Staying Connected

November 5th 2020

Hey There Caddyshackers

1 month until Summer! Excited much?! We sure are.

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Caddyshack Cool Bananas Award

Shout out to the winners of our renamed ‘Cool Bananas’ Caddyshack awards which honoured and acknowledged the services, projects and individuals who responded to the challenges and were able to keep providing accessible services to their clients.

We are very proud to announce our 4 winners

  1. Dr Megan Thomas - Woonona Medical Practice

  2. Gemma Hartmann - Shoalhaven Emergency department

  3. Rebecca Kate - Alesco Illawarra

  4. ISLHD Targeted Clinical Services which includes sexual health, women’s health & youth health services

So, how did we adapt?

As many of our followers know, our Caddyshack work is largely done out and about.

As a team, we love being out in the community, down at the beaches, in services and talking to people!

When it became evident that our way of working in 2020 was going to be more online, we changed rapidly. Within weeks, our scheduled face to face training sessions were developed into online webinars and remained so throughout the remainder of the year.

We reached higher numbers of services and registrations than ever before, even with participants from interstate. We went beyond the imaginary borders of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

We also stayed connected with our monthly e- newsletter (now in its 9th year and going strong), fortnightly blogs – YOU ARE HERE! Of course our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

We are so grateful that we already had good relationships online and were able to maintain our presence when people required it.

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Although we haven’t seen our key partners face to face for quite a while, we reached out and asked them to fill out a questionnaire… cause we miss you!

The next couple of blogs, will feature their replies. Enjoy.

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Describe your work in three words?

Find the best

What has this type of work taught you?

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

How do you find inspiration?

Working with young people

What do you to unwind?

Chillax – it usually involves something to do with the ocean

Do you have a top inspirational quote or saying?

“Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett

COVID silver lining?

I haven’t caught a cold this year…

Last time you got the sh*ts with something?

I forgot to put the bins out

Last time you felt truly proud of something?

Being asked to contribute to Caddyshack

Most irrational irk?

That winter seems to get longer every year (I’m sharing my ageing gracefully process here!)

One guilty pleasure (PG rated please)?

2 squares of choc a day – I’ve been really good

One great thing about WFH?

The lounge is soooo comfortable

One not so great thing about WFH?

The lounge is soooo comfortable

Love is…

truly unconditional

Any words of wisdom for caddyshack blog readers?

Nah …other than sharing - how good is the advertising program @Playsafe. Keep up the great work!

Where can we find out more about your service?

Website: https://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/my-community/community-support/young-people

Facebook: facebook.com/WollongongYouthServices/

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Describe your work in three words?

Colourful, Inspiring, Essential

What has this type of work taught you?

Our regional rainbow communities are resilient, fabulous and forever welcoming. I grew up thinking there was no life for me in my home country town. I now realise it was because I hadn’t discovered who I was yet and hadn’t been connected to community to feel a part of the place. More and more pride events are happening in regional NSW and I hope the youth in these regions are able to connect at a much earlier age so they feel welcome at home.

How do you find inspiration?

This is quite easy. Every time I have a conversation with a community member or a service worker/ally about the wonderful things happening in their town for people of diverse sexualities and genders. It inspires me every time. There are amazing people doing marvellous things and often without the praise and thanks they truly deserve.

What do you to unwind?

I collect records so I enjoy sitting on the couch with a record playing and reading a book or playing a game on my phone. I love going outside when the sun is shining and walking around my neighbourhood or a national park.

Do you have a top inspirational quote or saying?

This one is from Bill Nye “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t”. For me it means to have open discussions with anyone. You may not agree with everything someone says but you can learn something new, either about them or the topic you’re discussing and hopefully they do too.

COVID silver lining?

I have seen many friends look into how they can make the world a better place. Some are thinking of career change or moving to a regional area to have a different pace of life. It seems we can all get caught up in the doing of things we never stop to think about the why. This period of time has allowed us all to stop and think about how we can do things better. Workplaces adding in flexibility for people’s working arrangements and the ability of more online access for health and services for those isolated need to continue and be improved past Covid19.

Last time you got the sh*ts with something?

When I tried to fill in an application to attend an online conference. My account login wasn’t working on the form but it did for the main account. I changed my password and still the same result. I emailed the email listed on the form only to have the email bounce back saying it can’t be delivered to the email address. I got up to make a cup of tea and things were better after. It’s important to get up and walk away sometimes to reset.

Last time you felt truly proud of something?

I’m proud of myself for recognising I needed to talk to a counsellor about how I’m going and to discuss some things I had been ignoring. It’s not easy to admit you need help. When you get it and can see the positive impact it has on your life you should be proud of looking after yourself.

Most irrational irk?

When you’re trying to find a park and think if everyone had parked a little closer to each other there would be enough space for you to park. It’s irrational because they didn’t all arrive at the same time and there are different reverse parallel parking skills out there.

One guilty pleasure (PG rated please)?

I often eat dessert when dining out and not everyone orders it. So I must admit I like seeing the looks on my friends faces wishing they had. They’re adults. They can order it if they like. I won’t stop them but I’ll be enjoying my sweet treat and no sharing.

One great thing about WFH?

Being able to listen to my records while working and having my housemates cat as quiet company. Also more options for homemade lunches J

One not so great thing about WFH?

Not being with my colleagues and enjoying the energy everyone brings to the ACON office.

Love is…

unique to everyone who experiences it. There are different levels of love for the different people in our lives. Love is blind, love is enduring, love is love.

Any words of wisdom for caddyshack blog readers?

When things get down take a moment to recognise the good things around you. Give yourself permission to take time out and focus on yourself. You are the most important person and it is not selfish to look after yourself. Those around you will understand and may even be able to help you. Don’t be afraid to say no to things but also have the courage to say yes when you’re able to.

Where can we find out more about your service? 

Website: https://www.acon.org.au/who-we-are-here-for/regional-nsw/

Sign Up For News: ACON Regional (Southern & Far West) News

Facebook Page: facebook.com/ACONSouthernNSW

Facebook Profile: facebook.com/josefgarringtonacon

Email: jgarrington@acon.org.au

For more Josef love, tune back in early December, when Josef will be our guest blogger J

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Right now we are loving this song by ‘If I ruled the world’ by MILCK… Make sure you watch the lyrics version too so you don’t miss a thing.

Professionally known as MILCK, is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter.

A child of immigrants from China, she initially performed as an independent artist for several years, and rose to widespread attention after a video of a performance of her song "Quiet" at the 2017 Women's March became popular, and became embraced as an anthem for the movement.

Have a listen, if you are like us you will be singing it in your head for the rest of the day!

Until next time

Peace, Love & Protection

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