'Still a lot to do' for community office

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 589, 6 June 1995, Page 12

'Still a lot to do' for community office

by

mlchele

Monaghan

A year ago Michelle Elgar took on the position of Community Services Officer (CSO) in Waiouru. The position was created on a trial basis when the resident social worker left. Now Michelle herself is leaving to become the welfare and support officer of the mental health team, Good Health Wanganui. Michelle' s year as CSO may be beneficial in her new job because as CSO she had to liaise with a wide group of health, education and welfare professionals. Michelle started from scratch identifying community needs and options to fulfil these needs. "It's taken a lot of time, work and energy. We were just given an idea with very few guidelines." Michelle said. One of the guide-lines given was the CSO has to work closely with Army chaplains in establishing what community needs were. "The relationship between the CSO and the chaplain is extremely important because it provides a link. The Army is very keen for the community to stand on it's own, that' s why a link is so vital," Michelle said. "This community is quite strong, but it helps to have someone co-ordinate all the different factions within the community." Chaplain Sherri Weinberg is of the same opinion. "I need someone I can work with bridging the gap between the Army and the community. Someone I can directly liaise within regards to community issues." As with many areas in the Waimarino, Michelle said isolation is the main issue. "We're quite a distance from some welfare services, although a few are provided here." Michelle said. Services provided include a visiting psychiatric nurse, visiting womens' refuge advocates as well as an adolescent and public health nurse. Michelle was quick to point out that community issues and needs are basically the same in any small community, but they must be tended to. "You just can't let it sink or swim,"she said. Michelle finished at the Waiouru Community Drop-In centre on Friday and said she will look back on her year as one of progress. "There is a great sense of achievement to have started with just an idea and brought it this far. The last year' s been a tremendous challenge. It was a steep learning curve." As the position of CSO was created on a trial basis Michelle said she is not sure of her replacement . "There is still a lot to do." she said.