Knowledge Centre

Day: April 18, 2024

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Lights, cameras, action

Renee England, Uniting’s Head of Seniors Services Sydney Central, take a bow.

Nearly 1000 staff, residents and their families turned out to party at Australian Turf Club’s Rosehill Gardens Racecourse for the Not For Profit’s 24th annual Seniors Ball.

It is not a fund-raiser. It is solely a great way to say thank you to everyone at Uniting and is a highlight of NSW Seniors Week. It was the first Seniors Ball for four years due to COVID-19.

This year’s event embraced the theme of: Super heroes, Stars and Legends – A Star-Studded Affair, and featured dodgem cars, spinning tea cups, virtual reality and energetic dance moves.

Everyone attending transformed into their favourite icons and legends, mingling with many heroes, stars and stilt-walkers and creating a fantastic atmosphere.

Every residential aged care home was given a different theme and the residents really got into the event.

“The Seniors Ball provides a unique opportunity for residents, clients, families, and employees to unite, socialise, and celebrate our seniors with a positive and active spirit,” Renee said.

Pictures from https://www.facebook.com/weareuniting

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Village Manager Recognised for her achievements   

Louise joined Retire Australia as a Personal Care Assistant in February last year before becoming Village Manager of The Manor, which forms part of Tarragal Glen Retirement Village, in Erina.

Tarrgal Glen and The Manor are 81km north-northwest of Sydney, this retirement village was created in 1995 to cater for seniors who needed extra household assistance but could still live independently. 

“I have a corporate background in management (both people management and business) and prior to The Manor, I was the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and Co-Founder of the designer furniture and homeware business House of Europe.  

“I have stayed on the Central Coast, to continue my coaching and mentoring of the youth in detention but also to be around for my granddaughter who is now 11 months old.” 

Louise Vangestel and Vanessa Fordyce, Village Manager of Retire Australia’s Wood Glen Retirement Village, also in Erina, founded Tarragal Outrigger Canoe Club, based at The Haven, Terrigal.  

The Tarragal Ourtrigger Canoe Club focuses on supporting not just the community but local Indigenous youth in partnership with the Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre and Bara Barang Corporation.  

Louise is Club President, and it was her club work which enabled her to being named 2024 Terrigal Woman of the Year. 

“I am honoured that my small part of helping youth in detention and hopefully helping them make better decisions in life was acknowledged. I am very grateful but whilst I have won this, there is a whole club of people helping me do this program, so the award is as much for them as it is for me,” she said. 

Louise, as steerer, and Vanessa, seat 2, won the 12km State Titles two weeks ago. The youths that the club mentors also won the Novice 6km race at the same event.   

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What does ANZAC day mean in 2024?

When you consider the national days on our calendar, ANZAC Day continues to hold profound significance in both Australia and New Zealand.

Established as a national public holiday in 1921, 25 April has continued to serve as a day of remembrance and reflection. A day of unity where we can pay our respects to those men and women who have lost their lives serving this country, and those who continue to do so to this day.

Knowing how important ANZAC Day is in retirement villages across the country, we thought we’d share a wonderful initiative from Ryman Healthcare.

Each year, residents from their Australian and New Zealand villages are invited to share stories of service to their country. These stories are then collected and shared in a book they call ‘Stories of Service.’

Robert Creek, 78, is a resident at John Flynn Retirement Village in Melbourne and a veteran of the Vietnam War. John served as a member of 3 Troop 1 Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). In 2024, Robert’s was one of the many shared in Ryman’s book.

Taking Part in 2024

No matter where you are on Anzac Day, you can commemorate April 25 with us.  The ABC will have comprehensive broadcast coverage of Anzac Day services and events. Tune into their coverage throughout the day across ABC Radio, ABC listen app, ABC TV, ABC iview and online from 5.30am (AEST). Click on the picture for all the broadcasting options

Coverage includes commemorations and local marches in towns and cities around Australia as well as special Anzac Day programming.

RSL Australia provides details of what is happening in each state as well like the Sporting day events across the country and the Air Force Flying display that takes place in each state.