Midland Women's Health Care Place

MIDLAND WOMEN'S

HEALTH CARE PLACE

September 2005

61 Morrison Road,

Midland WA 6056

Telephone: 9250-2221

Fax: 9250-2268

Email: mwhcp@iinet.net.au

By Madeleine Hicks

The Beginning

5 July 1994 The Eastern Region Community Development Council heard that their funding submission for a women’s health centre in Midland had been successful.

Much still had to be done between the unofficial notification and the signing of the contract. No one knew how long the contract lasted. A steering committee of dedicated volunteers began the job of creating a totally new agency.

First named: Women’s Health Care Place and Information Centre

The name stayed until the agency became incorporated.

No one really knew where the agency was heading. Each person involved had an image of what the agency would look like, but the reality of putting it all together was much more difficult. What would this Women’s centre provide? This was a time of great uncertainty and hard work by people who believed in the project. Prior to the first contract being signed, there were a number of things that had to be completed first. These tasks included: a business plan before the Health Department would hand over any money and a body of people to run the agency, to keep track of financial matters and to ensure that the agency was following funding guidelines.

21st December 1994 First contract signed with State Minister for Health (to 31 January 1996)

The funding was approved for only 12 months and in that time, the agency had to begin services, find a place to live, find a direction and prove to the Health Department that the service was viable and needed in the community.

1st January 1995 the first instalment of the grant was received.

Two staff members were hired in early 1995:

Coordinator (Claire Hanson) and Administrative and Information Officer (Judi Bock)

These two women had the difficult job, to find an office and to begin services.

The funds and the agency were managed by a steering committee from the Eastern Region Community Development Council Inc. headed by Margaret Holland

Sometime in 1995/1996 Jude Taylor designed our Logo.

I don’t think anyone realised at this time just how much this agency would grow in the next 10 years.

The agency was run from a number of places in Midland until on the

August 1995 Commencement of 3 support groups

PND Support group

Domestic violence support group

Stress Management support group

July 1995 SARC began a satellite program ½ day per week

August 1995 SARC Satellite service increased to 1 full day per week

By May 1995 the Women’s Health Care Place was being referred to as the Midland Women's Health Care Place but was still officially Women's Health Care Place

Guests also included: Dr. Neale Fong, Director East Metropolitan Health Authority

By this stage, the centre had a SARC counsellor 1 day per week, had a small library, information in the form of brochures from a number of local agencies, health information and 3 support groups.

The next step was for the agency to develop it’s own constitution, become an incorporated body in it’s own right and elect a management committee to manage the centre.

In November 1995 Claire Hanson and Judi Bock resigned and June Putland became the new coordinator. The Administrative position had casual people in it for a while until Judy Durnin took the position in 18th March 1996

First counselling

14 February 1996

Sandy Neilson (Social Worker)

started as counsellor on a sessional basis.

Funding originally from Koolkuna Women's Refuge to service current Koolkuna clients, ex-clients and then general community

1st Management Committee

The 1st Management Committee meeting was on the 30th April 1996

Deputy Chairperson Lyla Elliott

Treasurer Ruth Coleman

Secretary Tracy Macneill

Committee members:

Lesley Jennings

Val Ferguson

Ruth Knowles

Julie Hutcheson

Mary Yarran

Some of these volunteer women continue to manage the agency 10 years later.

THE YEARS SINCE THEN

1997

As the agency continued to grow, we quickly grew out of the building on Railway Parade. And in 1997 we moved to our current Morrison Road home.

We were amazed at how much room we had. Within 2 years, we had started to grow out of this house.

Midland Women's Health Care Place moved from Railway Parade because it became too small. For several years now, our Morrison Road house has been too small. Our statistics show just how much and how quickly our agency has grown in the last 10 years. We are bursting out of our seams.

1998

Despina Maiolo was contracted by Midland Women's Health Care Place to run an Art Psychotherapy Course for women from non-English speaking background during term 4. Eight women attended from various countries including Bosnia, Croatia, Japan, Philippines and Greece. Some required and interpreter. As a result of this course, Midland Women's Health Care Place now has our wall hanging in the group room

The Creating Well Women Course.

The flower in the centre of the wall-hanging symbolises the coming together of women of different backgrounds. These women brought their cultures, colours, talents, languages and customs to share. Each woman was given a piece of cloth to embroider “welcome” in her own language. These were then sewn on either side of the central flower and the women signed their names and then sealed it with their handprints.

The women came from five different nationalities. Some had spent most of their adult life in Australia and some had arrived very recently from war torn countries and carried the fresh emotional wounds of upheaval. They had a wonderful interpreter with them, and shared their sense of gratitude for being offered this opportunity to participate in a group of support and strength. They expressed their appreciation for being able to share stories of family, loss and grief, conflict and personal triumph, their health concerns and give each other deep respect and support. One woman who had thought she had forgotten, remembered the songs and games of her childhood. Together these women communicated across what are seen as irreconcilable political divisions to find healing and acceptance.

The women also learned during the Project to catch the train together from Perth and walk from the station to Midland Women’s Health Care Place. This helped them with social skills and helped them adapt to their new country.

One woman was unable to attend the final session and her piece of cloth was sewn on empty. At a later event a Burmese woman was so inspired by the project, that she wrote Welcome in Burmese.

The twisted wool hanger for the Wall-hanging was prepared in the traditional way by the women who arrived as refugees – they brought the wool and twisted the strands to complete the project on the final day.

At the conclusion of the group, staff were invited into the room, to be the first to view the wall hanging and through an interpreter the participants shared their joy at having been given the opportunity to heal together in a trusting, comfortable and safe environment.

It was a very moving experience for all concerned.

Patsy Molloy

9 September

1999

2000

BUILDING DREAM

Management and staff began to think of the future of Midland Women's Health Care Place. Our building is too small. What do we do? Do we cut down services? What are our options? Do we buy an existing property and renovate? How would it work? Could we buy two houses or a duplex and use that? If we build, where do we get the block of land?

PAP Smear Clinics

In May 2000 with the help of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, MWHCP began offering Pap Smears with our favourite Nurse, Nancy. Initially this program was to last for one month. 5 years later, Nancy still comes to our centre regularly and so do the women.

Many women reported that they didn’t feel comfortable going to their GP’s for Pap Smears. When first offered, many women came telling us that they had not had a pap smear for 20 or 30 years.

2001

2003

September 2003, the Management Committee began to think seriously about alternatives to our space problem. Looking for alternative rentals in the Midland area appeared to costly for the size of the building we would need. The Management Committee was also adamant that the building project would have no impact on our clients or staff.

Local Councillors were lobbied (some would say “hounded”) for support. We got support from Mayor Tina Klein of the Bassendean Council that if we couldn’t find suitable accommodation in the Midland area, that she would help us in the Bassendean shire.

At the same time, the Health Department did a review of all Not for Profit organisations and Management spent 4 months lobbying the State Government to continue our funding. This was a very busy time for the Management Committee.

In 2003, the Swan Shire donated land on the Avenue for our new premise.

Established in 1995, MWHCP has established a regional reputation and its presence in the heart of Midland, close to public transport and within walking distance of other services has ensured access for many different clients who would otherwise not access health services. “(City Of Swan Annual Report 2003/2004 p.27 http://www.cityofswan.com/

docs/document_item/Financial_Report_2003-04_709178.pdf)

2004

Much of 2004/2005 was filled with plans for our new building.

Over time, we were becoming clearer about what we needed and wanted. We did not want to cut down services. Our clients constantly reminded us how important our service was to them. We knew we needed to be within the Midland area, close to public transport, we wanted to keep the homely atmosphere of the old houses we’d been in so far. We were all aware that a new building could look very clinical and unfriendly and both Management and Staff pride ourselves on the fact that one of the reasons people come to us is the warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. An essential criteria was that this atmosphere move with us.

Step 1: We need to prove to the powers that be that we really do need a new building, that the services are being used to their maximum, and that without this service, many women, children and families in the region would be a lot worse off. A funding submission was prepared, granted and a feasibility study was done and found that Midland Women's Health Care Place does needs a larger premise.

The next stage was to get funding for the architect design work. In 2004 we received this funding. All staff were consulted and we had some real fun with our “wish lists”. What do we really want? What is possible? What sort of design do we want? What are we missing in the building we have? Staff even went as far as looking at computer networking, new telephones, a staff room where we could have time out from clients when needed, meeting room, a second group room,

In the middle of all this, the house on Morrison Road was put on the market. Now what? What happens if the building is sold and the new owners want to knock it down, or rent it to someone else. Change provokes anxiety in any organisation and in human beings. There was a lot of potential change happening at this time. December and over the Christmas period was a very nervous time for all. There were two proposed buyers. One wanted the building, the other would rent it to us.

The house took over 12 months to sell but was finally sold at the end of 2004 to some really nice owners who have allowed us to stay where we are until our new building is completed.

The stress on our Management Committee has been huge. They are all volunteers, some working full time, some retired, but all committed to Midland Women's Health Care Place. Without all these dedicated women over the last 10 years, Midland Women's Health Care Place would not be where we are now. So a vote of thanks and appreciation to these women.

2005

Anonymous comment from a client: “If it wasn’t for this place I would not be here”

MY THOUGHTS ON MWHCP

In my case I gave up work after 20yrs of working, that was five years ago. My grandson was little so I made the most of being grandma, then he started school, so I had more time on my hands and felt unwanted similar to empty nest syndrome, I suppose. I had plenty of good friends but they didn’t live near by.

I decided to walk as every day you read in the paper of the benefits of walking , so I walked on my own but the motivation isn’t there , somedays I went , others days any excuse was good enough not to go.

I‘d been once or twice to MWHC for medical reasons, and the nurse was so lovely it stayed in my mind, so I decided to look them up on the internet under City of Swan, I read the following;

Join our happy group to walk locally for Exercise and relaxation. Bring a hat, water

Bottle and sun screen

IF IT’S NOT SNOWING, WE’RE GOING!!

Day: Wednesdays and Fridays

Time: 9.00am –10.00am

Date: Weekly

Cost: FREE

So I thought this is it, if a baby can put one foot in front of the other and learn to walk, and then I can put all anxiety’s behind and go.

But I am so glad I did, everyday I learn something about Midland

It’s heritage and lovely walks, we see beautiful old homes, even a goat that sits on his (or it could be a her] couch under the front porch. We walk and chatter for approx 1hr and time flies.

I feel walking with a group is not only good excersise but good for mind, body and soul.

I also go to computor lesson which are great and the teacher is very patient

It’s also exciting to be moving to new premises next year; I have found all people belonging to MWHCP very friendy and make you feel at home.

BY MARGARET PEARCE.

Walking Women

We have gained Karen Wood who volunteers at the centre on almost a daily basis helping with the PAP Clinic, teaching computer, relieving at reception, with the newsletter, and any other administrative task we ask her to do.

What Midland Women's Health Care Place means to me

When Madeleine asked me to write something, I thought how could I say in just a couple of paragraphs just what MWHCP has come to mean to me? How do I get across just what an impact MWHCP has had on my life? Well, here goes. I was a Nurse, once upon a time, with my future mapped out. I had a career and my place and who I was in the world was secure. Then I injured my back. I became someone who wasn’t defined anymore by what they do – someone without an anchor, who became isolated once I had given up Nursing. Nursing was my social network as well. I also had a lot in my background that I had never dealt with which has had long-term consequences. Then someone from CRS suggested I get counselling at MWHCP. I didn’t know then that the decision to do that would be one of the best decisions of my life. It is something that I will be forever thankful for. I found a network of support, such as I have never had before. I found a fantastic Counsellor and have come a long way since I started seeing her. I have met so many wonderful ladies, through teaching basic computer, doing the reception for the Pap Clinics and relieving on reception. The Committee, who have achieved the aim of getting a new purpose built, building, for MWHCP, have inspired me, with their dedication and strength. And my own counsellor has inspired me to go for my goal of becoming a counsellor myself. I never dreamed when I went to my first counselling session that it would be the beginning of so much change in myself and in my life. I sometimes think it was fate that led me to MWHCP and it was meant to happen. I can see MWHCP as reaching out to more and more women in the future. The future is very exciting for MWHCP and I am really looking forward to seeing all the changes and being a part of those changes.

Karen Wood

2005

THE FUTURE

Plans at this stage are about making the move and the changes to come as stress free as possible. There are a number of changes that need to be made towards our future. At this stage our future looks like the photos below

Sometime in 2006, the building on this land will be completed and we will have our new home.

On the 4th August 2005,

we celebrated our 10th Anniversary at 61 Morrison Road.

Where will be on the 4th August 2006?

Madeleine Hicks (Social Worker/Counsellor)

2005

THIS CANDLE

This is a candle to celebrate the past

The light that shone from the windows

Of Midland Women's Health Care Place

To the end of some dark tunnels

That some found hard to crawl through

This light is the care and support

The cups of tea - the listening ears

The believing souls

The support we all need from time to time

Because we all need our own team

Someone to cheer for us

Someone to believe us and back us up

To recognize our achievements

To help us out of some of those tricky places we get wedged

When we think things will never change

This candle represents the light that some still need

To place to come for comfort

We’ll keep it burning quietly warm

Until they find us here

This candle represents a light

That shines in all of us

To be the finer spirit

That we’ve always known is there

This candle is to celebrate

All the women of the eastern region

All of us survivors, writers, designers, child-raisers, cooks, cleaners, lovers,

workers, managers, creators.

In all of our amazing diversity and strength

Building on our work and wishes

Sending our hopes on before us

Imagining our future

Patsy Molloy 14/9/05