Summer 2012

Wellbeing
Message from Derek
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the Christmas and New Year period and were able to spend valuable time with family and friends. Unity Retirement Living. With the acquisition of additional villages, the continuing growth of our existing developments and the extension of our range of lifestyle and ambulatory Many people are waiting to hear the federal governments response to the programs and services, 2012 will see us continue to grow and deliver on Productivity Commissions Caring for Older Australians review as their our commitment to improving the wellbeing of all residents. adoption of these recommendations will have a positive impact on In this issue of Wellbeing we the lives of all older Australians. celebrate recent village events and Notwithstanding this uncertainty, introduce the newest Australian 2012 is certainly shaping up to Unity village, Geelong Grove. We be an exciting year for Australian provide tips on computer usage and summer gardening, feature a recipe for Indian carrot salad and continue to update you with our latest construction news. With 26 January fast approaching, we also feature an article on Australia Day and its historical links to Australian Unity. Once again, may I wish you an enjoyable and rewarding year ahead. I hope you enjoy reading our summer newsletter and I look forward to keeping you updated with all the latest news from our villages.
Derek McMillan Chief Executive Retirement Living

Resident news
First barbecue at Sienna Grange
Port Macquarie is renowned for having one of the best climates in Australia and this was certainly evident on 6 September, 2011 when Australian Unity hosted the first barbecue to be held at the community centre of Sienna Grange. The barbecue was all about teamwork with sales staff, Colin Hills and Denis Roberson in charge of the cooking whilst New South Wales State Manager, Penny MacLennan and Client Services Manager, Lyn Easton assisted with catering and serving. A warm welcome was spelt out by resident, Doreen Oliver, who provided delicious chocolates for all to enjoy with coffee. Sienna Grange in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, now has 19 occupied villas and will eventually have 67 villas to complete the friendly, vibrant new community which is set in beautifully landscaped grounds. The recently completed bocce court and pergola with seating now provides residents with an area to relax whilst overlooking the reed and waterlily filled pond.

Willandra Village residents celebrate Melbourne Cup

Residents and staff of Willandra Village in Cromer, New South Wales, embraced the Melbourne Cup spirit on Tuesday 1 November, 2011 as they dressed to impress and celebrated race day. In true Melbourne Cup form, sweep tickets were sold to residents as they tried their luck. When the time came, the race that stops the nation was viewed on the big screen as residents cheered for their horse to win. Residents were also treated to a buffet lunch and lucky door prizes of champagne and fruit baskets. Carol Charman, Willandra Village Receptionist said the day was a success. The resident

feedback was great. They said that everything was set-up well, dressing up was fun and the food was fantastic. The atmosphere was great and we were encouraged to run the same event next year, said Carol.

Willandra Village residents celebrating the Melbourne Cup

First barbecue at Sienna Grange

Features
Resident news Keeping up with technology Recipe: Indian carrot salad Gardeners corner

Wellbeing Summer 2012

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Resident news continued

Mt Eymard celebrates 25 years
spirit in the village. Many visitors comment when they enter the village about the strong vibes of serenity and security, he said. Cake cutting honours were given to Mrs Marjorie Elliott, the longest residing resident in the village. Mrs Elliott moved to Mt Eymard, Bowral from Sydney with her husband John in August 1986. At that time, only two other cottages were occupied. Mrs Elliott said it has always been such a lovely spot and has always kept its charm. complete with its own bar, dining area, craft room, billiard tables, library, indoor carpet bowls and a fully equipped kitchen. The village also features an outdoor bowling green, putting green, petanque piste, workshop, barbecue area and a village bus which makes weekly trips to the local shops and Geelong city centre. Doreen and Phil Abbott have managed Geelong Grove for the past two years and have enjoyed their time at the village. The residents at Geelong Grove are very community minded and they have made us feel part of that community. We would like to welcome both the residents of Geelong Grove and Doreen and Phil Abbott to Australian Unity.

Marjorie Elliot cuts the celebratory cake for Mt Eymards 25th anniversary celebrations

Mt Eymard Retirement Village in Bowral, New South Wales, celebrated a milestone with residents, staff, family and friends marking the 25th anniversary of the village with a garden party in the formal gardens. The occasion featured the unveiling of a time capsule and the launching of a booklet about the sites history, researched and written by two of the residents. Client Services Manager, Neville Jenkins said the time capsule contained photos, a copy of the history booklet, a sales information pack, a village newsletter, results of the recent resident satisfaction survey, a list of attendees as well as a copy of the invitation, the menu and the program for the celebration party.

Hopefully it will be opened in 25 years time at the 50th Anniversary in 2036, he said. Mr Jenkins also said the book launched at the party Mt Eymard The History of a Southern Highlands Icon at Bowral, outlined the history of the village beyond the 25 years the site had served as a retirement village. Residents Mrs Sally Darling and Mr John Matthew compiled the history with research spanning the original grant of the site to John Oxley until now, collecting a lot of interesting historic information on the way. The attendance of over 100 residents and guests at the party was typical of the community

Australian Unity welcomes Geelong Grove Retirement Village

Australian Unity is proud to announce the acquisition of a new village to its portfolio Geelong Grove. Situated in the suburb of Grovedale, Geelong Grove is surrounded by natural parklands and reserves and is situated five kilometres from the vibrant regional city of Geelong. Geelong Grove comprises 148 two and three bedroom independent living units and all units are located within close proximity of the community centre. The community centre offers a full range of facilities and activities for residents to enjoy including a large lounge area

Geelong Grove Retirement Village

Crossword puzzle
Across 1. Multiple-birth babies 7. Ponytail elastic 8. Drifter 10. Jockeys mounts 12. Sword holder 14. Pronto (1,1,1,1) 16. Scottish church 17. Unripe 20. Making believe (4-6) 23. Bird of prey 24. Trade 25. Unmarried Down 1. Australian airline 2. Not far 3. Fierce wind 4. Stableboy 5. Faints (6,3) 6. Makes sense (4,2) 9. Smears 11. Female family head 13. Cane spirit 15. Cowboy actor, John ... 16. Smoked herring 18. Exhaust 19. Tibetan monks 21. Labels 22. Benefit

The answers to this crossword are available at www.australianunityrl.com.au

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Wellbeing Summer 2012

Keeping up with technology

Pam instructs her students to write down what they want to learn in order of importance. The most popular topics people want to learn are how to use email, navigate the internet, contact their family via Skype or Facebook and also how to manage their finances using spreadsheets. Other skills in demand are designing individual gift cards or stationery. Pam also utilises the power and interactive nature of computer games to help keep her students minds active. I dont use brain training games as there are plenty of great puzzles and hidden object games that are more interesting and beneficial, said Pam. The classes have been running since 1998. When I started, the cost for a one-hour class was just $5. Thirteen years later the cost is still affordable at $10 an hour. Pam donates all of the money to the Willandra Village Activities Committee. Over the years Pams classes have contributed almost $27,000.

Pams tips
Pams tips for people who want to learn how to use computers include: 1. Prioritise what you want to learn. 2. Make notes as you learn and refer to your notes often. 3. When a pop up appears on your screen make sure you read the entire note before you click yes or no. 4. Dont let your children change things around on your computer. They may be more experienced with computers but when things go wrong in their office they may call an IT expert to help out but you may not have the same support available. 5. Enjoy computing.

Enjoy the benefits of computers

Pam Eggins is a resident at Willandra Village in Cromer, New South Wales and is a retired high school teacher with a passion for educating and learning. Pam has combined her passions by teaching residents how to use computers and in the process she continues to learn. Some residents have been given iPads and have asked for my help. I purchased an iPad so I could teach myself and then pass on this knowledge. It is great because it helps me keep up

with the technology and I enjoy learning new things. Pam has qualifications in computer programming and she uses this knowledge to teach students how computers operate and how to keep their computers running optimally. Older people like to understand how things work and they get a lot of satisfaction understanding what the computer is doing.

A fascinating heritage
Australia Day
As we look forward to celebrating our national day in January, it is important to note the history of Australia Day and its links to Australian Unity. Australia Day holds a special significance for Australian Unity. It was one of Australian Unitys founding organisations, The Australian Natives Association, which began a campaign for the commemoration of a national day and it is that vision which ultimately resulted in what we now know as Australia Day. From the very inception of the Australian Natives Association, members were forever striving to promote ways and means of developing and fostering a truly great and inspiring national spirit that was typically Australian. At their branch meetings, members freely discussed the history of their country, its potential and its various shortcomings. The latter had to be rectified. It was noted by members that whilst St. Georges Day, St. Andrews Day, St. Patricks Day and St. Davids Day were commemorated, there was no such day for Australia. There is no doubt that this fact was commented upon. The settlers from overseas had little desire to discard their own national days. There was little national pride in their own homeland. To many, Australia was a great adventure to get rich quick and return to their native lands. The Australian Natives Association meetings provided the correct avenue for discussion and advocacy of any proposal to advance the cause of Australia and it was at the Australian Natives Association conference held at Sandhurst in 1885 that a letter was received from member Mr. E. H. L. Swifte of Ballarat, suggesting that as other nations have a Saints Day, that in Australia a day should be decided upon and called Australia Day. Perhaps the conference delegates thought the proposal unnecessary or they may even have felt it impossible to implement. The contents of the letter had merit and did not fall on deaf ears. At the 1886 conference held at Melbourne there was a resolution on the agenda from the Kerang Branch which stated That a national holiday be fixed and that 26 January be suggested as the most desirable date, that being the anniversary of the Foundation of Australia. The resolution was carried. It was a step forward and tended to give all Australians a new sense of appreciation and approach to their country.

Image and article text reproduced from A Centenary History of the Australian Natives Association 1871 1971.

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Recipe: Indian carrot salad for all four seasons with fusion
Carmen Marcus, Care Assistant at Greglea Retirement Village in Penshurst, NSW, shares one of her original favourite recipes prepared on Cultural Night for the residents at Greglea Retirement Village. Ingredients: 2 medium sized carrots 1 teaspoon lemon juice 3 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons salad oil or canola oil 3 tablespoons French salad dressing 2 teaspoons chopped coriander (optional) Method: First clean and grate carrots and keep aside. Next mix all the remaining ingredients in a bowl and add to the grated carrots and mix well. Chill in refrigerator before serving.

Gardeners corner
With summer here, you may find these simple outdoor water-saving tips can help you conserve water and save money: The best times to water are early in the morning (before 10am) or later in the evening (after 6pm) when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimised. When watering your lawn and garden adjust your sprinklers so they are not watering the street or sidewalk. Adding a shut-off nozzle to your garden hose that can be adjusted down to a fine spray will save you approximately 20 litres of water each minute your hose is on. Consider replacing some grass area with low water-use plants and artificial grasses. They are easier to maintain and require less water than natural grass. Grouping plants with the same watering needs will create watering zones in your garden which will allow you to give each plant the water it requires.

Use water efficient plants such as native and non-native plants that thrive in hot climates as these will use less water and be resistant to local plant diseases and pests. Raise your mower to a higher cutting setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture so your lawn requires less water. Having a beautiful garden this summer can be achievable with these easy water saving tips, allowing you more time to spend with family and friends and less time maintaining your garden during the hot season.

If you would like to share your favourite recipe and see it featured in Wellbeing, please email villagenews@australianunity.com.au

Getting to know you

In each edition of Wellbeing we ask an Australian Unity resident questions that reveal a glimpse of their life. My Name is Norm McGrath. I live at Constitution Hill Retirement Village. The best thing about village life is? There is always someone of a similar age with similar interests. The security within the village is also very comforting. Where did you grow up? Dad was a school headmaster which meant we were always on the move (mainly northern New South Wales).
Norm McGrath, resident at Constitution Hill Retirement Village

What is your happiest childhood memory? Fishing on the Tweed River and surfing on Greenmount Beach in the early 1950s. What was your favourite radio show growing up? We were always listening to the wireless, especially to Jack Davey. What music always makes you happy? The music from Phantom of the Opera.

Favourite pastimes? I still occasionally get to throw a line into the Hawkesbury River and now enjoy playing bowls here at the villages on-site bowling green. If you could invite three people to dinner who would they be? My two sons Stephen and David and daughter Jenny. What was your first job? In 1952 at the age of fifteen I started as a junior with the Bank of New South Wales in Tweed Heads.

Share your news

Is there news from your village that is not featured in the newsletter? Make sure you let us know whats happening by emailing villagenews@australianunity.com.au or post a letter to Retirement Living Wellbeing, Level 5, 114 Albert Road, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205.
About Australian Unity Australian Unity is a national healthcare, financial services and retirement living organisation, providing services to more than 560,000 Australians, including some 300,000 members nationwide. Over ten thousand of our members have been with us for more than 50 years! Australian Unity Building, Melbourne In the financial year ending 30 June 2011, Australian Unitys revenues were in excess of $1 billion. The company employs around 1,400 staff nationally. Australian Unitys history as a trusted mutual organisation dates back 170 years. It has grown organically by continually evolving and providing the services and products needed by the communities it serves, as well as through successful strategic mergers and diversification into new business activities.

Some images used in this newsletter are computer generated images. Actual units and villages may vary from the images shown in this newsletter. Prices correct at time of printing and are subject to change. Australian Unity obtained the prior written consent of residents regarding the publication of their written testimonials, stories and/or photographs in this newsletter. Australian Unity Retirement Living Services Limited ACN 085 317 595 Level 14, 114 Albert Road, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205.

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Properties for sale

Victoria
From $

395,000

398,000

290,000

From $

595,000

431 Racecourse Road, Mornington Brand new homes featuring generous dining and living areas, built-in robes, modern appliances and private outdoor areas. Phone 03 5975 5267

Peninsula Grange

The Oaks

23/110 Hull Road, Croydon Contemporary two bedroom villa with bright, spacious living areas and paved courtyards. Phone 03 9802 1647

22/50 Barwarre Road, Grovedale Bright and spacious two bedroom unit with low maintenance backyard. Phone 03 5244 0822

Geelong Grove

Victoria Grange

502-514 Burwood Highway, Vermont South A limited number of two and three bedroom homes are now under construction. Phone 03 9802 1647

New South Wales

$

460,000

150,000

425,000

130,000

Constitution Hill

24/1 Centenary Avenue, Northmead Ground floor two bedroom unit with north facing outlook and positioned close to the entrance of the village and the community centre. Phone 02 8868 9090

Elderslee

71/15 Bias Avenue, Bateau Bay Recently renovated one bedroom unit peacefully positioned towards the rear of the village and surrounded by landscaped gardens. Phone 02 4332 6950

Greglea

6/192 Penshurst Street, Penshurst Well presented two bedroom unit positioned on the ground floor, close to the community centre and featuring off-street parking with its own dedicated car space. Phone 02 9579 6444

Karagi Court

41/1 Yakalla Street, Bateau Bay Refurbished one bedroom unit peacefully positioned at the rear of the village. Large glass sliding doors open up the living area to the balcony with views over the open lawn and mature trees. Phone 02 4332 6950

175,000

From $

950,000

495,000

From $

340,000

Kiah Lodge

28/1 Anne Findlay Place, Bateau Bay North facing ground floor one bedroom unit securely positioned and thoughtfully designed for convenient living. Features a large north facing, covered patio area. Phone 02 4332 6950

Lifestyle Manor Bondi

24-32 Flood Street, Bondi Located in the heart of Sydney's prestigious eastern suburbs and only moments from vibrant Bondi Junction, brand new two and three bedroom apartments available now. Phone 02 9389 2777

Mt Eymard

16/502 Moss Vale Road, Bowral Fully refurbished two bedroom, two bathroom cottage featuring light-filled open plan living areas and a modern kitchen. Phone 02 4862 2977

Sienna Grange

506 Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie Brand new homes featuring generous dining and living areas, built-in robes, modern appliances and private outdoor areas. Phone 02 6581 1322

Construction update
From $

90,000

430,000

The Governors Retirement Resort

Willandra Village

166 River Park Road, Port Macquarie Serviced apartments now available. Designed for easy living including a kitchenette, living area, separate bedroom and ensuite bathroom. Phone 02 6581 1322

22/81 Willandra Road, Cromer Spacious two bedroom unit newly renovated throughout and offering a functional design with the benefit The Oaks: Construction is now of a fenced courtyard that is ideal complete on the five new homes for a small pet. and a display home is furnished Phone 02 9971 8035 and available to view.

Victoria Grange: Stage 5 construction is well underway with eight units now at lock-up stage and settlements anticipated to commence early-mid 2012. Construction has also commenced on the brand new community centre, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2012.

Peninsula Grange: With Stage 1 complete, construction has now commenced on Stage 2 homes as well as the brand new community centre. A furnished display is also complete and available to view. Sienna Grange: Construction of Stage 2 is nearing completion and civil works on Stage 3 have now commenced.

Wellbeing Summer 2012

www.australianunityrl.com.au

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