Touriandi Lodge Update, by Manager, Anne Withers.
Saturday, February 5, 2011 was a very special day for Anne-Marie Fletcher who after two years of dedicated study received her Nursing Certificate at a Graduation ceremony in Gunnedah.
Anne-Marie commenced her Certificate IV Nurse training in early 2009 with completion in December 2010. Over this period Anne-Marie travelled to Gunnedah each month to attend theory sessions at the Gunnedah TAFE as well as being required to complete a number of assignments as well as undertaking 300 hours of practical work placement in the Heath Service environment.
Anne-Marie completed this in Inverell, Moree and at the Bingara MPS. This was a pilot program funded by the Department of Health and Ageing as part of their Better Skills Better Care program and directed specifically to Aged Care Employees.
The students required a pre requisite of the Certificate III in Aged Care Work and employment in a Residential Care Facility. This is new territory for the aged care industry and one that is being embraced at Touriandi Lodge.
In 2010 Cherry Marle commenced her training and Jessica Morton is to commence hers in March this year. Jessica undertook a Traineeship in Aged Care with Touriandi over the last two years, Touriandi is very pleased to be able to offer her this opportunity.
Both Cherry and Jessica will follow the same format as Anne-Marie with the added advantage of early hiccups being ironed out.
Trainees
On another note, Lachlan Kenafake who is a student at Bingara Central, and Hannah Cox-McGowan, a student at Inverell High School have commenced traineeships at Touriandi.
Lachlan is undertaking a Traineeship in Hospitality and this will run until 2013, while Hannah’s traineeship is in Aged Care.
Touriandi has endorsed the Traineeship scheme for a number of years now and has seen a number of students come through Touriandi. All these young people have made careers for themselves in the aged care industry or the health service. It is very rewarding to see our young people achieve goals and have the opportunity to do so.
Entertainers appreciated
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the organising committee of the Australia Day events for enabling the Ambassadors for Bingara, Amber Lawrence and The Special Olympic Dance Group to perform at Touriandi.
The residents from Touriandi, and the MPS along with members of the committee thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon performance and entertainment.
Resident receives OAM
May I take this opportunity to also congratulate one of our residents, Harry Fay, on receiving the Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day.
