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Collapse Issue 489:<br />2 Mar 2020<br />_____________Issue 489:
2 Mar 2020
_____________
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Anglican parish decides to sell St Andrews church
Tesch calls for more Return and Earn machines
Beach sculptures 'pop up' after storms
Future of Peninsula real estate given mixed assessment
Biddy turns 103
Work starts on traffic measures in Memorial Ave
Discussion about Mt Ettalong reserve plan invited
Mattress recycle project may extend to Woy Woy tip
All future council meetings to be held in Wyong
Council supports Coastal Twist festival with $50,000
Chair of Local Planning Panel announced
Springwood St seniors housing project to start this year
Two road projects approved
Local author's story included among 100
Rotary club hosts 20 exchange students for weekend
Golden retriever starts fortnightly visits
CWA branch receives donation for sock campaign
Evening patchwork in Ettalong
Village residents raise $1050 for bushfire appeal
Company grows from Ettalong lounge room
Union claims power delays due to job cuts
Rotary club provides shirts for Ugandan school teachers
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Pacific Link proposal reduces social housing
Rubbish spoils thoroughfare to beach
Repeating an action and expecting a different result?
Council has always been opposed to Wallarah 2
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Woy Woy Hospital to receive four new nurses
Clowns entertain aged care residents
Golf club donates pumps for 'chemo at home'
Hosts wanted for mental health barbecues
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Two contribute to award-winning film
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
School adopts web software for administrative efficiency
Laptops and smartboards usher in new era
Leave precious items at home, parents warned
Canteen manager celebrates 25 years
Sunscreen and mosquito repellent use encouraged
Learning to make sushi
Annabelle returns with medals
Student artworks chosen for regional exhibition
School library transformed to match book fair theme
Charlotte receives scholarship for further education
Parents reminded about cycling helmets
Students selected for mentoring program
A taste of rugby league
Praise for settling in quickly
Splash-A-Thon to be held at Umina
Education department officials visit school
Staff win first round of volleyball tournament
Four well-being programs are offered
Science and technology program for indigenous girls
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Umina boxers in Olympic qualifying round
Soccer club rejoins Premier League after 30 years
Social cup celebrates 40 years of touch football
Spirit beaten for minor premiership in narrow win
Surf club member to provide livestream coverage
Pirates win medals in country championships
Narrowly beaten for bronze
Surf club mourns loss of long-time member
Major Fours hotly contested

Clowns entertain aged care residents

Two staff members at a Woy Woy care facility have dressed as clowns to entertain the residents, embracing the notion that laughter is the best medicine.

BlueWave Living marketing manager Ms Kylie Scott said recreational activity officers Ms Wendy Bowen and Ms Merrilyn Tanswell at BlueWave were inspired by the Clown Doctors who visited patients in hospitals around NSW.

"A good sense of humour may not cure all ailments, but there is mounting evidence around the benefits of laughter," Ms Scott said.

"Along with enhancing your mental state, laughter induces physical changes in your body and has been clinically proven to strengthen your immune system, activate and relieve your stress response and stimulate many organs.

"The Clown Doctors are well known for their dedication to bringing laughter into the world of those who need it most," Ms Scott said.

"Merrilyn was lucky enough to undertake a workshop with the Clown Doctors called Laughter Boss.

"The purpose of the training is to bring humour into the daily care of our elderly residents.

"As a result, Merrilyn took on the role of Nurse Spot.

"Nurse Spot visits our residents to share quality time, enjoy a laugh or simply hold their hand.

"Merrilyn has many other characters including Beach Babe, Fairy Godmother, Clever Heather and the Chook Whisperer.

"Each character has their own unique sense of humour, all of which are designed to bring enjoyment and fun into BlueWave Living.

"Wendy delivers laughter to our residents by dressing up as a clown and sharing jokes.

"You will often hear her coming down the halls with a ring of a bell or a squeak of the horn.

"We've also had sightings of her riding a one wheeled bike and trying to join in on a game of bowls," Ms Scott said.

She said that, while the act might seem silly to some, it was having a positive effect on residents.

"Through these activities, we not only improve our residents' lives, but also the morale, engagement and happiness of our staff.

"You can honestly see the room come alive when we receive a visit from our funny friends.

"It changes the dynamics and offers a chance to let your guard down and just live in the moment."

Ms Bowen said she would happily continue clowning around if it meant residents continued to feel engaged and joyful.

"I love bringing joy and laughter to the residents.

"It makes my day to see them smile and watch their eyes light up when they see me all dressed up in the clown costume.

"It's a wonderful chance to really engage, one on one, with our dementia residents and I can see they are uplifted after my visit," Ms Bowen said.





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