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Igniting the flame of human vitality
Summary: Almost five years ago, George Athanasakos woke up with what seemed like a mild headache. Within seconds, he fell into a coma; he had suffered an aneurism. George is now wheelchair bound and unable to talk. In 2006, George and his family were linked with Baptcare.
Date of publication: 05/03/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Celebrating 65 years of ‘bringing care to life’
Summary: In the 1940s, a group of courageous Baptist women saw the need for a home for older people and joined together to raise £4,000 – in a time of war. The funds were used to open Strathalan Community, Australia’s first Baptist nursing home for nine frail older people in 1945. As the needs of the community have grown and changed, so have Baptcare’s services. Today, over 1,000 employees and 650 volunteers work together to ‘bring care to life’ for over 2,000 people per day in over 30 locations across Victoria and Tasmania.
Date of publication: 04/03/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Teenage boy one step closer to a cure for his own condition
Summary: An 18 year old boy who has a debilitating disability is now closer to his dream of finding a cure to his own condition after receiving an ENTER score of 95.05 and a scholarship to Melbourne University.
Date of publication: 02/03/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Watch Baptcare's 65th anniversary video
Summary: As part of Baptcare’s 65th anniversary celebrations, Baptcare has produced a DVD providing an overview of its services.
Date of publication: 19/02/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Children's Christmas activities in 2009
Summary: Baptcare’s 2009 Christmas activities were a great success, with approximately 400 people attending the children’s party at Moonee Valley Racecourse! The event also included the distribution of 500 donated toys, 30 hampers and 300 show bags.
Date of publication: 14/01/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Debilitating disease can’t stop mad St Kilda supporter
Summary: Vernon Grigg, a recipient of an Individualised Support Package, has Motor Neurone Disease, a disease which takes over the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, swallowing and general movement of the body. But Vernon doesn’t let his condition interfere with his passions, including his 50 year commitment to the St Kilda Football Club.
Date of publication: 12/01/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Residential facility provides a second chance
Summary: In 2006 at the age of 68, Anne* came to Karana Community, Baptcare’s residential aged care facility, desperately seeking care and support to help her cope with Bipolar Disorder, which she had been battling for the past 25 years.
Date of publication: 12/01/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Volunteer sound relief
Summary: For the past 59 years, Merle Watkins has dedicated her life to helping others. As one of Baptcare’s longest serving volunteers, Merle ‘brings care to life’ through the gift of music.
Date of publication: 12/01/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
A traumatic reality for asylum seekers living at Sanctuary
Summary: The issues related to asylum seekers are highly complex and continue to fuel international political debate. Currently, four of the 29 residents living at Sanctuary are on ‘departure grounds’. For Roman*, a Sanctuary resident on departure grounds, the road ahead will be a volatile one.
Date of publication: 12/01/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
A day packed with Christmas cheer!
Summary: The Moonee Valley Racecourse was once again transformed into a Christmas wonderland for Baptcare’s Annual Children Christmas Party. The party provided an afternoon full of fun for over 400 children, parents and carers who are involved with foster care, have a disability and/or who are at risk of family breakdown.
Date of publication: 14/12/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Baptcare and the Baptist Union of Tasmania form a new partnership
Summary: On 24 November Baptcare and the Baptist Union of Tasmania (BUT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the beginning of a partnership designed to be mutually beneficial and supportive of both Baptcare and the BUT’s mission and activities.
Date of publication: 26/11/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
3000 reasons to smile
Summary: Baptcare’s residential aged care facility, Northaven Community, hosted their annual garden party fundraiser which raised $3000 to go towards the purchase of new furniture for the elderly residents. Held on the first Friday in November, the tradition has lasted for 40 years.
Date of publication: 19/11/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Sanctuary expands to assist more asylum seekers
Summary: Baptcare remains committed to challenging the system for the benefit of some of the most destitute individuals in the community – asylum seekers. Baptcare’s facility for asylum seekers, Sanctuary, is set to expand by nine rooms in September.
Date of publication: 21/09/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
New Tasmanian offices to support families
Summary: On 3 August, Baptcare opened two new offices in the North and South-West regions of Tasmania that will provide ‘Gateway’ and ‘Integrated Family Support Services (IFSS)’.
Date of publication: 21/09/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
All heart to foster kids
Summary: As foster carers, Brigette and Bob have spent the last 22 years providing love and support to more than 380 troubled children – and have no plans to stop there. Brigette and Bob decided to speak out about the joys of foster caring, in the hope of encouraging more families to volunteer.
Date of publication: 21/09/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Community care spotlight
Summary: Baptcare’s Seeding Grants program is designed to empower churches to develop initiatives to meet a need in their local community. In 2008/09, 15 congregations were awarded grants totalling $154,000 and as a result, many vital new programs were established.
Date of publication: 21/09/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Supporting the elderly to stay in their own home
Summary: In late June, Baptcare was allocated a further 43 in-home support packages through the Commonwealth funded Aged Care Approvals Round. These packages will provide elderly people with access to extra support, enabling them to remain in their own home longer.
Date of publication: 21/09/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Home for asylum seekers reaches one year anniversary
Summary: Sanctuary, providing supported accommodation for asylum seekers at risk of homelessness, has reached its one year anniversary thanks to generous community support.
Date of publication: 05/06/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
96 years old and still young at heart
Summary: At the age of 96, Rev Dr George Lazenby, a resident in an independent living unit at Baptcare’s Strathalan Community, does not let his age restrict his lifestyle and to prove it, he recently completed a Graduate Certificate of Philosophy with a distinction average.
Date of publication: 05/06/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
St Hilary's residents pocket pool table
Summary: Elderly residents at Baptcare’s St Hilary’s Community can now enjoy a game of pool thanks to local business, Colin Watson Motors who donated a pool table to the facility last week.
Date of publication: 05/06/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Aged care facilities successfully complete accreditation
Summary: Karana, Hedley Sutton, Karingal and Westhaven Communities have successfully completed their accreditation audits. The four facilities were found to be compliant in all outcome areas, which has resulted in the maximum three years’ accreditation.
Date of publication: 29/05/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Baptcare leads state Awards for Excellence!
Summary: Baptcare received two awards out of a possible six from Victoria’s aged care peak body, Aged and Community Care Victoria (ACCV), in ACCV’s ‘Awards for Excellence’.
Date of publication: 25/05/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Over $52,000 raised at Baptcare’s first Golf Day!
Summary: Baptcare’s first Golf Day generated a fantastic show of support from local businesses and corporate supporters with over $52,000 raised! Over 80 players gathered to enjoy a day on the green while supporting vulnerable families and children.
Date of publication: 15/05/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Free health checks for local Indigenous community
Summary: Baptcare will assist with free health checks to the Indigenous community in Broadmeadows, until the end of June. The health checks are designed to provide participants with a general health evaluation, including a blood pressure test and a check for diabetes, as well as free information on health and wellbeing strategies.
Date of publication: 15/05/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Asylum seekers raise funds for bushfire victims
Summary: Asylum seekers with no work rights, medical benefits or source of income have raised close to $1000 for bushfire victims in Kinglake, by hosting a multicultural banquet. They raised the funds by using their cooking skills and other talents.
Date of publication: 15/05/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Volunteer home visiting program makes a difference
Summary: Baptcare’s local home visiting service for socially isolated families in Bendigo, Home-Start, has just reached its one year anniversary, and in that time has made a significant difference to the lives of local families and volunteers.
Date of publication: 15/05/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Program offers relief to lonely and depressed elderly
Summary: In a bid to keep older adults connected to the community and decrease depression Baptcare has introduced a program stimulating body and mind for vulnerable older adults from the City of Kingston and City of Glen Eira.
Date of publication: 15/05/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Aged care residents honour ANZAC Day
Summary: To commemorate ANZAC Day, Baptcare’s residential facility Karingal Community, will be holding an order of service for residents and their families including 12 war veterans on the 25th of April.
Date of publication: 24/04/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Baptcare set to lead delivery of Tasmanian government reforms
Summary: Baptcare is set to open two new offices and recruit 21 new staff after being selected to lead the delivery of two new family services programs in the North and South West regions of Tasmania.
Date of publication: 08/04/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
African asylum seekers confirm racial discrimination
Summary: The national inquiry examining the racism and exclusion faced by Africans is the latest strategy which aims to determine whether media stereotypes increase discrimination. African residents at Baptcare's asylum seeker accommodation facility Sanctuary have confirmed facing racism in the community.
Date of publication: 08/04/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Socially isolated elderly at greater risk of heat related deaths
Summary: The recent study indicating that there will be a rise in heat related deaths in the elderly as the effects of climate change increase is cause for concern for Baptcare.
Date of publication: 01/04/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Update on our Bushfire Appeal
Summary: Thanks to your generous support, the bushfire emergency relief appeal that ran as a partnership between Baptcare and the Baptist Union of Victoria has received a total of over $1.1 million. The appeal has now closed; thank you for your support
Date of publication: 25/03/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Responding to the bushfires
Summary: Following the horrific events of the past few weeks, the nation remains shocked and devastated. For most of those affected, the healing process has only just begun. At Baptcare, we have responded to the fires in a number of ways.
Date of publication: 20/02/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Banding together to help bushfire victims
Summary: Bushfire victims will receive much needed relief with the launch of Baptcare and the Baptist Union of Victoria's Bushfire Relief Appeal. We are asking the public to give generously to help those in dire situations.
Date of publication: 11/02/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
A new name for our family services division
Summary: Baptcare’s family services division, Abercare Family Services, has adopted a new name and will officially operate as Baptcare from the 1st February 2009.
Date of publication: 30/01/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Bargain Browser farewell
Summary: After a review of operations of our Bargain Browser stores, the Baptcare Board made the difficult decision to cease operations of all stores in December 2008. We have met with local community organisations and are hopeful that all stores will remain open under new management.
Date of publication: 28/01/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Help us give a child a Christmas worth remembering
Summary: Every year we hold a Christmas party for disadvantaged children and families. We are asking individuals & businesses to be part of this year’s party and give struggling families a Christmas to remember.
Date of publication: 30/09/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Ten year rebuilding project nears completion
Summary: Ten years ago, we embarked on a building project that has seen major re-developments completed at each of our six Victorian residential aged care facilities.
Date of publication: 16/09/2008
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.
Minister for Ageing launches Baptcare's PITCH study
Summary: Our ground-breaking study has given insight into the most critical issues affecting the delivery of aged care today including depression and social isolation, and is the first of its kind in Australia.
Date of publication: 24/07/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Baptcare and Karingal Care have merged
Summary: The new partnership of Karingal Care Services and Baptcare became effective in July 2008. The merger will ensure the long term security of Karingal and add to Baptcare’s reputation as a provider of quality aged care services.
Date of publication: 11/06/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Seeding grants for Baptist congregations in Victoria
Summary: Baptcare's new seeding grants program makes grants of up to $10,000 available to congregations of the Baptist Union of Victoria.
Date of publication: 28/05/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Caring Friends program brings comfort to the socially isolated
Summary: Baptcare’s Caring Friends program is an exciting volunteer project that provides support to socially isolated elderly people in Gippsland.
Date of publication: 29/04/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Baptcare's new Learn, Play, Talk program gets kids talking
Summary: Abercare’s Early Years - Learn, Play, Talk program is an exciting new initiative supporting families in the western suburbs of Melbourne. These families are on a Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) waiting list for essential services for their preschool children with autism or language and/or developmental delays.
Date of publication: 29/04/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Baptcare's Home Start program expands to Bendigo
Summary: Baptcare’s Chief Executive Mr Jeff Davey today announced that Baptcare's family services division will be expanding its Home-Start program to Bendigo to assist vulnerable families in need.
Date of publication: 28/04/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Church seeding grants now available for community initiatives of up to $10,000
Summary: Baptcare's Church seeding grants program will fund initiatives of up to $10,000, enabling local Baptist churches to assist their communities in areas of need.
Date of publication: 15/04/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
New environmentally friendly op shop opens
Summary: Baptcare’s Bargain Browser retail store in Brunswick has been transformed into an ‘ethical and earth-kind op shop’ called eekos. The new store is a partnership between Baptcare and Green Collect.
Date of publication: 14/04/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Spreading Christmas cheer for families
Summary: In the lead-up to Christmas Abercare asked the local community for help in providing children in their care with a Christmas worth remembering. The response was fantastic with an influx of gifts and monetary donations from the community to assist with Abercare’s Christmas party and Santa Shop.
Date of publication: 22/02/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Drought stricken Victorians in need of relief
Summary: Drought stricken communities will receive much needed relief with the launch of Baptcare’s second drought relief appeal in partnership with the Baptist Union of Victoria
Date of publication: 22/02/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
Volunteers help prepare home for asylum seekers
Summary: With the help of volunteers from local Churches, Baptcare's building in Brunswick that will become home to 20 asylum seekers in March, has received a fresh coat of paint and a good clean...
Date of publication: 30/01/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.
A place of sanctuary for asylum seekers
Summary: In a project that will be the first of its kind in Australia, Baptcare is partnering with Hotham Mission and Brunswick Baptist Church to establish affordable housing for male asylum seekers.
Date of publication: 21/01/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
Baptcare wins award for excellence in aged care
Summary: Baptcare has won one of nine Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Aged Care in the category of ‘Training and Staff Development’
Date of publication: 20/09/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
Baptcare receives 121 community packages
Summary: Baptcare has received a total of 121 community packages in the 2007 Aged Care Allocation Round, announced by Christopher Pyne, Minister for Aging, on September 13th...
Date of publication: 20/09/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
First Concrete Pours Mark Start of Nursing Home Re-development
Summary: The re-build of Baptcare’s St Hilary’s Community in Morwell will commence next week as the first concrete pours take place. The re-development of the nursing home will see an extra 21 beds available to the local community.
Date of publication: 17/08/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
Working together to fill the emptiness of dementia
Summary: Dementia clients of Baptcare’s Southern Community Aged Care program are set to have their senses pleasured and their minds stimulated through the gift of ‘activity aprons’ from a local craft group.
Date of publication: 12/07/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Abercare Wins Victorian Children’s Charities Award
Summary: Local provider of family, children and disability support services, Abercare Family Services, was awarded one of seven highly sought after state-wide Children’s Charities Awards in the category of ’Out of Home Care‘ this week.
Date of publication: 04/06/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
Families Needed to Help Families in the Northwest
Summary: In an exciting new initiative in Melbourne’s Northwest region, seven children with a disability (aged between 6 and twelve) can now access respite care in the homes of caregivers, through Abercare’s HomeStay Program.
Date of publication: 25/05/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Children Dream Away for Abercare
Summary: The imaginations of Moonee Valley children will run wild while they frantically construct creative pieces of art to submit to Abercare’s “I Dream” Art Competition in the next two months.
Date of publication: 25/05/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Federal Funding For Brimbank Families
Summary: Abercare Family Services’ Brimbank Home Start Program was recently successful in receiving $115,000 in renewed federal funding, Baptcare CEO Jeff Davey announced this month.
Date of publication: 21/05/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Canterbury Mansion's New Lease on Life
Summary: An old Canterbury Mansion began a $25m new lease on life when building works began to reinvent it as a residential aged care facility in June 2006. Building works have been progressing as planned for the last year, and are due to be complete in 12 months.
Date of publication: 15/05/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
City West Water lends a hand
Summary: City West Water staff have donated their Christmas bonuses to Abercare Family Services to assist in purchasing a new bus to transport children with disabilities to activity programs.
Date of publication: 04/04/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
Board Approval Received for St Hilary's Rebuild
Summary: Jeff Davey, Chief Executive, is delighted to announce the board have approved the St Hilary’s rebuilding project...
Date of publication: 04/04/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Relief for families facing parenting pressure
Summary: Moonee Valley families close to breaking point are now able to access Abercare’s free In-Home Support Program to help them with parenting, life strategies and household management...
Date of publication: 15/03/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
A great wrap for Abercare
Summary: Dedicated volunteers, generous organisations and the support of Chadstone, Highpoint, Northland and Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centres assisted Abercare Family Services to raise a total of $27,000 through the 2006 Christmas Gift Wrapping Stalls...
Date of publication: 15/03/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Children Cry out for Foster Carers
Summary: Abercare is unable to find foster carers for up to 10 children per week as the cities of Moonee Valley and Brimbank do not have enough foster carers to go around...
Date of publication: 05/02/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
100 Aged Packages for Baptcare
Summary: Baptcare was allocated a total of 100 community packages in the 2006 Aged Care Approvals Round, receiving the highest package allocation of any provider in Victoria...
Date of publication: 02/02/2007
Author: Marketing and Communications Department
New Address for Abercare's Expansion
Summary: Abercare Family Services is packing up and shifting to a new and improved building....
Date of publication: 18/05/2006
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Karana Residents Form Friendships with Grade Fours
Summary: Excitement, anticipation and a degree of nervousness will affect a group of Carey Grammar Grade Four students when they enter Karana Community to meet their adopted Grandparent Buddies on March 1st 2006.
Date of publication: 02/03/2006
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Westhaven Awarded for Excellence
Summary: Westhaven Community was recognised for its excellence in supporting multicultural employees when it was awarded the prestigious AMES Employers’ Multicultural Practice Award......
Date of publication: 02/03/2006
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
BCC Leads Victorian Aged Care Allocation
Summary: BCC was allocated 270 community aged care places in the 2005 Aged Care Allocation Round, the highest allocation of a service provider in Victoria....
Date of publication: 02/03/2006
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Dealing With Dementia - Southaven's Role in Respite
Summary: It is families like the Davidson’s that are the true beneficiaries of the recent funding that the Commonwealth Government allocated Baptist Community Care’s (BCC) Southaven facility in Bentleigh.
Date of publication: 21/02/2006
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
New Initiative Assists our Elderly
Summary: In an exciting new initiative, Baptist Community Care's Bairnsdale Office is recruiting community members to volunteer and visit elderly aged care clients
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Strathalan Resident Scores a Century
Summary: Strathalan Community resident, Jeannie Parker can expect a telegraph from the Queen when she celebrates her 100th birthday
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Church Nursing Service; Working Against Winter Woes
Summary: Church Nursing Service (CNS) has provided the City of Moreland's older community with head to toe nursing and personal care for over 40 years.
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Warrnambool Office opens its doors to Community Aged Care
Summary: Baptist Community Care will have an official opening for their Community Aged Care Office in Warrnambool on Monday the 11th July at 12pm
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Dame Asks Community to Dig Deep for Dementia
Summary: BCC needs to raise $500,000 so it can begin building a new 37 bed Dementia Specific Unit
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Just as Much Fun as Dancing with the Stars
Summary: Local Dance Group, the 'Local Valley Ballroom Dancers' has entertained the residents of St Hilary's Community in Morwell
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Foster Carers Do Make a Difference
Summary: Abercare Family Services desperately require people to come forward and become foster carers.
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
Helping Home Start
Summary: Helping Home Start; Volunteers needed to join Abercare's home visiting program.
Date of publication: 30/12/2005
Author: Marketing & Communications Department
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