Lifeline's new Book Shop on the Mall

Are you looking for a good book to snuggle up with by the fire this chilly winter? Well, Lifeline’s Book Shop on the Mall may just be your answer.

Following the continued success of Lifeline’s Big Book Fairs in the Illawarra, Lifeline South Coast is pleased to be opening another Book Shop. Located in the laneway beside Wesley Church on the Mall, Lower Crown St Mall, Wollongong, the Shop opened on 2nd July and is stocked with a great range of fiction, biographies and a small selection of children’s books.

Helen Goldhahn, Business Manager, Lifeline South Coast says the success of our Big Book Fairs and book shop has proven that the Illawarra community love books!

“In a time when everything is available online, it is really comforting to know that people still love to snuggle up with a good book,” she said.

“Our new Book Shop on the Mall has a great selection of books and some lovely volunteers ready to have a chat and help you choose the right book. We sort book donations all year round at the Lifeline South Coast Warehouse so the stock will be rotated regularly.

Lifeline’s Book Shop on the Mall is opened Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm and Saturday mornings 9am – 12pm. For more information on volunteering please contact the Lifeline South Coast administration office on 02 4228 1311.

The Lifeline Shops are the financial cornerstone of Lifeline South Coast. They provide the largest portion of funding and allow the continuation of Lifelines vital 24 hour telephone crisis support service in the Illawarra and South Coast on 13 11 14.

Lifeline South Coast’s telephone crisis support service responds to 14,000 calls a year in the Illawarra and South Coast and covers the coastal area from Helensburgh to the Victorian border. Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone crisis support number is 13 11 14.

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For more information, please contact:
Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager
0402 068 597

Lifeline South Coast Volunteers Recognised

Lifeline South Coast will today close its shops and warehouse so that all volunteers have the opportunity to attend a recognition celebration in Shellharbour. Over 170 volunteers from both Nowra and Wollongong will attend some receiving accreditation and long service awards.  

Grahame Gould, Executive Director, Lifeline South Coast says volunteers within Lifeline South Coast play a vital role in our community.

“About 90% of Lifeline South Coast is made up of volunteers. Currently we have over 300 fabulous volunteers working in a range of roles,” he said.

“We have volunteers trained to take calls on our telephone crisis support line, some who pick up and sort the many donations we receive from the community, others who sort through thousands of books for our Big Book Fair and some who contribute to selling over 200,000 items a year through the Lifeline Shops.”

One volunteer who will be recognised today is Wendy (surname withheld due to anonymity of Telephone Crisis Supporters). Wendy will be receiving a long service certificate for 15 years of service to Lifeline South Coast.

Wendy was looking for a volunteering opportunity in 1997 after her children had grown up, and her sister encouraged her to consider Lifeline. She completed her training that year and has been with the organisation ever since.

Wendy comments “I enjoy talking with people on the phone and feel it is a privilege to be there for people during their time of crisis. I have learnt so much during my time with Lifeline and really enjoy working with such an amazing group of people."

Six other remarkable volunteers are set to be recognised for more than 10 years of volunteer service to the organisation. They include Val Richardson, who has contributed her time to work in the Unanderra Shop for 25 years; Janet Ralph, a warehouse volunteer for 10 years; Colleen Pye, who has served customers in the Auburn St Shop for 10 years; Ann Hansom and Helen Mercer who both receive 10 year long service certificates as a volunteer in the Kiama Shop; and a Volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter who has contributed enormously to the telephone crisis service not only as a Telephone Crisis Supporter but in a range of other roles also.  

Lifeline South Coast’s telephone crisis support service responds to 14,000 calls a year in the Illawarra and South Coast and covers the coastal area from Helensburgh to the Victorian border. Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone crisis support number is 13 11 14.

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For more information, please contact:                     

Clare Leslie                                         

Marketing and PR Manager                        

0402 068 597

Lifeline's Big Book Fair raises more than $106,000!

Last weekend’s Lifeline Big Book Fair has been yet another success! The three-day event took $106,154 in sales, the profits of which will go toward supporting Lifeline South Coast activities in our community.

Close to 5,000 people browsed through the 72,000 books that were on display in more than 50 categories. The most popular categories were children’s books; military and war; art; history; literature; visual arts and paperback fiction.

Grahame Gould, Executive Director of Lifeline South Coast says it is a real credit to our team that the Fair has continued to be so successful.

“We had a record number of volunteers helping out at the Fair which is fantastic! A huge thank you must go to all the Lifeline and Southern.IML Pathology volunteers who helped out over the weekend and in the lead-up to the event. Their dedication and commitment has ensured another great Book Fair”.

“Additionally, we have a wonderful team of volunteer book sorters who work all year round sorting, pricing and packing books for the Book Fair,” he said.

“They do a magnificent job getting so many books ready and ensuring we have a great selection on offer for our customers”.

“And let’s not forget the community - the support we receive from the community is fantastic. From donating books all year round to visiting the event this weekend to help raise money for Lifeline South Coast. People in the Illawarra are so generous,” he said.

Lifeline’s Big Book Fair is the major fundraising event for Lifeline South Coast. Lifeline is always as close as the phone on 13 11 14

The next Big Book Fair will be held between 5th and 7th October 2012 at the NEW VENUE – the Illawarra Sports Stadium, Berkeley.

Lifeline South Coast is a local service, which means that the funds raised locally stay here in our community and are used to help local people talk about their problems and find ways to solve them.

Each year, Lifeline receives 14,000 calls from people in the Illawarra and South Coast.

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Grahame Gould is available for interview by calling 0409 912 391.

Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager
0402 068 597

Lifeline's Big Book Fair has moved!

Lifeline’s Big Book Fair has moved to the Illawarra Sports Stadium so more books can be displayed to the public. Over 70, 000 books, one of the largest collections of books in the Illawarra, will be for sale.

This Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March, the Big Book Fair will be buzzing with excitement as eager customers scan the tables for a bargain!

It will again have something for everyone and books will continue to be displayed in over 50 categories. The only thing that has changed is the new venue – the Illawarra Sports Stadium, Hooka Creek Road, Berkeley.

The range of categories including fiction; non-fiction; reference; hobbies; travel; children’s books; art; science; literature; history; biographies; old, rare or just interesting. As usual, as floor plan will be available at the door.

Event Organiser Helen Goldhahn is excited to see the event move to a new venue.

“The Illawarra Sports Stadium is a great venue for our Book Fair. There is plenty of parking, a huge area for us to space the tables out in and a great atmosphere.”

“And to top it off, we have Nick Rheinberger performing from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday with a kids show, music and more,” she said.

Book Fair patron and author, Bruce Elder, said “one interesting find at the fair is an Antique Family Bible with brass locks and ornamentation. It is an authorised English translation of the Holy Scriptures circa 1900 for the use of Catholics, published by the late Rev. George Leo Haydock”.

Entry to the event is via gold coin donation and eftpos will be available.

Lifeline’s Big Book Fair is the major fundraising event for Lifeline South Coast. Funds raised at the Fair go toward supporting Lifeline services in the Illawarra and South Coast.

Lifeline South Coast is a local service, which means that the funds raised locally stay here in our community and are used to help local people talk about their problems and find ways to solve them.

Each year, Lifeline South Coast receives 14,000 calls from people in the Illawarra and South Coast.

ends…

Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager
4228 1311 or 0402 068 597

Shift in Demand of Lifeline's Crisis Line

Lifeline South Coast is today seeking volunteers to help them meet the changing demand of callers to the national 24 hour telephone counselling service on 13 11 14 – by agreeing to fill shifts after 8pm in the evening.

Lifeline South Coast Executive Director, Grahame Gould is joining with prominent business leader, Oscar Gregory, General Manager Mills and Coating for BlueScope Steel, to call for volunteers to train as Lifeline South Coast volunteer Telephone Counsellors.

Oscar’s voice will be heard on radio commercials for the training course and the campaign will also include letterbox flyers to every Illawarra home and Newspaper advertisements across the region.

Mr Gregory said “I support Lifeline South Coast’s volunteer Telephone Counsellor training course as it helps build a stronger and more supportive community.”

“Lifeline plays an important role in supporting people in our community, but even more so at times of the day when other services are closed. That is why I am pleased to endorse the wonderful work done by Lifeline South Coast and why BlueScope Steel continues to support the essential training of volunteer Telephone Counsellors”, Mr Gregory said.

Grahame Gould, Executive Director, Lifeline South Coast commented that “The 13 11 14 crisis line is in peak demand after 8pm in the evening and on a Sunday. Generally, this is due to the fact that other services are closed so people turn to Lifeline. It is important that we respond to the shifting call pattern and demand of the 13 11 14 service and so will be giving preference in the upcoming training course to volunteers who can commit to helping during those shifts.”

Lifeline South Coast is looking for men and women to train to become volunteer Telephone Counsellors. Applications are accepted online at the ‘volunteer with us’ page of the website – www.lifelinesouthcoast.org.au.

Grahame Gould, Executive Director of Lifeline South Coast said “trainee Telephone Counsellors receive extensive training in a vast range of areas and don’t go onto the phones until they have the skills and support they need. In addition, Telephone Counsellors can gain a nationally accredited qualification”.

The Lifeline South Coast telephone counselling service operates from both Wollongong and Nowra and each centre will be conducting a training session in 2012.

Lifeline Telephone Counsellors are available 24-hours a day and can help with problems about any issue, no matter how big or small: relationships, loneliness, suicide, life decisions, addiction, abuse, depression, stress and grief. Lifeline South Coast’s telephone counselling service responds to 14,000 calls a year and covers the coastal area from Helensburgh to the Victorian border. Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone counselling service number is 13 11 14.

The Lifeline South Coast volunteer telephone counselling training course is sponsored by BlueScope Steel.

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Oscar Gregory and Grahame Gould will be available at Lifeline South Coast for interview and photos  
Date:  Friday 10 February 2012
Time:   10.30am
Location:  3 Court Lane Wollongong (across laneway from back of Wesley Church on the Mall)

Due to the anonymity of Lifeline South Coast’s telephone counselling service, interviewees who are telephone counsellors cannot be named or photographed.

For more information, please contact:
Grahame Gould
Executive Director
Lifeline South Coast
4228 1311
0409 912 391

BlueScope Steel Contact:
Mike Archer
Manager External Affairs
BlueScope Steel
4275 3968
0419 466 990

Lifeline South Coast Volunteers Recognised

Lifeline South Coast will today close its shops and warehouse so that all volunteers have the opportunity to attend a recognition celebration in Shellharbour. Over 170 volunteers from both Nowra and Wollongong will attend, some receiving accreditation and long service awards.

Grahame Gould, Executive Director, Lifeline South Coast says volunteers within Lifeline South Coast play a vital role in our community.

“About 90% of Lifeline South Coast is made up of volunteers. Currently we have over 240 fabulous volunteers working in a range of roles,” he said.

“We have volunteers trained to take calls on our telephone counselling line, some who pick up and sort the many donations we receive from the community, others who sort through thousands of books for our Big Book Fair and some who contribute to selling over 200,000 items a year through the Lifeline Shops.”

John Wiltshire will be one volunteer recognised today for his 40 year commitment to Lifeline South Coast. He was still working full-time at BHP in 1971 when he completed the training and started as a telephone counsellor. John has taken on many roles over the years including an on-call supervisor to telephone counsellors, being a member of the ‘trouble team’ in the 1980s, which visited people in crisis in their homes, and being the committee secretary of the run/walk fundraising events for Lifeline South Coast.

He comments that volunteering with Lifeline South Coast has allowed him to be part of a wonderful team of people who are all focused on helping an organisation which is very beneficial to the community. His various roles have allowed him to use his skills and develop new ones.

Since his retirement in 1996, John has taken on more of an administrative role with Lifeline South Coast. He has been on the Board for 24 years and has been the Board Secretary for 19. He has been the Honorary Financial Administrator for more than 14 years and has been the Secretary of the Finance Committee since its inception nine years ago. John leaves the organisation and the Illawarra later this year to be closer to family.

Five other remarkable volunteers are set to be recognised for more than 15 years of volunteer service to the organisation. They include Joan Bell, who has contributed her time to work in the warehouse for 25 years; Robin Cundell a maintenance volunteer for 20 years; Lorraine Humeniuk who receives a 15 year long service certificate as a volunteer in the warehouse; and two volunteer telephone counsellors who have both contributed enormously to the telephone counselling service not only as counsellors but in a range of other roles also. 

Lifeline South Coast’s telephone counselling service responds to 14,000 calls a year in the Illawarra and South Coast and covers the coastal area from Helensburgh to the Victorian border. Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone counselling service number is 13 11 14.

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 For more information, please contact:   
Clare Leslie                                               
Marketing and PR Manager                       
0402 068 597                                             

Lifeline's Big Book Fair raises more than $104,000

Last weekend’s Lifeline Big Book Fair has been yet another success! The three-day event took $104,014 in sales, the profits of which will go toward supporting Lifeline South Coast activities in our community.

Over 5,300 people browsed through the 72,000 books that were on display in more than 50 categories. The most popular categories were children’s books; visual arts; military and war; cooking; planes, trains and automobiles and who dunnit.

Helen Goldhahn, Lifeline Big Book Fair Organiser says it is a real credit to our team that the Fair has continued to be so successful.

“We have a wonderful team of volunteer book sorters who work all year round sorting, pricing and packing books for the Book Fair,” she said.

“They do a magnificent job getting so many books ready and ensuring we have a great selection on offer for our customers”.

“A huge thank you must also go to all the Lifeline and Southern.IML Pathology volunteers who helped out over the weekend and in the lead-up to the event. Their dedication and commitment has ensured another great Book Fair”.

 “The support we receive from the community is fantastic. From donating books all year round to visiting the event this weekend to help raise money for Lifeline South Coast. People in the Illawarra are so generous,” she said.

Lifeline’s Big Book Fair is the major fundraising event for Lifeline South Coast. Lifeline is always as close as the phone on 13 11 14

The next Big Book Fair will be held between 23rd and 25th March 2012 at a NEW VENUE – the Illawarra Sports Stadium, Berkeley.

Lifeline South Coast is a local service, which means that the funds raised locally stay here in our community and are used to help local people talk about their problems and find ways to solve them.

Each year, Lifeline receives 14,000 calls from people in the Illawarra and South Coast.

ends…

Helen Goldhahn is available for interview by calling 0417 279 964.

Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager
0402 068 597

What do you look for at Lifeline's Big Book Fair?

What do you look for at Lifeline’s Big Book Fair? Kids books? A great novel to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon? A new recipe book to help spice up your cooking? Or perhaps a biography?

 Lifeline’s Big Book Fair has something for everyone! The event will showcase 72,000 books displayed in over 50 categories at Kembla Grange Racecourse this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Event Organiser Helen Goldhahn says you may be surprised by some of the categories or specific books you will find at the Fair.

“Art is always popular but this time the category will include Albert Tucker by James Mollison and Nicholas Bonham which holds a collection of paintings and sketches produced from 1933 to 1976. Or The Billy Book printed in 1918 which contains comedy sketches of early Prime Minister William Morris Hughes. Or how about a signed copy of The Art of Albert Namatjira printed in 1945.”

Maybe you are more of a history buff? You’ll find a great range including The First At War – The Story of the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion 1939-1945, or an enquiry into the origin and character of the convicts transported to NSW and Van Diemen’s Land 1787-1852 titled The Convict Settlers of Australia, or Gold and Water – a History of Sofala and the Turon Goldfield by Higgins.

In the music category you will also find a treasure trove of original sheet music including: She loves you, The Beatles 1963; Songs of the Fleet, Charles Stanford 1910; Australia’s Boys in Khaki and Blue, composed by Sergeant Hewitt AIF 1916; Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer, Evie Hayes 1943; and Bell Bottom Trousers, Gracie Fields 1944.

Lifeline’s Big Book Fair will be held on Friday 14th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October 2011 between 10am and 4pm at the Kembla Grange Racecourse. Entry to the event is via gold coin donation and eftpos will be available.

Lifeline’s Big Book Fair is the major fundraising event for Lifeline South Coast. Funds raised at the Fair go toward supporting Lifeline services in the Illawarra and South Coast.

Lifeline South Coast is a local service, which means that the funds raised locally stay here in our community and are used to help local people talk about their problems and find ways to solve them.

Each year, Lifeline South Coast receives 14,000 calls from people in the Illawarra and South Coast.

ends…

Clare Leslie 
Marketing and PR Manager 
4228 1311 or 0402 068 597

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY

World Suicide Prevention Day is tomorrow 10 September, and Lifeline South Coast is taking the opportunity to remind the Illawarra community that they all have a role to play in suicide prevention.

“Every day in Australia, around six people take their own lives,” Lifeline South Coast Executive Director, Grahame Gould said today.

“This means that each year more people are dying by suicide in Australia than are dying on our roads, or from skin cancer.  And while these other issues are rightly topics that rate highly on the public agenda, suicide remains a taboo.

“That’s why Lifeline is looking to break down the stigma associated with suicide, and help to dispel the myths that many believe to be true in connection with suicidal ideation.”

Facts about suicide
    1) suicide is a mostly preventable cause of death
    2) around 2200 people take their own lives in Australia each year (ABS Data)
        a. road deaths are around 1600
        b. skin cancer deaths are around 1800
            i. It is estimated that the national figures on deaths by suicide may be 20% - 30% under-reported due to different reporting protocols across states and territories, burden of proof for coroners and stigma/religious reasons that prevent disclosures
    3) suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 44 in Australia
        a. men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women
    4) suicide is the leading cause of death for women under 34 in Australia
    5) people who attempt or complete suicide generally do not want to die, rather they want to escape unbearable pain or circumstance
    6) it is estimated that 3.3% of Australian’s adult population – 600,000 people – have attempted suicide at some point in their lives

“We all have a role to play in preventing suicide. Australians from all cultures and backgrounds can help by letting their friends and family know that it is safe to talk about suicide and that help is available at all times, like Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis line 13 11 14.”

Lifeline South Coast offers a half day presentation called safeTALK to workplaces and organisations aimed at increasing awareness in the community about suicide. Participants learn to recognise when someone may have thoughts of suicide and to respond in ways that link them with further suicide intervention help. There is a cost involved based on the number of participants.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a personal crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For more information about Lifeline’s services, or to find out about our online Crisis Support Chat Service, visit www.lifeline.org.au

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Grahame Gould is available for interview by calling 0409 912 391

For further information:
Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager
0402 068 597

Cycle 4 Life

Thursday 25 August saw Canberra locals Philippa Seldon and Gary Lilly embark on a journey cycling close to 1,600km from Canberra to Brisbane in an effort to raise awareness of suicide prevention.

Today at 2pm they arrive at the Lifeline South Coast administration office in Wollongong on their way from Moss Vale to Sydney.

Philippa tragically lost her brother Dale to suicide two years ago. “Losing a loved one by suicide leaves so many questions unanswered and so much heartache for family and friends. I would like to turn my family’s pain and Dale’s death into something positive” Miss Seldon said.

“Every kilometre that Gary and I ride will be nothing compared to what those grieving the loss of a loved one endure. My goal is to educate people about suicide prevention, what we all can do to assist someone at risk of suicide and to make people aware of the professional support that is available” she said.

All funds raised from the ride will help support Lifeline Canberra and the national crisis telephone counselling service.

Lifeline is at the forefront of suicide prevention; helping over 1,250 Australian’s in crisis every day. Up to 50 of these calls each day are from people at high risk of suicide but many more don’t seek help.

“Raising awareness about suicide prevention and the importance of help-seeking is an ongoing priority for Lifeline” said Grahame Gould, Executive Director of Lifeline South Coast. “That’s why we admire Philippa and Gary’s efforts to raise awareness because like too many other Australians, they have lost a loved one to suicide.”

In Australia, every 15 minutes someone tries to take their own life, and tragically, every four hours someone, somewhere in Australia completes the act of suicide.

“Life is precious, but at times can be full of challenges. It is how we overcome these challenges that ultimately determines our happiness and emotional wellbeing. At times we need a little help and support along the way which is where Lifeline is so important” Philippa said.

Lifeline provides help and crisis support for thousands of Australians, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For emotional crisis telephone support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website for information and self help resources.

More information and ways to support Cycle 4 Life can be found at www.cycle4life.org.au

ENDS
For further comment from riders or Lifeline contact:
Richard Toomey – Media Coordinator – Cycle 4 Life (contact for arrival times and media/photo opportunities with Philippa and Gary) Mobile: 0433 460 146

Philippa Seldon ­– Cycle 4 Life Rider
Mobile: 0416 363 233

Mike Zissler – Chief Executive Officer – Lifeline Canberra
Telephone: 02 6241 2901 or Mobile 0415 458 837

Increase in crisis calls answered at Lifeline South Coast

Recent data from Lifeline Australia indicates that local centre Lifeline South Coast has increased the number of calls answered on the 13 11 14 crisis line by more than 2,500 calls.

The data compares the Lifeline South Coast call rates from the 2010/2011 financial year to the 2009/2010 financial year. It shows that Lifeline South Coast has answered 14,605 calls in the most recent year compared to 12,074 the previous – an increase of 2,531 calls.

Lifeline South Coast Executive Director Grahame Gould said the data does not surprise him.

“We have a very dedicated and skilled group of Volunteer Telephone Counsellors working from both our Wollongong and Nowra offices. Our call rate has been steadily increasing since 2009 and in December of 2010 we saw our highest call rate on record – 1556 calls,” he said.

“We put this increase in call rate down to the strength of our Volunteers Telephone Counsellors. Yes, the number of Telephone Counsellors is increasing gradually, but the entire team is becoming more efficient and we are seeing a noticeable decrease in our ‘not ready’ rates.”

The hard work has not gone unnoticed with the national Lifeline network allocating two more telephone counselling phones to the Wollongong office. This increases the number of Lifeline South Coast phones from four to six!

Calls to the 24 hour service can be about any issue, no matter how big or small: relationships, loneliness, life decisions, addiction, abuse, depression, stress, grief and suicide. Calls to Lifeline South Coast over the 2010/2011 year were primarily related to mental health, family and/or partner challenges and loneliness.

Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone counselling service responds to 14,000 calls a year in the Illawarra and South Coast and covers the coastal area from Helensburgh to the Victorian border. Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling service number is 13 11 14.

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For more information:
Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager
0402 068 597

New name for local Financial Counselling Service

Lifeline South Coast Executive Director, Grahame Gould together with Chairman, Bruce Elder will today announce the renaming of its financial counselling service at the Nowra office.

The ceremony will take place at 10am this morning when Creditline Financial Counselling Service will be officially renamed Lifeline South Coast Financial Counselling Service.

Creditline Financial Counselling Service started in Nowra in 1992 with two Financial Counsellors trained through Lifeline Sydney. Funded by Fair Trading NSW the service initially saw a handful of clients each week.

“We believe the service was originally named Creditline to link to the Lifeline Sydney service of the same name, Executive Director Grahame Gould said.

“More recently though, it has become quite confusing to our clients when there is a credit provider of the same name.” he said.

Today, Lifeline South Coast Financial Counselling Service operates from Nowra five days a week, and outreaches to Ulladulla once a week. The service employs two fully accredited Financial Counsellors and conducts over 50 counselling interviews every month!

Sandy Dawson, Financial Counselling Coordinator says “It is wonderful to have the support of so many local agencies as we celebrate our renaming today. It is great to be part of an amazing network of community and legal services that work together to reach an outcome for our clients.”

Lifeline South Coast Financial Counselling Service is a free, personal, professional and confidential service catering for the people of the South Coast. Accredited Financial Counsellors can help to explore financial options, provide advocacy and support when dealing withy creditors and help with personal and family budgeting.

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Renaming ceremony will take place:
When: Wednesday 20 April 2011
Time: 10am
Where: Lifeline South Coast Financial Counselling office
 2/130 Junction Street, Nowra (above Blooms Pharmacy)

For more information:
Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager
0402 068 597

Lifeline’s Big Book Fair raises more than $113,000!

Help us celebrate the 10th Lifeline Big Book Fair

Each year, Lifeline South Coast receives 13,000 calls from people in the Illawarra and South Coast.

Clare Leslie
Marketing and PR Manager                                             
4228 1311 or 0402 068 597    

or

Grahame Gould
Executive Director
0409 912 391

Floods prompt appeal for more volunteers

Prepare yourself for Christmas

• Your Christmas does not have to be perfect to be enjoyable. It is easy to set unrealistically high standards for yourself. Ask yourself “does it really matter if the roast is not done the way my mother did it?”
• Don’t think you have to enjoy it all the time. Give yourself permission to feel sad at some stage during Christmas. Sometimes Christmas can remind us that a special person is no longer with us, and its normal to feel sad about this.
• Try not to feel over responsible for other people’s enjoyment. Remember, you can only do so much, and, if you think others are not enjoying Christmas as much as they could, that’s their responsibility not yours.
• Don’t feel as though you have to get on with everyone. Sometimes people have hurt us in the past or relationships have broken down so it’s unrealistic that you would get on with them at Christmas.
• Take some time for yourself. Often we are so worried about everyone else that we forget to take a moment for ourselves. Do something YOU enjoy this Christmas.