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flourish Recipe bumper edition Creativity in the kitchen Beating Loneliness Connecting through Foot health for all technology The power of kiwifruit Arthritis support Help is at hand AUTUMN 2020 Merry music man Bob’s still entertaining australianunity.com.au/flourish I S SUE 12 AU T UM N 2020
AUTUMN 2020 16 IN THIS ISSUE 08 Port Macquarie 08 JULES H ARNE T T Reaching for the stars Bateau Bay 12 ARTHRITIS Cromer Reassessing your lifestyle Hunters Hill after a diagnosis Northmead Penshurst Bondi 16 ALONE OR LONELY Technology-aided connection Bowral 18 PEN PALS 10 The art of letter writing 20 20 24 BOB BELLINI Music for life 180 YEARS 30 Australian Unity’s legacy 30 TAMMY MEYERS On the home front 33 THE T WO OF US Meet Pat & Shanaye 34 HOME M AINTEN ANCE Tips for autumn garden care 38 36 PODI ATRIST Heart and sole 03 COMMUNIT Y NEWS 38 GARDENING Having trouble reading Flourish? 40 PUZZLES Call 1300 160 170 to speak to a member of our 46 RECIPES friendly team about receiving an audio version. 52 PROPERT Y 56 SEASON AL FOOD 1300 160 170 australianunity.com.au/flourish flourish@australianunity.com.au facebook.com/AustralianUnity
W E LC O M E COMMUNITY NEWS Stay safe COVID-19 Please practice good hand and respiratory COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, is 7,500 people to provide health, wealth flourish (Coronavirus) hygiene by: top of mind for many of us now. Please and living services to more than one understand that Australian Unity is million Australians. Recipe bumper edition THE CURRENT PANDEMIC is a concerning public health Creativity in the kitchen continuing to take this situation very situation and many of us are anxious about how the In acknowledgment of this anniversary, Beating Loneliness virus may impact ourselves, our families and friends. Foot health for all seriously. We are actively monitoring Connecting through The power of technology in this issue of Flourish we celebrate kiwifruit the situation and taking measures Arthritis support A few key points have emerged that will help raise some of our care workers. These Help is at hand to do what’s right for our customers, awareness and also prevention of the infection. dedicated people exemplify our AUTUMN 2020 members and employees. company’s values of bold, warm Merry The most common reported symptoms are: Washing your hands frequently We understand the recent media focus on and honest. music • fever with soap and water, before and the outbreak of coronavirus is concerning man • breathing difficulties/breathlessness after eating, and after using We also hear from some of our Bob’s still entertaining the toilet. and the current public health situation • cough australianunity.com.au/flourish customers, including Bob Bellini – a IS SUE 12 understandably makes many of us AUTUMN 2020 long haired larrikin of 82 years who • sore throat anxious about how the virus may impact still performs live music and teaches • tiredness/fatigue ourselves, our families and friends. people about the Internet and how to An accurate diagnosis from a health professional is crucial. We are closely monitoring advice from use computers. And there’s Maree Rees, the government and likewise, we advise who spoke with us about how being a For other useful information: that you also follow government health ‘pen pal’ writer prevents her feeling Covering your mouth and nose • Visit the Department of Health website: health.gov.au. updates, as this situation is evolving, lonely and keeps her socially connected. when coughing and sneezing and advice is being regularly updated. • The Department of Health have created an app, called into a tissue. I hope you enjoy this special edition ‘Coronavirus Australia’. Download it from the app store This year marks the 180-year of Flourish, as we recount the origins or google play to your mobile phone. The app will provide anniversary of Australian Unity. of our company and how we’ve kept PICTURED up-to-date official information and advice about the our commitment to our members, (Cover) Bob Bellini. coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. In 1840, eight ordinary people came (Above) Kevin is pictured here customers and community throughout together in a Melbourne pub to form with Aunty Lindy, an Aboriginal • If you have WhatsApp on your phone, you can join the the 180 years since those eight people Home Care customer, during a friendly society with an ambition to Australian government Coronavirus WhatsApp channel came together in that Melbourne pub. a cultural tour of Killelea help their fellow Australians in times State Park. for updates. Cough into your elbow and use of hardship. alcohol-based hand sanitiser. • Australian Unity will be Fast forward 180 years and we’re still keeping you informed via our website, Disposing tissues into bins and committed to improving wellbeing of Coronavirus Australia Kevin McCoy sms messages and washing your hands afterwards. our customers, members and the wider CEO, Independent & Assisted Living, community– employing more than Australian Unity information with Coronavirus your bill. Australia App A note about Flourish: Flourish magazine is published by Managing Director Print Blue Star Print See the back page of Hardie Grant Media for Australian Unity. Nick Hardie-Grant Contributors (editorial) The photography in this Publisher Scott Elmslie Beth Wallace, Dharma Rogers, Flourish for information Australian Unity enquiries 1300 160 170 Editor Leanne Tolra Emma Castle, Jane Canaway, on how Australian Unity edition of Flourish was flourish@australianunity.com.au Managing Editor Louise Maskell, Narelle Harris WhatsApp australianunity.com.au/flourish Georgia Lejeune Maria Triaca & Margaret Barca Home care services are taken prior to the current COVID-19 health crisis Art Director Contributors (photography) Dallas Budde Michael Amendolia, Jonah Blue managing COVID-19. The information contained in this magazine about Australian Unity’s products or services is correct Design Natalie LaChina, Kate Slattery Photography, Chris Crerar, Chris Elfes, Dean Golja & David Young. and social distancing as at the time of printing. Please visit the Australian Unity website (australianunity.com.au/assisted- living) or phone us on 1300 160 170 to obtain further information about which of our products or Hardie Grant Media Private Bag 1600, hardiegrant.com regulations. services may be available to you. Such information is of a general nature only. Australian Unity strongly recommends that anyone thinking about obtaining services from us first seek independent South Yarra, Victoria, No responsibility is accepted by Hardie Grant Media for the accuracy professional advice that takes your particular circumstances into consideration. You may also wish Australia 3141 of any statement or advice contained in the text or advertisements. to contact the Department of Health on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au Ph: (03) 8520 6444 All material appearing in Flourish magazine is copyright. ©2020 2 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 3
COMMUNITY NEWS Support for Bushfire support dementia Australia experienced devastating carers loss from bushfires over summer and Australian Unity is committed Australian Unity’s to helping where we can. Gemma Berridge and We donated: Megan Harrison run support groups for $100,000 dementia carers in to the Australian Red Cross Mudgee, Warren and bushfire appeal in January. Coonabarabran in This followed: New South Wales. The groups offer safe places $29,850 raised for dementia carers to through our donation pages PICTURED Flu season support one another and for the Australian Red Cross, WIRES Australian Unity share their experiences. NSW and Wildlife Victoria, a sum we staff created packs for have committed to match. Many Australian Unity reminder company Share the Dignity during the customers with dementia A further: are cared for by family $12,625 donations recent bushfires. members who require Now is the time to book your flu education, training and were raised to other charities vaccination. The annual flu vaccine offers by individual and team fundraising information. The monthly two-hour morning teas the best-possible protection from the events, including items produced by our crafters and retirement community allow carers to chat flu, as strains of influenza can change residents, will also be dollar matched. about dementia-related each season. These groups have produced more than topics and learn from 350 items for the Animal Rescue Although the current flu vaccine won’t Collective Craft Guild (ARCCG). one another. Megan SHARE THE says “it can be lonely protect you from contracting COVID-19, Dignity medical professionals are urging being a carer” and the support group gives Australians to get the flu vaccine as carers an opportunity soon as possible to help ease the strain on the health system. The vaccine will Turn to to “connect with page 30 to Australian charity organisation Share the Dignity distributes other people in the help you to remain healthy and strong read the story sanitary items to vulnerable women and girls, some of whom community”. throughout winter and will mean of a volunteer are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and poverty. attendance at medical centres and firefighter Recently, Australian Unity’s New South Wales Northern hospitals is minimised – reducing your Rivers branch collected 23 bags containing personal hygiene products, items that many of us take for granted but which are For information on potential exposure to COVID-19. Book an the Mudgee group, appointment with your doctor now. considered a luxury to some. Australian Unity staff member call 1300 295 813. Teresa Matheson says she is “proud to be associated with For the Warren and such a caring group of people”. Teresa says three of the bags Coonabarabran groups, The vaccine is free for people aged 65 collected were distributed to fire victims and other donations phone 1300 295 806. and over. were given to vulnerable women in the Northern Rivers area. 4 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 5
COMMUNITY NEWS National Meditation ALPACA Reconciliation Sometimes life’s daily challenges can get you DELIVERY week down. But practising mindfulness and setting aside just 20 minutes each day to meditate can 27 May–3 July help strengthen your mind-body connection. National Reconciliation Week Meditation is simple – start by focusing on is an opportunity to celebrate breathing or the sensations you experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait every day. This might be the feeling of the cool Island culture and move towards a future of reconciliation. This autumn breeze on your face or of warm water year’s theme is In This Together washing over your skin. Create your happy and explores how we can place and find a peaceful area where you can Australian Unity Home Care Worker Cheryl all work together to achieve reflect, breathe, relax and be mindful each day. Azzopardi took her role an unusual step further Seniors reconciliation in Australia. when visiting her customers in Ernest Hill in New This year’s events have Meditation makes us feel good and can boost South Wales earlier this year. Cheryl’s customers been cancelled; however, celebration learning, events and our memory and improve mental alertness have a pet alpaca, which was having difficulty giving birth. Once the calf was born, Cheryl conversations will still and stamina. quickly acted on her instincts, performed CPR delights all take place online. and on the baby alpaca and saved its life. She Online resources says it was a “fantastic experience” and is sure can be accessed to remember it for a long time. via the website New South Wales’ Seniors Week 2020 was reconciliation.org.au. celebrated with ponies, carriage rides and Residential magic tricks at Willandra Retirement Village in Cromer. Groups of excited community grandchildren, aged from six months to 15, enjoyed a miniature pony show with wins award their delighted grandparents. The event, attended by more than 90 people, was The Victoria Grange organised by Australian Unity’s Dee Why residential community Home Care Services Branch, Willandra in Vermont South, in PICTURED and the Northern Beaches Council. Kerrie the eastern suburbs of Joanna Smiles, the Manager at Willandra, says Melbourne, was named Whitehorse Skonieczna, Bill one 15-year-old attendee has requested City Council’s “5-Star Food Bennett and Kavini work experience at the village, while an Premises of the Year” for excellence Nishshanka. 11-year-old participant has asked to move in food safety under the category of in. Fauzia Tori, the Dee Why Branch Class 1 Food Premises (catering to vulnerable groups in aged care, childcare and Manager, says one grandparent reports hospitals). The award was announced at the annual that her three grandchildren have talked Food Hygiene Assessment forum in Melbourne. about nothing but ponies for weeks. “It Joanna Skonieczna, the general manager of the was wonderful to see everyone enjoying Victoria Grange community, says she is “honoured themselves,” Fauzia says. to be part of a team that always strives for the best”. 6 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 7
TOGETHER Reaching for the stars A childhood fascination ignited a lifelong passion for this internationally renowned astrophysicist WORDS Beth Wallace PHOTOS Michael Amendolia G rowing up on Tasmania’s remote Starting out at Macquarie University, Jules earned north-west coast, Jules Harnett honours as an undergraduate, then completed a would spend hours gazing out her PhD at the University of Sydney, where she was bedroom window at the clear night one of only two women in the astronomy faculty. skies, mesmerised by the beauty of the She later accepted a postdoctoral position at the stars. Little did she know then that this youthful Effelsberg Radio Telescope in Bonn, Germany, curiosity would one day see her pursue a career as where she worked for two years. “I’m essentially a an astrophysicist, allowing her to travel the world radio astronomer. A bit like Parkes,” she says. and make several pioneering discoveries along Following appointments at some of the finest the way. scientific institutions in the world, including NASA, Back in the 1950s, living on a chicken farm and a chance encounter with an old friend led Jules going to the local primary school in Penguin, such on a year-long expedition to Antarctica with the a future would have seemed as out of reach as the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics. stars she so often observed. “Somebody had dropped out and they were looking “Girls in that day and age weren’t supposed to do for someone to go the next year, so I went,” she science; you were supposed to be a hairdresser, says. “I was very lucky.” PICTURED nurse or teacher,” Jules says. “My dad had been a Stationed with about 50 people, Jules became Jules Harnett became teacher, so I went off and became a teacher, too.” the first Australian woman to winterover at the the first Australian woman to winterover at the Jules taught primary school for several years, geographic South Pole, where she contended with South Pole. but in the 1970s, when Gough Whitlam’s Labor extreme cold, high altitudes that made breathing government abolished university fees, she decided difficult and the imminent threat of power outage. to pursue her true calling: astronomy. “I thought, “It was the most amazing year of my life,” she I have to try this, because I’d always dreamed of says. “The friends I made became like a family, it,” she says. “My dad had always dreamed of doing because you’re stuck there, and you look after things and he hadn’t had the chance.” each other. Even all these years later, we’re 8 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 9
TOGE THER TOGETHER all still in touch because we had that amazing Girls in that day experience together.” and age weren’t The astronomy component was equally supposed to do science; stimulating, Jules says, explaining that her research focused on baby stars – “we were you were supposed to looking at them to see how they start up and be a hairdresser, nurse shine” – and confirming the existence of a black or teacher.” hole at the centre of the galaxy. JULES HARNETT, ASTROPHYSICIST After Antarctica, Jules moved to West Virginia AND AUSTRALIAN UNITY in the United States, where she spent four years WILLANDRA RESIDENT assessing and scheduling observation proposals for the Green Bank Telescope. This was yet another remote posting; in the wooded hills PICTURED of the National Radio Quiet Zone, where use of Jules keeps active at mobile devices, Wi-Fi and even microwaves is account of her time in Antarctica, Diamond Dust, in Willandra Village and heavily restricted by law. 2018. “I think I wrote it for my parents more than recently published a anything else,” Jules says. “They gave me all I had memoir of her time in Returning to Australia in 2010, it wasn’t long and always encouraged me.” Antarctica. before she and her partner of 40 years moved from their Manly home to Australian Unity’s Jules also returns to her hometown each year in Willandra Village and Bungalows in Cromer, August for TastroFest – Tasmania’s Astronomy New South Wales. Festival – as a guest speaker and volunteer. “My partner has rheumatoid arthritis, and it’s “They’re doing marvellous things for science good to have a supportive place to be,” she says, in Tasmania,” she says of the organisers, who adding that while they live in their own unit, they launched the event in 2015. “It’s always been a receive weekly cleaning assistance and soon plan great pleasure to be involved and to give back to to access gardening services. the community where I grew up.” “We originally came here because they let you It’s a gathering of both educated and curious minds have pets and there’s very nice bushland where that she hopes will inspire the next generation of you can walk your dog.” astronomers who, like herself, simply want to learn more about the night skies. When she’s not exploring the local area or singing in the Willandra Village choir, Jules enjoys “There are so many schoolchildren getting involved,” long-distance swimming, cycling and tai chi she says of the festivities. “It’s such a wonderful – the latter inspired by her former love of judo, thing to see.” ● which in her university days saw her train with Olympians and earn her black belt. She’s similarly committed to her work: To find out more about women volunteering at the University of Sydney; pursuing science careers, go to: continuing research with colleagues from the womeninscienceaust.org South Pole trip; and writing, having published an 10 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 11
INSIGHT Aids that reduce stress on joints – such as ergonomic knives, compression gloves and wheeled trolleys – can help people manage daily tasks. Medical approaches include pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and, for some types of arthritis, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which reduce harmful immune system activity. In some cases, joint surgery may alleviate symptoms. Financial impact Franca Marine, National Policy and Government Relations Manager at Arthritis Australia, says the impact of arthritis on individuals, families and communities can be profound. “Arthritis can reduce a person’s capacity to study, work and participate in family and social activities,” Franca says. Along with pain, impaired mobility, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety, arthritis often prompts early retirement. The need for family members to become carers, combined with the cost of treatment, mean family finances can suffer. Arthritis costs the health system about $9 billion a year. Unfortunately, Franca says, government funding for arthritis research has fallen by a third in recent years, despite its social and economic cost. Despite the funding gap, research is continuing, M particularly for the most common forms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile Coming to grips with ost people believe arthritis is idiopathic arthritis. inevitable as you age. There are There may be a genetic predisposition for ARTHRITIS more than 100 types of arthritis – rheumatoid arthritis too though many factors are defined broadly as a disease causing usually involved, including a link to the immune painful joint inflammation and system. This link, first described in the 1940s, has stiffness – affecting people of all ages. been better established in the last decade, leading About four million Australians, half of them aged to further research into immunotherapy for between 15 and 64, have some form of arthritis. rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The condition has no cure. Treatment varies Research gives hope Images: iStockphoto with the type of arthritis but generally includes An arthritis diagnosis is often the time to reassess your lifestyle medication, exercise, weight management and Professor Ranjeny Thomas heads a research team pain management strategies such as the use of at the University of Queensland Diamantina WORDS Narrelle Harris hot/cold packs and massage. Institute, where phase 1 trials – the first of their 12 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 13
INSIGHT kind in the world – are underway. RA-affected Arthritis, Australian patients with specific high-risk genes are injected Unity and HCPs with liposomes – minute sacs with a membrane Australian Unity customers with diagnosed that can deliver drugs or genetic material directly arthritis and a Home Care Package may to cells within the body – designed to alter be able to access government-funded how the patient’s immune system responds to treatments and services. the condition. To be eligible for a Home Care Package, “It’s called an antigen-specific tolerising customers first need to be assessed. immunotherapy,” Ranjeny says, as the liposomes Once approved and assigned a package, contain an RA joint antigen – a substance that Australian Unity can help you determine prompts a joint-specific immune response in how to best use the funding. the body. Melanie Vaz, Home Care Package Program Manager at Australian Unity, “The exciting possibility still some says eligible customers can access years into the future is that Every joint has some regular physiotherapy and nursing care, antigen-specific immunotherapies capacity for repair – massage, pain management, personal such as this could restore immune care, domestic assistance, social support tolerance,” she says. in osteoarthritis, that and transport. reparative potential “The care plan has to reflect the need for “In practice, this would look like prolonged, deep remission is overwhelmed by services and contain sufficient funds for them,” Melanie says, but privately funded from symptoms, or suppression the disease.” services can be explored if necessary. of early auto-immune responses P R O F E S S O R D AV I D H U N T E R , in people who don’t yet have full- UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY To find out more about your eligibility blown RA to prevent them from R H E U M AT O LO G Y C L I N I C I A N for a Home Care Package or how to use RESEARCHER the one you have, contact your local ever progressing beyond the first Australian Unity Home Care Branch, transient symptoms.” or call 1300 160 170. Globally, such research is in its early stages, but However, he adds, “new therapies are coming Tips and Tricks every paper and trial builds knowledge towards out that impact not only the symptoms of the goal of immunotherapy. Achieving it would, osteoarthritis, but have the potential to modify Mobility aids are available for most Ranjeny says, be “a dream come true”. the course of the disease”. aspects of daily life: canes and wheeled walkers, swivel seats for the car and PICTURED These include disease-modifying therapies support arms for furniture. Compression What you can do Mobility aids and still undergoing research by California-based gloves, used judiciously, may relieve For all types of arthritis, daily management keeping active can help pharmaceutical company Samumed, such as swelling, pens with special grips make it to manage arthritis involves keeping active, eating well and the drug sprifermin, which shows signs of easier to write, and book rests save hands. and reduce stress maintaining a healthy weight. These approaches improving cartilage thickness in the knee and on joints. apply especially to those with the most common Grooming aids include long-handled tissue regeneration. ● sponges, while keen gardeners can keep form of the disease, osteoarthritis. their flowers blooming with specially University of Sydney researcher Professor David designed tools, gloves and knee pads. Hunter says the description of osteoarthritis as the Visit Arthritis Australia at For the kitchen, bottle and jar openers, result of “wear and tear” is inaccurate. arthritisaustralia.com.au for more can ring pulls, curved cutlery and anti-slip Images: iStockphoto information on the condition, or call mats are useful. Even tilting kettles are “Every joint has some capacity for repair – in 1800 011 041 for information and advice available – just boil the water and tilt the osteoarthritis, that reparative potential is about local services and programs. kettle in its cradle to pour into an easy- overwhelmed by the disease,” David says. grip cup. 14 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 15
INSIGHT Being alone Tips to help you combat loneliness doesn’t mean Keep in touch with family and friends – not just at Christmas but regularly, so that you being lonely can build more meaningful relationships. (See our story on page 18 about Marie Rees, a devoted pen pal, who has used letters to keep in touch with friends and family for many years.) Technology and modern ways of Reach out to others you think might be experiencing loneliness and living are helping older people feel create new connections. valued and part of the community WORDS Margaret Barca Use phone calls, emails, letter writing, text I messages and smartphone applications such as Whatsapp, Viber and Facebook t’s been called “an epidemic of loneliness” and it Messenger to stay in touch all year round. embraces all levels and ages in Australian society. A survey of 54,000 people by ABC’s ‘Australia Talks’ project in 2019 revealed one in six Australians feel lonely, and a third say loneliness Explore new ways of using technology such as Skype, Google Hangouts, is a problem. Zoom, Houseparty or even the Residential aged care their favourite hobbies and pastimes,” Lauren Among our ageing population, loneliness is even speakerphone on your telephone. As research sheds light on the subject of says. “We offer many accessible, modern ways to more prevalent. As social contacts shrink, as loneliness, modern retirement communities connect with like-minded people.” family and friends get older and pass away, and as are working to ensure people are engaged failing health often limits their ability to engage in and feel part of both their local and wider Staying at home You can share digital challenges with activities, older people are more likely to experience community, too. Home Care Packages can also offer regular, friends using smartphone apps such as social isolation and loneliness. reliable connections. Australian Unity helps to Words with Friends or use Facebook to play Lauren Ffrost, General Manager South But being alone doesn’t necessarily mean being arrange transport or support to help its customers online board games such as Uno, Solitaire Melbourne Communities at Australian Unity, Story, Quiz Planet and more. lonely. Technology and other modern ways of living stay in touch with others through their Home says changed community attitudes and are changing lives for groups in our community who Care Package. Lauren says she hears many heart- awareness are making a difference to many lives. have traditionally faced social isolation. warming customer stories about the connections Australian Unity’s ‘Better Together’ model in they make with their Home Care Workers. Local councils offer ways for older people to connect Contact your local council, either via their residential aged care is designed to support with others in their community and many groups “Our staff understand the importance of making website, or by telephone, to find out whether small, clustered households. run courses to help older people use social media and connections with people,” Lauren says. “Often it’s you can volunteer to support others who digital technologies such as email and video calls, to “In residential communities, we support as much about making friendships as it is about might be isolated and feeling lonely. discover new online and stay-at-home hobbies. residents to live healthy, active lives and pursue delivering the service we provide,” she says. ● 16 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 17
INSIGHT and then life was just in the suburbs from then on. The power But my school friends and I kept writing to each other and shared the news of what we were doing.” These days, staying in touch with Marie’s own of the pen family – seven children, 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren – who live in various Australian states as well as overseas, also takes time. “My eldest son, who is almost 60, lives in the Netherlands. When he first went overseas, we emailed reams to each other. I can’t type any Sharing stories has been a longer so it’s back to handwriting. I write lifelong habit for Marie Rees to him every two weeks. “Of course, the younger generation like everything WORDSMargaret Barca to happen quickly, so I stay in touch by phone as PHOTOGRAPHY Jonah Blue well. I love hearing voices and I like to hear the personality in their voices.” I find it a The habits of a lifetime are deeply ingrained. After Marie’s husband passed away last year lot of fun being and she had more time, so she decided to reach allowed into out and look for more writing companions. the life stories She ran a small notice in a column in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph asking for “pen pals for of others.” seniors”, people who enjoyed writing about MARIE REES, AUSTRALIAN UNITY HOME CARE their life stories and sharing them with others. SERVICES CUSTOMER F “I got many replies, men and women, aged from 40 to 80. I’m still writing to two penfriends who or almost seven decades, Marie Rees has and we stuck to it. There are only five of us now, but replied to that newspaper ad. put pen to paper to stay in touch with we still stay in touch. own experiences with other people. We all need friends and family. “I’ve just received a six-page letter from one “We wrote when we had news. It was natural. We encouragement and we all need hope,” Marie says. family friend, and I smiled all the way through “Writing to penfriends has been a hobby were teenagers. We had boyfriends; we went out on when reading it. I’ll put it aside and re-read it Marie now lives by herself on the south coast of mine since the end of primary school,” Saturday night. We went to the pictures. It was a on the weekend when I have more time, and of New South Wales and is “very happily cared Marie says, and now, aged almost 82, she is still very simple lifestyle, but we had news to share. then reply. I have been very disciplined with my for” with Home Care Services provided by penning letters. “Initially, we just kept in touch with the two girls penfriends. I always reply. Australian Unity. Marie went to St Peter’s School in Rockhampton, who had left Rockhampton, but by the time we “I find it a lot of fun being allowed into the life “I can honestly say that I have not made a better Central Queensland, where there were just 50 were about 20, we had almost all moved elsewhere pupils from grade three to grade seven. With just stories of others.” friend than those girls I got to know at St Peter’s so there were more letters to write. and it’s because we kept in touch and we shared the seven girls in Marie’s class, naturally, a strong As well as the sense of fun that Marie says is an bond was formed. “After working for four years, I joined the Women’s lives we led,” she says. intrinsic part of having penfriends, when talking Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF). I became to her it’s clear that she also brings a sense of Marie is keen to encourage others to take up writing. “Two of my friends were moving away from engaged at 20, married at 21, and then I had to leave understanding and sympathy to her writing. Rockhampton – one moved to Brisbane and one to “I find great mateship in penfriends and a sure-fire because married women couldn’t stay in service. outback Queensland, to Barcaldine,” Marie says. “Sometimes you can hear the loneliness in a remedy for loneliness, and I hope that others might “We made a pact to stay in touch ‘forever more’ “I was a mother at 23, we had our first home at 24 letter. I’m into encouragement and sharing my find the same.” ● 18 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 19
TOGETHER Music for life Meet accordion player Bob Bellini, and prepare to leave the comfort zone WORDS Jane Canaway PHOTOS Michael Amendolia B ob Bellini doesn’t actually like the sound Breaking the sound barriers of accordions, but that hasn’t stopped Bob played with his gran at old-time and Scottish him playing one for 74 years. “If I dances in Balmain on the other side of the harbour, walked in on me playing somewhere, I’d and later joined bush bands and ceilidh groups. probably walk straight out again,” he His high-tech Roland accordion works more like admits. With a cheeky grin and his long hair in a a synthesiser than an old-fashioned squeeze box, ponytail, Bob also admits to occasionally making and he can make it sound like anything from brass things up, but this sounds true enough. or strings to wind and percussion. Bob’s main criticism of the accordion is: “I Bringing technology to music is a perfect mix prefer jazz and the accordion isn’t exactly a jazz for Bob, who “started off at 15 on the tramways instrument.” But it was the only instrument as an apprentice electrician”. He spent most of available to learn with his gran, a professional his working life at IBM, before running his own music teacher, when he was growing up in consultancy. Computers are in his blood, he says, Naremburn, on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. and, for the past 10 years or so, he’s been teaching “We had a piano at home when I was small, but we seniors how to use new technology. His classes are were in this two-bedroom house with 12 people, so held at Willandra. the piano had to go,” Bob says. I try to get people He loves getting people to think – a gift learnt “Still, my music has made me a few bob and got me to challenge what they a lot of friends.” from his gran and great-gran, who were both proud suffragettes. hear; it keeps your If you live near Bob at Australian Unity’s Willandra “They were strong ladies who understood how to mind active.” Village and Bungalows in Cromer, New South look after themselves,” he says. BOB BELLINI, Wales, you may have seen him play – he performs “When I was about eight, my gran used to take MUSICIAN, TEACHER AND for “anyone who will offer me money or food”. WILLANDRA RESIDENT me down to hear the speakers [at Speakers “I soon learned that sitting on your own playing is Corner] at The Domain [in Sydney’s Royal Botanic boring as batsh*t – getting out and playing with Gardens], and some weeks we would listen to the others is fun,” he says. communists, and sometimes the conservatives. 20 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 21
TOGETHER You’ve got more chance of getting taken by a white pointer in the bath than some of the things people worry about now.” BOB BELLINI, MUSICIAN, TEACHER AND WILLANDRA RESIDENT PICTURED (clockwise from far left) Bob often performs at Willandra; tech still plays a big part in his life; as one-half of music duo Cabalie; as a child. “She’d have soirees and invite along priests, who also teaches kids art, while daughter Kara is a brilliant ideas” – and he still loves people who communists, poets … they would pick a topic and pottery teacher and artist. Each has two children. are willing to put themselves out of their comfort debate it.” zones and try something new. Bob’s second partner, Wendy, died five years ago and he moved into Willandra Village. “I bought That could be his grandchildren Head in the cloud without viewing; it’s got two rooms and a bathroom or a 97-year-old neighbour “who Now his thinking is inspired by the possibilities of and balcony out the front. I have a lot of fun.” still thinks like a 35-year-old”. technology. “All my information is in the cloud, so I don’t worry about my wallet and cards and stuff Some of that fun involves being a bit of a stirrer, so “When I was a kid, I thought I’d because it’s all in the cloud – I can be found naked if he hears a rumour, he’s more likely to embellish be a rock musician or a gigolo, in a gutter and it doesn’t matter as long as I can get the invention than deny it. “I try to get people to and I ended up at IBM. But it’s on a computer.” challenge what they hear; it keeps your mind active just as well [I wasn’t a gigolo] and touches that inner part of you where you’re still ’cos I’d be a bit like a dog chasing Sharing information is a skill he developed giving young and alive. a car; I wouldn’t know what to presentations at IBM. “I have a great memory for do with it if I caught it.” ● sounds, but when I started giving presentations, I “Some people worry about the world and safety but didn’t realise that other people didn’t remember we’ve got it pretty good compared to the hardness things the same way – you have to show them. of life back in my parents’ time – you’ve got more But when you realise you can control an audience, chance of getting taken by a white pointer in it really feels great,” he says. Perhaps not the bath than some of the things people worry To learn more about Willandra Village and surprisingly, Bob ended up in marketing. about now.” Bungalows, visit australianunity.com.au/ The teaching and artistic genes have been passed At IBM, he loved working with young people – retirement-communities/willandra down to his children: his son Peter is a fireman “they were game to try new things and always had 22 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 23
INSIGHT A community PICTURED ANA members Edmund Barton, Charles Kingston I and Alfred Deakin helped support lead the federal movement. n 1840, when eight men gathered in a Melbourne The ANA was also central to the pub to form an Australian branch of the Federation movement and its Manchester Unity “friendly society” little did network of influential members – they know they were laying the foundations for including future prime ministers Edmund Barton FOR one of the country’s largest and most enduring and Alfred Deakin – pushed for a united Australia. 180 years mutual organisations. A century later, in 1993, Manchester Unity and the Friendly societies were emerging all over the ANA came together to form what we now know colonies as a new wave of immigrants sought to as Australian Unity. Grand United joined in 2005, secure their futures. The societies were formed to Lifeplan in 2009 and Big Sky in 2012. The mutual give members economic assistance during difficult company continued to expand and today it delivers times by establishing a common pool of funds. health, wealth and living services to almost one Members could contribute to the fund and draw million Australians. upon it when needed for medical services, funeral As Australian Unity marks its 180th anniversary, we reflect on expenses or the care of widows and orphans. A focus on wellbeing the events and changes that have shaped the organisation In 1871, the Australian Natives’ Association (ANA) Though both Manchester Unity and the ANA joined the nation’s growing catalogue of friendly were initially founded to provide an early form societies. It offered financial aid to members, of insurance, it didn’t take long for their roles to WORDS Beth Wallace broaden. During the 1860s, for example, when who were born in Australia, but also aimed to influence public thinking and government policy pharmacy dispensers around Australia were on significant “national questions”. It campaigned suspected of diluting medicines and taking excess for seat belts in cars and swimming lessons profits, Manchester Unity joined other friendly for children. societies to create their own dispensaries. The proud history of Australian Unity Manchester Unity IOOF was founded in Victoria Dr A F A Greeves 1846 1840 (1840) and the first lodge was established in becomes Manchester Adelaide. In the late 1900s, Manchester Unity Unity’s first Grand Master. had an extensive network in Victoria. A key Greeves was born in feature of Manchester Unity was the Annual Knaresborough, Yorkshire, Moveable Conference where the organisation England and emigrated to directors for the coming year were elected. the Port Phillip District in NSW in 1840. 24 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 25
INSIGHT Similarly, in 1870, Manchester Unity was granted approximately 5-hectare site will include a are conducted with 2,000 people to determine Crown land in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton public rehabilitation hospital, a private hospital, the factors that give them the greatest sense to build a facility for aged and disadvantaged residential aged care, retirement living and student of meaning, purpose and satisfaction. This members – the organisation’s first foray into accommodation, health research, childcare, a co- research delivers insights that allow Australian residential care. Fast forward 150 years and the working hub and education and training facilities. Unity to enhance its customers’ wellbeing, while latest additions to Australian Unity’s independent simultaneously informing public debate and policy Rohan Mead, Group Managing Director at and assisted living options include Rathdowne Australian Unity, says the organisation seeks to makers about issues of national importance. Place and The Grace Albert Park Lake – in the heart provide and extend valuable products and services of urban Melbourne. Australian Unity also provides funding to related to important aspects of wellbeing. organisations that make a positive contribution After acquiring Home Care Service in 2016, “Our long history has seen us involved in providing to society. $1.7 million has been distributed to Australian Unity now delivers home care a wide range of services to the community. groups across the country. In 2019, Australian services to more than 50,000 customers in New PICTURED Today, we continue to develop our diverse but South Wales. Unity awarded grants to organisations that have a thematically linked portfolio of health, wealth Manchester Unity building positive impact in its focus areas of Reconciliation, It’s also at the helm of the $1.1 billion Herston built in Melbourne in and living services for our members and Disability and Financial Wellbeing. Quarter development in Brisbane, which 1932. customers—services with a demonstrated aims to give Queenslanders access to leading broader social impact,” says Rohan. As Australian Unity continues to support the health, hospital and aged-care services. The community and bolster the wellbeing of its Committed to the community members and customers, it has remained true Over the years, Australian Unity has sought to to the ambitions set by its founders in 1840. improve more than the wellbeing of its own members. Since April 2001, the company has partnered with Deakin University’s Australian After acquiring Home Care Service of NSW in 2016, Australian Unity Centre for Quality of Life to develop the Australian now delivers home care services to more than 50,000 customers. Unity Wellbeing Index. Twice a year, interviews The construction of the 1932 Manchester Unity Building in 1932 was the organisation’s response to the need to create jobs for its members. The twelve-story Art Deco Manchester Unity Aged Members’ Centre 1962 marvel provided not only employment but was one of opens in suburban Glen Waverley, Victoria Manchester Unity was When Manchester Unity opened its first Aged 1870 the most modern buildings granted Crown land to in the nation. Members’ Centre in 1962, it commenced establish a home for a path along which the care for the older aged and disadvantaged community has continued under the banner members. Bounded by of Australian Unity into the present day. Newry, Station, Freeman and Canning streets 1871 The Australian Natives’ 1937 Tree planting is promoted across in Carlton, Melbourne, Association (ANA) was Victoria by the Australian Natives’ and approximately 1.25 Australian Unity accelerated its campaign to build its established in Melbourne Association in conjunction with the 2005 acres, the land was financial planning business in New South Wales after it in 1871 for people born in Forests Commission of Victoria. to be used to build a took over the Grand United Friendly Society in 2005. Australia at a time when Posters at the time describe the facility for aged, infirm, most administrative jobs society as a ‘benefit mutual non- The merge allowed Australian Unity to further invest decayed, distressed or were held by British born. party progressive national all- in the retirement living and healthcare client base of indigent members. Australian association’. Grand United – one of Australia’s oldest companies. 26 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 27
INSIGHT Lifetime of service These five Australian Unity staff and volunteers from regional New South Wales have dedicated many years to the organisation. Of no personal influence… This article is supported by research from Of no personal influence a book by Alex Dorothy Skinner has been a care McDermott produced on worker for 34 years, starting out in Delma Beetson has been a behalf of Australian Unity. a holiday cover position when her volunteer Community Transport Robyn Pearson from Walgett Will Marr is another Nyngan local children were young. Based in the driver for 19 years, taking clients Elizabeth (Beth) Roberts joined began her association with Australian who joined Home Care Service of small town of Baradine, in north from Nyngan in central NSW to Home Care Service of NSW 35 years Unity 34 years ago as a care worker, NSW 19 years ago as a volunteer western NSW, Dorothy often knows medical appointments, on shopping ago as a cleaner, but her role today a role she continues to this day. Her driver. Though he works elsewhere her clients before she works with and personal trips, social outings includes other duties, such as respite motto – “I do anything that people as a disability carer, he uses his them, and says: “In some cases, I’ve and to visit family and friends. She’s and palliative care. Beth works in and want done” – has endeared her to day off each week to take people looked after their mothers, and now also an active member of the local around Leeton in the Riverina, and clients over the years, as has her to appointments, often undertaking I’m looking after them.” Undertaking Meals On Wheels service and says: says meeting so many wonderful constancy. Robyn’s list of long-term the four-hour round trip to Dubbo. anything from housework to respite “I just love driving and looking after people – including one family she clients is extensive; in one case, she “You get this fantastic opportunity to care, Dorothy says she enjoys the people.” Delma, 80, says some of provided care to for 32 years – nursed a man with quadriplegia for be in the car with people that you’d versatility, adding: “You might do her clients are younger than she is, makes her job rewarding, adding: 27 years. Working six days a week, normally never meet,” says Will. vacuuming in one place for an but it’s work that she enjoys, adding: “You can go to work having a bad she often travels great distances to “They tell you all sorts of fantastic hour, and then move off and take “There are so many on their own and day, but by the time you leave you’re see her clients, saying: “I go wherever bits about their life, it’s a really somebody shopping. Every day they get lonely. You’ve got to be a laughing and they’re laughing too”. I’m needed”. interesting experience.” is different”. good listener”. 2019 Australian Unity progress 2009-2015 At the end of 2019 Australian with various mergers. Unity head office moved to its In August 2009, Lifeplan new headquarters in Spring merged with Australian Unity Street, Melbourne CBD. The and in 2012 Big Sky Credit renovation was designed by John Union did the same forming Big Wardle Architects. Sky Building Society. Both create an even stronger mutual organisation. In 2015, Australian Unity Personal Financial Services acquired Flinders Australia Australian Unity signed an agreement of client-directed care.” 2016 Limited giving Australian with the NSW Government to accept the The transfer resulted in Home services Unity a broader platform transfer of the Home Care Service of Remedy Healthcare is a leading provider of highly Rathdowne Place Wellbeing becoming one of the largest areas of 2014 2008 of in-demand services for NSW (Home Care) to Australian Unity. targeted, evidence-based self-management and opened at its Carlton Precinct. operation within the Australian Unity clients and members. health coaching programs. Their services are Under the agreement, more than 50,000 Group and one of the largest home care available to a range of clients across Australia, clients across NSW and 4,000 employees providers nationally. such as corporations through corporate health transferred to Australian Unity in 2016. Australian Unity has provided home care programs, health programs for members of Australian Unity’s Group Managing Director services for more than ten years and private health funds, and specialty aged care Rohan Mead said, “This is an opportunity has accreditations across a number of health services for older clients living in their for Australian Unity to fulfill its vision federal, state government and external homes or in aged care centres. to create Australia’s leading home care accreditation bodies. business based on a true continuum 28 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 29
TOGETHER On the home front Tammy Meyers’ desire to help others extends beyond her day job helping Australian Unity customers stay in their homes, to a role as a volunteer firefighter WORDS Dharma Rogers PHOTOS Dean Golja F or Tammy Meyers, it’s how she feels understands that it takes time to connect about the work she does that counts with customers and to build trust. “I have the most. one customer who will only speak to me,” she says. It took a little time, but the two have “I just like helping people stay in their formed a strong bond. homes and helping people with day-to- day living,” says the Allocations Coordinator for Because allocations coordinators need to Australian Unity in Ballarat, Victoria. understand customers so they can give them the best-possible service, some customers might feel It’s why she loves her role and was the motivation more comfortable with certain carers. “Knowing behind her decision to become a volunteer the customer makes them feel they’re not just firefighter for the Country Fire Authority in 2002. another number,” Tammy says. Tammy’s day-to-day work is mostly logistics While her role doesn’t require her to go out and based. “I fill services for customers or carers meet customers, on occasion she does. Tammy who are off sick or on annual leave,” she does this because she has known some customers says. “I arrange times for carers to go out and Everyone looks help customers.” since 2012 and sometimes they request to meet her. out for each other, That ensures Australian Unity’s valued customers “It’s nice to put a face to a name and it makes them more comfortable because they know who because at the end of continue to get the care they need – such as they’re talking to on the end of the phone as well,” housework, showering assistance and shopping. the day, we all just want “Without that support, some people might not be she says. to return home to our able to stay in their own home,” Tammy says. In 2001, Tammy watched television footage of firefighters battling the devastating bushfires families safely.” “I started off doing a bit of reception, admin and known as Black Christmas, which tore through TA M M Y M E Y E R S , allocations with Home Care Plus [in Ballarat] in parts of New South Wales and the Australian ALLOCATIONS COORDINATOR 2002,” she says. “I’ve had a few roles since being Capital Territory. FOR AUSTRALIAN UNITY IN with Australian Unity, but allocations coordinator BALLARAT, VICTORIA “I just thought, I’d love to be able to do that; I’d is probably my favourite and the one I’m best at.” love to be out there helping, and that’s what I The work comes naturally to Tammy; she did,” she says. 30 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 31
TOGE THER INSIGHT PICTURED Tammy Meyers in her role as the Allocations Coordinator for THE TWO OF US Pat & Shanaye Australian Unity in Ballarat. Pat Hudson, 71, from Gosford in New South Wales, has osteomyelitis in her foot and debilitating arthritis in both hands. Australian Unity nurse Shanaye Finlayson coordinates the care Pat receives on her Level 3 Home Care Package WORDS Maria Triaca PHOTOS Chris Elfes Being able to PAT: “I’ve known Shanaye for just over a year. The SHANAYE: “Pat’s got a great personality and she help somebody nurses who cared for me for the first 12 weeks after makes the best of a sticky situation. She improvises my foot surgery suggested Australian Unity for a way of doing things. She keeps going because she in a time of need ongoing care at home. Shanaye recommended Dan, is very determined. She’s crippled with rheumatoid … is an amazing the physiotherapist, and Lucy, another nurse who arthritis, but there are all these little things that feeling” also helps me. she is able to do herself. For instance, she uses pliers to open jars. Other people would say ‘it’s In 2002, Tammy became a CFA volunteer in Shanaye comes once a week and dresses my too difficult’ or ‘I’ll go into a rest home’, but Pat Waubra, near Ballarat, where she lives with her wounds. She’s here for an hour and a bit. She’s is determined to be independent. She’s in chronic husband, Andrew, and their three children, helpful, she’s kind. I love everything about her. pain and is on a management plan. Tylor, 21, Hailey, 16, and Cody, 13. She undoes bottle tops for me because my fingers don’t work. I’ve only got two thumbs that work. Her hands are affected, but her thumbs are moving Since signing up 18 years ago, Tammy has been on “Everyone looks out for each other, because at the freely and, with all the assistance, slowly she’s two deployments, one of which was for the fires in end of the day, we all just want to return home to I hadn’t driven for four years because of the been able to get the movement back. East Gippsland earlier this year. our families safely.” arthritis, but because of the physio I’m back driving, which is great. The NRMA driving She’s really come a long way in the past 12 months. When talking about her experiences with the Tammy would like to return to the places she instructor came out and took me for a drive She’s gone from not driving to being able to drive recent East Gippsland fires, Tammy, who is now a went to on her deployment “for a visit and and I didn’t do too badly. I’m having some more again and that’s a huge achievement. She’s an first lieutenant, says she felt a range of “different some adventures”. lessons and I’m hoping to get a restricted licence. inspiration to others. We chat about all sorts of emotions”. She says it was “heartbreaking” to see “Being able to help somebody in a time of need, things, but mainly sport. Pat was really good at I’ve always been very independent. I’ve worked people who had lost their homes, the very place you don’t expect anything in return but to know sport. She’s also got a great sense of humour. out how to do things for myself. Tammy works so hard to keep her Australian that you’ve helped them on their worst day is an Her Level 3 Home Care Package entitles Pat to Unity customers. amazing feeling,” she says. ● I’ve got a little budgie whose feathers fly around podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, the room, so I got a curtain rod, put some Blu Tack shopping and domestic assistance. During her three-day deployment, Tammy’s job on the end of it and use that to pick up the feathers. was to put out small fires that were still burning Pat’s got a book of cuttings from the local – this is known as blacking out hot spots. She did Australian Unity can help to keep you Shanaye is not just a good nurse, she’s become a newspaper, The Central Coast Express, about her this with a team of 25 to 30 people; some were in your home longer. good friend. sporting achievements. It’s a great record. I love australianunity.com.au/home-services complete strangers but became more like family We love to chat and enjoy a laugh. We mainly chat looking through it and asking her about her during their time together. about sport – football, cricket, netball and squash.” sporting achievements.” ● 32 FLOURISH | AUTUMN 2020 A U T U M N 2 0 2 0 | F LO U R I S H 33
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