My Favourite Things: Caroline Cairns

Caroline Cairns has been an integral part of the Hall & Prior Head Office for nearly 14 years. Starting off in reception, she’s now the Executive Secretary in the Office of the CEO and has some surprising passions - including ancient history, a cat called Rumples and a desire to see the pyramids when we can all travel again.

MY FAMILY

We’ve had Rumples since she was a kitten - she’s now 17. She’s a beautiful Burmilla (Burmese/Chinchilla) and loves nothing more than sleeping on a purple cushion all day. I’ve got three children (Emma, Alison and Fraser) and three grandchildren - Thea (five and a half), Alexander (three) and Liam (two). We see each other regularly and although my son doesn’t have children yet, he does have Rupert, his fur baby, a King Charles spaniel. My mother, 91, is in a nursing home back in Ayrshire, Scotland as well as my two

MY CAT

sisters and younger brother.

COOKING TRADITIONAL FOOD

My daughter has said she wants to host Christmas lunch this year but said I still have to cook the turkey. I enjoy cooking for the family when I have the time to do it properly.

WORKING OUT

A few years ago I experienced a health scare at work and my son-in-law John said I must start going to the gym. Three years later, I’m now lifting 85kg weights at The Hive in Wangara. I’m really thankful he suggested I start going.

A GOOD BOOK

I’m not a fan of romances but I do love anything historical or about the war. I’ve read all the Twilight and Game of Thrones books and am currently completing my BA in Ancient History with Macquarie University.

KNITTING AND SEWING

My daughters used to go to dance school from the age of three, and I used to make dance costumes for their concerts, right up until they were in their 20s. Now my granddaughter is attending the same dance school as her mum and I’m looking forward to making costumes again for her.

I’D LOVE TO SEE THE PYRAMIDS

I’ve always wanted to go to Egypt, and my husband, who helped repair the oil wells in Iraq used to go to Florence for meetings. I’d love to go

there too, and see all the art and architecture.

SKETCHING AND PAINTING

I paint watercolours and would dearly love to enrol in an acrylics painting course at the Fremantle Arts Centre to learn more techniques.

FAR APART Heartsbut in our

s the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt normal ways of keeping in touch - particularly, in-person visits - the A use of video call technology in our homes has become more and more important.

As you can see from these recent photos, our residents are still connecting regularly with their families and loved ones through the marvel of modern technology. They’re using FaceTime and Skype to connect, whatever the distance, when they can’t get together in person. These modes of communication help our residents stay engaged and gives them something to look forward to when our homes are in precautionary lockdowns.