Courtlands Village, Westcourt & Northcourt Spring Newsletter 2017

C h ristade lph ia n A g e d C a re

COURTLANDS, WESTCOURT & NORTHCOURT 2 0 1 7

S P R I N G

N E W S L E T T E R

Address: 15 Gloucester Ave, North Parramatta Phone: (02) 9683 8000

For as the earth brings forth its sprouts and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

ISAIAH 61:1 1

Email: admin@chomes.com.au

Manager’s Message Welcome to Courtlands, Westcourt & Northcourt

Dear Families, 2017 is flying by and we are looking forward to welcoming the warmer weather. We would like to welcome Elaine McRory as the Facility Manager to Courtlands/Northcourt. Up until Christmas, I will remain overseeing Courtlands/Northcourt until Elaine is ready to take the helm. To ensure a smooth transition, we are taking it slowly in handing over to her. In the lead up to accreditation, Elaine will be overseeing the Terrace, to ensure the clinical care is at the expected standard as well as supporting the staff and residents.

Some of you may already be aware that Kerrie Lepa and Sharon Stanton have resigned from the Care Manager positions at Courtlands/Northcourt. Sharon will continue up until accreditation assisting me with day to day tasks to ensure we are ready come September 26–28. After this time, Sharon is excited to be a volunteer in the lead up to Christmas.

Both Care Managers have shown immense dedication and support to Courtlands/Northcourt and will be missed in this roles. We wish them the best of luck in their new endeavours.

Lily Kam has joined us from Casa Mia prior to her retirement. Lily has worked with us for 30 years at Casa Mia and brings a wealth of experience to Courtlands/Northcourt. Lily will be looking after the Vista to support the staff, residents and families. After accreditation Lily is finally retiring and we hope that this time is blessed for her and her family. Continued over page

Manager’s Message continued August saw the recruitment of 12 new staff across all areas of Courtlands/Northcourt. Please support the new staff as they transition into Courtlands/Northcourt.

While spring is now here, it does not mean that the Flu Season is over. We would ask that if you are unwell that you please do not visit your loved one to help prevent a further outbreak. We also ask that you wash your hands with hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the Home.

We will be having a “Father’s Day BBQ” on Wednesday, September 6th. Please pencil the date into your diaries as we would love to see you there. You will see invitations around shortly. Wishing all the Dad’s a Happy Fathers Day. Regards, Jenny Yates - Senior Manager, Operations

Senior Village Manager’s Message The crispness in the winter air is waning as the warmth of spring takes over.

The roses around the Village have had a feed of composted cow dung and a covering of warm straw to assist them produce their beautiful blooms. We are looking forward to another Spring Walk led by Moe and Rhianna from Landscape Solutions. Everyone is invited on Monday, September 18 from 10:30am, meeting outside Vista. Morning tea will be supplied by Landscape Solutions and held in the Village Lounge. Joanna and the Recreational team will be taking names so we have enough staff and volunteers to take those who might require a wheelchair ride.

Christadelphian Homes are excited to announce a partnership with Presbyterian Aged Care to deliver Home Support Services to Village residents. Patricia Marchant will visit a couple of times each week (days/times to be confirmed) so when you see Presbyterian Aged Care’s banner in the Village Lounge, stop and have a chat and ask her what you might be entitled to receive under one of the Home Support Schemes. There are many Home Care Service providers who are keen to deliver services to you. You are encouraged to ask questions of these providers and choose the company which suits you the most.

Council elections are to be held shortly. Voting booths will be set up in the recreation room on Wednesday, September 6 from 10am for your convenience.

Village EXPO – save the date – Wednesday, October 4 from 10am. We will be covering topics such as My Aged Care, the aged care assessment process, financial planning, and security, and so we don’t get too serious, there will be a photographer in a corner to take some fun snaps. The Spring Trivia BBQ will be held at the conclusion of the EXPO. Please join us for lunch and trivia on the Village Green. Invitations to these events will be sent out shortly.

Kind Regards, Jane Burns - Senior Manager, Retirement Villages

Happy Birthday!

SEPTEMBER JUNE

OCTOBER JULY

NAOVEMBER UGUST

SEPTEMBER JUNE

OCTOBER JULY

NAOVEMBER UGUST

Self Care

Self Care

Self Care

Grange

Grange

Grange

19 Mary McAdam

23 Maxwell Rieper

1 Marie Birmingham

6 Fay Sutherland

4 Ron Boehm

6 Myra Tivey

6 Judith Schuchman

7 Joyce Wall

4 Barbara Thompson

6 Thomas Dreha

7 Dorothy Blain

8 Judith Houtman

12 Boris Pinsky

9 Douglas Hutchinson

10 Phil Thompson

17 Elaine Douglas

24 Catherine Buskes

9 Jill Thorpe

11 Charles Bonney

17 Bob Roeth

26 Peggy Henley

10 Noreen McLean

11 Diane Hart

19 Sylvia McLean

11 Janet Swinnerton

13 John Salmon 19 Ray Williams

12 Marjorie Collier

13 June Kay

14 Clare Hamilton

13 Jack Petitt

17 Shirley Champion

6 Roger Browne

8 Judith Canham

28 Margaret Climspon

16 Margaret Kaye

26 Jim Reeve

18 Dorothy Lee

15 Beryl Lyons

29 Peter Finlayson

25 Lyndon Kent

30 Pamela Aitken

26 Jean Daniels

22 Peggy Gee

30 Dawn Walder

26 William Blain

24 Maureen Quinn

Grove

Vista 18 Maria Gomes

Vista 16 Dorothy Thomas 20 Chin Tai 20 Mary Ambrose 29 Ruby Campos

Terrace

Terrace

Terrace

28 Joan Horsfall 17 Alex Gomez

29 Shirley Johnson

Grove

Vista

Northcourt Grove

16 Diane McQueen

Northcourt

Northcourt

7 June Job

15 Jim Gosling 22 Dorothy Lavender

1 Brian Horne

6 Shirley Simpson

9 Shirley Cronk

15 Claire Brown

10 Salvatore Cicio

19 Mary Wallis

14 James Somerville

30 Russell Boyd 26 Joan Hunter

31 Yvonne Bulter-Venning

Westcourt 30 Mercedes Simola

Westcourt 22 Barbara McIlwain

Westcourt 3 Flo Stanton

Upcoming Events Self Care

SEPTEMBER

Terrace

SEPTEMBER

4th - Mobile shoe shop 5th - Guest Speaker: Graham Sims 6th - Local Parramatta Elections at 10am 6th - Father’s Day BBQ Lunch 6th - Lunch Trip 10th - Community Singing 18th - Spring Walk at 10am

6th - Local Parramatta Elections at 10am 6th - Father’s Day BBQ Lunch 12th - Men’s Club 14th - Birthday Celebrations 18th - Spring Walk at 10am 19th - Ice cream Trolley and Song request 28th - Lunch Bus Trip FRIDAYS: Happy Hour

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

4th - Expo Morning 11th - Lunch Bus Trip 14th - Linnet Choir 18th - Zara’s Fashion

3rd - Bingo 12th - Morning Tea Bus Trip 18th - Zara’s Fashion 26th - Lunch Trip

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

1st - Lunch Bus Trip 7th - Melbourne Cup Afternoon Tea 13th - Farmers Wife and Bag Sale 21st - Stafford Fashions 29th - Banjo Beads

7th - Melbourne Cup Afternoon Tea 9th - Morning Tea Bus Trip 13th - Farmers Wife 21st - Stafford Fashions 23rd - Lunch Bus Trip 29th - Banjo Beads

facebook.com/christadelphianagedcare

partnering with the Courtlands Team, aim to provide support services that ensure your retirement experience is as positive as it can be.

Meet Patricia Marchant in person for a confidential, nonbinding chat to discuss options around your Home Care needs.

Alternatively, you can call our Care Support Team during office hours on 1800 PAC NSW (that’s 1800 722 679) and ask to be put through to Patricia.

PODIATRY APPOINTMENTS WITH PAUL FOR SELF CARE RESIDENTS: First Monday of EVERY MONTH Cost: $30 Privates or FREE WITH EPC and DVA residents To make an appointment, please contact Lisa in the Terrace

Keep updated with all the latest news and photos by “liking” us on Facebook!

Activity Reviews SELF CARE During the last few months, self-care has been enjoying a number of activities such as quoits, in-house shopping, fashion shows, coach trips, walking, Winterfest lunch, tea tasting, High Tea and a concert. Be sure to read your calendars each month and highlight activities you wish to come and enjoy.

WIVENHOE HISTORICAL HOUSE On June 28, the Self Care Resident Coach Trip took residents to Camden for morning tea before travelling onto Wivenhoe Historical House for lunch and guided tour. After entering the property and coming up the long drive, we received the warmest of welcomes from Sister Mary (a real character) at Wivenhoe’s front door. Mary organised us into groups and, with the aid of volunteers, we were given a tour of the home and told the history.

In 1812, Governor Macquarie made a grant of 600 acres to Rev. William Cowper with the home believed to have been built by his son in 1837-1838. In 1910, the home was purchased by the Trustees of the Good Samaritan Sisters who adapted the home to Mater Dei Orphanage where the children were educated and trained for domestic and farm work. In 1957, Mater Dei went from being an orphanage to a school for children with delayed development and intellectual disabilities.

Mater Dei at Wivenhoe continues today to educate these children and has a marvellous reputation for finding employment for them on completion of their schooling.

We all had a delicious lunch in Wivenhoe’s dining room which had a cosy fire going as it was a blustery day and not suitable weather to explore the grounds. The history of this house was fascinating and the hospitality shown us was very generous.

On our return journey, we called into Cobbity Winery and Ambrossia Olives. We were treated to wine tasting and bottles were purchased including many bottles of a “Bloody Good Port” - that is actually is its name!

This was a standout coach trip enjoyed by Courtlands residents, hopefully there will be another trip later this year and you can be assured Joanna does a great job organising these trips, so join her and other residents on a great day out.

Activity Reviews VISTA In July, our Ashburn Recreational Activities Officer Courtney transferred across to Vista fulltime and has brought new activities to the floor. In the last couple of months there has been our Winterfest lunch celebration, beer tasting for International Beer Day, art class, Armchair Travel to Colorado, bus outings (picnic, ice-cream), Masterchef Cooking Club and Gardening Club. Courtney is always opened to new ideas.

GRANGE Welcome to the September edition of Grange happenings.

Can you believe 2017 is nearly coming to an end?

It has been a surprisingly fast year. For the past month, residents at the Grange have been able to stay mentally and physically active. Nothing has stopped them from enjoying the usual daily activities to keep the brain and body active with various table games, movie afternoons, craft, quizzes, cooking, reminiscing, Sunday happy hour, birthday celebrations and monthly in house concerts. No one will believe the residents had a very special month with 5 birthday parties!

Let’s start to name a few more of the highlights and special events at the Grange: The residents celebrated the Queen’s birthday, where they had the chance to nominate the oldest resident at the party to be the Queen and was crowned.

The party doesn't stop here, how about July. The residents celebrated the Winterfest in style with their family and friends at Courtlands Village Lounge Room. They were entertained by a harpist who was playing beautiful music throughout.

Furthermore, the residents were delightful to give a baby shower NORTHCOURT party for one of the Sisters-In-Charge at Grange. Lots of games were conducted and they were laughing all throughout the party. The cold weather did not stop them from having fun with bus outings with the other residents from the community and enjoying daily the garden walks and visiting the village lounge for a cuppa and catching up with friends.

The Grove - Winterfest Photos

Terrace - Photos

Resident Profile - Edwin Plummer Edwin (Ted) Plummer was born on April 17, 1936 in Sydney. At this point, with his whole life ahead of him, Ted had the world at his feet. She was his oyster and he would make sure that he explored her up and down, sideways, backwards, frontwards, and every direction in between. But before any of this eventuated, tragedy would strike Ted, losing his mother when he was only 14 months old. As a result, Ted was legally adopted by his aunt and uncle and raised by much of extended family, including a Canadian cousin whom Ted remains great friends with to this day. This gave Ted what he acknowledges as an eclectic upbringing, perhaps shaping him for his soon to occur world travels.

Like most, Ted attended public school and high school, where in his words he "didn't do too well at schooling but became manager at four places." This included a management position with the famous Bird's Eye Frozen Foods.

Following the conclusion of his education, Ted worked in a warehouse at five different places, and eventually moved into sales. It was while working in the warehouse that Ted's wanderlust was fed when he discovered an ad for international pen friends mixed up in a roll of material. Ted applied and got in touch with a girl from Sweden who he began corresponding with. He recalls that when her picture came back all of his co-workers at the warehouse wanted to write to her too but he wouldn't give them her address! After a period of friendly correspondence, he decided that he'd take a trip over to Europe to meet her, a trip that would turn into a five-year country-hopping sojourn and a marriage to a different girl, an English girl called Rita.

It all began with a boat trip to Italy via stopovers in ports such as Jakarta, India, Sri Lanka, and Aden, through the Suez Canal, Cairo, and an eventual disembarking in Genoa, Italy. Ted then took a train up through Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark into Sweden, where having decided he didn't know enough of the local language, he left for work in England. Ted laughs at himself, telling stories of how he befriended the crew of the boat as well as a bunch of girls from New Zealand and showing pictures of all of his girlfriends, saying that "he had a girl in almost every port" before hurriedly mentioning that this was all before Rita and once he'd met Rita, he knew that there was no other girl for him but her.

Once in England, Ted got work with a tobacco company, promoting cigarettes to the public at events that ranged from the mundane at places like clubs and pubs to the prestigious, such as golf's Ryder Cup. Ted remembers how one time he saw Ella Fitzgerald sing in London and how he would drink at the Surrey pub (also in London) with famous actors that included Charles (Bud) Tingwell. After five years in England, Ted and Rita decided that it was time for them to settle back in Australia. The end result would be four children (three girls, one boy) and a number of great-grandchildren.

Ted notes that "they flew back" to Australia, which was much easier than the boat. Ted is very proud of all of his children and their partners, as they all have good jobs and good families, to which he laughs and says "worse luck, I can't have a go at them, they're too clever for me!".

He doesn't regret any of his life and feels blessed to have gotten through the bumps and scrapes along the way, having returned to Australia with nothing but Rita and finished up with a wonderful family and a large four bedroom house. Since his retirement at the age of 65, Ted has taken up woodworking, continuing to keep himself busy with a more alternative outlook on life, by brightening up the Terrace at Courtlands Village every single day.

Staff Profile - Mary’s Kitchen Today, we asked Mary how long she’d been here working at Courtlands Village and she proudly told it will be 10 years in November. With her beautiful big smile, she admits that this was her first ever job!

Mary came over to Australia at 17 years of age with her love Joseph, all the way from Lebanon where they met. The war had started and as Joseph had lived here before they made the decision to move for a safer life, here they still are. Mary admitted that back then in 1974, catching a plane over here was a little scary. She had no friends or family here and to slowly start to build a life.

Life kept Mary busy though, being blessed with five wonderful children. It was only when they were older and started having children of their own that Mary started to look at what else she could do.

She put her name down to volunteer at Westmead Children’s hospital and mentioned to a cousin that she was interested in doing something else. She would hear family and friends talk about working and catching up with work friends and thought maybe it would be worth trying for a job a few days a week just to get her out of the house. Before she knew it, her cousin had mentioned it to a Westmead Hospital staff member who also happened to work here and she was called asking if she was interested in laundry, cleaning or kitchen work at Courtlands Village. Mary said yes straight away to kitchen work because she loved cooking.

Starting as a kitchen assistant and never looking back, Mary has become a much loved team member at Courtlands and we are so very glad she decided to get out of the house 10 years ago!

She now has seven grandchildren and family she still visits back home in Lebanon. She says the most important thing is being there for our residents and each of us doing our part in their care.

We also had to ask her a final question. Does she do all the cooking at home? The answers is no actually.

Her husband Joseph does most of the cooking at home now and spoils her with dinner cooked and ready when she gets home.

Staff News Simi's Goodbye Lunch

Dr McDonald’s Farewell

FRIENDS ARE LIKE FLOWERS

love

1 John 3:18

Pastoral Care

Let us not with word or speech but with actions and in truth

Friends are like flowers, beautiful flowers Friends are like flowers in the garden of life

Many years ago, in my youth, I heard and learnt a song about friends being like beautiful flowers in our life.

That song, at the time and still to this day, touched something in me and I find that I often look at a good friend and picture them as a beautiful flower.

Friends can be a blessing that many of us take for granted as “just being there”. No matter what the occasion, an afternoon at the theatre, catching up for a quiet lunch or a quick coffee, a warm and familiar shoulder to cry on, friends are those people in our life who enjoy our company, never judge us and are always there for us.

“The heartfelt council of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense” - Proverbs 27:9 But sometimes, due to circumstances beyond our control, friendships can end all too soon.

Circumstances such as relocation, ageing, illness and death can leave us hanging like autumn leaves on a windy day – very sad and quite vulnerable.

So where am I going with this? Working in aged care and spending a great deal of time having one on one visits with many a lonely resident can give a pretty good perspective as to how important friendships have been in years past. There are quite a number of residents who have little or no family visitation due to numerous reasons, but what they do have are precious memories which can be encouraged and brought forward. Memories not only of family but of friendships formed in the school yard, at the workplace, in the armed forces, with neighbours and with social groups. Some friendships would have been made at mother’s groups, during overseas travel or even at the local pub. Some were made easily while others took time, some were fleeting while others lasted a lifetime. But with every friendship created comes the memories of that creation.

I recently had the privilege of spending forty very rewarding minutes with a resident who was feeling down and lonely. When I came into her room she said, “Oh, thank God, someone I can talk to that will talk back to me”. I felt both humbled and most thankful that I had turned left rather than right in the foyer that day. This dear lady sat and cried for a short time about her loneliness and told me how much she missed her family and friends. When I felt that she was ready, I diverted her to tell me about some of her memories as a child and teenager.

I heard her tell of being raised by hardworking parents who loved their five children, of how they were raised with hand-me-down clothes and shoes, home haircuts, lard sandwiches, and shared bath water, that started with the youngest child and dad as the last. How they sat on the floor of the lounge room every night after dinner to listen to the radio shows they loved, and how on a Saturday night once a month a block of chocolate was passed around and shared. She recalled a special friend from school who Our deepest sympathies have loved to sleep over at her place so she could have a lard gone out to the families who sandwich as she never had them at home.

Bereavements

After 40 minutes of crying, reminiscing, laughing and hand holding I left my resident rather reluctantly because I felt as though I had been taken on a short journey and I wanted more.

Taking the time to listen and encourage memories can be a rewarding experience for all parties, it can take such little to give so much.

By Jan Murray, Pastoral Carer, Courtlands Village <— P.S. I saw this lovely lady as a Pansy – pretty, bright eyed (after the tears) and smiling.

“Friendship is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others” - C.S. Lewis

have lost their loved ones over the Winter period.

Volunteer Corner A big thank you to all our volunteers for their hard work at Courtlands and Northcourt over the last few months; running activities, providing companionship to our residents and for all the help with preparations for our Winterfest celebrations.

We had a visit from the North West Disability Volunteer Choir, who delighted our residents with their talents, while singing all the old favourites.

I would also like to thank the volunteers from the Parramatta Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shed for the chicken coup which they made for our Vista residents. The residents, families and staff are looking forward to having some chickens move in over springtime!

Please let me know if you would like to be involved with our chickens when they arrive or in any other of our volunteer activities here at Courtlands and Northcourt.

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer program, â&#x20AC;¨ please do not hesitate to contact me:

Sherene Noble on 0433 622 573 or snoble@chomes.com.au Volunteer & Pastoral Care Coordinator

Volunteer Corner SPOTLIGHT ON A VOLUNTEER (SELF CARE) Phil Thompson Phil Thompson worked as a photographer for much of his life, and was on the Harbour when the Japanese subs invaded Sydney.

Phil, now a resident at Courtlands Village in North Parramatta, grew up dirt poor in Sydney’s inner west in the 1930s after his father contracted tuberculosis.

In 1941, he got a job at the Daily Telegraph as an office boy, and because the war meant many of the male staff were called-up for duty, he soon became a messenger boy for the photographers. His new job meant he had to carry around heavy equipment, including flashes, batteries and cameras that weighed more than 12kg. Phil was out with the photographers on an open boat with an outboard motor when the Japanese subs entered the harbour, and he remembers getting soaked to the skin.

At 17, he was appointed as a cadet press photographer, but soon after his 18th birthday had to enlist. Due to some problems with his knees he was transferred to the Signal Corps in Victoria and learnt Morse Code, and then was sent to New Guinea to work at the signals office.

After the war, he went back to photography and worked on the Daily Telegraph and then the Herald, where he had a few scoops, including covering the floods of 1950 on the North Coast. He was also there the day two workman crashed to their deaths while building the Circular Quay Railway Station, and took a photo of the men in mid-air with heavy blocks and tackles wrapped around their bodies when they fell from a high crane.

Phil married in 1948 and became a father to Ross the following year. After separating from his wife, he remarried Barbara in 1959 and had two girls and a boy. When they moved to Courtlands Village in 1995, it was the first full brick home he had lived in since 1936.

He is now a grandfather and great-grandfather and a very active resident of Courtlands Village.

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: Clean out bedside drawers and sort books/ magazines Open windows to circulate fresh air

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

FATHER’S DAY JOKES Q: What did the daddy tomato say to the baby tomato?

A: Catch up!

Q: Why are Fathers like parking spaces?

A: The good ones are already taken!

Q: Why did the cookie cry?

A: Because his father was a wafer so long!

Q: What did daddy spider say to baby spider?

A: You spend too much time on the web.

Q: Why did the baby strawberry cry?

A: Because his dad was in a jam!

Lemon Delicious Slice • 50g unsalted butter, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/3 cup caster sugar • 1 tablespoon cornflour • 1 1/3 cups plain flour • Icing sugar mixture, to serve • • • • •

LEMON TOPPING 4 eggs 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 1/3 cup plain flour 1 1/3 cups caster sugar 2/3 cup lemon juice Makes 24 pieces

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced.

Grease a 3cm-deep slice pan. Line with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang on all sides.

2. Place butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.

Microwave on MEDIUM for 1 minute or until melted. Set aside to cool. Stir in vanilla and sugar. Sift flours over butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir until a soft dough forms.

Transfer to prepared pan. Press into pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven. Set aside to cool.

3. Make topping: Whisk eggs, lemon rind, flour and sugar together until smooth. Add lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Pour over base. Bake for 15 minutes or until just set.

Cool completely in pan. Dust with icing sugar.

Cut into pieces. Serve.

Spring Riddles Find â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Spring relatedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rhyming words that match the clues.

1. What flowers do that rhymes with mud

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2. What flowers do that rhymes with room

__________________________

3. What plants do that rhymes with pout

__________________________

4. A spring blossom that rhymes with hairy

__________________________

5. A spring flower that rhymes with hill

__________________________

6. What birds lay that rhymes with legs

_________________________

7. What a bird builds that rhymes with best

_________________________

8. What eggs do that rhymes with match

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9. What farmers plant that rhymes with weeds

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10. A month in spring that rhymes with remember ________________________

Disclaimer: All photos and stories have been published with consent of relatives and residents involved. Thank you for your submissions.