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Kiewa & Ovens Arthritis Self Help Group
was formed in 1983 and is affiliated with the "ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
of VICTORIA" and the 'ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION of AUSTRALIA'. From
these organisations we obtain the latest information regarding
Self-help, Education and Medical Research. Those members residing
in the newly formed 'ALPINE SHIRE' eg. Mount Beauty, Bright and
Myrtleford decided to retain the name K & O Arthritis Self-help
Group and conduct Hydrotherapy (water exercise) sessions at the
Bright Sports Centre.
The objectives of the group are basically
to bring together people who have similar problems i.e. Arthritis,
Stroke and/or other related problems. We as a group endeavour
to provide physical and emotional assistance to all group members.
We also try to provide public awareness and information by way
of brochures, pamphlets, ect. And as we live in the area, which
has a large non-English speaking population, we also have information
printed in Croation, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Maltese, Polish,
Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese. The physical
assistance is given by conducting Hydrotherapy (light exercises
in water heated to a temperature of 28-32 C) with leaders and
supervisers trained by the Foundation. These sessions are held
at the Bright Sports Centre on Monday's and Friday's and commence
at 11.00am. Members are only allowed to participate in these sessions
after having obtained a referral from their G.P. and Community
Health is in receipt of same. Apart from us meeting at the pool,
which in itself has a great social interaction value, we have
a General Meeting every three months and our Annual General Meeting
are held in May. These meetings are preceded by a light luncheon.
Our Christmas Break-up luncheon is held in each of the three towns
on a rotational basis and our one fundraiser for the year is our
now famous "Spaghetti Luncheon" held in Myrtleford on the Wednesday
of National Arthritis Week each year.
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