New Staff Member Appointed - Administration & Education Officer

AONT is pleased to welcome Stephanie Todd as its newly appointed Adminstration & Education Officer.  Stephanie joined us on Monday 11th January 2010 and works Monday to Friday 9.am to 2.30.  Drop in a say "Hi".  

Lupus Australia Foundation merges with Arthritis Victoria

Arthritis Victoria now formally supports people with Lupus, following the integration of Lupus Australia Foundation (LAF) into Arthritis Victoria.  Arthritis Victoria has a range of information and services for people with lupus.  Lupus condition information available includes Living with lupus with information on aids and equipment, complementary therapies, medication, nutrition, pain management and your health care team.  Contact AONT for further information.

Preventing Falls through Physical Activity

The Alberta Centre for Active Living in Canada has launched a new resource for people who are helping older adults to be more physically active.   Preventing Falls Through Physical Activity: A Guide for People Working with Older Adults is a 38-page booklet specifically designed for activity leaders in rural communities. The guide is very useful for people in urban settings as well. The guide was developed through a grant from the Community Injury Control Fund from the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research and with input from a provincial advisory committee. The Guide can be downloaded from the Alberta Centre for Active Living website, duplicated and shared freely.  The web link is: http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/older-adults/rural/guides/index.html. Another resource is The Rural Route to Active Aging: A Guide for People Who Want to Stay Active as They Age is also available on the website. This resource complements Preventing Falls Through Physical Activity

New AONT Board appointed after AGM

At  the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 1 November 2009, the following Board was elected:

• Charles Atherton - President and Public Officer
• Beth Harvey - Vice President
• Ruth Garden - Secretary
• Mary Willis - Treasurer
• Maureen Archbold - Board Member
• Ash Dally - Board Member
• Cathy Flint - Board Member
• Gail Keddie - Board Member
• Denis Power - Board Member

Welcome to our new members.

AONT has moved premises!

The office of Arthritis Foundation of Northern Territory Inc (trading as Arthritis & Osteoporosis NT) moved in September to Shop 18, Rapid Creek Business Centre, 48 Trower Road, Rapid Creek.  Our telephone, facsimile and postal details will remain the same.   Drop in and see us sometime - Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2pm

Community Speakers Course

We are looking for people interested in completed our accredited Community Speakers Training Course.  The course, prepared by Arthritis Tasmania, will provide you with training for the provision of a nationally accredited Arthritas01 - Deliver Health Care Information on Musculuskeletal conditions programme.   AONT has access to the services of a qualified trainer to deliver this program to train Community Speakers.  Once trained, you will be able to present a briefing which may be tailored specifically to a particular community group's needs eg after a brief introduction on various types of arthritis, specific information could be provided on topics such as Pain and Stress Management, Exercise and Diet etc.  Telephone 8948 5232 or email info@ aont.org.au to register your interest for the next course.  Refer to our calendar of events (left) for details for next course in Darwin and Alice Springs.

DIA Golf Day - raising money for Canteen

Darwin International Airport (DIA) kindly sponsored "Ye Old Bones" Golf Team for AONT in the recent Charity Fundraising Golf Day.  Our team didn't win, but had a great day and a lot of money was raised for Canteen.  Thank you team for your efforts.

Open Garden Day - Fannie Bay

A Territory Housing-owned village complex for seniors was the venue for another information weekend of gardening pleasure.   Kurringal Court Seniors Residences, Fannie Bay  provided the venue for a number of Open Gardens, together with information sessions provided by our Occupational Therapist Gerard,  Remedial Massage Therapist Wendy and our Volunteer Meg.  We acknowledge the support given by the NT Government and our donors and volunteers. 

Donations for Open Garden

We gratefully acknowledge the support of a number of sponsors for the Open Garden at Kurringal Court Seniors Residence:

• The Hon Chief Minister Paul Henderson MLA
• The Hon Dawn Lawrie MLA
• The Hon Michael Gunner MLA
• The Hon Chris Burns MLA
• The Hon John Elferink MLA
• Bunnings Warehouse Darwin
• Allora Gardens Nursery
• and the residents of Kurringal Court Seniors Residence for allowing us to participate in their Open Day

Prize Winners of Gardening for Seniors Raffle

Congratulations to Pat O'Neill (ticket Green C97) who has won First prize in our Raffle and will take home a HUGE wheely trolly of gardening goodies and other fun items.  Second prize went to Helen Allmich (ticket Purple B61) who will take home a big bright bucket full of some gardening tools and other items.    Thanks to everyone who bought tickets.

DIA is helping AONT build Dense Strong Bones

Darwin International Airport (DIA) is supporting the AONT with its promotional program to Build Dense Strong Bones.  The AONT has arranged a number of promotional activites to promote the importance of healthy bones particularly the consumption of calcium and adequate intake of Vitamin D.  The importance of healthy bones and bone strength are significant in the prevention of osteoporosis.  In Australia, one in two women and one in three men, over the age of 60 are likely to be affected by osteoporosis.   The AONT gratefully acknowledges DIA's valuable support in delivering this important message.  DIA has offered support with resources and manpower.

We've been to the Shows in Alice and Katherine

Health Educator Louise Schnitzhofer has been busy finishing the Rural and Remote Awareness Program for the 08/09 year.  She attended the Alice Springs District Show and the Katherine District Show during July, providing visitors with information on arthritis and osteoporosis and also giveaways of cheese and yoghurt products, courtesy of Bd Paris Creek Dairy.  Thank you Bd Paris Creek!