Sada-e-Watan Sydney
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Mr. Zahid Jamil and Hon. Lynda
Voltz MP
SAMAA’s Annual Picnic for South
Asian Muslim Seniors held at Parramatta Park Sydney
A large number of seniors filled the Gawi Shelter of Parramatta Park on Sunday 13th
Oct 2024 to enjoy the annual SAMAA picnic assisted by SAMAA members and
volunteers.
The seniors enjoyed a day out with their
contemporaries, were entertained by local artists, received useful information,
and were treated to delicious South Asian cuisine catered by Sydney’s emerging
expert chef Sadia Niazi.
Dr Farah Khan, a clinical psychologist, delivered an
inspiring talk. Farah Khan has done valuable work as a researcher and her
articles are published in the recognized psychology and psychiatry journals
with more than 10 successful publications internationally.
Dr Farah Khan
Dr
Farah spoke on mental health, especially for our elderly community. She
talked about how to cope with anxious and depressive thoughts and what would be
the ways to feel more fulfilled and productive. These may include
1.
Bedtime rituals, not checking mobile phones
2. Morning affirmation should
include gratitude and visualisation
3. During the day, connecting with
2 people and asking HOW THEY ARE DOING
4. Finding some time off in nature
every week like visiting a park
Hon.
Lynda Voltz MP, State Member for Auburn, applauded
SAMAA’s efforts in caring for the community’s seniors. She advised seniors to
plan for their aged care needs well in advance as there are waiting times to
access many services. Ms Voltz stressed the need for having a Will, a Power of
Attorney, and an Enduring Power of Attorney.
Mr
Zahid Jamil of SAMAA stressed the need for the community elders to tell their
difficulties and old age issues. He said that there is a huge reluctance
among community seniors due to cultural traditions which may at times result in
a loss of entitlement to the services that they deserve.
Mr
Zahid Jamil introduced to the audience the two representatives.
Mr
Tariq Hassan runs a care and community service Help & Care. Help and Care
contracts with a couple of major Aged care providers
and engage in Aged Home Care services. These include Bliss Aged Care who offer
domestic assistance, personal care, complex nursing, and even transport for
elderly people. Help & Care also subcontracts with IWAA, the Home Care
provider who have a MoU in place with SAMAA for past few years.
Mr
Jamil also introduced Mr Sharif Anjum of AMA Housing who has built a facility,
ideal for retirement living. This facility is suitable for retirees who
value independence but need a little help with everyday tasks such as meal
preparation and housekeeping. Located in the serene surroundings of Mount
Druitt, the facility offers 11 self-contained units with spacious bedrooms,
ensuite bathrooms, common seating areas for socializing and relaxation, and a
shared kitchen for community dining. For more information or to schedule a
tour, please contact (02) 9675 6138 /0412 228 545 or via email:amahousingnsw@gmail.com
Mr
Zahid Jamil appealed to young people to join SAMAA as a volunteer. Volunteers
are the community’s most valuable hidden asset. SAMAA’s volunteers extend a
helping hand to the elderly through services such as paying home visits and
spending time with them, helping in general day-to-day shopping, providing
transport to medical appointments, mosques, libraries, and
social events, and assisting in basic home chores
and personal care. Serving the Elderly is an act of Haqooq ul Ibad, a
noble deed as a Muslim, Mr Jamil said. You can contact SAMAA services
coordinator Mrs Kaukab Nagi on 0468 725 314 to register as a volunteer or fill
out the volunteering form at the SAMAA website.
The
MCs Dr Fasihuddin Khan and Ms Mecki Ansari urged the
community elders and their families to come forward and avail the services that
the seniors deserve after lifelong services to their families and the nation.
Sydney
Singers Mr Adil Siddiqui and Mr Shahid Malik entertained the audience with
thrilling performances, singing popular numbers of the 70s and 80s. This
took seniors to their younger years evoking nostalgia and pleasure.
The
seniors enjoyed a day out with their contemporaries, were entertained by local
artists, received useful information, and were treated to delicious South Asian
cuisine catered by Sydney’s emerging expert chef Sadia Niazi.
For more details, please visit SAMAA website http://samaa.org.au/ or
contact services coordinator Sr Kaukab Nagi on
0468 725 415.