Welcome to Autumn
“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward” - Martin Luther King, Jnr.
This sums up the mood here at The Shoreline. Activity abounds for those who wish to get involved. You may be in the energetic category of residents who love to keep active and busy at exercise classes, or in our gym. You may be in the more relaxed group who enjoys reading in the library, opera in the cinema, visiting the hairdresser, or playing cards and table games. You might like to sit in the café with friends and enjoy coffee and cake or a swim in the pool. Whatever it looks like to you, is exactly where you are meant to be!
Life is short and every moment is precious. Make your day count, doing whatever you like.
Welcome GENERAL MANAGER UPDATE
Well, isn’t this exciting—my very first official article in our fantastic newsletter!
First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome I have received since stepping into this role in December 2024. If we haven’t had the chance to connect yet, I hope we do soon! For those who may not know me, I’ve been involved in The Shoreline project since 2021, having been the second staff member employed for this incredible precinct. As a Registered Nurse with postgraduate qualifications in Leadership & Management, I have been fortunate to establish and oversee healthcare and living environments throughout my career. However, nowhere have I felt the same connection and passion as I do here at The Shoreline. My hope is that this passion shines through in our future meetings and conversations.
As we step into a new year, I always like to reflect on the achievements of the past year, the lessons learned, and how we can build on them moving forward. 2024 was a year of consolidation—one where we found our footing and strengthened many of our existing services. Along the way, we gained invaluable insights, particularly in understanding who we are as an organisation and what we do exceptionally well. Here are some key highlights:
A Growing Reputation – Last year, we received five times the number of compliments compared to the previous year—an incredible testament to the dedication and hard work of our team.
Expanding Our Team – We now have over 190 staff members providing a range of services and support to our residents. This has been enabled through becoming a market leader locally attracting considerable local talent, while investing in alternative solution to sponsor experienced staff from overseas.
Investing in the Future – We welcomed more than 20 students across various disciplines, including Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, and Care Work. This year, we are excited to expand this further, with plans to take on up to 40 students, including Registered Nurse and Enrolled Nurse placements.
Unprecedented Demand – Currently, we have no vacancies across our site, with growing enquiry lists for both our retirement village and care home.
Community Engagement –Participation in our community events and activities saw a significant rise, reflecting our thriving and engaged Shoreline community.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be a busy and transformative year. On a national level, there are significant legislative changes coming into effect for both our Care Home and Community Care services. Our team is working hard to upskill and complete training to ensure we continue to meet and exceed the new standards. We appreciate your patience and support as we navigate these changes as they are announced and defined by the Government.
A major milestone for us this year will be the launch of sales for the new Watermark Apartments. We look forward to sharing more details in
the coming months, but this project represents another exciting step forward for The Shoreline—one made possible by all of you, our wonderful community. Additionally, changes to community care services are on the horizon, with new funding models set to roll out in July 2025. While we are still awaiting further details, the new system appears promising, with hopes that it will streamline access to essential home support services for those in need.
As we embrace 2025, we look forward to a year of new opportunities, successes, and learnings. I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our residents, families, volunteers, and staff for your unwavering commitment, compassion, and community spirit.
Here’s to another great year at The Shoreline!
Owen Lednor
General Manager – The Shoreline
DIRECTOR OF CARE UPDATE
Dear residents, families, and staff,
The year is well underway and we have lots to look forward to.
As summer is drawing to a close, we still have some heat wave warnings that can cause discomfort and clinical changes for our residents. We strongly encourage our residents to increase their oral fluid intake within reason and stay indoors as much as possible. If going out we advise you to use sunscreen, request a bottle of water to take and ensure that you are keeping
hydrated while outdoors.
Vaccination is still also our most effective way to protect against infectious diseases. Vaccines strengthen your immune system by training it to recognise and fight viruses. We have just undertaken a Covid-19 Vaccination clinic for all our residents who would like to be vaccinated. If you missed out, please contact your doctor to discuss this further. Protect yourself and your community.
As always, we remain committed to providing you with quality care and services. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out and we can discuss this further.
You will find my door near our Concierge and Café. Please feel free to stop in and say Hello anytime.
Regards
Aurielle Reyes
THE SHORELINE APP
Don’t forget we have our Shoreline App available to all of our residents, which is provided for us to post photos and messages to your family and friends.
If you would like assistance with how to use the App, please ask Concierge and they will direct you to the right person.
The Shoreline team members can also post ‘happy snaps’ on your behalf as well so the wider community at The Shoreline can see them if you choose.
RAC RESIDENT
Spotlight
PETER AND SHIRLEY ASHTON
I was raised in Yorkshire, England and subsequently married Peter. We had a daughter named Sonia. Peter and I contemplated a long-term move to Australia; Peters brother had already relocated to Australia. Peters brother expressed his belief that it was “Now or Never”, it was a big break, but it has been all worth it.
We embarked on the Fairstar ship and experienced seasickness throughout the journey to Australia.
On our journey we stopped at the Suez canal as there was a backup of ships waiting to get through. We were allowed to disembark the ship but were warned not to eat or drink anything. The thing that I remember the most was the heat. Coming from a cold climate to the heat was terrible.
On board the ship, Peter and I were separated. Peter was in one room with the other men, while Sonia and I were in the adjacent room with other ladies.
Upon our arrival in Australia in July 1966, I was in my early 30’s. Our daughter Sonia was only nine years old when we migrated.
When we sailed through the heads at Sydney Harbour it was amazing. I can still remember the Sydney Harbour bridge. We came to port at Darling Harbour.
We thought it was funny
that years later Peter ended up being a foreman at Darling Harbour.
We spent two years at the hostel for migrants until we had enough money to buy a small house in Berowra, near the Blue Mountains in Sydney. We lived next door to Peters brother and his wife for many years.
When Sonia married and moved up to Coffs Harbour, she asked us to move to be closer. We settled at Emerald Heights in the 1980’s.
Peter and I have three grandsons. They are all grown up and married and we are great grandparents to four children, two boys and two girls.
We went back to England to see family; Peter and I couldn’t wait to get back home to Australia.
Now we live at The Shoreline. It took us a little while to get used to everything, however we love it here now!
Independent Living UPDATE
Welcome to 2025! I’ve been in my role as your Community Facilitator now for 6 months and WOW has the time flown by!
I have loved getting to know you all and ride the highs and lows, share new experiences and contemplate new activities and adventures.
As independent living residents it’s a joy to watch you all share community together, socialise together, look after each other, be merry, and just walk through life together.
It’s my privilege to be in this role and do life with you all.
The past few months saw Christmas come and go very quickly with entertaining carols, raffles, and Christmas Eve lunch.
New Years Eve photos show a lot of fun, laughter and lively times together.
You never cease to amaze me how much
enjoyment you all get from your activities like killer darts, mahjong, exercise classes, movies in the cinema and now our introduction to Opera afternoons with Gary in the cinema every Monday.
Our newest addition to The Shoreline is our beautiful piano in the Pavilion. We all shared a special afternoon at the piano launch listening to some beautiful music played by some very skilled hands. What a treat it will be to have this beautiful instrument available for concerts, recitals and who knows what else!
I look forward to the year ahead and all we can do together.
Don’t be a stranger, come say Hello to me anytime, even if only to introduce yourself. I think I’m doing pretty well with remembering all your names!
Birg Strainic
Girls night in
Terrence & Joel tuning the new piano
DOT HERON’S BEANIES
home help nurse if she would knit small shrugs for babies in Africa – which she has done for some time now.
Dot was thrilled to receive some photos of the garment being given out to the needy, making every stitch a pleasure.
Knitting fills in a lot of time for Dot, she has always been a busy person and has really tried hard to settle into her new life here at The Shoreline.
No time for noddies
Knitting has filled in Dot’s days over many years now. She is so lucky to have no arthritis in her hands and still able to read patterns. Dot started knitting beanies for Pete’s Place when they opened up their aid for the needy. Her final delivery is in April at the change of weather and then the next batch will be in July.
Dot was asked by a
There is only one thing Dot asks her friends for and that is to help her out with the 8ply wool. The baby shrugs need soft wool but the beanies require any kind of wool. Often, we have wool stored away in cupboards unused. Dot can certainly make use of it and knit up many garments.
VEIL TAIL FIGHTING FISH
Jerry is the newest member to The Shoreline family.
Jerry is a Veil Tail Fighting Fish. Jerry is in his bowl up on Level 2 Seashells and has a daily feeding schedule looked after by our residents.
ILU RESIDENT
are all studying and enjoying life in various corners of the state.
JANICE
DAVIES Spotlight
Have you met Janice?
Janice was born in Coffs Harbour. Her Father was a train driver and the family ended up moving to Grafton. She later came to live in Woolgoolga when her children were starting high school.
Janice has two brothers and three children, Matt, Monique and Alicia, who all live here in Coffs Harbour. Janice has been blessed with 8 grandchildren, who
Over the years Janice loved her job and was a valuable team member working for various pharmacies in Grafton, packing webster packs for aged care/ palliative homes. She has very fond memories working in Grafton, enjoying the small-town feel noting how special Grafton is and what a lovely place it is to grow up and raise a family in.
Janice has moved around a bit and lived in Nymboida, Woolgoolga and Grafton and even had a house in Red Rock. After some life changes she moved back to Grafton and then Korora.
A match making through a mutual friend saw Janice enjoying life once again, travelling, enjoying companionship with a friend who has lovingly been named ‘The Phantom’ aka Richard, by all Janice’s friends. They then eventually made the decision to come here to The Shoreline to live.
Janice moved into The Shoreline December 2023 and loves it here!
The community of friends she has made, the swimming in the pool, playing cards, eating out, socialising, all make her happy daily.
She made the decision to not just move house but came here for the Lifestyle.
She enjoys life with her little companion Ellie, a 7-year-old Lhaso Apso x miniature poodle.
Janice enjoys eating out and rarely cooks at home. Her favourite food is Thai. Favorite eating places are Silvios, Latitude 30 and Green One Cafe at the Park Beach Bowls Club.
Janice is one busy lady and will enjoy a girl’s trip to Fiji shortly, followed by a trip to Hamilton Island and then Ireland. She’s loving life! Her big lifestyle change has been the best, and she has not looked back!
Say Hi to Janice next time you see her.
RAC ladies enjoying coffee together in the Cafe
Australia Day celebrations
Australia Day Ceremony
Australia Day RAC Residents
Marian Grove Ukelele visit at Christmas
Ladies Christmas shopping on a hot December day
The Shoreline hamper donations to the Soup Place at The Uniting Church in Coffs Harbour
Leisure and Lifestyle
As the Summer months draw to an end and we transition into Autumn, it has been a big three months here at The Shoreline.
In December we hosted a Christmas party and parade, where staff and residents dressed in festive attire and staff entertained all the residents. It was an enjoyable experience to observe our residents, families and staff.
We had Mr and Mrs Claus, angel’s, elves and of course our very own reindeer. Christmas is a time when we all gather and celebrate with our adoring residents, families and each other.
Our residents have continued to enjoy their activity calendar which includes movies in the cinema, Reiki, Friday happy hour, Forever Fit with Henry, seated dance with Mandy and fitness and meditation with Kim. Rummikub is run by our ILU resident Marie. Our residents continue to work on their knitting projects among other activities.
At The Shoreline we had the privilege to make a valuable contribution to the local Coffs Harbour soup kitchen with the donations of non-perishable foods which made a difference in so many people’s lives in our community.
RAC and ILU enjoyed weekly carols poolside with the beautiful sounds of Penny on the Cello and Trish and Elaine on the Ukulele.
Our RAC residents enjoyed the Christmas Carols presented by Tracey Demmery, our staff and residents. They were all delighted with the festive atmosphere.
In January, we hosted the Australia Day Awards Ceremony where we honoured our esteemed residents from RAC, ILU
and staff for their significant contributions to the well-being of individuals in our community. All nominations were provided entirely by residents.
In February our residents had the opportunity to participate in the handcrafting of chocolates at the Food Focus Forum. Under the guidance of Dave Ricketts our Chef, residents enjoyed making the chocolates and tasting the end product.
The carpet bowls are in full swing and residents are enjoying the competition.
Bingo is really popular with our residents; it’s a big hit.
February 14th was Valentine’s Day, it was a great time to get together & enjoy some tasty treats, company and our amazing entertainer Ian singing songs of love.
In February we commenced ‘Armchair Travel’ and we are embarking on a fascinating journey to Austria. The country, its diverse culture and experiences and the embrace of cultural diversity will be a highlight of our journey.
Tai Chi continues to be popular and the class of relaxation with Renee has been greatly enjoyed by the residents.
In February we welcomed physiotherapy students Rory and Tim on work placement from the University of Newcastle. They will be delivering a presentation on Stroke and Diabetes later in the month of Feb.
In March we will be going on a picnic down to the Jetty and will be travelling to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day.
Megan Davis Lifestyle Coordinator
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT UPDATE
It has been a busy but amazing few months of focus, with residents’ needs and challenging times whilst providing Spiritual care.
Numerous and at times daily visits were undertaken to individual residents in the privacy of their rooms whilst they were in isolation with Covid.
Many referral requests have been received from the team both written & verbal and support was provided to these residents where their individual needs were met in various ways.
Residents have been positively seeking & receiving emotional, spiritual, prayer, Holy Communion service, group prayers, and walks. We have also been able to provide music and the ability to listen to hymns playing on You Tube.
online, sitting holding hands to validate thoughts, feelings and sharing grief when discussing trauma related emotions.
Many moments sharing special personal prayer requests for general health and wellbeing. Reflecting with faith-based conversations of memory verses of Bible scriptures, are moments that I love to share with our residents.
Religious beliefs that resonate with resident’s lifestyle and preferences bring comfort and ongoing relevant healing.
We have developed resident groups to observe positive connections, whilst nurturing meaningful relationships & creating spiritual growth with likeminded individuals. This has provided a sense of belonging supporting continued spiritual growth.
I enjoy bringing consistent service while promoting individual focus and spiritual wellbeing to our residents providing holistic care. This enables a more empathetic and supportive relationship which leads to stronger bonds with family, friends and staff.
Having an attitude of prayer/ weekly Holy Communion Service, meeting individually, private conversations outdoors and spending quality time to engage, bring trust & clarity with healing.
Having my own belief & faith in the lord gives me the spiritual strength to deliver ongoing emotional & spiritual care to our residents.
Heartfelt thanks.
Sharing Bible scripture, spending time at Sunday’s mass service
Sanjina Cooper
Fitness Instructor UPDATE
Cherie starting practising Yoga about 24 years ago – her first experience was pre-natal. She then spent time training with the International Yoga Teachers Association to further develop and pursue her passion for fitness and health.
Following her move from Sydney to Coffs Harbour approx. 6 years ago, Cherie branched into Pilates Bar, Mat Pilates and then further into general cardio exercise.
Cherie has 5 children ranging in age from 23 years down to 8 years of age.
Another much loved family member is a beautiful fluffy rescue dog named Hazel, who brings the family lots of joy. Hazel is a 4-year-old black labrador x bull arab.
Cherie keeps herself very busy teaching at several fitness studios around Coffs Harbour most days of the week aside from the Yogalates and gym circuit class held here at The Shoreline weekly.
For fun, Cherie spends time having a coffee with her girlfriends and maximising time with her family around her busy schedule.
When she can, Cherie even tries to get to an exercise class herself, just to be the student as opposed to the teacher every now and then.
Cherie’s weakness is donuts, corn fitters with sour cream and Thai food. All very healthy versions of course!
Cherie runs her Yogalates classes here at The Shoreline in the Pavilion on a Tuesday at 2.30pm and Friday at 9.30am every week.
For those of you who like a little gym work, Cherie also runs a gym circuit class on a Monday morning at 7.15am in our very own Gym located next door to the Pavilion.
Feel free to pop in and watch or do a free trial and see if this might be something you might like to try. All welcome!
We were delighted to welcome Ros and Stephenie from the Coffs Harbour CWA Country Women’s Association, who graciously presented residents with some delightful treats, scones, jam and cream to celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th.
Christmas Carols by the pool
Staff Christmas parade for Residents
Christmas raffle winner
Des hosting music appreciation morning Chocolate making
RAC Christmas lights tour
Pam chocolate making