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Christadelphian Aged Care S P R I N G N E W S L E T T E R
ASHBURN HOUSE Address: 20-34 Ashburn Place, Gladesville Phone: (02) 8876 9200
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Email: admin@chomes.com.au
Managers Message
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Welcome to Ashburn House
Dear residents and families, We’re pleased that Ashburn House had a very successful accreditation earlier in June; a big thank you to all the families and residents who assisted us going through it. Our annual event - the “Country Fair” - will be held on Saturday, 12th September. This is a great function and a chance for relatives, friends and residents to get together for a couple of hours to socialise. There will be lots of entertainment and fun and of course yummy country scones! Lost property from the laundry will be displayed in Orana centre on Lower Ground floor from the first Saturday of the month for three days every month. If you are here to visit your loved ones during that period of time, please make the effort to go there and have a look. Once you have allocated any clothes which belong to your loved ones, please give them to the staff on the floor for marking before putting them back to their wardrobes. From the month of August, any podiatry or mobile X-ray charges will appear on the resident’s monthly statements. Ashburn House will no longer accept any cash for hairdresser services as of 1st September, under any circumstances. Instead, there will be a mailbox labelled as ‘Hairdresser’ outside the Facility Manager’s office for family to pay the hairdresser directly. We ask you to put funds into a sealed envelope, marked with resident’s name and amount for the hairdresser to reconcile her account with the family directly. Gladys, the hairdresser, will be contacting family directly for payment of her services. Warm regards, Yan Li
my favourite weather is bird-chirping weather - Terri Guillemets
News & Upcoming Events UPCOMING EVENTS SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
4 Patricia Mc
1 Patricia W
7 Betty G
5 Joyce G
6 Maria C
17 Margaret A
5 Joan W
21 John M
8 Joyce D
18 Marjorie C 90th 21 Yee Ann L
9 Dorothy V
24 Marie Mc
25 Felicidad G
9 John A
29 Thelma W
26 Elsie W
90th
24 Gwendoline L
16 Evan S
26 Raymond L
24 Jack R
27 Prue Mc D
26 Maryanne K
30 Cecily C
Lost Property Wondering where you can access lost property? As of the first weekend of July, we have started a monthly showcase of lost property for residents and their loved ones. The first weekend of each month, Friday – Monday, all lost property is now displayed in the Orana Activity Room on the lower ground floor. Lost property can still be accessed from the Laundry outside of this time.
SEPTEMEBER 4th - Resident’s Father’s Day BBQ Lunch - Cronulla Theatre 8th - Gladesville RSL Lunch Bus Trip 12th - Country Fair Day for Residents and Family Bronte Cafe & Gardens 22nd - Jill’s Art Class Orana Centre, 2pm 24th - Residents High Tea Ku-ring-gai Lounge, 3pm
OCTOBER 13th - North Ryde RSL Lunch Bus Trip 22nd - Relative/Resident Meeting Cronulla Theatre, 10:30am 22nd - Residents High Tea Ku-ring-gai Lounge, 3pm 27th - Jill’s Art Class Orana Centre, 2pm 29th – Sound of Music Sing a long Show Cronulla Theatre, 1:30pm
NOVEMBER 3rd - Melbourne Cup Afternoon, Cronulla Theatre & Gardens, 2pm 10th - RSL Lunch Bus Trip Venue TBA 26th - Residents High Tea – Ku-ring-gai Lounge, 3pm 27th - Remembrance Service Cronulla Theatre
Activity Reviews
by Tara P
Hello residents, friends and family of Ashburn House, This is my first newsletter contribution after finally being able to say I have been present for the full last quarter of Ashburn House daily activities! Just like that, the cherry blossoms have started to appear up in Kimberley garden and the sunny days are starting to get longer again. The biggest behind the scenes event was our facility's accreditation, which was an opportunity for staff to shine and the Ashburn community to share their experiences and stories. Under Yan’s guidance, we met all standards with flying colours and can be really proud of the home and community we are all a part of. Winter has seen all kinds of activities here at Ashburn House which have kept us busy and forgetting about the cold. Firstly, we had the yearly visit by Kris and her Feathered Friends. Cecelia O got the treat of the day with a hen laying an egg in her lap! There was such wonderful colours and feathers around our theatre and a beautiful bunny we all got to cuddle. What wonderful personalities each one of Kris’s birds had too. I think we all had different favourites by the end of the day! We also enjoyed the visit of a delightful group of 5 year olds from Henley Long Day care who came to put on a show and meet our residents. I think I can speak on behalf of all on the day, that it was such a pleasure to see these children, their smiles, eagerness and innocence left us smiling for the rest of the day. Feedback from their teacher was the children were also smiling the rest of the day, quite charmed by all those they met. We have Giant Steps Day care visiting us at the end of August and we look forward to yet another day of smiles. Another wonderful event, inspired by our volunteer Marianne, was our Phantom of the Opera show; a live recording of the 25th anniversary show at Royal Albert Hall in England. We were not able to all fly across to England, so we brought the show to us instead! What a success! There was champagne and delicious canapés from the kitchen and the decorations with all the candles looked fantastic. Everyone was dressed to impress, with such a great show of different masks! As requested, we will be doing it again but this will be a ‘Sound of Music’ singalong set for October. I am very much looking forward to this and hope you are too. I would also like to introduce our new member of staff, Courtney S. You have all seen her face around the facility since December last year, as she joined us for the summer activity assistant program. She since has followed her heart and completed her certificate IV of Health and Leisure at TAFE and joined us again for her work placement. Well, the journey has come full circle and we can now congratulate Courtney on not only graduating but also joining our Ashburn team officially in July. Please make her feel welcome. Finally, as Spring approaches, I would like to announce the date for our annual Ashburn Fundraising Fete. This year we have themed it ‘Country Fair’ and will enjoy the Ashburn gardens filled with live music, stalls and even a patting farm for all! Saturday 12th September is the date to note in your diary. All friends and family welcome. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Photos of Phantom of the Opera show
Resident Story - Dawn Field I first met Dawn Field at our Bird Lady show and this afternoon finally had the chance to sit down and hear all about her life’s adventures. The wonderful thing about Dawn is, being a Sydney local, her story leads us through areas of Sydney we now know well. Her story starts at Crown Street Hospital… Dawn was born on 30th August, 1935. This hospital, in Crown Street Hospital its 90 years, saw Dawn’s birth, my own birth and countless other Sydney-siders; it closed it doors in 1983. Dawn grew up in Glebe on Darling Street and attended Glebe Primary School. She talks about Glenmore Meats wholesaler and the Glebe Markets, held each Saturday, and I realise that many things haven’t changed! Dawn has wonderful childhood memories of growing up with her 2 brothers and parents. Her brothers, John and Brian she tells me, were naughty and she was asked by her parents to keep an eye out each lunchtime at school, as sometimes they were known to miss class and go fishing in Circular Quay! John even missed class one day and snuck off to the Royal Easter show. His picture ended up in the local paper, which gave his adventure away to their parents! She tells me after school she remembers buying a loaf and hot chips. They would empty out the middle of the loaf and put the chips in, which was a clever way of keeping the chips nice and hot; she’s pretty sure it was her idea to start doing this. Her father sold fruit after the local timber yard closed down. One of the benefits, Dawn tells me, is that while all her friends and neighbours used cut up newspapers on a nail in their out houses, Dawn’s Dad would collect the green tissue paper wrapped around each fruit and they would be treated to this much more luxurious form of toilet paper; and yes, they had an out house! Dawn remembers their toilet being beside their neighbour’s in the backyard, which meant she and the neighbour’s daughter were able to share many a chat while on the toilet! In 1958, Dawn married the love of her life, Cliff. Dawn confides that he was 23yrs her senior. She met him when she was an usherette at the Embassy Theatre in Castlereagh St. She tells me she spotted him across the room and said to herself “I’m going to marry that man. He may not know it yet!” She saw he was with a few of the big bosses but had no idea who he was. He turned out to be a projectionist and soon they honeymooned in the Gold Coast. Together, they had 2 daughters, Michelle and Sharon, and started the early years as a family in Leichhardt on Marlborough St, and yes, Mezzapica was selling delicious cakes even back then; Dawn remembers the family well. The Embassy Theatre continued over page
Resident Story - Dawn Field contd Dawn and Cliff enjoyed golf and ballroom dancing, as well as raising their two daughters. They had a 1948 Dodge and a family dog named Miss Bonny Field. Dawn says that Cliff was strictly opposed to getting a dog but their daughters got Miss Bonny while they were both away. She cost $25 and was a black Labrador cross Corgi. When they arrived home and were getting out of the Dodge, they snuck puppy Bonny Field into Dawn’s hand and she convinced Cliff to let her stay. Miss Bonny Field very quickly won Cliff over and Dawn Cliff & Dawn - Honeymoon still has happy memories of Gold Coast 1958 Miss Bonny asleep in her favourite spot, on Cliff ’s chest! Cliff encouraged Dawn to go to night college in Leichhardt, which she did, taking a course on cake decorating. Dawn says she was a great cook and I have no doubt. She remembers Cliff offering to help one day and she asked him to stir the bowl. He very quickly realised how hard it was and declared he had a solution; his good old electric drill with a wooden spoon replacing the drill piece! Cliff was clever like that. Dawn did get an electric mixer but will always smile Dancing through the years about the wooden spoon solution Cliff came up with that day. Cliff eventually became very sick with cancer; a very hard time for the Field family. Dawn tells me of memories of taking her girls every Sunday to visit Cliff at Concord Hospital. She went every day to be by his side. Cliff passed away one day on one of these visits. He was in Dawn’s arms, a place I’m sure was exactly were he would have wanted to be. Dawn raised her daughters in Canada Bay. She continued working as a cake decorator and never stopped dancing. She travelled to wonderful places around the world such as Paris and Jordan. She seems to have no regrets and truly has enjoyed ever y moment s o far and continues to smile and laugh even with me now. She now has joined us at Ashburn House.
The lovely couple
The Trocadero Dance Hall, George Street
Staff Profile - Courtney Shaw Hi my name is Courtney Shaw. I first started here at Ashburn House in December doing the holiday program. After I finished the holiday program in January, I started to go to the Hills TAFE to pursue my career in Aged Care to become an Recreational Activities Officer, so I can give back to the older generation as they did for our generation. I started my course, which was Leisure and Health Certificate IV and was invited back here to do my work placement. Then came June and I was finished with my course so I dropped off my resume after graduation and hoped for the best. I was so excited when I was offered the opportunity to join the Ashburn team as an official member of staff. Monday 20th July was my first day at Ashburn House and it has just been fantastic seeing all the familiar faces and spending more time learning about leisure and health and putting what I’ve learnt into practice. Libby, Sabi, Tara and Johari all have offered different tips and advice and how to make a difference and I’m grateful for all their help as I’ve been settling in. I’ve also had the chance to work on reception, which has been another great opportunity to see how things work and how small things can really make a big difference to another person. I look forward to meeting everyone I still have yet to cross paths with and having further laughs with the ones I already have the pleasure of knowing. Thank you to the Ashburn community for being so welcoming!
Pastoral Care TESTING TIMES
Have you ever felt like giving up? I think many of us have ( I know I have). Certain events come in life that throw us off guard and we say “is it time to give up?”. Some of the worst tragedies that happen come when people give up. We sometimes also think that all the successful people in life have been strong individuals who had their lives altogether; not true. Let’s take a minute to talk about that. We might think of scientists, for example, like Louis Pasteur who made some amazing discoveries in the field of chemistry. He is written up in all the history books. But this incredible man suffered from a paralytic stroke at age 46 which actually made him handicapped for the rest of his life. And what about the great musicians and poets with time to entertain people with their incredible gifts? Beethoven struggled to write his music because of his deafness. The English poet John Milton wrote some of his poetry after he became blind. So it’s amazing to see that people often discover that despite their handicaps, great work can to be accomplished. Here’s someone else; James Watt, the Scottish inventor famous for the steam engine, was a very sick man and didn’t have much money. The thing that made all these people famous and unique was not their psychical strength, emotional stability or large amounts of money – it was a sense of purpose, and a total commitment to that purpose. I sense in meeting some people that that purpose is missing because of the difficulties of life. They give up because it’s too hard or they don’t feel they have a purpose. Some of our problems are short-term, like a bout of flu or a falling out with someone at work. Others may last much longer: a chronic illness, a disability or an addiction, the loss of someone close to us, or an ongoing battle to overcome a personal weakness such as anger or moodiness. You may have to struggle with such difficulties for weeks, months, or even years. And sometimes problems persist even when you feel you’ve already done all you could: You’ve been praying, reading and following the Bible, claiming His promises and trying to trust God. Still you see no answer, which can be discouraging. When you think you’ve reached the end of your rope, just hold on a little longer. Patience is often the key that opens the door to God’s blessings and sometimes we must be content to wait for His answer. While we may expect God to put an end to our problems right now, He may know that later is a better time. God’s timing is impeccable. “He has done all things well.” (Mark 7:37.) Trust Him! Faith is believing. Faith is trusting. Faith doesn’t quit. Faith refuses to call anything impossible. Faith refuses to be robbed of its joy and peace by circumstances or battles. Once, a little boy was trying very hard to lift a heavy piece of furniture. His father came into the room and, noting his son’s struggle, asked him “Are you using all your strength?”” Yes, of Our deepest sympathies have course I am!” the boy impatiently shouted. “Oh no, you’re not,” the gone out to the families who father answered. “You haven’t asked me to help you!” That’s the have lost their loved ones over problem with our faith and trust in God. We fail to ask for His help. the Winter period. In cases like that, God may be testing you to see whether you will continue to trust and believe and thank Him for all the good He sends your way, even when it seems He is not answering your prayers. “We walk by faith, not by sight. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.” (2 Cor 5:7; John 20:29) God loves to see His children’s faith manifested, and He promises to greatly reward those who bravely endure the trying of their faith.
Bereavements
If God is working in your life to bring out a special quality, the process may take some time. Lumps of coal aren’t turned to diamonds overnight; so it is with our lives. - By Chris Witts
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Volunteer Corner
The 2015 definition of volunteering is: Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain. “Volunteering is often considered as contributing to community wellbeing” and our residents are certainly blessed at Ashburn House to have so many volunteers contributing to their well being and complimenting the staff care. In the Winter holidays, we had 29 students come in small groups from Riverview College to spend a few days each at Ashburn. This took our volunteers for July to over 100! It is wonderful to have young people who are striving to make a change through volunteering working with our residents. The wonderful lady hiding behind the Phantom mask and hat is Marianne who regularly volunteers at Ashburn. She organised an special afternoon of music and fun with the screening of The Phantom of the Opera, with champagne and snacks for the residents, lots of masks, lots of giggles, a bit of singing along and plenty of clapping. We all had a fabulous afternoon! Marianne also comes in to run a chat group which the residents love, as well as an afternoon of sports dvds for those who used to love their AFL or NRL. Another very special service that our volunteers do for our residents is Pastoral Care. Pastoral care is not only religious care but on most occasions it is the offer of a compassionate, respectful listening ‘ear’ to the residents. We have a team of 6 or 7 Pastoral care workers who are especially aware that residents suffer many different losses, or that they feel alone or in a dark sad place. These volunteers seek to be an empathetic listening presence and the result of such an encounter is that the resident has an increased awareness of being understood, valued and hopefully feels less alone. These Pastoral care workers are available to all and will tailor their support to suit each individual. What’s new for Volunteers in the next few months? - We are having our big annual event on Saturday 12/09/2015 in our Bronte Café gardens and would like as many volunteers as are willing and able to help out. We are having a Country Fair and Tea Garden for the residents and their families. - We have annual volunteer education again in October (Monday 19th). There will also be the Food Health and Safety Certificate being run that day for those who volunteer in the Café. There is also a new opportunity for If you are interested in joining the Volunteer volunteers to do e-learning if they can’t attend program, please do not hesitate to contact me: those sessions because of other commitments. Cathy Strachan on 0435 814 411 A very big "Thank You” to all the volunteers or cstrachan@chomes.com.au who give so generously of their time to care for our residents. God bless you all, Cathy Volunteer & Pastoral Care Coordinator
Volunteer Corner SPOTLIGHT ON A VOLUNTEER
Marianne Margarethe Edgerton I was born on 13th June, 1949 in Den Haag in The Netherlands; I am the only child of Riet and Kees van Dort. My parents immigrated to Australia in 1957, I was 8 yrs old… Life in Australia was amazing. my parents considered themselves so lucky to be here and I had a great upbringing. As a child, I learnt to speak English in no time and enjoyed school so much in my new country. We were lucky that we did not have to go to camps like most immigrants, and we lived in a car garage behind a house of Mum and Dad’s friends for a number of years. My life was great - as a child everything is an adventure. For my parents, I am sure it was hard but my Mum made it look like a good, comfy home. I do remember it was a concrete floor and our beds were divided by a curtain and our shower was a rose sprayer hung up by a hose and it was only cold water. My parents had a small cake shop and I would work in that most Saturdays and all school holidays. I met my now husband at school when I was 16; he went to Marist Brothers Parramatta and I attended Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. We met each other at a school dance in 1965. He often tells me that when he first saw me walking down the street opposite his school he would say to his mates, “I am going to marry that girl one day” that was before he even met me. Well destiny did just that. Michael Edgerton and I married in 1970 after 5 years of courtship. I was working in an office doing the wages. I have also worked in hospitals doing wages, PR for a Italian hosiery firm, on the AMP Float consulting on shares, secretary to wine importers, receptionist for a private school. Now, I do all my husband’s M&M, 1965 bookwork and filing, his tech chick etc a sort of girl Friday at his beck and call, but he will not let me sit on his lap! (haha) -and I do not get paid! We have two boys, Nash born in 1973 and Joel born in 1974. Two handsome men who grew up to do us proud; both extremely good students whom attended Hills Grammar school and now have become quite famous in the film industry. Joel, as an Actor, appearing in many films such as The Great Gatsby, Felony, Warrior, Animal Kingdom etc. The new movie to come out is The Gift which Joel wrote, directed and stars in. Nash is more behind the scenes, although he has appeared in many movies as a stunt man - Star Wars, Mission Impossible, Zero Dark Thirty etc. He also directs music videos - all of Bob Dylan’s latest ones, lots of ads and is about to direct his second movie in Hollywood.
My Family, 2015
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Volunteer Corner SPOTLIGHT ON A VOLUNTEER
Marianne Margarethe Edgerton While my husband was at university studying to be a lawyer, he had two jobs and studied law at night, worked in a hotel on weekends and we delivered summonses for extra money. I also made myself busy by studying. I have 2 certificates in Home Design, Feng Shui, Floral Art, Computer Graphics and a diploma in Health Counselling. Besides that, the fun stuff I have done is tennis, yoga, card making, tap dancing, singing lessons, silk screen printing, ceramic painting etc.. When the boys came along, I have been lucky enough to be able to be a full time mother, as both our parents used to work full time to make good lives for both Michael & I, so we hoped that I could be a stay at home Mum, which I was lucky enough to be able to do. VOLUNTEERING - But I was never idle. I started volunteering when my boys were born, firstly as Meals On Wheels and I would take them with me. Then I taught English to Migrants, where I would visit them in their homes and teach, read and take them shopping and speak English to them as we went… I loved the challenge and took my son Joel with My gorgeous husband of 46yrs me who would play with their children. At the boys school, I organised their formal balls, worked in the tuck shop and helped organise the annual fete. My husband and I were busy workers on lots of committees. My next Volunteer job was a little more difficult and challenging. I took a course in Welfare Counselling at The Smith Family and would counsel and see street kids about drugs, alcohol and help as much as I could; this to me was very upsetting but I managed to stay for 2 yrs. Then I volunteered at The Little Sisters of the Poor - a nursing home, where I made baked dinners for small dinner parties for the oldies for 4 residents at a time… and also did their nails made them feel special. This is where I found my special feelings for older residents. When my mother was at stage of her life that she could no longer live by herself, as she did not wish to live with me or intrude on my life, after much searching we found Ashburn House. I immediately thought that I would volunteer there and be closer to Mum and to see her more often. As I read all that I have written, I wonder how I had time to raise my gorgeous boys. But my life has been blessed, I have had wonderful holidays, I have a great Zumi Edgerton marriage, my boys have done me 11.08.15 proud and just recently Nash and his wife Carla have given us a gorgeous little granddaughter Zumi, born on 11th August. I am lucky to be able to give back and I enjoy every minute of my time with my gorgeous “old’ friends at Ashburn.
Read, Rest & Relax! SPRING CLEANING TIPS Finally, springtime is knocking at our door! After winter, we’re ready to swing open the windows and let the fresh air flow in. Spring is a season of renewal. Symbolically, it’s when nature comes alive again: blooming flowers, baby animals and cleansing rain showers! Many people grew up with a seasonal tradition: the spring-cleaning. It’s an annual reminder its time to clean house and de-clutter. For seniors, it’s a great way to shake the winter blues and reminisce. Many older adults are rejuvenated by the warming weather and sunshine. A cleanup confers health benefits as well: reducing symptoms of respiratory illness and risk for falling. A good cleaning is beneficial both physically and emotionally!
Spring Cleaning To-Do List: Discard old medications Clean out bedside drawers and sort books/magazines De-clutter; remove objects that obstruct the flow of movement through the room such as unnecessary furniture Bust dust - don't forget photographs and art on walls, blinds, vents & light bulbs Open windows to circulate fresh air
Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Cookies
• 100g unsalted butter, chopped • 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup (100g) crunchy peanut butter • 2/3 cup (150g) caster sugar • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 1 1/4 cups (185g) plain flour • 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder • 2 tablespoons roasted unsalted peanuts, chopped Makes 24
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease and line two baking trays with baking paper.
2. Place the butter and half the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water (don't let bowl touch the water) and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in peanut butter, followed by sugar and egg. Sift over flour, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa, then stir to combine. Fold in half of the remaining chocolate.
4. In a separate bowl, combine nuts and remaining chocolate.
5. Roll 2 teaspoons dough into a ball and place, 3cm apart, on trays. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon and press nut mixture gently into dough. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cooked but still soft in the centre. Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Insect Word Scramble All of the scrambled words below are names of insects you have probably heard about. Can you put the letters in the right order to spell 19 different insect names correctly?
Disclaimer: All photos and stories have been published with consent of relatives and residents involved. Thank you for your submissions.