Members of the Phillip Island Medical and Hospital Group (PIMHAG) Jenny Lonergan (left), Peter Paul and Gill Scrase (standing) manned an information table at the PICAL Open Day on Saturday. Peter also provides Justice of the Peace (JP) services from PICAL on a weekly basis.
Phillip Island Progress Association/Island Voice members Peter McMahon and David Nell (right) were on hand to provide information on the purpose of their group.
CWA Cowes Branch members offered some delectable home cooked items on their stall at the PICAL Open Day. Manning the stall were Martha Gajewski, Di Wilson, Dianne Holtrop, Linda Sparkes, Anna Tennant and Felicity Newberry.
Members of the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre Board. All volunteers, they are from left: Graeme Turner, Katrina Martin, Bronwyn Sefron, Sally Matthews, Denise McGill, Jeff Floyd (Chair) and Christine Ash.
PICAL volunteers Bernie McComb (right) and Brian Mandergeddes served delicious homemade shortbread to visitors at the PICAL Open Day last Saturday.
These PICAL Community Garden volunteers are looking forward to moving down to the new community garden in Settlement Road which is currently being established by Bass Coast Shire Council. The volunteers grow vegetables for the PICAL Pantry team, and can’t wait to get on with the job in the new location and at the PICAL Open Day they were recruiting new volunteers. From left: Maxine Smith, Neil Wilmot, Rod Anderson (handyman/carpentry) Mark Kennedy and Shane Smith.
PICAL Pantry co-ordinator Michelle McKenzie (right) and Pantry volunteer Barbara Burns. Barb volunteered initially in the office at PICAL in 2013.
A commercial kitchen in the new PICAL building in Warley Avenue is a dream come true for the volunteers who cook multiple meals each week to distribute to those in need in our community. Visitors on Open Day Geoff and Kate Marks (second and third from right) admiring the new premises with cooking volunteers (from left) Fran Mandergeddes, Lynda Clark and Christine Robertson. Co-ordinator Annette Mackenzie is on the right.
PICAL General Manager Greg Thompson is pictured with Rose Batty (right) and Sally Bowtell (centre) at PICAL’s recent Open Day. Sally and Rose were founding committee members of PICAL, initially known as the Community House, back in the late 1970s.
The new Women’s Friendship Café is being run by PICAL volunteer Donna Boucher (left) who discussed the concept with visitor Kerry Morrison (right) and PICAL volunteer Nikki Kelly (centre).
A Women’s Friendship Café, as well as a brand new fully equipped commercial kitchen, are two of the impressive innovations that were on show at Saturday’s Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL) Open Day.
Hundreds of visitors were welcomed inside and given guided tours and served morning tea by the many PICAL volunteers in attendance.
The morning started with a welcome by PICAL Board Chair Jeff Floyd to visitors; and an expression of thanks to PICAL’s many volunteers, who assisted with the “huge task” of moving out of the old Church Street premises, and getting the brand new facility up and running swiftly.
Community groups associated with PICAL turned out in force to show their support. The Tai Chi School performed, Rotary cooked sausages, the CWA ladies set up two tables, PIMHAG and Island Voice manned information tables, and volunteers from PICAL’s Community Garden team, Boomerang Bags, The PICAL Pantry, Adult Learning Department, a JP service, and the Community Activity Group all set up displays and provided information and answered questions on the work undertaken.
Members of PICALs Food Relief team were delighted to be working at last in a brand new commercial kitchen, designed for their needs, and kept visitors well fed.
A new innovation, a Women’s Friendship Café, was also on show for the first time. The café, which opened for the first time last week, is being run by PICAL volunteer Donna Boucher on Wednesday mornings between 9.30am and 12 noon, with women of all ages and from all walks of life warmly invited to call in, and enjoy a cuppa, together.
Everyone is very welcome, especially those who may be feeling isolated after the Covid lockdown. The café offers a friendly atmosphere where everyone is assured of a very warm welcome, and is a great way to meet people. Introduction of activities and outings will also be investigated as the year unfolds, Donna said.
Other community facilities including a Centre Link office are also included in the building.
