Pen2Paper Autumn 2018

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GET INVOLVED IN 2018
2018 is now into full swing! If you have been thinking about
trying something new or becoming more active in your
community this year, there are several opportunities around
our City to get involved.
If you have a particular skill or special area of knowledge and
would like to share it with others we want to know about it!
You may be an avid knitter who can teach others, or a home
handy-man who wants to share what you know. If you would
like to volunteer and help other people, it doesn’t matter if
you have a few hours a week or a couple of hours a month.
Contact us to register your skills.
BECOME A COMMUNITY FOODIE
If you have a love of food why not consider becoming a
Community Foodie. Our Foodies have taken up the challenge
to help families ensuring they are eating well. Community
Foodies are local people who (with some training) give their
time to others wanting to eat well.They help people learn
more about what to eat and why, how to shop affordably, read
food labels, pack great lunch boxes and more.They also deliver
practical cooking sessions. Our Foodies work with adults
and young people at Enfield Community Centre, the Cottage
Kitchen at Port Adelaide, and in local shopping centres, schools
and other venues by invitation. Information sessions about this
program are coming up so contact us to book in.
JOIN THE FLOURISH TEAM
We are also looking for enthusiastic people to join an exciting
and innovative team working to boost the wellbeing, health
and happiness of those around them.The Flourish team are
a group of local people with an interest in their own health
and wellbeing and that of the broader Port Adelaide Enfield
community.Team members have variety of skills, backgrounds,
and interests but they share a common goal of wanting to help
people in our City to live a good life.
Since 2016 they have given their time in a variety of ways
ranging from simply sharing ideas and thoughts, through to
helping with workshops, practical activities, and research
projects.We’re keen to grow the Flourish team and looking for
others who have a variety of skills, ideas and some time.
If you would like more information about becoing more
involved in your community, contact Vanessa Gaston-Gardner
on or 8405 6525.
PROSPECT SES HEROES
Ross Johnston has been volunteering since he was 16.After his
time as a Senior Sea Scout, he joined what was then the Civil
Defence in 1970. He is now Operational Response Manager and
Training Coordinator for the Prospect State Emergency Service
(SES), located in Regency Park.The South Australian SES is a
volunteer-based organisation that responds to a wide range of
emergencies and rescues across the state 24-hours a day, seven
days a week, 365-days a year.
The Prospect branch looks after a large part of our City,
working alongside the Enfield Branch to be on call for our
community during times of need. Primarily responsible for
responding to extreme weather (including storms and extreme
heat) and flooding events, the SES also responds to road crashes
and assists marine, swiftwater, vertical and confined space
rescues.Volunteers also clear fallen trees and debris, and attend
to roof and building damage and provide emergency lighting and
logistics after storms and wild weather.
Land searches involve the hunt for both for people and
evidence, and volunteers work closely with the Star Force
and other members of SAPOL.The SES also provide logistics
support to these important service people.
“They rely on us as their best search resource and our training
stresses this fact," says Ross.
He has been involved in countless rescues, and particularly
recalls a bomb blast in 1977, in a car yard on Main North Road.
“Luckily it just missed a bus otherwise there could have been
many casualties.The only person slightly injured lived in the
house next door and he was hit on the head when his bedroom
door fell off its hinges because of the blast.”
“In 1992 there were floods in the Gawler,Virginia and TwoWells
area. I remember my first exposure to filling sandbags, my back
still aches if you mention the word dolomite.” He’s also travelled
interstate to help others.“Early this year another member and
I drove a CFS truck with retardant on it to Melbourne for use
in a recycling plant fire.The Melbourne Fire Service greeted us
with open arms and were so appreciative of our efforts.”
Ross says the best thing about working with the Prospect
Branch is the “total commitment of our members to helping
the community at large when there is an event which causes
problems.We have a unit with members coming from many
backgrounds and various ages but who get on well and do the
job in a professional manner.”
The City of PAE has recently been working with local SES
units, emergency services and the community to improve
community resilience and better prepare residents for
potential emergencies. Keep an eye on our website for updated
emergency management resources and information.
YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS • AUTUMN 2018 PAGE
COMMUNITY
A City that supports
commu nity wellbeing
Ross from Prospect SES