Celebrating People 4th Edition

Celebrating People 4th Edition

4th Edition

Celebrating People

Stand Out | Shine | Be Colourful

The one thing you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can. - Neil Gaiman

R ise supports people from all walks of life. Here, members of our community share a bit about themselves, their experiences and aspirations. Margaret and Anne talk about Rise’s beginnings in 1983 when a group met at the Brown Park Community Centre in Swan View, to discuss support services for the community. CJ shares his experience of leaving home at thirteen and finding a safe space at Rise’s Kira House. Then there’s Alex’s story from Eldoret to Australia. Alex moved to Australia four years ago and now works in Rise’s supported accommodation team. He shares his passion for supporting people with disability and the similarities between his hometown in Kenya and Aboriginal culture. Each story reveals the importance of community. Ageing, disability, homelessness and mental health issues can affect all of us. However, they don’t define us. We all have something to contribute and together we can create communities that shine.

Acknowledgement of Country

Rise acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand, and we pay our respect to the Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Noongar people’s continuing connection to the land.

More stories at: risenetwork.com.au

MOORDITJ MEMBERS

ARTWORK BY RAELENE WOODS, RISE SUPPORTWORKER - MOORDITJ YIRRA MIA

ABOUT RISE

The Moorditj members have a strong history of telling their stories through art and sharing culture with younger generations.

Ph: 6274 3700

Rise supports more than 4,000 people to follow their dreams and pursue their passions.

WRITING & PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARRYWILCOX DESIGN BY VIKAS SINGH

T he smoke machine cranks up as Roxy belts out a Johnny Cash number. She’s accompanied by Brandon on bass. Roxy’s Support Worker, Stef, taps her foot and cheers at Roxy’s jam session at Music Rocks in Morley. Roxy performs at pubs and venues around Perth every few months. This includes the Badlands Pub in Northbridge and the Newport in Fremantle. Her adventures with Stef often pop up on Rise’s Facebook page. There are images of Roxy patting a giant wombat’s belly or down at the hair stylist for a new hair colour. Roxy’s hair seems to be a different colour in every photo. When I arrive at Roxy’s house, she and Stef explain some of her beautiful artwork that decorates her living room. There’s also a photo of the two of them dressed as vampires. The caption reads “This is me and my sister Stefanie at a Halloween party, but I

didn’t like it as they didn’t feed us until 9pm.” Roxy says she likes Stef because she’s down to earth.

Roxy’s foster brother, Alan, arrives a short time later as we chat about music. Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby and Kenny Rogers are Roxy’s favourite musicians. I met Kenny Rogers in Alaska once, Roxy tells me. “I couldn’t say anything, I was speechless.” “That would be the first.” Alan says. For Stef, Alan and the people who know Roxy, she is a rock star and they continue to support her to keep on rocking.

Keep rocking ROXY RILEY MUSICIAN & ARTIST

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

Explore your community, meet new people and try new activities. We’re keen to find out how we can best support you.

N ick Palmer is living life on his terms. On his living room wall is a photo of him sitting on a Harley with a black helmet and boots. It’s surrounded by photos of his family, friends and adventures from Perth to Tamworth. His yoga mat is on the floor and his bowling gear is in the cupboard. Nick takes out his Dockers uniform and borrows a football from his mate, Alan in the apartment next door. “I’ll tell you a secret. I went for the Eagles before the Dockers and then I swapped. I’d had enough.” Even though his neighbour is an Eagles fan, Nick says they’re still good mates. “We bonded like this.” Nick says as he flicks his fingers. “We talk, laugh, tell jokes, sometimes we’re cranky.” The men have their own apartments supported by Rise. When there’s a home Dockers game, Nick’s dad picks him up and the whole family head to Optus Stadium. It’s not all football and fun for Nick. Twice a week, as the sun rises, he puts on his work gear and waits for Sukh, from Rise, to give him a lift to the bakery. Working as a Bakers Assistant can be hot, hard work but Nick’s learning all he can about the art of sourdough. “I knead the dough, make different breads and set up. I do the garlic bread and the flour in the morning. I like the mix of people and everything, talking to people, having meat pies, learning things.”

Nick is also actively involved in the community. He’s part of a group that formed the disability committee to provide advice about issues affecting them and other people with disabilities at Rise. Rise CEO, Justine Colyer says, “We welcome advice from the people we support as they have the skills, knowledge and lived experience to advise Rise on the policies, plans and services that directly impact them.” On the weekend, Nick and his neighbours might get the barbecue firing in their backyard. “We have barbecues in summer or autumn and picnic lunches. Alan and I might have a coffee together. I go out every day.” The guys have also got some old truck tyres and are planning on making a vegetable patch. From baking to barbecues, Nick’s week is full of passion and purpose. He has a clear vision of what he wants for the future and the best way he can be supported to reach his goals. There will be many more photos of his adventures with family and friends to add to his living room wall.

Passion & Purpose NICK PALMER HOUSEMATE

SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION

Rise has a range of accommodation options for people with disability throughout Perth. We understand everybody is different and we're keen to find out what matters to you.

Go with the flow MOORDITJ YIRRA MIA MEMBERS

T he Moorditj Elders love art and love getting out into the bush. “We find a barbecue place and go do a walk about. You might see a tree blowing but to us it’s a tree waving, so we’ll wave back,” says Support Worker, Raelene Woods. Some Elders hadn’t had the opportunity to pursue art. “Many of them hadn’t seen bark painting for many years. I told them how to do it, be calm with it, take your time and don’t rush and everything will flow. They love it. It’s peaceful. A lot of them made mistakes but you learn by your mistakes and you get better. When you’re doing your painting or dotting, try focusing on the old time or think of something that will put you into that dot. It does take a while but you’re going to get it, something’s going to flow.” Raelene says.

Rebecca Boyce has been attending the group for the last twelve months. “I’d recommend it. The atmosphere, the people here are lovely, you talk with everybody and laugh and joke and play games. You just have fun." On Thursday the group pursue their artistic projects at their Yirra Mia social centre. “I enjoy learning to paint and I love doing craft. I’ve done a little bit of dot painting here, on a bit of wood and I’ve painted some butterflies. Raelene knows a lot and she helps with lots of stuff” says Rebecca. On Tuesday, members enjoy exploring Perth. “We go all over the place. We’ve been to Bells Rapids and Lake Leschenaultia. We have a look around and then have lunch.”

ABORIGINAL SOCIAL GROUPS

Rise’s Moorditj groups in Armadale and Koongamia are a great place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to catch up for a yarn.

A cardiac arrest is when your heart stops beating. This means oxygen rich blood is no longer reaching your brain, lungs and other organs. Most people don't live long enough to make it to hospital. Mark (pictured) and Cameron had just turned onto Great Eastern Highway on the way to their next gardening job at Rise, when they saw a woman waving frantically. Her husband, James, was driving when he suffered a cardiac arrest. Their silver Holden skidded into the barricades and now he was dying. “He was blue when we got to him,” Mark says. Mark and Cameron pulled over up the road and assessed the scene. Other bystanders had also stopped and something needed to be done quickly. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, just calling 000 and waiting for help isn't enough. The victim will probably die or only survive with severe brain damage. Mark and Cameron decided to get James out of the car to begin CPR. They reclined his seat and managed to carry him out. Mark began pushing hard and fast on James’s chest. Mark had learned CPR from his work as a field explorer in some of the remotest parts of WA. In these places help would take a long time so you had to be resourceful and learn how to manage any situation. CPR, especially if administered immediately, can double or triple a person's chance of survival.

for James. “They loaded him into the ambulance and sped away. I thought alright, that’s it, we can’t do anymore. I saw James’s wife and just said I wish you all the best and hope he’s okay. They’re both in their seventies so they’d probably been together for fifty odd years. It’s not that long ago that I lost my mum and I thought that would be a hard thing to deal with,” Mark says. Mark and Cameron headed to their next gardening job, unsure what would happen to James. They’d done all they could. It was two weeks later when Mark’s partner came across a story titled ‘Help us find the men that saved a life’ in the community paper. “You’re never going to believe this. There’s a thing in the paper about that guy you helped. He’s alive.” James had survived thanks to the efforts of a stranger. The newspaper wanted to know who was the man that saved his life. After speaking to the newspaper, James was able to call Mark to say thank you. James had a second chance of life and his wife still had a husband.

When a heart stops MARK HADDEN GARDENING TEAM

GARDENING SERVICES We provide gardening and maintenance support to older people across Perth.

Paramedics arrived a couple of minutes later and began using the defibrillator. It wasn’t looking good

A mber’s completing a Certificate II in Adult General Education and bringing up two daughters. “In the future I want to do community services so I can work in a women’s refuge,” Amber tells me. “Because of my past I can relate to things. I want to work in child protection. I’ve been through it all, so I can relate to them and help them.” Amber was in and out of home since she was ten. “I had to grow up really fast. I didn’t have a really good relationship with my mum.” At sixteen Amber had her oldest daughter Chrystal. When Amber was pregnant with her youngest daughter, Araminta Destiny, she got in contact with an Aboriginal Support Service in Northam to see if they could help her find a safe place to live. “The lady did a few calls and got me into Kira house. Kira House is the best one. They’re really wonderful ladies. If I had to recommend to any young mum where to go, I’d recommend Kira House. The support

A positive influence AMBER ROSE GUEST AT KIRA HOUSE

and everything that they give you is so good. They’re just really nice.”

Amber stayed at Kira House until she was able to find her own home. “I kept applying for houses and got turned down hundreds of times, but I just kept applying. Then an older couple thought they’d give me a shot.” Amber and her daughters have also welcomed their nephew into their home, after Amber’s brother passed away a few years ago. “He’s got ADHD. I’m not used to this type of stuff. It’s a struggle but I’m getting there.” Amber also keeps in contact with her support team at Kira House. “I’m always contacting them, especially when I’m really down - Michelle mostly and another worker, Kelly. She was my favourite worker. We just got along really well. She’s really nice. I want to keep in touch with them. They’re a good influence. They’ve helped me out a lot. You need good influences, especially when times are tough.”

FAMILY & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Kira House is a beautiful, spacious home that supports young women (aged 14 - 18) and their children, who are leaving family and domestic violence.

Magical moments & memories ANNE MCPHERSON GUEST AT MILPERRA COTTAGE

A nne’s always been curious about people - finding out about their lives and creating connections. “I love to meet people on the way and talk to them and smile. I’m always interested in things. I like to help them out if I can. It’s just the way I feel. It’s all different journeys. The thing is to listen and not to say too much. Just listen to everything. Take it all in and if they ask questions you can answer them. There’s so much beauty in everything.” Anne and her five siblings grew up in Ireland. “From seven or so I used to look after my grandmother and her sister. I loved looking after them and doing everything for them.” Anne’s youngest sister was just six months old when their mum passed away. Anne was fourteen. Their father decided to take the family to Australia, where Anne found work in delis and restaurants and as a nurse. Although Anne is now a guest of Rise’s Milperra Respite Cottage she’d actually been involved with Rise from the beginning. It was 1983 when ninety- two people met at the Brown Park Community

Centre in Swan View to discuss support services for the community. “I got there, at Brown Park where we started. All we had was a table, chair, phone and notebook. People would ring up and want assistance and then we would sort it out and it went from there. I can’t remember much of that but I met a lot of people. Everything’s gone vague now but I loved it. I probably did lots of stuff but I can’t remember. I thought the place was still Hills Community Support Group and then I joined Rise and the girl said this used to be the Hills Support Group. I’ve got a lady who comes and sees me at home once a week and I’m here (Milperra Cottage). The girls and everybody have been wonderful. I have a great time. It was just like it was meant to be.” Anne enjoys combining images of moments and memories of family and friends into beautiful collages. “I’ve always been cutting them up smaller because I feel I can see them better; they’re close to me. With the small photos I can put them all in together and I can see so many. I always want to be close to it all. I love it all.”

COTTAGE RESPITE

Nestled in the Perth hills, Milperra Cottage provides professional and personalised care for guests who are ageing and/or living with dementia.

C J’s wanted to learn to fly since he was eleven. He plans on getting his pilot’s licence one day. “I got to go up in a helicopter with one of my brothers and I just fell in love with flying,” CJ says. “It gives me that second of feeling that I’m like everyone else. I’m in control of an aircraft. I’m up here admiring the views. No one can tell I’ve been through something. No one can tell I’m autistic. It gives me that break from people judging me.” CJ left home at thirteen and found a safe space at Rise’s Kira House. A home that supports young people who are leaving family and domestic violence. He was then introduced to Rise’s Stratton Youth Centre and has been attending for the last four years. He considers it a second home - a place to relax with friends or play a bit of basketball. He has also painted some of the amazing artwork that decorates the walls.

a Certificate II in Community and then plans to complete a Certificate IV in Youth Work. “I want to be a Support Worker because I can understand what they’re going through. I want to work with people who are going through what I’ve been through – homelessness and domestic violence as well as involvement with the LGBTQI community. I might be able to help where other people haven’t been able to because they don’t have the experience of going through it. CJ’s biggest role models are former Rise Youth Workers, Skye and Emily. “Skye has shown me that no matter how tough a situation gets, it’s going to be ok. Emily has shown me that our journey as transgender people is never going to be easy and she’s always going to be there for me when I need her.” CJ’s determined to keep moving forward. Adversity can be preparation for greatness and CJ’s going to do great things.

Aside from flying, CJ is also passionate about using his experiences to help others. He’s currently studying

Keep moving forward CJ WATSON MEMBER OF STRATTON EDGE YOUTH CENTRE

STRATTON EDGE YOUTH CENTRE

Stratton Edge is a great place to hang out complete with a skatepark, basketball court and oval. Our Youth Team run workshops on cooking, relationships, art and music.

From Eldoret to Australia

ALEX SEREM PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY TEAM

E ldoret sits on a tributary of the River Nile in Western Kenya. It’s the hometown of Alex, who is now supporting Haydn and Dougie, two Aboriginal men who live in the City of Swan. Alex sees a lot of similarities between his hometown and Aboriginal culture. Both have a long history of artistic expression. Respect for Elders and the importance of family are foundations of both cultures. “How they do things, their culture is more like how we do things back home, especially when you go to rural areas. The community set up is the same. Aunts, uncles coming together. Family is very important,” Alex says. In Kenya, Alex worked for a software company and trained people to use apps and systems. He moved to Australia four years ago to complete a Diploma in

IT Networking before pursuing a career as a Support Worker. “Now I don’t think I could do anything else. You get to meet different kinds of people. You get to hear different stories you wouldn’t get to hear in a normal job. You get to talk to them. You become their friends. I’ve learnt a lot from them. They’ve helped me.” Alex is considering combining his background in IT with his passion for supporting people and interest in photography. “I’d like to develop an app that can help people with speech. I want to fit my IT career with disability and maybe help by teaching people how to use computers or photography.”

Rise recognises people with disability have the skills, knowledge and lived experience to help us create a better workplace. Contact us to find out about current opportunities. DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

There’s always a path to recovery ROBYN FERMOYLE MENTAL HEALTH TEAM

Robyn’s currently completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health. “I want to be able to understand and support our tenants better. To know a little bit more about what they are going through and just how to provide the best support for them. I’ve had personal battles with depression since I was little so it’s having that lived experience, I find that does help. I kind of know what they’re going through. It makes people just relax and open up.” “I think the main thing is to let them know you’re not perfect either. The last few months haven’t been great for me just because of COVID and my heel spur. I have had a bit of a setback. But it’s ok - you can have that setback, it’s about how you change that, it’s about the recovery. Everybody’s going to have slip ups. It’s how you work to get back to where you want to be. I suppose through the decades you just become a bit wiser and learn not to be so hard on yourself.” On Tuesdays Robyn attends Bounce, a casual sports group run by Rise to increase physical fitness and socialisation for people in the community. “When you’re exercising you start to eat better, you sleep better and you have a different view on life. It’s not just the sporting side of it, it’s the community connection. The feeling of belonging to something. It’s about belonging.” “If you can make someone smile once a day, you make them feel better about life. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how unfit or how mentally unwell you are, there’s always a path to recovery.”

C hatting with Robyn Fermoyle is like being in one of her spin cycle classes, you can’t help but feel energised. Robyn finds fun in everything and you might assume she jumps out of bed early every morning before running laps at her local park. After all she was a fitness trainer for over twenty years and even trained the trainers. However, Robyn says, she has good days and bad days just like the people she supports. “When people say that they are really struggling I understand. I’ve been there. I understand when people don’t feel like exercising.” Robyn’s recently taken up a position as a Tenancy Support Worker in the Mental Health team. “With the tenancy it’s about bringing the human factor to it so that tenants feel really supported. Some people have come from homelessness and they’ve never signed a lease before. A lot of people struggle to build trust with somebody so it’s a matter of approaching everybody differently and going at their pace - just making them feel you’re there for them and they’re supported. It’s about listening to people, they are individuals, they’ve each got their own issues and they all require different types of support at times. Being able to listen is the most important thing.”

MENTAL HEALTH

You have the power to make your own story. Many of our staff have lived experience with mental health issues and are here to support you.

The sky’s the limit CHARLES LAMBERT SOCIAL CENTRE MEMBER

F lying is part of Charles’s family heritage. His uncle, Harry Broadsmith, was an aviation engineer who helped establish Mascot airport; now known as Sydney airport. Charles, or Chas to his mates, moved to Australia with his wife Gwen in 1966. They were called Ten Pound Poms. “The deal was ten pounds each to come to Australia. We thought this is fantastic. That was the best ten pounds I ever spent,” Charles says. Settling in Perth, Chas started work with a car dealer. Later, he started a car yard business in Kelmscott and then Gosnells and gained his commercial pilot’s licence. He considered becoming a full-time commercial pilot and took the test to fly jumbo jets, but it would have taken him away from home regularly and he didn’t want that. Chas’s business went well until the recession hit. “At the same time other things were going on in our life. Our first child Jo-Ann was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was nearly ten years old and struggled on with it until she was thirteen. She just became a teenager, which she always wanted to be, but then

passed away. Our son now has a family of his own and is very healthy.”

Chas knew some people in the motor industry so went and worked for them. He and Gwen then decided to open their home to two half-sisters who had been in foster care for most of their lives. “We discussed the situation with our son who was ten at the time and he was happy for us to adopt the girls. The eldest girl was eight years old and the youngest nearly four. We then became a family of five. There were many challenges, but no regrets adopting the girls.” After a career in the automotive industry as well as some work in aviation in both Australia and the USA, Chas has now retired, though he still proudly shows off his pilot’s licence. These days Chas enjoys spending time at home with Gwen and his grandson, who lives with them. He also enjoys heading to his Yirra Mia social centre. “It just feels so comfortable, it’s like an extension of home almost, everyone’s friendly. We sit around and have a natter. Being blokes, we put the world right. It keeps your mind young, though I’m sure my grandson won’t agree.”

SOCIAL CENTRES

Stay active, make new friends and connect with your community. You’ll find a whole range of activities at our social centres across Perth.

Creating an inclusive community

I magine if you had to pretend you were someone you were not. You couldn’t talk openly about your weekend or your partner. You had to become really good at reading situations to determine how much you could safely be yourself. A skill you developed in response to prejudice and discrimination, or from growing up at a time when being gay was illegal. Being surrounded by people who make you feel supported and safe means you’re able to be your true self. For this reason, Rise has been implementing and evaluating changes in our services to ensure that we provide a culturally safe environment that improves care and outcomes for the people we support who are part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) community. The team have completed the Right to Belong program, run by GRAI and Richmond Wellbeing. The program supports the development of services that are welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQI individuals, their families and community.

I am really pleased to be involved in this project. My previous experience with this community had been so limited. I learned a massive amount and now have so much more understanding of the issues faced daily. To me, we live in a diverse community and it is a tragedy if organisations do not engage with the whole community.

Being part of the LGBTQI community is something that’s important to me. Having such a variety of people as part of the process to be LGBTQI inclusive is great. Not everyone is part of the community but they are allies and they are super important. It’s really good to know that Rise does support staff and clients.

It’s great for the people we support to see and hear things that prompt them to know they are supported and welcomed at Rise and that’s the same for volunteers and staff. If they’re able to be their authentic self at work and feel supported, they are far more productive and far more likely to stay with an organisation. The people we support get better outcomes when they feel completely free and supported to be who they are and talk about who they love.

SIMON ROBBINS CORPORATE TEAM

MOGAN JENYNS AGED CARE TEAM

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

Rise is committed to providing a supportive working environment and ongoing training opportunities.

SHAUN MAYS SERVICES TEAM

Chrissie keeps on crafting CHRISSIE TERPOS ARTIST AT RISE CREATIVES

C hrissie (right), has lived in the same house since she was nine years old. Her parents arrived from Macedonia and built the family home in Yokine. When I arrive, Chrissie and her Support Worker, Ruby, are sitting on the front porch talking about their next project. They both love crafts and have worked together on many creations. Chrissie’s mother passed away last year and her father in 2014. Her living room is filled with photos of her parents, sister and nieces, intermixed with her creations. On the side table is a framed wolf exquisitely embroidered in various colours. There is also a mouse, made from ceramic, peeping its head out of a vase and purple plates in the shape of lilies, individually hand carved. “I’ve done quite a lot of things since my surgery. I’ve made two cushions, a shirt and a bag.” Chrissie was born with spina bifida and has survived chemotherapy after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004.

She has some numbness in her hands and has recently started using a walker but that hasn’t stopped her from keeping creative. Chrissie heads to the Arts Hub twice a week. “I like everybody there. I didn’t like it at first but I’ve made a lot of friends. I think I started going in 2016. I like doing pottery now. You make different things. I made a clock – it took a lot of work. I wasn’t going to sell it at first but I changed my mind.” Chrissie’s clock sold at the prestigious “As We Are” exhibition held at the Perth Convention Centre last year. As we walk past more artwork in her hallway, Chrissie proudly shows me her masterpiece - a blanket of vibrant colours and patterns carefully sewn over two and a half years. Chrissie’s dedication to her craft won’t be stopped by illness or injury. She’s doing what she loves, with vibrancy and colour.

The Arts Hub in Warwick is the perfect place for people with disability, those with mental health issues and older people to explore their creative side. ARTS HUB

When nature speaks, wise people listen THOMAS HOGG ARTIST

T om began building his community garden when he was sixty-one. That was twenty years ago, after retiring from a successful career owning six newsagents. Prostate cancer and leg issues haven’t stopped Tom from pushing a wheelbarrow full of sand up the hill most days. He’s only just finished an enchanted castle and has already started building a Lord of the Rings set. His garden, named Romancing the Stone, is filled with beautiful plaques containing inspirational quotes and words of wisdom. “When nature speaks, wise people listen” is one of his favourite quotes. Tom has won many gardening awards and has been featured on numerous TV shows. However, he isn’t interested in accolades. He’s focused on helping people and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through his garden open days and artwork, to support various charities including the Amanda Young Foundation, which provides education and support in relation to meningococcal disease.

“My vision for the garden has always been to give as much joy and fulfilment to as many people as possible while I am alive, and for this legacy to continue long after my time on earth has finished. Since creating the garden and acknowledging the appreciation and joy shown to me by others, I have become more aware of the responsibility I now have to help society,” Tom says. Tom is supported by Rise through the Commonwealth Home Support Program at his property in Maida Vale. “I was going through radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer and my daughter got on to Rise. She said ‘you need help dad.’” Trudy from Rise now visits Tom every two weeks. “Trudy is great. It’s lovely to think that someone comes in and tidies up generally and I don’t have to worry.” Tom’s garden is open to the public once a week. Come down for some coffee and cake and connect with people from all walks of life. For more information email: [email protected].

Rise can support you to maintain your independence in your home. This includes assistance with cleaning, cooking, shopping and transport. AGED CARE

There’s no place like home ALF LAY RISE BOARD

A fter leaving high school, Alf started a job as an apprentice bricklayer in his home town of Narrogin, about two hours south east of Perth. When his boss went bankrupt and skipped town, Alf was offered a job as a junior clerk in the Railways Department. This eventually led to a position looking after railway property and so began his interest in developing property which became his career.

You’re not going to be able to help everyone, but you can help some people,” Alf says.

Over his last eight years with Rise, Alf has been involved in a number of major initiatives including the mergers with Home Help Local in Armadale and CATA (now Arts Hub) in Warwick, as well as the major investment in IT systems and processes. Ten years ago, on his fiftieth birthday, Alf bought himself a bike. He’s been riding three times a week ever since and has clocked up 38,000 kilometres! “In 2013 I got involved with the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Everyone in my family either knows someone or has been touched or affected by cancer. Over six years I’ve raised $40,000. This will be the seventh year that I participate. If we can raise funds and do a lot of research we might, one day, be able to find a cure for this dreadful disease.”

In his current job, Alf engages with various organisations, including the Department of

Communities, to help provide homes across Perth. His skill set has helped him in his position as Board Chair at Rise. He’s passionate about supporting people to find a safe space to live and their own home. Alf rents a house out to tenants who are unemployed and needing a home. “We live in a house but a lot of people don’t or can’t. If people can’t get a home they have to sleep on the streets and that’s just ridiculous.

Rise is a not for profit organisation governed by an experienced Board of Directors. BOARD

Making a difference MARGARETWEIR VOLUNTEER

M argaret’s been volunteering at Centenary House every Thursday for nearly fifteen years. “I just think I’m lucky to be healthy and able to keep volunteering,” Margaret says. “My sister, Helen, started Hills Community Support Group, now Rise, in 1983 to arrange social outings for people in the area. Her husband, Ron, was the Councillor in the area and there was nothing really happening for older people. She thought well, maybe, if we just have an afternoon tea at Brown Park Community Centre and somebody plays some music. She was astounded that so many people came. Ron, being in the Council, said this is something that should really go ahead. He got the Council to give the Hills Community Support Group an old house in Mundaring. It was really run down and all the volunteers and workers did it up to the standard it is today, a really lovely old house.”

think I’m going to volunteer and work at Rise. When I first came, I was a little bit uncertain, but it didn’t take long before I got to know the people who come. They are really lovely people. It’s just a pleasure to be there and see the smiles on their face when you help them. The volunteers who I work with have been there all the time that I’ve worked there and we’ve become friends as well. We go away, maybe overnight and have an outing on a Sunday, so it’s become like a friendship place.” Margaret says she’s happiest doing things. She’s on the committee of her local tennis club and they’ve raised over $100,000 for the Cancer Foundation through a local tournament. “It’s very rewarding and fun to host this.” Earlier this year she competed in the Australian Seniors Tennis Championships in Busselton. She’s been to New Zealand with the Australasian team as well. “I just enjoy life really. Just be happy and help people. I do like being with people.”

Rise has been working with communities for more than thirty-five years. ABOUT RISE

“I enjoyed working at the City of Swan and I used to see my sister go to work, which she loved. So I said I

R aelene was taught bark painting by her grandfather. “My grandfather was a true tribal man who’s been through the tribal law. I used to sit as a child around a bonfire at the back of my grandmother’s house and just watch. He’d tell the stories in the sand. I’ve got all that history, which I teach to my children and my grandchildren. My grandmother took care of me while my mother worked so the welfare people couldn’t take me and place me in a home. Both my parents are Yamitji. My mum lived in Perth in Noongar country for many years, so did my grandparents. My mum was young when she had me, so I thought she was my sister and my grandmother was my mum, until I was twelve. My mother was my inspiration. My grandfather, my grandmother, they were true people. I’ve got my belief in me from what they taught me. I know a lot of areas. What’s sacred and what’s not sacred and where to go and where not to go.” Raelene passes some of this wisdom and knowledge to her seven children and the many children she has fostered. She’s passionate about supporting young people.

“I put a lot of children through school besides my own. In my household there were always fourteen or fifteen kids. People thought I was running a hostel, but it was my home. My son used to bring in a lot of children off the streets. Now they’re adults - fathers and mothers of their own. Their children come back and call me nan to this day.” Raelene was involved with the Victoria Park Youth Accommodation Centre for twenty years. For the last seven years she’s been supporting older people at Rise’s Yirra Mia social centre. “I love what I’m doing now with aged care. I’m a bubbly person, I always have been. I think the centre is a happy go lucky place. Laughing is the best therapy in the world. You’re not meant to be sitting there in silence, so I make all the jokes in the world and make everyone happy go lucky.”

Happy go lucky RAELENE WOODS AGED CARE TEAM

ABORIGINAL CONNECTION

We celebrate stories and people, and many members have discovered or re-kindled a love of art.

Building a business empowers Jess JESSICA EIKELBOOM BUSINESS OWNER, ARTIST & VOLUNTEER

C olours and curves of butterflies, landscapes and birds carefully handcrafted on clay pots. Jess is the proud creator of these beautiful pieces of art that are helping her connect with her community and build a small business. Jess is a twenty-two year old with disability, who loves meeting new people and being part of the Armadale community. Her family and support team are always looking for ways to support Jess to live the life she chooses and what could be more empowering, than starting her own business. Jess enjoys going to the shops to buy all the materials and gifts for her pot hampers. Then she carefully seals and paints each pot and helps to pack and wrap them.

“Meeting her customers is a really good opportunity to practice social skills. She loves to make other people smile,” says Annette, Support Worker. Jess loves giving back to her community. She volunteers at Rise, previously delivering meals in the Armadale area, doing our internal mail run and will shortly help out at our Yirra Mia social centre. “She just delights in living,” says Lisa, Volunteer Coordinator. Jess’s pots are available from her Facebook page StudioJ20. They make a beautiful gift that supports a young person to live the life she chooses.

DIVERSITY AT RISE

We’re committed to building a diverse team of staff and volunteers. People with disability bring a wealth of creativity and innovation to all aspects of our organisation.

It’s just part of being Australian

cheerful and they’re always looking for a joke or some sort of fun thing to say. People are always offering you something. Come Christmas time they bake a cake or give you some cookies or jam.” After driving the shopping bus during the day, Tim then volunteers at the State Emergency Service headquarters in Mundaring. Wednesdays are training nights. Tim shares his medical knowledge in first aid courses for a new generation of volunteers. In the meeting room there are photos of trees fallen on houses, cars being winched from dunes and teams carrying stretchers. Out the back, emergency vehicles stand ready, equipped with tarpaulins, chainsaws and shovels. “The whole thing about volunteering – it’s part of our culture. My great, great grandfather was in the first fleet into Melbourne, which was the second fleet into Australia - he was a convict. My great grandmother on my mother's side was a Weilwan Aboriginal and my grandfather was born on the banks of the Macquarie River. At the age of twelve my other grandfather lost his dad but he used to talk about how everyone came and helped his mother. That’s how it’s always been. Even when we lived in NSW as a kid, we would see fires coming over the hills and everyone would come in and help. If somebody had a fatality within the family, we as small farmers, would go down and help. I reckon it’s part of our culture. Everybody helps and that’s similar to what I’m doing at Rise. Just helping those who can’t drive get to the shops. It’s what we do. It’s the Australian thing.”

TIM CLEAR VOLUNTEER

A s a paramedic, Tim walked into the unknown every day. Meeting strangers at their most vulnerable and bringing calm to chaos. “It’s your attitude and your temperament which will help them before you do anything,” Tim says. “One of the secrets of a paramedic is just talking to someone, calming them down and often having a joke - all of a sudden their heart rate goes down.” Tim’s been first on the scene to help everyone from the mother of a former prime minister to close friends. “A lot of people say that would be horrible - being a paramedic and you come across one of your friends in a really bad situation and I did. I’ve come across several friends, very close friends but it was me there helping them and I could do it. If I wasn’t there, perhaps they wouldn’t get that help and for them seeing me also had an easing effect on them.” Tim retired as a paramedic twelve years ago. Not everyone on the shopping bus from Rise’s Wahroonga Social Centre knows the background of their volunteer driver but they love catching up with their mate. Every Wednesday for the last ten years Tim’s driven them to the shopping centre. “They’re always

Do you enjoy supporting people or have life skills and experience that you would like to share? Rise has opportunities to get involved all over Perth. VOLUNTEERING AT RISE

More than a game MOGAN JENYNS AGED CARE TEAM

M ogan Jenyns or Mogs, for short, is the coach of the Willeton Blues Integrated Football Team. Every Saturday, these teammates, of all abilities and from all walks of life, come together to play football. Charlotte’s fifteen and Geoff’s fourty-three. Uwane’s from South Sudan and Ali’s from Iran. They all love Aussie Rules and it’s more than just the sixty minutes between sirens. They belong to a team and football gives them an opportunity to come together and connect. “My nephew has an intellectual disability and plays at Willetton and that’s what kind of led me there. Without the stability of footy training and his mates from footy around him, he’d go back into his shell,” Mogan says.

Every Thursday Mogan heads from her day job at Rise, supporting older people, to train the team at Burrendah Park. Mogs has played football at the elite level for the Peel Thunderbirds and Perth Angels. She’s passionate about football but more passionate about bringing people together and getting people to connect. She’s trained some senior teams but gets the biggest buzz from coaching the integrated team. “It’s really rewarding to see people come from where they start to where they finish at the end of the season. You see that some people just need a little bit of extra help.” This Saturday the Blues take on the Swans. Win, lose or draw, these athletes and their coach look beyond disability, they just love football.

HOME CARE PACKAGES

Many of our aged care support services could be of little or no cost to you through a Home Care Package or Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Rise Locations SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION We provide 24 hour supported accommodation for people with disability across Perth.

Waikiki

Bennett Springs

Mount Helena

Swan View

Aubin Grove

SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION

YOUR HOME, YOUR GOALS

Morley

Ellenbrook

Rise is committed to supporting people with disability to find a place to call home and build independence. We understand everybody is different and we’re keen to find out what matters to you. When you enter your new home, we can discuss your interests and talents, such as making new friends and socialising or undertaking some volunteering, education or employment.

View more houses at risenetwork.com.au

Viveash

Social Centres

Other Locations

ALL ABILITIES

CENTENARY/MOORDITJ HOUSE 2 Astroloma Place, Koongamia 6056 AGED CARE AND ABORIGINAL SOCIAL CENTRES

HELEN’S PLACE (Head Office) 41a Great Northern Highway, Middle Swan 6056 (Access via rear - 12 Leslie Road) Call: 6274 3700

MILPERRA AGED CARE RESPITE CENTRE 14 Chidlow St, Mount Helena 6082

HAMILTON HOUSE (Youth & Mental Health Team) 1/14 Stafford Street, Midland 6056

ARTS HUB 12 Dorchester Ave, Warwick 6024

WEMBLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE 40 Alexander Street, Wembley 6014

YIRRA MIA 4 Talus Drive (cnr South West Highway), Mt Richon 6112

STRATTON EDGE YOUTH CENTRE Jecks Place, Stratton 6056

ALDERSON PLACE (Office) Unit 6/1 Merino Entrance, Cockburn Central 6164

PETER ANDERTON 12 Anderson Road, Forrestfield 6058

WAHROONGA (Aged Care only) 2 Craig Street, Mundaring 6073

Together we can create communities that shine

Call: 6274 3700 risenetwork.com.au