Tuross

Every Thursday morning a group of 10-15 women – mostly in their 70’s and 80’s – gather in Tuross.

They drink tea, chat about their weeks, laugh together and then set about the business of answering the needs of their community.

Tuross Head Caring Group Coordinator Pat Anderson said the group was established in 2013, in response to the needs of Tuross parishioners.

“There was one parishioner in particular whose husband was in the early stage of dementia, and his wife said it would be helpful if someone could take him for a coffee occasionally,” Pat explained.

“As I had started a caring group many years ago in Douglas Park, I put the suggestion forward and it took off!”

Over the years, the group has assisted with issues including transport, minor maintenance, home help and isolation. 

“We have driven people, minded dogs, fed fish, watered gardens, washed clothes, helped with technology, sent greeting cards, made caring phone calls, held talks, given out information, delivered soups and meals, cried over the deaths and laughed over life,” Pat said.

“Each one has a story attached.”

The caring group is a ministry of the Sacred Heart Parish in Moruya.

“Tuross is isolated due to the lack of public transport and leads to other forms of isolation with their associated problems,” Pat said.

“When we started the group, everyone wanted it to be open to the whole town. We organised a letterbox drop in the town, put up signs in shop windows and purchased a pre-paid mobile phone.  We also advised our local doctor’s surgery and the Moruya agencies of our existence.”

Pat said the group is essentially an “on call’ service.

“We offer free neighbourly assistance to those who have no one else,” she said.

“We do not charge, raise or accept money. On the rare occasion when the person was distressed about not paying, we suggested they purchase some wool, as a few of us knit or crochet rugs and donate them to either Vinnies or Family Support.”

Recently, the local Men’s Shed voted to support the Tuross Head Caring Group financially.

“They have paid for our new iPhone, monthly telephone account, stationery and ink cartridges. They have for years paid for our stall at town markets where we advertise our group publicly,” Pat said.

“The post office also sends our newsletters and cards for free. The generosity of these beautiful people cannot be praised enough. We have so many stories of caring.
My heart swells when I think of the caring and generosity of our volunteers and members.”