General News
16 November, 2022
Generous donation supports seniors
A $6250 donation is set to help Terang and Mortlake Health Service’s (TMHS) social support group reconnect with the wider community.
A $6250 donation is set to help Terang and Mortlake Health Service’s (TMHS) social support group reconnect with the wider community.
The Terang Senior Citizens Club made the donation to help the service in its purchase of a new bus to make outings for social support clients an even better experience.
Senior citizens club president Barbra Rees and a number of members were in attendance at the Josie Black Community Centre to make the donation last week.
She said the social support group was a valued service in the wider community which deserved to be supported.
“It’s a lot of money which has been accumulated over many years from a lot of senior citizen’s group members,” Ms Rees said.
“We decided it was time to do something positive with the funds.”
Ms Rees said a number of senior citizens group members had used the social support service, and seen the positive outcomes first hand.
“We’re all getting older and the service is a great benefit,” she said.
“Especially during COVID, the social support group was so supportive of the older people around Terang and we really appreciate it.
“They would pop in each week and drop us in a little puzzle or chocolate to boost morale.
“I’m sure our older past members who did so much hard work would appreciate what we’ve done with the money.”
Ms Rees said knowing the money would be used to support further outings was a point of pride for the group.
“We’ve had some lovely trips away in the bus, so that’s really good,” she said.
“It is wonderful to have social interaction, especially for older people who live on their own and don’t see anybody from time to time.
“They get to go out, share their stories and have a lot of fun.
“I would like to acknowledge the past and present members who have worked hard over many years to raise money for senior citizens. Today our income is mainly from memberships and the hiring of our hall.”
Terang and Mortlake Health Service director of community health Jane Bourman thanked the senior citizens group members for their “overwhelming donation”.
“It just shows the dedication of a small community in support of all the different types of health services we have in Terang,” she said.
“Often the focus is on acute care, but the community care is so important because people want to connect with other communities.
“The ladies group travels around to different areas, stopping at different cafes, and that’s the type of activity which our feedback shows people want.
“It’s wonderful to be supported by a group of people who feel an investment in our social support group is important to the community.”
