CFN: 15925JULY 2018

This Newsletter comes to you from the Hand Over Hand Club.  The club is a self-determining group of people with both hearing and vision loss. It is an important part of the Deafblind Association (NSW) Inc. The club provides interesting outings, information and social interaction for its members. The newsletter is produced in Braille, Large Print, Regular size print, as a word doc, on CD and can be sent by e-mail.

Put yourself on the mailing list by phoning or texting Janne Bidenko 0432 570 210 OR send an e-mail to dbansw@bigpond.com.

Our website address is: http://www.dbansw.org.au

We meet on the last Saturday of each month except December.

We welcome all articles from members. Articles, inquiries, comments and general correspondence may be sent to:

The Deafblind Association (NSW)

Office 1, Lev 2, WOTSO Building

5 George St, North Strathfield   NSW    2137

This month’s articles:

- DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK – Janne Bidenko- PRESIDENTS REPORT JULY by Irene McMinn- JANNE’S NOTES- JULY BIRTHDAYS- NDIS QUALITY AND SAFEGUARDS COMMISSION- LET THE GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT YOU USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT by

Tony Hirst- AUDIO VERSION OF RAINBOW NEWS by Tony Hirst- GOOD THINGS HAPPENING AT DBA – Janne- MEETINGS FOR 2ND HALF of 2018- POSITIVE STORY – VIA TONY HIRST FROM COUSIN IN USA- HEART FOUNDATION WALKING CLUB – Cathy Egan

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RAINBOW NEWS

- 4 MONTHS OF CATCH UP NEWS BY NELL AND ROBERT BENNETT - 2018

- JOKES – Cathy Egan- A TRAVELLERS TALE by Mark Hoarau- HOH OUTING, CHRISTMAS IN JULY AT BOBBIN HEAD CAFÉ – Saturday

28th July 2018.

DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK – Janne Bidenko

This has been a chilly week but our activities have included handing out information about deafblindness and our members enjoying the activities

SUNDAY 24 TH JUNE –Lunch at Silverspoon Restaurant Parramatta RSL, where DBA(NSW) presented our ‘Inaugural Positive Award’ to Gary Blaschke, the founder of Disability Surfing Association, who has made our Deafblind members so welcome for the past 29years, at Collaroy beach, and endeavoured to form good communication methods to relate to people in the water. Such an award will be presented each Deafblind Awareness Week in the future, to someone who has implemented something positive to deafblindness.

Following a delicious lunch we made our way to the Auditorium to watch Line Dancing, and two members joined in on a couple of dances. Janetta took Ian onto the edge of the floor to feel the vibrations. Those attending were Shel O’Toole, Cathy Egan, Sharon Dennis, Janetta Simpson, Gaie Barrett, Ian Perabo, Felicity Douglas and support, Joe Habib, Mark Hoarau, Pat Monteleone, Brett McCreath, Leanne Brims, Donald Snowfoot, Leonie Hely and support, plus Annii, Kamal, Branko, Tony and Janne.

MONDAY 25 TH JUNE – Morning Tea at DBA Office, organised by Shel O’Toole, where the theme was “Red & White” for Awareness Week. Shel had organised a red velvet cake and Cathy Egan brought a beautiful layered cream sponge with strawberries, the rest of us all followed through on the red and white food theme, plus wearing red and white outfits. Shel had invited Politicians, but unfortunately all busy, also Councillors but only Julia ..was able to attend but she enjoyed this and we enjoyed her company.

SATURDAY 30TH JUNE – Bungarribee Buffet Lunch – Blacktown Workers Club. This was a popular venue and we had 2 Newcastle members attend, Peter Risby and his support Leonie, David Dickinson and his support, plus he was joined by his brother & sister who live in Sydney. Also attending were Joe Habib, Cathy Egan, Sharon Dennis, Mark Hoarau, Pat Monteleone, Gaie Barrett, Ian Perabo, Nell & Robert Bennett, Wayne Bushell, Brett McCreath, Leanne Brims, Dean Hanlon, Leonie Hely and support, Janetta Simpson, Leonie James and Kwame, Brendan, Kamal, Branko, Tony and Janne.

PRESIDENTS REPORT JULY by Irene McMinn

We have had another busy month at Deafblind Association and of course we

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celebrated Deafblind awareness week during the last week of June

Carleeta and I have had a trip to Spain for the 5th General Assembly of The World Federation of Deafblind and 11th Helen Keller Conference which we enjoyed very much.

During June we had a visit from Claire from Melbourne she came up to help people with their technology and was interesting people in learning Braille. Claire also talked to us about starting a technology day here in Sydney one day a month. The idea is we each bring in our technology and help each other and let those who wish to try it. The first technology session is on Friday 20th July in the morning. So come along and join the fun and lets hope that we can share our knowledge and support each other.

Deafblind Association is looking for a new home as Blind Citizens have decided to move from Wotso and we cannot afford the rent on our own. We are busy looking at possibilities in this area. We have had an offer to share the house with Better Hearing which is looking hopeful.

On June 29th there was a Transport for NSW access meeting. Unfortunately I was away in Spain and Janne was unable to attend due to other pressing matters so we are waiting for the minutes to come out to find out what was discussed.

During Deafblind Awareness week DBA went out to Parramatta RSL on the Sunday to the Silver Spoon restaurant for lunch. Gary Blaschke was awarded our first Deafblind Positive Award for all the fun he has given to Deafblind People with the Surfing for Disabled days that we have attended. Then there was Line Dancing for those who wished to take part. I believe Janetta and Annii had a go.

Monday saw our Red and White day with morning tea at the office with people wearing red and white. Shel had invited different people from the local community to come along to this but only one councillor from Strathfield came to the event.

On the Saturday Hand Over Hand Club visited Blacktown Workers Club for Buffet Lunch and to hand out information on Deafblindness. A good day was had by all.

During June we also had two days learning Auslan for those who are not Signers it was decided to keep learning with Steve and Rosemary as teachers.

JANNE’S NOTES

Our delegates are now back from the 5th General Assembly (Board) of World Federation of Deafblind and their 11th Helen Keller Conference in Spain. Irene McMinn, who was the Pacific representative on the General Assembly, was nominated as a member of the executive and voted into that position, with the Pacific Rep. going to David Murray, Deafblind Australia. Irene and Carleeta were ably supported by Ros Barnes, Ros Sackley, Della Bampton and Rosemary Profilio, all came back very tired after the hectic time spent at the conference and activities.

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Irene said she will report on this for next month’s Rainbow.

Vale - Roslyn Sackley’s mother, who passed away 28 th June, which although it had been expected, was still a shock for Ros while in Spain.

I am taking off to Melbourne 7-17 July to visit my daughter and grandsons down there, and to have a break before we have to move our DBA(NSW) Office by August. BCA is moving and we cannot afford to pay the rent without them. We will keep you updated about this.

JULY BIRTHDAYSWe hope you all have a great birthday and keep nice and warm in this cool weather.July 2 Penny Wilcox

2 Sandra Tillson 5 Gail Bourne 7 Stephen Hallinan10 Walter Pilloni14 Leonie James16 Leanne Brims18 Joe Habib21 Daniel Sanchez 24 Peter Mulham26 Janeen Horn

NDIS QUALITY AND SAFEGUARDS COMMISSION

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is a new independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. We will regulate the NDIS market, provide national consistency, promote safety and quality services, resolve problems and identify areas for improvement.

An independent Commonwealth body is being established to oversee the delivery of quality supports and services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The 2017-18 Budget included $209.0 million to fund the establishment and operations of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission over the next four years. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Quality and Safeguards Commission and Other Measures) Bill 2017 to establish the NDIS Commission was passed by the Australian Parliament on 4 December 2017.

The NDIS Commission will implement the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework which was released by the Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council in February 2017. The Framework will come into effect as each state and territory reaches full scheme NDIS. The Framework sets out a national

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system to support NDIS participants, carers and providers – upholding the standards that participants deserve and ensuring clarity on the rights and responsibilities of participants, providers and their staff.

The NDIS Commission will be established in early 2018, and is expected to commence operations in each state and territory by 1 July, 2020. In New South Wales and South Australia, that happens from July 2018. Remaining states reach full scheme in July 2019, except Western Australia which is expected to reach full scheme in July 2020.

The NDIS Commission will support NDIS participants to exercise choice and control, ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for NDIS supports, and establish expectations for providers and their staff to deliver quality support.

Further details on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission can be found at the NDIS website.

LET THE GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT YOU USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT by Tony Hirst

Many Vision Impaired & Blind people and for that matter people with a disability get ushered through the entrance to railway stations and also through the ferry wharves and on & off buses without ever using their Opal Cards. Often if you are a regular user of the public transport systems the staff know that there is no charge involved and encourage you to not worry about tapping on & off on each trip.

We all know how much of a pain it is when dealing with your guide dog and/or your cane and your back pack and maybe a bag of groceries as well when getting on and off buses & trains & ferries.

However, you don’t appear in the statistics if you don’t tap on & off on every trip. Government makes decisions according to statistics.

If not many disabled people show up in the statistics as using the public transport system then they don’t make allowances in future planning. SO I encourage everyone to let the government know when you use public transport by using your opal card and tap on & off on every trip. Also if you have a carer with you, use the second carer’s card as well.

AUDIO VERSION OF RAINBOW NEWS by Tony Hirst

There has been a little problem over the last couple of months with production & distribution of the audio version of our monthly Rainbow News. However, we will get better so please don’t despair. Usually we send out the CD’s approximately 1 week later than the print version.

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GOOD THINGS HAPPENING AT DBA – Janne

Our next Advocacy/Focus Meeting is on Wednesday 18 th July when we will be visited by Sven Topp, with his Hapticom, the Communication Technology he has developed as part of his PhD. It will be great to see how this works, so please come along.

We are starting up a Technology Practice Morning the 3rd Friday of each month, 10am-12.30, before the Craft Sessions at 1.30 in the afternoon, next one is Friday 20th July. We have also been asked by Claire if we can have a company called Mobile Muster who has been successful in getting donations of iphones for Able Link. They wish to take photos of people using iPhones with Braille display.

The workshops carry on from Claire Tellefson’s workshops when she came up from Melbourne Able Link. We would like to see all the people who attended these plus anyone who would like to join in. I am putting a list of dates in Rainbow for the 2nd

half of 2018 including these.

Watch Rainbow for a fundraising effort that Cathy Egan has registered to do for DBA(NSW), it is a Blackmore’s 10km Bridge Run in September.

Janetta Simpson has just completed the Stadium Stomp, running up and down 6,300 stairs around Sydney Stadium. She will be doing the Sydney Tower again on 26th August, 1,504 steps 309 metres up, then going to Melbourne to do the Eureka Stair climb 1,642 stairs on 25th November.

MEETINGS FOR 2 ND HALF of 2018

Board Meetings - Interpreters10/08/1812/10/1814/12/18

Advocacy Meetings – Interpreters18/07/1817/10/18

Technology Practice Session 10-12.30am20/07/1817/08/1821/09/1819/10/1816/11/18

Craft in afternoon 1-3pm20/07/1817/08/18FONT: 14 Page 6

21/09/1819/10/1816/11/18

HOH Club28/07/1825/08/1829/09/1827/10/1824/11/18 (Christmas outing)

POSITIVE STORY – VIA TONY HIRST FROM COUSIN IN USA20 June 2018

I saw this gentleman, Tim, in Boston's Logan airport with the sister he'd been visiting. It appeared he was both deaf and blind, as I observed her signing into his hand for him to feel her words. When he came aboard the plane he had been assigned the middle seat of my row. The kind gentleman who had the aisle seat graciously gave it up for him. At this point Tim was travelling alone.

The flight attendants sincerely wanted to assist him, but had no way to communicate. I watched as they didn't flinch when he reached out to touch their faces and arms. They took his hand and tried so hard to communicate with him, to no avail. He had some verbal ability, but clearly could not understand them. The man who had given up his seat did his best to assist him with things like opening coffee creamer and putting it in his coffee. When Tim made the attempt to stand up and feel his way to the restroom, his seat mate immediately was up to help him.

The flight attendants were talking among themselves and someone suggested paging to see if anyone on board knew sign language. That's when this lovely young woman came into the picture. 15 years old, she learned ASL because she had dyslexia and it was the easiest foreign language for her to learn. For the rest of the flight she attended to Tim and made sure his needs were met. It was fascinating to watch as she signed one letter at a time into his hand. He was able to 'read' her signing and they carried on an animated conversation. When he asked her if she was pretty, she blushed and laughed as the seat mate, who had learned a few signs, communicated an enthusiastic yes to Tim. I don't know when I've ever seen so many people rally to take care of another human being. All of us in the immediate rows were laughing and smiling and enjoying his obvious delight in having someone to talk to.

Huge kudos to the flight attendants of Alaska Airlines, who went above and beyond, to meet Tim's needs. I can't say enough about this beautiful young woman named Clara who didn't think twice about helping her fellow passenger. It was a beautiful reminder, in this time of too much awfulness, that there are still good, good people who are willing to look out for each other. #alaskaairlines .

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21/6/18 Addendum: This has come to the attention of Alaska Airlines and they are in touch with Clara's family, the facility where Tim lives, and the kind seat mate. I have been so touched by the response to this story. We are all starving for good news and this was just what we needed. Thanks all!

HEART FOUNDATION WALKING CLUB – Cathy Egan

Hi everyone, I joined a Heart Foundation Walking Group quite awhile ago in my local area Strathfield and I have met some wonderful people, had heaps of fun, all whilst  building  up my confidence and mixing with my local community.

So how does it all work? You may well ask!

For starters, I went on the website https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au/walking/new-south-wales

and found out about The Heart Foundation Walking Groups for New South Wales. Actually, they are located all over Australia and you will probably find one in your local area.

If you go on the website and search you might be pleasantly surprise. They all start at different times on different days.

So let me explain, you do not have to walk fast, you just need to walk at an ordinary pace and want to be with your local community. The walks last from 1/2 - 1 hour usually  once a week. However, some groups have two or three times a week. Participants only go when you want to it’s very casual. The reason for joining is to have lots of fun in your community and to try and keep active as it’s very good for your heart, mind and overall well-being. 

So how inclusive are these groups? Well I joined and I have used my cane without any issue as the members assisted me which was fantastic! Also at times I have used a guide dog, again no issue in fact lots of support.

How safe is it?

They have a person in front that leads the group and they have a person in the middle that make sure everybody is okay and they have somebody at the end to make sure that nobody is left behind. Oh don’t worry, there is no pressure to go at a particular speed, they often suggest walk and talk is a good pace.

So in my area, I have a group that is available to go to on a Tuesday afternoon at 4 PM in winter or a Thursday mornings 8 AM or Saturday mornings 8 AM.

Of course you will find your own area has their own schedule and you only go when you want to. 

Once you become a member of the Heart Foundation Walking Groups, which is free. However, to join you just need some information on who you are and register a key contact person in case of emergency. Then you can go and visit any other FONT: 14 Page 8

walking group in New South Wales or anywhere in Australia. So if you go on holidays you could if you wish to go and visit a walking group and do that for an hour and get to know that area and some of the locals, which could be quite fun.

So as a member of the Strathfield  group I now visit the Lawson walking group up in the Blue Mountains. Every now and again I will travel up to the Blue Mountains and join that group.  Their leader Nigel, comes and meets me at the station and take me to the meeting point outside the community Centre. I am totally included, it doesn’t matter that I’m Deafblind, they are all so friendly, really lovely and very helpful. 

We walk around the suburb for approximately an hour and then we go to a wonderful coffee shop in Lawson, trust me the Cafe is fantastic! The staff are so friendly and the food is yummy plus the coffee is fantastic! Just what you need after a brisk walk in the mountains.

Last time I did a walk with them which, was my first walk. We were walking around the suburb side streets and low and behold a lady came down the road walking a beautiful chestnut coloured horse, yes you read that correctly a horse. When the group told me I thought the group was having a go at me or making a joke because I was a city person. However, not so, I spoke out and asked the lady if you really did have a horse with her? Of course she said “yes I really do have a horse and I am walking the horse towards you.” I was so excited! I couldn’t believe it as I absolutely adore horses. I asked special permission to meet the horse and possibly pat it, wow was I ever excited!

The lady was lovely, she allowed me to pat the horse and feel how huge it was and she informed me that the horses name was Whiskey. She was walking it as it was a bit timid and she needed it to adjust to suburban sounds, smells and people again. Oh my goodness that was such a surprise for me and the horse was just so beautiful it was so soft and its mane was really beautiful, Whiskey seems so gentle. I absolutely loved that experience and what a big surprise for me particularly as I am a city person, well at least that’s where I live. I think part of me dreams of living in the country one-day Lol

After the walk we then headed for the yummy coffee shop, sat down and enjoyed the excellent country food, coffee and fantastic company. 

At all times I felt welcome in the group as it’s just so friendly. 

Sometimes instead of walking in Lawson they go to Hazelbrook or they might even go to Wentworth falls. I thought the whole idea is wonderful, such community spirit and to think it’s all free, run by volunteers. Everybody is simply out and about to have a nice pleasant walk and it’s an opportunity to meet and greet each other and keep in touch. Nigel, the group leader walked me back to the station and made sure I got on the train safe and sound. When I got on the train returning back to Sydney I sort of felt like I had had a mini holiday it was wonderful, just what the doctor ordered.

Last Friday we didn’t walk we met at Springwood and we went out to the Springwood pub and had a meal together, slightly early however, it was meant to FONT: 14 Page 9

resemble Christmas in July. In total I think there were approximately 14 people present, as Nigel has developed 2 walking groups up there a Friday group and a Monday group and he combined the 2 groups to celebrate our meal together, it was so nice to just be part of another community and just be accepted  for who you are and you can just be yourself, I think that’s really cool!

So I encourage anyone who is considering getting out and about and possibly walking in a group and would like to meet some lovely friendly people and best of all it’s totally free. 

So why not jump on the Heart Foundation Walking Group website that I have attached below and see what’s in your area. Good luck and happy walking.

https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au/walking/new-south-wales

All the best Cathy

4 MONTHS OF CATCH UP NEWS BY NELL AND ROBERT BENNETT - 2018

EASTER LONG WEEKEND - 30th MARCH TILL 3RD APRIL

On the 30th March, we caught the 11.53am Casino XPT from Strathfield to Wauchope with the coach connection to Port Macquarie where my Mum met us at the coach terminal.

The next day, my Mum and us caught up with our Crossroads Travel friends Maureen and Allison for lunch at the West Port Bowling Club – this time it was a smaller group than normal because Allison’s mum’s in a nursing home and her father wasn’t feeling well on the day of our get together but we all enjoyed the company and food.

Later in the evening, my sister in law Natalie’s sister Rachel and Justin with their 2 children Ava and Cooper from Brisbane came to stay overnight with us before heading south for a wedding and a week’s holiday.

On the Sunday we caught up with my retired school teachers Katherine & Keith for a brunch at Port Panthers Club which was delicious – we try to catch up with our Port Macquarie friends when we stay with my Mum which isn’t very often.

On the Monday Robert and I took my Mum to lunch at the Port Macquarie Golf Club in appreciation and thanks to her for having us which was enjoyable.

The next day was a very early start for our travel home – We left Mum’s after 7.00am to get the 7.33am Port Macquarie coach to Wauchope where we got the XPT train back to Strathfield before the peak hour of workers going home.

I had a Flex to catch up with things at home and Robert had the week off from his work.

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OUTING TO MANLY – 20TH APRIL

We met our retired teacher friends at Circular Quay before boarding the ferry to Manly for a walk around and a Fish and Chips lunch – the seagulls were hungry for our food but we enjoyed the fresh sea breeze, sunshine and each other’s company – one of our teacher friends has really bounced back after suffering severe depression during November and December last year but to me she felt really thin so here’s hoping she’ll put some weight on soon.

NOISY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WORK NEXT DOOR TO NELL’S WORK AT 106-108 CHURCH STREET PARRAMATTA BY NELL BENNETT

For over a year now there has been a lot of noisy drilling and jackhammering on a construction site next door to my work at the above address to make way for about 30 or more units and after some time, it was starting to affect my concentration and my nerves so it was decided that I take the week off before Easter and a Flex after Easter then I had to be relocated to 93 George Street Parramatta – oh I really miss the old building where I started in 2001 but there has been continuous problems with air conditioning and lifts breakdowns so it’s a year ago on 19 th June, I was stuck in the basement lift between floors for about 40 minutes but I was very grateful to my Line Manager and work colleagues who greeted me with open arms and kind words of support when I finally came out – it was very scary so I was sent home for the rest of the day after the ordeal.

So on the 4th April was my 1st day in a more modern office on the 5th Floor and had an orientation day to get used to my new surroundings and I didn’t work hard that day!

The new office has sensor lights in the lunchroom and mailroom so when entering the room, the lights come on automatically without turning on and off the switches, the lunchroom has a built in dishwasher plus a garbage bin tidy in a cupboard too, also there are balconies in a square shape on 6 levels overlooking a terrarium in the middle outside but we can’t sit outside because of safety concerns which is a shame.

At the moment our teams are split up between Church and George streets offices till we all get moved in together whenever that will be – goodness knows and I really miss the closeness of our colleagues and Line Managers which makes me feel very unsettled in my job but I do have the support from Robert and my work friends.

RED HOT SUMMER TOUR IN KIAMA – 14TH APRIL

On the 13th April, we made our way down to Kiama for the weekend to see the Red Hot Summer Tour concert at Kiama Showground which was held the next day along with food and drink stalls plus souvenirs which was great – we just walked around the town and relaxed with a quick swim in the Kiama Shores motel pool and we came home on the Sunday.

MY MUM’S VISIT – 27th APRIL – 1st MAYFONT: 14 Page 11

Prior to my Mum’s visit to us on the 27th April for a few days, she spent a few days with a friend of her’s on the Central Coast, we used our new electric BBQ to cook chops, steak and onions to go with a garden salad which was lovely but the chops could have been tender – maybe I bought the wrong chops for the bbq because they just curled up at the side of them and not cooked tender enough but they were ok.

On the Saturday, Robert and I went to Officeworks at Blacktown to get a copy of a photo of us in the old building on Level 1 in Church street Parramatta developed and had it put in a frame to give to Mum which she really adored the original photo in a magnet on our kitchen fridge that we have and then we made our way for a few hours and afternoon tea with my cousin Bob and his wife Gari before coming back to Pendle Hill to have Chinese for tea at our favourite restaurant – Canton Village to celebrate Robert’s belated birthday which was delicious.

The next day we went to have lunch with my Auntie Betty and her son Rowan in Manly Vale prior to our visit, we called into Coles to get a chicken and assorted salads and a Peanut butter Bavarian cheese cake plus a bottle of wine which we all enjoyed

On Auntie Betty’s behalf, her son Rowan would like to thank you all very much for her Get Well card and wishes which Janne had kindly sent and it’s a very long road to recovery for her as she is very frail these days after her 2 operations during December and January and she has been staying in a nursing home for respite just 3 doors down from where they live and her sons Rowan and Nigel are talking about her being a permanent resident as she’s very unsteady on her feet and uses a walker nowadays which is really very sad to see her like this and no doubt we’ll all miss her at our Annual February Surfing Carnivals in Collaroy also we really miss our phone calls to each other as she hasn’t got a phone in her room.

While Robert and I were at work, my Mum went to Carlingford to catch up with an old school friend from Peak Hill for lunch which was nice for them to have time together.

On her last night with us, we gave Mum her early Mother’s Day present which we had bought in a gift shop at Kiama which was a beautiful ceramic heart shaped ornament with a beautiful verse written on it especially for Mum as she is very special to us.

THE DAY AT THE ENTRANCE – 5th MAY

We met up with Robert’s work social club friends at Seven Hills Access Industries for the day to the Entrance by coach, our first stop was Hornsby to pick up one of the workers, then to Terrigal for a look around the markets and coffee break and then onto the Entrance for lunch, a train ride and Pelican feeding show – one of the pelicans came close to Robert’s head a few times which caught him by surprise!

JAZZ CONCERT AT UNANDERRA HOTEL – 18TH MAY

On the 18th May we travelled by train to Unanderra for the weekend to see a Jazz concert which was held the next day at the Unanderra Hotel but not me – before the

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concert we made our way to the Illawarra Wests Leagues club for breakfast as the bistro wasn’t open till later in the day for lunch and dinner so after breakfast I had a walk around the streets while Robert was at the jazz concert which he was really into and later on our friend Adele came up from Kiama to have tea with us which was graat to see her.

The next morning after our departure from the Unanderra Hotel, our friend Leisa from Oak Flats picked us up and took us for a brunch at Dapto Shopping Centre.

PRISCILLA – QUEEN OF THE DESERT MUSICAL 23rd MAY

After work we went to Central by train to catch the Light Rail to Captiol Square for tea at the Palace Hotel before seeing Priscilla – Queen of the Desert Musical which was fantastic and our taxi driver friend Stewart picked us up and drove us home as it’s not safe to travel by public transport late at night.

TEAM PLANNING/BONDING DAY BY NELL BENNETT

Normally I don’t work Fridays but I decided to join my work colleagues and 2 Line Managers for our Team Planning/Bonding Day at Blacktown Workers Club – the day started off with morning tea, we had fun and games before heading to the Bungarribee All You Can Eat Buffet for lunch afterwards we all walked to the Zone Ten Pin Bowling Alley which was also fun.

A great day was had by all.

LUNCH CATCH UP WITH VILLAWOOD – 3rd JUNE

Yesterday we caught up with our Villawood friends except for Donnie Driscoll with their staff members for a Chinese lunch once again at Canton Village Restaurant which we all enjoyed the food and company.

OUR CAIRNS HOLIDAY – 23rd JUNE TILL 29th JUNE 2018 BY NELL AND ROBERT BENNETT

On 23rd June, it was a very early start to our Cairns holiday as we booked a from ‘Home to Airport’ Hills Shuttle bus which made it easy for us, especially in the early cold morning instead of catching the train with our 2 backpacks plus our 2 rusty orange pull and push along suitcases so we arrived at the Domestic airport at 7 25 in time to have a McDonald’s breakfast and relax before our 9.10 flight to Cairns for our package holiday.

It was Nell’s 1st and Robert’s 2nd trip to Cairns in 26 years!

On arrival in Cairns, it felt very humid and warm compared to our NSW cold weather and we did have very friendly and helpful staff and passengers alike everywhere we went which made things easier for us.

We stayed at the Cairns Novotel Oasis Resort in the CBD which was lovely except the first 2 nights with no hot water for our showers and the fuse kept blowing out the bathroom and the main lights in our room due to construction interruptions so after 2

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days of minor problems, they were fixed and oh we had beautiful hot showers or a relaxing bath!

On the Sunday our week of tours started off with a pick up by Down Under Tours picking us and others up along the way to the Daintree River cruise and Cape Tribulation plus Mossman Gorge to see an Aboriginal demonstration plus a buffet BBQ and a rainforest walk unfortunately Mother Nature wasn’t very kind to us all through the week except for a period of sunshine!

On the Monday, with the expense from Great Adventure Tours and not having our accommodation pick up noted on their papers, the company organised a taxi to collect us for the day out to the Outer Great Barrier Reef on the boat for a buffet lunch which was included and transferred some of us on to a submerged submarine to view the coral and marine life (a variety of fish) which was sad to see the once colourful coral dying off due to the climate change.

On the Tuesday, Robert’s stepsister Nike and her daughter Caron picked us up from our accommodation and took us out for our Cairns free day to have a look around Cairns, took some photos and had morning tea at a café near the marina and went to the Cairns Heritage Museum which was very interesting and had lunch with them before returning us to our accommodation which was lovely to catch up with them.

On the Wednesday was a half day tour at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures farm which involved another river cruise plus getting up close with the crocodile and other animals – took plenty of photos there!

On the Thursday once again Down Under Tours pick us all up along the way for the day travelling by train from Freshwater to Kuranda, then a few hours walking around Kuranda to look at the markets and shops plus a lunch stop and at one shop the lady sold Mango wine which we never heard of so we tasted it and bought a bottle to bring home and it was back to Freshwater by Skyrail which was relaxing gliding through the rainforest and then we went back to the Novotel for the rest of the evening before our final night in Cairns drew to an end.

The Cairns Novotel Oasis was a very nice place, with friendly and helpful staff when we needed help and the restaurant had lovely meals plus it had a nice beach/pool also a wading pool for children, and bar area. On the Friday we left on the 11.05am flight from Cairns which got us back into Sydney around 2pm so we came back into a COLD NSW just in time to join our DBA friends for our end of DBA Awareness week at the Blacktown Workers Club’s Bungarribee buffet the next day which was a great catch up and enjoy everyone’s company.

JOKES – Cathy Egan

 “Okay Google tell me a Joke”.

“Have you heard of the book of gravity?”

Answer

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“Apparently people just can’t put it down.”

“Okay Google tell me a Joke.”

“What sound does a nut make when it sneezes?”

Answer

“A cashew.”

“Okay Google tell me a Joke.”

“What kind of horses only come out after dark?”

Answer

“ Nightmares.”

“Okay Google tell me a Joke.”

“Why don’t skeletons ever go out on the town?”

Answer

“Because they don’t have any body to go with.”

“ okay Google tell me a Joke.” 

“What’s at the bottom of the ocean and shivers?”

Answer

A nervous wreck.”

“ okay Google tell me a joke?”

“What kind of music do sophisticated kangaroos listen to?”

Answer

“Hoppera”

So there you go, just a little taste of Google home mini.  Hope you had a giggle.

Take care everybody bye for now Cathy :)

A TRAVELLERS TALE by Mark Hoarau

In 2010 Janne Bidenko and myself went to a Deafblind Conference in Paris France.

This conference was called the magic of communication; it went for about a week and was most interesting. At the end we decided to go travelling and on the last day we were tossing up between going to either Versailles or to visit Louis Braille's birthplace. FONT: 14 Page 15

We decided to visit Coupvray the village where Louis Braille was born; it was a long trip but was well worth it. I had always wanted to go to France and visit where Louis Braille was born and lived out his life, and I finally got the chance to do it. On the morning we went out, it was very hot and very early but I was so excited that the movement of the train was dragging me close to my quarry. When we arrived it seemed the town was in a time warp, there were many old houses, cafes and one old restaurant where we had lunch, and then went exploring. We discovered the local cemetery where the Braille family were buried, the local church where his documents were housed and then we finally found the Braille house which is now a memorial to him. We went to the house and knocked on the door it was opened for just a crack, and someone asked us what we wanted, and we said we wanted to have a look inside the house. They were going to shut the door in our faces, but when they knew we were from Australia they decided to let us in and show us around. In the downstairs part it was very bare and austere but serviceable; then we were taken on a trip to the workshop where young Louis was supposed to have had the famous accident that would make him blind for the rest of his life.

After this the curator took us upstairs and started to open the display cases putting artefact after precious artefacts into my young hands, which I thought was fantastic. There were devices for writing different types of Braille in many foreign languages, there were some very early copies of Braille writing and maths books, some early pre-cursive Braille and many other objects.

I was also shown his university gown watch and chain, but the best was yet to come; I was shown a small tin which I couldn't work out what it could contain; but when the lid was lifted I found it to contain a card on which the alphabet punctuation and numbers had been Brailled, who could have done this I wondered? but when I saw the signature of who Brailled on the card I fell nearly flat on my face, because I was touching the signature of him - Louis Braille. I thought my heart was in my mouth and it surely was so as to speak; but I will never forget that encounter for the rest of my life.

Life has some interesting turns and events and one only has to be bold and go out on a limb and take them on, more travelling next time!

HOH OUTING, CHRISTMAS IN JULY AT BOBBIN HEAD CAFÉ – Saturday 28th July 2018.

Bobbin Head Café has a lovely open fire for us to sit by for our lunch, many will remember a previous Christmas in July 2 years ago, when we were able to go for great walks after eating. However, it will be cold so warm jackets etc needed. Bobbin Head is a point on Cowan Creek in the north of the suburb of North Turramurra. Although there is no baked dinner for our “Christmas”, there is very

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tasty food and we have decided to give you a choice of meals so that we can pre-order and all be served together, they are:

Bacon, eggs, tomato, mushrooms ,sausage, toasted Turkish bread and chips$18.90

Chicken schnitzel, chips with salad $19.90

Grilled chicken fillet, (GF) salad & chips $20.90

Plain Beef Burgers, lettuce, tomato,beetroot, onion & BBQ sauce on Turkish bread $14.90

Vegieburgers, lettuce, tomato, alphalpha sprouts and sweet chilli sauce on Turkish bread $15.90

Battered fish & chips with salad $17.90

Grilled scotch fillet(GF) salad & Chips mushroom or pepper sauce $29.90

T-Bone steak(GF) salad & Chips with mushroom or pepper sauce $27.90

Teas and coffees $3.90-4.50

Plus if wished, Devonshire tea/coffee with scones, jam & cream $8.50 Please choose what you wish to eat and tell me when you phone or email me to book, but please book early so I can organise buses, as well as food . janneb@iinet.net.au or 0432 570 210

VENUE: Bobbin Head - directions - enter Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, which leads to the park, from Mount Colah by turning right across railway bridge from Pacific Hwy, right again and left at stop sign, and follow to café in the park.

TIME: 11:30 at Bobbin Head

COST: According to what you order, plus coffees etc.

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