Turning the Page - Summer 2013

Summer 2013
Latest news, services and developments of ACH Group
Bedford Heights celebrates its 10th birthday
For Ken and Joan Quirk, the 10th birthday
of Bedford Heights represented 10 years of
independence. They downsized almost 10
years ago and have never looked back.
Ken and Joan were among the 150 residents of ACH
Group’s Bedford Heights Estate gathered to celebrate
the 10th birthday of the site.
“We were amongst the first one who moved here and we
have never looked back,” said Ken.
“Here we have achieved a social and active lifestyle.”
The residents reminisced about their lives since they
decided to call Bedford Heights home.
As they shared their stories, one thing was unanimous –
they love where they live.
According to Jen Davies, who moved to Bedford Heights
Estate three years ago, the village is perfect for those
who want to achieve the perfect balance between
independence and lifestyle living.
“There is a positive feel about Bedford Heights that
allows you to be as social or as private as you would like
to be,” she said.
Residents were fully involved in arrangements for the
celebrations with some volunteering to run the bar and
some preparing a special photo presentation featuring
the great times shared in the village.
Site Manager Barbara Seccull said there has been a great
partnership between residents, staff and community.
”Residents have been active members of the community
and fully involved in what happens in the village, as well
as other matters important to them,” she said.
Ken and Joan Quirk were invited to cut the birthday cake.
The Estate comprises 147 villas and a popular
community centre, Buckland Lodge, where residents
can enjoy a drink at the bar, catch up for a chat, game of
cards, search the library for that special book, or attend
a gentle exercise class and much more.
Inside this issue...
2 James Evans Court
redevelopement starts
3 “You’ve got to keep moving,”
says Les
5 Glenda’s 35 years of dedication
7 Animals bring different
6 Margaret confident in her hi-tech
8 Enid debuts on the big stage
world
generations together
Corporate updates
CEO’s message
First step on the road to renewal
Piccolo. With 1218 housing units worth a
net asset of $72M, ACH Group is redefining
its housing options to respond to the
demographic changes that are occurring
throughout Australia.
With links to ACH Group’s strong
community, health and residential services,
a redeveloped James Evans Court aligns
closely with market analysis advice,
demographic data trends and qualitative
research feedback on current market
demand.
Mike Rungie, CEO, ACH Group
Home is one of those things that
really matters in our lives.
It’s not just the place we live... it’s
a place where we like to be, with
others or on our own, to do things,
to store things, to be close to
things, to know our neighbours and
community.
Homes let us relax, cook, garden,
follow our hobbies, exercise, work,
volunteer, study and do the things
we value.
And yet the latest census suggests
that large numbers of older people
are paying commercial rents or
mortgages, and as their income
reduces, they may struggle to
maintain their homes.
Recognising this, ACH Group has
made a major commitment to
not only increasing its offering of
affordable housing, but ensure that
this housing will be a home in the
richest sense.
James Evans Court resident Nevenka Harvey,
Minister Tony Piccolo, ACH Group CEO Mike
Rungie and ACH Group Board member Brent
Blanks.
ACH Group hosted a ceremony for the
commencement of works at James Evans
Court on October 23, attended by the
Minister for Social Housing Hon Tony
Attention has been paid to
supporting how people have told us
they want to live full and growing
lives.
We are very keen to learn from this
project, and are asking prospective
residents to input on design and
give us feedback.
ACH Group is delighted to announce that we
have launched a new look website. Based on
feedback from our community, the website
has a number of new features, including a
dynamic front page which shows a variety of
content such as news articles, events and
new developments, and an event calendar
showcasing events you may be interested in.
We’ve included a resources page with links to
Turning the Page (Summer 2013)
relevant publications, as well as a Good Lives
blog to encourage conversations between
you and ACH Group so we can find out more
about what you want, and what you need
as you grow older. If you haven’t visited the
website for a while, please do at www.ach.
org.au. We welcome your feedback, please
let us know what you think by emailing
[email protected].
The gift is in the giving
ACH Group volunteer manager Tay Parker, volunteer
Maxine brown and Keetah Murphy from Spring Gully.
Two iconic South Australian companies
joined forces to recognise the outstanding
contribution made by ACH Group’s 500
volunteers.
The brainchild of ACH Group’s Volunteer
Coordinator Tay Parker saw local South
Australian company, Spring Gully prepare gift
baskets for the volunteers who contributed
over 111,000 hours last financial year. “We
thought it would be a great way to recognise
and reward our volunteers and support this
iconic family business, at the same time. The
volunteers will be presented with baskets
of great local produce that South Australian
families love,” said Tay.
Spring Gully marketing Assistant Keetah
Murphy talked about the importance of South
Australian companies supporting each other.
“Spring Gully was honoured to be the brand
chosen by ACH Group to show appreciation
for the valuable work of their volunteers”.
Turning the Page is a quarterly publication by ACH Group. If you have any questions or would like to
subscribe to the publication, please contact the Marketing and Communications Team on telephone (08)
8159 3632 or email: [email protected].
For more information about any of ACH Group’s programs please contact 1300 224 477.
Website: www.ach.org.au
2
“James Evans Court will incorporate
learnings from our Healthy Ageing program
run at the nearby Milpara site which fosters
engagement, health and fitness as part of a
good life.”
New website, new tools
The first of these new projects
is James Evans Court in Magill,
featured in this edition.
The one and two bedroom units will
be beautifully appointed, in a small
community in a great location.
The site will also provide access to
secure, affordable, long-term quality
accommodation, within a community
setting,” said Mike Rungie, ACH Group CEO.
@ACH_Group
Good lives
“You’ve got to keep moving,” says Les
Les Arnel did not expect to be so
busy after he finished working full
time, but at 91, the Highercombe
resident says his days are filled
with bus trips, barbeque nights,
gym session, carpet bowls, cooking
groups, sing alongs, wine and
cheese events and singing at his
church’s choir.
know if you could call it dancing, but I kept
moving along.”
Les is a gym enthusiast and walks
regularly. Lately, he’s keeping track of his
every step.
“I am participating in the Walk Around
Australia challenge and just the other
week I walked six kilometres. You should
never limit yourself on what you can do
due to your age. Age is a number and I
definitely don’t feel 91.”
Les says there isn’t one boring day in his
routine because he is willing to keep his
body and mind active.
“At Highercombe there are activities
happening all the time and they are all
very enjoyable, so there is no reason not
to be involved,” Les said.
“Even when I am not feeling 100 per cent,
I make an effort to get out of my room and
do something. You’ve got to keep moving
otherwise you fade away.”
Les is also very involved with the choir at
his church.
“I practice for the choir every week but
because I have vision impairment, I have a
special program on the computer to help
me learn the songs,” Les said.
“And because I am interested in music, I
even gave it a go at dancing. Well, I don’t
Les shows on the map how far participants have gone in the Walk Around Australia program at
Highercombe.
Lena and friends ride to magical moments
tickets were offered for the residents of ACH Group’s Kapara, and
their families, to enjoy the show in Adelaide.
“When Michelle (lifestyle coordinator at Kapara) said we could go
and watch the show for free, I could not believe it. I love animals,
especially horses so it was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said
Lena.
“I could not stop clapping and crying. It was so emotional and
uplifting.”
Roy Cockram described the experience as magical. “Everything
was beautiful and came together really well,” he said.
Lena, front, with Bridgette, Shirley, Roy, Hilda and Betty ready for the
spectacle Cavalia.
Lena has always loved horses, and used to ride every
week when she was younger, so when she was offered
free tickets to watch the internationally renowned
spectacle Cavalia last month, it felt like an early
Christmas present.
The opportunity came about following an email to Luce Rose, from
Cavalia’s Montreal office and a few days later, hundreds of free
Bridgette Holmes said she was impressed with the riders and
acrobats . “I would love to watch it again, and again. I was terrified
of horses, but not anymore,” she said.
Betty, Hilda and Shirley said the horses were the best part of the
show and described them as exceptional.
Cavalia is a spectacular and moving tribute to the relationship
between human and horses throughout history, a dream of
freedom, cooperation and harmony.
ACH Group would like to thank the producers of the show and
Luce Rose for their generosity.
Turning the Page (Summer 2013)
3
Special feature on carers
Carers’ achievements are celebrated
Travis Saunders, left, and Jenny Potter right.
Marcia Johnson Timm and Rosemary Warmington AM, CEO of
Carers SA.
Moira Deslandes from Carers SA Australia.
Family carers provide unpaid care and
support to family members and friends
who have a disability, mental illness,
chronic condition, terminal illness or who
are older.
Carers are an integral part of Australia’s
health system and are the foundation
of our aged, disability, palliative and
community care systems. Caring can
happen to anyone, anytime.
In Australia there are 2.6 million carers
and an estimated 220,000 family carers in
South Australia.
The Carers Recognition Act (2005)
enshrined in legislation provisions to
recognise and support carers and their
role in the community; it created a Carers
Charter and created an environment that
acknowledges the vital role of carers in
our community.
The Carer Achievement Award recognises
a South Australian family carer who has
not only provided substantial long term
care but who has also worked to improve
the recognition, services and supports for
other carers.
Carers SA presents this award to
celebrate this individual achievement in
championing the carer cause to improve
the lives of family carers in South
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Turning the Page (Summer 2013)
Australia.
Celebrating and recognising carers helps
to raise the profile of carers and the
essential role they play in maintaining the
health and well-being of those who need
that support.
Award finalists were Travis Saunders of
Joslin who cares for his four year old son
Patrick who has austism.
Patrick requires significant and often
expensive therapy. Travis developed a
website run4austism.net to help families
fundraise for therapies. $43,000 has been
raised to date, donating to eight autism
organisations.
Travis has run 12 marathons in 12 months
to promote autism awareness and has
raised $15,000.
Jenny Potter of Glenside cared for her
husband Ralph for 10 years after he was
diagnosed with Younger Onset dementia
until his death in 2012 at age 65.
Jenny organised education, support and
carer retreats for Ralph and herself and
other couples in the same situation.
She is involved with the Alzheimer’s
Australia (SA) Young Ones support
group and attended the first Alzheimer’s
Australia National Consumer Summit.
The third finalist and winner was Marcia
Johnson Timm of Eden Valley.
Marcia’s contribution is a standout
because she made her voluntary
contribution to carers of people with a
mental illness over 20 years and during
a time when there has been enormous
stigma towards people with mental
illness.
This felt stigma was also shared by family
Carers, who mostly had to cope alone with
little or no formal support with the hidden
mental health challenges this presented.
Marcia held her carer support groups
during a time when there were no
services for carers of people with a
mental illness and when there were even
fewer mental health services for the
consumer.
It was during a time when our legal
and health care systems were largely
punitive towards people with a mental
illness. Within this climate Marcia ‘pulled
together ‘ her group of carers of people.
The groups still continue!
Moira Deslandes is the Senior Policy and
Carer Engagement Officer of Carers SA
Australia.
Special feature carers
An open day with a difference
The usually peaceful and private
premises of Savas Cottage were
shaken up by the sound of laughter,
music and dancing, when it opened
its doors to the public on October
30.
ACH Group staff and volunteers welcomed
the community to its Open Day by offering
valuable information on respite for
carers, social activities, exercise groups,
lawn bowls, art activities as well as ipad
demonstrations.
Putting their best feet forward on the day
was Social Links dancing club, “Stepping
Out.”
Around twelve members showed off their
moves to songs like Dean Martin’s Sway.
Adding colour to the event was Social
Links resident artist, Patrick Egan –
demonstrating landscape painting.
A strong supporter of ACH Group’s social
links program, Patrick took some art
classes after experiencing a stroke.
“I used to play the mandolin until I had a
Resident artist Patrick Egan welcomes
Savas Cottage visitors at the front
door.
stroke and that changed everything. I then
came across this local art group run by
ACH Group,” said Mr Egan.
“You come for a chat, a cup of coffee and in
my case you do some painting.”
Around 40 people attended the open day
including residents, local businesses and
ACH Group Staff and Volunteers.
Showing off their dance moves was ACH
Group Social Links group “Stepping Out”.
Glenda’s 35 years of dedication
made copies for the family,” said Glenda.
Glenda is 91 and has been caring for her
husband Neville, 96, since 1978.
“Neville is a war veteran but his years
serving have debilitated his health,” she
explained.
“My mother was a carer for my father, so
from an early age I knew what being a carer
involved and I was happy to step in.
“When you are a carer, you need to dedicate
time to someone else, which sometimes
means you don’t have time to do things for
yourself but that doesn’t bother me.”
Glenda and Neville also remain active.
Glenda has been Neville’s carer for 35 years.
Glenda Coombe has always been
interested in writing; a passion she
fulfilled by writing a few books,
mostly about her family history.
Even with responsibilities as a carer, wife,
mother of four and grandmother of two,
Glenda had found time to write a few books,
one of them being a celebration of her 60
year marriage with Neville.
“One of the books is particularly special
as I wrote about my story with Neville, to
celebrate our 60 years together and we
“I still do the cooking, we go to church
every week and we participate in a craft and
fellowship group in the area, which I used to
run until last year,” added Glenda.
“Neville is also involved with Legacy and we
catch up with our children often.”
Glenda has been the carer for her husband
Neville for 35 years.
Turning the Page (Summer 2013)
5
Our community
Margaret confident in her hi-tech world
I was 40 years old and working at the
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Today I use computers and the internet
for keeping in touch with my children
through emails and Facebook, writing and
researching my family tree,” Margaret
explained.
Margaret Hill with some of her favourite
hi-tech gadgets.
Surrounded by her iPad, mobile phone,
laptop and PC, Margaret Hill is happily
embracing the hi-tech world.
“I’ve always been addicted to technology.
I first learnt to use a computer when
Margaret even has her own website,
developed with the help of friends to
promote and sell one of two books she
has written.
Her first book, Corrugated Castles
(www.corrugatedcastles.com), follows
Margaret’s journey from England as a
migrant mother and lighthouse keeper’s
wife. Her second book is an account of
her life written and published especially
for her eight children.
Margaret says writing and using
computers keeps her brain and body
active and healthy.
“I had a stroke last year. But I keep active
by walking everywhere and doing a
physiotherapy routine daily.
“I’m on two committees at ACH Group’s
Elkanah Retirement Village, Morphett
Vale (where she lives) and another at
Senior Citizens. Most days I hop on the
bus and go browsing in the shops or meet
my children or grandchildren for lunch.”
On her rare days in, Margaret has the
best of both worlds – tuning into life at
Elkanah…and further afield.
Charlotte’s teddy bears bring smiles
to children with cancer
When Charlotte lost her husband and one
of her daughters to cancer, her grief gave
her strength to help sick children.
Having already made hundreds of
Teddy bears over the years, which she
donates to hospitals to then be presented
to children in treatment for cancer,
Charlotte’s production did not stop during
her rehabilitation at ACH Group’s City
Views.
“The teddy bears are easy to make and
needing rehabilitation myself was no
reason to stop,” Charlotte said.
“Even when I am not feeling so well, I
think of the smiles on the children’s face
when they get a Teddy and that keeps me
going.
“I lost my husband from cancer 12 years
ago and lost my daughter only ten weeks
after my husband passed away, so I
sympathise with what families go through
when a loved one is battling cancer and
this is my way of helping.”
Charlotte has been an inspiration to staff
and customers of City Views.
Charlotte donates the teddy bears she makes
to children battling cancer.
Hospitality queen Mavis celebrates 100
As Mavis celebrates her 100th birthday
she looks back at her life with no regrets.
Mavis and her husband owned and
managed a few pubs and hotels in
Verdun, Callington, Penola and Gawler. It
all started 67 years ago.
“We bought our first hotel when I was
pregnant with my first child Chris. It
was great raising a child in a small town
where we knew everyone,” Mavis said.
“Hotels and pubs are hard businesses
to run, but it is also rewarding to get to
know so many people.”
Mavis blows out one of her birthday candles.
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Turning the Page (Summer 2013)
Mavis had a very active life in the
hospitality industry while raising her
three boys. Today, she still enjoys
getting out and about and she is ready
to celebrate her hundredth birthday with
two parties – one organised by her ACH
Group neighbours, including one of her
sons Max, and a family lunch at the pub.
“My son Max and his wife Audrey live at
unit 45, which is close to mine at Perry
Park.
My son Chris lives in Kingston Park and
visits often and my son John and his wife
Maureen live in Penola. I have a happy
life here and I like that I can still live
independently,” said Mavis.
Our community
Walk brings sunshine and health to Kapara
It’s a sunny Friday afternoon and
Shirley Klose strides down to the
beach with a smile on her face.
“I love to get out in the fresh air and
sunshine. It makes me feel happy and
healthy,” she says.
Shirley is one of 15 ‘Kapara Trailblazers’
– a group of active ACH Group Kapara
residents who walk up to five times a
week, usually to the local Glenelg beach
and back.
Along the 1,240 metre round trip the
walkers enjoys fresh air, sunshine,
companionship and social interaction with
the community.
Kapara Lifestyle Coordinator Jane Leach with
Kapara walker Shirley Klose.
The group started a few months ago and a
marked difference in the wellbeing of the
walkers has already been noticed.
“I really enjoy getting out and about. Not
only does it have benefits in terms of
keeping fit, but we chat to people along
the way, stop to pat dogs and really take
an interest in the community, ” said keen
walker Shirley.
The walk to the beach is dotted with
benches sponsored by the local Holdfast
Bay council to give the walkers a wellearned rest along the way.
“The way we’re going we might need a few
more benches. I’m out walking five times
a week!” quips Shirley.
The Kapara Trailblazers, registered with
Heart Foundation SA, is a joint initiative
through the Federal Government’s
Foundation for Older Australians - and
one of a couple of walking groups at
Kapara.
Animals bring different generations together
For Martha Rosenthal, cuddling
a dragon lizard was a unique
experience she was happy to share
with students from Yankalilla Area
School.
Martha was one of the many residents
of ACH Group’s Yankalilla Centre who
enjoyed the visit by Animal Capers and the
students from the local school, as part of
an Intergenerational Festival promoted by
Council on the Ageing (COTA). The event
encouraged the interaction of generations
while offering new experiences.
“I was very interested to see the animals
today, but now that I am here, I think the
best part is having the children here too,”
said Martha.
“It is great to see the children getting the
opportunity to be out and about learning
new things. They were very well behaved
too.”
The Every Generation Festival is held
each year in October to promote
intergenerational activities.
ACH Group promotes intergenerational
interaction as older people and children
have an opportunity to learn from each
other’s experience. The animals were
a medium used to allow the opportunity
for the interaction to flow freely in a safe
environment.
Connor Naseef and Abby Kirkbride from Yankalilla
Area School enjoyed their visit to ACH Group’s
Yankalilla Residential site, where they shared
their knowledge about animals with residents
Leslie Morrall and Martha Rosenthal.
Ruth continues to learn
Those who know Ruth Gray might say artwork for the South Australian Living
Artists Festival.
that 100 is the new 60.
Ruth celebrated her 100th birthday recently
at Riverview Respite, located at ACH
Group’s Perry Park.
She was surrounded by family and friends
and enjoyed an afternoon tea in her honour.
Ruth Gray celebrated her 100th birthday with an
afternoon tea at the Riverview Respite.
Since attending Riverview Respite, Ruth
has been presented with new opportunities,
such as joining the Perry Park knitters when she contributed creating a piece of
Ruth lives independently but has found that
her connection with Riverview has helped
her participate in activities with other
people.
Riverview Respite offers flexible operating
hours, five days a week; opportunities to
socialise with Perry Park residents and
more. Guests are able to learn new skills
and be involved in a range of activities.
Turning the Page (Summer 2013)
7
Foundation for
Older Australians
Enid has her debut on the big stage
Enid pictured minutes before her big debut on stage. Right top: Members of Sing for Joy choirs ready to entertain and below are Angela, Jane Doyle and Lisa.
When Enid Lackenstein attended
the first Everybody Sing
performance by ACH Group’s
combined choirs last year, she
liked it so much that she left
determined to become involved.
This year, as the choirs started rehearsing
for their sold out concert at the Adelaide
Festival Centre, Enid was ready for her
stage debut where she was heard by an
audience of three hundred people.
All four ‘Sing for Joy’ choir groups –
Salisbury, Payneham, Glenelg and Seaford
performed together at the “Everybody
Sing!” concert, as part of the COTA Every
Generation Festival.
“I was with a group of friends at the
Everybody Sing performance last year
and we were so impressed with how good
they sounded, as well as how much they
seemed to enjoy it. We could not keep still
and just got up and started dancing to the
songs,” Enid said.
As a result, Enid and six of her friends
decided to join an ACH Group Sing for Joy
choir in Salisbury.
“My friends and I joined and we are very
happy with our decision. We leave our
troubles behind when we sing. And the
choirs are a great social activity that
keeps us connected to our communities
and other people,” said Enid.
Enid also said their singing has improved.
“My singing is improving and I put my
heart and soul into the concert.”
Sing for Joy is a community project
established by the ACH Group Foundation
for Older Australians that encourages
people to sing, to have fun, learn and
perform to local audiences.
The Foundation Room lifted up Barbara’s spirit
TESTIMONIAL - Before I came to the
Foundation Room at Perry Park, I was
finding it hard to sleep but the minute
I arrived there I found myself doing
things I never thought I would be able
to do after battling cancer.
The Foundation Room helped me keep
positive and work hard to remain active
and healthy.
support for palliative care, dependent
on the identified need.
Barbara La Starza
The Foundation Room is set within the
relaxing environment of ACH Group’s
Perry Park at Port Noarlunga.
The support I received from Perry Park
staff was wonderful and I will always
remember my stay at the Foundation
Room.
The Foundation Room has been
established with funds provided by
ACH Group’s Foundation for Older
Australians.
The laughters and walks shared will
stay with me for a lifetime. I was also
taken on bus trips which were very fun.
Its purpose is to deliver a service that
is individually tailored and incorporates
emergency or planned respite;
restorative or rehabilitative care and
Please consider making a donation
or bequest to ACH Group Foundation
for Older Australians, so we can
keeprunning the Foundation Room and
supporting Australians like Barbara.
To find our more please visit www.
ach.org.au/foundation-for-olderaustralians.