Tag: South Australia

CHSP Lawn Bowling

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MWASA is committed to helping  better the lives of seniors and encourage a more independent lifesyle through organizing activities that promote an active lifestyle.

 

On 3 September 2020, we organized a lawn bowling activity at Glenelg Bowling Club in which 17 seniors participated. The weather was sunny and pleasantly warm despite the light drizzle in the morning. The seniors were welcomed by two members of the bowling club. They briefed the seniors on the rules of the game.

 

 

Some of the seniors were excited as it was their first time while others had experienced playing it before. This low-impact sport activity was thoroughly enjoyed by the seniors, especially the men. They had the pleasure of enjoying time outdoor with their peers, which not only improved their fitness but also their mental well-being. The seniors played over an hour and a half before stopping for lunch. The club provided free flow of coffee and tea. 

 

Overall, they all had a very wonderful time being outdoors and spending time with their peers.

 

 

CHSP Meal Delivery by Momz Kitchen

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Momz Kitchen catered appetising home style food (stir-fried chicken with rice) for the CHSP seniors on the 22nd and 23rd of July. The meals are part of the ongoing CHSP meal distribution program to support the seniors in accessing meals during the pandemic period. The meals were delivered by Sister Urika and her intern, Jessica as well as a volunteer, Brother Qayyum.

Information about the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and what it means for the seniors, as well as testing locations, were made available to them.  

As restrictions begin to ease from 20th July, MWASA will be resuming Social Support Group activities by inviting CHSP seniors for a social lunch at Sofra Kebab House in conjunction with Eid ul-Adha celebration after months of isolation.

CHSP Meal Delivery by Afghan Star

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This round, the Muslim Women’s Association of South Australia paired up with another local business – Afghan Star Charcoal Kebab House – to provide CHSP seniors with a tasty packed meal. The meal, which was delivered by Sister Urika and her volunteer Sister Nadia on 8 and 9 July 2020, included delicious grilled chicken skewers / falafel with salad and sauce wrapped in tandoori bread.

‘Tips and Ideas for Older Australians to improve flexibility, balance and strength’ by the Department of Health and a jigsaw puzzle activity were also included to engage and entertain the seniors in their free time. 

Eid Greetings from Premier Marshall & Assistant Minister Jing Lee

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Dear Hon Steven Marshall, Premier of SA,  and Hon Jing Lee, Assistant Minister to the Premier,

On behalf of Muslim Women’s Association of SA, thank you for this thoughtful letter to our community.

We appreciate your good wishes for our Eid ul Adha, which we are looking forward to, especially when South Australia is kept safe and well by our South Australian Government.

We are posting your letter on our website and social media so that all of our members and our community can share the good wishes from both of you.

Yours sincerely,

 
Dora Abbas
Vice Chairperson

CHSP Postcards Activity

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The seniors shared their heartfelt experiences of their time in isolation on postcards. The postcards encouraged them to express their thoughts and feelings on how isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their lives. 
 
Heartfelt gratitude and appreciation were conveyed by some of the seniors for the packed meals and emotional support given by MWASA during this time. Some seniors also shared their struggles of being isolated from their friends and family members, while others reflected on the importance of looking after their own health and well-being.
 

CHSP Meal Delivery from Sumac Cafe

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Sumac Cafe catered exquisite Mediterranean meals for the seniors on the 24th and 25th June 2020. They provided the seniors with appetising chicken skewers, salad and hummus served with rice and Lebanese bread. 

COVID-19 has created many challenges for members in the older community, forcing them into isolation in order to protect their health and well-being. This week, MWASA designed an activity for the seniors to create their own postcard and record their experiences (either in writing or drawing) on how isolation during this pandemic has changed or impacted their life.

Additionally, to continue advocating preventative measures against COVID-19, MWASA also provided the seniors with face masks to wear in situations where it is not feasible to maintain physical distancing such as on public transport.

CHSP Meal Delivery from Sofra Kebab House

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On the 10th and 11th of June, the seniors were provided with delicious meals from Sofra Kebab House. Sister Urika, her intern Jessica, and volunteer Sister Filzah delivered the charcoal chicken with rice and salad to the seniors. 

Word search activity puzzles and an information pamphlet on ‘Keep Warm this Winter’ by SA Health were also provided to the seniors to help them stay warm and engaged this winter.

 

Unity In Diversity

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Several focus groups were conducted with schools, which aims to promote harmony in SA by raising awareness and understanding of Islam and Muslims living in SA. 
 
These interactive sessions, held in March, were well-received by St Mary’s College and Salisbury High School, with students asking questions that seek to clarify misinterpretations of Islam and understand a Muslim’s way of life.
 
Students were able to practice safe distancing while engaging in the focus groups.
 
 

Seniors Mini Golf in March

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The seniors had their first experience playing golf on 12 March 2020 at West Beach Mini Golf.

Each of them was given a club and a ball and required to complete 18 stations throughout the course. Although it was a simple action – swinging the club lightly to putt a golf ball into a hole – they were perspiring and had a good workout. The activity helps to improve their balance, strength and hand-eye coordination.

Overall, the seniors had a ‘hole’ lot of fun competing with their friends in a spectacular setting.

Distribution of Food Parcels to CHSP Seniors

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MWASA is working in partnership with Human Appeal Australia to provide food parcels for the 50 seniors in the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Essential items such as oil, honey, pasta and toothpaste were among the many items that were packed and distributed to the seniors on Thursday 9th and Tuesday 14th April 2020.

The seniors were appreciative of the visit by Sister Urika and delighted to receive the food parcels, which are handy during this period of time.

Thanks go to Human Appeal Australia for the collaboration.

Go to Facebook to watch the wonderful Human Appeal promotional video for this project.

Goolwa is the place to Go!

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The Wallaroo Trip planned for Thursday 21st of November was changed to Goolwa, due to the catastrophic bushfire conditions on the Yorke Peninsula the day before. Though disappointed, the seniors understood the situation and were glad that the picnic trip was not cancelled.

Twenty-three seniors went on this trip.

Our first stop over was at Strathalbyn. The River Angas Walkway at this country town was beautiful in spring, with flowers blooming in the rose garden and ducks swimming in the river. The seniors enjoyed strolling along the walkway and visited the antique shops in High Street.

Next, we went to Hindmarsh Island, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest freshwater marina development. We crossed over to the island using the bridge that is connected from Goolwa. The driver took us to Sugars Beach where you can see the mouth of the Murray River – where the river
meets the sea. He gave a brief description about the Murray River which weaves its way through three states – NSW (Yarrawonga), Victoria and South Australia (Goolwa). What a great learning journey.

Subsequently, we arrived at Goolwa Wharf around 1pm. However, due to the unexpected cold and windy weather, the seniors decided to have their picnic lunch in the park instead. They had lunch under a big shelter overseeing the riverfront at Richard Ballard Park. The seniors enjoyed
eating their lunch in the company of their friends. Some even engaged in games and activities while others preferred to explore the town centre. The social interactions indeed had livened up their mood after not being able to go to Wallaroo.

We departed from Goolwa around 2:30pm. The bus driver took a different route back home and passed by Middleton and Port Elliot. It was indeed a scenic and spectacular drive as he took us near the seaside. The sea was beautiful, and we might have spotted two whales in the sea! It was the
highlight of the day.

 

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SETS Citizenship Session Specific to Syrians

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Recently MWASA hosted a Citizenship Session under the SETS (Settlement Engagement and Transition Support) program, specifically for Syrian clients. The presenter had requested for it to be Syrians only, due to visa differences in clients from Syria and Afghanistan.

The presenter was Okke Velzeboer, from the Department of Home Affairs. Okke is the South Australian Community Liaison Officer in the Citizenship and Multicultural Programs Division. 

The session covered the rights, responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen. Okke also went through the eligibility criteria, application process, documents required, interview and citizenship test and application processing duration.

The ladies enjoyed the session and had lots of questions to ask from the presenter. The session was fun and also very informative and useful as the ladies will soon be eligible to apply for citizenship.