Tidings October/November 2021

Plenty to celebrate!

Celebrating 60 years of people, development

A N N I V E R S A R Y

E D I T I O N

CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY

and innovation

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE Adele Sims celebrates 100 in Australind

INSIDE THIS ISSUE CEO’S COLUMN | GENERAL NEWS | RESIDENT STORIES

MESSAGES FROM OUR RESIDENTS

Celebrating our volunteers Another perspective with Jenny & Trevor

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

6 0 T H

26 Plantation Dr Bentley WA 6102 Phone: (08) 6250 0000 Fax: (08) 9470 2017 www.swancare.com.au twitter.com/swancare

Moya & Tony Mahony - Page 14

facebook.com/swancare instagram.com/swancareaus linkedin.com/company/swancare

Tidings Magazine is a bi-monthly publication produced and printed on behalf of the residents at SwanCare.

Material deadline for advertising is the 7th of the month preceding each bimonthly edition.

To book advertising or for information regarding rates please contact SwanCare on 6250 0032.

Please supply editorial contributions as a Word document electronically to tidings@swancare.com.au. Hard copies of articles can be handed to reception in the Administration offices at Bentley Park and Australind Rise.

Any supporting photographs may be supplied electronically or as hard-copy prints.

Disclaimer In good faith SwanCare accepts articles, a small selection of advertisements, and other content for Tidings. However, the opinions and claims expressed in articles and advertising materials presented in Tidings are those of the authors and the advertisers respectively, and do not necessarily reflect the views of SwanCare, unless stated.

No responsibility is accepted by SwanCare for the accuracy of information contained in the articles or advertisements.

Cover image: SwanCare's Executive Team celebrate 60 years of SwanCare.

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Adele Sims turns 100 - Page 12

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Scone Recipe - Page 25

CEO'S COLUMN Message from the CEO

CELEBRATING SWANCARE’S SERVICES GP, Podiatrist, Grocery Store, Hairdressers, Cafes and more

SWANCARE NEWS News from around the village

VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS Trevor & Jenny Dawson

MEET THE STAFF Jason Barlow – Manager OH&S, Risk & Compliance

VILLAGE NEWS Club & Group Updates

Gardens Interest Group - Page 22

Bastille Day - Page 10

Meet Jason Barlow - Page 9

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AUSTRALIND SNIPPETS

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RESIDENT STORY

16

Adele Sims turns 100

Moya & Tony Mahony

RESIDENT STORY Harry Webster

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RESIDENT STORY

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60 YEARS OF SWANCARE

22

GARDENS INTEREST GROUP

Bob Coffey

Timeline, Photo Montage & Messages to SwanCare

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Harry Webster - Page 16

PENNY'S BOOK REVIEW 'The Happiest Man on Earth'

by Eddie Jaku

BRAIN EXERCISES Perth riddles by Sue Lewis

LEGENDARY RECIPES Jan Miller – Nanna’s Three Ingredient Scones

OUT & ABOUT Photos from across the village

WHAT'S ON Events happening in the local area

Noelene Barnes

Tidings Magazine

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SwanCare News

CEO'S Column Spring has sprung and we’re so happy to see some warmer weather starting to come through. September bought some great events to Bentley Park such as the CEO’s Coffee Club in Kings Park and the Annual Village Residents Function which had an enjoyable Mexican theme.

The SwanCare Board and Executive Team also held their Planning and Strategy Day which went well. Topics discussed included: • Ongoing financial sustainability and the challenges ahead.

• The need to evaluate our ageing buildings, primarily SwanCare Waminda and Tandara.

• The forward planning for the masterplan initiatives for the Bentley Park site, which includes the potential development of new independent living units.

• Maintaining our commitment to quality care, increased compliance, and management of data through improved IT enhancements.

• Continued focus on recruitment and attracting the right quality of staff.

• Brand and Marketing of the organisation to promote the benefits of living in a SwanCare Community.

The Bentley Park Show will be in full swing on the 2nd of October, and I encourage you to join us on the day. We have some very exciting things planned! Due to COVID-19 protocol, whilst a free event, tickets for family members and friends in attendance are required. Please encourage them to register their interest through reception or secure their ticket on Eventbrite by searching Bentley Park Show.

Alternatively, the ticket link can also be found 4 SwanCare

on our Facebook page.

This year The Bentley Park Show coincides with the launch of SwanCare’s 60th Anniversary Book, which will be available to purchase on the day. Our 60th year in business is a testament to Richard Cleaver’s unwavering commitment and ‘utopian’ vision to create a place for senior citizens to enjoy their twilight years. Richard always believed that it would be an overriding feeling of genuine community and togetherness that would under pin the success of SwanCare, which we continue to demonstrate today. The book celebrates the milestones of our people, developments, and innovations. SwanCare has collated a series of stories to commemorate our journey and our vision for the future. Make sure you grab a copy!

Our major fundraising event for the past 14 years has been the SwanCare Charity Golf Day and this year we are very grateful to welcome back Perrott Painting and Prestige Property Maintenance as joint major sponsors of the event. The continued support we receive from our contractors and suppliers for this event is overwhelming and we could not hold this event without this valuable support. This year we hope to have teams of residents from both Australind Rise and Bentley Park participating.

Since inception the SwanCare Charity Golf day has raised more than $150,000. Each year the proceeds are directed towards resident amenities and/or the purchase of clinical equipment for our Residential Aged Care Centres. This year proceeds from the SwanCare Charity Golf Day 2021 will go towards the purchase of a new bus to provide an opportunity for residents to enjoy more social activities.

There are so many great things on the horizon for us here at SwanCare, and we look forward to celebrating our past, our present and our future with each of you throughout the sunny months ahead.

Graham Francis, SwanCare CEO

SwanCare Services

Celebrating SwanCare and all that it is!

We’re coining the phrase, ‘Retirement and Aged Care Campus’ to describe SwanCare Bentley Park’s offerings which continued to expand throughout the last 60 years.

Located only 15km from the Perth CBD and set across 15 hectares, the campus currently has over 600 retirement living residents, four residential aged care centres, respite services and home care services all on the one site.

“SwanCare Bentley Park is unique in the fact that we can offer a continuum of care right here on the same site. This means that we have the ability to help people from early retirement, when more help is required in their own home, and then when transitioning into aged care centres as needed,” said SwanCare CEO, Graham Francis.

As you may know the Bentley location has great access to bus routes, including one that runs right through the middle of the campus.

Although, you don’t need to stray far, with access to an on-site hairdresser, medical services, library, cafés, leisure centre (gym, pool and more), community groups, 24-hour assistance with a security service, and more!

The SwanCare at Home service allows residents to stay in the comfort of their own homes for longer, helping people with activities such as cooking, cleaning, transport, companionship, and more.

“The reason that I have SwanCare home care is that I’d had four lots of surgeries... I needed assistance with my showering and my breakfast. Two or three days gave me the confidence to enable me to take care of myself after that. It’s reassuring to have someone that’s going to be there for me,” said SwanCare Resident, Gloria Kenna.

Judy and Bill Mackintosh have lived in the

Mechy from SwanCare At Home with Patricia

Bentley Park village for 15 years and used all available services, until they made the decision to put Bill into care due to declining health.

“The process for getting Bill into full-time care was seamless the whole way through, it couldn’t have been easier. I get to visit Bill regularly; I like that all the care centres are within walking distance,” said Judy.

Transitioning through the latter part of life can be frightening, but residents at this campus can rest assured knowing that they may be able to stay within familiar surroundings.

SwanCare Australind Rise is a unique retirement village just a short drive from Bunbury. This friendly gated retirement village provides companionship, ease of living and peace of mind and residents say they enjoy a sense of well-being and involvement at Australind Rise.

“Australind Rise is a contemporary interpretation of retirement living, the vibrant community embraces the slower pace of country retirement with a modern edge,” said SwanCare CEO, Graham Francis.

The estate boasts a heated swimming pool, gym, lounge, Library, and a BBQ area. You can socialise with your fellow residents or simply enjoy relaxing in your bright, open plan, lowmaintenance villa.

SwanCare truly has it all no matter the lifestyle you want to lead later in life.

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SwanCare News R U OK? Day Loneliness and depression can affect anyone at any age. In the industry in which we work, and the world in which we live, SwanCare supports the national R U OK? initiative because we believe that asking “Are you OK?” is something that we can all do to make a difference. Though this was a national day of action, we’d like to gently remind you that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?”. You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener.

At SwanCare, we are passionate about providing a warm, safe, and supportive environment that’s full of fun and happiness.

And although this day was an excellent reminder for us all to check in with each other, our resident and staff mental and emotional well-being is our number one priority each and every day of the year. For more information about R U OK? Day visit www.ruok.org.au

Father’s Day at SwanCare Kingia This year’s Father’s Day celebrations were all about reminiscing at SwanCare Kingia! In the lead up to Father's Day, family members were encouraged to send in pictures of their resident Dads in their younger years. We also encouraged our residents to reminisce about the big and small joys of fatherhood and for the ladies their favourite memories with their Dads.

Our Happy Hour room was transformed into a trip down memory lane - with photos, mementos, decorations, and a 'Guess Who' game paying homage to our Superhero Dads!

On the day Dads were also gifted a superhero chocolate bar and a hat.

The reactions of our residents upon seeing the pictures of their younger selves with their kids was breath taking. It was clear that the chance to reminisce together made these Father’s Day celebrations all the more special for our Dads!

Residents morning tea for R U OK? Day

SwanCare Kingia residents reminisce for Fathers Day

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SwanCare News Aged Care Employee Day/ Feathers Event On August 6, we celebrated Aged Care Employee Day which was a wonderful opportunity to come together and show appreciation for all our staff. This year, we doubled the fun by combining the celebrations with our annual Feathers Leaderboard event.

One way we express gratitude for our incredible staff members year round is through our Feathers program. This program invites people to “put a Feather in someone’s cap” by nominating an employee who is deserving of extra recognition.

CEO’s Coffee Club In September, the CEO's Coffee Club headed out to Zamia Cafe in Kings Park. It was such a beautiful day to enjoy the great outdoors and the residents were treated to breakfast on the alfresco among the wildflowers. Everyone had a fabulous time and enjoyed the time they spent having conversations with people from around the village and in the Admin Team. Thanks for driving and for a great morning, Graham!

In August, we tallied the hundreds of nominations we’ve received this year to see who’s currently in the lead.

At the top of the scoreboard is the amazing Jovy Tesani, followed by Farhath Jameel in second place, and Amal Zainuden in third place. These three fantastic staff members have shown time and again how dedicated they are to the health and happiness of our residents. We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jovy, Farhath, and Amal for all they bring to SwanCare.

CEO Graham having a chat with Rob

Thank you to all the staff who attended our ACED event - it was great to see you enjoying delicious food, drinks, and live music from the B Sharps.

September CEO's Coffee Club attendees

Grandchildren come to visit Beth and her grandchildren were spotted having a great time playing mini golf last week! Such a special moment of bonding between grandparent and grandchildren, we loved seeing it.

If you are a resident and want to have a go yourself, the clubs are available to borrow from the Swan Centre. Why not get out in the sunshine and have a go this week.

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Valuable Volunteers Trevor and Jenny Dawson The moment you meet Trevor and Jenny Dawson, you are struck by their warmth, approachability, and intelligence. But there’s more to them than you may think! They give so much of their time and energy helping others who are vision impaired and helping in the village too.

Trevor and Jenny have been sight impaired for most of their lives. Trevor was a premature baby and the pure oxygen given to him at birth damaged his optic nerve. He currently has light perception but cannot make out shapes or objects. Jenny is legally blind, she had minimal vision as a child but lost the rest of it to Glaucoma by the time she was 18.

Trevor had been asked to mentor Jenny when he worked at the CBA Bank. Before meeting Trevor, Jenny said she really had no confidence at all, he showed her the way to real independence and their relationship bloomed.

Trevor and Jenny were happily married in 1984 and lived on a half-acre block in Roleystone for much of their married life with their two boys.

Eventually the upkeep of the property became too much. Upon Trevor’s retirement they decided to up sticks, and they made the move to SwanCare.

“If you haven’t got vision, it’s really important to move while your competent enough to learn a new area. SwanCare was one of the only places we visited. The transport is great here, that was the first thing we looked for, and the care facilities are on the campus,” said Jenny.

When Trevor and Jenny moved to SwanCare 5 years ago, one of the first things they did was to form a support group for the vision impaired.

“It’s pretty low key, we chat and have a coffee.

It allows people to know that there are people here that know what they are going through,” said Jenny.

Recently they have extended this initiative to visiting those at the Residential Aged Care Centres, with some residents fearing the future of their eyesight.

“When you lose your vision, the fear is tremendous. For some people it’s absolute terror, especially in the outside world as the environment always changes. We try to encourage people to laugh about the silly things they do. Sometimes they breathe a sigh of relief when they realise what they’re feeling is completely normal,” said Jenny.

Jenny was also a much-valued member of the Village Residents Advisory Council for many years observing changes from an accessibility point of view. Jenny’s initiatives included Tidings and What’s On in audio format, helping point out hazards in Leisure Precinct project, and even now are still helping Marketing with their upcoming website.

With help from others Trevor plays lawn bowls at the village and Jenny likes to partake in line dancing. They have both made wonderful friends and give special thanks to those that help them along the way – including Dianne who helps Jenny at Line Dancing.

Jenny and Trevor Dawson

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Thank you Jenny and Trevor, for everything that you do to help the residents of SwanCare.

Meet the Staff

Jason Barlow, SwanCare’s Manager of Occupational Health and Safety, Risk and Compliance

Meet Jason Barlow As SwanCare celebrates its 60th birthday, we’ve been reflecting on what’s contributed to its success, and the answer is evident. The people. Our staff are the driving force behind SwanCare, and we’re lucky to attract and recruit some diamond team members.

streamline a few processes and get others up and running,” explained Jason. His extensive plans and long-term strategies will enable SwanCare to continue to deliver and maintain high standards.

Jason explains the importance of working for a company that believes in innovation and Jason Barlow joined us in June as SwanCare’s planning for the future, maybe one of the Manager of Occupational Health and Safety reasons why it’s reached the 60 year milestone.

(OHS), Risk and Compliance. He’s a fairly new “SwanCare are always looking forward in terms staff member who has a wealth of experience of recognising the need to evolve and keep including mining, construction, and oil and gas current with expectations,” said Jason. “They’re industries, but more recently for Western Power open to new ways of doing things which help - quite different fields of work compared to aged keep them above the competition. SwanCare care! has witnessed some fantastic growth over the years and they recognise the needs of the “The opportunity came up for this role and business in order to continue to be a success.” it piqued my interest, because it was doing something community spirited,” said Jason. “It Aside from work, Jason is kept busy with his was an opportunity to give back, I’d done my beautiful daughter Scarlet. “She’s almost a year research on SwanCare and it was all positive. and a half now and the light of my life,” said I like that it’s a real stark contrast to what Jason. “I’m studying too, I’m just finishing a I’ve done in terms of the culture and there is Masters in Workplace Health and Safety, so I’m a real focus on the residents. It has an almost very busy at the moment!” Jason hopes to get family feel to it, there’s a sense of empathy and back into some hobbies when life isn’t so full on compassion here. We’re all working toward enjoying kayaking and fishing. the greater good, and dealing with people, not products.”

If you see Jason around the vicinity be sure to stop and say hello, he’s a fountain of knowledge If you ever wondered exactly what an OHS and a great guy to have around! person does, Jason can explain. “My job is to reinvigorate the safety management system,

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Village News SwanCare Centres Auxiliary The spring lunch was held at Pasta in the Valley on 23rd September and enjoyed by all. The meeting the following week was cancelled as the speaker could not make it and we had been together just the week before.

Since meeting in August we've paid for 4 raised garden beds for SwanCare Ningana at a cost of $378 and 4 under mattress sensor mats for SwanCare Kingia/Tandara at a cost of $1598.

The October meeting will be followed by a Fashion Parade by Kimbos and then in November it is the AGM. We would love some new committee members with fresh ideas so please consider joining. It is not hard and does not take a lot of time. If you want to talk to someone to find out what it entails contact any committee member.

Phyl Leavy

Social Committee - Bastille Day

Gloria hits the dance floor during Flashback Duo

The Bentley Park Social Clubs event of the year was a great success. A sumptuous afternoon tea of French cakes and pastries was orchestrated by Margaret Bouwhuis. The artists interacted with the residents during and after the performance.

Fish N Chips on Stratton

The lucky ticket holders were greeted by Laurie Hudson and Stan Barclay with a glass of champagne.

Our September Luncheon was a great success.

Entertainers 'Flashback Duo' certainly had all the residents bopping in their seats and singing along with the band.

Once seated they were entertained by the dulcet tones of Geraldine Rae accompanied on the piano accordion by Danilo. A good time was had by all.

Long-time resident Gloria joined us for the first time. She got up on the floor and did her own version of dances. Good on you, Gloria!

Jan Irvine

Being September, we celebrated Spring and Father’s Day. Each of the men received a special Father’s Day Gift.

All residents and especially new residents are most welcome to join us at our monthly luncheons. We are a happy bunch, and you will meet new Friends. Raffle tickets are on sale and prizes to be won.

Due to limited seating, bookings can be made by contacting Lesley on 6250 0590. If your call is not answered, please leave a message and your call will be returned.

Lesley Foster 10 SwanCare

Jean & George celebrate Bastille Day

Village News Swan Village Bowling Club The past couple of months have seen plenty of rain which has affected several bowling days. However, a very successful day was had when several administration staff joined us for an afternoon of bowls.

On Wednesday the 8th of September the club held a successful gala day for the Patron’s

Staff and residents shake hands after the game

Village Residents Advisory Council (VRAC) Because of the SwanCare 60th anniversary, your Councillors did some sleuthing to find out when the Village Residents’ Advisory Council started. We discovered minutes from the first meeting in 2002. From the historical records on hand, it is interesting to note that some of the issues of concern then, are still topics we continue to work through today.

We have discussed whether we should mark the 20-year VRAC anniversary in some way and came to the conclusion that maybe it is time to consider a restructure of the VRAC and its functions. Now that we have the online maintenance reporting system, there is less need for these topics to be dealt with at the monthly residents’ meeting. However, the need for close and ongoing consultation between residents and management continues, as a recent discussion regarding the Village buses has revealed.

So, we are intending to establish several specialised action groups and will be seeking residents with interests in particular topics to

Shield. The club’s AGM was held on Thursday the 9th of September.

All residents are welcome to join us for an afternoon of bowls on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 1pm.

Jim Leavy

CFO Garry Black puts his best foot forward

join those groups. The most obvious first group is the one we have designated “transport” which will liaise with management regarding the buses and SwanMobile.

The village gardens, environment and sustainability would be another clear topic area to be discussed, and we would also like to form a group to be involved with infrastructure – particularly to provide resident input into any new building projects.

At the moment we feel that the VRAC will continue with the coordination for these specialised action groups, but we are open to ideas from residents about what you would like from the VRAC. What are the main areas of concern you would like your representatives to discuss with management? Do you have any ideas on alternative ways for your views to be communicated to management? We invite you to talk to any member of the Council or consider nominating for one of the action groups, or nominating in October for the VRAC. Ellen Clair Tidings Magazine

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Australind Snippets

Century celebrations in Australind Rise One hundred years ago, the world emerged from the Spanish Flu pandemic, it was also the year that Insulin was discovered. It was the year of the first international women’s sporting event, the Women’s Olympiad, plus celebrities such as Prince Phillip, Nancy Reagan and Tommy Cooper were born. But most importantly, 1921 was the year that our own SwanCare legend Adele Sims (known by her friends as Del) was born, and the world has sure been a better place because of it!

Australind Rise resident Adele Sims celebrated her one hundredth birthday with family and friends in August, with a party and morning tea. There was an impressive presentation of photographs showcasing the story of Del’s life, which everyone enjoyed while delighting in a wonderful spread complete with birthday cake!

Adele Sims (nee Cousins) was born in Surrey Hills, Melbourne in 1921. In 1928, she moved with her parents and brother to a soldier settlement block in Gutha near Morawa. As a teacher, her mother home schooled her and Del’s remarkable intellect led to her attending Dominican Ladies College in Dongara as a boarder. Del’s hard work landed her a scholarship with the University of Western Australia, where she studied for a BA Diploma of Education before teaching French and Mathematics at Perth Modern School and Eastern Goldfields Senior High School.

Del found love while boarding in Perth when meeting her friends’ brother, Douglas Sims.

Douglas was a farmer from Toolibin, East of Narrogin. They married in 1946 and began their

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Adele Sims on her 100th birthday

farming life together on “Marring”, a wheat and sheep property on the Narrogin - Wickepin Road. Del and Douglas had two children, a son Rodney and daughter Lois. The family established a successful stud-sheep enterprise which was highly regarded throughout the farmers of the state.

Del and Doug’s son Rodney completed his studies at Muresk before returning to the family farm. He married Carol, a teacher and soon Del and Douglas were blessed with grandchildren.

Daughter Lois also returned to Narrogin, she too was a teacher, and the next generation of Sims grew further! Their five grandchildren visited most days after school for a feed of Del’s wonderful scones, cakes and bickies.

Farming is hard work, but life was certainly not all work, no play for the family. Del and

Adele celebrating with neighbours and staff from SwanCare Australind Rise

Douglas were actively involved in plenty of sports and activities over the years and showed true commitment to their community. Del was a member of the Commodine Tennis Club, plus she helped establish the Cuballing Hockey Club.

In later years, they both enjoyed golf at the Cuballing course to which Douglas was granted Life Membership. In retirement, they switched to croquet at the Narrogin Club. The couple also enjoyed a shared passion for music. Del has a flair for the piano and Douglas on the mouth organ, as well as having powerful vocals! The couple participated in weekly old-time dances throughout the district, a hobby they continued until they were in their late 80’s.

Talented at various handicrafts, Del also became actively involved in the Cuballing CWA, which led to her volunteering as the Divisional Secretary. She enjoyed china painting, macramé, sewing, crocheting, needlework and spinning her own merino wool.

In 2014, Del and Doug decided to move to the Bunbury area and found the perfect place at SwanCare’s Australind Rise, being close to family who had retired nearby. They found it to be a wonderful community at the Rise and

settled in well. They took pleasure in the indoor bowls, attended coffee mornings, and made good use of the well-stocked library. Del has always been a fan of the warm pool where she enjoys aquarobics. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Doug was able to potter around the vicinity using his Gopher. The community is what helps make a place feel like home, and Del has found this to be particularly true of SwanCare – for example a neighbour delivers the paper to ensure the cryptic crosswords are continued to be completed daily!

Supported by a Government Health Care Package and South-west Community Care, Del remains independent despite the passing of her beloved husband soon after celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. Del and her family are extremely grateful to the Administration staff and her many friends at Australind Rise for their love, support, and friendship.

SwanCare marks this momentous occasion in time by gifting centurions in our Retirement Villages the gift of living for free after their turning of age. From all of our staff and residents, we wish Del all the very best for her 100th birthday! Hip hip hooray!

Tidings Magazine

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Resident Story

Celebrating some of our newer neighbours At SwanCare, we’re lucky to have attracted amazing residents that have helped create a sense of belonging and family. We believe that to achieve a sense of community it must be built organically, which is why we love getting to know our residents. We spoke to two of our newer neighbours, Moya and Anthony Mahony to find out a little of their life story and what brought them to SwanCare.

“We’ve had quite a busy life,” said Moya.

“Tony’s always had his own business, a picture framing business and in the building trade.

In the early years, I was a stay-at-home mum - as everyone was back then. We’ve travelled quite a bit, including international travel after we retired. Tony’s family are from England, so we’ve been there a few times. But while the borders are shut there’s plenty to explore around WA.” It’s interesting to find out why residents choose SwanCare, and for Moya and Tony it was an easy choice. “The size of SwanCare appealed to us,” said Moya. “We looked at other places and there’s not much going on and not nearly as many facilities. Plus, we know the area, so it felt familiar and comfortable.”

Possibly the main drawcard for the couple was family. “We have two daughters living nearby and a son a car ride away,” said Moya. Together they have six grandkids in total aging from two to ten years old. “We love having them in the holidays, help with drop offs and take them out and about,” said Moya. “We’re active grandparents, well as active as we can be!”

As well as wrangling grandkids, Moya and Tony are enthusiastically involved in village life. “We like the leisure centre and the activities it offers; we’ve always been aware of the importance of staying healthy and keeping fit. Tony is

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Moya and Anthony Mahony

considering playing lawn bowls, and I have joined the Auxiliary group.”

Moya and Tony enjoy the social life, and say they feel lucky to have such a friendly bunch of neighbours. “You only have to stand in the garden, and someone will walk past and have a chat,” said Moya. “We often all meet up on the street for a coffee or go out for food. It’s easy to do things and see people here, the sense of community here is great.”

Moya offered some advice for anybody thinking of making the move into a retirement village.

“Plan ahead!” said Moya. “People leave it too late then it’s too hard for them to move, the house and garden start to deteriorate and it becomes more difficult to manage day to day life. I’d say just make sure you have a really good look around and imagine what life might be like in the future, think about what benefits there are for you.”

Thanks Moya, for the words of wisdom and we look forward to sharing SwanCare life with you over the coming years!

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Resident Story

Harry’s Naval Dedication The 11th of November marks Remembrance Day, the day that we stop to celebrate those who fell in the line of duty. We have many people in the SwanCare community who stop to observe the one-minute silence. One such resident, Harry Webster, caught our attention as someone that has lived a particularly adventurous life, bringing a wealth of stories and experience to our already rich community.

Born in Wellard in 1927, Harry was born to tenpound-poms alongside his two brothers. His family faced tough times financially, through a struggling farm and The Great Depression. They moved to White Gum Valley before settling into Victoria Park where Harry went to school. As a teen, he acquired a job as an office boy in the shipping department of Boans Limited. During this time, he joined the 76th Squadron Airforce cadets, which led to him joining the Navy.

“It was 1945, I was 17 when I joined the Navy as a recruit and proudly served this great country of ours for over 12 years,” said Harry. “They interview you and decide what branch to put you in. I was allocated to supplies, seeing as I was working as a supplier assistant previously.

I was drafted to the Corvette HMAS Echuca and was tasked with clearing all the mines along the Great Barrier Reef as far as Papua New Guinea.”

In 1947, Harry transferred to England and spent time on HMAS Sydney, before moving to work as a Naval supplier assistant in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He returned to Australia in 1949, docking in Fremantle. “It was my first home leave since 1946,” said Harry. “And the first thing my brothers said was, ‘you talk like a bloody pom!’, so much for brotherly love!”

For the next few years Harry travelled constantly and built an impressive navy career for himself. With the job came great risk, as Harry explains “In 1952 I was in the 816 Squadron, we went to Monte Bellows for the atomic bomb tests, that was quite an experience.

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Harry Webster with his Ambassador for Peace medal

You never forget it when you see it.”

Harry experienced things others could never imagine. One of the more notable periods of his service was the nine months he spent in Korea, which he recently received a medal for.

“It was interesting work, and I became quite a well-known expert,” said Harry. “It was quite technical stock taking and it was also a lot of physical work. In Korea, Australians can do no wrong. We were the ones who came to help when a lot of the world didn’t, they were very grateful.”

Following Korea, Harry came home where his beautiful fiancé Maureen was waiting to marry him! But there’s a twist to their love story…

“I met Maureen when I was posted in Fremantle,” said Harry. “Me and a group of boys used to go to The Embassy Ballroom on Thursday nights. There were some girls we danced with there, and we asked them to join us at The Pagoda Ballroom one night. The girl I was supposed to be partnering with I wasn’t

keen on, but I liked Maureen. So as the night went on I kept grabbing her to dance. I asked her on a date to the theatre and she said yes.

When I went back to the ship on the Monday the captain wanted to see me. He said I was being drafted back to the Air Branch the next night! He gave me half an hour to go and find Maureen to let her know. Not knowing her last name but knowing where she worked, I found her and she agreed to write to me but we were never able to keep that date.”

Harry and Maureen kept in contact mainly through letters, and with the odd brief encounter in various places where Harry docked. “It was all based on trust,” said Harry.

“Before I met her, I was a larrikin drinking beers and getting into mischief around the world but she changed my life. She organised our wedding even though we knew nothing of each other!

We were actually due to marry earlier, but our replacement ship broke down in Hong Kong so I couldn’t leave until it arrived! I got permission to write a letter under war conditions letting Maureen know of the delay. I got home on the Sunday and we married the following week in Wesley Church in Perth - it all went well, everything was hunky dory!”

Home leave for Christmas, 1946

It has been a 67 year love story with the addition of children - a boy and a girl. Now they have four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. They have spent a great deal of time travelling the world and have also enjoyed caravanning, having only sold it when he reached the age of 86!

Harry’s navy experience had a profound impact in his later work affording him a very respectable career. He worked his way from a Clerk to a Warehouse Superintendent at Western Power, then retired at the young age of 59. But the work didn’t stop there. “I did a lot of volunteering work, I kept myself busy,” said Harry. “I still belong to the Naval Association and I joined the Retired Officers’ Association.

Once I’d been there some years, I became Treasurer and the Liaison Officer for the Energy West Social Club run by Western Power. I did that for 17 years and became a life member.”

Maureen & Harry, Ron & Aileen - Fremantle Warf, 1954

The couple have been living at SwanCare for 12 years. Like many of our residents, Harry and Maureen have been active volunteers in the community over the years, working in the library and delivering books and internal mail.

Thanks for the chat Harry, we’re proud to have you in our SwanCare family and we could listen to your stories all day!

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Resident Story

Bob Coffey in his SwanCare Bentley Park home

Yarn about the years with Coffey Reaching such a momentous milestone all comes down to our residents. Each resident contributes to the community making everyone much more than just neighbours and more like extended family.

One of our long standing residents is Robert Coffey, or Bob to his friends. He was born in Adelaide and grew up with his older brother John, and sister Margaret. He met his late wife Elizabeth there and they had three children (today he also has three grandchildren and one great-grandchild!) Bob tells a great story about how he came to meet the lovely Liz.

18 SwanCare

“It was while dancing in a town hall,” said Bob. “It was the barn dance where you change partners, I saw Liz and she took my fancy! I watched where she was sitting afterwards and I went over and asked her out, and things went on from there. On our first date we went to the pictures, and she picked an old 1920’s silent film. I couldn’t believe it – a silent film! It had the heart throb from the twenties in it, but strike me lucky, I wouldn’t pick it myself! We were married 20 years before calling it quits.

Sadly, a few years later she passed away from a brain hemorrhage.”

Bob is a sports fan, as well as being an avid Adelaide Crows supporter, he’s been involved in a number of clubs over the years, including football, baseball and cricket. It turns out he was quite talented at baseball. “I played a lot of

baseball in the early days in Adelaide,” said Bob, “including winter baseball and night baseball, so that I could play all year round. I was playing the A-grades and got in the state squad too. I was a pitcher; I had a good arm on me! In fact, I threw a cricket ball 101 yards in a competition one time, came second to another guy”.

but the opportunity came up and it was too good not to take. “I was in the right place at the right time,” said Bob. “The hairdressers were moving across the road and the building was going back to being residential. They decided to turn it into staff quarters, so I got the first grabs of it and that’s how I got to live here. It was pretty handy to get to work!”

These days you’ll most likely find him at Franklins Tavern in the afternoon, having a couple of beers with his mates. “I head to the Tavern often with friends,” said Bob, “that place could tell a few stories I tell you - if the walls could talk!”

Bob (centre) with brother John and sister Margaret

In 1985 Bob took a holiday to Perth, and he enjoyed it so much that he packed up his car and moved over! His plan was to work for General Motors, but things didn’t quite go to plan. “I teed up the job before I came over,” explained Bob. “But when I got here it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Soon after I got chatting to the boyfriend of my landlady where I was boarding, he was the Domestic Supervisor at SwanCare.

He said there was a guy working at the bulk store going on leave and asked if I wanted a couple of weeks work. That fortnight of work turned into a job for 15 years or so!”

Bob worked in the bulk store from 1985 until 2000, before he retired. It was around this time that he found out he had bowel cancer, but luckily, he’d caught it just in time. “My Doctor told me that if it had been a week or so later that the cancer would have gone too far,” explained Bob. “They said I’d won the lottery there! So from then on I took it easy.”

Bob has seen many changes at SwanCare over the years, people come and go, places evolve, and stories are told – lots of stories! “There’s been a couple of fires here I’ve seen,” said Bob. “Around 15 years ago, a Transperth bus blew up across the road, it had caught fire. I heard a ‘BOOM’ and off she went, I watched the black smoke from the front door. It was all ablaze, the whole back of it was demolished.”

Bob settled in well to village life, and has no regrets making the move. “My favourite thing about living and working at SwanCare was my work mates, there’s no problems in that department. And it’s nice and quiet living here, a beautiful place to be with no hassles. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, I appreciate what SwanCare has done for me, I’m happy to be here!”

Thanks Bob for sharing your story - we’ll see you around the village (or the Tavern!)

Do you know a resident with an interesting story worth sharing? Contact the Marketing Team via email at: tidings@swancare.com.au or phone: (08) 6250 0000.

Bob moved to SwanCare aged 49 from his home in Welshpool. He hadn’t planned to move here,

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60 Years of SwanCare "Over our 15 years of living at SwanCare we have enjoyed making new friends, starting new hobbies and best of all volunteering to assist others. Thank you SwanCare for our wonderful retirement years."

- Bill & Judy Mackintosh, Resident

"I moved to SwanCare after losing my husband. Nothing could have prepared me for how much I love living here."

- Kaye Gibson, Resident

1960

1981

The resolution to start Swan Cottage Homes across 8 acres was announced and first Board meeting was held in October.

Tandara Nursing Home opened with 100 beds.

1962 – 1966 Development of Stages 3-7 including the Social Centre, Food Store, Library, Medical Centre, Chapel, Welfare System and Residence, Therapy Clinic, Workshop, and Carpet Bowls with the footprint expanding to 14 acres.

1972

1982

Richard Cleaver Lodge, Carlisle Retirement Villas (residents moved to Bentley in 2008) and a new Administration Building opened.

Mavis Cleaver Court opened 76 units and the village acquired its first bus “Lottie”.

1960

1961

1969

1984-1991

Ningana Nursing Home opened with 46 beds.

Further development including JP Stratton Day Care Centre, Waminda expansion, Leisure Centre, N & P Ranyard Centre, Multipurpose Social Centre, Hair Salon, and Art Museum.

1967

1978

Midland units opened (until 2004).

Waminda Hostel opened with 60 rooms and the first of the Bentley townhouses were complete.

In May, Swan Cottage Homes was Incorporated with the first 16 units opened in July.

"Gardens in Pugh Place, Line dancing Mondays.

Yoga, swimming, concerts on Sundays.

Tea with the Chief, Diamonds in Spring.

These are a few of my favourite things."

- Bernie Sermon, Resident

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We are very happy and grateful living in SwanCare, since 2017.

Many good friends and neighbours.

Congratulations SwanCare on your 60th anniversary!

- Jessie & Charlie Joseph, Resident

SwanCare the place to be. If you want peace and serenity. Everyone's friendly, helpful too.

Everything to enjoy a long fulfilled life forever be.

- Lorelei Rose, Resident

"Living at SwanCare has been the best years of my life. So much to do - so many friends. Only problem, not enough time!! Many thanks."

- Pamela Hind, Resident

2001

2006

2019

Official name changed to “Swan Village of Care”.

Change of name to “SwanCare Group” and commencement of SwanCare Bentley Park Stage 2 development.

$20 million Leisure Precinct opens.

2020

2010 SwanCare Australind Rise opens Stage 1 with 13 units.

1992

2012

$800,000 upgrade to Ningana Nursing Home, Pottery Centre, Op-Shop, and Medical Centre.

SwanCare Bentley Park Stage 4 adds a further 45 units and Australind Rise community centre opens.

SwanCare Ningana Residential Aged Care Centre opens just after COVID-19 pandemic hits Australia.

2020

2017 1993 – 1999

2003

2009

Ongoing renovations and extension, including the Waminda offices and the opening of Le Breton Lane in the retirement village.

SwanCare Bentley Park new Stage 1 development of 28 apartments and 25 villas opens.

Stage 3 SwanCare Kingia Residential Aged Care Centre completed.

"May the future years for Seniors looking for a place to retire, be as successful as the last 60 years."

- Shirley Lawrence, Resident

Stage 5 Akora Apartments open at SwanCare Bentley Park and refurbishment of village Grocery Store and Hairdresser.

2015 SwanCare At Home commenced services.

2007

2013

Completion of Plantation Apartments – final part of SwanCare Bentley Park Stage 2.

SwanCare Australind Rise Stage 2 opens with an additional 8 units.

"SwanCare has looked after my parents, my in-laws, my husband and now I’m on my own, me. Many thanks for the ongoing security and care."

- Carolyn Wellstead, Resident

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21

Gardens Interest Group

Spring Provides Beams of Colour Have you checked out the front gardens around the village lately? It will put a ‘Spring’ in your steps to see the beautiful and large variety of flowers putting on such colourful displays.

Bring spring inside with flowering plants like cyclamen, orchids and poinsettia.

Spathiphyllum are particularly good indoors and thrive in low light conditions.

Did you know you can get extended flush of flowers on annuals like petunias and dianthus by trimming off the old flowers several times?

Everlastings

While native plants and ornamentals require different growing conditions, you can mix some phosphate tolerant natives to add lots of colour and provide food for native birds and bees.

Consider adding kangaroo paws, everlastings, brachycome, conostylis, dichondra, myoporum, patersonia and pimelea ferruginea to your garden beds. Most of these can also be grown in pots.

If you have grown everlastings let the flowers fully develop and save the seeds to plant after the first rains next year.

Snap dragons, daisies, marigolds & alyssum

As the weather warms up in October and November continue to keep a watch for aphids and caterpillars. Use an Eco spray if you are not able to remove them by hand.

Top up mulch while the ground is still moist from the winter rains. Include silver beet, tomato seedlings, beans, beetroot, capsicum, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, melon, radish, sweet corn and zucchini along with basil in your vegetable garden or pots.

Keep feeding your rhubarb with liquid or slowrelease fertiliser for a bumper crop.

Kangaroo Paw

22 SwanCare

Rhubarb

Penny’s Book Review

‘The Happiest Man On Earth’ by Eddie Jaku Eddie Jaku was born Abraham Jackubowicz in Germany in 1920 and considered himself a German first and a Jew second. He was proud of his country until that all changed in November 1938 when he was beaten, arrested, and taken to a concentration camp.

Over the next several years, Eddie faced horrific horrors, first in Buchenwald and then Auschwitz. In 1945 on his way to a certain death, he managed to escape and was eventually rescued by Allied Soldiers.

Eddie managed to survive by finding gratitude, kindness and hope in the darkest places and his book reflects this.

Eddie and his wife of 75 years, Flore, moved to Australia in 1950. Eddie volunteered his time to talk to others at the Sydney Jewish Museum.

I, and others have found this an incredible moving tale of enduement and a positive mindset, that will touch you in more way than one. You can find this book in the SwanCare Bentley Park Library.

Penny Felder SwanCare Bentley Park Librarian

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Brain Teaser Thank you to Sue Lewis who provided us these riddles, author unknown.

Solve these riddles to find suburbs of Perth. Draw a line to each answer.

1.

A HAPPY FRENCH MOUNTAIN

BENTLEY

2.

BEING ABLE TO SEE IN TWO DIRECTIONS

BICTON

3.

AN EXCLUSIVE OLD MODEL CAR

DARLINGTON

4.

A SWIMMING HOLE IN WALES

DOUBLEVIEW

5.

NEXT TO THE WATER

EDGEWATER

6.

A TALL BARRIER

HIGHGATE

7.

AN AFFECTIONATE NAME + A HEAVY WEIGHT

JOLIMONT

8.

ONE BIG PEBBLE + ONE BIG PEBBLE

KENSINGTON

9.

HIPPIE TERM FOR A HOME + COVER WITH SAND

LEEMING

10. AN ABORIGINAL HUNTING WEAPON + COMES FROM A TREE 11. A FAMOUS ENGLISH POET 12. A LARGE CREEK WHICH IS VERY HEAVY

LOCKRIDGE MAYLANDS PADBURY

13. A MONTH OF THE YEAR + EARTH

RIVERTON

14. YOU NEED A KEY + GEOGRAPHICAL HIGH LAND

ROCKINGHAM

15. PERTH’S FIRST LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

SHELLEY

16. PIG IN A CRADLE

SPEARWOOD

17. A BOY’S NAME + PART OF A CANDLE

STIRLING

18. A TELEVISION BRAND + TO TELL A MISTRUTH

THORNLIE

19. AWAY FROM THE WIND + A CHINESE DYNASTY

TWO ROCKS

20. A BIRO THAT WEIGHS A LOT

WARWICK

21. A BOY’S NAME + MUSICAL TALKING + A WEIGHT MEASUREMENT

WELSHPOOL

Answers: 1. Jolimont, 2. Doubleview, 3. Bentley, 4. Welshpool, 5. Edgewater, 6. Highgate, 7. Darlington, 8. Two Rocks, 9. Padbury, 10. Spearwood, 11. Shelley, 12. Riverton, 13. Maylands, 14. Lockridge, 15. Stirling, 16. Rockingham, 17. Warwick, 18. Thornlie, 19. Leeming, 20. Bicton, 21. Kensington 24 SwanCare

Legendary Recipes

Nanna’s Three Ingredient Scones Thank you to SwanCare resident Jan Miller for the recipe and the yarn behind it.

Ingredients • 3 Cups of flour • 3 Tablespoons of butter • 1.5 Cups of Milk/water/soda water (must be very cold)

Method 1. Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees Celsius 2. Sift flour into a bowl 3. Rub butter into flour (you’ll aerate it by lifting mixture up and let it fall back into the bowl) 4. Cut the liquid in to create a nice soft dough Tip: use enough liquid to make soft dough, this may be less or more than 1.5 cups 5. Kneed dough for 1 minute 6. Pat the dough out to around 1 inch thick 7. Cut dough with a glass dipped in flour (or a Scone Cutter if you have one) 8. Put scones on a lined baking tray 9. Put in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top Serve with butter or jam and cream. You can also add sultanas or dates to your mix if you want to change up the recipe.

Makes 12-15 scones.

Do you have a recipe and story to share?

We’d love to hear from you!

Email tidings@swancare.com.au or drop off to SwanCare administration - thank you.

When speaking with Jan, a smile remained on her face the whole time. You can see that this recipe transports her to some beautiful memories of places that she has made these scones.

“This recipe was passed down from my Nanna,” said Jan. “As a little girl I can remember watching her make these and my mum eventually taught me how to make them too.”

Jan has been a cook most of her life and has featured this recipe on the menu multiple times.

“I used to be a cook at Edgecombe Winery. I used this recipe to make up to 300 scones per weekend,” said Jan. “People use to come and buy half a dozen and take them home – they’d wait close by until I took them out of the oven!

I loved that job as I felt like I was like working with family, we classed each other as that by the end of my time there.”

Jan also worked on a picturesque island where she made these scones too. She had many roles while working at the Lodge on Great Barrier Island including cooking, cleaning, office work and more.

As humble as ever, Jan simply enjoys that people love eating these scones. “I had a lovely couple that came out to Perth from Scotland every year to the winery and they would tell me ‘You make the best scones in the world!’”

Wow - If that’s not a good enough recommendation to make this recipe, I don’t know what is!

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Out & About

The Art Group finishing off their artworks

Dancers enjoying the Allsorts Choir Event

Snooker Club Luncheon at Jarrah Cafe

Snooker Club Luncheon at Jarrah Cafe

All smiles at Fish N Chips on Stratton

Stan and Laurie serving at the Bastille Day event

Lots of information at the Auxilliary Club Meeting

Residents at R U OK? Day Morning Tea

What’s On: Local Area Skin Cancer Information Session Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. At least two in every three Australians will develop skin cancer before the age of 70.

Learn about skin cancer risk factors, understanding UV radiation and what you can do to lower your risk of developing skin cancer. This talk also includes the latest thinking on sun and vitamin D balance as well as what signs to look for when checking your own skin for cancer.

Delivered by the highly qualified Cancer Council Team.

When: 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Monday 1st November Where: Willetton Library, 39 Burrendah Boulevard, Willetton Cost: Free Book: Eventbrite – Canning Libraries or call Willetton Library

Learn to Draw Pet Portraits Join award-winning comics maker Campbell Whyte to learn how to draw your very own pet portrait. From identifying simple shapes, animal anatomy and tricks for rendering fur and feathers, you’ll be exploring a wide range of techniques that will help bring your drawings to life.

This workshop is ideal for anyone with a keen love of drawing and animals. Make sure you bring a photograph of your pet along to the session, you’ll need this to work from.

When: 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Tuesday 12th October Where: City of Perth Library, 573 Hay Street

Monthly Chair Yoga Chair yoga is the ideal exercise for everyone!

With poses adapted from Hatha yoga, chair yoga centralizes stretching, body tension release, mindfulness, and physical awareness.

Ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time sitting, is restricted in their movements, or lives with chronic pain, carpal tunnel, osteoporosis, or multiple sclerosis.

Doreen Rowley is an experienced yoga instructor whose “methodology involves evolving the body and mind at a deeper level to transform the inner self and spirituality for effective results”.

When: 11:00am to 12:00pm, Saturday 9th October & 13th November Where: Victoria Park Library, 27 Sussex Street, East Victoria Park Cost: $3 per person Book: Call Victoria Park Library

Have A Go Day This LiveLighter Event is an activity/ information event for over 45’s. The theme each year encourages seniors to keep active and healthy in their later years. There is always a wide variety of activities to have a go at, and each year a couple of the new ones are included such as, Trishaws for Seniors, Walking football, Lazer Pistol Shooting and much more.

Free tea, coffee and bottled water provided, plus there is lots of free entertainment throughout the day. For more information see the Seniors Week liftout in the October edition of Have a Go News.

When: 8:30am to 3:00pm, Wednesday 10th November

Cost: $15

Where: Burswood Park, Resort Drive, Burswood

Book: Trybooking.com website

Cost: Free

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swancare.com.au 26 Plantation Drive, Bentley WA 6102 | Phone: (08) 6250 0000 | Fax: (08) 9470 2017

SwanCare Bentley Park's Leisure Precinct

9

We welcome contributions to the Tidings.

Please post or email to: Mailing Address: 26 Plantation Drive, Bentley WA 6102 Email: tidings@swancare.com.au

Pacesetter Laser Recycled is 30% recycled and made from elemental chlorine free bleached pulp sourced from sustainably managed sources.

It is manufactured by an ISO certified mill.