AUCKLAND/NORTHLAND NEWS

Please note: the office will be closed Dec 20 - Jan 9
Greetings to all, especially as we enter the coming festive season and summer holidays. May family time be increased and relationships strengthened, as we come together to celebrate in our own ways. My Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes for 2002 - doesn't the next year come around quickly.

ACTIVITIES:
The Saturday seminars will have finished for 2001 by the time this is published but we
had two most productive and informative sessions:
August 18th: LEGAL PERSPECTIVES
Guests: Jennifer Burns and Sue Martin
>From this session we learned of the NZ publication: "Legal Reference Manual" available from the Wellington Community Law Centre - reasonable price.

October 27th: ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Panel: Beth Gordon - HD client overview and profile
Mirella Allen - Regional Co-ordinating Services
NASC - Te Puaha ote Ora
NASC - Disability Resource Centre, Royal Oak
The complex and changing situations of people with community living and related accommodation needs were addressed. Developing MOH policies and future priorities were discussed in relationship to groupings of people (HD: age/stage factors and geographic issues).

The Gene Positive Group had a quality evening if not quantity by numbers attending - that was in September. We will schedule two get togethers in 2002.

Committee Meetings coming up are scheduled for Tuesday evenings Dec 4th, 22nd Jan; and then approximately every 6 weeks (with subcommittees held in between).

Apologies to the Northland families - the visit for 2001 has not eventuated! It remains on the Field Officer agenda and 'To do' list - but phone me anyway.

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME FOR 2002

March - Family Day at the Zoo
April - Gene Positive Group and Carers Group
May - Saturday Seminar
June - AGM
August - Saturday Seminar
September - Gene Positive Group and Carers Group
October - Northland visits
November - Saturday Seminar
DEFINITE CHANGE for 2002
The Office will be open and the Field Officer present every Wednesday 11.30 - 12.30 so drop in. To visit at other times just telephone and it can be arranged.
Beth Gordon, Field Officer: Ph: (O9) 480-2336 Mobile: 025-749-163