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COMMUNITY WELLBEING COMEDY EVENTS
MEDIA RELEASE
'The Old Fella ~ Across Victoria'
 
Landscape Of Compassion Inc brings Rod Gregory, The Old Fella across Victoria over ten days to give communities the opportunity to engage with his rural sense of Australian humour. Our experience is that these events can help to lift the spirits of those enduring and overcoming hardship following natural disasters such as drought, fire, flood and rodent impact.
We are pleased Rod is happy to support us as a not for profit community organisation in assisting communities to move on from the adversity of natural disasters and to help raise awareness of Autism.
Rod and his wife Toni share our passion for communities no matter how small or remote and being retired farmers they hold respect and understanding of living on the land. Rod has held many voluntary positions within his small rural community: member of Rotary, Sporting Clubs, Emergency Fire Service & Hospital Boards.
Peter Strange is a Men's Health Nurse Practitioner working in country communities within the Bendigo region. He sees that engaging men is the first step towards better health and happiness for both men and their families. "To see men at a community event having a laugh and socialising shows that men are interested in their own health and happiness and will engage in positive health practices if they are encouraged to do so."
Hedley Moon On behalf of Rochester Community House & Rochester Lions Club states: "As Rochester and the surrounding district were severely flooded in January 2011 there are many people still hurting from loosing so much through no fault of their own. We believe through having someone like Rod Gregory spending an evening with us will be of immense benefit to this community who still have so many hurting families following the devastation of their properties. We also believe this will be a time when many of us will, for a few hours, be able to relax, forget their worries and enjoy some good Aussie humour."
Rod and Toni hold a personal passion for wanting to help raise awareness of Autism. Rod states, "while many people think Autism is a sickness or a disease, I personally see it as a gift. I believe that if you ask any Autistic person if they would like to be like us, I am sure they would say a resounding no. A tee shirt slogan I saw being worn by an Autistic child said; YOU ARE LOOKING AT ME BECAUSE I AM DIFFERENT: I AM LOOKING AT YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL THE SAME."
Murray Dawson-Smith Chief Executive Officer, AMAZE-Autism Victoria states: "We are often confronted by difficult, challenging and traumatic events. The obvious natural disasters of bushfires and floods are but two of these challenging events that confront our nation on a regular basis. Equally, for many families, raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder can also be a difficult and challenging time. But in every circumstance the one thing that will often sustain us is the ability to find humor and laughter in often trying circumstance.
For this reason we welcome and support the 10 day Community Well-being Comedy Event being organized and presented across Victoria as it brings both humor and good will but also the opportunity for people to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders and the impact they can have on both the life of the person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and their family and friends."
Like Rod we believe the world would be a grey place indeed if it was not for the creative genius of the Autistic mind. It is our challenge to give them and us the education and tools they need to be able to communicate with us and to feel comfortable in our company. A great starting point is looking at ways we can all support the Autism Association in their work providing resources & awareness for Autism. 10 things Gryffin would like you to know..
Landscape Of Compassion and Rod are looking forward to:
celebrating the diversity of farming within Victoria
Celebrating the diversity that is Autism 'World Autism Day ~ April 2nd'
Landscape Of Compassion Inc ~ ' passion for communities'
Chairperson: Russell Willis & Secretary: Pamela Clune Ph 0400 091 440
pamela@landscapeofcompassion.org www.landscapeofcompassion.org
Address: 35 Boundary Rd , Wollert VIC 3750 AOO56823M ABN 38652826921
ADDITIONAL PEOPLE OF INTEREST WHO YOU MAY LIKE TO INCLUDE IN MEDIA INTERVIEWS.
Murray Dawson-Smith CEO: Amaze ~ Autism Victoria .
Kerry Smithies Manager Kalparrin ~ Early Childhood Intervention Program Inc
Michelle McKenzie Inglewood District Health
Amanda Logie Rochester Community House
Andrew Murray or Gwen Hunter Community Health Services at Baw Baw Shire
Kath Keiper Paediatric Speech Pathologist www.chewchewchatter.com.au
Kath Keiper is a paediatric speech therapist and states: "I am proud to be supporting Rod's 10 day tour of Community Wellbeing Comedy Events. Not only is Rod using his hilarious comedy to entertain, but he is using these events to promote a greater understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders. As a paediatric speech pathologist who has worked in this area for many years, I am passionate about raising awareness and supporting others who share this same passion. On a personal note, having a nephew with severe autism spectrum disorder, I have witnessed first hand the courage of families who work tirelessly in raising the awareness of autism spectrum disorder in the community." Rod's events provide an amazing opportunity to entertain and inspire others to reach out and support organisations working with families touched by Autism."
Lee Walkington Lions Club of Cohuna Inc. and Cohuna Neighbourhood House states: "Years of drought and then flooding rains, sounds like the words to a poem, but to the people on the land and in rural towns across Victoria, it is a harsh reality. These people are strong, but their inner strength has been tested. It is a privilege to be able to bring a little light relief to this area, in the form of a comedy night with Rod Gregory should make an enormous difference and help to break that feeling of desperation."
Congratulation: East Loddon Lions Club Wins Australia Day Awards 2012 Community Event Of The Year
Jo Guthrie on behalf of East Loddon Lions Club helped coordinate the successful 'Men in the Shed' September 2011 events where Rod 'The Old Fella' performed. The event was for men and their partners. Those who didn't attend wished they did and are not going to miss the opportunity at Inglewood, Cohuna or Rochester.
September 2011 events were initiated by members of Landscape Of Compassion Inc.
We appreciate the support of East Loddon Lions Club to accept and deliver a successful event for their community. read article
COMMUNITY WELLBEING COMEDY EVENTS ~ PROJECT PLAN
WHY OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE WITH STATEWIDE SUPPORT TAKING 10 COMEDY EVENTS ACROSS VICTORIA ?
We are aware that it is important to maintain grassroots finance within both significantly and directly impacted regions because:
• When whole communities and their environment are impacted, local and surrounding residents and businesses are prone to increased emotional, physical and economic waves of hardship.
• Most local and surrounding small businesses are economically impacted, strained or unable to continue to provide the products, services and/or financial donations to support recovery within their communities.
• Many community leaders who step up to support and deliver immediate and long-term recovery become tired and stressed themselves, as they may have also been directly impacted, or significantly affected over the course of offering such support.
• Isolation and separation throughout communities can increase negative and depressive habits that can cause additional emotional, physical and economic suffering on families, such as, increased self medication & alcohol consumption, gambling, domestic violence, and self harm.
• Many who had insurance cover were denied insurance or financial support.
• If the emotional, physical and economic wellbeing of communities is not addressed following a traumatic event the long-term costs can escalate dramatically for all Australians.
Autism and other mental conditions within families are increasing:
• The past year has raised our awareness that more and more children are diagnosed with Autism and other mental health challenges. Living with these conditions can add additional stress on families and education systems within our communities.
• Early diagnosis is vital so children receive understanding, care and support. There are fantastic initiatives and educational programs developed to work with children, youths and adults accordingly.
• Early intervention initiatives and programs are expensive and we would like to help raise awareness of the need for increased financial support for organisations that are helping to recognise and maintain healthy emotional, physical and environment balance for families.
Please contact us if you or your associates would like to support our 'passion for communities' by offering
financial or in-kind assistance or a combination of both.
Thank You
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