Page 55 - Tropic Magazine Issue 25

TROPIC • HEALTH

4 RAINFOREST SANCTUARY

Built on land donated by the Woodward
family, the site of the COUCH Wellness
Centre is a surprising pocket of
tranquility in the heart of Cairns.
Nestled in rainforest off Reservoir Rd,
the Wellness Centre is an accessible,
beautifully designed series of buildings
with plenty of parking, private consult
rooms, a gymnasium, conference 7 JOINING THE WELLNESS
facilities and more. The Centre is open CENTRE
Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm
and all community members are The COUCH Wellness Centre supports
encouraged to drop in and find out people newly diagnosed with cancer, 4
more information. during treatment, post treatment
and up to five years after completing
treatment. For those choosing no 9 QUALIFIED STAFF
treatment pathway, the Wellness Centre
is here to help too. Family members The COUCH Wellness Centre has been
can also join the service and benefit blessed with highly skilled oncology and
from group activities, exercise classes, chronic disease specialists, all working
therapies and nursing assistance. No together to support the best outcomes
referral is needed to join. for clients. From on-site staff to visiting
practitioners offering a range of care
8 AFFORDABLE COST OF services, the COUCH Wellness Centre
SERVICES team is passionate about providing
the highest quality health, well-being
5 A SPECIAL PLACE OF HEALING When the COUCH charity was and lifestyle support for Far North
established in 2006, a guiding principle Queenslander’s diagnosed and living
The land on which the COUCH Wellness was the need to offer affordable with cancer.
Centre is situated lies within the Yidinji cancer care for those who needed
tribal lands, spiritually connected to it. The financial burden of cancer is
the Dreamtime story of Djumbunji, often significant with many ongoing
The Scorpion. The story explains how expenses. At the COUCH Wellness
the land is one of healing and renewal Centre, health consultations and
of life; now a special place to promote therapies are heavily subsidised or at
wellness for those living with cancer. no cost, plus most group classes are by
donation only. This provides the very
6 SUPPORTIVE CANCER CARE best of care at a price people can afford.
SERVICES
5
The array of services and support at the
COUCH Wellness Centre is wide and
comprehensive. The team of nurses, 10 LOCALS HELPING LOCALS
allied health and therapists focus on
maintaining client’s health and well- Volunteers are the lifeblood of charity
being during and after treatment for organisations like COUCH. Gifting
cancer. Whether assistance is needed their time and expertise to support the
for physical, mental, practical or social local community, COUCH volunteers
needs, the team can help navigate what are active in a myriad of roles from
living with cancer means. Talk to the the volunteer Board of Directors to
Wellness Centre about your individual supporters of the Wellness Centre.
needs. Volunteering with COUCH is all about
how you can connect to the things you
love doing and are passionate about.
Build your skill set, meet new people,
engage in your community or give
back to a cause that you value: there
3
are plenty of opportunities that match
1. Pip and Michael Woodward the reason why you choose to volunteer
2. Liz Plummer your time with COUCH.
3. COUCH Chair Ron Holden
4. COUCH Wellness Centre’s GM, Kelli Beardsmore
5. COUCH co-founder, the late Charles Woodward
MORE: couch.org.au

55 • tropicnow.com.au