Welcome to the autumn edition of Wellbeing, Australian Unity Retirement Living’s newsletter.

April 2012 marked a significant milestone for aged care reform with the announcement of the Federal Government’s ‘Living Longer Living Better’ package.

With Australian Unity Retirement Living‘s strong reputation as an integrated service provider, combined with our commitment

to assisting senior Australians to age in place, we are pleased that the Government has committed to increase home care packages, in time providing seniors with more flexibility in choosing the setting they wish to age in. For current and future residents of Australian Unity Retirement Living communities, this reform should translate to improved access to services within our retirement communities.

However, we don’t believe the Government’s announcement goes far enough to support older Australians, so together with the Retirement Village association and leading Age Services Australia, we will be advocating for continuing reform into the future.

I hope you enjoy reading our autumn newsletter and I look forward to keeping you updated with all the latest news from our villages.

Message from Derek

Latest news

Derek McMillanChief Executive – Retirement Living

Features Gardener’s corner

Wellbeing – Autumn 2012 page 1

Recipe: Zucchini slice

Australian Unity Welcomes Morven Manor Retirement Village

Australian Unity is pleased to announce the acquisition of another village to its growing portfolio – Morven Manor Retirement Village. Situated in Mornington and ideally positioned close to Main Street and the beach, Morven Manor is now Australian Unity’s second village in the Mornington area.

Morven Manor comprises 86 independent living units and a wide range of community and recreational facilities for residents including a library, medical consulting suite, hairdressing salon, theatre and billiards room.

Built in 1888 by Archibald Cook, one of Mornington’s pioneers, ‘Morven’ was a gift for his son William Sym on his marriage to Ella Louise Allchin. Enthusiastic gardeners, the young couple converted their five acre block into parkland famous for its collection of Australian shrubs and plants, including the stately Norfolk Pines that were used as a navigating aid in Port Phillip Bay for 100 years and are still a prominent landmark today.

In 1951, ‘Morven’ was purchased by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence as a holiday home for elderly people needing a sea change. Changing hands again in 1970, Mr and Mrs Thomas Telford purchased and restored the house as a luxurious reception centre

and renamed it ‘Morven Manor’. In 1980, Morven Manor was purchased by Mr and Mrs Colin Johnston to establish one of the first retirement villages in Victoria.

We would like to welcome the residents of Morven Manor to Australian Unity.

WellbeingAutumn 2012

Seniors' technology workshops

Art-in-therapy

page 2 Wellbeing – Autumn 2012

The creation of art-in-therapyImagine the frustration of not being able to express yourself due to a medical condition. Beverly Smith at Wahroonga Aged Care was determined to defy the odds, and use innovation to initiate a program that enables residents to use creativity to express themselves and engage in the day with successful results.

Beverly, a clinical care manager, saw an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of residents who are isolated by dementia or cognitive difficulties. She then completed a successful grant application and received funding from the Greater Monash GP Network.

With the funding in hand, she commissioned Vicky Kingston, a professional counsellor and pastoral carer, to come once a week for art-in-therapy sessions to enhance residents’ wellbeing.

“Since Vicky commenced running art therapy sessions it has made a significant impact not just on the behaviours and isolation of those residents but their involvement in everyday life.

“An example of the benefits of art therapy is with one of our residents who has Parkinson’s

disease. His medical condition limits him from being able to speak and show any emotion. Vicky has been teaching him to use eye contact and respond to hand signals to communicate. This has enabled him to use these new skills, to gradually interact with the others in the group and also with other staff.

“He was inclined to disconnect himself from people, but since the art therapy sessions he has become more engaged. For instance, one of my colleagues was mimicking the actions of a cricket bowler during a test series, the resident, who is a huge cricket fan, responded by letting go of his walking frame and pretended to hit the invisible ball. We (staff) were all so happy to see him interact with us. His family, who regularly visit him, have also noticed a great improvement in his mood since art therapy,” explains Beverly.

The art therapy sessions have provided a number of positive outcomes for residents.

“They have also developed increased confidence and pride in their achievements and become more social with fellow residents,” she says.

The sessions are different every time and residents have thrived in creating various pieces of art work such as face masks, mosaics, bark paintings and face collages.

“Such activities allow residents to use the creative part of their mind which enriches their experience. It gives them a feeling of wellbeing and independence, as well as an opportunity to make something to share with their family members when they visit,” says Beverly.

Residents noticeably enjoy the art group as they are able to use their imagination and creativity, as well as experience Vicky’s enthusiastic style of counselling, which promotes fun, laughter and mutual respect. “Her energy is contagious – Vicky really fits in with Australian Unity’s wellbeing philosophy. She is very compassionate as well as practical and brings out the best in people.”

Beverly is pleased to see the success of the art therapy program because it is an important part of

her role in facilitating holistic care for residents.

“I provide aged care and rehabilitation expertise to help residents adapt to their changing abilities so they can still do things they like. My role also involves creating care plans for each resident, continually assessing their health and wellbeing, as well as liaising with their respective families,” she says.

NBN connected at Peninsula GrangePeninsula Grange in Mornington, Victoria is the first Retirement Village in Australia and the first greenfield site in Victoria to be connected to NBN. Residents of Peninsula Grange are now utilising the network and experiencing the benefits of faster broadband connection.

Latest news – continued

Crossword puzzle

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

Across1. Madman4. Tough trousers7. Flight attendant8. Country bumpkin9. Me12. Unwarranted15. Reflex response, reaction17. Via the mouth18. World-weary21. Passed (law)22. Greater in years23. Camp lavatory

Down1. Milestone2. Branched horn3. Rugged peak4. Singer/actress, Garland5. Rouses6. Earth10. Noxious vapours11. Flat-bodied lizard13. Without import tax (4-4)14. Provoked16. Vocation18. Type of unarmed combat19. Stag or doe20. Letters

Masks created during art-in-therapy sessions

National Broadband Network

Sienna GrangeConstruction of Stage 3A consisting of five units has commenced with an anticipated completion date of June 2012. New roads to allow for a further 22 units have just been completed.

Peninsula GrangeConstruction of Stage 2 comprising of 16 units is well underway, with brickwork and plaster completed for all units, internal finishes 40 percent complete and landscaping has commenced. These units are expected to be completed in May 2012 and this will make a total of 35 villas complete at Peninsula Grange.

Construction of the brand new Community Centre is on program

for completion in July 2012. Services rough in and internal plasterboard are 90 percent complete and landscape works have commenced. The community centre will incorporate a games room, multi-purpose rooms, library, gymnasium and casual dining room facilities with associated bar and kitchen.

Victoria GrangeStage 5 consisting of 18 terrace homes is close to completion and a brand new display is now completed and available to view.

Construction of the Community Centre superstructure is complete and on track for a late 2012 opening.

Wellbeing – Autumn 2012 page 3

As technology changes at a rapid pace, it can be a challenge to keep up with new products and learn the language. So when we invited local seniors to attend the annual seniors technology workshops at Willandra Village, the response was strong.

Over 350 enthusiastic seniors attended the popular workshops held as part of National Seniors Week and proved that they don’t want to be left behind in the technology revolution. Through three informative workshops over three days, participants learnt the basics of how to use a mobile phone, take professional images with a digital camera and how to connect with family and friends using social media.

At the end of the sessions, participants teamed up with tech-savvy helpers who were on hand to answer specific questions and teach users how to use their phone or camera. Questions ranged from how to type a text message and store contacts in a phone, to

finding friends on Facebook and uploading pictures to the computer to sell items on eBay.

The highlight of the social media workshop was learning how to use

Skype to make phone calls with a webcam, demonstrated with a live Skype call from presenter Brad Keeling to his daughter in the USA.

This is the fourth year the popular workshops have been held and the benefits for locals are clear. “I’ve come every year and they are just so useful,” one lady said. “These workshops help me to connect with my kids and grandkids. I can follow the conversation at the dinner table now!”

For those of us who are cautious about trying to master new technology without guidance, professional photographer, Pepper Ingham, who led the sessions has some sound advice. “Don’t be afraid to have a play with the settings in your mobile or digital camera – you won’t break it. And the beauty of digital cameras, or even taking a picture on your phone’s camera, is that you can always delete a bad image and take another.”

“ I’ve come every year and they are just so useful”

Pam Petherbridge, resident at Lifestyle Manor Bondi, reported with great excitement of the first fine dining evening at Lifestyle Manor Bondi saying that “the ambience, the food and the friendship all were to the fore.”

Pam arranged dinner for 44 guests with catering by Di and Peter Torok from Bassetts Catering, which she describes as “sensational.” For main course, residents and guests dined on a choice of twice roasted duck with sour cherries; marinated ocean

trout with lime mayonnaise and dill butter sauce; and spinach and ricotta crepe with sundried tomatoes and pine nuts, all with a further accompaniment of Greek salad or roasted vegetables and red or white wine. For dessert there was strawberry mousse and apple crumble with cream. The evening drew to a close with tea, coffee and chocolates served, marking the end of an enjoyable event.

We look forward to reporting on future dining events at Lifestyle Manor Bondi.

Events – Seniors’ technology workshops

Fine dining at Lifestyle Manor Bondi

Denise Tomlinson welcomed over 350 attendees across three days at the Seniors’ technology workshops

Construction update

“ The ambience, the food and the friendship”

Sienna Grange construction

Victoria Grange construction

Lifestyle Manor Bondi residents and their guests dined on twice roasted duck with sour cherries

Is there news from your village that is not featured in the newsletter? Make sure you let us know what’s happening by emailing villagenews@australianunity.com.au or post a letter to Retirement Living Wellbeing, Level 5, 114 Albert Road, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205

Share your news

Rita Pasquale of Greglea Village in Penshurst, New South Wales, shares her recipe for zucchini slice.

Ingredients:

4 large zucchini 1 large onion 4 lean rashers of bacon ¾ cup grated cheddar cheese 1 cup self raising flour ¾ cup oil 6 eggs Salt and pepper optional

Method:

Grate peeled zucchini, chop the onion and bacon.

Combine zucchini, onion, bacon and cheese, flour, oil and eggs.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour into well-greased pan. Bake in moderate oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

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

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.

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!

In the financial year ending 30 June 2011, Australian Unity’s revenues were in excess of $1 billion.

The company employs around 1,400 staff nationally.

Australian Unity’s 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.

Australian Unity Building, Melbourne

Wellbeing – Autumn 2012 page 4

In each edition of Wellbeing we ask an Australian Unity resident questions that reveal a glimpse of their life.

My name is Barry McOrist.

I live at Victoria Grange, Vermont South, Victoria.

What is the best thing about village life?Our beautiful, well designed spacious home, happy and friendly residents and the security.

Where did you grow up? Cudgewa then Heidelberg.

What is your happiest childhood memory? Singsongs around the piano with family, relatives and friends.

What was your favourite radio show growing up?

“Yes What”.

What music always makes you happy? Good choirs singing Methodist hymns.

Favourite pastimes?

Golf, painting and reading poetry to residents in aged care.

If you could invite three people to dinner who would they be?

Billy Connelly, Geoffrey Archer and John Howard.

What was your first job? I started work at Tourism Victoria and was there for 37 years.

Barry McOrist, resident at Victoria Grange Retirement Village

Getting to know you

Recipe: Zucchini slice Gardener’s corner

Autumn is an ideal time for garden maintenance and improvement such as pruning back roses, planting your spring flowering bulbs and annuals, improving soil condition or mulching garden beds. It’s also a great time to plant vegetables that will grow throughout winter such as beetroot, capsicum, carrot and cauliflower.

Now is also a good time to make new plants from cuttings of shrubs or natives such as banksias and grevillea. Remove the lower leaves and pot into small containers of good quality potting mix. After approximately three months your plants should be fit enough to be replanted into your garden bed.

Properties for sale – www.australianunityrl.com.au/properties

New South Wales

Victoria

Peninsula Grange431 Racecourse Road, MorningtonBrand new homes featuring generous dining and living areas, built-in robes, modern appliances and private outdoor areas.Phone 03 5975 5267

Constitution Hill24/1 Centenary Avenue, NorthmeadGround 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

Kiah Lodge28/15 Anne Findlay Place, Bateau BayNorth 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

From $395,000

$460,000

$166,000

Victoria Grange502-514 Burwood Highway, Vermont SouthJust released – two bedroom apartments which will offer light and spacious interiors and include large balconies and secure basement car parking.Phone 03 9802 1647

Karagi Court41/1 Yakalla Street, Bateau BayRefurbished 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

Sienna Grange506 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

From $485,00-595,000

Geelong Grove22/50 Barwarre Road, GrovedaleBright and spacious two bedroom unit with low maintenance backyard.Phone 03 5244 0822

Greglea6/192 Penshurst Street, PenshurstServiced apartments now available. Designed for easy living including a kitchenette, living area, bedroom and ensuite bathroom.Phone 02 9579 6444

Mt Eymard16/502 Moss Vale Road, BowralFully refurbished two bedroom, two bathroom cottage featuring light-filled open plan living areas and a modern kitchen.Phone 02 4862 2977

$285,000

$85,000-200,000

$465,000

$130,000

From $340,000

The Oaks23/110 Hull Road, CroydonContemporary two bedroom villa with bright, spacious living areas and paved courtyards.Phone 03 9802 1647

Elderslee71/15 Bias Avenue, Bateau BayRecently renovated one bedroom unit peacefully positioned towards the rear of the village and surrounded by landscaped gardens.Phone 02 4332 6950

Lifestyle Manor Bondi24-32 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 are available now.Phone 02 9389 2777

$398,000

$150,000

From $895,000

Wellbeing – Autumn 2012

The GovernorsRetirement Resort166 River Park Road, Port MacquarieServiced apartments now available. Designed for easy living including a kitchenette, living area, separate bedroom and ensuite bathroom.Phone 02 6581 1322

From $95,000

Willandra Village22/81 Willandra Road, CromerSpacious two bedroom unit newly renovated throughout and offering a functional design with the benefit of a fenced courtyard that is ideal for a small pet.Phone 02 9971 8035

Willandra Bungalows34/51 Little Willandra Road, CromerGround floor two bedroom home in a unique position next to a lovely lawn and garden area and includes a large, private courtyard and garage.Phone 02 9971 8035

$420,000 $735,000

SOLD