SUMMER EDITION 2023
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR
Gailene's Love of Yoga
Our Connection with Boronia
IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE
CEO'S COLUMN
Brian's Story
Graham's Last Update for 2023
26 Plantation Drive Bentley WA 6102 08 6250 0000 08 9470 2017 swancare.com.au facebook.com/swancare instagram.com/swancareaus
Introducing SwanCare Australind Rise resident Mike Stanko
Waminda residents enjoying their connection with Boronia
linkedin.com/company/swancare Tidings Magazine is a seasonal publication produced and printed on behalf of the residents at SwanCare. Deadlines for editorial and advertising are: Autumn 7th February, Winter 7th May, Spring 7th August and Summer 7th November. To book advertising or for information regarding rates please contact SwanCare Marketing on 6250 0032. Editorial contributions including photographs can be emailed to tidings@swancare.com.au. Hard copies of articles and supporting photographs can be handed to reception in the Administration offices at Bentley Park and Australind Rise. Disclaimer: In good faith SwanCare accepts articles, a small selection of advertisements, and other content for Tidings. However, the opinions and claims expressed in articles and advertising materials presented in Tidings are those of the authors and the advertisers respectively, and do not necessarily reflect the views of SwanCare, unless stated. No responsibility is accepted by SwanCare for the accuracy of information contained in the articles or advertisements. Cover image: SwanCare Bentley Park resident Brian Mutzig enjoying the summer sun.
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Celebrating our long serving staff at the Staff Services Awards lunch
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CEO'S COLUMN
Graham Francis provides his last update for 2023
IN THE KNOW
Support Services Updates
SWANCARE NEWS
News from around SwanCare
RESIDENT STORY Imparting Knowledge Through the Years
Staff enjoy a sweet treat for 'R U OK?' Day
The SwanCare team were all smiles at this year's Have a Go Day
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SwanCare Charity Golf Day 2023 wrap up
Brian Mutzig tells his story
RESIDENT STORY Mike's Journey
STAFF SERVICES
SwanCare's Long Serving Staff
COMMUNITY CONNECTION Love Thy Neighbour
VILLAGE NEWS
Updates from SwanCare Clubs & Groups
Gailene shares her passion for yoga
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PASSIONS & PASTIMES
An Attitude of Gratitude
CHARITY GOLF DAY Taking the Shot
GARDENS INTEREST GROUP
Summer Succulents
LIBRARY
Penny’s Book Review
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CEO’S Column
J
ust like that, yet another year has gone by!
With an incredible amount happening across all facets of our business, SwanCare has continued to adapt to the changing and challenging environment that is our sector. This includes ongoing sector reforms in response to the Royal Commission. While these have addressed important issues, they have also added complexity and costs to the delivery of aged care services and placed greater demands on staff and management. The year has been dominated by a myriad of Government led regulatory reforms compared to the previous two years where COVID dominated. SwanCare achieved continual high levels of occupancy within both our retirement village and aged care centres which sees us finishing the year with a large waitlist for accommodation and an average occupancy of 94% overall. Financially, the year was a positive one for SwanCare, we reduced our debt by $3M and we gave the green light to undertake the Waminda refurbishment, a project which will cost some $16M. We increased our staffing numbers to almost 700 and balanced this by ensuring our income was optimised to the best of our ability. With this backdrop of increased staffing, project related expenses and debt reduction, we still managed to achieve a net surplus of $1.4M and ended the year with a healthy cash balance. Care and service remain core business drivers to improve resident experience, operational and financial performance. It goes without saying, but the success of SwanCare is attributable to our staff, and I express the deepest and sincere thanks to each employee for their continued hard work, commitment, and care that they provide to our residents and each other day in and day out. As we look towards 2024 and beyond, we are excited to have commenced the following major 4 | Summer Tidings Edition
projects that will enhance the amenity and support services for our residents and staff. Projects such as: • The major refurbishment works to SwanCare Waminda residential aged care centre. • The proposed construction of future Independent Living units within the Bentley Park retirement village. The hope is that this new apartment complex will commence towards the middle of 2024 but is very dependent on the cost of housing construction and residential market forces. The Bentley Park Show was held in early October. This event once again showcased the amazing talent of our residents and attracted an enthusiastic crowd of attendees into the Leisure Precinct and the Bentley Park village in general. Some changes to the format are earmarked for next year, so stay tuned for further updates. We enjoyed a fantastic day at Meadow Springs Golf & Country Club for our major fundraising event of the year, the SwanCare Charity Golf Day. This year it raised over $16,000, bringing the total raised from our Charity Golf Days over the last 16 years to more than $220,000 which is a testament to the generosity and support of our wide-reaching community. We look forward to celebrating our wonderful SwanCare volunteers on Tuesday the 5th of December in honour of International Volunteers Day, announcing our very own Villager(s) of the Year, as well as our staff function for the Feathers Nominations of the Year Awards Night on Friday the 8th of December. With the festive season upon us and the warmer weather ahead, we wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday period and look forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for us.
Graham Francis SwanCare CEO
In the Know Support Services Updates To keep you in the know, SwanCare’s General Manager of Support Services, Paul Grzelec, takes us through some of the happenings around the village and beyond.
3G Mobile Network Closures All major mobile network providers will close their 3G networks, with Vodafone shutting its 3G from the 15th of December 2023. Telstra will follow on the 30th of June 2024 and Optus in September 2024. This will impact mobile devices such as phones, emergency diallers/pendants and alarm systems that are not compatible with newer mobile phone networks 4G and above. If you are unsure if your mobile device is on the 3G network, contact the service provider associated with your mobile device.
Phone System Migration For residents connected to SwanCare’s telephone service, all connections are currently being upgraded and rolled out in stages. The SwanCare IT Team will be in contact when your area is ready for upgrade with completion expected by the end of March 2024.
SwanCare IT Services SwanCare’s IT Team is available to assist all village residents with your computer and technology issues, questions and training! With friendly and familiar faces that are just down the road, they are here to give you peace of mind when you need help, or just want advice around your technology decisions. Please reach out to servicedesk@swancare.com.au, or call 08 6250 0045 for more information and charges that apply.
Reduce Your Water Use As we head into the hot summer months, we are reminded about the importance of reducing our water usage. Not only does this help reduce costs but ensur es we have adequate water supplies for the future. Here are some tips to help reduce your use: • Keep showers to 4 minutes or less • Don't overwater gardens - particularly areas that have adequate reticulation installed • Lodge a maintenance request for any leaking taps or toilets in your home • Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth
Containers for Change A total of $3,200 has now been collected through the Containers for Change program at Bentley Park since the project commenced in 2020. The funds received are directed back into the village. Please remember to check for the 10c mark on the container before placing it into the blue bins with a white lid around the village. Wine bottles and jars are not part of the program and unfortunately continue to make their way into the bins, which can lead to a reduction in the refund amount.
Dog Waste Bags Compostable dog waste bag dispensers have been installed in three locations within the Bentley Park village. These bags can be placed in the food organics bins after picking up the dog waste and can be located on Leeuwin Crescent at the gate at Hill View Terrace, McGrath Park and the Boulevard near the Swan Centre.
Jarrah & Spritz Café As we enter the summer months, Jarrah and Spritz Café are ready with a wide selection of cold drinks and smoothies to enjoy in one of their alfresco areas. Jarrah Café is also licenced with a selection of reasonably priced beer and wine to be purchased with or without a meal.
A village dog waste bag dispenser
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SwanCare News R U OK? Day
The 2023 Bentley Park Show
Checking in with colleagues, and taking a moment to ask, “are you ok?” is a simple act that SwanCare staff strive to do as second nature.
This October our residents, friends, and family came together for an enjoyable day in the sunshine, all in support of our SwanCare Bentley Park community.
September’s ‘R U OK? Day’ provided the perfect opportunity for our People & Culture team to host a special morning tea to bring staff from around the campus together and reignite the importance of these conversations. For those unable to get down to the Swan Centre in person, a sweet surprise was hand delivered to ensure everyone could connect over a cupcake and a chat. Our residential aged care residents also got involved to help spread the ‘R U OK? Day’ message, with some joining in by wearing yellow to show their support. We’re proud to have such a caring and collaborative workplace who make asking ‘R U OK?’ part of our everyday culture at SwanCare, because a conversation could change a life.
SwanCare's P&C team supporting 'R U OK?'
The Club, Pavilion and Swan Centre were especially buzzing, as they hosted several exhibits showcasing the incredible work of our very own residents. Whether it was handcrafted apparel, detailed artwork, special recipes or another kind of creation, there was clearly no shortage of talent on display with many well-deserved prizes won. All in all, this year's theme, ‘Friendship & Happiness’, summed up the day pretty well! Thank you to everyone who came down and joined us in celebrating our community, and congratulations to Bruce M. along with his team of dedicated volunteers who made such a great day possible.
Bruce M. at this year's Bentley Park Show
Love is in the air! Recently we celebrated the milestones of two very special couples. Eric & Heather C. from SwanCare Tandara celebrated their 55th year wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony in the presence of family and friends at SwanCare. Also celebrating their love and commitment to one another are Bentley Park retirement living residents, Jim & Phyl L., who have accomplished a wonderful 60 years of marriage together. Congratulations to you all! 6 | Summer Tidings Edition
Jim & Phyl L. celebrating their love at SwanCare Bentley Park
SwanCare News Waminda Refurbishment Project
3 Step Approach to Mental Health
Waminda Hostel first opened its doors in 1978, providing quality care to residents who were no longer able to live independently.
Mental health is about how we feel, think, and manage our emotions. It's a part of our overall wellbeing, just like our physical health.We must acknowledge that mental health is something that can change over time and may require our attention and care.
The residential aged care centre has been a stalwart to many families over the years, and is now embarking on a major redevelopment journey to ensure we can continue enriching lives at SwanCare Waminda for many more years to come. The project is centered around resident wellbeing to improve functionality, increase resident comfort and care, and provide more efficient service to our residents and their families. The exciting refurbishment is being led by Commercial Interior Design and Aged Care Specialists, MKDC Designers, who recently visited SwanCare for a celebratory morning tea to officially kick off the project. Design Director Kath Kusinski says, "We are proud as specialist aged care designers to work with organisations such as SwanCare who put their residents first in decision making around projects. We are excited to watch the new Waminda take shape.”
The design team behind Waminda's refurbishment
As we enter the holiday season, it is important to remember how we can look after our own mental health, and recognise changes in others. 1. First, notice signs of distress, either in ourselves or in others by paying attention to changes in behavior or mood. 2. Second, ask how the person is feeling or express your feelings to someone you trust. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there to listen can make a significant difference. 3. Finally, connect with others and seek professional help if needed. Some instances require a trained professional to assist, just as we would for a physical ailment.
Have a Go Day It’s safe to say our SwanCare team had a blast celebrating WA Seniors Week at this years Have a Go Day! It was great to have so many people join us for a delightful day which allowed us to connect with new faces and reconnect with some familiar faces, all while sharing a laugh or two.
Listen up! SwanCare's Marketing team have joined forces with one of our talented residents to bring you an exciting new project. While we can’t reveal too much just yet, what we can say is that it’s an interesting one that involves some familiar faces… or rather, voices! Make sure you’re following SwanCare on social media so you can be the first to know. Stay tuned for the announcement coming early 2024.
The SwanCare team at Have a Go Day 2023
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Resident Story Imparting Knowledge Through the Years If you happen to notice a bus driving around SwanCare, chances are that it’s Brian Mutzig at the wheel, a volunteer village bus driver and retirement living resident at SwanCare Bentley Park. Brian has become a much-loved and well-known part of our community, and we decided it was about time that we found out a little more about him! Early Beginnings Brian grew up in Kensington with his three sisters. He admits that being the only boy he was “a bugger of a kid!”. 1953 saw his family shift from Perth to Bridgetown after Brian’s dad landed a teaching job at the local high school. If he wasn’t at the weekly Cubs group, you’d find Brian in the bush near his house joined by the other neighbourhood kids. Together they would build log cabins, dig great big holes in the ground, and try (unsuccessfully) to catch gilgies! He fondly recalls his time here as some of the best years of his life. “I was friends with a lad whose father ran the apple packing shed,” said Brian, “Sparksey and I used to get up to all sorts of mischief, like putting coins on the rail track and watching the trains come along and flatten them!” A Teacher for Life Brian completed his Leaving Certificate in Kalgoorlie and attended the Muresk Agricultural College near Northam, although soon discovered teaching was his calling. After graduating from teachers’ college, he worked in many schools around Western Australia, from Mogumber to Morawa, Nollamara, and Northam. In 1980 he returned to Perth to work in teacher development, before being appointed as Deputy Principal at Nedlands Primary School, Dalkeith Primary School and Floreat Park Primary School. He remained working at Floreat for 24 years before retiring in 2014, marking the end of a successful 48-year career. His passion for teaching is undeniable, prompting us to ask what it was about the profession he loved so dearly. 8 | Summer Tidings Edition
Brian soaking up the sun at SwanCare Bentley Park
“At Floreat Park Primary we had children coming to school wanting to learn,” explained Brian, “I just wanted to impart knowledge to them and help them enjoy learning.” Home Life Brian has two sons, Andrew and Stuart, with his wife at the time, Carolyn, who he first met while teaching swimming at Quinns Rocks. “Carolyn’s family had a holiday beach house there. Her younger brother was in my swimming class, and on the last day of classes, she came down with a plate of watermelon. We got talking, and I enjoyed the watermelon! That was how it all started. It was a long weekend in 1969 when we got married.”
Resident Story A Rich Family History What’s in a name? For Brian, a lot! From what Brian understands, the Mutzig family originated in France where 20km west of Strasbourg, there is a village called Mutzig (it's classed as a village but it’s about the size of Northam.) Mutzig Beer was brewed there from the 1790’s until 1973 when it was bought by Heineken. “The beer was referred to as the ‘Queen of the Alsace’,” explained Brian, “It’s a lager-type beer, light in colour. It’s still sold now, and you can even buy a t-shirt with the Mutzig symbol on the front and ‘Mutzig made me do it’ on the back!” Extra-Curricular Activities In addition to his teaching career, Brian is also an experienced bus driver, having attained his license
in 1978. When he moved to SwanCare he put his skills to good use, now volunteering for the Matinee Club which provide organised daytime outings for residents. This could be a trip to Patsy Durack's Rose Gardens for morning tea or taking a visit to Tivoli Theatre to watch the Christmas show. In addition to organising exciting excursions, Brian takes high-care residents out for the morning to get coffee and ice cream. It’s not just the pleasure of helping others that Brian enjoys in his role, he loves driving, “I have a fascination with driving. I've racked up well over a million kilometres in my driving years, I do a lot of thinking when I'm driving.” In addition to his volunteering work, Brian is also a keen member of SwanCare’s Photography Club. “Carolyn and I bought a camera in 2016 when we lived near Lake Gwelup, where there’s quite an extensive bushland.” “I started taking photos of various shapes, trees that were growing in the water, and reflections. There were about a dozen resident swans, and I enjoyed photographing them gliding past in the morning mist.” Nowadays you can always count on Brian to have his iPhone on him, ready to capture the moment. Brian, you bring joy to so many residents' lives and we love having you as part of the SwanCare family. We appreciate the role you play here and want to thank you for sharing your story with us.
Brian with a fellow resident on a Matinee trip to the Pinnacles
Brian's photography of a rose, taken at Gooseberry Hill
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Resident Story Mike’s Journey "When it’s time to work, you work. When it’s time to play, you play. When it’s time to pray, you pray.” These are the words of Mike Stanko, one of our SwanCare Australind Rise residents. It certainly encapsulates Mike - he lives life to the fullest and refuses to let a single day slip by without appreciating every moment. Growing Up During WW2 Mike, 88, is originally from Detroit in the USA. He was the youngest of seven children, all of whom grew up during the war. “Life will never be the same as it was back then,” said Mike, “everyone had to pull their belts in. My parents were strict, you ate everything on your plate because the war was on.” Mike attended a Catholic school but admits he wasn’t very fond of it. “School and I did not get on!” said Mike, “But that’s okay, not everyone has to have a college education – Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg were high school dropouts and they did alright!” It certainly didn’t stop Mike, going on to have a very successful career in sales and marketing. Early Experiences “I had a few jobs early on, shining shoes in a barber’s shop and working at a greengrocer. The greengrocer gave me all the leftover food they couldn’t sell, which was good, because food was at a premium due to the war. I also worked as a travel agent, then ended up in sales and marketing.” Mike joined the military, a workforce his whole family had once been a part of and served during the Korean war. “I was training in the first armoured division in Fort Hood Texas, which is a huge military base. Everyone was getting ready for the war to continue, but it came to a screeching halt.” It was then that Mike felt the need for a new challenge. 10 | Summer Tidings Edition
Mike at SwanCare Australind Rise
That challenge was moving to Australia, where he has now lived for 50 years. “My folks didn’t understand me - why I chose to move here,” Mike explains, “I just picked a country and never looked back.” Mike & Denise He met his wife, Denise, on a ferry boat in Sydney. They fell in love and married 47 years ago, “Denise is my rock, we’ll be together all the way.” Travel is a mutual passion for the pair, leading them to profound experiences around the globe. “For 30 years, we just kept travelling. We would work somewhere for a bit, save all our money, then quit our jobs and travel. From Africa to England, and all of Europe.”
Resident Story “We went to Morocco a few years ago, it’s a beautiful country. We rode a camel, sleeping overnight in tents it was good fun. Another exciting trip was our journey Coast to Coast, a rugged path put together by Aflred Wainwright. It took us across England, starting at St. Bees and walking for 20 days to end at Robin Hood’s Bay.” With a lifetime of travel, his bucket list is very short, leaving just the Middle East, India and South America as the only places he has not yet visited! The American Dream After Mike and Denise got married, they lived in a little town in Colorado called Evergreen, where they were surrounded by mountains and thoroughly enjoyed skiing. “It’s a good day out. It’s peaceful, but hard work your legs tell you that. The scenery is beautiful, but if you don’t concentrate coming down, you’ll fall over from looking at it!” Mike laughed.
Little Bear Saloon, and he would always help in the community. We didn’t know him personally, but we would take a cake up to his gatehouse where there would be a gate keeper. He would also take albums to Willy and bring them back autographed, which we gave away as Christmas presents!” SwanCare Living Mike retired permanently when he was in his late 50s and now lives happily with Denise at SwanCare Australind Rise. “We’ve been here 2 years now. It’s lovely community living, everyone looks after everybody. We have fun and enjoy ourselves, but no one is living in each other's pockets.” After our chat with Mike, it’s clear his vibrant energy and positive mentality are qualities everyone could adopt.
While living in the States, they had a few famous neighbours, including Farrah Fawcett and Willy Nelson, who Mike calls “a great guy.”
“I'm a pretty average guy. I enjoy life, I give it hell all day long and do as much as I can every day! Just keep cruising. Appreciate life, and don’t take it for granted.”
“Willy lived a pretty fast life back then as you can imagine. You’d often see him having a drink at the
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Mike. You are a valued member our SwanCare community.
Mike & Denise skiing in Colorado
Mike in Fort Hood Texas, 1952
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Staff Services SwanCare's Long Serving Staff S. and Richard H. to name a few, have always been by my side, which has enabled me to do my best in caring for our residents.” Elizabeth was one of nine awarded team members managed by SwanCare Kingia & Tandara’s Care Services Manager, Jovy Tesani. Jovy was present to not only congratulate her staff on their milestones, but to also celebrate her own.
Staff celebrating their SwanCare milestones
In October SwanCare held our annual Staff Services Awards Lunch, an event dedicated to recognising our incredible team of loyal, long serving staff. Each year SwanCare CEO, Graham Francis, extends an invitation to team members of 10, 20 and 30+ years, to join him for an afternoon of celebrations alongside friends, family, and our team of Managers. At this year’s Staff Services Awards we had the privilege of recognising a total of 23 team members who, throughout the year of 2023, collectively contributed to 355 years of service at SwanCare. SwanCare takes immense pride in its exceptional staff whose unwavering commitment, loyalty, and hard work have been instrumental in helping us achieve our vision to enrich the lives of everyone in our community. Among the group of long serving staff is dedicated Assistant in Nursing, Elizabeth Ward. Elizabeth received her award this year after accomplishing an incredible 40 years at SwanCare.
“I would want to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank each individual staff member for the service that each of you has provided to our residents over the course of your various ten-year careers by exhibiting patience and compassion. I would like to express my gratitude for the work that each of you do. To those who have celebrated their 10, 20, 30, or more years of service, what an incredible accomplishment you have achieved, and congratulations on reaching these significant milestones!” said Jovy. "As for me, the significance of celebrating my tenth year of service at SwanCare cannot be overstated. Working at SwanCare enables me to make significant advancements in both my career and personal life. I am a better person because of the support that I receive in our organisation. I owe a lot of what I am now to SwanCare, so thank you very much.” Congratulations to everyone who completed such incredible milestones in 2023 and thank you again for your ongoing dedication and contribution which makes SwanCare such a great place to work!
When we asked Elizabeth what she cherishes most about her role at SwanCare, her fellow teammates came to mind. “Over the 40 years I have worked here I have seen many changes, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is my enjoyment for caring for our residents. I would not have been able to this, however, without the support from my team. Kate D., Dianne D., Yolane
L - R: Julie Atkinson, Graham Francis, Elizabeth Ward & Jovy Tesani
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Community Connection Love Thy Neighbour Communities provide the opportunity for people to form connections, a catalyst for social belonging and for creating a sense of meaning and purpose in everyday life - something we’ve experienced firsthand. Over the years, SwanCare Waminda and the residents at Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women have formed a beautiful connection through experiencing a variety of activities and events together. One of their favourite examples of this is through the Mums and Bubs group, where the Boronia ladies and their children visit the residential aged care residents at Waminda. When discussing Mums and Bubs, Ceri Williams, Waminda’s Social Engagement Team Leader, shared one moment that really moved her. “One of the new mums visited with her baby who was about three months old. The mum realised that one of our residents, who was quite frail, was fixated on her baby but was not saying anything. The mum asked her if she would like to hold her baby, which of course our resident agreed to,” explained Ceri. “With our support, she sat there holding and rocking the baby back and forth. The resident was so overwhelmed that she started to cry, and the mum comforted her. They spent a lot of time chatting, and from that moment on there was a bond between them.” While it can be a busy time of year, the holiday seasons are a special time for both communities to connect. “Over Christmas and Easter, our residents would help us make hampers for the kiddies,” said Ceri, “The residents get quite excited waiting to give the children their gifts, and there’s always something extra in there for the mums as well.” Another one of Boronia’s initiatives is the Boronia 14 | Summer Tidings Edition
Waminda's Social Engagement team members Ceri & Carolynn
Ladies’ Choir. Although not running now due to post-pandemic restrictions, previously there were up to 15 ladies who would perform at SwanCare. “There’s a lot of talented ladies who can sing really well, and after each performance, they would help us serve afternoon tea before enjoying a cuppa and chat with the residents. We’d also invite them to our Waminda Christmas carols show.” Sue Andrews, Manager of Family and Community Services at Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women, explained the impact of the COVID-19 hangover. “Boronia is a similar environment as aged care, in that it’s hard to stop viruses from spreading, but we are working hard to bring back the activities,” said Sue. “It’s important for the women; they love all the interactions and form great relationships, so much so that many continue to volunteer after they’ve been released.” It’s clear the physical boundaries created by the pandemic presented a huge challenge for both communities, however the ladies of Boronia were determined to not let it get in their way. “They came to me one day and said, ‘I know we’re in lockdown, but why can’t we just sing through the fence?’ So, they did! It was all their idea,” explained Sue.
Community Connection Their ingenious plan made them stars in their own right, ‘Hands Across the Fence’ was broadcasted by Channel 9, who came along to film their performance. “It was a wonderful experience,” said Ceri. “During this time the Boronia ladies also painted a canvas for us which we have displayed in Waminda’s dining area. The Boronia ladies’ painted handprints all over it, stating we are all in this together. It was handmade - excuse the pun! It means a lot to us because it displays the close connection between Waminda and Boronia.” Nowadys one of their favourite pastimes is Cycling Without Age’s ‘Ride 4 A Reason’ program, where the women at Boronia take SwanCare’s residential aged care residents out for a trishaw ride. Fresh air, exercise and great company - it’s not surprising the program has been so popular with countless physical and mental health benefits. “Community interaction is so important,” said Sue, “For the Boronia women, they need to feel part of the community because they will be in it at some point. They also miss their families on the outside, so it’s nice for them to see other people.” “I’ll never forget, before COVID one of our Boronia residents had a newborn baby, and she passed it to
Cycling Without Age provides residents the opportunity to cyle around the village
one of the SwanCare residents to hold. That resident had dementia, and no one had ever heard her speak, but then she started singing nursery rhymes with the baby in her arms. Everyone was in tears!” It’s evident through stories like this, that the sense of community shared between SwanCare and Boronia has a powerful impact. “It is so important to have this connection,” said Ceri, “We have so much to give to each other, especially our time, and that is worth more than any money you could spend.” SwanCare is proud to have such a strong community connection with our neighbours at Boronia PreRelease Centre for Women, and we look forward to creating many more memories together in the near future.
Waminda residents and staff enjoying a performance by the Boronia Ladies' Choir, 2020
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Village News Care Christian Fellowship
Swan Village Bowling Club
All residents are welcome to join our weekly nondenominational service. The services are often joined by guest speakers and pastors, however other times the sessions may be led by our own members. Through music and prayer, we come together to worship God and finish off with a sociable morning tea. We invite everyone at SwanCare to feel cared for in a safe environment physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. Please see the Bentley Park Bulletin for our 2024 dates and times.
People who read Tidings regularly will realise that these articles must be written almost one month before publication. Sadly, this one is being written the day after I heard about the death of our second oldest active member, Jack Mathews. Jack was a great man and some of his active life was covered in the 2023 autumn edition of Tidings. Jack was a good bowler, both at the club and at the undercroft bowls, well-liked by one and all, and he will be missed.
- Ron Manning
Summer night bowls will commence early December, please turn up at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start. Happy Hour will continue on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The Committee has decided to change Monday nights to scroungers bowls, allowing club members to assess their own ability not just be part of a team. If unusually high numbers come along on a Monday, we may have to revert to team games.
Guest Pastor Min Raj Dulal visiting from Nepal
SwanCare Centres Auxiliary Looking back over 2023 it has been an eventful year with a few ups and downs, but by the time you read this issue we will have our new committee, all ready to start 2024! I personally would like to thank the Committee, bus drivers, and all our members and non-members who have supported the Auxiliary throughout this year. We are pleased to share we been able to donate to all care centres and meet their requests, we have also enjoyed some great outings.
No competitions are held during summer but social games with staff and Rowethorpe residents will be advertised at the club should they be arranged. Our last outing for the year will be a Christmas Dinner at RAAFA with another outing being planned for February 2024. See Bentley Park Bulletin for more details. New members are always welcome, and we hope they can all enjoy 20 years of friendly competitive bowling as Jack did. - Stan Barclay, President
My time with the Auxiliary over last two years has been amazing and fun. We also say goodbye to Dorothy who has been the Auxiliary treasurer for three years and has done a great job. The Auxiliary wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year! We look forward to a bigger and better 2024. Have a great break and enjoy. - Sandie Holmes 16 | Summer Tidings Edition
CEO Graham Francis with the 2023 Patrons Shield Winners
Village News Fish N Chips with Friends
Plantation Apartments Concert
At our November luncheon we celebrated our version of the ‘Melbourne Cup’ with special guest, SwanCare CEO Graham Francis. Graham was roped into being a jockey in the first race. Unfortunately, he didn’t win, Isabella took out that honour. Our entertainer for the day, Adam Penn, also participated in the second race which was won by Stan.
On Wednesday evening the 1st of November, Plantation Apartments held their second concert for the year. We are not sure if it was deliberate, or if the architects realised, that the courtyard in Plantation provides the best acoustics for concerts. The singers are always amazed at what a wonderful atmosphere it creates.
During Adam’s performance, Hugh and Adam sang a duet and Annette had a twirl around the dance floor with Adam. Pam and Anne also had a few dances with Adam. All in all, there was lots of fun and laughter, and everyone really enjoyed themselves.
For this concert, Plantation residents were encouraged to bring a guest and a cup or glass for tea, coffee, or their preferred beverage. Everyone settled down to enjoy a three hour performance by entertainer Kathy Carver, whose repertoire covered country, western and popular songs from the 60s and 70s which were fondly remembered by all. Everyone had a wonderful time with lots of dancing and singing along, and we look forward to more concerts in future.
As we will be celebrating Christmas this month, please dress up in all your Christmas outfits and hats. Mark the below upcoming dates and entertainers in your diary:
- Chris B. & Adleen P.
• Friday 1st December – Blue Diamond • Friday 2nd February – Robert Graham (new entertainer) • Friday 1st March – Patrick O’Hooligan All residents, and especially new residents, are most welcome to join us at our popular monthly luncheons held in the Auditorium on the first Friday of each month. Bookings are essential. We are a happy bunch, and you will meet new friends and reacquaint with old friends. We have a variety of entertainers each month, with raffle tickets on sale and prizes to be won.
Plantation Residents enjoying an evening concert
The Committee would like to wish all residents and staff a very merry Christmas and a happy 2024. - Lesley Foster
The Jockey Race Game
Plantation Residents dancing the night away
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Passions & Pastimes An Attitude of Gratitude
Gailene practicing her passion for yoga at SwanCare Bentley Park
After taking her first yoga class at age 30, retirement living resident Gailene Wester has been bending and stretching ever since. Now at 86 years old, she continues sharing her passion for yoga with fellow residents at SwanCare Bentley Park.
changing, “I love yoga, not just for its physical values but its spiritual values too. For me, yoga opened up my spiritual life in a way I had never experienced before.”
How it all Began
After two terms at the first studio, Gailene decided to develop her skills further by attending the Yoga School of Perth, later completing her Instructor course through the Sivananda Ashram in South Fremantle.
We sat down with the yoga enthusiast to hear all about her beloved passion, which to our surprise all started with a friendly nudge from her next-door neighbour. “My neighbour was aware I struggled with asthma, and one day they found an advertisement for a yoga class in Fremantle,” Gailene explained, “they stopped by to let me know, suggesting the class could be a good way for me to manage my asthmatic symptoms.” Alongside her mother, Gailene attended her first class and instantly fell in love with the practice. Not only did she discover a whole new passion, but her health began to improve too. Through learning to breathe through her nose and use her diaphragm in yoga, Gailene’s asthma eventually became a thing of the past. While she enjoys the physical aspect, Gailene says discovering the philosophy of yoga was truly life 18 | Summer Tidings Edition
Passing on the Practice
“Meanwhile, my mother wanted me to teach yoga to some of her friends so, starting from scratch I did. I was terrified, and truthfully, I think I was only one lesson more ahead of some of them.” Gailene’s confidence soon blossomed though once she discovered her capabilities, “It turned out I knew more and could do more than I had originally thought. Once I had this realisation, it marked the beginning of my yoga teaching.” Gailene landed her first teaching job at the Yoga School of Perth - talk about a full circle moment! She then began teaching the odd classes to students at Tafe and at Murdoch University. “I have now taught classes all around Perth and I really enjoy it, especially seeing people who start off quite stiff, continue coming to class and improve.”
Passions & Pastimes A Career in Caring
Life at Bentley Park
As Gailene says, “life happens”, and she soon returned to work as a palliative care nurse, referring to it as the highlight of her nursing career.
Nowadays Gailene teaches a range of classes targeted towards seniors, including her weekly sessions at SwanCare Bentley Park.
“Of course, when I worked in palliative care it was different because people didn't expect to live, they exposed a deeper part of themselves, sometimes spiritual. We seemed to work on a different level.”
For safety, Gailene does not teach headstands or other advanced sequences which may cause harm, instead, she asks members to simply enjoy themselves and do what feels best for them, “I have arthritic joints, as do most other people, and while I’m not particularly flexible now I still do what I can do, which is all I ask of anyone who comes to the class.”
It didn’t take long before Gailene was rolling out her yoga mat again, after a nurse she worked with on night duty discovered her passion for yoga and encouraged Gailene to run a class. “I started these classes and eventually was able to teach at the Theosophical Society, of which I am a member, using their hall for the class. That was about fifteen or so years ago and I’m still going.” We wondered if there was any crossover between her love of being a nurse and her passion for yoga teaching. Turns out, there certainly is! “Teaching yoga is special to me, just like nursing. I see people changing sometimes, becoming softer, more sharing, more affectionate. People become more open to spirituality, which I also saw a lot of as a nurse. I try to put a bit of spirituality into teaching without preaching, just hoping people will look within and see whether they need to make changes.”
Gailene enjoying a stretch on The Club balcony
As for life at Bentley Park, Gailene says she’s enjoying every moment. “There are some wonderful people here, residents who check in to see that we are ok and others who organise and run the multitude of activities here, as well as the very kind staff who endeavour to meet our various needs in other ways.” “I can say life is indeed good at SwanCare, and I am so glad to be here.” Thank you, Gailene, for sharing your passion with us, both in Tidings and throughout our village. We deeply appreciate having you part of our SwanCare community.
Gailene working on her outstanding flexibility
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Charity Golf Day Taking the Shot This October we saw 94 keen golfers teeing up at the sunny Meadow Springs Golf & Country Club for our 2023 SwanCare Charity Golf Day! The SwanCare Charity Golf Day has been our major fundraising event for the past 16 years with all proceeds going directly to our residents. The day would not be made possible without the support of our generous sponsors, donors, and players, whose efforts go a long way in assisting us to deliver SwanCare’s vision of enriching the lives of everyone in our community. We are proud to announce SwanCare Charity Golf Day 2023 raised a total of $16,721.67! This brings the grand total raised over the past 16 years of this event to $216,675.91. Proceeds from this year’s Golf Day will be allocated towards the purchase of a new golf transportation vehicle, or as we refer to it in the village, a ‘SwanMobile.’ This will be added to our fleet of SwanMobiles which transport retirement living and residential aged care residents, and prospective residents, around our 15-hectare site. SwanCare would like to take this opportunity to thank our joint major sponsors of the event, Perrott Painting and Prestige Property Maintenance, for their generosity and continued support.
their win and look forward to welcoming them back next year to defend their title. Thank you again to all of our sponsors, donors and players for their support and contribution to the success of the event, and we look forward to getting back out on the green with you all again in 2024.
CEO Graham Francis awarding our 2023 Charity Golf Day winners
Our team of Bentley Park residents
We had two opportunities for a Hole-In-One again this year with newcomers K Craft Group sponsoring a $20,000 cash prize on the 8th Hole and Retravision sponsoring the 11th Hole with a $20,000 Retravision gift card prize. There were a few close shots, but unfortunately no one took home the big prizes. Our sincere thanks to both K Craft and Retravision for their support. We’d also like to give a huge thanks to Oban Group who kept all 24 teams well hydrated and snacked up throughout the day, courtesy of their drinks cart sponsorship. Congratulations to our first-time players of the event and winners of the SwanCare Charity Golf Day 2023 ‘Rockingham Smash Repairs’. We applaud them on 20 | Summer Tidings Edition
Retirement living resident, Meryl, taking a swing
Gardens Interest Group Summer Succulents Sensational succulents are the ideal plants to survive in our gardens over the hot, dry times in summer. The many flower forms and foliage colour variation makes an attractive display in pots and garden beds. Succulents are also so easy to grow; just break a piece off, trim the lower leaves and push into a well-draining garden bed or soil mix in a pot and tamp down. Don’t over water and trim if they get leggy, and they will reward you for many years.
melon, onion, peas, silver beet, radish, tomatoes, and zucchini, for easy continuous harvesting through summer. Keep moist but not waterlogged to survive the hot spells we get in Perth and add flowers to encourage bees to pollenate your crop. Stakes are also a good idea for tall varieties of tomatoes and prune side shoots out, to encourage more flowers.
For the rest of the garden, continue to dead head roses to encourage more blooms. Lift bulbs that have finished and plant colour to brighten up your Christmas display.
‘Mavrik’ or ‘Dipel’ are good sprays to use with low with-holding times to stop caterpillars and other pests munching holes in all your favourite crops. Make sure to spray in the late afternoon after the bees have gone to bed.
For vegetable gardeners, succession plant beans, beetroot, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, sweet corn,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at the Bentley Park Gardens Interest Group!
A resident's succulent plants display
Aeonium
Crassula Red Pagoda
Succulents
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Penny’s Book Review A Town like Clarence | By Stella Quinn Stella Quinn is an Australian author who now lives in Queensland, but has previously lived in England, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea. She loves writing books about rural Australia particularly small country towns, its inhabitants and romance. Her books are light-hearted and relaxing. A Town like Clarence is about Kirsty Fox, a girl on the run from a crash and burn job who finds a family she didn’t know she needed. Kirsty doesn’t stick around…. ever! Joey Miles is hoping to leave the stress of a messy stockbroking career behind, to embrace the brandnew challenge of farming. But while returning to his hometown somehow feels right, he has a long way to go to get back on his feet financially.
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To the town of Clarence, Joey has always been the ultimate tragic, romantic hero; and its time the hero had a happy ending. The town locals spot the chemistry between these two and a secret item gets added to the agenda of the next town committee meeting: matchmaking… I found this one a quick one to read and it brought back a lot of memories of my time growing up in rural Australia. Anyone wanting something light to read would enjoy this book, available on our shelves in the Bentley Park library. Yours in books,
Penny Felder
Penny Felder SwanCare Bentley Park Librarian
Out & About
Melbourne Cup celebrations were in full swing
Swan Village Bowling Club socialising after the game
New residents being welcomed over morning tea
Spritz Laundry Team's Pyjama Day
All smiles at Art Group
Admin staff spreading Halloween cheer throughout Bentley Park
Birthday girl Sammy celebrating with her mum at The Bentley Park Show
Lots of fun in the sun at the Bentley Park Show
Line Dancing working on their latest routine
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We welcome contributions to Tidings. Please post or email to: 26 Plantation Drive, Bentley WA 6102 08 6250 0000 | 08 9470 2017 tidings@swancare.com.au Pacesetter Laser Recycled is 30% recycled and made from elemental chlorine free bleached pulp sourced from sustainably managed sources. It is manufactured by an ISO certified mill.