7th
Edition 2008 – Saturday 4th October
Hello,
I think how society looks after its elderly and its sick says a lot about that society. From what I have seen this week - we fail. A shortage of beds in Cairns Base Hospital has seen Bill Ewin, an elderly gentleman, get moved to Babinda Hospital where he has no family or friends at close range to visit him. This is something very important to Bill’s well being. That personal contact with family and friends gives him a boost. I know, I have seen it in his eyes and on his face and heard it in his laughter. Getting visitors and laughing regularly with mates is great medicine and we did a lot of that when visiting him at Cairns Base.
Friends just can’t duck up after work to Babinda Hospital because Babinda Hospital is not 2 minutes from their workplace or 10 or 15 minutes from their homes. It is an indictment on society that we have allowed governments of all persuasions to inadequately plan our infrastructure especially that of health. I do not think this decision will do Bill Ewin’s emotional well being any good at all, and the suggestion by someone in power we Roster ourselves to visit Bill in Babinda stinks, and is in fact insulting, for I know all of us will try to get to Babinda regularly to visit Bill and we don’t need a roster system to do so…..
It is times like this that I need to get the Signpost out and read page 4 and the 4 Points of the Compass
Friendship : To Love Widely
Yep we can spread our love to Bill in Babinda and will visit regularly.
Service: To Build Bravely
Yep I can see the effect this will have on an old Gentleman and I will endeavour to challenge people to build a better World for all.
Fair-mindedness:
To Think Fairly
Yep I will listen to the reasons why they have moved Bill and I will do this with sympathetic and intelligent understanding, for we do not want conflict, that will only make things worse, and we need cool heads so real resolutions can be implemented so in future this does not happen to another Grand Parent.
The Kingdom of God: To
Witness Humbly
The truth of what is happening in our Health care system needs to be known and the truth needs to prevail for we will not have true resolutions till we admit we have the problems.
For those who do not have the Signpost, please do endeavour to get a copy. I am more then happy to distribute copies out to those who want them. And besides being a good and interesting read it has all our rules and regulations.
Toc H
National Youth Leadership Course Mt Tamborine Gold Coast
The information flyer can be viewed online by visiting www.toch.org.au Follow the link.
Now is the time to get your application and your deposit in to the right people so you can attend this terrific course. How about you tell your Friends and get them to come along too.
All members
please keep an eye out for potential candidates and when you do see them, go and
talk to them and wet their appetites. This course does change lives. I have had
young people come to me years after having completed the course and say:
“I am now working where I am, I now have what I have in Life because I did the Toc H Youth Leadership Course” … Jamie Healey of Cairns is a prime example.
Information on the course can be also obtained by phoning:
Les. Lovelock on (07) 4053 6752
or Dr Owen Nichols (National Youth Development Officer) on (07) 3353 5224.
Toc H
Queensland Area
The next Toc H Area Meeting is to be held at Gaythorne R.S.L. Club Monday 13th October from 6.30pm. I will see members there.
The Annual General Meeting for Toc H Queensland Area will
be held at the Parish of Our Lady and St Dympna’s 479 Robinson Road Aspley from
2pm to 3.30pm Saturday 22nd November. The meeting will take place in
the staff room. We thank Father Peter Luton the Parish Priest for allowing us to
use these premises. I will see Members of Toc H Queensland Area there and it
would be great to see as many of our Toc H members in attendance as possible.
Although visitors cannot vote they can and are entitled to speak to and at the
meeting.
Agenda Items for inclusion in
the Business of this year’s Annual General Meeting can be forwarded in writing
to Les. Lovelock before November 12th.
Nominations for
membership of Queensland Area for next year now really need to be in Ray Geise’s
hands. If someone from your Branch should be nominated because they have a
driving force to better our organization please put in their hands the
Queensland Area Application Form urgently.
To help make Toc H Queensland
Area more effective and representative of every Branch and Group we need a voice
from every Branch and Group.
Reports from
Branches to Queensland Area need to be in no later than 31st October
2008. This is because reports need to be collated ready for presentation to the
Annual General Meeting on 22nd November.
Reports are to be posted to
Mr Ray Geise
Knightsbridge Lodge
10/18 Victoria Parade
Clayfield Queensland 4011
Please post Hard Copy Format ONLY (PAPER). No email, disks or USB. Thanks.
The National Strategic Plan:
Major General Darryl Low Choy will be in Adelaide October 13th
to meet with the South Australian members to workshop this plan.
For Brisbane the details for the meeting are as follows
Toc H Strategic Planning Workshop
Sunday 9th November
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Hall at Our Lady & St Dympna's Church, 479 Robinson Road Aspley
Facilitator: Darryl Low-Choy
For more information contact Jason McNeil
Brisbane Toc H Action Group Chairperson
3352 5524 /0431 948 159
World
Chain of Light Service
Australia is the Host Country for the 2008 Service with Cairns being the Host City. I know Ray has been busy contacting India, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Belgium and England who are more than happy that Australia is Hosting this years’ event. I know the members in Cairns feel privileged and honoured and very proud.
Conclusion
Did you know??
Toc H was in Changi Prisoner of War Camp during the Second World War –
Changi (SA) Group 1942 –43
Changi Goal Group 1944 – 45
Selereng Group 1943 –44
We are the inheritors of the peace and freedom these men above fought for. They gave up their innocence and youth. We have an obligation as a society to now ensure their welfare and that of all our elderly. It is only right!!!
Kindest regards
Les. Lovelock
Toc H Queensland
Area Chairman.
Les. Lovelock 11 Cominos Place Manunda
Cairns Q. 4870
Ph: (07) 40536752 / 0412 557 586
email:
leslovelock@optusnet.com.au
