BCHS Annual Report 2025 - Report - Page 25
Elmore Social Support Group
Pam’s love for
pitching in
When Pam Rogers moved to Elmore from Mount Gambier
in 2006 with her husband Ken there was no question in
her mind when it came to what she would do with her
spare time.
“It was a natural thing for me to continue volunteering,”
says the Elmore Social Support Group member, who was
recently celebrated for 19 years of generous service.
From a local footy club in Millicent, South Australia to
crisis support centre Lifeline to an aged care unit in
Mount Gambier to Bendigo Community Health Services,
it appears volunteer variety is the spice of life for the
86-year-old. A fact that group coordinator Judy Ryan is
grateful for.
Sowing seeds
of social support
The Elmore Social
Support Group
rolled up their
sleeves and pulled
on their gardening
gloves for a
number of outings
this year. They had
a great start to
the spring 2024
growing season,
thanks to the
delivery of some
raised garden beds
to the Christine
Cumming Centre.
Group coordinator
Judy and Nat from
the Health Promotion team got their hands in the
soil to help prepare the beds, proving you have to be
multi-skilled at BCHS.
“We’re lucky to have Pam,” she says. “The community is
changing; the group is smaller but what we do is still so
important.”
There’s been birthdays, anniversaries, good times and
bad, but Pam wouldn’t change a thing. Connecting with
others and chatting is her cup of tea. Throw in some
delicious food and a sink full of dishes and she’s in her
element.
“Chatting and doing dishes are my main tasks,” she
laughs before continuing in all seriousness, “But I love it.
The Friday outings are my favourite.”
Love it she may, but Pam’s thinking of retiring soon.
“It’ll be hard to replace Pam,” Judy laments. “She does a
lot and knows so many people.”
“And their secrets,” jokes Pam.
The gardening adventures continued later in the
year when the group visited the gorgeous Long Gully
Community Garden. They enjoyed morning tea in the
sun and a presentation by chief gardener Jonathan.
During Exercise Right Month, the exercise
physiologists at BCHS provided resources to the
Social Support Group sta昀昀, who in turn incorporated
exercise activities into that month’s programing.
Low-to-moderate level exercise session videos were
shown and seated exercise handouts were provided to
members as well information on how to get up o昀昀 the
昀氀oor if you have a fall.
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