The 100 Club: Celebrating Our Residents Who Hit ANZAC Memorial Walls Take Pride Food Week Celebrated the Century! of Place in THC Homes in Our Homes Welcome to the 18th edition of Thompson Health Care News The past couple of years have been engaging and rewarding for both residents and staff.

2018 marks the Centenary of the Armistice, observing one hundred years since the tragic battles of World War I came to an end. Thompson Health Care has been a longtime advocate for the commemoration of the sacrifices countless Australians gave for our freedom. Sacrifices from servicemen, servicewomen and their loved ones that continued past the Great War through all the peace keeping missions, wars, border protection We have updates on our current building works planned and global operations that have followed. for Dural and Oran Park, and a preview of the soon to be opened Macleay Valley Village in Northern NSW. This Many of our residents have treasured memories of these first-class build will cater to independent retirees over times, including photographs of loved ones in uniform. 55 looking for outstanding quality in their home, as well In residential aged care, reminiscing and reflection as the reassurance from the superior service unique play an essential part of care. In this issue we look at to Thompson Health Care. A luxury Country Club will how Thompson Health Care and the Thompson family form the centre of the Village, providing a lifestyle have contributed to this process through Anzac Spirit of distinction for future residents. memorials in all homes, and a commissioned work at the . We’ve included some stories I hope you enjoy this edition of our magazine. As we make from our residents as a tribute to their resilience and time to regularly reflect on the past and the sacrifices sacrifice. In keeping with the theme of centuries, we also made to give us the Australia of today, the Thompson meet some residents who have recently celebrated 100 family look forward to a future providing quality aged years and beyond. care and retirement living. We strive to continue strengthening Thompson Health Care’s passion Thompson Health Care has always believed in the and dedication to excellence. importance of food as a means of nourishment for both body and mind, a form of holistic medicine. We discover how our dedicated chefs and staff Warm wishes manage this philosophy through outstanding food services, as well as the inaugural food week celebrated in each of our homes this year. As always, we hear all the news and see photos from our annual staff graduation events, celebrating the hard Douglas Thompson AM study, work and enthusiasm our remarkable staff put Proprietor into making a difference to the daily lives of residents. Contents

Our Anzac spirit 2 Food Week 9 Centenarians in Our Homes 17 Graduation Ceremonies 22 Discover Our New Homes 28 Macleay Valley Village 30 Elevation of the senses Ewen Coates (2015), Bronze Useful Contacts 33 This sculpture commemorates the vital role and contribution of Explosive Detection Dogs and their handlers in war. The tunnel through the base of the ON OUR COVER sculpture alludes to the rigorous training undertaken (from left to right): The Hon Brendan Nelson by the dogs, while the rocky outcrops atop the columns AO BMBS FRACP (Hon) FAMA FRSN Director of the represent the foreign landscapes to which the dogs and Australian War Memorial, Daniel Keighran, VC their handlers are deployed. The elevation of the dog on 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment the central column, where it crouches eye-to-eye with Afghanistan, Douglas Thompson AM Proprietor its handler, highlights the deep bonds that are forged Thompson Health Care. between the two, as well as the mutual dependence on which their work is based. Daniel Keighran, VC was awarded the for Australia, in recognition for the most Acquired under commission through the conspicuous acts of gallantry and extreme devotion vision and generosity of Doug Thompson… to duty in action in circumstances of great peril at Derapet, Afghanistan on 24th of August 2010. “for the love of them all.” Daniel is one of only 100 Australians to be awarded the Victoria Cross medal.

The Explosion Detection Dogs who attended the unveiling of the Elevation of the Senses Sculpture with their handlers Issue 18 | 1 Our ANZAC Spirit

No group of Australians has given more to our country than the two million past and present servicemen and women of the Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force. Through their dedicated service and the sacrifices made by their families, they have given us the Australia of today.

Paying respect and reflection is an important part of life memorials in each home to help them with this process. for our residents. This can be as simple as contemplation Memorial Walls are used on a daily basis and provide a over the many precious keepsakes and mementos place of quiet thought or commemoration on important residents keep in their rooms – memories of lives well days throughout the year. We sincerely thank the many lived, photographs of loved ones in uniform, medals well Thompson Health Care residents who have lived through deserved. Over the past year, our residents have received or served in war and peacetime.

2 | Thompson Health Care News Our ANZAC Spirit

Avalon House

Our Anzac Spirit Pool of Reflection Memorial Wall in each Thompson Health Care home The thousands of etched names cloaking In addition to the new bronze sculpture memorials, all homes now proudly display an Anzac Spirit Wall the Pool of Reflection at the Australian with a series of photographs of Australian Service War Memorial form an outstanding personnel and animals. Sourced from the collection at the Australian War Memorial, they span from Gallipoli commemoration to courage, bravery to Afghanistan. First World War nurses, young men of and service. bomber command, infantry in Vietnam and sailors; all reminders of what they and their uniforms represent In the gardens outside sits the bronze sculpture Elevation – a life of value in the service of Australia. Among the of the Senses by artist Ewen Coates. Commissioned by images is one of the soldier from the bronze sculpture, Douglas Thompson, it depicts the vital role played by Combat Engineer Sapper Darren Smith and EDD Herbie, Australian soldiers and their Explosive Detection Dogs along with Sapper Jacob “Snowy” Moreland (both men in Afghanistan. were 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Afghanistan) Thompson Health Care recognises the importance relaxing prior to the patrol that killed all three. of those in aged care to reflect on the past, and the necessity for residents to pay respect whenever they desire. To meet this need, Douglas Thompson once again commissioned Ewen Coates to reproduce a smaller bronze sculpture for Thompson Health Care homes. The work depicts the equality in service of man and dog and engraved on each sculpture are the names of Australian Explosive Detection Dogs killed in action. For Douglas Thompson, himself a former national serviceman, it’s pretty straightforward, “these residents are of the generation that Elevation of the senses made Australia, gave us what we have, and made us who we are. This is our small way These walls provide a place for residents to interact at of showing respect not only for them but significant events during the year. Or simply have a cup those who underwrite and continue of tea while reminiscing through the poignant images. to protect our freedoms.” The walls are also a great place for residents to take visiting children and grandchildren to teach them of the times they lived through and must never be forgotten.

Issue 18 | 3 Poppies knitted with love Resident Margrett Salter of Bowral House presented bags of beautifully hand-knitted poppies to Australian War Memorial Director Dr Brendan Nelson AO.

The poppies formed part of a Remembrance Day installation at the Australian War Memorial in . Each of the featured 62,000 hand-knitted poppies created by volunteers, represented an Australian life lost in World War I. Mrs Salter said she was proud to contribute to the installation. “As I knitted each poppy, I thought ‘I wonder who this soldier is’, it really touches you,” she said. “I’m not just Brendan Nelson, Margarett Salter knitting a poppy, I’m knitting a poppy for and Collette Beaufils a soldier. It’s given me a purpose in life.” Dr Nelson said the installation was designed to have a lasting impact on visitors to the Australian War Memorial. “If you say to someone Australia had 62,000 young Australians killed in the First World War, people will think that’s a lot,” he said. “If you actually present that (number), in this case with poppies the emblem and a symbol of commemoration, and they can physically see a poppy for each Residents of Bowral House Australian that was killed, it has an impact very visiting the poppies on display difficult to describe. It hits you and it’s very emotional.”

Poppies on display at Australian War Memorial

4 | Thompson Health Care News Our ANZAC Spirit Stories of Service from our Residents

Gloria Healey Gloria served in the Volunteer Air Observation Corp during World War II. She had training to be part of a secret service which involved covertly catching a bus from a Sydney train station to a secret underground location. At work one of her most important duties was plotting the location of aircraft. Gloria now lives in Avalon House.

Fred Westphal Fred Westphal enlisted in the Australian Army at the age of 20. He served in Egypt and Syria before returning to Australia. He then sailed for New Guinea to fight the Japanese. He recalls that the jungle was treacherous, soldiers starved, and malaria was rampant. He remembers collapsing due to starvation and exhaustion. The Christmas of 1942 was particularly harrowing with Fred’s platoon given orders to eliminate any remaining Japanese presence. Mateship was important to the soldiers who became family to each other. His war service had a tremendous impact on his life. Fred now lives at Terrey Hills Nursing Home.

Dan chatting with Wahroonga House residents

Bob Crook Bob was an apprentice carpenter during World War II and by chance avoided conscription. When the war finished his boss passed away leaving Bob unemployed. He was then conscripted to serve as a Reserve. He served two years as a Seaman in the Royal Australian Navy followed by three years in the Royal British Navy as a Gunner. Bob is pictured sitting in front of the Anzac memorial photos in Avalon House.

Issue 18 | 5 Joan Harrison Joan was living in North Wales during WW2. She was nursing in the Orthopaedics Hospital before volunteering to become a transport driver for the RAAF. At the age of 17, Joan pleaded to join the RAAF as a volunteer. They accepted her and recruited Joan as a Transport Driver. She drove air force servicemen to the airstrip to the awaiting planes, usually a Messerschmitt BF 109. Then would wait and watch for the plane to land to pick the soldiers up and return to the base. “It was very harrowing as we could only drive in the black out with a small slit covering the windscreen” remembers Joan. John Fairbanks She did around 3-4 shifts a day for a number of years. John was a young 17 year old Polish man when World War II was declared. Hitler invaded Poland and John was drafted as a German soldier to fight in Greece. In 1943 Avalon House he was sent to Holland where he joined the resistance, assisting the Jewish community. He was arrested while giving out food stamps and imprisoned for six months while awaiting execution. One day, with rockets firing overhead, the prison compound was unguarded for a short time. John along with fellow prisoners made a daring escape and talked their way back to Poland. Three weeks after his lucky escape, D-Day was declared. John now lives in Mona Vale House.

Owen Rolfe Owen Rolfe commenced military training in 1954. He served in the Royal Australian Engineers at Holsworthy for more than five years where he forged lasting friendships. Owen was part of the transport unit at the base. He decided against the offer of becoming a Corporal as this would have meant more time on non-driving duties. In 2002 he received a Commemorative Medal and also wears his uncle’s medals when commemorating. Now living at Bowral House, he has written a book about his life titled A Lucky Life.

Betty Foster Legatee Betty is seated with her daughter Cynthia in front of the Bowral House Anzac Memorial Wall, proudly holding a photo of her two sons. Betty’s husband Harold served with the Sixth Division Cavalry Commando Regiment. In World War II he battled against Germans and Italians in the African desert, and the Vichy French in the mountains of Syria. Later he fought against the Japanese in the jungles of New Guinea. Betty’s two sons followed in their father’s footsteps and both are highly decorated servicemen. Jeff served with the Sixth Battalion in South Vietnam during 1966-67. Her second son Ken has a long and distinguished career in the Australian Army, including service in Malaysia, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea. He currently holds the position of National President Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and Director & Deputy Chair of Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2011 for services to the Veterans’ community.

6 | Thompson Health Care News Our ANZAC Spirit

St Mary’s RSL Sub-Branch officers – President Ron Blakley and Secretary Tony Fryer laying a wreath Boronia House Courtyard on ANZAC Day.

Eric Priddy Background of my experience; I was an Engineer on Liberator B24 and commenced operations flying in 1943 until 1945 on Coastal Command in Iceland on 120 Squadron and then 224 Squadron in Cornwall UK until 1945. Then Transport Command, till late 1947. I was lucky to have flown in all models including the Mark1, which had only a rear Bomb Bay and the front sector was fitted with 2 x 20mm cannons. It was fitted with Leigh Lights so when coming near target at night it would light up like daylight and you could see where the target was. Alan Wood Whilst posted in Iceland we lived with the Lava Dust, wild Alan has held a lifelong passion for aviation, both as an winds and rats the size of cats, which would nibble on your engineer and pilot. He started in 1930, at 15 years of age, ears while you were trying to sleep in the big tin sheds on as a Hangar Boy for Adastra Airways. It was not far from rocky ground. Sir Kingsford Smith’s hangar. Nine years later he joined In late January we were told we were being transferred the RAAF as a maintenance engineer and served until to 224 Squadron on watch in Cornwall UK, this was a after World War II. After the War he worked for Butler Air build up of units for D-day. There were 3 squadron units Transport and then Victa Aviation (of lawnmower fame). over a 100 aircraft in total. Two days prior to June 6th At Victa he helped develop the Victa Airtourer and the we started a mass saturation of anti shipping aircraft RAAF’s basic trainer, the CT4. The CT4 is still being used on the western end of the English Channel and the night today by Tamworth RAAF to train pilots. of the invasion there was a continuous stream of B24s. Alan then started his business servicing light aircraft in The distance was approximately 85 miles each way. Sydney’s West for the next 49 years. During this time he The plan was to have a 10 mile wide block zone for any rebuilt two aircraft, which he took to the air for over 40 vessel which was equivalent to 850 square miles to years with his wife and co-pilot Merl. They flew to every protect any anti-shipping operations. Each aircraft had corner of Australia – from Carnarvon in Western Australia its own course and timing, so that we did not collide or to Lord Howe Island, Tasmania and even the Torres Strait. overtake the aircraft in front. We were flying at 1200 Alan now lives at Mona Vale House and is a remarkable feet and the weather was atrocious with gale force winds and respected Australian aviation elder known by some and low cloud. It was amazing that not one soldier or plane as a modern day “Smithy”. was hurt. At the end of D-day invasion all planes were intact or at least a little worse for wear. Issue 18 | 7 John Mazza John did not take part in any active service but remembers the stories his Grandfather and Father told him over the years, they were both in the Italian Army. John enjoys a cappuccino at Boronia House in front of the Memorial Wall most mornings.

William (Bill) Ebzery Roland (Roy) Bill was born in Auburn, Sydney. He became a sailor Hickman in the Australian Navy in WWII from age 17 and served for 3 years. Bill served mainly in the Northern parts Born in England, Roy of Australia near Darwin to protect Australia from joined the Royal Air Force the Japanese. When Bill initially saw the ANZAC wall, (RAF) and was called up it was very overwhelming for him, but also stated that during WWII. He came we should feel very proud to have a wall like this in to Australia in 1942 with Boronia House. It is an important part of our history. the 54 squadron Spitfires as a 1 Wing RAF for the defence of Darwin. Bette Dolman He served in Darwin from 1942-1945 as a spitfire mechanic, continually working Bette Dolman enlisted to put the spitfires back into the air. Roy joined the in the Australian 548 and 549 RAF spitfire squadrons once in Australia. Military Forces in The spitfires were disbanded in 1945 in Melbourne 1942 and was called and Roy took discharge at this time. Roy was given the up in 1943. She served opportunity to stay in Australia once the 54 squadron with the Medical returned to England, which he accepted. He moved on to Women’s Army at South Australia and whilst on leave he met his wife, Eva. Concord Hospital. Bette was allocated to pathology and worked in stenography. Bette now lives at Terrey Hills Nursing Home.

Abbey House residents

8 | Thompson Health Care News Food Week Thompson Health Care celebrates their inaugural Food Week across all homes with great success.

Food Glorious Food ACTIVITIES DURING Food Week brought to focus the FOOD WEEK importance of food in every resident’s • Cooking workshops/demonstrations life. It was shared through a week of • “Ready Steady Cook” New menu taste fun and educational activities involving testing residents, families, friends and staff. • Nutritional information talks & education • Multicultural themed luncheons Some of us may spend just a short amount of time thinking about food during our busy daily life – what • Fun food quizzes & word games to cook, where to buy ingredients or where to go out for • Food themed movies, art and craft sessions dinner. For a resident in aged care that thinking time is vastly greater. Food is at the forefront of most residents’ • “Foodie” outings to farms & restaurants minds. In fact, some statistics claim the average person • Tours of the kitchen in aged care will spend up to 70% of their day thinking • Reminiscing about favourite foods about food, eating or socialising around food or food related activities. • Visits from local providores & suppliers • Men’s special lunches with our Chefs • “Long Table” formal lunches & BBQs Residents taste testing the new menu at Wahroonga House

Issue 18 | 9 Food Week celebrations

Residents tend to the herb Tarragal House celebrated a different garden at Avalon House food culture every day during Food Week!

Turramurra residents enjoy lunch with the chef during Food Week

Chef Myree enjoys a donut!

Mona Vale Boronia Residents residents enjoy crumbed created their lamb cutlets at a own herb garden Formal Lunch

Food themed Crazy Hat Day

Terrey Hills resident, Marie takes a tour of the kitchen with Head Chef Pascal during food week

10 | Thompson Health Care News Food Week Food for life In our homes we strive to encourage each resident to enjoy their food experiences.

Each home has a qualified chef and a team of catering staff dedicated to delivering daily menus using fresh, seasonal foods. Even our cosiest home, Seabeach Gardens, now has a fully self-contained commercial Residents reminisce about childhood favourites kitchen and qualified chef. Our dedicated staff are educated to meet the expectations of residents. foods, dietary needs and eating rituals As each new resident moves into will be met. This might mean including our homes they have a meeting their favourite roast on the regular with the home’s chef to ensure their menu or ensuring they get breakfast individual food cultures, favourite eggs cooked their desired way. Breakfast to order at Bowral House

Silver Service Lunch at Boronia House

Head Chef Tom at Mona Vale is cooking up a tasty soup Delicious and nutritious You are What You Eat As we age our nutritional needs change and good possible are packed into food becomes part of holistic care and considered every mouthful. Quality a form of daily medicine. All our menus are nutrition improves wound approved by a qualified dietician, with some healing and helps to preserve residents needing special menus for medical bone and muscle mass, which conditions. Full cream, full fat, high protein, all assists with maintaining nutritious and calorie rich food is generally the a health lifestyle from the order of the day, ensuring as many nutrients as inside out.

Issue 18 | 11 Bowral House Breakfast made to order

Breakfast Service Breakfast time has been coffee. One of the most popular particularly enhanced by bain items on our buffet breakfast marie service. Our dining rooms menu is something very simple, are a-buzz in the mornings as many “A hot piece of toast!” Residents residents join each other (often in who choose to have breakfast their dressing gowns) for a relaxed in bed don’t miss out either, with buffet breakfast offering freshly all the same delicious options cooked porridge, eggs and bacon, available to them, prepared fruit and yoghurt with juice, tea or and served as requested.

Staff revealed the secret to a perfect dumpling to Avalon House residents.

Formal lunch at Boronia You can’t beat home grown vegies at Macleay Valley House

Turramurra Residents “Out to Lunch” during Food Week Food Week Restaurant style A la carte Choice of menu is important to all residents. At each meal we offer choices of hot dishes, salads and sandwiches as well as soup in the evenings. Many residents choose to have their main meal at lunchtime with a lighter dinner. All our chefs welcome feedback and requests via meal surveys and resident meetings, or some residents like to sit down for a chat directly with the chef.

Wahroonga House “Service with a smile”

Staff at Abbey House serving lunch

Bain Marie Service In the majority of Thompson Health Care homes of time as in many other aged care homes. The Bain we serve our residents directly from a Bain Marie Maries also help ensure our resident’s meals are as in the dining room, rather than plating up food in the hot as possible by keeping plates and freshly cooked kitchen. This allows residents to choose what they food hot, right up to service. want to eat on the spot, rather than ordering ahead

Issue 18 | 13 The dining experience At Thompson Health Care, we also pride ourselves on providing beautiful surrounds to enhance dining experiences.

This includes interior-designed dining rooms with original artworks and large windows, and nuances such as pale wall colour, air temperature, perfect lighting and music are all considered. Group tables promote daily socialising and the opportunity to share food with friends and neighbours. Residents are also welcome to dine in their rooms at any time, or they might just want to have a quiet afternoon tea with a friend by the window in their own space. Many of our homes also have private dining rooms where residents can welcome groups of family and friends to dine.

Our beautiful courtyards and outdoor gardens also provide a great alternative Residents enjoy to eat outdoors, our residents lunch or a afternoon regularly enjoy a BBQ lunch tea outdoors with that wonderful smell on a sunny day of onions sizzling.

14 | Thompson Health Care News Food Week

Plenty of Vitamin D Eating isn’t just restricted to three main meals, with each home offering coffee and tea service, many from their onsite cafes. Weather permitting, residents are encouraged to sit outdoors in the fresh air and enjoy a cuppa and a freshly baked treat from the kitchen. For a change of scenery, specially designed courtyards, terraces and gardens offer serene and social spots to enjoy and give residents plenty of natural light for vitamin D. This is essential for bone and muscle health as aging people are recommended to get 1-2 hours of sunshine per week.* *As per the Best Practice Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care Homes Ed.2.1 Exercises on the terrace at Tarragal

Head Chef Cora always takes pride in her presentation at Milford House.

Presentation It’s often said that you eat first with your eyes food. Different coloured plates or placemats are and then with your mouth. Our staff recognise the often used to provide variety for the eyes, whilst importance of food presentation, using a variety residents sometimes like to walk while eating, of plating and serving methods. Happy Hours often so easy to manage finger foods provide a great see a selection of finger foods, and barbecues and alternative. special events are a time for sharing platters of

Issue 18 | 15 Mind Food Macleay Valley Houses’ award winning dementia care wing offers a dedicated kitchen for their residents. The dementia residents are assisted by staff to whip-up their favourite recipes of the past which helps to strengthen memory through activity as well as the sight, smell and taste of the food. Cooking provides these residents with the ability to make small daily decisions and staff have witnessed increased social participation and a slowing in the progression of skills loss from the disease.

Seabeach residents enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie Hydration Regular daily fluids are a key element in good health, especially as the older generation is at higher risk of dehydration. Hydration is not only essential in warmer months, but also important during winter when heating and illness are in force. Water is the preferable form of hydration as it quickly carries nutrients to the body, regulates body temperature and removes waste. Many residents prefer other forms of hydration, so most of our homes offer a variety of fluids such as soup, jelly, custard, tea and fruit juices. A popular choice of drink is a delicious homemade smoothie or milkshake made with fresh fruit, full cream milk and additional protein supplements Nothing beats a glass of good if required. old fashioned water at Avalon House!

16 | Thompson Health Care News Celebrating Centenarians

The secrets to celebrating 100 birthdays are long debated and disputed. Of course we know staying active in both body and mind is a powerful contribution to good health, but some even say a decent tipple a day increases longevity. Over the past year Thompson Health Care homes have helped several vibrant residents celebrate their centenaries, including some who’ve blown out candles for 101 and 104!

Noreen Meek Noreen Meek celebrated her 102nd birthday on 15 October 2018 along with the staff and residents of Tarragal House. Her daughter says she has always been “a grand lady who always dressed for dinner and was always coordinated, earrings to toes.” Born in England, Noreen spent many years living in India and overseas before settling in Australia. She takes strength from her faith and believes hard work and love of family are the keys to her longevity.

Beryl Morrissey Congratulations to Beryl, one her husband Jim were married of our most senior residents for over 50 years and she has who celebrated her 104th a passion for tennis. birthday with daughters Pam Her daughters, grandchildren and Sue in the photo. and great grandchildren are Beryl was born in Cowra and regular visitors at Abbey House, had 4 older brothers. She and keeping her young at heart!

Issue 18 | 17 Portraits to celebrate One hundred portraits of 100 year olds were painted by teenagers and displayed in Sydney this year to mark the International Day of the Older Person.

The centenarians, all from Sydney, sat for local artists Joyce was born in Waverley in 1916 and spent most of aged between 14 and 19 as part of the Centenarian her life in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. She attended Portrait Project by Teenagers. The result was an exhibition the local primary school and then worked for her father’s in Rosebery called 100: A Celebration of Sydney’s Oldest employer as a receptionist. At the age of 21 she married Residents, curated by Rose Conners. This initiative was her husband, Bat (Bartholomew) and had four children. created by Embraced, socially driven arts projects and In her later years, Joyce worked hard to raise money was sponsored by Estia Health, the NSW Government, for cancer charities. She loves reading and is proud The Australian Human Rights Commission and Driven. of the lovely life she lived with her husband and One of our Milford House residents, Joyce Tucker, was the good relationship she has with all her children. lucky enough to be matched with teenager Christine Sun who lives locally in the Eastern Suburbs. Joyce celebrated Note to readers: Mrs Joyce Tucker passed away peacefully her 102nd birthday this year. on the 18th of November, 2018.

Joyce (Randwick) 25.04.1916 by Christina Sun, Oil on canvas ---- This painting is a moment of listening. In great age, there is often a fear of the unknown, of quiet and isolation. Each day can become centred on the routines of self; waking, eating, reading, sleeping. But for some, age represents the stage of intrinsic curiosity and love for humour. At 102 years old, Joyce Tucker is the first centenarian that I have had the opportunity to meet. Learning her life’s story through conversations and photobooks, my visits with Joyce left me with a poignant, underpinning feeling of tranquillity that I had seldom felt before.

Perhaps it was the quietness of residents going about their day, or the slow yet peaceful crawl of time when displaced from the hustling Sydney city. But in our shared meetings, I realised the true essence of age and purpose. Though time claims its definitive effects as in he lines upon one’s skin, it is undeniably the inquisitiveness, curiosity and understanding, which shines through and characterises a person most vividly. This painting is a manifestation of the patience of a mother, a grandmother, a friend; Joyce Tucker.

Joyce admires her portrait hanging in the “Embraced” exhibition

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Dorothy Dorothy was born in Rose Bay, just as her mother was, on July 22 in 1918. She spent a few years living and running a business with her husband in Narrabri in North Western NSW. Dorothy relocated to Sydney’s north shore in the mid 1950’s with her family, where she continued to support her husband in business and also commenced her own business. She said playing golf and living on her own after her husband died was the secret Valmai Pearce to living to 100. ”You always have to Valmai was born on be active and travel a lot too” she says. September 24, 1918. Dorothy now lives in Avalon House. She describes her secret to a long life: “Despite being quite ill as a Phyllis Jenkin small child, and not starting school until I was 8 years old, Phyllis was born in 1918 in Ipswich I lived on the waterfront and and was one of 6 children raised through the years enjoyed by her single mother. The family boating, fishing and swimming moved to Prestons in Victoria as well as playing competition where she went to school. tennis. To keep my mind active As a young lady she worked I played Bridge regularly and in Parkers Shoe Factory with became very involved with a number of her sisters. She the Australian Society of married and moved into the Geneologists as a volunteer to retailing business with her Phyllis’ daughter moved to the assist others with their family husband. Together they had Central Coast 6 years ago and histories. Being so immersed a son and daughter. regularly visits her at Tarragal in compiling my family history, Following her husband’s death, House with a her grey poodle. I travelled widely every Phyllis learnt to drive a car and year all over the world and spent much of her retirement Her secret to a long life is published several volumes as an avid bowler. Her other of my Family history. So my “to keep busy doing things passions included dressmaking secret to a long life is to keep you love”. and knitting. Much to her delight, the mind and the body healthy.”

Domatilla Taranto Domatilla celebrated her 100th birthday on New Year’s Day 2018. Her grandson John Uliana says she lived on Sydney’s North shore for the past 82 years having opened their first fruit shop in Dee Why and from there the family has been actively involved in the community with stores in Avalon and Balgowlah. Tilla has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She lived a simple life and her loves were cooking and fine needlework. Her cooking is so good that her recipe for meatballs is used at the Local Gibraltar Hotel owned by John. Domatilla lives at Bowral House but has also lived in Manly with her daughter and has many family members living in the Southern Highlands. John is presently organising a trip to Italy as Tilla wants to visit her family.

Issue 18 | 19 Odessa de Looze Odessa, a former resident of Mosman, staying fit by going for long walks celebrated her 101st birthday on 22 every day has helped keep me healthy,” July this year. She feels very fortunate she says. “I actually had a cousin who for her good health throughout the lived to be 106, she never lost her years. She went to SCEGGS Redlands marbles and I hope I never do either.” for school. She married Beresford David William de Looze, and is mother Ms de Looze was very thankful to be to Christine, Lindsay and Miranda. healthy her whole life and said she Odessa worked in David Jones for could not be happier living at Avalon brands such as Grace Bros and used to House Nursing Home. send out their brochures nationwide. “All I can say is that if you’re healthy “I’d hate to be 100 and an awful and not a drag on your family, it’s great problem on my family, and I really think living to 100,” she says. Photograph courtesy of Adam Yip

Dulcie Coogan Dulcie Coogan recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She was born in Sydney and had a happy childhood living near the water, picking fruit and climbing trees. She attended Fort Street Girls’ High. She spent one year in Business College before joining the Australian Army. She lived for some time in China, the South Pacific region and Belgium before returning to Sydney where she worked at the Australian Institute of Political Science. She says she has always been “very active and loved travelling.” She attributes her age to a diet of good, natural food and limited sugar. “The secret to longevity is not being married,” she says. Over her life she has “played well, lived well, loved well and I took the good with the bad,” she says. She lives at Tarragal House.

Penny Tonkin Penny was born in England on March She says choosing to do enjoyable 6, 1918. She spent quite a few years tasks and work worth doing was the living in Singapore with her husband key to living the fullest life. John ‘Eddie” and their children John “You should really make a career out and Paul. of something you love or enjoy doing, In the late 1950s to 1960’s, Penny so you don’t have to work a day in moved to Australia to join her your life,” she said. Her husband’s children who were sent to boarding hobby was writing songs in his school in Perth, as she missed living spare time. without them abroad. The family of She attributes her longevity to never four eventually returned to England smoking and having a decent whisky and soon relocated to Sydney, a day. “You’ve got to keep a decent renting a house in Mosman. She sort of living and have everything in now lives at Avalon House. Penny moderation, it’s quite simple, really,” worked as a short hand typist she says. for a company called Bessa Block. Photograph courtesy of Adam Yip

20 | Thompson Health Care News Celebrating Centenarians

Mollie Cummings Mollie was born on April 16, 1918 in Beulah Victoria during the last year of World War I. During the Great Depression in the 1930s she had to leave boarding school in Toorak and go to work. During World War II she joined the Royal Australian Air Force, and her brother John joined the Australian Army. “My best memory is thinking of when my brother came back from the Middle East, he was wounded but alive and I have always been grateful he was okay.” She lived and worked in London during the 1970s and developed a love of travel. She retired in the mid-1980s. Mollie also worked as a recruiter for the Royal Australian Air Force and volunteered Mollie Shannon with Meals on Wheels for a decade. She’s been an avid supporter of the Australian film industry, Mollie was born in Sydney and grew up in Randwick opera, theatre and ballet throughout her life. with one sister (deceased) and a brother Reginald who “I had one daughter, Susan,” she says. “She went lives in Melbourne. She celebrated her 100th birthday to school at SCEGGS Darlinghurst and it was in May this year. Like many of her generation, Mollie terribly handy living in Double Bay at the time.” finished school to her Intermediate Certificate, but the They enjoyed going on family ski trips together. Great Depression got in her way of going to University to study English. After school Mollie worked as a typist She says the genetics of having long-living at 2GB radio. parents was her secret to living to 100 During the War she sang for the troops. During this years of age, along with just enjoying time she met a wonderful young man, Colin, who was and making the most of life. killed in Syria. The last time she saw him was waving “I always used to be frightened by the fact I would to him as he sailed on the Queen Elizabeth 2 to go become immobile, but I never did,” she says. off to War. Celebrating this birthday at Avalon House, Mollie She did a lot more singing as a soloist with the says said she did not feel any different turning 100 Sydney Philharmonic Choir, she sang at the Sydney years. “I drank and smoked every day of my life and Conservatorium and the Town Hall. really only gave smoking up when it affected my lungs 25 years ago.” Mollie sang with conductors like Joseph Post and Eugene Goossens, and did some live performances on the radio, some for the ABC. After the War she met David, a bomber pilot, they married and lived in Bellevue Hill and Roseville. David was a jackeroo before the War, and after the War he worked for Qantas retiring in the 1970s. They then bought a farm in Oldbury Road, Moss Vale where they lived for 10 years until David’s illness brought them back into Bowral where Mollie has lived ever since. David died in 1983. Mollie now lives in Bowral House. Mollie and David had two daughters, Virginia who lives in England and Kim who’s an artist in Bowral. Mollie has five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Her hobbies included playing golf, music and reading.

Photograph courtesy of Adam Yip

Issue 18 | 21 Graduation Ceremonies Celebrated across Thompson Health Care for our staff.

At the Sydney event our guest speaker was Mr Greg Jones, Principal of Mona Vale Public School and Board Member Macquarie University Hospital and Chair of Macquarie University Discipline Committee. At the Southern Highlands graduation, Dr Brendan Nelson AO, Director of the Australian War Memorial was our guest speaker. At Macleay Valley House, Kempsey Shire Council Mayor Liz Campbell spoke and presented awards to our staff.

22 | Thompson Health Care News Graduations

Issue 18 | 23 24 | Thompson Health Care News Graduations

Macleay Valley House

Issue 18 | 25 Staff Long Service Awards We were very proud to acknowledge some of our invaluable staff who celebrated 20 and 25 years of service with Thompson Health Care at our graduation ceremonies this year.

Sydney presentations by Mr Greg Jones and Mr Doug Thompson. Southern Highland presentations by Dr Brendan Nelson with Mr Doug Thompson.

26 | Thompson Health Care News Graduations

Issue 18 | 27 Discover our new homes

Thompson Health Care continues its expansion into Sydney’s West as well as the North West and Central Coast. In an effort to bring our dedicated excellence in aged care to more residents, we are proud to announce the future opening of three new aged care homes in Dural, Oran Park and Woy Woy.

Dural Dural is a semi-rural suburb in the Hills District of north-west Sydney. Building Status and Timeframe: This exciting new home is due to start construction in the coming months. DA approved, building to Reflecting the local community, it will be a welcoming country style home commence in near future and with approximately 140 beds built over two levels with a chapel, coffee shop, completion approximately dining and lounge areas as well as relaxing outdoor spaces. The home is close 18 months to 2 years. to the local shopping precinct.

28 | Thompson Health Care News Oran Park Oran Park is one of the fastest growing areas of south- west Sydney, within the Macarthur Region. Thompson Health Care plans to build an exciting flagship home here. A comprehensive master plan for the area has been developed over the past few years, and our home will be right in the heart of the Oran Park community, close to shopping and transport. Built over 3 levels, and with over 200 beds it will be our first Super Home. The home will include Thompson Health Care’s signature ensuite rooms and of course there’ll be a coffee shop, Building Status and Timeframe: DA to be lodged with oversized landscaped courtyards, lounge and dining council and pending approval this Super Home will be rooms, all overlooking the district’s recreation areas. completed within 2 to 3 years.

Woy Woy Located on the beautiful central coast, our new Woy Woy residence will become home to 160 lucky Thompson Health Care residents and a sister home for Tarragal House at Erina. This home will sit next to a native bushland reserve. It will offer 160 beds built over 3 floors, and include a coffee shop, lounge, dining and entertainment spaces, along with tranquil outdoor spaces. Building Status and Timeframe: Pending DA approval, completion within approximately 2 to 3 years.

Issue 18 | 29

Breakfast to order in the special care unit at Macleay Valley House

Macleay Valley House Special Care Wing

Our new special care wing provides a stylish home for residents living with dementia.

Macleay Valley House now offers two separate wings, accommodating residents living with various stages of dementia. Both wings offer specialist care in a calm and safe environment run by highly skilled staff who have a passion for dementia specific care. Our latest wing is based on the “Household Model of Care”, providing a unique home like setting, with familiar fittings and furnishings from years gone by. Features include a 50’s inspired kitchen, lounge room and general store with cafe area. Residents are engaged in meaningful daily activities, encouraging independence along with a family-like atmosphere.

32 | Thompson Health Care News Useful Contacts

My Aged Care National Dementia Helpline Phone: 1800 200 422 Phone: 1800 100 500 www.myagedcare.gov.au www.fightdementia.org.au

Australian Aged Care Quality Agency Combined Pensioners and Sydney Office Superannuants Association NSW INC Level 9, 111 Phillip Street Phone: 1800 451 488 PO Box 674 www.cpsa.org.au Parramatta NSW 2124 Phone: (02) 9633 2099 Seniors Rights Service www.aacqa.gov.au Phone: 1800 424 079 www.seniorsrightsservice.org.au Department of Veterans’ Affairs Phone (General Enquires): 133 254 Diabetes Australia Phone (Regional Callers): 1800 555 254 Phone: 1300 136 588 www.dva.gov.au www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

Department of Human Services (Centrelink) beyondblue Phone: 132 300 Phone: 1300 224 636 www.humanservices.gov.au www.beyondblue.org.au

Aged Care Complaints Commissioner Phone: 1800 550 552 www.agedcarecomplaints.gov.au

Dementia Australia Phone: (02) 9805 0100 Phone (Regional Callers): 1800 100 500 www.dementia.org.au

Photograph courtesy of Adam Yip

Issue 18 | 33 Directory

General enquiries about Thompson Health Care Head Office Suite 20, Level 4, PO Box 658, Gordon NSW 2072 Phone: (02) 8467 9333 924 Pacific Highway, Gordon NSW 2072 Email: [email protected] Fax: (02) 8467 9334

Abbey House Avalon House 300 Range Road, 14 John Street, Mittagong NSW 2575 Avalon NSW 2107 (Locked Bag 1) Phone: (02) 9973 0900 Phone: (02) 4871 1085 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Boronia House Bowral House 183 Boronia Road, 87-89 Kangaloon Road, St Marys (North) NSW 2760 Bowral NSW 2576 Phone: (02) 9833 5600 Phone: (02) 4862 8900 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Macleay Valley House Milford House 80-114 Macleay Street, 2-4 Milford Street, Frederickton NSW 2440 Randwick NSW 2031 Phone: (02) 6561 0900 Phone: (02) 9398 3659 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Mona Vale House Seabeach Gardens 33 Bassett Street, East 26 Darley Street, Mona Vale NSW 2103 Mona Vale NSW 2103 Phone: (02) 9910 7900 Phone: (02) 9997 6383 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Tarragal House Terrey Hills 107 Karalta Road, Nursing Home Erina NSW 2250 42 Booralie Road, Phone: (02) 4365 5066 Terrey Hills NSW 2084 Email: [email protected] (PO Box 265) Phone: (02) 9450 1719 Email: [email protected]

Turramurra House Wahroonga House 34 Curagul Road, 31 Pacific Highway North Turramurra NSW 2074 Wahroonga NSW 2076 Phone: (02) 9144 2444 Phone: (02) 9847 2400 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]