WE are now 5 walking groups, helping the Shire stay active and social. Our latest group, Gymea Nature Walk, commencing on 29th November from 9:00am will meet at Sutherland Tennis Courts, enjoying bushland whilst on downhill pathways, then stairs to the Woronora River. Strolling along the river’s edge to reserved seating at The Boatshed, a Creekside Café. Working off the coffee with an uphill incline along pathways & stairs back to the Tennis Courts. Approx 20 mins there, 20 mins coffee & then 20 mins back.

Registrations can be completed directly with Heart Foundation Walking, https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au/walking/#map. Alternatively, go to our What’s On page or, call us on 02 9524 9559 for more information.

Support our local businesses by visiting the ShireWomen’s Marketplace at Tradies on 15th November. Lots of prizes , giveaways, specials and bargains. Shop for Christmas here instead of battling the crowds. All are welcome and entry and parking are free.

WHEN: 15th November from 9:00am to 12:00pm
WHERE: Gymea Tradies, 57 Manchester Rd Gymea
COST: Entry and parking are free.

For more information go to Shire Women

Stuck for what to give (or receive) for Christmas  or a special occasion?

Why not purchase a Gymea Community Aid (GCAIS) gift voucher and use for our many activities including day trips, group activities, even computer lessons? You can purchase up to $200 credit per voucher and utilise it as many times as you’d like.

In line with Fair Trading, vouchers have a 3 year expiry date giving you plenty of time to use it on your most valued activities. On request, GCAIS can hold the voucher on file at the Centre.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Vouchers must be produced upon redemption
• Vouchers are not redeemable for cash
• If purchases exceed the amount of the voucher, the balance must be paid by other available payment options
• Vouchers must be redeemed within the validity period
• Expired vouchers are not redeemable or refunded
• GCAIS reserves the right to verify the identity of the bearer

For more information, contact our Front Desk on 02 95249559 or email Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au

An Opportunity for Individuals and Businesses to give

GivingTuesday, taking place December 3^rd, is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organisations to encourage giving and to celebrate generosity worldwide.  The goal is to create a massive wave of generosity that lasts well beyond that day, and touches every person on the planet.
Here at GCAIS, we have nominated 3 causes:

1. Seating for the Community Garden
2. Support funding to reduce isolation and promote independence and participation
3. Purchase of equipment and materials for our Homework Club, Water Safety Session, English classes and Multicultural Groups

To support our causes, make a donation at our front desk or online  DONATE HERE. 

The St George Migrant Information Day includes information on:

• Housing
• Health
• Employment
• Education
• Support Services
• Government Services

The program will also include live cultural performances, stalls, free food and refreshments
WHERE: Marana Auditorium, 16 MacMahon St Hurstville
WHEN: 6th November between 10:00am to 1:00pm

For full details, download the flyer HERE

Discover the fun of fishing and learn how to stay safe in and out of the water. Hear from fishing, boating ad water safety experts about:

• Water and Beach Safety
• Rock fishing and fishing safety

DOWNLOAD FULL DETAILS

Professional development event for service providers in the St George and Sutherland Shire areas. The event is focused on how to engage and support culturally diverse communities using collaborative methods.

DOWNLOAD FULL DETAILS

This year we are opening the Centre to provide you with a preview of our activities, products and services. Even more enticing is a home made devonshire tea whilst you enjoy the comfortable air conditioned premises. The Gymea Fair is on 27th October and our agenda will include:

• 10:30am Navigating The Aged Care System. Karen Buckley, Home Instead
• 11:00am Pet Owner’s Network. Sofi Sey, GCAIS Volunteer
• 11:30am Benefits of Movement and Music. Emma Watts, The Daisie Chain
• 12:00pm Garden Club and Tour of the Gymea Community Garden. Kalpna Patel, Community Worker, GCAIS
• 12:00pm Performance by the Gymea Community Singers
• 12:30pm What’s On at GCAIS. Joanne Cracknell, GCAIS General Manager

From 10:00am to 11:30am Devonshire Tea can be purchased for $4. Also available are one on one meetings with Karen Buckley who will work with you on your aged care needs and support you in utilising systems such as MyAgedCare. To book in a meeting in advance, contact us at Aged@gcais.ngo.org.au.

For full description of each of the sessions listed above, download our brochure.

Our Centre has been closed due to urgent work needed on the building. We are continuing our services so for the latest on our groups, get in touch with your group leader, email us at Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au or, call us on 02 95249559 Monday to Friday.

All events and sessions are listed in our What’s On section.

After going north for the winter, the Gymea Summer Walkers walking group return on 17th October 2019. Leaving from outside of Zimzala, the group will spend the next 50 minutes enjoying the surrounds of Cronulla Beach and stopping for a well earned refreshment at the end. What’s even better our walking organiser, Liliana is back this Summer to lead the group.

We now have 4 walking groups and partner with Heart Foundation to help our locals get walking. Our groups are:

Gymea Easy Pacers: leaving from outside of Zimzala every Tuesday at 9:30am
Gymea Afternoon Pacers: leaving at 4pm every Thursday from out side of the Gymea Community Centre
Gymea Summer Walkers: leaving from outside of Zimzala, Cronulla Beach at 6pm every Thursday
Gymea Finally Friday: leaving from outside of the Gymea Community Centre at 9am
All groups are listed in our What’s On section.

Walkers need to register with Heart Foundation Walking. Either come on the day and our walk organisers will complete this with you. Alternatively, log onto https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au/walking/, enter 2227 in postcode to display all Gymea groups. For more information, call us on 02 95249559

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

LV Chair Yoga offers everyBODY an accessible & inclusive way to improve health & wellbeing. All ages, levels of experience or ability can receive the healing & restorative benefits of yoga, in any chair, anywhere! Not only may you gain better flexibility, mobility, strength, balance & posture, but our breathing & meditation techniques may help reduce stress, anxiety & improve your overall health. The sessions are lead by The Daisie Chain in partnership with GCAIS.

WHEN:   From 21st October to 9th December 2019
WHERE: Gymea Community Aid and Information Service, 39 Gymea Bay Rd Gymea
TIME:      12:30pm to 1:15pm
COST:      $7 pp per session

No mats are required. Loose comfortable clothing recommended and don’t forget some water.

Registrations can be completed prior to the session by calling our Front Desk on 02 95249559 or by visiting our Centre. For more information, contact Joanne Cracknell, Joanne.cracknell@gcais.ngo.org.au or our reception, Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au.

The 2019 Youth Refugee Forums are a partnership between Sutherland Shire Council with Gymea Community Aid and Information Services, 3Bridges, Jesuit Refugee Services, Georges River Council, Settlement Services International and Shopfront Arts Co-op.

Read about this inspiring youth-led forum as written in a recent issue of The Leader

I am pleased to announce that we have reached the voting stage of the State Government Grants Program: My Community project. In essence, we entered an application to gain some funding for the Gymea Community Singers. Stage 1 is to describe your project, stage 2 is where all applications are posted on the Service NSW website for the community to make the final decision.

WE WANT YOUR VOTE by 14^th August

Listed below is how to vote-it’s a little complicated but when the Choir gets singing-it will be well worth it. To start, you need a Service NSW Login and, your Medicare card. You also need to be a part of the Miranda electorate to vote for us.

• Go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/. Log into your account or, create one
• Go to the column titled SERVICES and locate My Community Project. Click on
• Log in again using your Service NSW login. At this stage you will be asked to enter your Medicare details
• Select Miranda as the electorate. (Note that if you’re outside of the Miranda electorate, you won’t get the option to vote for us)
• All submitted projects will appear on your screen. You need to select 5 where 1 = your most popular vote and 5 = your least popular vote
• Locate Gymea Community Choir , view the project and press the SHORTLIST button
• You need to shortlist your 5 projects before the VOTE NOW button appears
• Go to VOTE NOW, make sure your projects are appearing in the right order and submit. 

Thanks in advance for voting for our project

This breakfast event is run by SSETEN and coordinated by Advance Diversity Services (ADS). SSETEN is a collaboration of government and non-government agencies focusing on initiatives to increase employment and training to people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in the St George and Sutherland Shire areas.
The Business Breakfast, which is funded by the Department of Home Affairs Fostering Integration Program, aims to engage local businesses/employers to look at opportunities for growth and new ideas to expand their businesses.
The breakfast is held on 30th July 2019 from 8:00am at Club Central Hurstville.
To register go to http://bit.ly/SSETENBreakfast  If you require any further information, contact ADS on  (02) 9597 5455, or Jenny Grey at Gymea Community Aid on (02) 95249559.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

The Next of Kin is a NSW Police initiative program for residents living alone at home where they can register with a preferred contact in case of an emergency.

The next of kin is the person YOU would like the police to contact. Details will be your next of kin, preferred Doctor, Dentist and any alerts that may help in an emergency that are entered onto a register.

Completed forms should be returned to Gymea Community Aid and Information Service where they will be collected weekly by the NSW Police Force volunteers.

For more information and to access the form, DOWNLOAD HERE

During week of 16th June we recognised Refugee Week by celebrating over 50 participants who gained their P1 driver’s license through our DriveTime program. The achievements were celebrated in Fairfield and Wollongong, where a significant number of refugees have settled.  The program, currently funded by NRMA began in Sutherland Shire in 2016 and is currently coordinated and managed here at Gymea Community Aid and Information Service through our Multicultural and Settlement Service.

For information on how to get involved, contact Safwan Aldod, Safwan.aldod@gcais.ngo.org.au or, 02 95249559.

WATCH HERE FOR OUR STORY AND  DRIVETIME CAMPAIGN

Have you spent years singing in the shower? Do you feel a slight jealousy when watching Carols in the Park or even an episode of the Recording Studio? Wait no longer.

You don’t have to be Celine Dion to be a part of this inclusive and collaborative group. Come and join the Gymea Community Singers, a 6 week pilot program commencing on 9th July when the singers will get started and establish their program. This group is open to everyone with no selection or audition processes. All you need is a water bottle, pen and a gold coin.

WHEN: Tuesdays from 9th July-13th August 2019
WHERE: Gymea Community Aid and Information Service, 39 Gymea Bay Rd Gymea
TIME: 1:30pm to 2:30pm
COST: Gold coin donation

For more information call Kalpna Patel, Community Worker on 02 95249559 or Kalpna.patel@gcais.ngo.org.au