BOGGABRI HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE MULTI SERVICE OUTLET

Page: 71

Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [6.16 p.m.]: Last week I had the good fortune to spend a day in the community of Boggabri, where I visited both of the local schools, and was privileged to witness a re-enactment of how Boggabri was discovered performed by children from the Sacred Heart Catholic School, followed later in the morning by the year 1-2 children at Boggabri Public School performing a wonderful rendition of Waltzing Matilda. They had the most incredible jumbuck. I was very impressed by the quality of the teachers and staff of both organisations, and was pleased to meet some wonderful parents as well. While in town I toured the multipurpose services, meeting both hospital and ambulance staff. I then drove out the Boggabri to Manilla road with Councillor Ken Bates to view some sections that are in dire need of tar.

However, tonight I would like to inform the House about how the Boggabri Home and Community Care Multi Service Outlet [HACC MSO] provides an excellent example of a rural community organisation delivering a vital service for a country community, despite limitations in funding. Boggabri is a close-knit community of some 900 people located between Gunnedah and Narrabri. The HACC MSO has only one paid employee, Noreen Boehm, who co-ordinates Meals on Wheels, community transport, domestic assistance and social support to frail aged people with disabilities and their carers across the district, with an average of 58 individual clients receiving one or more services. The service has an enthusiastic volunteer management committee of community members and clients. Assisting Noreen and the committee is a small army of some 70-plus people from the local area.

I am particularly impressed by Noreen's commitment to ensure the service meets the needs of its clients. While employed for only 26 hours per week, Noreen often works up to 20 additional hours per week voluntarily. She is the driving force behind this service, developing it into a highly respected, efficient and effective operation. Noreen has recently completed a Certificate IV in Lifestyle and Leisure, she has been a State Meals on Wheels delegate for two terms, and is currently President of the New South Wales Meals on Wheels Board of Governors. She recently demonstrated her expertise during a 30-minute presentation detailing "Innovations in New South Wales Meals on Wheels" at a State conference in Queensland.

While Noreen's leadership of the service is clearly first-rate, she is always quick to point to the contribution of the volunteers. Under their joint stewardship Boggabri has been asked by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care to pilot many projects before they are incorporated into the mainstream. In 2003 Boggabri recorded the highest accreditation score in the New England region, and in 2006 it was asked by the department to pilot the integrated monitoring framework process for all multiservice outlets in New South Wales. In addition to volunteers' designated tasks, they assist clients with newsletters and menu collection. They attend meetings, forums and conferences. The volunteers have undertaken training and information sessions on computerised financial techniques, occupational health and safety, risk management, confidentiality and privacy, effective communication with clients, day centre activities, and mental illness.

As with any community service group in rural New South Wales, the Boggabri HACC faces many challenges, with funding being its foremost challenge. While Noreen's commitment to the service is admirable she cannot be expected continually to take on so much unpaid but vital work. In her first five years with the service Noreen did not take a single day's holiday, and with ever-increasing demands placed on HACC she deserves assistance. Growing government red tape is bogging down the HACC with procedure, taking up valuable time that could be better spent in the community. Last year the Boggabri HACC received $68,000 in DADHC funding. Noreen estimates that a further $45,000 is needed to employ an additional part-time staff member and set up an essential day care activity program. Last year, without any assistance from the Government, Noreen and her volunteers raised $62,000 to purchase a 10-seater wheelchair accessible bus. That was made possible by donations from Idemitsu Coal Company, Wicking Trust in Victoria and countless donations and support from Boggabri locals who got behind this worthwhile cause.

The finding of additional volunteers looms as a significant problem for the service. Even with the 75 volunteers who are currently on the books many people are not always available. With an average age of 70 some volunteers are approaching the time when they will become clients themselves. One notable volunteer is a 90-year-old lady who is still delivering meals on wheels. Young people in Boggabri juggle work and family commitments that leave them with little time to volunteer, threatening the service in coming years. I urge anyone with a little spare time to consider putting forward their names and helping Noreen and her group of volunteers to deliver this wonderful service.

The Boggabri HACC MSO provides an invaluable service that is effective, efficient and appropriate to the needs of its clients and the community. I have been invited to discuss with members next month the many issues that are facing Boggabri HACC. I look forward to being able to work closely with that group to help it in its future endeavours and to obtain assistance from the State Government. Home and community care services, which offer a great fillip to members of our community, deserve the community's support. I urge people with a bit of spare time to put up their hands to engage in this volunteer work as they might be the next people to benefit.

Mr PAUL McLEAY (Heathcote—Parliamentary Secretary) [6.20 p.m.]: I thank the honourable member for Tamworth for bringing this wonderful service to the attention of the House. The honourable member for Tamworth, an active and passionate advocate for his community, acknowledged that the important work of community volunteers keeps the fabric of our society together. I know that the honourable member supports volunteers as he has often told me about the work that they do in his area. He told me that he believes his electorate has the most active volunteers in New South Wales and he is proud of them.

Proof, NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, 20 September 2006, article 36