Life & L ve
Flying High
West Coast Eagles stars over the moon to meet Windsor Park residents
Life& L ve
EDITOR'S LETTER
Hands up who’s secretly looking forward to some cooler weather? For an expat-Scottish lass, I can’t believe I’m saying I’m looking forward to wearing warmer clothes, but here we are. Aussie summers can be brutal.
Our homes in WA, NSW and now the ACT have been so busy over the summer months, celebrating Christmas, the Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day and other significant events on the calendar. The homes really rise to each and every occasion with bursts of colour, culture and fun, and you can be sure there’s always some cake to be had along the way.
Our Windsor Park residents were thrilled to have a sneak preview of the West Coast Eagles training session, while over in Sydney, our Georges Estate Home Care team are looking forward to meeting plenty of potential new clients at a couple of seniors’ festivals in March.
Congratulations too to the Sister Kate’s team - with $50m in funding now secured, the project is full steam ahead for a dedicated Aboriginal elders residential home to open in 2028.
Happy reading!
Bunuru (WA)
Marraigang (NSW)
EDITOR
Gabi Mills
Gabi.Mills@hallprior.com.au
DESIGNER
Cally Browning
Cally.Browning@hallprior.com.au
CONTRIBUTORS
Jacki Downs
Jacki.Downs@hallprior.com.au
COVER IMAGE
West Coast Eagles captain Liam Duggan with Windsor Park residents.
PHOTOGRAPHY
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Every endeavour is made to ensure information contained is correct at time of going to print. ©2025 Life & Love is published by Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group.
Hall & Prior’s CEO Graeme Prior and Sister Kate’s Dr Sue Gordon co-hosted a celebratory morning in Queens Park where guests saw renders of the planned 100-bed facility for Aboriginal residents.
A WORD FROM THE
Chief Executive Officer
After a much-needed break over the festive season, my team and I have returned to work energised and focused on the year ahead. As we leave the heat of summer behind, there are several major projects on the horizon which will keep us all busy over the next few months.
In addition to our continuing focus on delivering the highest levels of care to our residents, we have been concentrating on progressing a few key projects.
The transition to the new aged care act and strengthened quality standards is well underway, with working parties established and a thorough review of our policy, procedure and education framework taking place.
We are also taking guidance from our Consumer Advisory Bodies on how we can further tailor our care program under the new act to better meet their needs.
I was delighted to co-host a morning tea celebration with Dr Sue Gordon of Sister Kate’s in February, after we received the news that the Government was awarding $50m in funding for a new Aboriginal specific health and aged care facility in Queens Park.
It was an opportunity to express our thanks to the team for the progress made to date,
as we move towards an opening date in early 2028.
The 100-bed facility will be a home for Aboriginal residents from across WA on the site of the original Sister Kate’s home. This important facility will be the first of its kind in WA, a centre of excellence and a real landmark project for the Hall & Prior Aged Care Group as a whole.
It is hoped that it will pave the way for a new approach to Aboriginal aged care, creating a centre of excellence for how to best provide health and aged care for the Aboriginal community as well as those people regarded as homeless.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Life & Love which is filled with stories from our homes in WA, NSW and now, the ACT. On that note, I would like to welcome the staff and residents of Canberra Aged Care Home in the ACT to the Hall & Prior family.
GRAEME PRIOR Chief Executive Officer
Major funding boost for Sister Kate’s
Perth’s first Aboriginal specific health and aged care facility is set to open in early 2028, thanks to $50 million in shared funding from the WA and Federal governments.
The $65m, 100-bed facility will be a home for Aboriginal residents from across WA, providing key services and support, enabling some residents the chance to return to country, dialysis treatment
as well as providing specific training and education programs.
Hall & Prior Health and Aged Care Group (Hall & Prior) and Sister Kate’s Children 1934 to 1953 Aboriginal Corporation (Sister Kate’s) have been working on the project for several years, focusing on establishing the partnership, developing stakeholder advocacy, conducting feasibility studies and designing the facility.
“We are truly delighted that the Sister Kate’s project was successful in securing $25m in Federal Government funding towards the construction of
The Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety identified that Aboriginal people have limited access to mainstream aged care.
the facility,” said Graeme Prior, CEO of Hall & Prior.
“A re-elected WA Labor Government also recently announced they would provide an additional $5m capital grant and a $10m low interest loan for the project. This is in addition to funding of $10m, secured from the State Government in 2021.”
The Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety identified that Aboriginal people have limited access to mainstream aged care. Hall & Prior aims to build on its experience providing residential aged care to Aboriginal residents at its
current Windsor Park Aged Care Home in Carlisle.
“The facility will be the first of its kind in WA - a centre of excellence for how to best provide health and aged care services for the Aboriginal community, as well as providing aged care services to those people regarded as homeless,” said Dr Sue Gordon, Chairperson, Sister Kate’s.
The facility will provide a much-needed care environment and program that is both culturally and spiritually specific to the needs of Aboriginal people through the development of the service model.
It will also provide specific training and education programs to Aboriginal people to work in the health and aged care sector, building key partnerships across local Aboriginal organisations and facilitating sustainable career pathways.
The $50m in Government support includes:
• $25m - Commonwealth Government through the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Capital Assistance program
• $15m – WA State Government grant. $10m was approved in March 2021. A further $5m was committed by a re-elected Labor Government on 12 February 2025.
• $10m - WA State Government Zero Rate Interest Loan announced as an ALP election commitment on 12 February 2025 and is part of a wider commitment to support for concessional aged care beds in WA.
The facility will provide a muchneeded care environment and program that is both culturally and spiritually specific to the needs of Aboriginal people
Kerry Hill Architects have been appointed as project architect and undertook a study tour of relevant aged Indigenous care facilities in Northern Australia to ensure the delivery of the best facility for Aboriginal people to access appropriate aged care services.
Hall & Prior will be the operator of the aged care facility, leasing the land and buildings from Sister Kate’s, as well as building new, purpose-built buildings on the site.
is our lucky number
Agmaroy Aged Care Home in Wilson, WA achieved 42 out of 42 during its re-accrediation assessment in January – cause for celebration indeed.
It was a day to remember in February when the team at Agmaroy Aged Care Home achieved a perfect score following a visit by the reaccreditation team over a few days in late January.
The Quality Standards include requirements for ongoing assessment and planning, personal care, clinical care and organisational governance.
“I would like to proudly announce that we met all the 8 out of 8 standards and 42 out of 42 outcomes, a fantastic result,” said Director of Nursing, Aisle Batucan.
To celebrate, Aisle organised a magnificent cake in the shape of ‘42’, 42-shaped balloons and other treats for the hard-working, highachieving staff at the home.
“I am thankful to the entire Agmaroy team, resource team for their care and service, to families, and residents for their continued support to our home,” said Aisle.
“Meeting all 8 out of 8 Standards and 42 out of 42 Outcomes of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is a massive success and an excellent
result. I would like to thank everybody for all their dedication to compassionate care and hope they enjoyed the celebration of thanks.”
Find
your new favourite Facebook page
IIf you’re an avid follower of all things Hall & Prior, you may have noticed that our Facebook page has changed recently.
And as the Hall & Prior Aged Care Group grows, it makes logical sense to split the Facebook pages between the east and west coasts.
As we have added to our family of aged care homes in WA and NSW – and most recently, in the ACT too – it has become increasingly clear that to improve the user experience (ie YOUR experience), we needed to split the Facebook
coverage of news and stories from our homes between WA and NSW/ACT.
That means if you’re looking to find out what life is like in Agmaroy or St Lukes in Perth, you won’t be as interested in a day in the life of one of our Sydney homes – and vice versa.
So as of mid-February, you’ll now find all your favourite WA and NSW Hall & Prior Facebook stories on two separate pages. We hope this makes the Facebook experience more enjoyable and relevant to our followers on social media.
We’d love to continue to grow both pages so do share and like our posts with your family and friends!
Tash tackles Rotto Channel Swim in style
The 19.7km open water swim from Cottesloe Beach (Mudurup) to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) set off at dawn on February 22 – and one of Hall & Prior’s own was in the race for the finishing line.
By GABI MILLS
It can be one of the toughest open water swims on the WA circuit with treacherous conditions often hampering even the strongest swimmers. But all that held no fear for our Superwoman Executive Manager of Karingal Green, Tash Bamber as she pulled on her bathers, swiped some zinc on her cheeks and plunged into the chilly surf.
The 35th annual Rottnest Channel Swim saw a huge number of competitors leaving the relative safety of Cottesloe beach as the sun rose on February 22, and as the iconic event got underway, experienced marathon channel swimmer Tash was flying the flag for Karingal Green.
Resuming training for another crack at the monumentally
hard Ocean’s Seven challenge which involves nearly 200kms of swimming across the world’s most dangerous ocean channels, Tash was wellprepared to take on all that Rottnest and a pretty choppy swell had to throw at her.
A support boat for one of the competitors sank after it started taking on water just a few hours into the swim on that sunny Saturday morning,
with thankfully no harm coming to those aboard.
Local marathon swimmer
Max Coten was the first male to make to Rottnest’s shore, reaching the island in just over four hours. Meanwhile, Bianca Monaco was the first female to reach the island, just 18 minutes later. Tash’s good friend and Oceans 7 swimmer Andy Donaldson took a win
Along with many other swimmers, Tash was beaming from ear to ear once she arrived on the beach at Rottnest Island
for the team event too, Team Red equipment
Swimmers from all over the world flock to the Rottnest channel each year, and this year’s youngest swimmer was 14-year old Cooper Cheshire, while the oldest was 80-year old John Guilfoyle.
WA’s Premier Roger Cook was there to see the tired swimmers as they arrived on Rotto, congratulating all those who took part.
Tash’s swim had an extra special meaning this time, her fifth Rottnest crossing.
“My brother was swimming a solo for the first time and smashed it,” said Tash.
WATER BABIES
Below, Tash Bamber and her brother Simon completed the Rottnest Channel Swim together.
“Both my sons were my support on the boat with their girlfriends helping with transport and food, while my husband was my paddler. My dad was super proud as he stood at Cottesloe beach with me and my brother watching us dive into the water. The first 10km was quite an enjoyable swim but then the winds picked up and it was a hard last 6km.”
Along with many other swimmers, Tash was beaming from ear to ear once she arrived on the beach at Rottnest Island.
“It was a great training day for my up and coming Palm to Shelly swim which will see me complete the Australian Triple Crown.”
In WA, March is known as Bunuru and in NSW, it’s the time of Marraigang. Expect long days and short nights in this, the hottest of the six seasons.
Season of adolescence packs a punch
Bunuru is the hottest time of the year with little to no rain. Hot easterly winds continue with a cooling sea breeze most afternoons if you’re close to the coast. Therefore, traditionally this was, and still is, a great time for living and fishing by the coast, rivers and estuaries. Because of this, freshwater foods and seafood made up major parts of the diet during this time of year.
Bunuru is also a time of the white flowers with lots of
white flowering gums in full bloom, including jarrah, marri and ghost gums.
Another striking flower that is hard to go past is the female zamia (Macrozamia riedlei). Being much larger than that of its male counterpart, the huge cones emerge from the centre of the plant with masses of a cotton wool like substance.
As the hot, dry weather continues the seed upon the cones change from green to bright red, indicating they’re ripening and becoming more attractive to animals, particularly the emu, that will eat the toxic fleshy outer.
The Time of Marraigang (NSW)
This is the time of the year when the cries of the Marrai’gang (quoll) seeking his mate can be heard through the forests and woodlands. The lillipilli ripens and food is plentiful, however, when the fruit begins to fall from the trees, it is a sign that it is time to start moving from the highlands and plains down to the coastal areas.
It is also the time to start mending cloaks or making
new ones in preparation for the coming cold weather.
Marareen, the golden orb spider, starts to build her intricate, massive webs between bushes during the Gadalung Marool. During this season, she will mate, and the fine, golden webs will trap the insects which Marareen will wrap in fine silk and which will provide food for her children when they hatch out from the cocoon she has buried in soil beneath the web. The part of the web that reflects
a rich golden colour is sticky and strong and, when you accidentally walk into it, most people get quite a fright. However, the most interesting parts of Marareen’s web are the colourless cables that anchor the main part of the web to the trees and shrubs. These cables are the strongest known substance produced naturally by any creature in the Australian bush. The D’harawal People collected these cables and used them to stitch up deep wounds.
Innovative music app enriches lives at Braemar
Music therapy has always been a central part of occupational therapy in our aged care facilities, says Madelyn Glover, Manager of Allied Health and following a trial of a new music app, it will be more important than ever.
The MATCH (Music Attuned Technology Care eHealth) trial in the Memory Support Unit at our Braemar homes and Emerald Life with our consumers with dementia was a success!
MATCH is a groundbreaking mobile application that combines music therapy training, music recommendations, personalised playlists and residents tracking to help care staff to use music effectively and safely when supporting residents living with dementia, especially during their ADL (Activities of Daily Living).
It was a successful partnership with the University of
Melbourne in running the MATCH program for eight weeks with our consumers with dementia, with positive feedback received. With the use of music through MATCH, it enables our consumers with dementia to reconnect with their past memories, thereby reducing agitation associated behaviours.
This was achieved by vibing with the music, humming a familiar song, playing musical instrument and feeling the vibration from playing a music or musical instrument.
Music is just amazing as it has the power to bring us joy and comfort, transport us back in time, calm our worried minds and boost our mood.
... it enables our consumers with dementia to reconnect with their past memories, thereby reducing agitation associated behaviours.
Charlie the Goldie and Walter the pup have made their presence felt in two of our WA aged care homes. Hands up who loves these two puppers?
Puppy Love
Everybody loves Charlie the Goldie
Rod visits Braemar Cooinda in Perth every Monday and ensures all our residents have a chance to meet with Charlie the Golden Retriever.
Charlie’s friendly and welcoming nature bring smiles to residents’ face and make their day very special.
For many, it’s a reminder for those who have had dogs back home.
Three cheers for Charlie the Goldie!
Walter the pup pays St Lukes a visit
Everybody loves a bit of puppy love, and the residents of St Lukes in Subiaco, Perth are no exception.
Walter, an adorable eightweek old put with two patches over his eyes, was the talk of the town when he turned up this week.
Along with his owner and Director of Nursing Kathleen Walden, Walter was St Lukes’ VIP (Very Important Puppy) for the day, meeting residents Howard and Sheila and showering them with licks.
Welcome to the St Lukes family, Walter!
DOG DAYS Charlie the Goldie and Walter the puppy have made new friends during their visits to Braemar Cooinda and St Lukes.
Home care is where the heart is
George’s Estate’s Home Care offers the same high standard of care for elders at home as those in residential care.
Launched in late 2024, Georges Estate has extended the reach of its unique and leading delivery of care to the elderly into the very homes of those that choose home care as their best option for ongoing support.
Home Care Coordinator, Victoria Stanford joined the Georges Estate team in October 2024 and brings a wealth of home care expertise. Having worked for 15 years in the home care industry, Victoria has accrued experience across a variety of packages in that time.
“During my career, I’ve worked in different roles as a Home Care Coordinator for HCP and NDIS packages,” she said.
“For five years, I was a Community Transport Coordinator in aged care and I’ve also recently spent time in a more specialised role supporting vulnerable clients with hoarding and squalor disorders under the guidance of a mental health team - my experience is extensive in the home care area.”
Victoria’s strength lies in strong communication skills. Particularly with culturally
diverse clients, a fact that’s evident from her experience working with the Indigenous Community of Western Sydney in a specialised coordinator role.
Servicing Home Care
Packages from level 1 through to level 4, the services on offer from Georges Estate Home Care range from general house and garden cleaning to Registered Nurse level clinical care and everything in between.
A Unique Offering
As well as the home care service listing, our customers are fortunate to be offered the services included in the Wellness Centre, housed in the Georges Estate Residential home.
Our Wellness Centre provides physiotherapy, restorative care, exercise rehabilitation and allied health services tailored to suit their needs. The beautifully designed centre includes a fully equipped gym and exercise room. Adjacent is the world class hydrotherapy pool
which is designed to provide therapeutic whole-body treatment under a wonderfully designed ‘starry ceiling’.
There is a lovely video to explain and promote the Georges Estate Home Care Services on our website. Please visit the website to view this message on our services: GeorgesEstate.com.au.
We look forward to caring for you in the environment that suits you the best . . . your home.
If you know somebody who is looking for kind, compassionate, professional and expert care in the Eastern, Inner West and Southern Sydney regions, including Sutherland Shire, reach out to Victoria at Georges Estate on Victoria.Stanford@ hallprior.com.au.
Come and visit our stalls to collect information and chat to our friendly staff at the:
Georges River Council Seniors Expo – Wednesday 5th March 10am-2pm @ The Marana Auditorium at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Hurstville.
NSW Seniors Festival Expo – Wednesday 12th 9am-5pm and Thursday 13th March 9am-3pm @ The International Convention Centre, Hall 4, Sydney.
CANBERRA Comes on board
A recent photo shoot at Canberra Aged Care home has seen the residents and staff come alive with the joy. By JACKI DOWNS
Since acquiring the home in late 2024, the Hall & Prior NSW team have been working with home staff to on board new systems and processes to deliver the authentic ‘Hall & Prior’ top quality care to every resident in the home.
As the staff at Canberra will attest, merging into a new business has its challenges, which is why Director of Nursing from ShangriLa Aged Care home in Hurstville, Sydney, Bernice Anokye, has joined the integration team to deliver training expertise in the dayto-day operations of running a Hall & Prior home.
Canberra Director of Nursing, June Buchanan, has enjoyed the support and dedicated training that Bernice has offered in understanding the rhythm
of daily operations and Hall & Prior reporting requirements.
“Bernice has really helped us to understand what it feels like to be part of the Hall & Prior group,” said June.
“We can’t thank her enough for her endless support.”
Since acquiring this home, the Group’s first in the Australian Capital Territory, the team have been busy transforming many aspects of its operations including upgrading the IT systems, completing an extensive spring clean and purchasing new mattresses, crockery and resources for the kitchen.
The Nutrition & Hydration team have implemented their robust IDDSI program and completed food satisfaction surveys to identify areas of improvement in the very important dining experience
for residents.
The addition of extra staffing in administration, maintenance and gardening has already improved the upkeep of the home and the systems that document the quality of care and staffing as well as the home general environment.
Support from the wider resource team from the NSW State Office has allowed more timely access to an Allied Health team that includes a dietitian, a skin integrity wound CNS and speech pathologist.
The home’s community engagement has enjoyed a boost with the addition of a monthly newsletter that highlights how positive life is at Canberra Aged Care Home.
Welcome to the Hall & Prior family!
NSW Seniors Festival Expo
12–13
March 2025
Time to shine
Please join us for the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival Expo!
This event for seniors is free and fun. Bring your friends and plan your trip ahead of time. The Expo includes:
Exhibitor stalls Giveaways Workshops
Live entertainment
Wednesday 12 March 9am – 5pm
Thursday 13 March 9am – 3pm
Where: International Convention Centre, Hall 4
Darling Harbour, Sydney
Cost: FREE
TResidents from Windsor Park in Perth had a sneak preview of this season’s West Coast Eagles Premiership hopefuls at a training session.
By GABI MILLS
Eagles fly high
here was a golden opportunity for West Coast Eagles fans to see their heroes up close and personal during a pre-season training session at Mineral Resources Park in Lathlain.
A group of die-hard Eagles fans from Windsor Park Aged Care Home had front row access to some of AFL’s biggest stars as well as new faces for the team.
The short training session in February gave a few clues about the team’s chances for glory in the 2025 AFL season, but for the residents, it was just enough to be photographed with some of their favourite players.
Thanks to Windsor Park’s staff members Carl and Wendy who took the residents along to the session and the therapy staff for organising this special trip, it was certainly a memorable experience for our Eagles fans.
Eagles Captain Liam Duggan cuddled with resident Rhonda, while Warren was star-struck to meet superstar player, Tim Kelly. Bo Allan and Jayden Hunt were also happy to pose for photos with our residents.
Good luck to Liam and the boys in blue and gold this year!
STAR STRUCK
Windsor Park residents met Tim Kelly, left, captain of the Eagles, Liam Duggan (below) and Bo Allan and Jayden Hunt at Mineral Resources Park.
Celebrating Chinese New Year’s Eve
If January 30 marks the Chinese New Year, then January 29 was Chinese New Year’s Eve, making it one of the most significant days in Chinese culture.
It signifies a time when families reunite to share a meal, bid farewell to the old year, and welcome the new. A key tradition of this special day is making and enjoying dumplings, a symbol of family togetherness.
At Clover Lea in Burwood Heights, NSW, this cherished tradition came alive as residents gathered to prepare ingredients, knead dough, and fold dumplings, side by side. They helped one another, shared ideas with staff about creative dumpling shapes, and created joyful memories.
Families joined in, bringing even more warmth to the celebration. Tasting the dumplings they crafted with
their own hands brought a unique sense of pride, while some residents delighted in learning to use chopsticks for the very first time.
Laughter echoed through the room, and the cheerful atmosphere was truly reminiscent of the joy and togetherness found in homes on New Year’s Eve.
“Food has always been a profound connection to one’s culture,” said Clover Lea’s Director of Nursing, Irene Whippy.
“Through this important, heartfelt celebration, Clover Lea sought to bring the warmth and essence of home to its Chinese residents while sharing the festive joy of the Lunar New Year with all.”
May the new lunar year bless us all in this, the Year of the Snake.
Double kudos to Team Freshwater Bay
We held a double celebration for two of our staff members at Freshwater Bay Aged Care Home in Perth in late January.
We congratulated Pujan Rai, who only joined us in May 2024 and already has proven himself to be a great team member, upskilling himself in only four short months from Carer to PCAP.
“He is a hardworking individual showing great potential for whatever he puts his mind to - keep up the great work, Pujan!” said Director of Nursing Devi Subramaniam.
Secondly, we farewelled Manahang Rai who has just graduated as a Registered Nurse. Manahang joined us in
2021 as a Carer, also upskilling himself into the PCAP position in June 2024.
“Manahang has been a great addition to our team, and is a very hard-working person always delivering great care
services to the home,” said Devi.
“We will miss you but good luck with your next journey and who knows, maybe you will be back one day!”
Australia Day marked with respect
What a day! January 26 was celebrated in the front garden at Clover Lea in Sydney with great enthusiasm by our residents and staff, featuring a delightful barbecue and an engaging performance by Lena Cruz, which the residents enjoyed immensely.
Adding to the festive spirit, staff dressed in vibrant Australian colours, creating a cheerful atmosphere that resonated with everyone present. Earlier in the day, residents indulged in a special morning tea, complete with delicious lamingtons, further enhancing the celebratory mood.
The event was made even more special by the presence of two school children, Beau and Jenna, who not only assisted the staff but also spent quality time with the residents, leaving them delighted by their visit and company.
Meanwhile at Fairfield Aged Care Home in Sydney, the day was marked with a mix of respect and gratitude. Fairfield is filled with many first and second generation Australians, with roots that originate from different countries all over the world, it is wonderful to feel the sense of belonging we hold dear in our close knit community.
Happy Australia Day everyone!
Museum visit provides plenty of food for thought
Perth and Fremantle have many fantastic historical and cultural venues for our residents to visit, and recently, a group of residents from Mertome Aged Care took a trip to Fremantle to discover the treasures at the WA Shipwrecks Museum.
Thanks to Freo’s important place in maritime history in WA, the museum is recognised as the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the southern hemisphere.
The museum is housed in 1850s-era Commissariat building and has since been restored to its historic glory. Steeped in history, the galleries house hundreds of
relics from ships wrecked along WA’s treacherous coastline, including the original timbers from Batavia (wrecked in 1629), the de Vlamingh Dish, and also countless artefacts from the Dutch shipwrecks Zuytdorp, Zeewijk and Vergulde Draeck.
The residents were fascinated by some of the exhibits on show, and worked up quite an appetite before heading off to the nearby Gages Roads Brew Co for a spot of lunch.
FUN FACT:
The brewery is named after the strip of ocean that separates Rottnest Island and Fremantle.
Tea for two (or three, or four) at Bexley
Bexley residents were kept busy in February with their favourite activities throughout the month. With regular favourites such as bingo, floor games, gardening and catching up on current news and puzzles, they didn’t have a moment to spare!
Our roaming musician, Sanjeev, is a favourite among our bedbound residents. He made time to also happily come into the lounge room to share his music for others. Sanjeev’s music always brings smiles to the faces of those he comes across.
Surprise visit by Gardening Australia’s Costa
He may be one of Australia’s best known gardening faces, but it was still a surprise when Costa Georgiadas from Gardening Australia found his way onto Windsor Park’s fortnightly bus trip around Kings Park!
As you can see, it was like meeting a superstar and
many residents were a little starstruck! Costa just happened to be in the area and always being one for a chat (being the Greek that he is), he didn’t hesitate to hop aboard and relay some wonderful stories to our residents.
Costa is not only a keen gardener, but also an
Australian author, a landscape architect, an environmental educator and finally a television presenter. He is the third host of the favourite ABC show, Gardening Australia.
His visit on the bus will be one to remember, that’s for sure!
Young musician shares his talent
Music is an important part of the fabric of life at our aged care homes, whether it’s thanks to a performance by a visiting local musician or some favourite recorded tunes played for all to enjoy. It’s extra special however when one of our residents’ family members turns up to entertain us all - and in the case of Freshwater Bay in Perth, it was one of our resident’s grandsons, Richard, who paid our home a visit to showcase his talent for playing the ukulele.
The residents absolutely loved this special performance by young Richard, who was accompanied by one of our residents, Richard Taylor, joining in the fun on guitar.
Homemade sunflowers shine bright at Windsor Park
In keeping with the (very!) warm weather, staff decided to do some craft involving making sunflowers in the cool indoors at Windsor Park Aged Care Home recently.
As you can see, our arty residents had an absolute ball making these beautiful mosaic-style artworks, and it was so lovely to see families/friends getting in on the act too.
“This was something new that we tried together, and it proved to be a real hit!” said Yvonne Wales, Director of Nursing.
Christmas crackers in all our homes
From coast to coast in all our 38 homes, Christmas was celebrated with large and small events. Here’s just a snapshot of what our residents, staff, family and friends got up to during the festive season.
A Season of Love and Light
December always brings the most cherished time of the year for many - Christmas, a season of sunshine, joy, and togetherness.
At Clover Lea Aged Care Home, the festive spirit was in full swing as we celebrated this special time with our residents, creating moments of happiness to beautifully end the year.
The home came alive with the warmth of the holidays, adorned with festive decorations and the welcoming scent of a freshly decorated Christmas tree. Families gathered for our Christmas lunch, sharing laughter and meaningful connections, turning the day into a celebration of love and unity.
Throughout the month, the magic continued with live
Christmas concerts featuring a variety of entertainers, bringing music and holiday spirit into our residents’ lives.
On Christmas Day, the warmth of family and community was truly felt. Residents received gifts, families visited, and staff brought their children to spread the festive cheer. A special highlight was a sixmonth-old baby, carried room to room, bringing smiles and laughter as residents held her close, cherishing the innocence and joy she brought.
The magic of Christmas lights at Grafton
A group of residents headed out for our annual bus outing to see Grafton’s Christmas light display just before Christmas.
The voyage started in Flame Street where we found none other than Santa Claus himself! He boarded the bus and one by one, handed out boysenberry ice creams and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
The light display did not disappoint abd it was very hard to choose a winner. The displays were amazing, and highlights included the Santa Claus lit up in a rocket
ship, an inflatable reindeer, the many snowmen and the Santa’s and Nut Crackers, all of which adorned the streets accompanied by thousands of sparkling lights.
A very special evening was had by all and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Menaville Staff
Celebrate Good Tidings
The staff at Menaville enjoyed a festive get together to celebrate a lovely year filled with strong team work, good times, great residents and new friends. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
Christmas cheer at Karingal Green
There was plenty of fun and festivities at @Karingal Green’s Christmas carol service last week - just take a look at some of the photos that we took.
The big man in red made an appearance and was happy to be snapped with residents and staff alike. Hall & Prior’s CEO Graeme Prior joined in the fun and everybody agreed that it was the perfect start to Karingal Green’s Christmas celebrations.
Bexley gets festive
With Christmas just around the corner, the staff at Bexley hosted a delightful Christmas lunch for residents and their families. Preparation began early, and by 11.45 am, our guests were warmly escorted to beautifully decorated, Christmas-themed tables.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal, with festive touches like eucalyptus leaves surrounding the food trays, while our team embraced the holiday spirit in Christmas outfits. The festivities continued with Christmas carols performed by our resident choir, who handpicked all the songs they wanted to sing, exciting raffle draws, and a joyful singand-dance session that had everyone joining in.
What a fantastic party, capping off a wonderful, busy and memorable year!
Braemar Village Staff Party
The team at Braemar Village came together to enjoy a delicious ‘bring-a-plate’ feast and celebrate the season in style!
We proudly honoured six of our team members with Certificates of Recognition for their outstanding dedication, presented by Acting DON Gagandeep. After a lovely Christmas lunch, the fun continued with Secret Santa surprises, karaoke, and dancing!
A heartfelt thank you to Executive Director Regional Leader Kristi Holloway and ANACC Clinical Documentation Coordinator Paul Cagulada for joining us.
Meanwhile at Braemar Cooinda, residents, relatives and staff recently enjoyed a festive celebration together in the lead up to all things merry and bright. Guests enjoyed a special visit from Santa and a delicious Christmas lunch and judging from the smiles on everyone’s faces it was a big success.
As you can see from the photos, Braemar Cooinda was really the place to be for a very special Christmas celebration.
As part of Kensington Park’s special Intergenerational Collaborative relationship with the Little Helpers, our residents were delighted to receive beautifully handmade Christmas cards.
How cute!
Mosman Park’s very merry Christmas celebration
There was much comfort and joy in evidence at Mosman Park Aged Care Home’s residents and relatives’ Christmas lunch.
With delicious festive fare, paper hats and plenty of good cheer, the residents and their loved ones all enjoyed the afternoon. After lunch, everybody settled in to listen to a concert which spread warm feelings throughout the audience. Two best friends, both aged 100-years-old, held hands throughout, making this a magical Christmas feast for all.
It’s a Very Merry Christmas at Emerald Life
Over Christmas, the residents, families, and staff of Emerald Life enjoyed a fantastic festive celebration. Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch and were serenaded by a special performance of carols.
Residents and relatives alike commented on what a perfect day it was, filled with happiness, singing, and jolliness, making memories to cherish forever.
Christmas crackers at Belmont
The man in the big red suit paid a visit to the very special residents of Belmont Aged Care Home in Perth with gifts and treats for all.
“The Christmas party, was such a happy occasion,” said Sonali Goel, Director of Nursing at Belmont.
“Father Christmas kept us all entertained, and during the day, he works as an OTAhis name is Daiki, and he was joined on the day by some naughty little elves (Molly and Mercy) who also work at Belmont as a Physio therapist and OTA.”
Each resident had a card and present from Father Christmas and were delighted with their gifts while the staff had a secret Santa and loved their thoughtful presents.
We’d also like to thank Kevin and his team for the delicious catering.
Let’s go plane spotting
Just before Christmas, a group of very excited Windsor Park residents were able to make a quick detour to the newly refurbished Perth Airport Viewing Platform and were able to see some amazing planes taking off and landing!
“If you are lucky enough to go, I can’t recommend it enough – we could have spent hours there, just sitting and watching!” said Dawn Sherratt, Senior Administration Officer at Windsor Park.
A month of love
Valentine’s Day is a big deal in many of our homes, with lots of heart-shaped decorations adoring the walls.
Here’s just a snapshot of what some of our homes did to celebrate this very special day.
At Freshwater Bay in Perth, the home’s OTA Dee gathered all the residents together and asked them to write their loved ones a little love note.
Some of the staff also joined in. A few of the residents then helped put up all the
decorations and the love notes for all to see while finishing the day off in style with a little afternoon high tea.
What a wonderful idea, Dee!
Leighton’s love affair with Valentine’s Day
The residents at Leighton Aged Care Home went the extra mile this year on Valentine’s Day, using shapes and stamps to create some lovely paintings.
With a tree trunk to decorate, the residents used bright colours stamped on the canvas, creating lovely, unique artworks for February 14th. With the sunlight flooding in behind the artworks, they looked like beautiful stained glass windows.
After that, it was onto some sweet treatsS’mores biscuits which everybody enjoyed.
They also made some heart-shaped cookies, sandwiched with fresh strawberries and cream, were the perfect expression of love. And they were absolutely delicious too!
Well done to our bakers who carefully cut out the heart shapes and filled each biscuit.
Love conquers all at Clover Lea
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in all its forms, and at Clover Lea
Aged Care Home in Sydney, it was a day filled with warmth, joy, and sweet surprises.
The festivities began with a heartwarming craft session, where residents gathered to create Valentine’s decorations. With scissors, paint, and sponges in hand, they cut out hearts, made beautiful, stamped artwork, and filled the lounge with love and creativity. Laughter and conversation flowed, making the activity as special as the decorations themselves.
On February 14th, the love continued with a magical
themed concert by one of the home’s favourite entertainers, Rick. His romantic melodies had everyone singing along, filling the room with warmth and nostalgia. He even performed love songs in Italian and Chinese, bringing a personal touch that made residents smile even brighter.
And what’s Valentine’s Day without a little chocolate?
Irene prepared a special afternoon tea with delicious treats, including beautifully wrapped chocolates that everyone enjoyed. Residents playfully took photos with chocolate-covered lips, sharing laughter and fun in the spirit of the day.
Love is not just about romance - it’s about friendship, kindness, and the joy of being together. At Clover Lea, love is ALWAYS in the air, making every day special.
Food for thought
Love was certainly all around at Windsor Park on Valentine’s Day – and by that, we mean a love of great food!
Residents and staff were treated to some wonderful home cooked meals of spaghetti bolognese, ice cream and French toast pancakes.
“OMG, to say it was delicious would be an understatement,” said Dawn Sharratt, Windsor’s Senior Admin Officer.
“We have uncovered some wonderful home chefs here at Windsor and they have most definitely put on a feast for us all to enjoy as you can see from the photos.”
An extra bonus was that there was not much washing up to do - the plates were pretty much licked clean!
“All our therapy staff showed off their culinary skills and everyone, from all residents to staff, sampled all the meals,” said Dawn.
“It was a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and end the week. Our thanks to everyone involved – it was a huge success!”
Ice cream for all at Emerald
In recent weeks Jamie, Emerald’s maintenance officer, has been supporting our men’s group by devoting time and power tools to work on a project for the whole Emerald family to enjoy.
The men have shared their skills and knowledge, working as a team with some wood to craft a functional and pretty ice cream cart.
The ladies’ group were advisors until the more delicate decoration stage where all took part. The ladies group permitted the men
to help with making the ice cream contents for the cart, before volunteering residents helped to serve the ice cream around the care home. The sharing of time, skills laughter and ice cream has brought joy to everyone.
“Creating our entirely homemade ice cream cart has been such a rewarding project - but best of all, making the ice cream and serving it to the residents was proof of the pudding,” said Laura Currie, Director of Nursing.
How delicious!
The next project is in the planning stages - so watch this space.
Dying with DIGNITY
When you’re facing the end of a loved one’s life, it can be helpful to understand anticipate, and respond to the signs you might notice before, during, and after they die.
While not everyone has been present when someone dies, it’s important to know that the moment of death is often peaceful.
Caring for someone in their final weeks and days can be physically and emotionally challenging. A range of feelings and emotions may arise during this time, and that’s completely normal.
If your loved one is living in one of our residential care facilities, the Hall & Prior palliative care team is here to support you through this experience. Palliative care focuses on improving the
quality of life and easing discomfort for people with life-limiting conditions such as advanced cancer or those approaching the end of their lives due to age-related issues.
You may be concerned that your loved one’s death will be painful or distressing to witness. However, rest assured that the process leading up to death is often very calm. The body gradually winds down over days, and death itself is usually peaceful. Should restlessness or discomfort arise, it can be managed with medication to minimize any distress.
It’s important to remember
that not all the signs described in this guide will be present for every person, nor will they occur in any specific order. These changes can happen anywhere from a few hours to several days before death, and they are all part of the natural, slow process of the body letting go.
If you notice any changes that concern you, don’t hesitate to ask for help. The Hall & Prior palliative care team will be in close contact during your loved one’s final stages and is here to support you.
Take comfort in knowing that
your presence is incredibly valuable. Simply sitting with your loved one, holding their hand, and speaking softly can offer them immense comfort, even if they do not respond. Never underestimate the power of just “being with” rather than feeling pressured to “do for” them.
Changes to Expect and How You Can Help
Appetite and Thirst
Your loved one’s appetite and thirst may decrease, and they may lose interest in eating or drinking. While this might be concerning, it is a natural part of the process and isn’t painful. Offer small sips of water or a moist mouth swab for comfort. Our team can also demonstrate how to care for their mouth. Avoid trying to feed them if they cannot swallow, as this could cause discomfort or harm.
Sleeping and Alertness
As the body’s systems slow down, your loved one may sleep more, become drowsy, or be difficult to awaken. Talk to them when they seem most alert, but also respect their need for rest. There’s no need to speak loudly or shake them—just offer a gentle, soothing presence.
Temperature Changes
Temperature fluctuations are common. Hands, feet, and legs may become cooler, while other parts of the body might feel hot and clammy. Skin may also take on a blotchy or darker appearance as circulation slows, but this is a normal part of the dying process.
If your loved one feels cold,
use light bedding to keep them comfortable. Avoid excessive heat, which can cause restlessness. If they feel hot, a fan or cool damp cloths can help.
Breathing Patterns
Breathing may become irregular, with periods of rapid breathing or long pauses between breaths. Breaths may also become shallow or noisy, accompanied by gurgling or other sounds. These changes are a normal part of the dying process and are not painful for the person.
Secretions
As the body’s reflexes slow, saliva and mucus may accumulate in the throat, causing gurgling or bubbling sounds. This can be unsettling for caregivers, but it typically doesn’t cause distress to the person. Turning your loved one onto their side or gently raising their head can help. Our team can also provide medication to manage these secretions and improve comfort.
Restlessness
Changes in circulation and other bodily processes can lead to restlessness or agitation. Speaking in a calm, soothing voice, lightly massaging their hand or forehead, or playing familiar music may have a calming effect. If the restlessness persists, please inform the palliative care team, who can offer medications to help ease this discomfort.
Incontinence
As your loved one consumes less fluid, urine output may decrease, and the urine may
become stronger in smell and darker in colour. Not everyone will experience incontinence, but if it does occur, there are pads, absorbent sheets, and other aids to ensure comfort for everyone involved. If you have concerns, our palliative care team is ready to help.
How to Recognise When Death Has Occurred
• Breathing stops
• No pulse or heartbeat can be felt
• The person cannot be awakened
• Eyelids may be partially open
• The mouth may be open
• Pupils may be fixed
What Should You Do Next?
You don’t need to contact anyone immediately unless you wish to. Take your time and allow yourself the space to process. However, you should contact the palliative care team so they can guide and support you during this time.
If you are sitting with your loved one and think they have passed you can contact the Nurse or carer on shift.
They will then phone the funeral directors of your choice and your loved one will be taken there within 6 hours.
You can sit with them until they arrive. Our palliative care team will help you with these arrangements and offer additional support.
We hope that this brief guide will be of some help and comfort during a difficult time. To find out more, please get in touch with your aged care home’s palliative care team.
Ways to Keep Love Alive for Aged Care
Couples
Celebrating lifelong companionship is an important option for many couples who move into residential aged care together.
Love knows no age, and for many couples, it lasts a lifetime.
While Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, for the residents of many of Hall & Prior’s aged care homes in WA, NSW and ACT, love is something they celebrate every day.
Love doesn’t fade with age- it evolves, deepens, and continues to bring joy. For couples in aged care, maintaining that special connection is essential to their well-being and happiness.
Here are our top ten ways to encourage love to spring eternal for couples living together in residential aged care.
1 Couples’ Suites and Shared Rooms
Providing dedicated accommodation for couples allows them to stay together while receiving the care they need. Many of Hall & Prior’s aged care homes offer private, double rooms so partners can continue sharing their lives under one roof.
2 Personalised Care Plans for Two
Each individual has unique care requirements, but couples should have plans that consider their shared routines, preferences, and emotional needs. Customised care ensures they can still enjoy meals, activities, and daily moments together.
3 Celebrating Anniversaries and Special Milestones
Recognising wedding anniversaries, birthdays, and significant relationship moments can reinforce love and shared memories. Our aged care homes take a special pride in organising meaningful celebrations for anniversaries and birthdays, complete with a special meal, a favourite cake, music, decorations and visitors to help raise a glass to the happy couple.
4 Romantic Dining Experiences
A special dinner or a cosy afternoon tea can be a beautiful way for couples to reconnect. Please ask the Director of Nursing about the opportunity to create special dining experiences, offering a restaurant-style setting for a private date night.
5 Encouraging Shared Hobbies and Activities
Whether it’s gardening, music, or art, keeping couples engaged in their favourite pastimes fosters connection. Our Allied Health and Occupational Therapy teams are happy to arrange activities that cater to shared interests, ensuring couples continue to bond over what they love.
6 Regular Outings for Two
A simple trip to a favourite park, café, or beach can spark moments of joy and nostalgia. Enabling couples if possible to go on outings together helps them maintain their sense of adventure and independence, and create new memories which they can share together and with family and friends.
7 Daily Moments of Togetherness
From enjoying morning coffee together to sharing bedtime routines, small rituals keep relationships strong. Our staff can support these daily moments by ensuring couples have time and space to be alone when desired.
8 Couples’ Wellness and Relaxation Sessions
Massage therapy, exercising or meditation can be enjoyed as a couple. Wellness activities designed for two
promote relaxation, emotional connection, and physical comfort.
9 Technology to Stay Connected with Loved Ones
Encouraging video calls and digital photo sharing with family helps keep couples connected to their broader support network. Virtual connection can enhance emotional well-being and prevent feelings of isolation.
Respecting and Supporting Emotional Intimacy
Emotional and physical closeness remain important at any age. Hall & Prior respects and facilitates couples’ need for privacy, companionship, and affection in a dignified manner.
By prioritising love and companionship in aged care, we can ensure that couples continue to share beautiful moments, even in later years.
MEET the DON
Saraswoti Bhattarai
Director of Nursing at Fairfield Aged Care Home
Making a difference to Fairfield’s residents lives is what drives longtime Hall & Prior staffer, Saraswoti Bhattarai, the home’s new Director of Nursing.
L&L: How long have you been working in aged care, and what drew you to the profession?
SB When my previous DON resigned, I was offered the position as an Acting DON which I am happily accepted. It is a great role and the next step in my nursing career within aged care. I feel very privileged to work with our elderly everyday as I have always held a deep respect for the older generations. They deserve our love and care.
I started with Hall and Prior as an Assistant in Nursing in 2009. When I graduated, I started working as a Registered Nurse and have been promoted through the aged care management ranks as Clinical Nurse Manager, Deputy Director of Nursing and now finally Director of Nursing. It has been such a blessing to receive these opportunities for promotion through Hall & Prior - I am very proud of this.
L&L What do you particularly enjoy about your role – and what are the challenges you face?
SB I am new to the role, but I am enjoying the challenges of this new position. Previously, I used to fill in when our DON was on leave, so I have been exposed to the full depth of the role and understand it fully. It is challenging at times as I upskill my knowledge on the job regarding managing the operations of Fairfield. The challenge is enjoyable though as I get to talk to families, aged care consumers, and staff, all of these relationships are important to me. I want to ensure that consumers feel welcomed and that they feel happy and content in their home.
L&L On a day-to-day basis, what makes your role special and how do you plan on inspiring staff at your home?
On a day-to-day basis, having the opportunity to be able to make a difference in someone else’s day is what makes my role special. Going around the home, talking to our residents and staff, I get to know them on a deeper level
and I really enjoy getting to spend time listening to them. This gives me a chance to be involved on the ground level and understand what they go through during the day and how I can improve things to make their life better.
L&L If somebody was contemplating a career in aged care, what advice would you give them?
SB I would advise anyone who is thinking of working in aged care that it is a very fulfilling career. No matter what role they plan to take, they are able to make a difference in our older people’s lives every day. That is a special opportunity and one that generates good feelings constantly!
L&L What kind of leader/ DON are you – how do you think your colleagues would describe you?
SB I believe I am a responsible, hardworking leader. I just put my head into the job at hand, and keep my people’s best interests at heart.
L&L What makes for a good day in aged care in your chosen career path – and how do you keep smiling in the face of everyday life and death situations encountered in aged care?
SB A good day in aged care is when you see that the residents are happy and content, that they are enjoying their stay in our home, joining activities or having staff spend time with them.
I am able to keep smiling
daily, despite the life and death situations encountered in aged care because I know that what we do here in Fairfield Aged Care Home is the best care that our residents deserve. The team here genuinely give their hearts and souls to this home and the residents, it’s very touching.
L&L What plans do you have for your home – and how do you relax when you have finished work for the day?
SB I am planning to run the home smoothly; I want a home where both residents and staff members are happy, respect each other and make
a friendly environment.
After work, I usually spend my time with my family as that is the best quality time anyone can have.
L&L Tell us something we don’t know about you.
SB: I am a responsible and helpful person. I feel very satisfied when I can make a difference in somebody’s life. I like watching movies and listening to country music during my spare time.
My affirmation is: Empower others through knowledge, curiosity and kindness.
Q A+
with Salina Chhetri, administrator, Shangri-La Aged Care Home, Sydney
It’s all about building beautiful connections with the residents she cares for which makes working in aged care so special for Salina Chhetri.
L&L What made you want to become an aged care worker?
SC My passion for helping people. Being able to understand and respond to the needs and emotions of people makes me incredibly happy. Working in aged care gives you the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of people by allowing you to provide care, support and companionship.
L&L How long have you worked in aged care and when did you join Hall & Prior?
SC I have been working in Aged Care since 2021 and I joined Hall & Prior in May 2023.
L&L What does an average day look like for you?
SC Every day for me is different. However, l usually start by reviewing my schedule and preparing accordingly for the day. Checking emails, responding to messages and updating records to keep myself and the facility up to date on any changes. Other tasks consist of a range of administrative tasks to interacting with consumers, visitors, staffs helping them with necessary information, solving problems and offering support as needed.
L&L Tell us about one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you work with?
SC One part of my job that makes me feel rewarded is
when I am appreciated for the contributions that I make to support our home’s goals and values. Being able to build beautiful connections with my colleagues and residents and helping them when needed has made me feel very connected to the job.
L&L What is the best piece of advice you ever got about working from others and from who?
SC The best advice I have received about working was from my mother. She told me to always stay positive and grateful no matter the situation. She gave me this advice when I first started working because she believes that when you have the positive outlook you can easily navigate through tough
times and being grateful keeps you humble.
L&L What is the best thing about working at an aged care home?
SC There are many aspects of this job that I could name to answer this but to name a few, you get to meet people from diverse backgrounds and learn about different culture, get to hear life stories, build amazing relationships, and you also get to see the positive impact that you make on people’s lives. I also believe that being a part of aged care allows you to have personal growth as you will learn patience, empathy and many other things.
L&L What have you learned about yourself while you’ve worked for Hall & Prior?
SC The one thing I have learned about myself while working as an Administration officer for Hall and Prior is my ability to adapt to changing
priorities and deadlines. Also, I think I have significantly improved my problem-solving skills, by learning to think critically and creatively to address any challenges that may arise.
L&L How would others describe you?
SC My family and friends often say that I am a fun person to be around and a good listener. I think my colleagues would likely describe me as someone who is flexible, passionate
FAST FACTS
about work and have positive outlook on everything.
L&L What qualities are required to make a great worker in your opinion?
L&L In my opinion, to be a great worker one needs to be reliable, have strong work ethic and can-do attitude and be adaptable to an ever changing environment. Also, some other essential qualities would be the willingness to learn new skills and work collaboratively with others and share ideas.
If I wasn’t an aged care worker ... I would probably be working in roles where I would still be able to help people and make difference in their lives. So maybe an educator or primary school teacher. My favourite movie is ... Me Before You. My favourite song currently is ... Do I Wanna Know, cover by Hozier.
When I’m not at work, you’ll often find me ... either at gym, exploring cafes with friends or just home spending time with my family and kitten.
Bhutanese Day at Karingal Green
On December 17, Bhutanese people celebrate their National Day, and at Karingal Green, these celebrations were marked with colour and passion.
By BARBARA BROWN
For some time, several of our Bhutanese staff had been practicing several of their national dances. There was much excitement about the opportunity to bring their culture into our home.
As residents began arriving at the Hub, dancers stood by, the girls dressed in a Kira and the boys in a Goh.
The performance began with a gentle bow to the audience and then as the music rang throughout the Hub, the girls and boy began to move in a gentle, flowing way, so elegant and beautiful. The happiness showing on the dancers’ faces seemed to indicate that they had been
transported back to their beloved country and they were dancing with their hearts. It was easy to feel a deep sadness with the realization of the enormity of the sacrifices made to leave their country, culture, family and friends to work and study in a foreign land with a different culture, a different language and a completely different way of life. A sacrifice they were prepared to make for a better future and to obtain knowledge and skills to take back to Bhutan.
How proud their king and their families can be of these young people who go about their lives here in Perth, working hard and caring
for us with gentleness and consideration.
Towards the end of the program, the tempo stepped up with more lively dancing and singing which was led by one of the carers who has a most beautiful voice. Apparently, she is a professional singer back in Bhutan. It was good to see them having fun and gave us the opportunity for some foot tapping. We were also treated with samples of some of Bhutan’s traditional food.
The residents of Karingal Green say thank you to all the boys and girls from Bhutan for the care that they give to us, and we hope that when they leave here, they will have some happy memories and the knowledge that they made a difference and were valued and appreciated.
Build your strength with us
If you are looking to build strength, improve balance and boost overall wellness, head to Karingal Green’s Wellness Centre.
Our brand-new strength training exercise circuit at Karingal Green Wellness Centre is designed with YOU in mind! This class focuses on strengthening key areas such as lower limbs, upper limbs, core, and balance.
Whether you’re managing osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic low back pain or simply looking to enhance your fitness, this circuit will help improve both muscle and bone health in a safe and controlled environment.
Key Features of the Class:
• Stations to improve lower limb, upper limb, core strength, and balance.
• Supervised by a Qualified
Physiotherapist to ensure proper form and safety.
• Clients will move from one station to the next in a timed manner
• The class is tailored for individuals who are independently walking from one station to the other (preferably no walking aids for safety purposes).
Unlike traditional gym classes, our Strength Training Exercise Circuit is interactive, fun, and enjoyable! The physiotherapist will provide guidance every step of the way, making sure you get the most out of each exercise.
Our first class will begin Friday, March 14 at 9am. Additional times will
be added with interest to accommodate client preference.
Ready to strengthen your muscles, bones, and balance? Join us at Karingal Green Wellness Centre and experience a class that’s truly different from the rest!
Book your spot today by calling the Wellness Centre at Karingal Green on 0490 940 371 or emailing wellness@ karingalgreen.com.au and start your journey to a stronger, healthier you!
PUZZLES
No. 031
Opposite of downs (3)
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
21 words: Good
Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”. B C I Y T E O S N
30 words: Very good 44+ words: Excellent
Today’s Aim: ACROSS
1 Adverse fate (4)
5 Rounds (4)
6 Makes brown (4)
7 Black birds (4) DOWN 1 Facts given (4) 2 Yemen's neighbour (4) 3 Prefix for 'all' (4) 4 Lichen (4)
1 What is the
2 What well-known service was originally called the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Service?
3 What word can mean a breed of dairy cattle, a type of knit fabric or an island off the coast of France?
4 Fargo is the largest city of which US state?
5 In which century did the Roman emperor Caligula live?
Complete the list by changing one letter at a time to create a new word at each step. There may be more than one possible answer.
Can you find all of the words listed below? The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.
Each number corresponds to a letter. Can you crack the code?
CROSS MATH
Insert each number from 1 to 9 in the shaded squares to solve all the horizontal and vertical equations. Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.
EIGHT AROUND
Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an 8-letter word? It could read either clockwise or anti-clockwise.
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW...
JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON
1. In which of his father Denzel’s films did Washington briefly appear as a child?
A. Training Day
B. Malcolm X
C. The Pelican Brief
D. Fallen
2. In which Christopher Nolan film did Washington star in?
A. Tenet
B. Interstellar
C. Inception
D. The Prestige
No. 031 No. 034
Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the
and
3. Which former Disney star partnered with Washington in Malcolm & Marie
A. Zendaya
B. Selena Gomez
C. Miley Cryus
D. Demi Lovato
4. In which television series did Washington portray a competitive NFL player?
A. Friday Night Lights
B. All American C. Big Shots
MY Favourite THINGS
Meredyth Bull
Senior HR Business Partner, NSW
A Northern Beach girl through and through, HR expert Meredyth Bull still calls the picturesque part of Sydney home. Here are just some of her favourite things.
I LOVE MY PETS
Growing up in a cat family (our cats lived to 18 and 21 years), we now have two pets of our own. Wallace, a grumpy white and black moggie (who loves rolling in the dirt), and Ralph, a Kelpie x Poodle.
Ralph keeps us VERY busy. No trouble getting your 10K steps in when he is around!
I LOVE MY CAREER: My career to date has been wide and varied. I most recently worked for the Leukaemia Foundation, and prior to that I was working for Hasbro for 10 years.My favourite time at Hasbro was their Global Day of Joy where we stopped work to volunteer to help children and families in need. It was fun working with toys and games too! I was also a florist for many years, and now there are always flowers on display at home.
Nowadays, I enjoy building strong teams and creating a fun, safe, happy, and inclusive workplace. I have a passion for giving back to my community and have joined Hall & Prior to be able to help and support our most vulnerable.
I love working with the elderly as I am drawn to hearing their stories, sharing their life experiences – I love learning from them.
I LOVE FOOD >
My son and I have a tradition that every school holidays we try a different cuisine. He researches and chooses the restaurant or venue. We love experiencing new foods in our multicultural city of Sydney.
Over the past few years, we have tried French, Sri Lankan, and lots of ramen. We really enjoyed the Lakemba Night Markets during Ramadan and sampling kanafa. For those who don’t know, kanafa is made from crunchy shredded phyllo dough, baked with a layer of creamy sweet cheese and then drenched in rosewater syrup.
I LOVE TO TRAVEL:
I do love planning travel and I tend to book the next holiday as soon as I come back from the one I’ve just finished.
My favourite trips have been a seven-week caravan trip around Victoria, a month in Tasmania, the Cook Islands, Japan and most recently, a five-week trip to Europe.
I love showing my two teenage children what is out in the big wide world.
I LOVE BEING AROUND WATER.
I love being near the water. I enjoy ocean swimming, fishing and snorkelling. I’d love to try scuba diving and get my licence one day.
OUR WA HOMES
PERTH
OUR NSW & ACT HOMES
Home care to suit you
Georges Estate Health & Aged Care Community are proud to offer their professional, kind and experienced care to clients living in their own home.
We want to take our Georges Estate reputation for excellence into the home care community to make sure that people living at home are not at risk of loneliness, depression or being overwhelmed with everyday tasks that they simply cannot keep up with as they age.
- Executive Director, Sarah Riach
For more information on Georges Estate Home Care, visit GeorgesEstate.com.au.
Click on the Home Care tab to discover how we can care for you in the comfort of your own home.