Cover story: Diwali lights up our homes

Diwali

LIGHTS UP OUR HOMES

It’s known as the Festival of Lights and this year, staff really pulled out all the stops to celebrate this important festival in colourful style.

Photos by Ryan Ammon.

Diwali was celebrated in style at Belmont Aged Care Home in WA on Friday October 21, with many of the staff getting into the spirit of this most colourful of religious festivals with cultural dress representing all the colours of the rainbow.

Meanwhile, on October 24, Diwali was celebrated across Australia and in Hall & Prior’s WA and NSW homes, an explosion of colour, dancing and glorious food marked the culmination of this important period for many.

As one of the most important (and largest) religious celebrations in the Hindu, Sikh and Jain calendars, Diwali welcomes the New Year and symbolises the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Hundreds of our staff in WA and NSW marked the day, bringing some delightful splashes of colour to our homes. As you can see from the photos, many of our aged care homes celebrate Diwali with special events including delicious special food, cultural dancing and staff members dressed in colourful costumes.

The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Deepavali’,

which means ‘rows of lighted lamps’. As such, the five-day celebration (with the main day of Diwali on the third day) is known as the Festival of Lights. During Diwali, which lasts five days, family and friends gather to perform the ritual ‘Lakshmi puja’, which is a prayer to the Goddess Lakshmi.

It’s a wonderful, colourful time of year with plenty of delicious food to be enjoyed as well as gulab jamun, that delicious sweet which makes an appearance during Diwali and jalebi, which was served up at Mosman Park.

In Belmont and other homes in WA and NSW, marking Diwali is an important part of Hall & Prior’s approach to embracing diversity and celebrating the many cultures which make up our homes, marking their importance in a significant and meaningful way.

ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW Hundreds of staff and residents joined in the fun of Diwali, dressing up in colourful cultural dress and enjoying special celebratory food during the five-day festival.

During Diwali, friends and family gather to perform the ritual ‘Lakshmi puja’, a prayer for the Goddess Lakshmi . . .

COLOUR BY CANDLELIGHT The word Diwali is derived from a Sanskrit word which means a ‘series of lighted lamps’ - hence it is known as the festival of lights.

DID YOU KNOW?

• As the festival marks the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil, many people ensure their homes are neat and tidy with bright lights everywhere.

• A feast is prepared which also plays its part in the start of new beginnings.

• Diwali occurs on the night when the new moon rises - the darkest night. During this time, diyas (oil lamps) candles and lanterns are lit. People also put henna on their hands and take part in family prayers.

• Before Diwali, there is much decorating to be done around the home with rangoli - colourful patterns drawn on the floor.

mate BE SOMEBODY’S NEW BEST APPLY TODAY

Grafton Aged Care Home - South Grafton

We are currently seeking a number of qualified and experienced professionals for the following positions: • Registered Nurses - permanent part-time or casual • Assistants in Nursing - permanent part-time or casual • Administration Officer - permanent part-time • Lifestyle Officer - permanent part-time

If you would like to become a part of our team please send your resume and cover letter to Pattie Iredale on piredale@hallprior.com.au or call (02) 6642 3255.