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This Queensland Youth Week, we are thrilled to celebrate and recognise the talents, achievements and contributions of young people we have the privilege of supporting through our Youth and Family Services, including Grace, a musician who’s winning over music lovers.
Music gives Grace a way to share her thoughts and her heart.
And now the 14 year old singer from Caboolture can say she shared her spirit with an audience at Bluesfest, a crowd of avid music lovers that descend on Byron Bay every Easter.
Grace said joining Sound Connections 18 months ago was the catalyst to finding her voice.
Sound Connections at Intercept Youth & Family Program in Caboolture runs weekly during the school term, bringing together a group of school aged kids keen to make music with the guidance of professional musicians and Intercept mentors.
The young people learn instruments and work on performance and song writing. This all culminates with an end of term concert.
The focus is on self expression and connecting with their inner voice.
“I love Sound Connections and am so glad to have met the mentors,” Grace said.
“I love all the music and the chance to do things I couldn’t or wouldn’t try.
“Music gives me a way to share my thoughts, my heart and something to focus on no matter what’s happening.”
Like many of us, Grace is searching for meaning in a crowded world.
She lives with Autism and identifies as a First Nations artist.
A sense of connection and belonging through music is giving her the wings to fly.
Mum Sam said the change in Grace since joining the program had been huge.
She said Grace encourages other young people to join her at open mic nights and is playing her own part in bringing people together.
“I think it’s a testament to the program that it awakens and exposes kids to use music as an outlet and form of expression, as well as gaining self-belief,” she said.
“I just wanted to thank (Intercept) for how far Gracie has come – not just musically but being able to express herself, have confidence and believe in herself.”
You can follow Grace on Facebook or Instagram @grace_alexandra_music and thanks for image onewayboulevard on Instagram @onewayboulevard.ig
Entertainer to the troops, travelling across the country, Velma Clarke has lived a life of adventure.
St Andrews Aged Care in Tallebudgera is lucky to have such a lively personality!
St Andrews Creative arts Coordinator Alison Wilson and Velma have formed a special friendship.
The pair love to share a cuppa and look at Velma’s wonderful photo frames.
Alison takes up the story. “Meet Velma, a true embodiment of resilience and joy who is currently residing at St Andrews Aged Care in Tallebudgera.
A remarkable woman whose story is a blend of strength, perseverance, and genuine warmth.
Born in Sydney and now calling the Gold Coast home for the past two decades, Velma’s life is a testament to embracing every twist and turn with courage.
Growing up Velma had a great upbringing with kind and loving parents.
She had many pets which varied from Silky Terriers, a wallaroo, cockatoos and cats.
As a professional dancer and entertainer, Velma travelled across Australia, spreading joy through her performances for the Army and Air Force.
Alongside her stage career, she dabbled in bar work and even took on the role of a cigarette girl in Kings Cross.
Velma cherishes her memories of marrying her late husband Joe, travelling and entertaining the troops.
Both her and Joe were heavily involved with the Currumbin Viking surf club, where Joe was Santa for many years and received a Centenary medal for distinguished service.
But what truly sets Velma apart is her genuine joy in the little things – Velma thinks that just “breathing” makes her day!
Velma truly puts a smile on many faces and is so generous with her time and willingness to help out with any decorating, craft or dressing up.
A great example of how this lovely lady dives into making a themed day even better is on Australia Day when she painstakingly made individual champagne cork and Australian flag decorations to sit on each person’s mat in the dining areas.
She is a lady who knows her own mind and is willing to share her opinions and advocate for others in the most respectful way.
Velma’s story reminds us to treasure each moment and approach life with an open heart and a resilient spirit.
Here’s to Velma – a beacon of light in our community, whose journey continues to inspire us all.”
Lenny is the newest furry friend and support buddy at Immanuel Gardens Aged Care in Buderim. He is a Welsh Springer Spaniel and loves to come in to work with his Dad Adam who is the Service Manager at Immanuel Gardens. Lenny enjoys spending time with the residents and getting lots of love and pats, as seen here with resident Norman!
We chatted with some of our incredible residents and staff, sharing stories of strength and inspiration that define the spirit of womanhood. Here’s to the incredible women in our lives and the profound impact they make every day.
Five nature-inspired murals now adorn St Andrews Aged Care, thanks to the creative students from St Andrews Lutheran College and local artist Christian. Amazing brushwork from the budding artists.
Meet Beth, a resident at Cooinda Aged Care in Gympie. She recently attended the Liturgy of Welcome for our new chaplain Lionel and graciously donated a family heirloom—a beautiful cross stitch titled ‘Footprints in the Sand.’
This intricate piece, passed down from her mother, now hangs in Cooinda’s newly refurbished chapel.
At the vibrant age of 99, Beth’s wisdom and warm smile shine. She shared a timeless piece of advice: “Where you can, listen to your mum – out of everyone in the world, she usually has your best interest at heart.”
Meet Leah, the gardener behind the beautiful greenery at Immanuel Gardens Aged Care and Retirement Living in Buderim.
For the past year, Leah’s days kick off with clearing fallen branches and tidying up. From mowing to facilitating gardening sessions, she’s the green thumb making a difference.
Leah’s secret? Improving soil for thriving plants and creating beautiful garden spaces.
The challenges? Maintaining the grounds of two facilities but loving every moment.
Why does she do it? “Seeing residents’ joy makes those tiring days worth it.”
Leah’s advice? “Stop and smell the flowers. It’ll do wonders for your health.”
When the satisfying sound of a mallet on leather resonates at Trinder Park Aged Care in Woodridge you can be assured volunteer Glen is sharing his love of leathermaking with residents such as Warren and Neil who are really getting into using their hands to make something creative.
The leathermaking session is part of Trinder Park’s regular creative lifestyle program that taps into the interests and hobbies most enjoyed by our residents.
In fact – all Lutheran Services residential aged care sites have a dedicated lifetsyle team who put togther all sorts of fun and engaging activities including dancing, singing, creating and more!
Everyone’s journey into aged care is different.
Sometimes you get time to plan and sometimes you need to make a snap decision due to illness or accident.
In an ideal world, you or your loved one will already have discussed and filled out your advance care planning documents before entering aged care.
Advance care planning is an ideal way to start the conversation about choices for future health care.
A good way to think about advance care planning is as a living will. It is a way a person can let their family, doctors and carers know what health care is important to them.
Click here for some handy information about advance care planning, which includes Statement of Choices, Advance Health Directive and Enduring Power of Attorney.
The newly refurbished Trinder Park Home Care Centre now offers day respite services through Commonwealth Home Support and through Home Care packages. You can come and check out the new offerings on Wednesday December 6, between 10am and 2pm.
Home Care Manager Deb Johnson said the new space, which is located on the Trinder Park Aged Care & Retirement Living campus at Woodridge, was a positive and homely environment.
“We have created a Zen garden where clients can sit and enjoy a relaxing waterfall and pond with fish, and enjoy the peace and serenity of the area,” she said.
“Other new features include a gardening space for those clients who have a green thumb.
“Best of all we now have a ‘one stop shop’ for all allied health requirements, including occupational therapy and physiotherapy podiatry and social work”
New programs such as exercise sessions focusing on strength and balance were growing in popularity, Deb said.
Next year there are plans to expand services to outings including lunches and craft/art therapy groups.
The services are open to people aged over 65 who are eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Program or Home Care Packages.
Chat to Deb and the team about your eligibility on 07 3387 4929.