25th September 2024

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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts

Est. 1864

18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly. Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25th 2024.

$2.00

Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.

(Incl. GST)

A special Book Week celebration for Coates and St. Arnaud Primary EARLIER this month, residents at Coates Aged Care home were delighted to welcome students from St. Arnaud Primary School for a very special Book Week celebration. The much-anticipated morning of festivities, which continues an ongoing intergenerational program uniting the home and local schools, was the perfect opportunity for unique ‘show and tell’. Students excitedly dressed up as their favourite fictional characters to share their love of reading with Coates residents and staff, who were all eager to learn about the books and inspiration behind each of their colourful costumes. Intergenerational programs, events, and activities like this in aged care homes are growing in popularity across Australia. And Coates is proud to provide its residents a range of regular engagement opportunities, thanks to ongoing community collabora-

tions with St. Arnaud Primary School, St. Patrick’s Primary School, the Northern Grampians Shire, and St. Arnaud Early Learning Centre. Each of these programs foster meaningful interactions between older adults and younger generations by bridging the gap between age groups and creating mutually beneficial relationships. For residents of aged care homes, the benefits are manifold. It has been reported that engaging with younger individuals can alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, which we know can be often prevalent among older people. Such interactions stimulate cognitive functions, enhance

Above: The students of the St. Arnaud Primary School visited the residents of the Coates aged care home in Book Week. emotional wellbeing, and promote a further sense of purpose and belonging. Residents experience joy and fulfilment from sharing time with schoolchildren, which fosters selfesteem and mental health. Beyond the immediate value

‘Our Boys’ return from assisting Canada during their fires St. Arnaud local men Alister Kirk and Dillon Baldock have just returned after a 35 day stint in Canada helping them with the fierce fires they have had. - Full story next week. Left: Alister Kirk (left) and Dillon Baldock at Sydney airport. Below: The difficult terrain that the fire fighters had to work through putting in containment lines with a forest area.

for residents, intergenerational programs also yield broader societal advantages. They cultivate empathy, respect, and understanding between generations, helping dismantle age-related stereotypes from a young age and fostering inclusive communities. Additionally, for younger participants, they develop enhanced communication skills and build self-confidence, while also enriching their own social and emotional development. Jane Snell, General Manager of Coates, says the ongoing initiative has been ‘a wonderful hit’ with residents and will be an ongoing feature of their social care calendar. “Our program is all about building connections between our residents and little ones in our community, and I’m pleased to say it’s already brought so much happiness and joy to those taking part,” Jane says. “The smiles on the faces of both our residents and the kids involved says it all. “Every session we run is such a memorable and lovely time enjoyed by everyone, including our staff helping out. “We’re so proud to be engaging with several groups in the community to make it happen, as well as continue in the future. “A big thank you to St. Arnaud Primary School and their students for sharing their love of reading with us for Book Week. “All of our residents were blown away by your costumes and were so excited to hear about what you were reading and spend such a wonderful time with you.”

Right: Charlie James as Dorothy with Melissa Weir (right).

Above: Maddox Stewart as the blow up character.


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25th September 2024 by North_Central_News - Issuu