Emotive speech helpsraise profile – and funds

Generations unite

Consumer Directed Care is here

Meet our new Out & About Ambassador

SeasonsIssue 49

Spring2015

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED

vmch.com.au

Welcome to the first edition of Seasons – ourinaugural Villa MariaCatholic Homes(VMCH) newsletter. Welook forward to continuing to deliver thelatest news and storiesfrom across our newly-merged organisation but with afresh, new look, reflecting our bright andvibrant future.

The future is something we havebeen very focussed on over thepast few months. And as the oldsaying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail.

Strategic planning is a vitalprocess that sets a clear directionto help us meet the challenges ofchange. It acts as a blueprint tosecure the long-term future of ourorganisation and ensures we continue to engage with our community and successfully growand progress the services we provide.

On July 30 the Board and Executive of Villa Maria CatholicHomes met to begin planning forthe next five years at the inaugural VMCH strategic planning day. Facilitated by Dr Heather Wellington, the gathering was also addressed by

CEO’s MessageHis Grace, Archbishop Denis Hart,the CEO of Catholic Care Fr JoeCaddy and the Executive Director,Administration for the CatholicArchdiocese of Melbourne, Francis Moore. Monsignor TonyIreland, the Episcopal Bishop forHealth, Aged and Disability Care,also participated in the day.

A strategic plan usually includeskey objective areas with specificgoals (such as ‘construct SharedSupported Accommodation inCraigieburn’) as well as the person responsible for attainmentand a due date. The Board willthen require a regular report onprogress, which has the effect ofkeeping those accountable veryfocussed!

Prior to the event, a series of papers on issues such as demographics and the new agedcare, community and disabilityfunding systems were distributedto participants. General Mangerssupplemented this information onthe day with their own goals forthe future. Disability is an areathat is likely to become a strategicpriority, however with plans tospend around $500 million overthe next five years, every servicearea will feel the benefit.

As a result of the deliberations, arevised Vision, Mission and Valuesdocument has been prepared,and strategic objectives and keyresult areas refined. The aim is tohave the VMCH Strategic ProjectsCommittee finesse the documentin conjunction with staff, with aview to having it formally adoptedby the Board in late October.There is still work to be done between now and then, but thedirection has been set.

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Our Values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Courage, Person Centred.

There was unanimous agreementby participants that the merger ofthe two organisations offered aunique opportunity to develop anintegrated service model comprising the full gamut of residential, community and disability services. Now that ourservices are across the full carespectrum, we will be able to offerour clients unprecedented support and coverage. Such amantle of seamless support willalso give VMCH a real competitiveadvantage over those providerswho are unable to offer the samecoverage. Here at VMCH, we trulyaim to care for life.

Kind regards

Greg PullenCEO

An emotional speechfrom a St Paul's Collegeparent about the importance of theschool's chaperonedbus service barely left adry eye in the house atDinner & Art with Hearton August 7.

It also inspired the 170 guests todig deep for the auction ofamazing artwork and silent auction items donated to thefundraising event at Fenix in Richmond.

An incredible $40,000 was raisedon the night, all of which will goto the St Paul's College Build aBus program to help more children get to and from school.

Danielle Burnet's two sons, Sebastian and Charlie, take thebus each day.

The boys have a debilitatingcondition which means theyhave a shortened life and require full-time care.

Danielle told guests the schoolhad made a huge difference tothe boys' lives, but to wave themoff on the bus each morning waslike watching them stand ontheir own two feet.

Comedian Jean Kittson was awonderful MC for the night andhad guests in stitches with herhumorous take on political travelexpenses.

Guest speaker Tim Fischer spokeabout his own experiences as aparent of a child with autism,and some of the amazing people he met during his time asAmbassador to the Holy See.

The crooning voice of Dan Hamillsoothed the crowd, while caricaturist Paul Harvey captured the likeness of manyguests in his unique way.

Thanks to all the guests for supporting this wonderful annualevent, and to the many artistsand sponsors for helping us toraise much-needed funds towards our Build a Bus program. VM

3Heartfelt speech helps raise profile – and funds

Special thanks to:

Catherine FitzgeraldPhil HodsonSally JoubertAlison LairdMichael LeunigSamantha LevinyRick MatearMark MunroJames O'BrienSusan RomynPeter RyanMargot SharmanPauline StewartAlice WilliamsJill WilliamsStan Yarramunua

Thank you to the organisations and individuals who contributed to the event:

3AWAFL Ticketing DepartmentArt Series Hotel GroupBetty McDowell LingerieChocolatierClassic MovesFenix EventsFisher and PaykelGlobal BallooningGreen Acres Golf ClubHarvey Norman CommercialHESTALeader NewspapersLifestyle PortraitsMecure PortseaMulgrave Country ClubPete SmithPeter Davey ToyotaTassel'sThe Meat & Wine CoTim's BookshopVictorian Building AuthorityWendy DavisWestern Bulldogs FootballClubYour Tea

Generations unite An aged care residenceis not your typical hang-out place forteenage boys. Howeverfor Parade College student Chris Hides,spending time with seniors at Villa MariaCatholic Homes(VMCH) aged care inBundoora is the highlight of his school week.

Chris, aged 16, is one of hundredsof Parade College students whohave volunteered their time tomake a positive difference to thelives of seniors at VMCH for over20 years.

Their efforts were celebrated aspart of National Student VolunteerWeek (August 3-9).

The aged care setting was an unfamiliar one for Chris before hebegan volunteering last term. "Ididn't really know what I wasgoing into," Chris admits, "but itwas a really great experience. Icouldn't have asked for a betterplace to do it at. The staff and residents were so nice and welcoming."

Chris (pictured) said spendingtime with residents during artsand crafts, completing the quiz inthe paper, playing bocce and justhaving a chat about the footyover a cup of tea had been a"special experience".

"It was a good opportunity to connect with the older community and gain a differentperspective and see how they liveon a daily basis. We spoke abouttheir past, which was sometimessad, but it was nice to hear theirstories. I think going there madethem happier, and me happy too actually."

Parade College teacher DarrellCruse said the intergenerational

experience gave the boys a"healthy respect for the older generation".

"The boys also get the opportunityto use their skills in areas such asmusic, magic and storytelling toentertain residents. They really dogrow up from their time workingwith the residents. The sense of responsibility is something theytake very seriously."

VMCH Volunteer Services Manager Bronwyn Summers saidNational Student Volunteer Weekwas a great time to acknowledgethe positive difference made bystudents who regularly visit VMCH sites.

"It gives students an appreciationof the values of the older generation and they learn thatageing is a natural part of life. Thevisits also allow the residents to relate to another generation, learnabout new technology, currenttrends and even the latest news ofthe day such as what footballteam is on top of the ladder," Bronwyn said.

Bundoora resident Barry Smith said:"I'm happy to see the studentscome in to help. They're really good kids." VM

Sea calls Keith homeKeith Banks had an upbringing unlike anyother. A lighthousekeeper's son, he wasraised in some of Victoria's most rugged,beautiful and isolatedcoastline areas.

Now aged 82, the ocean hascalled Keith back home as heand his wife of 62 years, Betty, settle at Star of the Sea Village inTorquay. The boutique retirementvillage – operated by Villa MariaCatholic Homes – is proving popular with seniors like Keithand Betty who want to live independently while remainingconnected to their community.

Keith was aged just five when hisDad was first posted to PointHicks lighthouse in East Gippsland in 1937. Over the next14 years, Keith recalls a quietchildhood spent studying by correspondence, learning theropes from his Dad, tending topet sheep, and of course, gazingout at the ocean.

After Point Hicks, Keith and hisparents served on Gabo Islandduring WWII where some “interesting things happened”.

"It was very controlled in terms ofwhat ship passed and what shipdidn't pass. One day a workerspotted what he thought wasfour whales on the reef at CapePowell. Dad said 'whales don'tbeach themselves on rocks' andreported it. We found out laterthey were most likely midget submarines laying on the rocksto recharge their batteries.Midget submarines attackedSydney Harbour just three daysafter our observation."

The family's last posting was atWilson's Promontory. They wereon duty when the infamousbushfire raged through the national park for three days in1951. Keith, his parents and

other workers were lucky to escape with their lives.

"It was a different kind of life thatis hard to describe," Keith recallsof his upbringing. "It was muchthe same as growing up on afarm. You never saw anyonemuch, other than the man whowould bring your mail once afortnight. But I was very close tomy parents and enjoyed thatpart of it."

Keith's life quickened in pacewhen he met Betty. They marriedin 1953 and had two children.Fast forward six decades and itwas their ties to family and theocean which saw them settle atStar of the Sea.

"My son lives in Torquay and wehad a holiday unit here so whenit came time to downsize it madesense to make this our home."

Keith and Betty have embracedthe village lifestyle and becomeconnected to the local community. Keith is a member ofthe Torquay Bowling Club andBetty enjoys happy hour with village residents every Friday night.

"I really love the friendliness andthe companionship of living atStar of the Sea," Betty said. "LikeKeith, I love the ocean and I cango swimming here whenever Ilike. A group of us also go to thepictures on a Tuesday and thismonth the village has organiseda caterer to come in and makeus a nice dinner."

For Keith, Star of the Sea's proximity to the ocean (one kilometre) was its selling point."I'm still very much connectedwith the sea. It becomes a partof you."

And of course, Keith can namethe closest lighthouses. "PointLonsdale and then the 'WhiteLady' at Aireys Inlet, followed byCape Otway," he said.

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Greater choice and control forseniors with CDC

Villa Maria CatholicHomes (VMCH) is at theforefront of delivering anew model of care designed to give seniorsgreater choice andcontrol.

July 1, 2015 marked the officialstart of the full implementation ofConsumer Directed Care (CDC)in Australia, which sees individualsdetermine the level of involvementthey would like in managing theirown Home Care Package.

VMCH has been fine tuning itsCDC model to suit consumerneeds and preferences since2010, when it was one of a selectnumber of organisations chosenby the Australian Government totrial the model.

Andrew Webb is one of 1066 Victorians accessing CDCthrough VMCH. Each week he receives a three-hour visit from Direct Care Worker Dianne Arter,who helps with household choresand prepares a week’s worth ofmeals. Once a month he is alsovisited by a gardener to help tidyhis yard.

Andrew was diagnosed withParkinson’s disease 11 years ago.Then two years back a stroke lefthim “looking down the barrel ofmoving to a nursing home”.

“It left me physically and emotionally in a pretty bad way.But through the care package Irealised I could continue to live independently, with a bit of help.

“One of the things that causes alot of fear in older people is losingcontrol. However I feel like I have

far more input now (with CDC) interms of what I feel I need. It’s empowering and makes me feellike I’m not just a recipient (ofcare), but rather a participant.Having Dianne visit to prepare mymeals in particular is a hugehelp… she’s like part of my family!”

Villa Maria General Manager Community Services HeatherCatherwood said seniors like Andrew are supported by a teamof 25 Care Advisers and Care Support Officers who, together withthe consumer, develop a plan andengage supports to ensure theycontinue living comfortably athome and remain connected totheir community. VM

7A shared passion for accessibility and fun

Villa Maria CatholicHomes (VMCH) isthrilled to announceYoung Victorian of theYear Luba Josevski asan Out & About Ambassador.

The Australian wheelchair tennischampion and 2015 Young Victorian of the Year said choosing to support VMCH andpromote accessibility was aneasy one.

“Accessibility is a concern thatcan unfortunately becomesomewhat of a main focus forpeople with disabilities,” Luba said.

Luba (pictured) will be attendingthe third annual Out & AboutFun Day at Albert Park on November 29, which aims to enable people with disabilitiesand mobility limitations to experience life as it should be –100 per cent accessible.

“Rather than being excitedabout the event ahead, you caninstead be focused on if you areable to get there okay, whetherthe venue is accessible, andwhether you will be able to enjoy it,” she said.

“The Out & About Fun Day takesall this away… it's already beenconsidered and accounted forand all you need to focus on isthe fun you’ll have!”

Proudly supported by CityLink,the Out & About Fun Day will include all-abilities sports andactivities at the MelbourneSports and Aquatic Centre, apop-up sensory garden designed by Swinburne University, live music, animal farm,roving entertainers, face paintingand a great Aussie sausage sizzle.

The day also promotes VMCH’sAustralian-first accessibility app,Out & About – Accessing yourcommunity, which lists accessible venues and eventsacross Melbourne. The Out &About App and Fun Day won the2014 Victorian Disability SectorAward for Excellence in Improving Participation.

Having the opportunity to participate in sport is somethingLuba is extremely passionateabout.

Following the amputation ofboth her legs at age 15, Lubahad to re-learn to walk usingprosthetics. Always an activeperson, she became frustratedby a lack of sports offered topeople with a disability who didn’t use a wheelchair.

“It just never came to mind that Icould take up wheelchair sports,”she said. “I do not want anotherAustralian child to ever againfeel they are unable to participate due to lack of inclusion options.”

Since picking up a tennis racquet, Luba hasn’t lookedback. She has now representedAustralia around the world inmore than 16 countries and saysaccess to tennis and inclusion“completely changed my life”.

Luba said she was excited to usemy title as Young Victorian of theYear to promote inclusion andcreate awareness about the importance of accessibility.

She added that while Australiahad made “great progress” inaddressing accessibility, morework was needed to change perceptions and attitudes.

“People need to realise that wecan all aspire to be our best andachieve our goals and dreams.A disability does not change ourability to achieve, our attitudedoes, as do the attitudes ofthose around us. This is againwhy I really value the work VMCHare doing to support inclusionand accessibility.” VM

7

Opportunity knocksVilla Maria CatholicHomes (VMCH) is putting the ‘opportunity’back into op shops.

August 23-30 was National OpShop Week – aimed to createawareness of and boost donations for op shops.

VMCH Retail Manager Paul Gogginsays while the term ‘opportunity’has long been synonymous withbagging a bargain, it also reflected the inclusion of more vulnerable people in the localcommunity.

“Not only do the shops play an integral role in raising vital fundsfor our services, they also givepeople the chance to connectsocially, improve their confidenceand skill set, and make meaningful use of their time,” Paul said.

Last month, six people withdisabilities supported by VMCH’sGateway Service began volunteering weekly for the opshop warehouse in Wantirna tohelp sort through items and getthem ready for sale.

“It’s great to be able to provide aninclusive environment for peoplefrom all walks of life to interactand be part of a team. On thebusiness side of things, the support increases our capacity toefficiently sort, store and distributefashion and homewares to ourfour op shops.”

Gateway Coordinator SharonBrowne said the partnership hadmany positive outcomes.

“The aim was to give people theopportunity to contribute to othersand gain insight into what itmeans in practise to be a volunteer, while developing self-confidence and work readiness skills,” she said.

Monique Sime, 22, (pictured) saidshe enjoyed her weekly sorting sessions with her friend Katie Ferrer.

“My favourite part is cleaning theshoes and putting the clothes on

the hook,” adding she hoped theexperience would be beneficialfor job hunting.

Paul said he looked forward tobuilding the op shop communityboth in-house and within thewider population.

“We also have local volunteerswho use their passion for knittingand craft to support our shops. Agroup of ladies create one-of-a-kind, handmade blankets, cushions, mittens, tea cosies andgreeting cards, which we have areally high demand for,” Paul said.

“And we plan to invite men whoare living with dementia, have experienced a stroke or have anage-related illness from our Men’sShed in Wantirna to try their handyman skills recycling brokenor unwanted items.”

Villa op shop fast facts:

l The four op shops and warehouse are staffed by more than 125 volunteers and supported by part-time managers in each.

l 1,000 garments are despatchedfrom the warehouse to our four shops each week.

l During summer, 250 bags of donated clothing are received through our shops and donation bins each week. VM

Get your golf clubs ready… the inauguralVilla Maria Catholic Homes Charity GolfDay is fast approaching.

Enjoy a round of ambrose golf as you network with customers, showcase your company’s services or productsand promote your commitment to community development.

All funds raised will go towards the development of a dementia-specific lifestyle program to assist the people wesupport in our aged care residences.

A range of sponsorship and support opportunities are available but are limited for this popular event so please actquickly to secure your space.

When: Monday, October 19Where: Southern Golf Club, Keysborough Details: Narrelle Paige on 9412 8412

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Swing into action

Imagine a world without your favouritecharities and all of thegood work they do…Did you know that a giftleft in your will leaves alasting legacy?

Without these legacies our impact would not be as far-reaching and we would struggle to continue our work.That’s why we are one of over100 charities working together aspart of the Include a Charity campaign.

This Include a Charity Week(September 7-13), we ask you toconsider, when the time is right,and you have taken care of yourfamily and friends, leaving a giftin your will that will have a lastingimpact and help our work live on.

Villa Maria Catholic Homes usesthe gifts it receives in our supporter’s wills to provide programs and deliver services,as well as investing in vital capital

developments to enable us toexpand our capacity to care formore people.

Gifts in wills are not used for administrative or operational expenses. For example, they donot fund mail that we send toour supporters, nor are they usedto meet the costs of our twiceyearly Fawkner Fellowshiplunches.

A small but important exampleof the way in which gifts in willshave made a genuine differenceto the lives of those we support isthe recent purchase of 30

comfortable chairs with arm restsfor the chapel at our Berwickaged care residence (pictured).

Residents and staff have commented on what a lovely difference they have made totheir everyday living.

To find out more about how youcan help and leave a lastinglegacyvisit:www.villamaria.com.au/get-in-volved/leave-gift-in-your-will

Include a Charity Week

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Roma Bratby is a survivor.

The Villa Maria Catholic Homes’Shanagolden aged care resident has been through morethan her fair share of loss andheartbreak over the years. Buton August 12 Roma enjoyedsome much-deserved love andattention as she celebrated her100th birthday.

Born in Tasmania, Roma was theyoungest of four children butspent most of her childhoodaround nuns instead of her siblings.

Due to an ongoing and expensive medical condition,Roma lived at St Joseph’s Convent in Morwell after her family moved to Broken Hill fromage 7 to 15.

“I used to tease the other boarders,” Roma recalled. “Icould hear the nuns comingalong the corridor with theirRosary beads rattling and Iwould run and they chased meevery night. I know now I musthave been a difficult child.”

When Roma turned 15 she secured a job waitressing at theYallourn Hotel, where she met airforce pilot Francis (Frank) Bratby.

A year later their son FrancesLeonard Bratby was born. The following year Roma deliveredthree “lovely” daughters, whosadly died eight hours after their birth.

Heartbreak came back to hauntRoma when he husband diedsuddenly, aged 46.

“I was shocked when my husband Frank died. I hadeverything I wanted andneeded; a six-roomed house, two cars, holidays…”

Times were tough for Roma following the death of her husband (who supported thefamily as an industrial chemist)so she moved in with her parents in Richmond and supported Frances working atthe local Jex Steel Wool Factory.

“It was the best place I ever wasand they were good to me,” sherecalled.

Roma later lived in Coburg andHawthorn before settling atShanagolden in January 2013.

Taking stock of her life, Roma remains pragmatic.

“I had a good childhood, and avery difficult adulthood. My sonwas a good son and supportedme until he died in 2014, aged 82.”

Roma says her “very strong devotion to the Virgin Mary” hashelped her throughout her lifetime and hardships. So it wasonly fitting that a mass was heldin her honour on her birthday bythe Bishop of Sale, Patrick O’Regan. The mass culminatedin the presentation of a PapalBlessing signed by the Pope, anda rendition of Roma’s favouritetune, the Collingwood FootballClub theme song.

Celebrating the century of a special lady

Villa Maria CatholicHomes was delighted towelcome Bishop Vincent Long to its StBernadette’s aged careresidence in SunshineNorth on July 22.

Bishop Long – an auxiliary bishopto the Western Region of Victoria –conducted the residence’sweekly Mass and took time to visitseniors in their rooms to givethem a blessing.

“It was a really fantastic day,” saidLifestyle Coordinator ShantellKemp.

“About 80 of our 95 residents aredevout Catholics, so the Bishopcoming along to visit is a reallybig thing for them. Some getemotional… they just really lookforward to it.” VM

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General Manager Special Education & Disability ServicesMaureen Willson said the schoolcommunity was “extremely grateful” for Lisa, Ariel and Scott’s efforts.

811Distance no barrier for Big Apple fundraisers

The amazing work of St Paul’s College and itspupils is inspiring peopleacross the globe.

On September 12, New York couple Lisa Buxton and Ariel Lakman are heading up the NYLap4Life to raise funds for St Paul’s Build a Bus appeal, supporting children with disabilities to get to and from thespecialist school.

More than 50 people havesigned up to the transnationalchallenge to walk a 51.5km ‘lap’of Manhattan.

Lisa, whose cousins attend St Paul’s College, said supportingVMCH was an easy choice.

“The original idea for the walkcame from how easy it was for usto wake up one morning andwalk 200 blocks through NewYork. We really wanted to support

people who were challenged toeven walk one block, so a busthat helps students get to andfrom school and allowing themto attend really resonated withus,” she said.

Lisa estimates the walk will takearound 12 hours.

“We expect it to be pretty hard.It’s a long walk and Septemberweather in NYC is very temperamental. We will howeverhave lots of support from bothour sponsors and other walkerswhich will get us through.”

An incredible $5,700 has beenraised so far with Lisa and Arielhoping to hit the $10,000 mark.

Meanwhile, St Paul’s Dad ScottButterworth is in training to run the New York City Marathon onNovember 1 to raise funds for St Paul’s College. We'll featureScott's story in the next edition of Seasons.

Seniors hit the track

Studying the form guide each day keepsDenis Quinn's "old brain ticking".

The 87-year-old, who lives at Shanagolden Village in Pakenham,has been a passionate horseman all his life.

On July 28 Denis (pictured) was among 22 Shanagolden residents cheering on winners at Pakenham Racing Club Senior's Race Day. The event – of which VMCH is a sponsor – washeld at the newly relocated, world-class course near Tynong.

Irish-born Denis says he's "always loved horses".

He and his wife Therese raced greyhounds before moving into thoroughbred breeding and training.

"We had a few successes including winning the Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington some years ago," he said.

While Denis admits he's "not a big punter" he does love to put ona quinella here and there. VM

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Villa News:We welcome your feedback and contributions to Villa News. Contact Cassie Zlonzak on (03) 9412 8410or email cassie.zlonzak@villamaria.com.au

Villa Maria Society Registered Office: 6 Studley Park Road Kew Victoria 3101Private Bag 20 Kew Victoria 3101T: (03) 9855 7600 Freecall 1800 036 377 F: (03) 9855 7899E: villamaria@villamaria.com.au W: www.villamaria.com.au

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Eucharistic celebration

The iconic and beautifulSt Patrick’s Cathedral inEast Melbourne playedperfect host for the VillaMaria Catholic HomesMerger Eucharistic Celebration on September 1.

The first day of Spring didn’t disappoint, with the sun streamingthrough the church’s intricate andcolourful stained glass windows.The uplifting voices of the BurkeHall Cantors and St Paul’s CollegeChoir filled the historical cathedralas around 600 members of theVMCH community joined to witness a special Mass conducted by the Archbishop ofMelbourne, the Most ReverendDenis J Hart.

VMCH CEO Greg Pullen welcomed guests, before individuals supported by the organisation, staff and volunteersrepresenting each service area

made their way in processiondown the cathedral’s aisle.

Archbishop Hart spoke of thegreat opportunity now open toVMCH to “embrace whole of lifecare”, from children supportedthrough our specialist educationservices to those living in ouraged care residences.

“Where there are people whoneed care, there are people whogive care,” he said.

“You (people we support) provideus with joy and hope for the future,” he said.

VMCH Board Chair, Bill Scales AO,said as a proudly Catholic organisation, it was only fittingthat any commemoration of ourorganisation was within the celebration of the Eucharist.

“It is indeed pleasing to see somany groups that we serve present with us today and I thankyou for your effort to be here,” he said.

Mr Scales also thanked staff fortheir patience and commitmentover the past nine months andmade special mention of Archbishop Hart, the patron ofVMCH, for presiding and for his ongoing interest and support ofthe organisation.

Mr Scales also thanked ReverendMonsignors Anthony Ireland EVand Gregory Bennet VG for their involvement, and all other clergywho put time aside to join the celebration.

Following the Mass, around 200people gathered at the CatholicLeadership Centre in East Melbourne for refreshments and toview a video giving a brief historyof both organisations and aglimpse into its shared future. VM