16 Feb CWA wraps its arms around Timboon patients

(Photo Caption l-r) Allansford CWA president Bev Byron, TDHS interim director of clinical services Michelle Selten, CWA member Bev McCosh and TDHS community engagement officer Sabine McKenzie.

Patients and clients at Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) are already benefiting from a chance new relationship with the Allansford CWA.

Club president Bev Byron was visiting a friend in respite care at TDHS last year when she generously offered to donate some homemade goods to the organisation.

The brief discussion culminated this month with the CWA’s first donation of activity bags, personal hygiene packs, rugs, hats and bed socks for aged care residents, urgent care patients and other in-need clients.

“We have always made donations like this to South West Healthcare, Emma House, Hospice in the Home and others and I just asked if Timboon would be interested,” Mrs Byron said.

TDHS interim director of clinical services Michelle Selten said they jumped at the chance.

“We’ve already had some wonderful feedback from patients who have benefited from the items…some have been so moved they are writing letters of thanks to the CWA,” she said.

“Sometimes patients end up on the ward without time to plan, or they don’t have family nearby to bring them things. So things like the personal hygiene packs really make a difference as they can brush their teeth and hair, apply some products and feel a bit nicer.

 
“The rugs and bed socks are great for our aged care residents as well.”

Mrs Byron said 2020 had been a strange and difficult year, but CWA members had put the time to good use continuing with their community craft activities.

“Even during COVID we’ve been working all year knitting away and making things. We are a very giving branch,” she said.

“Bev McCosh (pictured) makes the little teddy bears that go in the activity bags. Instead of watching TV she sits there and knits…or does both at the same time,” Mrs Byron quipped.

“The CWA has been around for over 90 years. It was started for women to get together to help each other with their children. My mother used to ride a horse to Curdievale to attend CWA meetings.

 
“Today, it’s still about women getting together. It’s the biggest women’s organisation in Australia and the world.

“We all pool our thoughts and work together to help women look after themselves, learn new skills and support our families. It’s a huge world-wide organisation.”

“Now that we know Timboon can use these things we make, we are only too happy to keep them coming.”