GEELONG & DISTRICT OSTOMY ASSOCIATION Inc

GOA

GOA HISTORY  

A Brief History compiled by the Late Life Member Les Allen

Our association has created a proud history in just 27 years.  We are one of the smallest of the 22 ostomy associations throughout Australia, but have achieved much both nationally and locally. Nationally, we initiated the first computer programs, a Visiting Service, publications and video libraries and a national parcel contract. Locally we have survived the collapse of the Pyramid Group of Building Societies and have grown from occupying a small room to owning 100 Little Myers Street.

20 Years On A Brief History Of the Geelong & District Ostomy Association.

The Beginning

The first initiative was a  public meeting on 28 September 1979 arranged by two Stomal Therapy Nurses, Glyneth Cooper from the Geelong and District Nursing Service , and Patricia Wood a Hollister Representative, to explore the need for an ostomy self-help group in Geelong.

A further meeting on 15 November 1979 decided to form the Geelong and District Ostomy Group to keep abreast of ostomy appliances and skin care. In July 1980 the Group applied to the Commonwealth Department of Health for approval to distribute ostomy supplies.  On receipt of approval the Group became the Geelong & District Ostomy Association.

On 21 October 1980 we commenced dispensing ostomy appliances and pharmaceuticals from a small room in De Garis House provided by the Geelong Hospital.  There were 31 members, and ten of them became volunteer staff.  Fees were $10.00 and $5.00 and finances were $896.40.  Our initiative created the first regional ostomy association in Victoria, possibly Australia.

 The Association’s first Annual Meeting was on 16 March 1980.

 On 19 May 1981 application was made to become affiliated with the Australian Council of Stoma Associations (ACSA), and acceptance was notified on 20 April 1982.

 Our early history was circulated in a 1982 newsletter.  Mutual supportive help to each other and future members was then and should always be the objective.

 Space to Work

Two matters concerned us from the beginning: one was lack of space and the other was continuity of tenure on Geelong Hospital property. Some additional space was acquired when the Geelong Hospital gave us the use of a room upstairs in De Garis House for an office and training, but by  February 1989 the need for more space to cater for the increased number of members and products became urgent.  In August 1989, the Geelong Hospital gave us the use of the Baxter Cottage, a four room house which considerably relieved the pressure.

Nevertheless, our tenure on Hospital property still caused concern and in March 1991 it was decided to investigate the purchase of a suitable property for our use. By April  1992 tenure of Hospital property was again in question.  After considering several properties the committee negotiated the purchase of 100 little Myers Street on March 22 1993. 

 As this house had been unoccupied for sometime it was in need of repair and renovation, this work cost more than $15,000.00.   Belmont Rotary gave us $5,000.00,  and members donations covered the rest.  A central heating unit was installed in September 1995 and in January 1997 the purchase of reverse cycle air conditioners were approved. 

By June 1998 our original inexpensive exterior paint job was in need of attention.  The committee agreed to call in a design consultant who prepared a color scheme, and the outside was repainted with quality paints.

In January 1999 we found that we were again short of space at 100 Little Myers Street. Our options were to try and to extend, or sell and purchase a larger property.  Permission to extend was finally secured.

An idea of why the space requirement was so pressing, can be gained from the fact that in 1983 we dispensed only 44 different appliances of about 100 products available on the Stoma Appliance List, whereas now we dispense 330 different appliances out of the 1,500 products on the list.  It is considered that we now have space and fittings to cover our needs for 20 years.

Incorporation 

A new constitution was prepared on 19 August, 1986, with a view to the association becoming Incorporated, and a number of related objectives had been achieved: we were  registered as a charity, we had become tax exempt; we had been granted tax deductability on donations; and our newsletter was registered by Australia Post.  Now in 2000 with the GST we are required to reapply for tax exemption and tax deductability!

Finances

There was, as with many businesses and private citizens, a financial crisis in July 1990, when the Pyramid Group of Building Societies accounts were frozen, including all our liquid assets.  Our liquidity was limited to petty cash and stock in hand.  To help overcome this problem we decided to reduce our stock holding.   By October 1990 members accepted “just in time” ordering (i.e. ordering the month before wanted), which reduced the need for more stock other than for emergencies and new members. During this time we also accepted a short term loan of $20,000 at 14% from the Ileostomy Association of New South Wales.

 On 24 February 1991 we accepted the State Government offer to release the Building Society’s deposits, and we became financial once more.

ACSA Accounting

At a management meeting 15 January 1998, the ACSA executive powers and accounting methods were questioned.  As a result the ACSA Vice-President met with our management committee in February and mutual problems were discussed.  This meeting decided to send a proposed draft of accounts for future ACSA accounts.

Legacy

In March 2000 we received with gratitude, a substantial legacy from the estate of a friend of one of our foundation members, Isabel Vaughan.

Stoma Appliance Scheme

On 8 February 1996 the Department of Health notified that a second review of the Stoma Appliance Scheme was to be carried out by Coopers and Lybrand, consultants.  Our association was one of six ostomy associations consulted and our input was considerable.  The Final Report of the Review was published in May 1996 and the recommendations considered by the Department.  One recommendation accepted was the generic grouping of like products.

Computers

In April 1987, at the ACSA meeting, we took the lead nationally when we secured permission to investigate the use of computers for claims to the Department of Health, and for membership and appliance lists.

Within 12 months we had developed suitable computer programs  in conjunction with the Department of Health and Jant Software, and on 15 March 1988 we purchased our first computer and printer.

On April 16 1988, at the ACSA meeting in Canberra, we demonstrated the new software. A specification of the computer hardware required was recommended to ACSA and accepted as the national specification. The Department of Health then agreed to accept computerised claims, which saved considerable time, ensured accuracy, and expedited Health Insurance Commission reimbursement of our claims.  By June 1994 four computers had been purchased and computer network system installed at 100 Little Myers Street.

The success of the Geelong/Jant programs nationally is reflected in the fact that they are now used by 14  of the 22 associations.

Publications

In 1995 our delegates to the Council annual meeting secured permission and finance to purchase ostomy publications from USA for all ostomy associations. These were purchased and a price list circulated to all ostomy associations.  An attractive stand and ACSA headboard was produced against association orders.  Along with this, ostomy publications and videos were obtained from several suppliers.  At the 1996 ACSA Annual General Meeting in Melbourne the display stand, stocked with all available publications was on show.  Also a sample set of publications and videos were given to each association, and orders taken for the stand.

In October 1997 the association publication A New Beginning was released and circulated to all members.

In 1998 an attractive New Members folder was prepared and distributed to the Stomal Therapy Nurses for prospective members.  The folder contained a membership application, a Health Insurance Authority form, order forms, Visiting Program brochure, location map, booklet  A New Beginning and a Stoma Appliance Scheme brochure.

Visiting

In November 1991 a formal visitor training program was proposed.  A grant was sought, and finally $15,000.00 was given by the Victorian Department of Health.  In June 1993 a Visiting Co-ordinator was appointed to select and train volunteer visitors.

January 1994 saw the Geelong Visiting Service manuals published and the program offered to the Australian Council.  Many manuals were sold at the International Ostomy Association meeting in Adelaide in 1994 and the Geelong Visiting Programs were adopted nationally.

In March 1995, ACSA asked for the Visiting manuals to be revised and reprinted.  The printing was done by Barwon Water and circulated to all associations at the 1996 Council Annual General Meeting.

Volunteers

This story would not have been possible without the perseverance and dedication of a group of volunteers determined to fulfill the needs of ostomates in our community, who have combined to establish a service that has functioned successfully for 20 years.

It is a wonderful example of a community service, the only reward being satisfaction from an achievement that has benefit to 1960  members to date, and our willing, hardworking and happy group deserve full credit for a successful result.

Other Things of Interest

1982 

Our first newsletter was circulated in 1982 and has been circulated regularly along with Ostomy Australia.

The initial volunteers staff training session was held in 1982.

1983

The formation of an Association in Warrnambool was proposed and supported by our members in 1983.

1984 

Stomal Therapy Nurses and Ostomy Associations met in Melbourne on 6 March 1984 and discussed improving communications and services.

1985

During 1985 ostomy displays were shown at shopping centres as part of World Ostomy Day.  Overseas travel certificates were made available.

1987

At the 1987 ACSA Annual General Meeting we were successful in applying to hold the 1989 ACSA Conference in Geelong.  The Conference in April 1989 was a success.  Our association once again introduced another initiative by being the first to include workshop sessions at a ACSA Conference.

On 15 September 1987 the Association rejected an invitation to join a breakaway group, United Ostomy Association, to rival ACSA.

1988

In October 1988 surplus and redundant supplies from several associations and hospitals were sent free of charge by Qantas to the Zimbabwe Ostomy Association.

1990 

February 1990, a box was made to be placed outside for the pickup of members orders out of hours.

Our first photocopier was purchased 9 April 1990 to print the newsletter.  Since then successive copiers have been used extensively.

During 1990, many members volunteered to participate in a Deakin Research Study.

1990

Also our first fax machine was purchased to expedite orders to suppliers.  This ensured accuracy and saved considerable time.

By November 1990, the prepacking of members orders was commenced.  This saved considerable  time at the counter.

1994

September 7^th  saw our rooms used as an Open Day with trade displays, a Stomal Therapy nurse attending, and ostomy videos showing.  Many members and guests enjoyed fellowship and afternoon tea.

Belmont Rotary used our rooms regularly for their Bowel Scan testing, this has proved to be a very valuable service.

1999

In October 1999 an internal survey of our members satisfaction was completed and the results published.

In December 1999 we secured a national parcel contract with Australia Post.  This gave smaller associations the benefit of a contract and attractive postage rates.

Finally

By 2000, Geelong & District Ostomy Association has made a difference.  For this we owe a debt to members for their gifts, and the dedication and willing work of our officers and volunteers.

Nationally, we pioneered the use of computers, produced a Visiting Service, created the Ostomy publications and video libraries and secured a national parcels contract.

We are happy to report that we survived the fall of Pyramid and we are now financially secure, enabling us to purchase a house at 100 Little Myers Street, which was subsequently named “Ostomy House”. By 2000, the rooms and fittings have been extended as far as possible and should serve our need to be efficient and effective until 2020.

May the reading of our history be interesting to all who read it, and a challenge to members to become involved in the work of the association.