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5
2016
BPWGisborne
June Newsletter /
Sherryll's Musings
Kia orakoutou/Greetings to you all!
Another great month to enjoy the wonderful days of sunshine in Gisborne. I wonder if I will be saying the same thing next month?
While the weather climate at the moment may be favourable the climate for women’s issues is not. Pay equity, unconscious bias within the workplace, lack of flexibility regarding balancing childcare and family responsibilities, create issues in the workforce on a daily basis.
I work in an environment that is predominately women teachers, many of whom have dependent children. My policy on Staff Appointments is that rostered hours, breaks and after school care are negotiated and supported with individual teachers to accommodate their family needs. I believe this to be a social responsibility as an employer and a win/win for utilizing the skills of experienced teachers and for teachers to have the opportunity to maintain their career and enjoy motherhood at the same time. Yes, it comes at a slightly higher cost but it’s an investment well spent.
In this changing world where more and more women work to support their families and maintain their careers, employers need to adopt a more conscious social attitude.
The Women’s Empowerment Principles aims to promote these core elements which is why Gisborne businesses need to know about WEPs and how it can be implemented in their workplace.
Watch out for advertising for the next promotion and encourage the businesses you work for and others to become part of this world wide initiative.
Sherryll Markie-Brookes
April'sMeeting
Reflection
Speaker - Paula Neshausen - General Managerat Mother's Helpers
Volunteer General Manager of Mothers Helpers NZ. trust working with mothers and helpers bringing support and practical help to many mothers that are struggling on their own as a single parent, or with post-natal depression. NZ and global expert at mental health of post natal. Her son Dwight born 7 years ago, following his birth she suffered from post partum psychosis.
Back 36/7 years ago, didn’t sleep well. So she lay in bed listening to Radio NZ, was fascinated by dramatisation of Crewe Murders. Absolutely captivated by it, searched the library for articles. Questioned:
1. Why would someone do that?
2. Who looked after the baby?
First started an interest in psychology.
Left Gisborne went to Wellington, worked a year, completed masters in psychology, specialising in forensic, homicide and suicide. Loved it, challenging, heart-breaking, loved the thrill of the chase. Lucky to be able to attend FBI run courses where she learnt microbody language – kids can’t lie to me.
Worked on high profile cases for 10 years. Needed change of scenery – both public and private consulting, psych evaluations, contract negotiations, union works, restructuring etc. One of six Project Managers that created Fonterra (highlight of career). Consulting work UK, Canada, America, Australia, Amsterdam. Back to NZ – Waikato Uni research. Met now ex-husband, joined volunteer service Te Awamutu Brigade.
Accepted career role in firewise programme development. Won national commanders medal and award for Fire safety education work. Left when pregnant with oldest daughter.
Underwent fertility treatment 5 years, lost at 28 weeks, stillborn. IVF pregnancy two lost at 26 weeks, left IVF for another year tried again, waters broke at 26 weeks she proved fighter, drugs kept in 29 weeks, born weighing 1 pound, 1 ounce, tiny, breathing alone week one. Now oldest is a 9.5 year old, bright etc.
Motherhood great, relaxed at 12wks with first child was pregnant again. Her second child Alia, 16 days overdue didn’t want to come out. Husband wished to move to South Island for a job in Timaru. Pregnant again, moved to Timaru at 21 wks, Dwight born 35 weeks. Had to employ a nanny, spent 15 wks in Timaru hospital with acute morning sickness leading up to birth.
Once had Dwight, told her midwife she felt sad, midwife’s response was you just have the blues you’ll be fine. Disregarded it. Second consultation she told her somethings dangerously wrong – saw psychiatrist. He said postnatal depression, prescribed medication, told to stop breastfeeding immediately. She ended up in Christchurch institution and has a two year memory loss.
In the institution she remembers being woken every few hours and having ECT treatment against her will.
Statistically 60% women develop post-natal depression. 5% low end 5% top end. Now called prenatal depression which can develop from conception to the child being 3 years old. PND and psychosis can develop in first 3 years. Some people become lost in psychosis never come back.
No.1 rule, get people to talk about it (in a role).
When new mums have no sleep, can’t function, hormones go left right and centre, leading cause of female suicide is postnatal stress, leading by about 35 – 40%. Leading regions for infant mortality were Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, however now Gisborne has highest rates of mortality here. This is because we are so isolated and no support.
We need to educate women from a younger age. Gisborne is currently the poster child for STD’s, benefit use, gonorrhoea (own stream), pregnancy rates, self-medication – drug and alcohol rehabilitation units.
Paula wishes to empower women to say “help I don’t know what’s going on”, asking for help should be encouraged. Advocate for more resources for women, better education, Plunket Nurses, GP’s. She has only met two GPs in Gisborne that know anything decent about post-natal depression from her experience. We don’t have groups of women that aren’t afraid to say it’s ok to ask for help – you can go to these places.
People have to find help for themselves. We are lucky to have Family Works however they don’t cover post-natal. Maternal health unit in Gisborne no longer has post-natal. We can be referred to community group to do post-natal however they generally have experience in alcohol and drugs.
Mother’s Helpers NZ, run courses, 12 week recovery programme. DHB, PHB and Hauora’s say it is vital to keep this programme available, however have no money for paternal health. Maybe they need to share funds to maternal health.
Paula challenges everyone to tell people about post-partum depression and ask if they are ok, take a minute to stop destigmatising it and it will immediately get better.
Historically a question was asked how women with multiple children coped. Paula indicated in the 70’s it was cigarettes and sherry, in the 80’s it was cocaine and opium. In past people knew their neighbours, kids helped out more, kids played together, we live in a different world now. Have additional pressures now juggling work, babies, women take on so many more roles now.
20-40 years ago kids not doing as many activities. Role of motherhood probably needs new definition. No longer staying home doing housework, looking after our babies and husband and cooking.
Generally when a person is in trouble, if it’s within the 1st6 weeks – midwife, 6 months – Plunket involvement thereafter is GP, self-referral from mothers helpers. Diagnostic tool Mothers Helpers NZ use is the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale.
Gisborne offer 6 sessions of counselling after that it needs to be paid for.
Tip, if people are struggling, give someone permission to feel bad and have a crappy day. Develop ability to have a yuck day go to bed with a book.
Photos and Reports from the Asia Pacific Conference 2016
Below is a link from the Asia Pacific Conference. At the link you will find photos and reports from the conference.
June's Meeting
Our JuneMeeting isat the Quality Inn Emerald Hotel
Please bring along your Keys to Achievement book (KTA) to the Junemeeting.
We will be calling a special meeting at 6pm to change theconstitutionin regard to usnot having to be audited.
June'sGuest Speaker
Our guest speaker at our June meeting will be Michael Lynch from Woodward Chrisp.
Michael will be talking about the latest legislation around health and safety.
Gisborne BPW Financials
For the latest financials please click on the linkhere
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MEETING DETAILS
February 7th
5.30pm owards / 5.30pm onwards
Emerald Hotel $35
Hostesses:
Yvonne Steggall and
Elizabeth Florance
Collect:
Maggie Asplet
Grace:
Tracey Kibble
Introducing the guest speaker:
Catherine Chrisp
Thank Speaker:
Sherryll Markie-Brookes
Please arrange a replacement if you can't do your role
Apologies & to book a Guest:
Contact Fiona Evans
Text 022 0364 708or
Apologies to be received no later than 6pm on the Friday priorto the meeting or you'll be billed $35 if you don't tender an apology on time.
This can be paid via direct credit to our Westpac account 03-0638-0019130-00.
Remember your name tag otherwise you'll be asked to give a gold coin
Fact of the month...
Facts about Giraffes
- Giraffes are on average 5m'stall and are the tallest land animal in the world
- Giraffes consume over 45kg of leaves and twigs a day
- Giraffes can run up to 55km/h at full speed but only in short bursts
- Giraffes sleep for only 2 hours a day
- Giraffes are pregnant for 15 months and they give birth standing up
- Just like snow flakes and human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spot pattern
- Giraffes tongues are blue and are 45cm's long
- Giraffes have 4 stomachs
- A group of giraffes is called a tower
FOLLOW ON TWITTER
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To our members celebrating a birthday during June
YOUR COMMITTEE CONTACTS 2016
President:Sherryll Markie-Brookes - Ph: 027 295 5555 or E:
Immediate Past President:Diane Taylor -Ph: 021 361 826 or E:
Vice President:Catherine Chrisp - E:
Treasurer:Tasj Paulson - E:t
Minutes Secretary:Janet Willson - E:
Membership Officer: MarelenOrchistonE:
Newsletter:Anna Maree Colvin - Ph:2140 165 E:with Emma Bourke - Ph: 021805024 or E:
KTA's andAchievement Awards: Alison CrosswellPh: 862 5800 E:
DinnerCancellationContact:Fiona Evans - Ph or text: 022 0364 708 E:
Women EmpowermentPrinciples: Mary Hope Ph: 867 2257E:
BPW AIMS
• To stimulate and encourage women to realise and accept their responsibilities in the community – locally and internationally.
• To work for higher standards of education and training for business and professional women.
• To work for equal opportunities and status for women in business, trade, the professions and in economic, civil and political life.
• To work for the removal of discrimination.
• To promote co-operation amongst business and professional women throughout the world.
Visitbpwnz.org.nzfor more information - with passwordlmpbpwnz1939.
/ Announcements by
Club Members
If you have any announcements about business or other matters to make at meetings, please let the President know well in advance of the meeting. Otherwise it will be at the President’s discretion.
Resigning from the club: If you wish to resign from our club you must do so in writing. Until you do so you remain a member whether or not subs have been paid and will be charged for meals if you haven’t put in your apologies.
Remember: If you are aware of any member who may need a helping hand, a listening ear or may be going through sad times, please inform a committee member.
If you are interested in advertising your business card in our bulletin please contact Diane Taylor: Phone:021 361 826Email:
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BPW · 51 Island Rd · GISBORNE, North Island 4010 · New Zealand
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