Wheelchairs - Taking a Spin at the Mask Festival

Square Dancing for Wheelchairs.

     The Silver Spinners is a group of square dancing enthusiasts.  The name "Silver Spinners" relates to the wheels of the chairs turning around.  Above are some photos of the group (young and young at heart) all enjoying the spins and turns of the square dance at the Mask Festival.
     You may be wondering about the connection between people with a disability and a mask festival.  Well, as we all know, having a disability is sometimes like wearing a mask.  Some people only see the disability, not the person behind the disability.  The purpose of having the Silver Spinners attend the Mask Festival was to raise awareness about the need to engage with  each person no matter the disability.  We all have feelings, needs and desires we should treat every person as an individual no matter what their cultural diversity or their disability.

     I met the Silver Spinners group about 3 months ago at their Sunday meeting venue in Burwood.  I was immediately taken with their commitment to each other and the group's square dancing activities that bring so much enjoyment to the group and provide such a great inclusive activity. Members come from as far away as Frankston and Werribee to dance.   
     Unfortunately their numbers have fallen over time and I was informed that if they are unable to increase their membership soon the group will need to fold.  This would be very sad as square dancing is obviously important to them all, whether they are pushers, people in wheelchairs or dance partners.  

Photo: Square Dance Caller:  Ralph with  Cynthia the Louise MCC Manager

You CAN help.  If you know of any person with a disability who would like to join a wheelchair square dance group please invite them to come along for a free try. If you would like to contact  the group please send an e.mail to louisemcc@aanet.com.au attention Cynthia.  Remember you could change someone's life!

Jasmine Dance Group Perform

Photo from the Louise Multicultural Community Centre Mask Festival on the 26th October 2011.  The Jasmine Dance Group pictured above are performing the Japanese Mask Dance.  This dance is about Geisha Japanese entertainers. The Geisha are famous for  performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.

Our Mask Festival Hits The Cover Of The Whitehorse Leader

Gab, one of our newest board members, makes the cover of the Whitehorse Leader.  We always knew she had Cover Girl written all over her.  For those of you lucky enough to be at the Mask Festival, you'll know what a great Compere she is.  Aren't the masks amazing too?!

Have you heard the one about.............................?

Bronwyn and Lois from Let's Laugh had the audience at our Mask Festival in stitches!  It was great to see everyone taking part with big smiles.  Talk about having fun!  It was a riot! 


The last laugh ha ha ha was so loud it just about blew the roof off!

Decorating programs for the Mask Festival

Mary making decorations for the Mask Festival

In keeping with the mask theme, several of our wonderful volunteers spent hours painting and decorating programs and other art works for the Mask Festival.They looked fabulous and their design was the brainchild of Lindy, a Holmesglen student doing work placement with us.  Pictured is Mary, one of the very talented volunteers showing her handiwork.

Wrapping competition prizes.

The Mask Festival is just around the corner. In this photo, Gab is busily wrapping fabulous prizes for the Best Mask competition. We are so fortunate to have received many exciting donations to include in our prize hampers. The competition outcome is being eagerly anticipated.

There are three categories which we have grouped together:

1. Funny, scary or weird
2. From nature or "recycle"
3. Contemporary or cultural

A new development is that many children have also entered the competition.  Read the post about the St Peters Kindergarten 4 year old group.

St Peters Kindergarten Loved Making Masks






Holmesglen student Cynthia presents a thankyou gift from Louise.

   

In getting ready for the Mask Festival, we approached the St Peter’s Kindergarten next door to ask if the kids would decorate some paper masks for us. The teachers, Lesley and Emma, were very enthusiastic and glad to be part of the festival in this way. The kids leapt at the chance and were very excited to create their own version of a mask.  When we returned to pick up the masks, we were blown away by what the kids, at just 4 years of age, could do.  There was such a variety of colours and styles.  To show our appreciation, we gave each of the kids a gift which one of our generous sponsors had given us.

Introducing our new inclusion officer at the Louise!

My name is Abdi,  I have recently joined in the role of Disability Inclusion Officer and I already feel at home here as the staff, volunteers and students are all friendly and helpful. I am excited about this inclusion project as I feel I can really make a difference in people’s lives. 



Abdi and Cynthia



The project is funded by the Department of Human Services and aims to increase participation in our Centre and other Neighbourhood Houses by people with disability.

This is a person centred project looking at what people CAN do and utilizing their abilities.  That is why the project is called the Multicultural Ability Community (MAC) project.  I will be working one on one with individuals as well as facilitating groups.  There are some great resources to tap into such as the Louise MCC’s very own “Life Coach”. Together, Graeme and I will work with people to help them to achieve their goals through their own “life plan”. 

There are many programs for people to be involved in such as:

o     volunteering;

o     work experience, (learning about the Australian workplace);

o     short projects;

o     event planning and coordination;

o     teaching assistant etc.

For those people who are isolated at home and can’t get out, I will be helping them to participate through social networking and Skype. I plan to run a course on Skype for people with a Disability in the near future.  Participants may also wish to brush up on their English through our ESL classes.

If you know of any migrants or refugees with a disability please tell them about this project.  Call me, I work on Wednesdays and Thursdays (9:30 am – 2:30 pm) phone 9285 4850.

Mask Making Workshop

On 22 September the Louise held a mask making workshop where people had great fun making masks.  One of our volunteers, made this mask in the category of “From Nature” using a carved log of wood and gum nuts for eyes.  Dave informed us that he has given it the title of “Self Portrait”.  He made everyone laugh at the blood shot eyes and the golden tooth!