12 August 2025

Orana residents feel the warmth of kindness

Residents of Lutheran Services’ Orana Aged Care in Kingaroy are feeling cozy despite the cooler weather after they were presented with 21 handmade quilts.

Orana Aged Care Manager Bruce Bryan said the quilts would be treasured. 

“The team at Orana Aged Care were touched by the thoughtful donation for our residents, so much time and kindness has been put into each quilt,’’ he said.

“Our residents treasure their gifts that helped make them feel extra special.’’

Could we add a line in about our approach to building a sense of purpose of residents through supporting activities they enjoy and keep connected within the community.

Quilt-maker Judy Grimes said the quilts were sewn by members of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and other volunteer quilters in the Kingaroy community.

“We delivered the quilts to Orana where residents could choose their own and they were so grateful, it was touching. One resident asked, ‘Is it really for me? Can I keep it on my bed?’’ Dr Grimes said.

The group started in October last year to learn sewing but the women quickly turned their hand to quilt making.

“Orana Aged Care donated two boxes of scrap material and from that we started making quilts,’’ Dr Grimes said. “The first quilt we made was for an Orana resident who is participant in our group. Once the women began sewing quilts it was hard to stop. Five quilts resulted from the two boxes of material, and it just grew.

“Members donated extra material and others in the extended community who heard what we were doing gave us their unfinished quilts to complete.’’

Five members are regularly involved in the sewing group but their work isn’t done as there are another six quilts in production and destined for Orana.

“It made all of us feel good to see how much joy the hand made quilts brought to the Orana residents. Their eyes just lit up. The motto of the Relief Society is Charity Never Faileth.’’

Orana Aged Care is located in 24 Macdiarmid Street, Kingaroy. For more information, call 1800 960 433.