$13,000 to fight depression

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Merthyr Bowls and Norman Park Bowls have raised more than $13,000 at their first annual Bowl for Happiness Day, a barefoot fundraiser supporting beyondblue, the national depression initiative.
“Many of us have been touched by depression either personally or with loved ones and the chance to communicate, share stories and help, resonated loudly amongst our members and guests,” said Merthyr Club manager Ray Hughes. “So with a huge thanks to everyone that helped, attended and donated, we are very proud to announce that Bowl for Happiness was able to raise $13,330 which we have donated to beyondblue.”

Go Card info sessions
State Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace is holding two more free public information sessions on Wednesday May 12 for seniors to learn about the upcoming changes to public transport and the go card. During the go ready program TransLink representatives explain how the go card system works. The program aims to help seniors to understand how to top up the balance on a go card, how to touch on and touch off correctly and how to transfer between services using a go card. The meetings on May 12 are for Kelvin Grove, Herston, Newmarket, Windsor, Wilston and Lutwyche residents at the Brisbane Softball Centre, Downey Park, 90 Green Terrace, Windsor from 10am to noon, and for inner-city and Spring Hill residents, first floor, Ruth Fairfax House, 89-95 Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill from 2pm to 3.30pm. RSVP to 3832 1322 or via email to brisbane.central@parliament.qld.gov.au

Arks, parks and Indiana Jones
The Brisbane Symphonic Band under conductor Stefanie Smith will give a free concert at Newstead House, Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead on Sunday May 16 at 2:30pm as part of International Museums Day that falls soon later. The concert is themed to celebrate all that is exciting about the search for the past and includes music from Indiana Jones and the theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark, as well as Fanfare for the Common Man. Remember to bring a chair or a picnic rug and enjoy the beautiful gardens of Newstead Park as you join Brisbane Symphonic Band on this musical adventure. Newstead House will be open on Sunday 16 May from 10am to 5pm with Devonshire teas available from 11am to 1pm and 2-4pm.

History in the making
Local historians and writers Gerard Benjamin and Gloria Grant are guest speakers at the Queensland Women's Historical Association’s function at Miegunyah, 35 Jordan Terrace, Bowen Hills on Thursday, May 13. Their talk, A Novel Discovery: How 'Tom Hurstbourne, an 1865 manuscript penned in Central Queensland, was saved from oblivion will detail how the pair ucovered the long-lost manuscript for a novel written by one of Gerard’s forebears and based on Queensland’s emerging pastoral industry. The event is at 10.30am for 11am start, and the cost is $10 for non-members and $8 for members, which includes morning tea. Bookings to 3252 2979. The association’s email is: qwha@miegunyah.org and their web address is www.miegunyah.org

Help for the elderly ... and not so old!
The Metropolitan Senior Citizens' Centre in Church Street, the Valley, is a dynamic organisation that provides a variety of services for frail older persons and younger persons with disabilities living in the local community. The MSCC also self-funds an Activities for Seniors Program which offers a diverse rage of programs for all seniors. It also offers additional respite services based in its Bryce House Respite Centre. For more information about the MSCC and its services, contact centre coordinator Marion Dwyer on 3252 2731.

Bridging the gap
Social contract bridge players are welcome at the 50+ Social Club that meets on the third floor, 157 Ann Street, City on Mondays and Thursdays from 8.30am Contact 3279 1201 or 3356 7084 for more information.


Come a cropper
The Crop, the New Farm Writers Group, meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Queens Arms in James Street New Farm at 6.30 for a 7pm start.

Quiet time needed?
Looking for some peace and quiet? Take an hour out of your busy schedule for quiet group meditation. Sessions begin with a small amount of skills/spiritual input but are mostly in silence. We meet at 6 pm on Wednesdays at Merthyr Road Uniting Church. Everyone welcome. No fee. Contact Atholl on 0410 565 081 for more information.

Speaking from the heart
Do you want to know more about living longer and healthier: have you ever wondered how to do something about it - and in the process change your lifestyle for the better? Heart, stroke and blood vessel disease is the major public health problem in Australia, causing more then 35 per cent of all deaths annually. The Heart Foundation has a network of local volunteer speakers available to visit your club, community group or organisation to speak about general heart health focusing on the benefits of lifestyle change and practical information on how to go about it. To invite a volunteer speaker to your organisation to help raise awareness of heart health throughout the community, or if you would like to volunteer as such a speaker, please contact Margaret Richards at the Heart Foundation on (07) 3872 2507.

Computer training
Brisbane Seniors OnLine (BSOL) provides affordable computer training for over 50s in the Brisbane area and is seeking new learners who would like to receive one-on-one lessons in their own homes or in our city training centre. By arrangement, we can also provide training in other venues such as community centres or public libraries. BSOL teaches both Windows and Apple Mac. New volunteer mentors are always welcome. The cost to learners is $40 a year plus a one-off $20 joining fee. For this, learners receive approximately 12 one-hour lessons and ongoing support for the balance of the membership year. Membership is free to mentors. Contact BSOL on 3210 6983 or at www.bsol.asn.au .

Bags needed please!
The St Vinnies store on the corner of Brunswick and Alfred streets in the Valley urgently needs plastic bags to pop those great bargain buys into.

Centre’s wishlist
The New Farm Neighbourhood Centre requires a constant supply of goods and equipment to help it support people in the inner-city. The NFNC’s website – www.newfarmneighbourhood.org – includes a link to the centre’s wishlist of donations. Items the centre requires include bus tickets, supermarket vouchers, blankets, mobile-phone top ups, and instant meals. The NFNC is also seeking donations of time by people with administrative, fundraising, and graphic design skills. For further information ring the NFNC on 3358 5600.

Corker of an idea
The Queensland branch of the Huntington’s Disease Association is seeking bottle corks as part of its fundraising efforts. The association sells disused corks to a recycler. Corks can be dropped off at the association’s office at 385 Ipswich Road, Annerley. For details ring 3391 8833.

AA meetings
The New Farm Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the HADS unit of the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Mondays at 7pm .It also meets every Thursday and Friday from 7pm to 8.30pm and on Saturdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at 505 Bowen Terrace New Farm.The 24-hour helpline number is 3255 9162.

Emotional help needed?
Emotions Anonymous (EA) is a non-profit 12-step organisation that has helped many people learn to live with unsolved problems as diverse as depression, anger, acrophobia, broken or strained relationships, grief, anxiety, low self-esteem, panic, abnormal fears, resentment, jealousy, guilt, despair, fatigue, tension, boredom, loneliness, withdrawal, obsessive and negative thinking, worry, compulsive behaviour and a variety of other emotional issues. Emotions Anonymous meets on Saturdays at 10:45am at the Community Health Centre, Biala, Level 3, 270 Roma Street, Brisbane (opposite the Fire and Rescue Station). No membership fee is required, only a desire to get well. For further information go to their website: www.emotionsanonymous.org

Potted plants
The Society for Growing Potted Plants hold meeting on the second Saturday of each month in the Uniting Church Hall at 52 Merthyr Road, New Farm, commencing at 1.15pm. There are interesting guest speakers and plants for sale. Visitors are most welcome at a friendly and informative afternoon. Contact Ann on 3276 7223.

Quilters meet
A small group of non-profit quilters who meet at 10am on the first Saturday of each month at Trinity Place, Church Street, Fortitude Valley, is are looking for new members. Experienced or beginners are welcome. For more information contact Barbara on 5496 1195.

Jigsaws solved
Jigsaw Queensland, a non-profit, post-adoption resource service, holds support meetings as follows: Open support group: Anyone touched by adoption is welcome – first Tuesday of each month (except January) 7pm to 9pm; adoptee support group: for adoptees only – third Wednesday of each month 7pm to 9pm; birthmother support group: for Birthmothers only – third Saturday of each month 1.30pm to 4pm except for December. All meetings are held at SANDS House, 505 Bowen Terrace, New Farm. Further information is available online at: www.jigsawqueensland.com

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