As part of the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government Ambassador program, Elizabeth attended a function organized by the City of Wanneroo, with fellow Ambassador Kat Pinder and Vilma Palacios from the North Metro Public Health Unit.
It was a great day as the Council showcased their new Community Development Building Theater.
Elizabeth is pictured with Noeleen Hartley a local Innaloo lady who has been active in pushing women’s rights for many years and is in particular concerned with the consumption of GM foods.
National Council of Women WA will be celebrating their 100 anniversary next year, which is a significant milestone for an association, who through the efforts of many women and have and have made the world safer for us today.
The committee is looking for memorabilia and stories that can be used for the Centenary Celebration next year. It has been organized to hold a display in the Perth Town Hall over ten days in May 2011 to mark this auspicious event.
If you have some NCWWA memorabilia, no matter how small or large, even though you think it wouldn’t be of consequence, we would like you to avail us of its use for the exhibition, or you may wish to donate it to the archives for posterity.
If you know of someone who has been a member or who had relations/friends who were, please tell them of the upcoming event and our request so as to make this a special occasion. Perhaps an association that you belong to has items in their files or archives they would like to loan.
Certainly, any help that you can give would be appreciated. Please contact the office on Phone (08) 9325 8897 or email: ncwwa@iinet.net.au or Marion Ward our archivist, email marionward70@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Re was called upon by local residents in Innaloo to push the barrow for better footpaths in the area.
“Often presenting a real health risk to seniors, a fall can be life threatening to many and negatively affect the quality of life of our seniors, as they are more prone to breaking limbs,” says Elizabeth.
“I believe it is our responsibility as a Council to ensure the safest possible community for all of our residents.”
“Liz has been a real help to us,” says Barrie Greenwood from Innaloo.
“It’s good to know we have someone thinking about seniors in Local Government,” says June Greenwood.
In her capacity as a Justice of the Peace, Elizabeth Re is often called upon to sign legal documents, as was the case recently when she was out shopping and received a phone call asking if she could urgently sign some application forms.
Chris, an immigrant to Australia, approached Elizabeth to witness his Australian Citizenship application.
Chris is hoping to become an Australian Citizen on Australia Day, 2011.
Elizabeth dutifully checked his paperwork and signed his photos and application forms on the spot.
To her credit, Elizabeth takes her role as a Justice of the Peace very seriously and sees that it is a valuable community service that she is providing. Her reward is the joy of helping people. Elizabeth is always willing to help community groups and local citizens fill out forms and help sporting clubs complete funding applications.
Visiting one of the reserves in Dianella, Elizabeth was approached by Andrew Solich, a local father who was out with his children enjoying the play equipment at the local reserve.
“I’m just wondering if there is anything the Council can do about providing some shade at the playground,” asked Andrew. “A lot of the local kids come down to this park to play but there really isn’t any shade over the play equipment which means that the equipment can be too hot to play on in summer and too wet in winter. Just seems a shame that the kids can’t play here all year round and enjoy the equipment.”
Elizabeth explained to Mr Solich that it depends on where the equipment is located as to whether or not it would qualify for the shade sails to be added to the equipment.
Having raised two boys herself, Elizabeth appreciates that parents have a tough job on their hands, especially teaching children the value of public space, of community service and how to share public space harmoniously.
Elizabeth also made an impression on 12 year old, Sarah Solich, as she discussed with her about waste management.
Whilst shopping at Trigg, Elizabeth called past one of the restaurants at the Trigg Shopping Centre and had a quick chat with Adam Zenick.
“There’s too much red tape for small businesses,” said Adam. “It’s hard enough finding good staff and making a living without the bureaucratic red tape. I like to give the young kids a go in my business, so fair go Council.”
Elizabeth reassured Adam that she is doing her best to support the small businesses in the City of Stirling.
“Lucky we’ve got you on Council, Liz,” said Adam.
Elizabeth supports small businesses as they are vital for our sustainable future and diverse lifestyle, as they suit local people, part timers, parents and give the youth of today not only work and monetary skills but also the understanding of being part of the business family and how to function in a business team work environment.
Elizabeth Re is aware of the struggle most small business owners have to stay in business and is willing to go the extra mile to support them.
On a trip down to Scarborough Beach, Elizabeth Re was stopped by a local couple, Allen & Eileen Hopkins who wanted to know what was happening with the latest building developments at Scarborough Beach.
Allen & Eileen have been very happily married for over 53 years, walk every day down at Scarborough Beach and have lived for many years in the area. They are concerned about the building developments and the high rise units that are planned for the area directly opposite the ampitheatre.
There is currently quite a bit of council work taking place in the area, with council responding to the request for better footpaths. So new footpaths are being laid, which has caused quite a bit of disruption to the carparks. Local residents appreciate the new footpaths but are a little frustrated by all the changes taking place.
“You’re not going to let them build more high rise and spoil our beach are you?” asked Eileen seriously.
“We’ve been happily married for over 53 years and love coming to Scarborough Beach,” commented Allen.
Assuring them both that she would do all in her power to ensure the voice of the people is represented, the couple seemed reassured to know there is someone on Council who listens to the hearts of the people.
http://rac.com.au/About-Us/About-RAC/Councillors.aspx
As someone who has done a lot of country travel and is also concerned about the economic and eco-friendly future of travel in Western Australia, Elizabeth is willing to make a contribution to decision making at the upper levels of the Motor Industry.
Below are two images of information found on the RAC Website. To find out more, please click on the link above to visit the Councillors page on the RAC Website.
If you missed the Health Department’s 2010 WOW Week, then here is the speech delivered by Elizabeth Re.
2010 WOW week
ERE presentation I May 2010 THEME
The theme of Women in Wellness for 2010 , is to
MOVE MORE.. EAT WELL.. FEEL GOOD.. LOOK GOOD
So where do we start, we need to look at the basics!
what we do and what we eat ! sustainability !
Despite Australia having one of the highest life expectancies in the world, many Australians suffer from chronic illness. Chronic diseases – such as some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes – are estimated to be responsible for nearly 80 per cent of the total deaths and injury in Australia.
Evidence has shown that certain lifestyle behaviours promote the onset of chronic disease. These include being overweight (obese), not getting enough physical activity, smoking, alcohol and drug consumption and unhealthy eating.
The aim of this program is to promote and facilitate understanding, appreciation and a positive attitude towards adopting healthy eating, physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight.
Obesity, tobacco and alcohol feature in the top seven preventable risk factors that influence the burden of disease, approximately 32% of Australia’s total burden of disease can be attributed to these risk factors
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years.
In only 15 years, from 1990 to 2005, the number of overweight and obese Australian adults increased by 2.8 million.
( which is more than the whole population of western Australia )
Recent national data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children, available from the National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2007, indicated 17% of 2–16-year-olds were overweight and
6% obese
Mention the newspaper article as this issue is very current
| The West Australian Thursday 29 April page 13 | News, page 13 |
| A British obesity expert has warned of alarming rates of overweight children in WA, with an estimated 90,000 children as young as four carrying too much weight. International Obesity Taskforce policy chief Tim Lobstein estimated 6000 WA children aged four to 18 had high blood pressure, 13,500 had high cholesterol and more than 27,000 had abnormal insulin levels. About 10,000 had metabolic syndrome, a deadly cluster of risk factors for heart disease and stroke usually only seen in adults. Dr Lobstein, brought to Perth by Curtin University and Healthway, said almost one million WA adults were overweight or obese. The combined numbers would swamp GPs, who would be unable to cope with the tidal wave of weight-related illness…Dr Lobstein said governments needed to do more to combat childhood obesity, including restricting the number of fast food outlets near schools and addressing the tax on junk food versus healthy products. Curtin University professor of health policy Mike Daube said the implications of the obesity epidemic were frightening. “We were world leaders in healthy lifestyles, but we are now rapidly becoming world leaders in overweight and obesity,” he said. A Melbourne anaesthetist has also warned growing numbers of obese patient are creating a major headache for Australian hospitals and doctors. |
So what can we do ? What can you do ?
We can eat differently such as eating and cooking more at home, teach our kids that a corn on the cob is better and more fun to eat than a takeaway hamburger !
Instead of getting in the car to buy the corn from the shop, walk to the shop, bring a footy along the way, play on the swings in the park on the way home from the shop ( work up an appetite ) . Instead of doing one big shop once a week, take several trips to the shop, small loads and walk each time and think about what you are buying, such as buy the ingredients to make a carrot cake with the kids and not one already made. Get the kids to plant the top of the carrot on the garden and let them watch nature at work as it grows and then it can be picked and the top cut off again and into the garden and so they healthy circle of eating and cooking and growing continues, while our children realize the goodness of food and stay healthy
We need to ensure that are children are playing team sports which is good for their mental and physical health and by example of the kids watching parents and adults eat properly and keep fit, even if it is just walking the dog .
Instead of the kids turning the television on in the morning, take the dog go for a walk around the block or go down to the park and catch butterflies or count the birds ? how many black ones, white ones ? green ones ? .
Meet your friends at the beach, the river or the park, get the kids out and about so we can stay and grow healthy together
The more exercise we do , the better food we eat the better we will all feel and the less time we will spend feeling sick or being at the doctors so remember
A small change in our lifestyle, our habits, and our behaviour can lead to a huge change in our quality of Life
So what do we do ? Can I hear you ?
MOVE MORE.. EAT WELL.. FEEL GOOD.. LOOK GOOD
Say about the other venues for WOW week and say go into your local library or website and they will tell you more what’s on www.nmahs.health.wa.gov.au
Other WoW Week activities will run at venues throughout the metropolitan area include:
City of Swan:
Monday 3 May, 12.00-2.00pm
at Midland Square, Midland
healthy lifestyles for women who live/work in Midland
City of Stirling:
Wednesday 5 May, 11.00am-2.00pm
at The Beach House: Kids Fun Centre, 5 O’Malley St, Osborne Park
fun activities for mothers with young children.
City Of Wanneroo:
Wednesday 5 May, 9.30am-11.30am
Six simultaneous “Walking for Women “ events starting at:
• Butler Community Centre, Butler
• Banksia Grove Community Centre, Banksia Grove
• Jenolan Way Community Centre, Merriwa
• Hainsworth Centre, Girrawheen
• Yanchep Community Centre, Yanchep
• Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre, Wanneroo
For further information about other WOW activities in your area please see the WOW Calendar in the welcome board
It has taken nearly thirty years to reduce smoking in the community, lets not take thirty years to address obesity
So don’t forget, we need to be spend the money we earn on healthy food and lots of activity as that will save us money in the long run
And remember :
MOVE MORE.. EAT WELL.. FEEL GOOD.. LOOK GOOD
Thanks for being part of our day to make Western Australians the healthiest state in Australia
