Parky People
Supporting People with
Parkinson's Disease
Parky People is a community of people with Parkinson's disease, their friends and carers, as well as medical professionals, who live in the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai areas of Sydney.
About Parky People
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Parkinson's Association, Inc.
(ABN) 39 365 110 044
What we do
Parky People creates a welcoming environment for people with Parkinson's disease, their friends and carers to meet and share stories, offer support and participate in fun community based activities.
Our Charter
The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Association is registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission and is endorsed as a Charity with the Australian Taxation Office.
Where & when we meet
On the first Friday of the month at the Mt Colah Community Centre, 6X PierreClose, Mt Colah, 10.00am - 12.00pm. We chat, share ideas, and usually have a guest speaker or artist to inform and entertain.
Parky People Activities
We would love you to join in our fun!
To register for a program please email us at hkparkypeople@gmail.com
Parkinsong
Singing – both individual singing as well as participation in choirs have been studied for people with PD. Singing may be helpful by:
Enhancing voice volume and quality – PD can cause hypophonia (low voice volume) and monotonous speech. Singing as therapy can improve these symptoms. Improving respiration and swallowing – Some studies have shown that singing can also strengthen muscles responsible for swallowing and breathing. It also gives participants the opportunity to socialise and make new friends.View more details...
Exercise Classes
Exercise can benefit people with Parkinson’s in two ways : Symptom management and it reduces stiffness and improves mobility, posture, balance and gait.View more details...
Craft Club
Doing craft projects such as knitting and crocheting helps people with Parkinson’s gain strength and control in the hands and fingers. Doing needle crafts can increase circulation in the hands, and your loved one may enjoy a sense of pride after completing a project.View more details...Our Library
We have an extensive library of books and DVD's about Parkinson's Disease. For more information, please contact us.
Members may borrow free of charge.View more details...Our Patron
David Hill
David Hill originally arrived in Australia as a Fairbridge boy and his 2006 book "The Forgotten Children" revealed the pain and abuse suffered under that scheme. He obtained an economics degree and went on to have a stellar career as amongst other things head of the Economics and Financial Advisory office for Neville Wran, CEO of the State Rail Authority, Chairman then Managing Director of the ABC, and Chairman of Soccer Australia.
He returned to university to study archaeology and is now President of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.
David is also the best-selling author of a number of books including The Forgotten Children (2006), 1788 (2008), The Gold Rush (2009), The Great Race (2011), The Making of Australia (2014), Australia and the Monarchy (2015), The Fair and the Foul (2017)and The Convict Colony (2019).
Parky People Committee
Rose Parkin
President
Rose trained as an English and Drama teacher and worked with adult literacy at Moree TAFE, refugee children in Sydney's west, and established the Drama Dpt at Asquith Boys. After studying law, she was admitted as a solicitor and worked for Salvos Legal Humanitarian in the areas of family, criminal, immigration and refugee law.
Dick Babb
Treasurer
After a 40 year career in Banking Dick retired 1998. In 1999 he volunteered to help the local Parkinson’s Group and has been in involved ever since holding the positions of Vice President and Treasurer.
Although Dick does not have Parkinson’s he has developed a keen understanding of the impact of Parkinson’s. Dick, along with Chris Davis, was instrumental in establishing a singing group, called Parkinsong.
Michael Parkin
Vice President/Publicity Officer
Michael orginally trained as a primary teacher and had several happy years teaching in the central west of NSW. He then returned to university to study Dentistry and worked at Brewarrina including a stint with the Flying Doctor. He established practices at Narrabri, Moree and Wee Waa before returning to Sydney to take up the position of Director of Dental Services at Ryde Hospital.
Terri Weston
Secretary
Terri has had numerous careers, starting as a private secretary to running her own retail business. Finally, spent 25 years, as a teacher/trainer in TAFE, teaching business computing and computerized accounting. For the last ten years Terri worked as a volunteer for Computer Pals for Seniors.
Jenny Gambell
Meet & Greet
After Jenny completed her nursing training at Hornsby Hospital she did a reception course then gained a position working for two doctors. Many small operations were performed in-house as one was a surgeon and the other an anaesthetist.
Before retiring Jenny worked for two private schools, the last for 25 years.
Pam Beattie
Welfare Officer
Pam trained as a General Nurse and Midwife and had a varied and interesting career.
Married and reared four children and has six grandchildren who have been a great joy.
Her husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease at 54 years of age and their journey with this condition led to their involvement with this wonderful group.
Diana Rynkiewicz, OAM
Past President
Our Choral Conductor
Dr Naomi Cooper B.Mus (Hons I), Ph.D.
Dr Naomi Cooper is a choral conductor who is passionate about bringing people together through music and currently directs several schools and community choirs. Naomi is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre. She has a PhD and has been published nationally and internationally. Naomi is the NSW Chapter President of the Australian National Choral Association and serves on the Board of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing. She is also NSW Vice-president of the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia. In addition, Naomi runs a busy private studio teaching voice and guitar.
Get in Touch with Naomi!
Email address:
naomi@naomicooper.com.au
Gallery
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