Support Group Round-up
By Stacey Foster, Support Group Coordinator
Welcome to the May Support Group round-up.
It’s been another busy month in Support Group land. Several support groups participated in Awareness Month in April as well as our annual Community Heroes initiative.
What is a Community Hero? Each year, support groups are invited to nominate an individual or organisation in their local community that has provided significant or meaningful support to their group. When Parkinson’s NSW receives those nominations, we create certificates for the Heroes and pass them onto the Support Group to present at a special time of their choosing.
The Community Heroes for 2025 are:
- The Australian Chinese Charity Foundation (ACCF), nominated by Chinatown Bilingual Support Group. The ACCF has been supporting the Group’s annual events for many years. This year, they donated $6500 for their support group activities that promote the mental health of people living with Parkinson’s.
- Tim Ayers, nominated by Lismore Support Group. Tim is one of the Parkinson’s nurses in Northern NSW. He regularly attends the Group, providing information and expertise, taking time to chat with members one-to-one. Tim has been involved with the Group for over three years, and “…we have appreciated every moment,” say the leaders of the Group.
- Faddi Azzi, nominated by St George Sutherland Support Group. For the past two years, Faddi has donated two fruit boxes each month for the Group’s raffle with proceeds supporting the Group as well as Parkinson’s NSW.
- Tina Boger, nominated by Eastern Suburbs Young Onset Support Group. The leaders said in their nomination: “In 2021, Tina, on behalf of Wolper Jewish Hospital encouraged us to form a support group dedicated to helping younger people with Parkinson’s Disease and, more importantly, offered and continues to offer free room and refreshments to accommodate it on a monthly basis. Tina and Wolper have remained champions of the Group. Without their support, our Group might not exist and definitely would not be as wonderful and vibrant as it is. We are so grateful to Tina and Wolper Jewish Hospital.”
- Kiama Support Group nominated physiotherapist, Matt Cooke, who has had special interest in Parkinson’s. Their leader, Lesley, says of Matt, “He has been successful in getting many of our members into regular exercise programs & in encouraging his clients with Parkinson’s to join our Support Group. Matt takes exceptional care of his clients with Parkinson’s. He is a regular at our Support Group monthly meeting, absorbing new information and providing us with an exercise segment.”
- Evans Head Support Group nominated former community nurse, Paul Manning. Diane Lymbury, leader of the Group, said Paul “…selflessly offered his assistance to our group immediately when this new Group was formed. He regularly attends meetings and sees what is needed, quietly working in the background offering support. Paul is always ready to assist to ensure the smooth running of each Group session and shares many valuable insights.”
- This year, Griffith Support Group nominated four community heroes! Lauren Bortolin, the group’s gym instructor who runs the cardio exercise program and brings with her “…a lot of empathy and makes our classes very enjoyable and comfortable for everyone, regardless of the stage of Parkinson’s. We have lots of laughs and we all leave the class with happy hormones.”
- Management and staff at WIN Television Griffith, for their assistance in promoting the group’s activities such as their monthly meetings and exercise programs. They have promoted the Support Group for many years at no cost.
- Management and staff at Coro Club were nominated for their continued support of the Group since 2013. They have supplied the venue for monthly meetings and Christmas parties, and supplied refreshments to all their meetings free of charge. The leader of the Group, Louisa Feltracco says, “…the staff are all very helpful and willing to help us out anytime.”
- Their last nomination was for the management and staff of Griffith City Council. The Council provides the venue for the carers meetings and exercise classes free of charge.
It is wonderful to see the outstanding support our groups have across the state. These connections and partnerships boost groups’ sustainability and raise important awareness of Parkinson’s in the local community. Thank you to all these Community Heroes for all you do for our support groups and your local Parkinson’s community.
During April Awareness Month, several of our support groups held events in the community:
- Temora, Tumbarumba, Forster-Tuncurry, Albury, Armidale and Southern Highland Support Groups all ran information tables at their local shopping centres.
- Coffs Harbour Support Group leader, Graham Saxby, presented to the Chamber of Commerce on how businesses can support the Parkinson’s community in Coffs Harbour.
- Port Macquarie Support Group ran a raffle as well as an information session at the local library, which was attended by Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse, Jody Lloyd, Parkinson’s NSW CEO, Mary Kay Walker, and the local member for Port Macquarie, Rob Dwyer.
Well done to you all for being front and centre in your local community to raise awareness for Parkinson’s!
