October 2014
Four new profiles
Introducing
Bella!
October activities calendars inside
Editorial Welcome to the jam-packed October edition of HVC Community News! As well as all the usual interesting bits and bobs, this issue features the tale of a heart-warming reunion between old friends at Waterview, and (finally) a featurelength story and pics of Amaroo’s new favourite girl, Bella the therapy dog! This month we also have a very special guest profile: Adam Price, a local country music performer who often entertains our residents, shares the inspiring story of his successful fight against cancer. You’ll also meet staff member Paul Jurrissen and resident John McKeown of Waterview, as well as Kath Blackmore, resident of Amaroo – all of whom had some great tales to share too. It never fails to amaze us how diverse and interesting the HVC community is!
Hunter Valley Care COMMUNITY NEWS is a monthly newsletter published by the Hunter Valley Care Family to promote communication with our residents, their families, our staff and the wider community. For more information contact Kate Austen: kate@hvcare.com.au Claire Bradshaw: claire@hvcare.com.au
We hope you enjoy this month’s Community News. If any readers are interested in having the magazine delivered via post or email, please contact Kate or Claire on the adjacent email addresses. And residents, don’t forget we can also happily provide you with as many copies as you’d like for family and friends – simply ask a staff member!
Mario Santarelli with Bella Rose: Amaroo’s newest resident! Read about Bella’s story on page 10.
Hunter Valley Care strives to set the future direction for life choices in the Hunter region.
Have you clicked ‘Like’ on the Hunter Valley Care Facebook page yet? If not, head over and do so today to get HVC pics, news and updates in your feed! Visit www.facebook.com/HunterValleyCare and help us build up our online community. 2
We actively seek feedback from residents in our care as well as their families; this is a fundamental element that drives ongoing improvement to the quality of the services we offer.
For feedback contact us: Head Office Street: 78 York Street, Teralba NSW 2284 Post: PO Box 3310 Glendale NSW 2285 Phone: (02) 4955 6400 Fax: (02) 4955 6411 Email: helen@elss.com.au
HVC Resident Profile
Kath Blackmore The gentle and cheerful Kath Blackmore has been a resident of Charlestown’s Amaroo for three years now, and it can be said she is one who truly makes the best of every situation in life. A local girl, Kath grew up in New Lambton with three sisters and two brothers, in a post-war era where there was little money. It’s this environment of ‘making do’ to which she credits her attitude of making the best of things. As one of the younger children, Kath recalls going to watch her older sisters take dance lessons in Jesmond, and it was here she developed her lifelong love of ballroom dancing. Another of her childhood memories is of a neighbour who kept racing pigeons. The pigeons also sparked the interest of a local lad named George, who would visit regularly. It’s possible George was interested in more than just the birds, because although he would go on to keep racing pigeons himself, he also ended up marrying Kath! After school Kath went to work behind the stationery counter at the Newcastle Co-Op store in Hunter Street. George, like many others his age, went to work at the Burwood Colliery. Kath recalls him riding his bike to work from New Lambton, and that the quickest route was beside the railway track – a
bumpy 45 minute ride. No doubt George would find it much easier these days with that very same railway line now converted into a dedicated bike path – the nice, smooth Fernleigh Track! On the plus side (says Kath, who’s always quick to note the positives), the track was lined with blackberry bushes, and so there were always blackberry pies in season and blackberry jam throughout the year. Eventually George graduated to a two-stroke motorbike which, Kath laughs, he pushed far more than rode in the first 12 months. Kath and George went on to have two beautiful boys, Peter and Tony. Peter has been the Mayor of Maitland now for close to 20 years, and is happily married with four children of his own. Tony spent many years in the police force before seeking a quieter life in retail. He is also married with three children. That makes seven gorgeous grandchildren for Kath – and, happily, many greatgrandchildren!
weekend at her old home in Lemon Tree Passage. From all accounts, this annual gathering is a glorious kind of mayhem, with up to 70 people coming and going over the weekend, and kids of all ages racing around and playing in the mud. Sometimes Santa even makes an appearance! And Kath wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’s one great way of keeping the family together, and seeing everyone at once rather than trying to catch up with them all throughout the year.
I wonder how she keeps up with this large family of hers, but luckily she has her mum’s legacy to help in that quarter!
Mind you, she still sees a fair few of them throughout the year as well. In fact, her younger brother, who lives at Eleebana, rings her at 7am on-the-dot every morning to catch up on the last 24 hours’ news!
Kath’s mum, who lived until she was 102, was always focused on keeping the family close. Now, every year on her birthday, the whole family meets for the
What a wonderful family Kath Blackmore has! And how very glad we are that this sunny, cheerful lady is also part of our family at Hunter Valley Care. KA
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HVC Staff Profile
Paul Jurrissen
A great aspect of Community News profiles is that readers often learn things they may never have known about staff or residents. One staff member for whom this is especially true is Paul Jurrissen, maintenance man at Waterview. How many of you knew that before becoming our go-to handyman, Paul made quite the name for himself in the wine industry – and even starred on his own wine-talk TV show?! (Probably not many!) Paul has kindly agreed to share his story so the HVC community can get to know him a little better. Growing up in Sydney, Paul harboured a long-standing interest in the wine industry, and began his journey by becoming a wine sales rep. However, he
eventually became frustrated with the fast-paced Sydney lifestyle and made the decision to move to Wagga Wagga, home of the famous Charles Sturt University winery. (CSU is Australia’s premier university for courses on viticulture and winemaking.) Here, Paul became the winery’s marketing and sales manager – and he was obviously good at his job, as some of CSU’s wines ended up in prestigious places such as the Parliament House dining room wine list! During his time at CSU, Paul made lots of contacts and got to know many big industry names, such as the Brown Brothers. Paul himself also became fairly well-known – hence that TV show we mentioned earlier! (Called ‘At Home’, the show screened on Prime and featured Paul answering a variety of winemaking-related questions.) Evidently, the TV-star life wasn’t for Paul – he eventually left CSU to pursue a lifelong dream: opening a winery of his very own. Purchasing a beautiful old homestead and its accompanying land in Brucedale, north of Wagga, Paul and his wife worked tirelessly to realise this dream –
International Day of Older Persons October 1st marked the 24th International Day of Older Persons. Established by the United Nations in 1990, the annual commemoration celebrates older people by recognising them as valuable members of society. It also raises awareness about important issues affecting the elderly.
The 2014 theme for the IDOP is ‘Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All’. The theme is focussed on fostering a sustainable global society in which older people receive the recognition, respect and support they deserve. 4
propagating and planting vines, converting an old machinery shed into a wine production unit, and much more! It was hard work, but they reaped the rewards: Hopevale Estate was born, and Paul counts the establishment and operation of this successful winery as one of his greatest achievements. After 10 or so years of living the dream, Paul decided it was time to move on and sell Hopevale (which is still operating to this day). He then entered a period in the pharmaceutical industry before coming to work at Waterview eight years ago. Paul’s favourite part of his current role is interacting and working with the residents. Looking back on a particular moment when a resident told him, ‘You improve the quality of my life’, Paul recalls how touched he was (and still is) by those lovely words. Paul has three children and one beautiful granddaughter, who recently turned three. Initially worried about feeling ‘old’ when he became a grandfather, he now says it’s the greatest gift he’s ever been given. And if Paul is as good a grandfather as he is a winemaker and handyman – we think his little girl is very lucky indeed! CB
HVC Resident Profile
John McKeown Footy lover, maths teacher, RAAF veteran and occasional prankster – it may seem an unusual collection of traits for one person to have, but Waterview resident John McKeown is all these things and more! Born in Western Australia, John lived in several different places while growing up (including Kalgoorlie, Perth and Sydney) as his father travelled around the country, attempting to find permanent work. As a youth, John himself worked at a David Jones store for about four years, but upon turning 15 was refused a pay rise – so he quit, and made the decision to join the Royal Australian Air Force instead. Perhaps luckily, John didn’t complete his ground crew and pilot training until World War II was almost over, though he did participate in the flight of Lancaster bombers in Berlin before the end of the war. A particular upside to being in the RAAF was that John met his future wife in Adelaide during training, and upon returning
from his deployment, met up with her again – it must have been fate! (Either that, or the two were simply very keen to find each other again!) Soon after he returned, John also decided to attend university in Sydney in order to pursue a teaching career. He was successful in this endeavour, going on to teach at different schools around NSW before taking on the position of Mathematics Master at Warners Bay High School. Besides maths, John’s other special interest is Aussie Rules football, about which he is extraordinarily passionate. Having played AFL during his time in Sydney, it must have been quite a shock for John to move to rugby league-dominated Newcastle and find that his favourite code was virtually nowhere to be seen! Undeterred, John worked hard to introduce more schoolkids to AFL. Eventually, he even founded the Warners Bay Bulldogs Football Club, which is still operating successfully today, and has become a symbol of John’s hard work and commitment
to his beloved sport. What an achievement! John has lived at Waterview for the last few years, and during that time, he has developed quite a reputation for cheekiness – he’s even been known to convince staff that it was his birthday two months in advance, in the hope of getting an early present! This laddish charm has endeared him to staff members, however, with several even bringing him back gifts and souvenirs from their various travels. It’s easy to see why John’s a favourite at Waterview, and we’re sure he will remain so for a long time to come! CB
Carers’ Week From the 12th to the 18th of October, communities Australia-wide will celebrate Carers’ Week. This annual awareness-raising event celebrates the work of unpaid carers, who contribute so much to society and to those for whom they provide care. This year’s theme encourages everyone to ‘Take a break and raise your voice to support our carers’. For primary carers, who generally spend around 40 hours a week providing care, it can be difficult to take a break from their demanding role. However, it is important that carers are able to take time for themselves to rest and recharge. All Hunter Valley Care facilities can provide respite services for those who may need a break from their duties as a carer. If you would like to find out more about utilising our respite services, please contact any of our facilities using the details on the back page of this magazine. 5
HVC Performer Profile
Adam Price
of intense chemotherapy. He lost his hair, fingernails and toenails, the skin on his hands and feet, most of his eyesight, and 40kg of body weight. His immune system was working against him, and despite spending long weeks in isolation to minimise outside germs, he ended up with a long string of infections, sometimes several at once. Everyone has a story. Some are full of joy, others are full of trials; some are complex and winding, others are beautiful in their simplicity. Adam Price (well-loved seniors entertainer and familiar face in Hunter Valley Care facilities) has a story that is all of these and more. It’s overflowing, tumultuous and exuberant, and yet full of peace and joy.
When he was allowed outside visitors, it was only one at a time, and much of that time he was too sick to respond or even hold a conversation. He was isolated, lonely, scared and exhausted.
him he would be back singing in no time. Adam vividly recalls that this small gesture had a massive impact on his frame of mind at the time. It lifted his spirits, making him feel less alone and isolated. In short, it gave him momentary respite from his troubles and brought him some joy in the midst of his hopelessness. From that moment on, although his recovery took several months, his path was set. Knowing what it was like to be isolated, he wanted to do something that would bring others a similar joy. Adam felt his best avenue for doing this was through his music. He started playing some small shows for seniors in his local area, and found that being able to touch people through music and make them smile brought him incredible happiness – so he just kept on going!
Adam is a Charlestown boy who, upon finishing school, studied sales, marketing and computers. A self-confessed entrepreneur and workaholic, he was always juggling full-time jobs with successful sideline businesses. It was during his mid-thirties, while working 16-18 hours a day and going to the gym (sometimes twice a day), that he fell ill with a cold he just couldn’t shake. A simple blood test discovered he had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He was admitted to hospital that very day and given three weeks to live.
Sometime in the middle of all of this, Adam was visited by a friend from karaoke – a hobby which he had been growing serious about before he was hospitalised.
Initially he started performing for free, but found he got hungry quite quickly! Drawing on his entrepreneurial inclinations and experience with small business grants, he founded Adopt-a-Singer. This program gives community businesses the opportunity to sponsor his shows, taking the pressure off seniors facilities and allowing him to find work for other performers interested doing similar things.
The six months in hospital that followed were scary, painful and ultimately life-changing. Adam had to undergo several rounds
While Adam remembers being quite ill during the visit, his friend rested a comforting hand on his shoulder and assured
These days Adam does two shows a day and his ‘dance card’ is fully booked. He has also started an online Seniors
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HVC Performer Profile (Cont.)
Hunter Nature
Gig Guide, advertising his Morning Tea Shows for those who like to have a morning out. These very popular shows are held at participating clubs around the region at a minimal charge per head, and include morning tea.
Dacelo novaeguineae The Laughing Kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher family, and is found commonly throughout eastern Australia. In Queensland their territory overlaps with that of the Blue-Winged Kookaburra; however, while similar in appearance, the Blue-Winged Kookaburra lacks its cousin’s iconic ‘laughing’ call.
When I mention that as a performer, Adam has quite a unique fan-base, he laughs. But it goes Adam supplied this fantastic photo both ways – they might of himself dancing with one of the love him, but he loves many friends he’s made performing them just as fiercely! at various Newcastle facilities. He wouldn’t swap what he is doing for the world, and feels so blessed that this career path has finally ‘found him’.
Laughing Kookaburras are believed to pair for life. They live in small family groups where the chicks from previous seasons help raise the young. This familial cooperation ensures the success of the next generation while simultaneously passing on the skills of parenting. Somewhat ironically, the distinctive cackle of the Laughing Kookaburra is far from a laughing matter! It is a territorial call warning rival kookaburras to stay away. Groups can be so vocal in the springtime that it is possible to determine territory borders by listening at dawn or dusk as each family group calls, then awaits the replies of those in neighbouring territories.
And not only can he sing, play the guitar, crack a good joke, and is a genuinely nice bloke and good Christian to boot - but with his energy, business savvy and passion, I have a feeling this musical whirlwind is going to singlehandedly change the face of seniors entertainment. And we can only wish him the very best of luck. The staff and residents at Hunter Valley Care certainly feel blessed that he’s strummed his way into our lives. KA
Laughing Kookaburras feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. Like all kingfishers, they have excellent eyesight, and prey is ambushed from a suitable tree branch. While small prey is eaten whole, larger prey must be killed by beating it against the ground or tree branch. Laughing Kookaburras often become quite tame around humans and will readily accept scraps of meat. Comically, this human food is often still beaten against a perch before eating. According to an Aboriginal legend, the kookaburra’s famous chorus of laughter every morning is a signal for the sky people to light the great fire that illuminates and warms the earth by day.
Above: Amaroo residents enjoying a morning concert by Adam last month. From left: Carole Forster, Peter Peterson, Fran Bush, Sue Oakley, Neva Wilson
This beautiful Laughing Kookaburra was photographed perched on June Purvis’s balcony at Waterview one day.
Left: The beautiful Yvonne Younger enjoying the music.
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‘Just a little street where old friends meet…’ Many years ago, if you happened to wander down Glendale’s Poyner Avenue, you would have found a quiet little street with a small, close-knit community of neighbours. Two families who shared a particular bond of friendship were the Grants and the Browns, who had moved into the street together and brought up their children side-by-side. Eventually, Mr Brown’s changing work commitments meant that he and his wife, Jessie, had to relocate to Sydney. While still keeping in touch when they could, the Browns and their Poyner Avenue friends, Jim and Edna, drifted apart somewhat; and that’s just the way life goes, of course.
pleasantly surprising news that Jessie resided just an elevator ride away on Waterview’s second floor! The three were then joyfully reunited, thoroughly enjoying the chance to catch up, have a laugh and chat about the good old days in Poyner Avenue. We’re sure there will be many more happy days of reminiscing to come at Waterview. What a touch of fate for these wonderful lifelong friends!
Fast-forward to 2014… Earlier this year, Jim and Edna Grant moved into Teralba’s Waterview facility, and were soon given a copy of Community News to help them get to know their new home a little better. Flicking through the magazine, Edna spotted a familiar face in one of the photo galleries… ‘Jim,’ she said, ‘could that be Jessie Brown?!’ And it was! Upon asking staff where they might find their dear friend, Jim and Edna received the
Eldertopia: Inspirational Elders Two months back, Community News introduced the concept of Eldertopia: a society that nurtures its elders, who in turn draw on their wisdom to contribute to the wellbeing and foresight of society. Throughout history this has generally been the case, until the recent affluence of the post-war generation. In this very short span of time, the human race has managed to do quite a lot of damage, and the very wise among us are beginning to recognise that in the midst of this current global crisis, we need our elders more than ever.
Farewell to Father Peter Middleton Last month, staff and residents at Amaroo bid farewell to Father Peter Middleton, who has been Amaroo’s Anglican minister for nine years. Father Peter is well known throughout the Amaroo community and will be sorely missed; however, everyone wishes him the best of luck in his new position as chaplain at the dockyards.
On the eve of his 89th birthday, Nelson Mandela announced the formation of ‘The Elders’, a small group of culturally diverse elders whom he believed could contribute to resolving global problems and easing human suffering. In his description of the group’s mission he said: ‘This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes. Together they will support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair.’ Chaired originally by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and currently by Kofi Annan, ‘The Elders’ continues to work together for peace and human rights. We at Hunter Valley Care believe that ‘The Elders’ is a great example of what our society should be striving for on its way to achieving Eldertopia! For more information about The Elders visit: www.theelders.org
Father Middleton at Amaroo with Sue Oakley and Betty Weston.
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Wanted: large print resources
Pink Ribbon Day
One of the wonderful volunteers at Amaroo, Kaye Eillich (daughter of resident Helen Wightman), often assists residents in choosing books from Amaroo’s library. She also delivers books to those who can’t get there for some reason, and reads to those who enjoy it, or are unable to do so themselves. Rumour has it she also supplies home-baked goods on some of these occasions. What a beautiful lady!
Monday, 27th of October marks Pink Ribbon Day 2014. The Cancer Council’s annual event aims to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer and gynaecological cancers. It is estimated that around 50 women are diagnosed with one of these types of cancer every day in Australia.
Kaye has recently noticed a shortage of large print books and magazines in the library, and mentioned that if anyone has access to such resources, the library at Amaroo will gratefully accept donations!
From the Pink Ribbon website: ‘The Cancer Council aims to minimise the threat of women’s cancers through successful prevention, best treatment, support and world-class cancer research.’ Why not don a splash of pink on the 27th to show your support? And if you wish to donate, please visit: www.pinkribbon.com.au/donate-pink
Drug and alcohol testing At Hunter Valley Care, our first priority is to ensure that we provide a safe, secure environment in which residents can live comfortably and staff can work effectively. To stay up-to-date with industry best practice, we will soon be introducing drug and alcohol testing to staff and contractors at all facilities. Tests will be conducted at random a few times per year from a dedicated mobile van. Prospective new staff will also undergo testing to ensure that HVC maintains its highcalibre workforce.
Fig Tree Point residents attended a lovely Circus Concert put on by Toronto Public School students in September.
Calling All Entertainers! Is there anyone in your family who can tickle the ivories? Play the fiddle? Dance a jig? If so - our Hunter Valley Care residents would love a visit! Whether you are a professional, an amateur or a novice, our staff and residents will provide you with a warm welcome, a cup of tea and most importantly - a very appreciative audience! No matter your age, even if you are just learning, playing in front of an audience can increase confidence and help battle those performance nerves. And as for our residents, many who just can’t get out anymore, music is tremendous therapy. It lifts the spirits, and touches parts of the mind and soul that make you feel alive. If you or someone you know are interested in sharing your talents, please contact any of our facilities listed on the back page, or Kate Austen on kate@hvcare.com.au
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et e M
Introducing Amaroo’s newest resident - Bella Rose. Although she is just 14 weeks old, Bella’s story goes back much further. She is the happy culmination of a lot of planning, research and hard work by Hunter Valley Care staff – in particular, Amaroo’s long-time Activities Officer, Trudy Payten. Below is Bella’s story so far…
The benefits of pet therapy for the aged are universally accepted: pets provide joy, stimulation and increased physical and mental health. The Hunter Valley Care family has a long association with a local pet therapy provider, Delta Dogs, who visit facilities on a regular basis.
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Witnessing firsthand the enjoyment and benefits residents derived from pet therapy, a few years ago Trudy Payten started researching various case studies comparing visiting and live-in pets. She found that not only were the physical benefits of live-in pets measurable (improved blood pressure, oxygen levels etc.), in general, residents were also much happier. Amaroo residents were extremely supportive of the idea, so Trudy began researching dog breeds. Therapy dogs have to fulfil some very specific criteria! They must be hypo-allergenic; small; friendly; intelligent; capable of being trained; happy to go to anyone; have a proven, sound temperament; and last but not least – be white to maximise visibility! There are only two breeds that meet all of these criteria: the Havanese and the Bichon Frise. A breeder of Bichon Frise was finally located in Sydney, the references and credentials thoroughly checked – and then the real hard work began!
Every aspect of the dog’s care had to be considered before seeking approval. A detailed care plan was created, including training, bathing, grooming, feeding, sleeping, daily toileting, hygiene, immunisations, recordkeeping, transport, washing of the bedding and toys – everything had to be accounted for. Finally Bella was approved!
Being a very popular breed, Bella had to be ordered before she was born. In fact, before she was even conceived! Residents were kept up-to-date every step of the way to maximise their involvement. Trudy says that the anticipation during the lead-up to the birth was nail-biting, and on the day she was finally born and the announcement made, everyone clapped with joy. The breeder emailed photos of the puppy at three days old for the residents, followed by updates on almost a weekly basis. At seven weeks old Bella had to undergo a temperament test, a requirement for all therapy dogs. She passed with flying colours and was finally permitted to go to her new home at Amaroo!
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On the day she arrived, Trudy describes the atmosphere as one of total excitement. A naming competition had been held among the residents (which is how she ended up as Bella Rose). The residents just couldn’t get enough of her. In fact, in the first couple of days the attention exhausted Bella, and visits had to quickly be limited to half days to give her time to recover! (Bella will continue to only ‘work’ half days until she is older.)
So what does she do whilst at work, we hear you ask? Well, currently the majority of Bella’s day is spent visiting the residents in their rooms for oneon-one time. There are a few residents who opt out of these visits for personal reasons, but on the whole, room visits are overwhelmingly popular. In fact, it can take a couple of days to make the rounds of the community, as most residents find it difficult to say goodbye! As part of Bella’s special training, she learns there is a distinct line between her ‘work’ time and her own time. In her own time, she is just a normal dog, and gets to display all the normal doggy behaviors. When at work there are certain times where she is allowed to roam free, but has a special doggy pram used when moving from room to room. The pram is also great for those residents who want Bella’s company but can’t nurse her. When Bella is a little older, the pram will also double as a doggy carrier which will go on the bus so she can accompany residents on outings. She has an assortment of doggy toys that residents enjoy watching her play with, and a playpen for when she needs to be out of the way.
While she has only been at Amaroo for five weeks, Bella’s effect on the community has far exceeded the expectations of the facility. Everyone adores Bella! Visiting family members come looking for her, and the grandkids and great-grandkids make her things and bring her toys. In fact, no one asks for Trudy anymore or even says hello – they just want to know where the dog is! Bella even has her own photo wall – and everyone wants to feature on it, pictured with the pup. You can see how visitors are drawn to the
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wall as soon as they walk in. As for the residents, their smiles say it all. Have a look at these beautiful photos! Bella has the ability to draw out a different part of people’s personalities, and emotions they may have lost touch with. Even the normally reticent open up as she brings back memories of childhood pets. Group activities have a higher attendance if she is around, and she gives residents the opportunity to resume the role of carer, and all that comes with it, including a sense of purpose and empowerment. Best of all – she provides the residents with a more home-like environment.
One of the unexpected benefits of Bella’s arrival at Amaroo has been for the staff. While morale has always been high, Trudy says these days the good vibes are almost visible. Staff clamber to take Bella on her visiting rounds! She is happy to go with anyone, and everyone is allowed to pat and cuddle her, so staff have a real sense of ownership as well as the residents.
However, for all the benefits of Amaroo’s sweet, live-in therapy dog, it couldn’t happen without a huge commitment from Trudy, as much of Bella’s care is undertaken voluntarily by Trudy in her spare time. Bella lives with her out of hours, and all bathing and grooming is done on the weekend. She also takes her to training with Delta Dogs every Monday night. We asked Trudy why she is so willing to take on all this extra work, and her answer is immediate and unreserved: just seeing the smile on the residents’ faces when the dog arrives for the day makes it all worthwhile. Trudy adds that because of Bella, her job is more fulfilling, and in a strange, roundabout way – easier!
With all the wonderful benefits the Amaroo community has experienced in Bella’s first few weeks there, we can only imagine how lovely it’s going to be to watch her grow and continue to develop relationships with residents and staff alike. The name ‘Bella’ means ‘beautiful’, and this little girl is sure to have a beautiful effect on Amaroo for a long time to come.
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Flashback: Waterview royal baby shower Back in July 2013, Waterview celebrated the birth of Prince George of Cambridge with a fun-filled royal baby shower. With the recent exciting news that William and Kate are expecting again, we thought we’d have a little flashback to the special visitor residents received on the day. Now is it just us, or does Kate Middleton bear a striking resemblance to Waterview’s ECM, Phil Ayre?!
What do Chaplains Do? • Conduct non-denominational church services in each facility. • Visit residents for one-on-one counsel. • Organize ministerial visits from all denominations. • Provide help and comfort to family members. • Are always available to listen – to anyone!
http://needtoknead.blogspot.com.au
...…you bought broken biscuits from the old corner store? “Only we oldies will remember the grocer’s store of old... Biscuits, for example, were sold loose for much of my childhood. This presented problems because they broke easily while being weighed out and in the paper bags on the way home. In fact, broken biscuits were sold off cheaply. How uncompetitive they must have been, compared to today’s slick outlets where the only motive is profit, instead of service.” Excerpt taken from www.startsatsixty.com.au/ blogs/brian-lee/why-i-miss-the-old-corner-store
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A New Fish Tank for Amaroo There really are some lovely people around! A few months back, Amaroo staff member Raylee Doyle suggested residents might enjoy a fish tank. A suitable one was found for sale, and when Trudy Payten mentioned to the seller that it was for an aged care facility, the lovely gentleman almost halved the price. What a treasure! Amaroo resident Betty Weston and staff member Martin from maintenance have spent some lovely mornings in the sunshine, sanding and painting the stand. It is now is set up in the Iris dining room, just awaiting some new fish! We hope the residents of Amaroo will soon be able to spend many restful and pleasurable moments watching their new pet fish swimming gracefully about!
Are you, or is someone you know, seeking an alternative to residential aged care?
offers a boutique assisted living environment for the active and young-at-heart. Located in the quiet, leafy suburb of Tingira Heights, The Sanctuary provides quality group accommodation, where residents are free to maintain their active, independent lifestyle. However, they also enjoy the advantages of companionship and live-in support as needed. It’s the best of both worlds! All of The Sanctuary’s residents enjoy the comfort of a private suite in a beautifully appointed modern house. Residents can choose to prepare their own meals, do their own laundry, clean their own suites, and organise their own appointments and outings – or this can all be done for them. Our flexible staff enable residents to select options that will best suit them on a day-to-day basis. The concept of community living is integral to the design of the Sanctuary and there are many beautiful shared spaces for residents to enjoy. Residents are encouraged to utilise communal lounge and dining areas, quiet outdoor sitting and BBQ areas, and gentle walking paths through the beautiful native gardens.
Suites at The Sanctuary are now available!
For more information contact Tez Wrathall p 0450 475 288 • e tez@hvcare.com.au
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(Extra Services)
Amaroo Aged Care Facility Street: 66 Dudley Road, Charlestown NSW 2290 Post: PO Box 3310 Glendale NSW 2285 Phone: (02) 4943 3675 Fax: (02) 4942 3075 Email: reception@amarooagedcare.com.au
The Sanctuary – Independence with Care Street: 31 Tinglewood Close, Tingira Heights NSW 2290 Post: PO Box 3310 Glendale NSW 2285 Phone: (02) 4947 1010 Fax: (02) 4914 8704 Email: thesanctuary@huntervalleycare.com.au
Fig Tree Point Aged Care Facility Street: 7 Harris Street, Toronto NSW 2283 Post: PO Box 3310 Glendale NSW 2285 Phone: (02) 4950 4133 Fax: (02) 4950 5078 Email: reception@figtreepoint.com.au
Waterview Aged Care Facility Street: 16 Cumberland Street, Teralba NSW 2284 Post: PO Box 3310 Glendale NSW 2285 Phone: (02) 4941 7000 Fax: (02) 4958 5276 Email: ecm@waterviewagedcare.com.au
Ruth Jones gets a visit from her great grandchildren!
very lively
Watson Dingwall, Mario Stantarelli and Fred Rendina enjoying September’s Father’s Day morning tea.
The fellas! From left: Watson Ding wall, John Keys, Mario Santarell i, Bill Wade and Fred Rendina on an outin g to Port Stephens in late August.
The fabulous Mary Murray enjo ys a drink in the club at Port Stephens!
Betty Weston an d Ra a dance at an Am y Taylor enjoy aroo concert in September.
SPOTLIGHT ON OCTOBER ACTIVITIES • • • •
8th Concert: Olive & Friends 14th Asian Theme Day 25th Carnival Day 26th Teddy Bears Picnic
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2nd Armchair Travel 16th Household Memories Day 23rd Memory Lane 29th All Day Bus Trip
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17th Concert: Kelvin Roberts 22nd & 27th Melbourne Cup Craft 23rd Concert: Peter Stefanson 28th Concert: Busy Bees