Life and Love Magazine Edition 3 by Hall & Prior

HALL & PRIOR H E A LT H & A G E D C A R E G R O U P

Love, mercy and care

IS

SU

E

3

|

SP

R

IN

G

20

15

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WITH

VAUCLUSE

Director of Nursing Joy Bigelow discusses a decade with Hall & Prior p6 Fundraising success: Vinnies CEO Sleepout helps the homeless p15

Anzac Day commemorations in Hall & Prior homes p8

ABOUT HALL & PRIOR Started in 1992 by Michael Hall and Graeme Prior, Hall & Prior is a leading aged care provider with a passion for providing quality care to older people from all walks of life. Over the past 20 years, Hall & Prior has grown from one nursing home to an organisation that cares for over 1,200 people in Western Australia and New South Wales.

Our people are our greatest asset. Each one of our 20 aged care homes is led by an experienced director of nursing who works alongside a team of registered nurses, personal carers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dieticians and chefs to ensure that we meet the individual needs of every resident.

As a private, family-owned company, Hall & Prior is committed to bringing long-term benefits to our residents and their families. Our dedicated care teams provide round-the-clock care 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that every resident feels well cared for and at home.

n idea ke to a e v a h li Do you? Would youpy of n co tory for a s ive your ow ail or post? rece ve by em Lo Life & ail to au m e n . r.com Send a lif

io

hallpr

ove@ eandl

IN THIS ISSUE 4

From the Chief Executive Officer

A decade of dedication to care at Vaucluse

6

Anzac Day ceremonies in our homes Wreath laying honours wartime nurses

19

Warringah remembers the ANZACs

11 13

14 CEO Sleepout helps homeless 15 Welcome Agmaroy: new to Hall16 & Prior 16 17 Carers graduate WOW program Anzac poem : a fitting tribute

Sally elected Rotary president News in brief

19

18

8

Leighton Aged Care Home’s Director of Nursing Margaret Tranquille and resident Ethel Meenan at the home’s Anzac Day commemoration ceremony.

4 Life & Love

FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

This year, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Allied troops landing at Gallipoli, we wanted to help every one of our residents pay their respects.

We held Anzac Day commemoration services in all our homes, with 14 in Western Australia and six in New South Wales.

We gave our residents a ceremony that was like an event they would attend in the wider community, so they could remember those who gave their lives for the way of life we have across this nation today.

This was a massive undertaking and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who devoted their time and energy to make these ceremonies special.

I also wish to thank all of the families and community members who joined us and our residents for these events. We were pleased to welcome you into our homes so we could remember the spirit of the Anzac together.

In this issue we are celebrating a decade since we acquired Vaucluse Aged Care Home and the work of its Director of Nursing Joy Bigelow. As we reached this milestone I was sad to farewell the home’s original owner and a close friend of mine, Ralph Levy,

who passed away at the age of 96. He was a truly remarkable man and he will be missed.

Earlier this year on behalf of the organisation I contributed to the Senate Inquiry into young people in aged care. As an organisation we are only as strong as the communities we are a part of and this was an important step to strengthen those ties.

With this issue of Life & Love we welcome readers from the newest addition in the Hall & Prior family, Agmaroy Aged Care Home. Because of the hard work of the home’s staff

We were pleased to welcome you into our homes so we could remember the spirit of the Anzac together. and Director of Nursing, Carmel Greenwood-Hone, the transition has gone smoothly and we look forward to continuing the excellent care of the residents there.

You can read more about Agmaroy within this issue.

Once again I am proud to share the stories of the extraordinary people within our organisation with you through this publication.

Until next time, GRAEME PRIOR Chief Executive Officer

Life & Love 5

Graeme Prior laying a poppy at the Alloa Aged Care Home Anzac Day Ceremony and memorabilia supplied by residents (below).

6 Life & Love

Graeme Prior, Vaucluse Director of Nursing Joy Bigelow and NSW General Manager of Health and Services Kris Healy.

A DECADE OF DEDICATION TO CARE AT VAUCLUSE This year is the 10 th anniversary of the Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group in New South Wales.

Of the current six aged care homes we operate in New South Wales, the acquisition of the Vaucluse Aged Care home in 2005 signified the start of our brand development in the Sydney market.

Vaucluse is a 63-bed home that caters to residents with high clinical care requirements and has been operating in the Sydney eastern suburbs area for more than 50 years.

The official acquisition date was July 1, 2005 making 2015 the 10-year anniversary of our dedicated care to the Vaucluse and eastern suburbs of Sydney communities. We took over the home’s operations from Ralph

“I’ve been the Director of Nursing for more than 10 years and it really has been the career highlight of my life.” and Rose Levy, who were the original builders and owners.

During our acquisition of the home, the Deputy Director Vaucluse was built in 1962 of Nursing at the time, Joy and was originally designed to Bigelow, took over Rose’s role. become a private hospital with Joy started work at Vaucluse operating suites on the first in August 1994 and last year floor. celebrated the milestone This plan changed during the of more than 20 years of construction period and when employment at the home. the building opened in 1962, it was as the distinguished aged care facility that it is today.

“I’ve been the Director of Nursing for more than 10 years now and it really has been the Rose, who was also a registered career highlight of my life,” Joy nurse, was the home’s original said.

Director of Nursing and worked Including Joy, there were 15 in the aged care discipline of staff members who stayed on nursing for more than 30 years. after we acquired Vaucluse.

Life & Love 7

Graeme Prior with Ralph and Rose Levy at the Hall & Prior New South Wales Annual Long Service and Directors’ Awards in 2013.

Many of them still work with us today, such as Christine Davin in administration and kitchen staff member Magdalena Wrobel.

Since 2005, we have facilitated necessary upgrades to fire systems, undertaken a major garden renovation and other upgrades to the home are on the horizon.

Recently we were saddened to learn Ralph, a longtime friend of our Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Prior, had passed away at the age of 96.

“It was my pleasure to first make acquaintance with Ralph prior to the acquisition of the Vaucluse Nursing Home into the Hall & Prior Group in July 2005,” Graeme said.

“Over the past ten years we have continued to build a solid friendship based on mutual respect and understanding of the needs of the elderly and frail in the Vaucluse community.

“Ralph was a very well-read man who appreciated philosophy and a good-hearted debate about

Ralph and Rose Levy with Vaucluse Director of Nursing Joy Bigelow and New South Wales General Manager of Health and Care Services NSW Kris Healy at the Hall & Prior Annual Long Service and Directors’ Awards in 2013.

economic and political issues. He loved classical music and dancing and enjoyed an endearing and cheeky sense of humour.

cats sleeping in his office, and continuing the legacy, Vaucluse Aged Care Home still welcomes visiting pets to this day.

“Ralph’s love of domestic animals often saw dogs and

“I cherish the time I spent with Ralph and will miss him.”

8 Life & Love

Many of our Western Australian Anzac Day ceremonies were held outside because of the good weather, like at St Luke’s Aged Care Home.

ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS THROUGHOUT OUR HOMES Anzac Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day on which we remember Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

The spirit of the Anzac, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, sacrifice, good humour and endurance, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.

Between 2014 and 2018, Australia as a nation is commemorating 100 years since our nation’s involvement in World War I and recognising the bravery and commitment of members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

In 2015, Anzac Day marked the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian

“Our commemoration services at each home aspired to recognise residents’ and families’ contribution to this great country and preserve their stories.” and New Zealand forces, alongside other Allied troops, during WWI. The Gallipoli Campaign is also described as the moment of birth of the nationhood for both Australia and New Zealand.

Our commemoration services at each home aspired to recognise our residents’ and families’ contribution to our great country and preserve their stories.

Another goal of our project was to enhance the connection between our residents with the communities that value and

celebrate the Anzac spirit, as we do. Our homes across New South Wales and Western Australia care for many residents who have been personally touched by war, having served directly or having had family members serve.

This year, to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli, our staff were proud to work on these ceremonies and deliver our residents a service and memorial site where they can reflect and remember those that served our country through war.

Life & Love 9

Residents took part in the Anzac Day ceremonies at Windsor Park (pictured above) and Glenwood.

10 Life & Love

The concept of our Anzac commemoration services was to capture the spirit of Anzac, represented by those qualities of mateship and sacrifice that are so deeply embedded in our national character. We delivered ceremonies within our homes which were as close as possible to an event that could be experienced out in the community.

To really achieve this gravity, we ensured all homes had a flag pole with an Australian flag installed, many of which became the focal point around which the ceremonies were structured.

The homes also received bronze commemoration plaques and artisan display cabinets to display the residents’ Anzac stories were brought into our six NSW homes.

ly, our NSW events were moved indoors due to a ‘once in a decade’ weather event, with strong winds and rain.

Community support for the services was tremendous, with representatives from local Returned Service Leagues and local school representatives to ministers and priests from varying religious denominations.

It was an honour to also host local government members such as Federal Member for Barton Nickolas Varvaris, City of Vincent mayor John Carey, former magistrate and Order of Australia recipient Sue Gordon, Victoria Park RSL sub-branch president Kelvin Liddiard, first class constable Brett Clarke and media personality, Caroline Jones.

Veterans within our homes were given Anzac Day packs that included a commemorative coin from the Royal Australian Mint, a rising sun badge and biscuits in a vintage-style tin, to thank them for their service.

Kevin Poynton, who holds the dual roles of Town of Mosman Park president and Mosman Park RSL president, attended our Freshwater Bay ceremony and read personal stories about his service experience.

We held many of the ceremonies in our WA homes outside in the grounds, surrounded by the lush gardens. Unfortunate-

But most importantly, it was our residents and their family members that we truly commemorated this Anzac Day.

ALLOA’S ANZAC Don Bitmead (pictured above with Alloa lifestyle officer Vickii Mavromatis) is a resident at our Alloa home, located in the southern Sydney suburb of Arncilffe.

He proudly displayed his war medals throughout the home’s Anzac Day service.

Don served in the 458 RAAF Squadron achieving rank as Flight Lieutenant in various Mediterranean missions. Don said he remembers when his father, Lieutenant George Bitmead, who was a Gallipoli fighter during World War II, would not sign papers to let Don join the war until he turned 21.

Don and his wife of 65 years, Beverley, both attended Alloa’s commemoration service and said they were proud to be part of the ceremony and have the opportunity within Don’s home to show respect for his fellow Anzacs.

Life & Love 11

Kensington Park Director of Nursing Catherine Barlow (pictured below) placed a wreath at the Kings Park War Memorial.

KINGS PARK WREATH LAYING HONOURS NURSES In the lead-up to Anzac Day, Kensington Park Director of Nursing Catherine Barlow was honoured to be selected to place a wreath at the State War Memorial in Kings Park.

The twilight service acknowledged the contribution of nurses in the first and second world wars as well as in Vietnam and Korea. Veteran army nurse Anne Leach, who is now aged 101, led the procession.

There were no speeches, but the traditional bugle played The Last Post and the flags were lowered to half-mast while an estimated 1000 people, including veteran nurses and their family members, looked on.

“It was quite a moving experience and it was done with dignity and respect,” Catherine said. “I did my nursing training at a repatriation hospital in Brisbane and a lot of the registered nurses there had returned from war.

“It meant this ceremony was very significant for me personally because it was a way to remember the people who mentored us and gave the foundation of our career.”

12 Life & Love

Residents, staff and guests laid poppies and wreaths at the ceremonies at Sirius Cove (pictured above) and Leighton.

Life & Love 13

Hall & Prior staff with Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the Warringah Anzac Day Commemoration in April.

HALL & PRIOR AT WARINGAH ANZAC COMMEMORATION On May 29, the New South Wales Senior Management Team accompanied Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior to Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s 73rd Anniversary Commemoration Service of the night war came to Sydney.

This event is held each year at the Defence of Sydney Monument at North Head in Manly.

We were very honoured as a group to be able to host former serviceman Greg Adam, (pictured right with Graeme Prior) who is the husband of Glenwood Aged Care Home resident, Mrs Nolene Adam.

Greg completed his national service in the Australian Army in 1956, following in his father Bill Adam’s footsteps, who served in the Australian Infantry Forces and saw action in Bougainville,

Torikina and a number of other locations in the Solomon Islands region. Greg proudly displayed his father’s World War II medals at the commemoration service and said “I was most impressed with the Commemoration Service and to have an opportunity to meet Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife Margie. I was honoured to be invited to join Graeme Prior in the wreath laying ceremony on behalf of Hall & Prior on the day.”

Special guest speakers included host Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Vice Admiral David Johnston AM RAN, The St Aloysius College Cadet Unit, COL John Platt CSC and Reverend Dr Max Wood. Some of the staff had the opportunity to meet our ‘first lady’ Margie Abbott and were able to have a good chat and a photo opportunity.

It was a great day for all in attendance as we continue to commemorate and keep the Anzac spirit alive within our Hall & Prior homes.

14 Life & Love

ANZAC POEM: A FITTING TRIBUTE As part of Leighton’s Anzac Day commemorations, one of the home’s occupational therapy assistants Kate Poultney read a poem she wrote about Gallipoli.

Last year she was approached by the Western Australian headquarters of the RSL and asked to write a poem for the 100 year memorial.

Her former role as a serviceperson with the Royal New Zealand Navy and having several family members go to war sparked her deep connection with the diggers and their journey.

Kate helped prepare Leighton’s Anzac service and created a display commemorating the lives of the residents, staff members and their families who have taken part in wars.

“Everybody fought and it was

only right that we remembered all of the countries that took part in the war, not just those in the Commonwealth,” she said.

She said she decided to join the Navy at the age of 12 after seeing her cousin return home in his Navy uniform.

Kate began writing more than 10 years ago after searching for a sympathy card and not finding one with a message she liked.

Gallipoli Remembered Men hit the shores running like the blazes To reach the mountainous hill before them Some of their mates dropped like flies Men thought of wives, mothers and children The pain left them as they lay in the water Shock and horror gone, their lives were taken Hearts broke as their mates stepped around them Like a train speeding past the bullets moved They felt the rush as they flew past them Wondering briefly why they were doing this The noise was deafening to their ears Orders were being shouted as they crawled along Fighting to survive crossed some young minds It wasn’t a game they had to reach the hillside To protect their mates following behind them As some lay dying on the foreign land Thoughts turned to home to those left behind A feeling of pride flowed through their mind They had done their best for their country In their last breath peace overcome them Love and respect for their mates is remembered One hundred years on their lives still respected Leighton Director of Nursing Margaret Tranquillle with occupational therapy assistant Kate Poultney at home’s Anzac Day service.

One hundred years on ANZAC’s still remembered © Kate Poultney 25 April 2015

Life & Love 15

Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior has taken part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for the past four years.

CEO SLEEPOUT HELPS THE HOMELESS In June, Graeme Prior was one of 1300 Chief Executive Officers around Australia who took part in the 2015 Vinnies CEO Sleepout and with generous support from the community he was one of the top five fundraisers in Western Australia.

Hall & Prior currently support more than 90 people in our homes that have experienced homelessness. Our homes agree that this an important cause for our CEO to be involved with.

Each year the rugged-up chief executive officers are issued with a piece of cardboard, a cup of

The ides is to experience homelessness firsthand and to begin to understand what it means to be homeless. soup, bread roll, tea, and coffee before bunking down somewhere possibly warm outside on the grounds of the WACA. The idea is to experience homelessness firsthand in a controlled environment, and to begin to understand what it means to be homeless.

and a worthwhile cause.

Graeme has described this as a completely humbling experience

Graeme has raised a total of $160,000 over the last four years.

“The commitment of the chief executive officers that support this initiative each year as a community and the direct impact of the initiative are two reasons that I continue to be involved,� he said.

16 Life & Love

Located close to the banks of the Canning River, Agmaroy is new to the Hall & Prior family.

WELCOME TO THE HALL & PRIOR FAMILY: AGMAROY AGED CARE HOME With this edition of Life & Love we are thrilled to welcome readers from the most recent addition to the Hall & Prior family: Agmaroy Aged Care Home.

The home is located in Wilson on the corner of Leach Highway and Bungaree Road, close to the Canning River.

Agmaroy’s original owners named it after their three children, Agnes, Mary and Roy, and the name has stuck ever since. The 60-bed home is based around three wings, Leach, Bungaree (after the roadways around the home) and Mason.

We thank the home’s most recent owners, Alma Martin and Sue Martin-Robins for their dedicated approach to the wellbeing of both residents and staff.

Each wing features a dining room, which are also used for activities, and there are lounge

areas, patio areas and wellmaintained gardens for the residents to enjoy.

Agmaroy’s Director of Nursing, Carmel Greenwood-Hone, began her work in the home five and a half years ago as a registered nurse.

“It has been a big change, going from a single nursing home to being part of a larger company but it’s been exciting,” Carmel said. “The staff have embraced it and they’ve all coped very well.”

The home has a warm, welcoming atmosphere and families are encouraged to visit as often as they like to ensure they keep in touch with their loved ones.

“We really encourage families to be part of the residents’ lives within Agmaroy,” Carmel said.

“We love seeing members visiting.”

family

Agmaroy Aged Care Home Director of Nursing Carmel Greenwood-Hone.

Life & Love 17

Carers from Tuohy and Hamersley (below) graduated from the Wider Opportunities for Work program in July.

CARERS STEP UP WITH WIDER OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM Carers at Hamersley and Tuohy have a reason to celebrate after they graduated from the Wider Opportunities for Work program in July.

The WOW program helps carers improve their knowledge of documentation used in the workplace and streamline the submission of paperwork.

Previously, the home’s registered nurse would have to write out all of a patient’s documentation and reports, but carers are now able to take on this task thanks to the training they received.

Hamersley Director of Nursing Sally Gutman said the training had made reporting processes within the home more efficient.

“It stops things getting missed and has made things more effective,” she said.

“It’s important to thoroughly

understand documentation and what is required for giving good care.”

“They’re all so proud of themselves for graduating from this course.”

Tuohy Director of Nursing Jayne Cummings said the course had empowered the home’s carers and streamlined their day-to-day work.

“We wanted our staff members to be comfortable writing the reports and through this course

they got hands-on experience,” she said. “But it’s also given them that self-belief and selfconfidence as well.

“Carers know a lot about the residents, especially with behaviours that are out of character with them, so they are able to pick up when things are wrong.

“They’ve all done really well with this and they’re now comfortable to go to each other and ask for help.”

18 Life & Love

Hamersley Aged Care Home Director of Nursing Sally Gutman was elected president of the Rotary Club of Welshpool in June.

SALLY GUTMAN ELECTED ROTARY PRESIDENT Sally Gutman’s hard work in the community has been recognised, after she was elected president of the Rotary Club of Welshpool in June.

Although her work as Hall and Prior’s Hamersley Aged Care Home’s Director of Nursing keeps her busy, she joined Rotary in 2011 to engage with the community.

“I joined after I saw Rotary members donate equipment for Belmont’s palliative care room while I was the Director of Nursing there,” she said.

“I was looking for something to do out in the community. You can fritter your spare time away

“You can fritter your spare time away on things that don’t really matter or you can have a lot of fun and achieve something.” on things that don’t really matter or you can have a lot of fun and achieve something.”

The group raise funds for a wide variety of community organisations like Foodbank and Sally is involved with activities at all levels, including helping at a sausage sizzle at Canninton Bunnings recently.

“Every cent we raise goes back

into the community,” she said.

“We recently donated 100 microscopes in two local schools to encourage students to get involved with science and we also funded a high school student to attend the National Science Forum.”

Congratulations Sally on this achievement.

Life & Love 19

Incoming Clarence Estate Executive Manager Deborah Sinclaire-Lane, General Manager of Health and Care Services WA Jennifer Grieve, Ann Nolan, Community Coordinator Cheryl Clarke and Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior.

NEWS IN BRIEF – WHAT’S HAPPENING AT HALL & PRIOR Clarence Estate farewells Ann:

•Kris Healy and Margaret Barten.

Our Albany home has had a change over this month, with Executive Manager Ann Nolan stepping down. Ann is heading back to the United Kingdom to spend time with her family.

Deborah Sinclair-Lane, formerly Belmont’s Director of Nursing, has stepped into the role and has now settled into the home’s dayto-day processes. Throughout the 18 months Ann spent as Executive Manager, she has been a valued asset to the team and has made a wonderful contribution to the Clarence Estate community.

Alloa Director of Nursing retires:

the history, culture and achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people. This year’s theme was “we all stand on sacred ground”, which focuses on the strong cultural connection to land and sea.

care. The inquiry explored the adequacy of residential aged care for young people with physical or mental disabilities, as well as the issues around them living in aged care homes in order to receive long-term care.

There has also been a shift at our home in the NSW suburb of Arncliffe, with Director of Nursing Margaret Barten retiring. Her compassionate manner, hard work and dedication her residents and staff will be missed. Chris Grady, formerly part of our quality team, has now stepped into the role.

Aboriginal Health Coordinator Wendy Ashwin, who is based at Winsor Park Aged Care Home, said the week is about getting all cultures together. The residents were thrilled to watch Mort Hansen (pictured above right) play the didgeridoo and talk about Aboriginal traditions.

He was accompanied by General Manager of Health and Care Services Jennifer Grieve. As a result of the inquiry, the Community Affairs Committee recommended residential aged care accreditation standards are amended to better care for young people, and ther should be an investment into disability training for all staff.

NAIDOC Week celebrations: Residents and staff at Windsor Park Nursing Home took park in NAIDOC Week celebrations in July. The annual event highlights

Senate Inquiry contribution: In June, Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior travelled to Canberra to contribute to the Senate Inquiry into young people in aged

It also recommended the Council of Australian Governments establish a joint taskforce to address the issue and help young people transition to appropriate alternate accommodation by June 2018.

HEAD OFFICE 16-18 Mayfair Street West Perth WA 6005 PO Box 1593 West Perth WA 6872 T 08 9321 1388 F 08 9321 1490 E info@hallprior.com.au

OUR HOMES

VAUCLUSE Director of Nursing, Joy Bigelow, and her staff members provide dedicated care to their 63 residents. The twostorey home, located on Young Street in Vaucluse, is situated on the picturesque South Head Peninsula.

NEW SOUTH WALES STATE OFFICE 274 Burns Bay Road Lane Cove NSW 2066 PO Box 84 Lane Cove NSW 1595 T 02 9427 8978 F 02 9427 3218 E infonsw@hallprior.com.au

hallprior.com.au