The Fraser Coast Beacon – Issue 14

Kal’ang Respite Care Features in The Fraser Coast Beacon – Issue 14

Kal’ang would like to thank The Fraser Coast Beacon for sharing the story of Kal’ang with the local community. In this article you can read about the history of Kal’ang including the trials and triumphs faced by Kal’ang over the years. Kal’ang went from almost closing it’s doors to becoming a NAIDOC award winning business within a very short space of time, thanks to the efforts of Bonnie and the team. Check out the article below.

Magazine publications – The Fraser Coast Beacon – Australia (thebeacon.com.au)

From being close to shutting its doors 18 months ago, to now being a 2020 NAIDOC award winning business, Kal’ang Respite and Care Centre has certainly had its share of both trouble and triumph. With an emergency board meeting being called in July 2019, that saw the appointment of Bonnie Williams as the new Manager of Kal’ang, the Centre began its regrowth from a place in disarray, with local Butchulla Elders not receiving vital services, to its emergence today as a happy, supportive and successful Aged Care Respite Centre. Within 14 months- six months earlier than scheduled, Bonnie and her team have restored the Kal’ang Respite and Care Centre, to a place of comfort, respect and community, for the ever increasing number of indigenous Elders it now provides services. Having only just recently achieved the eight standards for Aged Care required for them to remain open, Kal’ang can now proudly and with confidence, continue to provide to their current 15 Butchulla indigenous Elders, the much needed services, friendship and support, essential to maintaining their dignity, happiness and well-being.

Having successfully achieved their eight standards for Age Care ahead of time, Bonnie wanting to celebrate Kal’ang’s success, entered them for the NAIDOC Business Organisation Award 2020, which they proudly won. This was not a simple thing, as to achieve this, many changes needed to happen, including the establishment of a new Board of Directors, new management team and new specially vetted staff, who all came together to fix and find solutions to the issues that
had plagued the Care Centre for years. The success of these efforts even resulted in Bonnie herself having a nomination forwarded by Kal’ang’s own Board of Director’s, for NAIDOC Community Person of the Year Award, which Bonnie also won. The honours and prestige both these Awards have brought to Kal’ang, is a tribute to all the love and hard work that was put in by everyone, to re-establish Kal’ang as a Aged Respite Centre, that serves and supports, it’s clientele with respect, dignity and love.

Being invited to Kal’ang’s open day on 11th November during NAIDOC week, was an honour and a joy for both Stephen and myself. The feeling of community and respect that radiated from everyone there was amazing. It was impossible not to feel the love, care and attention that was shared amongst staff and clientele. The Centre was simply brimming with activity, laughter and joy. Social interaction is vital to human existence and no matter our age, it is important that we do not lose ourselves in isolation and loneliness. Caring for our elderly is an important service, which when done correctly, enriches our lives. Kal’ang provides all types of services including transport, social activities and companionship, as well as helping with trips to doctors or doing the shopping. Bonnie and her team are now
very keen to get out into the community to seek those that need assistance, and to bring them into the Kal’ang fold. Kal’ang gets their funding from the Federal Government, so anyone with a Home-care Package one, two, three or four can apply for assistance. Although Kal’ang provides predominantly for the indigenous community they are happy to supply services to anyone who needs them.

Seeing the way in which Kal’ang Respite Centre has encouraged social interaction between not only the Elders, but by also involving the young of the Butchulla community to join in the day, was a delight to see. The day had indigenous dancing, great food and many interesting stories and laughs. The Beacon would also like to thank Lyn Taylor for organising our visit. We would not have missed it for the world!

Contact Kal’ang Respite Centre

133 DENMANS CAMP Road, Kawungan Queensland 4655

07 4124 7780