SOCIAL
HELLO FRIENDS
Dear Residents, Families & Friends,
Welcome to the winter issue of our Social Engagement Newsletter. This edition will provide a winter recap of all the main events our residential aged care residents celebrated from June to August and the events to look forward to in spring.
To begin with, I would like to thank the Team Leaders for their hard work during my absence in June and July. It’s because of your enthusiasm and skills that the residents were able to keep enjoying social engagement activities.
Winter is slowly giving way to spring, with longer and warmer days. Let’s hope for a more clement season, with less rain and more sun rays!
Father’s Day is first on the list of the main events that will be held in September. A talented and well-accomplished female singer will perform for our residents at the beginning of September. Our spring celebration will follow, with a colourful performance by our well-known dancers Love Heartz.
Last, but not least, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the volunteers, the SwanCare Centres Auxiliary, the Occupational Therapist and the Dietitian, who provide us with their time, donations and articles: we are grateful for your constant support.
Yours,
Nilla Curia
Nilla Curia
GREAT MOMENTS 1
NAIDOC Week
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, inspired a week of meaningful celebration across SwanCare’s four residential aged care centres. Waminda residents created a beautiful act of remembrance using yarn to symbolise life, culture and protection. Residents also enjoyed damper and a screening of Rabbit Proof Fence. Ningana, Kingia & Tandara residents immersed themselves in Aboriginal culture; watching traditional performances, listening to Dreamtime stories, learning about Aboriginal symbols and even trying their hand at trivia and painting.
Food Focus Groups
Kingia, Tandara and Ningana residents turned into gourmet critics during a summer menu tasting session hosted by our Hospitality team! They sampled some menu items for the summer and shared their feedback, helping us craft a menu that better suits their tastes and preferences. Tasting sessions were also included during our residents and relatives' meetings across our four care centres.
West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) Concert
Residents from Kingia, Tandara and Ningana were treated to a heartwarming performance by the talented WASO quartet. The music filled the room with warmth and emotion, as the musicians played a beautiful selection of moving pieces.
GREAT MOMENTS 2
Daffodil Day
To mark Daffodil Day, residents at Kingia and Tandara created handmade daffodils, exploring their own artistic styles while learning about the daffodil as a symbol of hope and support for those affected by cancer. At Ningana, residents enjoyed a peaceful colouring activity themed around daffodils. Waminda residents were treated to a special morning tea, featuring yellow-themed cakes and biscuits, while staff dressed in yellow to brighten the day. Across all centres, the activities sparked meaningful conversations and a shared sense of purpose, helping raise awareness for cancer research, prevention and care in a heartfelt way.
Cycling Without Age
Residents from each care centre enjoyed a rare sunny day for the Cycling Without Age sessions. Volunteers from CWA and ladies from Boronia took the residents for a ride around the village on trishaws and a specially designed one for wheelchairs. Big smiles were seen as residents went for a ride through the village and around the bowling greens.
KINGIA FAMILY
Celebrations a Plenty!
Special greetings to Keith S who celebrated his 80th birthday. Surrounded by family, including resident twin sisters Jeanette M., Jennifer S.; Keith partied with his daughter Katrina, wife Sue and Kingia residents. Edith S. also celebrated her big day with family and residents during a weekend party while Pat W. enjoyed a private celebration in our Multipurpose Room to honour her special day.
Winter
For this year’s World Chocolate Day, Kingia and Tandara celebrated together with a heartwarming winter warm up. The residents embraced the chilly season with a chocolate fountain and a choice of three delicious hot drinks. Residents from K1 completed the day by creating a pretend fireplace and making the activity even cosier were staff donning their pyjamas. As a follow up, Kingia and Tandara staff joined in by rocking their favourite pyjamas to work.
India
Spice, sweets and smiles! Another combined activity for Kingia and Tandara was Armchair travel to India. Our team member, Safi, brewed up authentic Indian Chai tea that stole the show; our residents even asked for the recipe. The tea was paired with delicious sweets, laddu and mathi. Then they got creative with Mehndi-inspired hand art, no henna, just beautifully decorated paper hands.
NINGANA FAMILY
Birthdays Afternoon Tea
We celebrated our residents' birthdays in July with a nice afternoon tea, they enjoyed each other's company while reminiscing about their own celebrations. The residents also enjoyed a delicious cake our hospitality team prepared for them, it was a beautiful celebration.
Food Experience
Jaffles or toasties, that's a dilemma! Residents enjoyed jaffles and toasties, they also reminisced about how they used to prepare them before, and we had a live demonstration done by Lorena, it was a delicious experience!
Hot Chocolate by the Fireplace
Residents enjoyed a nice cup of hot chocolate. The atmosphere and activity were perfect to beat this cold wet winter.
Armchair Travel to South Korea
All aboard! Our residents travelled to South Korea and learnt about their culture, traditions and cuisine. They also enjoyed a live demonstration of a skincare routine done by Safirah and Claudia; we all had a great time.
TANDARA FAMILY
It’s our Party!
Greetings to our resident John D. who celebrated his birthday with us, and his sister Carol T. Special parties don’t have to be a milestone birthday or a birthday at all. All we need is a request and love... Greetings to Judith B. who also had a special celebration with us for her 80th birthday with her beautiful family.
Special thanks to our residents Hylton M. in Tandara and Hilda P. in Kingia for being our presenters in two separate armchair travels to New Zealand. Thank you also to Richard M.’s daughter, Glenice, for giving us a free concert with Second Wave. We’re grateful that the whole family shared this lovely experience with Tandara and Kingia residents.
Lastly, congratulations to all Tandara and Kingia residents who participated in our competition. It was a battle of colours; red for Tandara Tigers and blue for Kings of Kingia, complete with foil balloons, costumes, wigs, tiger masks, crowns and scepters. The overall winning team were the Kings of Kingia with only a one-point lead! The individual winners were: first - Jeanette M., second - John D. and third - Ricky R. The best in bean bag toss was Jeanette M. and the best in bowling was Barbara P. All participants received either a certificate, a trophy or a medal. Our staff also joined in with two short games. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible and successful. Our staff member, Leidy, won the presentation for Kings of Kingia. Thanks to Sheridan R. and Cathy T., who were our guest judges for the presentation.
WAMINDA FAMILY
Waminda was filled with joy and celebration this August as we marked a truly remarkable milestone - Eileen Martin’s 100th birthday. Surrounded by her loving family, dear friends, fellow residents and staff, Eileen celebrated in style with a heartwarming gathering at the Waminda Clubhouse.
The venue sparkled with a beautiful gold and silver theme, thoughtfully arranged by our dedicated Social Engagement Team, creating an elegant and festive atmosphere. The room was filled to capacity as guests came together to honour Eileen’s incredible century of life; a testament to the many lives she’s touched over the years.
Eileen was visibly moved by the turnout and the warm wishes, smiling from ear to ear as she soaked in the love and laughter shared around her. It was a day full of reminiscing, joy and heartfelt moments; one that truly reflected the spirit and strength of a very special lady.
Happy 100th birthday, Eileen! Your Waminda family is honoured to have been a part of this unforgettable day.
MESSAGE OF THE MONTH
An Occupational Therapy perspective on the importance of repositioning and correct seating.
Repositioning and a well-fitted chair are vital for comfort, safety and overall wellbeing.
• Regular repositioning helps prevent pressure injuries by relieving sustained pressure on vulnerable skin areas.
• It also promotes healthy circulation, supports respiratory function and reduces stiffness in joints and muscles.
When mobility is limited or reduced, repositioning can ease discomfort and prevent postural issues that may lead to further health complications.
A well-fitted chair plays an equally important role:
• The correct seat height, depth and back support ensure proper posture, which can reduce pain, improve digestion and enhance breathing efficiency.
• Adequate armrest positioning supports safe transfers in and out of the chair, lowering the risk of falls.
Kingia:
Charles M.
Jennifer M.
Deirdre H.
Calvin S.
Philip H.
Pauline D.
Marcus W.
Rae P.
Kay P.
Ningana:
Rosa C.
Sri T.
Lila M.
Jeffrey S.
Audrey H.
Anne E.
Raymond C.
Verna D.
Desmond A.
June A.
Jennifer M.
Constance L.
Patricia B.
• A tailored fit also helps maintain functional independence, allowing individuals to engage more comfortably in daily activities such as meals, social interaction or leisure pursuits.
Considering these two factors in residential aged care helps to us to:
• optimise physical health,
• contribute to residents’ dignity and comfort,
• and improve overall quality of life. They form a key part of holistic, personcentred care practices that prioritise both safety and wellbeing.
Tandara:
James P.
William S.
Desmond W.
Kathleen K.
Colin K.
Raymond S.
Waminda:
Anthony G.
Beverly D.
Irene M.
Patricia W.
Joy H.
Christine C-T.
Graeme C-D.
Argyro G.
Joy R.
William L.
William H.
Edmund M.
Nicolas G.
Peter C.
Gwenyth C.
Christine G.
Delys L.
IT'S A CELEBRATION!
Birthdays & Milestones
9th Kia C. 11th Heather J. 11th Valerie M. 12th Isabelle A. 17th Petrina C. 23rd Wendy Z. 24th Josephine M. 25th Evelyn R. 31st Winston D.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1st Shizuko I. 3rd Margaret W. 3rd Mary Y. 14th Deborah R. 17th Doris B. 17th Mary R. 22nd Maureen W. 25th Pamela C.
26th Janet L. 29th Shirley W.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 3rd Paul G. 3rd HS C. 10th
25th Peter L. 27th William S. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 7th Brian L. 11th Patricia T.
BIRTHDAYS 1st Desmond W. 4th Lynette T. 14th Stella F. 14th Barbara F. 18th Geoffrey H. 19th Joan W. 25th Ian M. 29th Christine G. 30th Leona D. 31st Otto P. AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 10th Rita T. 15th Elsie L. 19th Keith S. 21st Deirdre H. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1st Evelyn L. 10th Ronald J. 11th Betty H. 14th Vanda S. 16th Susan P. 21st Francis B. 23rd Janet T. 25th Andrew S. 26th Jennifer S. 26th Jeanette M. 29th Joy C. OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 7th Gerlinde R. 12th Zalie A. 23rd John W. 25th Janice T.
John
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 7th Eileen M. 8th Betty B. 15th Judy R. 17th John S.
26th Betty G. 29th Patricia S. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 6th Margaret C. 9th Ethel W. 17th Valerie T. 20th Barbara F. 22nd Nicolas G. 24th Delys L. 27th Iris G. 29th William L. OCTOBER
7th Gwenda P. 9th William H. 11th Ron H. 18th Lurline P. 26th Agnes M. 26th Christine G. 31st Barbara R.
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 1st Christine B. 6th Kathleen M. 16th Neville D. 16th Veronica B. 24th Sandra E. 24th Theodorus W. 27th Patrick G. A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ELSIE L., KEITH S., VANDA S., HEATHER J., PATRICK G., HS C., EILEEN M., BETTY G. & PATRICIA S. WHO WILL BE CELEBRATING THEIR UPCOMING BIRTHDAY MILESTONES! Much love from the SwanCare Team.
WINTER WONDERLAND
ALWAYS SOMEONE TO TALK TO
Kingia, Ningana, Tandara & Waminda
visiting hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00am to 7:00pm
Spritz Café hours:
Jarrah Café hours:
General Manager Health & Aged Care Services
Monday to Friday 7:30am to 3:00pm
Monday & Tuesday 6:30am to 1:00pm
Wednesday to Friday 6:30am to 3:00pm
Julie Atkinson
Admissions Coordinator Tina Franklin
Clinical Operations Manager Rikke Wallace
Food Services Dietitian Danni Gillman
SwanCare Kingia & Tandara Managers
SwanCare Ningana Managers
SwanCare Waminda Manager
Saturday & Sunday 8:00am to 3:00pm 11th September
Jovy Tesani Iva Gayagoy
Sharleen Mann
Arnel Braulio
Pauline Bremner
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities for you to share your skills and time with our residents, so get in touch with us to express your interest. WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!