News

EGHS Community Nurses help out Moyston Willaura Football/Netball Club

19th August, 2008

Earlier during the football/netball season the Moyston Willaura Football and Netball Club welcomed East Grampians Health Service's Community Health Nurses Leonie Tellefson and Sue Cashin to a Thursday night's training session.

As part of Heart Week club members, their families and supporters were able to access heart health information and have their blood pressures taken.

The Heart Foundation message is to encourage kids to eat well and be physically active, and this is being well supported by the club.  Leonie and Sue were particularly pleased and encouraged to see parents and supporters taking walks and exercising, some more energetic than others, while the children trained for both football and netball.

East Grampians Health Service Community Health Nurses have a regular presence out in the community both in Ararat and further field in the smaller rural towns throughout the municipality.

Also more recently Willaura Community Health Nurse, Leonie Tellefson supported the Willaura Recreation Reserve Management Committee in its "Kids in The Kitchen" Healthy Eating Program. This activity was all about encouraging healthy food choices at junior sporting venues; football and netball in winter and cricket in summer and in the canteen of the swimming pool. Leonie also promoted the "Go For Your Life" messages of healthy eating and being active in the community.

Community Health nursing is about providing services to the ill of the community however the core and essence is to assist the community to achieve good health and well-being. Health promotion activities aim to help members of the community to be as fit and well as they can be, physically and emotionally, and maximize their enjoyment of life and reduce the risk of illness.

Community Health nursing is very much a relationship based on trust and respect, which is enhanced by the very intimate nature of the care nurses provide to a person. A further extension to the community nursing role is working with a broader perspective in the community, engaging groups of community members on their terms. It takes time to develop rapport and engage people, and this can only be achieved when the community is respected, their terms acknowledged and trust ensues. Importantly they work one on one with individuals, families, organizations, clubs and broader communities to achieve good health and well-being.

East Grampians Health Service Community Nurse, Leonie Tellefson works between Ararat and other towns, visiting Willaura several times a week. Her times remain flexible to be able to respond to community needs. Please feel free to contact her by phone in Ararat Tel: 5352 9327, in Willaura Tel: 5354 1617 or Mobile 0428 31512, leave a message if necessary and she will return your call.