The Shire of Chittering seizes the opporunity

Members of the Chittering Cancer Support Group, The Bindoon Retirees and staff from the Shire of Chittering attended the Compassionate Communities Symposium held in Melville in November 2017 and returned to our little community inspired to foster our Compassionate Community.

Meantime, a local Community Health Advisory Group (CHAG) was established comprising members of local community groups and service providers to the Shire of Chittering residents.  The CHAG’s aim is to provide a forum for ongoing communication and interaction with the Western Wheatbelt Health Service sites, the District Health Advisory Council, private health providers, other relevant government agencies, consumers and community members.

Providing a structure for community views to be communicated to the relevant health providers and an avenue to advocate for the development of workable solutions to local health service related issues.

Vicki Barry, Palliative Care WA, recently presented to the CHAG on the development of Compassionate Communities across Australia and internationally, as well as a whole of community place-based approach to end of life which is something that is very dear to the heart of many of our community.

The local library embraced the inaugural National Advanced Care Planning Week 16 – 22 April with an Advance Care Planning Seminar facilitated by Palliative Care WA which was well attended. All participants walked away feeling better informed and keen to start planning for their own advance care options.
During April the library highlighted a collection of books regarding terminal illnesses, grief and bereavement on our Theme Shelf.  We have certainly seen an increase in borrower activity with these book themes since our April Focus on Advance Care Planning.

For further information please contact Lisa Kay, Community Development Officer or Annie Hudson, Library Officer at the Shire of Chittering on 9576 4600 or via chatter@chittering.wa.gov.au