Celebrating You

Season 2

At 103 years young, Gwen has been with St Vincents for 11 years and is the cherished mother of Brian and Margaret. Throughout her life, Gwen has been shaped by her strong faith and dedication to her family and at 92, she knew it was time to consider aged care. With the loving support of her children, Brian and Margaret, Gwen made the transition to St Vincent’s.

While not without its challenges, emotions and difficult decisions, the pastoral care at the facility and friendship of Diversional Therapist, Eta, helped Gwen to feel at ease to be herself in her new home. Determined to live life on her terms, Gwen shares her story in the hopes of helping others on the same journey.

Having navigated the complexities of grief, Margaret approaches her relationship with her mother with a profound sense of appreciation and love. She recognizes the inherent value in every moment spent together, understanding that life's most precious gift is the time shared with those we hold dear.  

Margaret remains steadfast in her commitment to ensuring Gwen's comfort and happiness. Recognizing the inevitability of Gwen's eventual passing, Margaret has taken proactive steps to ensure that their final moments together are filled with love, dignity and peace. 

Margaret's journey is a testament to the enduring power of love and the unwavering bond between family.  

In season 2 of Celebrating You, Margaret's heartfelt story unfolds, offering a glimpse into the depths of her love, the strength of her spirit and the profound beauty of the human experience. 

Eta's dedication extends beyond mere duty; she actively seeks out the needs and desires of each resident under her care. Her primary goal is to ensure that residents can maintain their individuality and sense of self, fostering an environment where they can thrive and continue being true to themselves. 

With a warm and empathetic approach, Eta goes above and beyond to support residents in their journey, providing the care and assistance they need to live life to the fullest. Her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of others is truly admirable, making her an invaluable asset to the St Vincent’s community. 

As a Facility Manager at St Vincent’s Heathcote, Mark is a dedicated advocate for proactive aged care planning and the nurturing of meaningful relationships in aged care. In his over two decades of aged care experience, Mark has been privileged to witness the diverse and profound journeys of hundreds of residents within the St Vincent’s aged care community. Through these experiences, he has developed a deep-seated belief in the pivotal role that relationships play in enhancing the quality of life for individuals in their later stages. 

Mark's perspective is shaped by the poignant realization that residents nearing the end of their lives seldom express regret over the time invested in cultivating meaningful connections. He understands that these relationships provide comfort, companionship and a sense of belonging, enriching the lives of residents and fostering a supportive environment within the facility. 

Mark finds solace and inspiration in the art of gardening. To him, the garden serves as a profound metaphor for the journey of life itself. By tenderly nurturing the seeds of love, kindness and compassion, one can cultivate a life of beauty, purpose and fulfillment. 

In Season 2, you'll have the opportunity to delve deeper into Mark's profound insights and reflections on life, relationships and the transformative power of nurturing what truly matters. Join us as we explore his wisdom and garner valuable lessons on tending to the garden of life with care and intention. 

Prior to her transition into aged care, Carol meticulously planned for the future, ensuring that she and her family were well-prepared for life in aged care and beyond. When faced with the unexpected challenge of hospitalization following a fall, Carol's pre-planning provided a source of comfort and stability, enabling her and her family to navigate the transition into care with peace of mind and without the burden of rushed decisions. 

Immersing herself in gardening and a plethora of other activities available as a resident at St Vincent’s, Carol approaches each day with a zest for life, declaring boredom to be a thing of the past in her new world. With a deep-seated love for nurturing plants and flowers, Carol finds solace and fulfillment in her gardening endeavours, which serve as a cornerstone of her sense of belonging. Her active engagement in the community not only enriches her own experience but also contributes to the vibrant atmosphere of St Vincent’s. 

Carol's story is a testament to the power of foresight, resilience and the transformative potential of meaningful engagement within a supportive community. Her unwavering positivity and proactive approach serve as an inspiration to those who may find themselves navigating the unfamiliar world of aged care. 

Grace’s journey into aged care was unexpected. Originally planning to retire with her husband in a Queensland apartment, Grace's life took an unforeseen turn with her husband’s sudden passing. Moving back to Sydney to live with her daughter Sheridan, Grace found herself in circumstances she never could have predicted. Faced with this new reality, Grace made the courageous decision to transition into care. 

The adjustment was challenging for Grace. She struggled to engage with the community, preferring the solitude of her room and resisting participation in activities. Yet, with time and determination, Grace gradually began to integrate into the community. Starting with a few activities, she eventually emerged as a volunteer receptionist, contributing her time and skills to the benefit of others. 

Grace's inherent compassion for others has always been evident, yet she had never prioritized her own self-care. Through the unwavering support of her family, the dedicated staff and the warmth of the community, Grace rediscovered her true self as someone you loves life and wants to squeeze all the fun and joy she can out of it. Now, volunteering as a receptionist at her home in aged care, she stands as an integral part of the community, offering guidance and support to others on their own journeys of self-discovery. 

Daughter of aged care resident Grace, Sheridan has been a major support and advocate for her mum and her eventual move into aged care. With the unexpected death of Sheridan's father's, Sheridan candidly learnt the hard way many of the challenges that come with navigating age and death without careful discussion and preparation. 

Despite maintaining a strong relationship with her mother prior to her father’s passing, Sheridan had been separated physically from her mother for years due to living in different parts of the country. It wasn't until Grace moved in with her that Sheridan realized the extent of her mother's need for further assistance. 

While Sheridan didn't make the decision solely for her mother to move into care, she stood by her side, supporting her in making the choice that would bring Grace the most happiness. Witnessing her mother's struggle to adapt to her new environment was difficult for Sheridan (especially during the Covid years), but with time and with the support of staff and community, Grace was able to regain her inner strength, independence and vitality. 

Sheridan now speaks with pride about her mother's remarkable transition and believes their bond has never been stronger. 

The vibrant counterpart to aged care resident Grace at the front desk, admin worker Jennifer goes above and beyond in her role at reception at St Vincent’s Heathcote, ensuring that everyone, from residents to staff to family members, feels comfortable and welcomed. 

Jennifer played a pivotal role in recognizing Grace's ability to foster connections within the community. By suggesting the volunteering opportunity that has enriched Grace's life, Jennifer has not only demonstrated her insight and support but has also forged a friendship that continues to flourish. Together, Grace and Jennifer bring joy not only to each other but to the entire community. 

In Jennifer, we find a shining example of someone whose infectious joy brightens every moment and every interaction and the impact that can have on the lives of others. St Vincent’s is privileged to have her as a valued member of our staff & community. 

A true creative whose designs reflect her vibrant personality. Jo has been a part of our lifestyle team at Mitchelton for over 10 years and is well known for going above and beyond in her work.

Outside of work, she often spends time creating costumes and thinking of activities to entertain our residents. She is described as someone who lifts others up, recently starting a painting program, showing residents they are never too old to start something new.  

She’s loud, big hearted and all round a wonderful person. Claire brings exuberance in abundance to our home at Mitchelton. Being part of the lifestyle team she sees it as her mission to bring joy to our residents each day.

Claire has been a part of the team for 12 years now and every day of those 12 she’s gone out with a smile and excitement. When she’s not dressing up and putting on a fantastic show she’s walking the halls of the home making sure everyone feels right at home.  

Bette is known around our home at Mitchelton for always having a smile on her face. She is described by her family and friends as a “very bright spark” with a caring nature and has remained fiercely independent throughout her older years. Bette was feeling very unsafe in her own home so without telling any of her family she decided to make the big move into retirement living.

While she was a resident in the retirement village she volunteered her time in the aged care home and eventually decided to move in. The transition has been very smooth for Bette as she’s even picked up a new talent, painting! She has a wonderful long standing relationship with Jo and Claire, who she met when she was a volunteer in the home.

No matter where in life Brett has taken his talents, he’s always had a passion for service. From sales to web design, from assistant nurse to now Living Support Manager in aged care, Brett brings passion and experience towards making the lives of residents better whenever and wherever he can.

Brett fancies himself a fan of the quiet life having recently bought himself a block of land with a cooler climate and a head of cattle always nearby. But did you know he’s an artist too? Finding time to hone his craft at home, Brett is continually learning how to show and describe form through drawings about life as he sees it.

Brett’s ‘still-waters-run-deep’ demeanour and his love and admiration for seeing the good come out of everyone everyday make him not only outstanding person, but an all-important part of the St Vincent’s aged care community.

With a natural ability to bring out the best in people, Jeanette continues to inspire and uplift others. At Carseldine, she runs a multitude of programs for Independent Living and Residential Aged Care residents. These include art classes, body percussion sessions, musical spoons classes and an upcoming resident choir. Her motivation is not to seek praise or attention but to instil kindness, share her talents and inspire individuals to live fulfilling lives. She recognizes the importance of keeping minds active and believes that creativity plays a significant role in staying alert, focused, and socially engaged.

Jeanette is a shining star who has recently achieved newfound stardom as part of the Celebrating You campaign, captivating audiences through billboards and screens across Australia. However, to those who know her well, Jeanette has always been a star.
 

Tess has had to face adversity her whole life -- a husband who passed away early on in her children’s lives; the challenge of working as a teacher as a single mother. Life has been an uphill battle and a spiritual and emotional journey for much of Tess’ life, but through it all she’s grown and succeeded.

Now living in aged care, Tess is still learning and still growing. The challenges don’t change, but she has. Feeling stronger in her faith and self-confidence more than ever, Tess has found her slice of peace and joy through art, kindness and community at a time of life she least expected it.

Tess is an incredible person and an inspiration to whoever she meets (especially the St Vincent’s Care team!) and we’re so excited that she could be an integral part of Celebrating You.
 

At St Vincent’s Bardon, Rob’s the music guy. Starting out as a cleaner at St Vincent’s Bardon aged care, management quickly realised the talent that Rob had for making residents smile with his skills on piano. Having studied music at university, Rob was able to bring his love and knowledge of the craft to his current role as an Activities Officer serving as the ultimate conversation piece between him and new (and existing) residents. 

For Rob, music isn’t just about entertainment, it’s about relationships. And when we chatted with Rob about his experiences working in aged care, we were blown away with the impact that he had on the entire Bardon community of residents, staff & families through his playing. 

We all love Rob’s simple and honest approach to aged care and we know you will too! Watch episode 3 and get to know Rob like we have. 

After dealing with loss, Pat found it hard to find people that she could connect with again.  

But since moving to Bardon Aged Care, Pat not only discovered a means to release emotional trauma but also realized the vibrant life that exists within aged care. Aged care wasn’t just a place where Pat could be safe and looked after, it became a real source of companionship and support she had never imagined before. 

Don’t let Pat’s quiet demeanour fool you – she’s full of a lot of love and a lot of life.  Watch episode 3 and meeting darling Pat for yourself. 

 

Since moving to St Vincent’s Bardon Aged Care, Jan has gotten back in touch with her choir girl roots to be a keen musical companion for Bardon Activities Officer, Rob. 

Every sing-a-long, every concert, Jan is giving it her all and we’re loving every moment of it. 

Jan's contributions stand out as a testament to the enduring power of music to evoke both nostalgia and a sense of belonging. So, if you haven’t already, watch episode 3 and get to know the extraordinary Jan for yourself.