Japan Community of Queensland Inc and Queensland Police Service who attended the day, as well as the generous donations from Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast members Dendy and The Career College.

Watch how the day unfolded here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjCICnlp-vI/

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @cura_cares

WELLNESS CHECKS - UPDATED

It is MANDATORY that you carry out COVID-19 Wellness Checks prior to conducting services and meetings with clients. Please make sure you are calling clients before any visits and asking the questions below. 

If clients DO NOT answer your Wellness Check call at the start of the day, you still need to go to the scheduled client visit at the scheduled time. If the client answers their door, you must step back and do your wellness check before proceeding to go into the client’s home or they get into your car. 

Wellness checks MUST be completed on the day of the visit/service NOT the day before. 

Wellness Check Script: 

Hello, how are you today?

I am going to ask you a few questions before I visit you today...

1. How are you feeling?  Do you have any of the following symptoms? 

• Fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea.

2. Are you or visitors in your home waiting for a COVID test result?

3. Have you been in close contact with anyone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19 (within 14 days)?  

4. Do you have any family, friends or visitors staying with you that have any symptoms?

If a client answers yes to any of the above questions, please let them know that you are not able to provide the service today and that the office will contact them to discuss further. Then contact the office for further instruction.

Course details:

• It's FREE and you can enrol today

• Course opens on Tuesday 11th October 2022

• Duration is 4 weeks, with an estimated effort of 2 hours per week

• You can learn day or night, at any time, anywhere

• Access the course on your smartphone, tablet or computer

• Receive a personalised certificate on completion

There have been over 200,000 enrolments in the Preventing Dementia MOOC since the first offering of the course in 2016. Thousands of people from over 100 countries have enrolled in this free online course to examine the evidence and learn ways to reduce dementia risk.

We couldn't have achieved this without the help of our MOOC community and we wish to thank everyone for their support in helping us let others know about this course.

If you are able to help us again, even in a small way, we will be able to reach even more people to improve knowledge of brain health across the world.

Things you can do to help:

• Encourage your family, friends and colleagues to sign up and enrol at: https://mooc.utas.edu.au/landing/pd5share

• Print a poster and/or flyer to display in your workplace or on your local community noticeboard, or order printed copies - please click here.

• Join the Preventing Dementia Facebook Page and share our post to ‘enrol now’ with your networks.

Dendy Cinemas Southport are excited to share with you their special offer for October to celebrate Queensland Seniors Month.

From the 1^st October until 26^th October Seniors will receive $8 Movie Tickets every day to ALL standard sessions.  If they are a Club Dendy Member the Senior ticket price will be just $5!

Some of the movie highlights:

• SEE HOW THEY RUN – Agatha Christie Whodunnit - https://www.dendy.com.au/movies/see-how-they-run
• AMSTERDAM – An almost true story – set in the 30’s, all star cast - https://www.dendy.com.au/movies/amsterdam
• DON’T WORRY DARLING – 1950’s twisty thriller - https://www.dendy.com.au/movies/dont-worry-darling
• ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT – World War I – based on novel – Limited Season, releases Oct 13 - https://www.dendy.com.au/movies/all-quiet-on-the-western-front-2022
• THE GOOD NURSE – Based on unthinkable true story – Eddie Redmayne, Jessica Chastain – Oct 20 - https://www.dendy.com.au/movies/the-good-nurse 

Arcare Parkwood Visit 

Our Chief Operations Officer Troy and Clinical Care Manager Marie visited Arcare Parkwood to hear first hand their approach to inclusion with manager Maria Bernado.

In December 2021, Arcare Parkwood officially received their Rainbow Tick accreditation, passing with flying colours and receiving notable mentions from accreditors.

Their inclusive approach to LGBTIQ+ Community was shared with our team, and we heard about the importance of welcoming all communities to ensure they belong, that they are valued, represented, celebrated and secure. We look forward to learning more from their Advisory Committee, staff and residents.

We also heard how days of significance are used to raise awareness for staff, residents and families and build greater understanding.  

To learn more about inclusive approaches here: https://www.welcomehere.org.au/diversitydays

(picture above sourced here)

MCCGC Members Night 

We brought together a small group of MCCGC members to give feedback and input into our membership program and how we can improve. 

We got to enjoy a meal together and network with community organisations and individuals that have an interest our diverse Gold Coast community. 

It was great to hear what all attendees had to say and are looking forward to our next meeting! 

Work Towards Workshops 

Where: MCCGC Southport Office or ONLINE

RSVP NOW: respond to this email or send an email to WorkTowards@mccgc.com.au

All workshops are FREE and everyone is welcome!

Gran SLAM LIVE is Back!

1-2 October
HOTA Home of the Arts & Redland Performing Arts Centre
 

A wild bunch of free-wheeling wordsmiths of wisdom are about to  unleash their poetry slam!
Hosted by award-winning comedian Jenny Wynter, with special guest Aussie Hip Hop legend, Morganics, Gran Slam Live features comedy, music, and poetry that will have you laughing, cheering and left in awe.

Join us as our razor-sharp collective of poetic stars battle it out with their intimate reflections and hilarious insights into life, ageing, freedom and everything in between.

“Gran Slam LIVE was honest, humorous and emotional all rolled into one great show. I loved it."

"What an entertaining event! Lovely atmosphere, quirky and heart-warming show. ”

Grab some friends, book a table and enjoy a fabulous, funny and delightful afternoon out.

Gold Coast Health and PEPA program_official are hosting a series of workshops to enhance the capacity of health professionals to deliver palliative care for people with life limiting illness.

The workshops start on the 17th of November at the SCC Conference Centre in Southport.

Register here: https://pepagoldcoast.eventbrite.com.au

Lost drawings paint a picture of life at Mount Margaret Mission for some First Nations children

Laurel Cooper was five years old when she was taken from her parents and sent to live at the Mount Margaret Mission.   

At 88, she still remembers the pain she felt when she was separated from her mother and the community that took her in.

"At first it was very sad for me, leaving my mum and going into the mission there, but the bigger girls were really good to us; they used to comfort us and help us," she said.

While at Mount Margaret, Ms Cooper, like dozens of other children, recorded her experiences through a series of crayon drawings.

The drawings, previously thought to be lost, date back to 1936 and were recently uncovered and turned into a book, Remembering Mount Margaret Mission.

Pictures provide new perspective 

The discovery of the drawings has shone new light on the early days of life at the Mount Margaret Mission.

Founded in 1921 by evangelist Rodolphe Samuel Schenk, the mission, situated on Wongatha land about 20 kilometres south-west of Laverton, was established as a refuge and later became a school.

Mark Chambers was one of the researchers who worked on the book and said the drawings were created as part of a social study by South Australian anthropologist Norman Tindale.

Stories captured in crayon 

The book is made up of 29 pictures from children who were at Mount Margaret, with many including similar depictions of buildings and trucks that were on the mission.

Adjunct professor at the school of social sciences at the University of Western Australia John Stanton was in Mount Margaret in the mid-1970s as a PhD candidate. 

He said Tindale's study sought to capture stories that were often depicted in forms that could not be preserved.

"Usually, people just sat on the sand and drew designs with their fingertips, but this was not permanent, and I think Tindale wanted to learn more about the world of these people, from both child's perspective and adults," he said.

Ms Cooper said many of the people she grew up with at the mission had since died and she saw the book as a way for their families to understand their heritage.

"It's very important because there are families today that will appreciate it," she said.

"There's not many of us left, but there are children that go on and on."

Read full ABC article here. 

10 Ways to Boost Your Activity!

The 10,000 Steps program has been motivating individuals, workplaces and communities to be active for better health and wellbeing for over 20 years. 

Boost your Healthy with Health and Wellbeing Queensland to find support, inspiration and ideas to stay healthy and active.

A walk can work wonders! Rediscover the benefits of walking and find more ways to add a walk into your day with Wellbeing SA.

1. Find a few minutes

Do you set aside time to be active during the day? Set a timer on your phone, create your own short circuit, go for a walk, find a YouTube video that suits your style or take a look at the Home Workouts from Exercise Right. 

2. Step outside

Put a foot out your door into your backyard or neighbourhood. Taking care of our outdoor space can encourage us to move our bodies while also creating a tidier and more beautiful place for us and our families to enjoy. 

3. Take a dip

Let go of the worries from your day by stopping by at your local pool or beach on your way home from work or on the weekend. 

4. Stand up

Lead by example and BeUpstanding by changing your position frequently throughout your day. Use your mobile to take work calls and join your meetings in the outdoors while you walk. 

5. Connect with Country

Learning more about our lands history can help us to experience our local areas in a whole new way. We can start by learning the traditional names of the Country we live and are active on. 

6. Explore the outdoors

Put on  your walking boots and start stepping along an outdoor trail within your surrounding Parks and Forests - Queensland and South Australia have some breathtaking walks.  

7. Get in the game

Here is your reminder to do something different and fun! Run outside and play with your children, grandchildren or mates - go for a bike ride or organise a game of tennis or footy. 

8. Park further away every day

Can't get a park close to the shops or your workplace? Leave your car at home, or park and walk the rest of the way. 

9. Take your dog on an adventure

Moving more is good for us and our dogs! Our furry best friends are great motivators for us to create the habit of getting outdoors to move every day, plus they can also encourage us to connect with other dog owners in our local community.  

10. Join the 10,000 Steps community

Need extra motivation and encouragement to move more? Keep yourself accountable by tracking your steps and activity everyday on the 10,000 Steps website or mobile app for iOS and Android to see your progress over time. 

• PLEASE remember to hand to reception last logbook white page at the end of Friday. 
• Please remember to advise your Team Leaders if the red folder in not in the clients home. 
• Medication guiding principles practice: Consumer oral tablet medication is only provided to consumers by Home Care Workers if stored in a medication aid (such as a blister pack dispensed by a pharmacist), as they are considered to minimise potential errors. Registered Nurses and suitably trained Enrolled Nurses can provide non-blister packed medications in line with their scope of practice.
• If there are any customers who don’t have a Care Adviser as they are receiving CHSP services and have a red in home folder please contact the office and ask to speak to a team leader who will be able to assist or email teamleaders@curacares.com
• Reminder for our entry level services. If during services a customer is requesting travel that exceeds 15km and it is not in the care plan please contact the Team Leader (CHSP).
• Mandatory Flu Vaccinations have been scrapped from being a requirement to visit an Aged Care Home. 
• Jury Duty - If you receive a request for jury duty service, please contact Troy Nicholls (troyn@mccgc.com.au) to discuss any concerns 
• Staff are not to attend in-room GP appointments with customers. Staff may accompany customers to medical appointment if requested and wait in the waiting room whilst the GP appointment takes place.

• Please check in home charts and ensure there are correct labels, dates and documents signed correctly- and make sure to return any forms from 2020.

• Have you noticed any new equipment in your clients houses? If so, please report back to either your Care Advisor or Team Leader. 

• Please let your line manager know if you do not have access to your work emails or your staff portal. 

• Please be aware that you cannot arrange your work schedule with a customer. All verbal customer requests for services must go through to the Team Leader and/or Care Advisor which will then be directed to the Rostering Team.

• Return paperwork to Reception for Care Advisor collection (ie: Receipts, Progress notes etc). 

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): If you have placed an order please remember to collect it at Reception or contact the office on 07 5527 8011 to advise the team.
• Receipt Books: Please ensure to use your receipt books when collecting cash from customers. If you do not have a receipt book, please contact your supervisor or the office immediately.
• Annual Leave: As per our process we require 4 weeks’ notice when applying for leave. Casual employees are required to complete a leave form for scheduling purposes it allows your supervisor/manager and our operations team time to find a replacement and discuss options with our customers. If you are unsure and need further advice, please contact your supervisor/manager. Thank you for understanding.
• Parking of Vehicles: Please do not park any cars on the fake grass area near the garage. 

Watch Professor Alison McMillan, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for the Australian Government Department of Health, explains how to don and doff personal protective equipment in residential aged care.

If you get COVID-19, you need to immediately isolate yourself at your home, or accommodation, for 5 full days from the date you had your test and notify your supervisor.

• If you returned a positive result using a RAT, report this to Queensland Health: https://www.qld.gov.au/rat-positive
• You may have symptoms like a fever, cough, headache, or a sore throat. You may feel unwell for a day or 2, and then start to feel better.
• If you're unsure whether you need medical care for your symptoms you can call 1800 020 080 or book a telehealth appointment with your GP.  
• You can return to work after you have completed 7 days of isolation, so long as you have no symptoms other than a dry cough which is improving.
• Please contact your supervisor prior to returning to work as you may be required to wear extra PPE for the next 5 days.

If you are a close contact of a person with COVID-19 (QLD ONLY):

• If you have no symptoms, you may continue to work. Please speak with your supervisor. You may be required to wear extra PPE (N95 or P2 Mask) for 7-14 days post exposure.
• You must return a negative COVID-19 test result before your first shift and every second day for 5 days from the last time someone in your household tested positive for COVID-19
• If you have or develop symptoms:
• Isolate and notify your supervisor.
• Test for COVID-19 as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms.

If your test is negative but symptoms continue or worsen you should seek medical advice

Please note the regulations in NSW differ to those in QLD, so please call Marie, our Clinical Care Manager, who will support you through this process

The Commonwealth’s temporary Rapid Antigen Test Concessional Access program – which provided free RATs for concession card holders -  ended on 31 July.

The Queensland Government announced free RATs would be available at specific Queensland Health facilities for concession card holders. Eligible people can get up to five RAT kits per month. 

Find them at: 

Carrara Health Precinct

Address: 45 Chisholm Road, Carrara, 4215

Where: Entry is from Pappas Way into Chisholm Road - Entry is the second driveway.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10am-2pm

Information around eligibility and other locations to find a free RAT can be found here. . 

MCCGC continue to have RATs available for our staff. We can also be contacted if you identify any clients/customers who may not meet above eligibility. Please contact Marie on mariek@curacares.com or Troy on troyn@mccgc.com.au if you have any concerns.  

• Please ensure that you are returning work cars to the office car park. Do not park the car on the road. 
• The BP at Cotlew Street does not accept motor charge cards. 
• Please remember the tyre pressure for our Kia Soul cars should be at 36 PSI.
• Please make sure you are remembering to alert reception when more masks and wipes are needed in the cars/vans.

• Please remember to always return the cars to the parking bay out the front of reception at the end of the day.

• Please remember to return the work vehicle you've been using with at lease 1/2 a tank of petrol.
• Compliance needs to be always current. Enter expiry dates into your phone calendar to remind you of renewals. 
• Reporting back to the office adverse events and staff incidents

PLEASE CHECK YOUR COMPLIANCE TODAY. IT IS MANDATORY THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE UP TO DATE. Failure to provide current compliance may result in being suspended. If you're unsure, please contact your supervisor, operations or Vanessa. 

All employees are responsible for ensuring these are current and updated.  You can email copies of these to hr@mccgc.com.au

• Police Check –This is due every 3 years from issue date
• Driver’s License  –This is required every year from issue date.
• Car Registration – This is due on or by expiration date.
• Car Insurance – Please check the expiry date on your policy.
• First Aid – This is due every 3 years from issue date
• CPR – This is due every year from issue date.

​Is compliance crucial to your employment? YES

Is it your responsibility to ensure all compliance is current? YES

Is it your responsibility to email all documents to HR? YES

POLICE CHECK

• Corporate Code: GVMCCGC
• You can apply for your police check through Clear to work https://check.cleartowork.com.au/

HR UPDATE

Human Resources

• ProCura Mobility- All users MUST ensure to click START and STOP times to ensure your kilometres are being recorded correctly. 
• Client Services - Changes to client services and times MUST be discussed and approved by Care Advisors. Please ensure that you are advising any changes by contacting the Care Advisors or the office. 
• Staff Portal - Gentle reminder that all forms are now online
• Staff ID cards - As essential workers, it's imperative you wear your Staff ID cards at all times. 

​Workplace Health and Safety

• Flu Vaccinations - Please ensure to complete your reimbursements and attached receipts for up to $12.00 via the staff portal. 
• PPE: -* Gold Coast text reception and Northern regions contact your manager for replenishments. Do not reuse disposable PPE.
• ​Employee Assistance Program – If you are needing someone to talk to or needing that extra bit of support please contact your local EAP provider today. All details of our program are in the Staff Portal. Self care and wellness are important!
• Uniforms - Please wear your correct uniforms as a matter of safety. Use your uniform allowance and purchase new uniforms for 2022

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we operate, the Kombumerri People of the Yugambeh Language Region, the Gubbi Gubbi people, the Jinibara people, the Turrbal people, the Quandamooka people and the Bundjalung people. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their ongoing connection to land, sea, culture and community.