By TANIA PHILLIPS
Pic: Volunteers celebrate, from left, volunteer Judy Gittoes, Member for Richmond Justine Elliot, volunteers Helen Kook and Kay Henson with Red Cross Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) co-ordinator Lee Moloney. The trio have all been members since the scheme began in the Tweed back in the early ’90s.
RED Cross members were out in force in Tweed last week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the group’s Community Visitors Scheme in Australia.
A function held at Tweed Heads last week paid tribute to past and present volunteers whom community visitor scheme co-ordinator Lee Moloney described as the “heart and soul of the Scheme in northern NSW”.
The scheme supports residents of aged care homes who are socially isolated and whose quality of life would be improved by friendship and companionship.
“Red Cross is celebrating being a national provider of the Scheme for the past 20 years and is leading the NSW celebrations with the function held in Tweed Heads last Friday,” she said.
“Further celebrations will be held around Australia to celebrate the anniversary.”
The scheme is an Australian Government initiative with Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot on hand to present certificates and awards on behalf of The Hon Mark Butler, Minister for Ageing to three community visitors.
Helen Kook, Judy Gittoes and Kay Henson, have been visiting with the scheme since it began in the Tweed Shire in 1994.
“The scheme flourishes today because of our volunteers’ commitment and belief in what they do and residents who accept the invitation to meet a community visitor are in for a treat because a Red Cross visitor can light up their lives,” she said.
“We celebrated the scheme where it began at the Tweed Heads Nursing Home at Piggabeen and it was fitting that Graham Renwick the Qld Manager for Domain Principal Group welcomed almost 100 guests to celebrate with a champagne toast and special afternoon tea.
“Guests from local community based organisations and representatives from 16 local aged care facilities attended with some guests travelling from as far as Kyogle to be part of the special day.”
Anyone interested in becoming a community visitor should call Lee at Red Cross in Tweed Heads on 07 5524 5799.
