Royal Freemasons

Congratulations to Pearl Sharman for reaching 50 years of nursing!

Pearl has been part of our Monash Gardens Residential Aged Care community for 24 years and cared for countless people with her expert and well-honed nursing skills.

The caring nature of nursing is one aspect that has kept her in the role for so long. “I’m a people person and I like helping others, so it’s been about doing stuff that helps people and makes their life better,” she says. “I also like to be on the move. I don’t like to sit around. I enjoy the busyness of the daily routine.”

Describing herself as ‘old school’ trained, Pearl completed her nursing degree in Belfast, Ireland, in the early 1970s.

“When I was studying nursing, we lived in the nurses’ home,” says Pearl. "We manned the wards while we did our training, and then we had our study blocks. We were old school nurses and wore the starched collar, belt, aprons and hats.”

The hands-on, disciplined nature of Pearl’s training has given her a life-long passion for passing on a high standard of care to the next generation of nurses. “Much of my role has been teaching new nurses and personal care assistants how to do the job and one of the things that has been important to me has been teaching them a high standard of care,” she says.

Thank you for your wonderful work, Pearl, and for the exceptional care you have given to our Monash Gardens residents for so long. We are very fortunate to have you on our team!

We celebrated two centenarian birthdays this week. 🎉🎉

Many happy returns to Yisheng from our Footscray home and Betty from Coppin Centre on turning 100 years old!

Yisheng said his secret to a long and happy life has been to "Live the best daily life. Get up on time and go to bed on time."

Betty said the most important thing in her 100 years is her son "Because he loves me and I love him!"

🧡 We recently said goodbye to one of our home heroes — Genevieve — who worked at Royal Freemasons Coppin Centre home as a Lifestyle Assistant for more than 21 years!

When reflecting on her proudest achievement during her impressive tenure, Genevieve humbly states, “I’m proud that I made so many people happy.”

Genevieve’s passion for the residents glows through her vivid recollection of each one she knew and cared for. She easily recalls their life stories, idiosyncrasies, likes and dislikes, and how she enjoyed organising activities and interest groups to keep them engaged with the things they loved, like classical music and movies.

“I loved the contact with the residents,” she says. “I loved helping people, I loved helping with the set-up of Lifestyle activities. I loved just talking to the residents and really getting to know them and providing them with companionship. There are so many lonely people.”

Genevieve also appreciates the deep sense of reward she gained through her relationship with the residents. “You learn so much from them too, about history and everything,” she says. “I have so much to be appreciative of. It’s not only what you can give the residents but what they give you.”

Thank you for the compassionate and imaginative way you cared for so many at our Coppin Centre community, Genevieve. We miss you and wish you nothing but the best for the next chapter! 🧡👏

Our staff had a wonderful time celebrating Aged Care Employee Day yesterday!

Morning teas and BBQ lunches were enjoyed with a special delivery of celebratory 'thank you' cupcakes to each home.

To our amazing team, once again, .

⭐This Aged Care Employee Day, we celebrate with great pride and admiration our wonderful frontline staff who work in our residential aged care communities and consumer homes.

Among them are nurses, cleaners, chefs, personal care assistants, managers, lifestyle coordinators, hairdressers, admin and rostering staff and many, many others.

They all make an incredible difference to the lives of the people in our care as well as their family and friends, who can rest assured their loved ones are in good hands.

To our amazing frontline staff, thank you for all that you do.

Royal Freemasons Aged Care Employee Day 2024

The Olympic spirit is burning brightly at Royal Freemasons!

The hall at our Coppin Centre home in Melbourne became an arena for an afternoon with residents from five of our aged care communities competing in their very own Olympic games.

Spurred on by the raucous cheers of the crowd, residents played volleyball, quoits, and pool noodle javelin!

🧡 Now offering 14 days of FREE* respite care at our Centennial Lodge home in Wantirna South 🧡

Do you care for a loved one or receive care from family at home? If so, it may be time to take a much-needed break and try our short-term Respite Care program.

The program offers:
- 24/7 high-quality care for your loved one, delivered by our dedicated team of nurses, care staff and allied health professionals
- Healthy and delicious chef-prepared meals
- Access to engaging activities every day

Make the most of our current offer of 14 days of FREE* Respite Care at our homes in Wantirna South and Mulgrave.

ENQUIRE TODAY! Call 1300 176 925 or email [email protected]

For more information on our Respite Care program, visit: http://royalfreemasons.org.au/.../14-days-free-respite-care/

*Must be approved for residential respite care. Offer includes a four-week stay for the price of two weeks.

❄️ It may be arctic cold outside, but this hasn't deterred residents at our Footscray home from doing a spot of gardening!

In the warmth of the home, residents enjoyed planting out portable garden beds with beautiful pansies and strawberry plants, which will be ready for harvest in the summer.

Giving residents access to nature and occupying them with relaxing but purposeful activities are key elements of our lifestyle program.

⭐ Congratulations to our Springtime home in Sydenham for hosting a successful Biggest Morning Tea tea to raise funds for the Cancer Council Australia.

Residents, family, friends and staff enjoyed a magnificent morning tea and the chance to buy pre-loved clothes, accessories, toys, homewares and kitchenware, as well as beauty and pampering products.

More than $1,000 was raised for people impacted by cancer. Well done, team Springtime! 👏👏

Since suffering a painful spinal cord injury from a fall at home in April and undergoing treatment at hospital, Richard is now well on his road to recovery with the help of our Respite Care program.

The short-term program is run at all seven of our residential aged care homes in Victoria and offers elderly people the full suite of care services and support they need if they cannot manage at home on their own or their family carer needs a break.

Richard has found respite care at our Monash Gardens home in Mulgrave to be an enormous help while he recovers. Through the program, he receives support with everyday tasks that are currently a bit of a struggle, such as laundry and meals, and he enjoys peace of mind knowing that 24/7 help is on hand, when he needs it, in a safe and secure environment.

“The care here is excellent. The carers and nurses are very good at their work and are really lovely people,” says Richard. “I didn’t really know what respite care was before I came here, but it has all gone very well,” he says.

When he has been feeling up to it, Richard has enjoyed taking part in the lifestyle activities such as games of trivia and bingo, piano recitals, singalongs, and trips to the local shops.

“I’ve enjoyed all the activities. The staff are excellent how they organise them for everyone,” says Richard.

After being on the program for three weeks, Richard is now considering continuing as a permanent resident at Monash Gardens.

🧡 For a limited time, we are offering 14 days of FREE Respite Care at Monash Gardens (Mulgrave) and our Footscray home. Call today on 1300 176 925 or email [email protected]

For more information, visit: royalfreemasons.org.au/.../14-days-free-respite-care/

It is inconceivable that anyone would harm an older person, but a recent study has revealed 14.8% of Australians over 65 years of age have experienced a type of elder abuse during the previous 12 months.

Such mistreatment has many manifestations — financial, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or social — and affects people from all walks of life.

At Royal Freemasons we are committed to preventing and standing against elder abuse in all its forms.

This Men’s Health Week (10-16 June), we welcomed Michael from Port Phillip Men's Shed Association to our Coppin Centre residential aged care home.

The Men’s Shed movement has been helping men find mateship, purpose and improved wellbeing for over 26 years through craftwork projects.

Michael spoke of the warm community at the Port Phillip Men’s Shed and the many interesting woodwork, metalwork and gardening projects they are working on there. Our Coppin Centre residents are very much looking forward to visiting the shed in the future.

Residents from our Centennial Lodge aged care home in Wantirna South love visiting Café N9ne at Aquinas College, Ringwood.

Operating out of the college’s Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre, Café N9ne equips year nine students with practical experience in hospitality so they can take on their first paid job with confidence.

The collaboration with Centennial Lodge was ignited by Rhonda Wheeler, a Hospitality Assistant at Aquinas College. Rhonda’s father is a resident at Centennial Lodge and thought Café N9ne would be an ideal environment to bring the older and younger generations together.

“I wanted to invite the residents to the café a couple of times each term to give them an enjoyable outing and the students the chance to interact with and serve the older generation. So, the collaboration is a win-win for all of us,” says Rhonda.

👉 Read more: royalfreemasons.org.au/generations-come-together-at-aquinas-colleges-cafe-n9ne/

🎤 Elvis is in the building!

Residents at our Springtime home in Sydenham adored a musical puppet show recently, featuring 1950’s crooners Frank Sinatra and the King — Elvis.

The entertaining and hilarious show was hosted by Stephen from Puppets Alive, who creates performances specifically for people in aged care. The puppets sing nostalgic songs that residents all know and enjoy, and playfully interact with them.

Springtime Lifestyle Coordinator Imelda said, “The residents absolutely loved the show. They were so excited about the music and sang along.”

⭐ Celebrations for National Volunteer Week continue at Royal Freemasons, with a special morning tea for our legendary volunteers! ⭐️

Delectable treats, musical entertainment, a thank you speech from our CEO Hugh Cattermole, and certificates of appreciation were given to our volunteers in recognition of their invaluable contributions.

Across our seven residential aged care homes, our volunteers run cafes, provide companionship and pastoral care, give their musical and artistic talents, and help to organise events for our residents. They are a vital part of the life and soul of our communities, and we are deeply thankful for them.

🧡 If you would like to make a difference in the lives of our residents by volunteering, register today at: royalfreemasons.org.au/career/become-a-volunteer/

“Volunteering is a wonderful thing to do; you get a lot out of doing something good for someone else. I always walk out on a high.”

For over ten years, Laura has been playing the piano for residents at our Monash Gardens home in Mulgrave. She is one of our 46 volunteers, who we gratefully celebrate and honour this National Volunteer Week (20-26 May). 👏👏

“I think I get more out of it than even the residents do, because it really is a joy to see them happy," says Laura.

👉 Read more: royalfreemasons.org.au/thank-you-for-the-music/

💙 Do you care for a loved one or receive care from family at home? If so, it may be time to take a much-needed break and try our short-term Respite Care program.

The program offers:
🧡 24/7 high-quality care for your loved one, delivered by our dedicated team of nurses, care staff and allied health professionals
🥗 Healthy and delicious chef-prepared meals
🎨 Access to engaging activities every day

Make the most of our current offer of 14 days of FREE* Respite Care at our homes in Footscray and Mulgrave.

ENQUIRE TODAY! Call 1300 176 925 or email [email protected]

For more information on our Respite Care program, visit: http://royalfreemasons.org.au/.../14-days-free-respite-care/

*Must be approved for residential respite care. Offer includes a four-week stay for the price of two weeks.

Royal Freemasons Since 1867, Royal Freemasons has operated as one of Victoria’s most respected charitable organisations, proudly delivering residential accommodation and in-home services to help people live secure, dignified and rewarding lives.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! 🌷

Residents at our Coppin Center home in Melbourne enjoyed a very special Mother's Day morning tea with family and friends, complete with live entertainment, dancing, raffle prizes and photo booth!

What a perfect way to celebrate our precious mums. 🩷

🧡 After working for more than 15 years in paediatrics, registered nurse Patricia made the move to aged care in 2004 and has never looked back.

“Nursing in aged care is a vocation — a calling — not just a job,” says Patricia. “You are caring for people in the last years of their lives, so it’s very special. You are there to support them and care for them.”

Patricia is one of 250 nurses working in Residential Aged Care and In-Home Care at Royal Freemasons. This International Nurses Day, we honour and celebrate the dedicated way they support the people in our care each and every day.

To our wonderful nurses — thank you! 🙏

👉 Read more: royalfreemasons.org.au/not-just-a-job-but-a-calling/

Royal Freemasons Since 1867, Royal Freemasons has operated as one of Victoria’s most respected charitable organisations, proudly delivering residential accommodation and in-home services to help people live secure, dignified and rewarding lives.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Honouring an amazing 101 years! 🥳

Wanda, a resident at our Footscray home, celebrated her 101st birthday with a special visit from City of Maribyrnong Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam, who presented her with a centenarian birthday certificate and message.

Congratulations, Wanda, on reaching this wonderful milestone! We are very honoured to celebrate it with you. 🩷

🌊 A sea change for a day!

A group of residents from our Monash Gardens, Centennial Lodge and Coppin Centre homes had a wonderful time on a recent road trip to Phillip Island.

The sun was shining as they toured the Island, enjoyed morning tea at the beach with seagull friends, rode the Big Wave and had a delicious lunch at Phillip Island RSL.

Day trips are such an important part of our lifestyle and recreation program at Royal Freemasons, giving residents a chance to get out and about, see beautiful sites and enjoy being connected with the wider community.

We are so glad everyone had such a great time! 🏄 🙌

💎 We’re saying goodbye to an absolute gem this week. 💎

Val, a Food Services Assistant at our Centennial Lodge residential aged care home, is retiring after an amazing 22 years of service with Royal Freemasons!

Val worked as a teacher in India for 25 years, but after emigrating to Australia, decided to try her hand at something different. Having a heart for the elderly, she sought a role in aged care and ended up at Royal Freemasons, much to our good fortune!

While Val has loved serving residents their daily meals, it is the friendships she has made with them over the years that she cherishes the most. “The greatest reward in my job has been sharing every day with the residents. I love them and get so attached to them. I’m going to miss them so much.”

Val is also going to greatly miss her colleagues at Centennial Lodge. “We have a lovely team here, very supportive, and we have our fun together — it’s a happy place.”

Thank you, Val, for serving our residents with unfailing kindness, gentleness and compassion every single day for the past 22 years. We wish you a wonderful retirement! 🧡⭐️

⭐️We were delighted to take part in Stonnington City Council's Volunteer Expo last Friday and talk to lots of people about our Helping Hands Volunteer program.

Our volunteers play such an important role in enhancing the quality of life of our aged care residents. They serve in the cafes at our homes, help staff with resident day trips, play the piano to residents, and generously give their friendship and support.

If you would like to be part of our wonderful team of volunteers, visit: royalfreemasons.org.au/career/become-a-volunteer/

📣 Royal Freemasons is now registered to receive funds from Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) — a State Government recycling program! ♻️

The CDS will refund 10 cents for every eligible drink container returned, which can be donated to Royal Freemasons. All money raised will be used to create and maintain edible gardens at our Residential Aged Care homes.

If you're keen to unload your recyclable drink containers at a nearby CDS depot, remember to look up Royal Freemasons on the 'Donate' option.

We are so thankful for your support! 💚

To find your nearest CDS depot, visit: cdsvic.org.au/locations

And the winner is... a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air! 🏆🥇

Our Mount Martha Valley residential aged care community in Safety Beach held its 7th annual Vintage Car Show recently, with a magnificent display of beautifully restored classic cars.

Organised with the Southern Peninsula Classic and Historic Car Club, it’s an event that our Mount Martha Valley community always looks forward to, with residents voting for their favourite car.

❤️ Married for 59 years and still going strong. ❤️

Diane vividly remembers the day she first met her husband, Ian, in her parent’s loungeroom.

“My sister was going out with Ian’s best friend. Ian arrived in his uniform and I thought he was a bit of a hunk!”

Ian is now a resident at our Coppin Centre home and Diane visits him every day and has dinner with him there most nights.

Together, they have weathered the many ups and downs of life, and their enduring marriage has been centred around their love and commitment to each other, their beloved children and grandchildren, and serving the community.

Diane says, “It's important to have an awareness of each other’s needs, to listen to each other and to live with gratitude for what we have. We were also very committed to bringing up our children to be good people — and they are."

To Ian and Diane, and everyone — Happy Valentines Day 💌

🥳 Irmgard, a resident at our Moe home, who turned a grand 100 years old last month, has been featured in the latest edition of the Latrobe Valley Express.

Born in Germany, Irmgard lived through World War II and subsequently emigrated to Melbourne in 1958 with her late husband, Martin. They then settled in Moe with their daughter Birgit and have been part of the community there for many years.

Irmgard says, “You can have hopes and dreams, but you won’t always get what you wish for – that’s life, so take the good with the bad”.

Here’s to a magnificent 100 years, Irmgard — happy birthday!! 🎉🎂

German malt beer for Irmgard’s 100th year By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC   STAFF, residents and family at Moe Royal Freemasons came together on Saturday, January 20, to celebrate [...]

⭐️We're having a wonderful time at the ACCPA Care & Ageing Well Expo today!

Make sure you come and see us at stand 187 to have a chat about our services over a delicious cupcake!

We will be here until 4pm today and tomorrow, Sunday 11 February, from 9.30am-4pm.

LOCATION:
Stand 187, Door 5, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf

🏮 Happy Lunar New Year! 🏮

Celebrations have well and truly started at Royal Freemasons Footscray!

Amongst the vibrant decorations, residents, families and staff, including CEO Hugh Cattermole, came together this Wednesday for games, a dragon dance, and a truly magnificent feast!