Celebrating community, capturing stories and keeping connected
The Narangba News
Celebrating community, capturing stories and keeping connected.
Summer
Contents
Message from Facility Manager, Rachael
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Message from Lifestyle Coordinator, Yvonne
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Community Happenings
5 - 7
Message from Clinical Care, Manpreet
8 - 9
Meet the Team, Lorna Chefs Corner, Sandra Meet the Resident, Helen
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Quality Corner, Janet
Summer Highlights
14 - 16
Noticeboard
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Games Corner
18 - 19
Games Corner answers
20 - 21
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Rachael
Facility Manager
As we farewell another bright and beautiful summer, I’m delighted to share some highlights from the past few months here at our facility. This season brought plenty of sunshine, activity, and togetherness. Residents enjoyed cheering on
their favourite players during our Australian Open viewings—there was no shortage of excitement, friendly debate, and tennis themed chatter throughout the building! We also launched our new buffet breakfast service, which has been met with wonderful feedback. It’s been lovely to see residents enjoying more choice, flexibility, and the social atmosphere each month. A big thank you to our hospitality and lifestyle team for bringing this to life. We have seen upgrades to our lounge televisions and sound bars following feedback from our residents. Remember we need your feedback to keep improving our service! Looking ahead, we’re pleased to share that our carpet replacement project is scheduled for April. We’re excited for the fresh new look this will bring to our shared spaces, and we’ll provide plenty of notice around dates and any temporary changes to access within the facility. Thank you to all residents, families, and staff for making this summer such a vibrant and enjoyable time. I look forward to sharing many more wonderful moments with you all.
Warm regards, Rachael Smith Facility Manager
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Message from Lifestyle Yvonne Summer kept us well and truly busy, and looking back across the three months, it is hard not to smile at everything we packed in together.
December set the tone for the season, a time of celebration, connection, and marking the year that was. We gathered to farewell 2024 in good company, carrying the warmth of the season into everything that followed. January brought a fresh start and a few new additions to the calendar. Continental Breakfast made its debut and quickly became a firm favourite; a relaxed way to begin the day over good food and good conversation. Our Australia Day BBQ was a highlight of the month: the barbecue going, drinks cold, and all of us together enjoying the kind of afternoon that Australia Day calls for. Wednesday Happy Hour was a constant throughout the season; live music, light refreshments, and plenty of dancing. It is one of those events that never needs much selling. Lost Property Day also made its regular appearance, quietly reuniting a surprising number of items with their owners each month. February rounded out the summer beautifully. World Pizza Day gave us a delicious lunch and a little history lesson to go with it. Love Your Pet Day was something else entirely - we shared stories of the animals who have shaped our lives, and together we built a Pet Memory Wall filled with photographs, artwork, and written tributes. It was one of those afternoons that stayed with people long after it ended. Through it all, Happy Hour kept us connected week after week; music, dancing, and the easy company of people who have become part of the fabric of our days here. It has been a wonderful summer. We are grateful for every moment we shared, and we are already looking forward to what autumn has in store. From the Lifestyle Team
Community Happenings Summer
A Christmas to Remember We had such a wonderful time celebrating the festive season together, from Christmas activities to special moments shared with our families and loved ones. The highlight for many of us was the beautiful live music that filled our home and really got us into the Christmas spirit. There is nothing quite like it. The Music That Moved Us It is fair to say that live music has been a big part of our summer, and we have loved every moment of it. Whether we were singing along, tapping our feet, or simply sitting back and enjoying the sounds, it brought so much joy to our days. Music really does have a way of lifting our spirits and bringing us together, and we felt that in a big way this season. Happy New Year! We welcomed 2026 together with big smiles and happy hearts. It was lovely to reflect on everything the year had brought us and raise a toast to everything still to come. Here is to a wonderful 2026!
G’day, Australia We had a fantastic Australia Day! The day was full of fun, laughter, and a healthy dose of friendly competition, with residents going head to head to see who could cross the finish line first. The energy in the room was electric and the laughs were non-stop. A very happy Australia Day was had by all.
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Community Happenings Summer
Breakfast on the Verandah One of our favourite things this summer has been our continental breakfast experience, with the option to dine inside or out on the verandah with the sun shining and gentle music playing. Our kitchen staff and lifestyle team put together a gorgeous spread with something for everyone, and it made for the loveliest start to the day. Great food, great company, and beautiful surroundings. What more could you ask for? Games and Laughs We do love a good game at Narangba, and this summer kept us very busy! From balloon tennis and crafts to trying out some new games that turned out to be a lot of fun, there was always something to get involved in. The laughter that filled the room on these days was something else entirely. As our very own Terry put it, spectacular things are happening here and we could not agree more!
Valentine’s Day Valentine’s gave us a chance to celebrate love and send warm wishes to everyone in our community. It was a lovely, feel-good day shared together, and a reminder of just how much we all mean to one another.
Community Happenings Summer
Move and Groove with Sue Our body and movement classes with Sue have been so much fun this summer. Our ladies have been showing off some seriously impressive skills and the sessions have been filled with laughter, energy, and plenty of smiles. We always leave feeling great! Love Your Pet Day This was truly one of the highlights of our summer. We sat together and shared stories about our beloved pets, past and present, and the conversations were just beautiful. Every story was so personal and so full of love. We created a wonderful wall together showcasing our pets and their stories, and we were also lucky enough to have some special animal visitors come and see us in person. It was a very special day and one that many of us will not forget in a hurry.
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Message from Clinical Care Manpreet
Dear Residents, Families, and Staff, It is my pleasure to share an update from the Clinical Team as we move into the autumn season. During this time, our continued priority is to keep residents, families, and staff safe, well, and supported through proactive care, effective prevention strategies, and strong teamwork. Autumn & Flu Season Update As the weather cools, the risk of flu and other respiratory illnesses increases. To help protect everyone within our community, staff will be seeking consent from residents, families, and staff for influenza vaccinations, which will be administered over the coming weeks. Timely vaccination plays a vital role in reducing illness and preventing outbreaks within the facility. Staff are reminded to promptly report any flu-like symptoms to the RN on duty to ensure early intervention and minimise the risk of transmission. Supporting Our Residents and Clinical Team We are pleased to welcome several new staff members to our team. Each new team member has been supported through structured one- on-one training, including buddy shifts, to ensure a smooth transition into their roles. Our Clinical Nurses (CNs) continue to provide additional guidance and education to Registered Nurses (RNs), focusing on policies, procedures, and resident-specific care requirements. We kindly ask residents, families, and staff to remain patient and supportive as new team members familiarise themselves with individual routines and care needs. A collaborative and respectful approach is essential in maintaining safe, consistent, and high-quality care. Recognition & Appreciation We are grateful for the continued positive feedback received from residents and families through cards, letters, and kind words of appreciation. These acknowledgements reflect the dedication, professionalism, and compassion consistently demonstrated by our staff. Our team is highly skilled and diverse, including staff trained in Palliative Care, as well as dedicated Pain Champions and Wound Champions, all of whom play an essential role in delivering best-practice care.
Message from Clinical Care continued
Clinical Focus This Quarter: Wound Care & Pressure Injury Prevention Our key clinical focus this quarter is wound management and pressure injury prevention, particularly for residents with reduced mobility. Ongoing staff education has been provided on personal hygiene, maintaining skin integrity, appropriate use of pressure-relieving equipment, and regular repositioning for residents unable to move independently. The clinical team is closely monitoring all wounds and actively supporting RNs in the management of complex or slow-to-heal wounds. External wound care specialists are engaged as required to ensure optimal healing outcomes and evidence-based care. Medical Reviews & GP Services Our GP attends the facility every Tuesday to review residents, address concerns, and adjust medications as required. Residents and families are encouraged to speak with the RN on duty or CN Mansi if they wish to request a GP review or discuss any health-related concerns. Allied Health Services Residents continue to have access to visiting allied health services, including optometry, mobile dental services, and Hearing Australia. We are also pleased to offer onsite podiatry services every second Monday, supporting residents with routine foot care, including toenail management. Feedback & Open Communication We value feedback from residents, families, and staff, as it supports continuous improvement in care delivery. Feedback can be shared with the nursing team, Clinical Nurses, or directly with the Clinical Care Coordinator. Open Door Policy My door is always open. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you require support, have concerns, or would like to discuss any aspect of care or services. Kind regards, Manpreet Kaur Clinical Care Coordinator
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Lorna
Meet the Team
What do you enjoy most about working here? What I enjoy most about working here at NAC is the opportunity to make a positive difference in our resident’s lives. The little moments like telling
stories and sharing a laugh bring me joy. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Outside of work, I enjoy going to the beach, spending quality time with my family and catching up with friends. This is my way of unwinding and
staying connected to people who mean the most to me. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
It’s hard to choose one place as I love travelling so much and learning about different places, cultures and traditions. I’ve ticked a few off the list including, The UAE, England, Belgium, France and just recently Thailand. I’ll be visiting NZ soon so I guess my answer can be NZ Aotearoa as I’m
looking forward to experiencing snow for the first time. What was it that made you want to work in Aged Care?
My sister works in Aged Care, and hearing her stories about supporting residents and making an impact in their lives encouraged me to follow a similar path. I’m glad I did as I really do enjoy building relationships with residents and helping them feel comfortable and valued.
Chef’s Corner I would like to take a moment to say thank you for the wonderful support and feedback you continue to give to the kitchen team. It truly means a lot to us and helps guide what we create each day. Sandra
Sausage Rolls 1kg pork mince 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large brown onion, grated 1 large carrot, grated 1 ½ tablespoons dried Italian herb mix 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 3 eggs 3 sheets frozen ready-rolled puff pastry,
partially thawed (see tip) 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1. Preheat oven to 200°C fan-forced. Grease 2 large baking trays lined with baking paper.
2. Combine oil and onion in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a sheet of damp paper towel. Microwave for 2 minutes on High/100%. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. 3. Combine pork mince, carrot, dried herbs, breadcrumbs, 2 eggs and cooled onion mixture in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Using clean hands, mix thoroughly until well combined. Divide pork mixture into 6 equal portions. 4. Whisk the remaining egg with a fork. Lay pastry sheets onto a work surface and cut each in half. 5. Using one portion of pork mixture, spread into a long sausage shape along the long edge of one halved pastry sheet. Brush the opposite long edge with beaten egg. Roll up pastry to enclose the pork mixture, pressing the edges together to seal. Repeat using remaining pork and pastry. 6. Brush sausage rolls with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cut each into 6. Place sausage rolls, seam-side down with a little space between each one, onto the prepared trays. 7. Bake for 38-40 minutes, swapping the trays in the oven after 25 minutes, or until golden and puffed. Serve with tomato sauce. It’s easier to work with pastry when its partially thawed, just make sure it’s completely thawed before you start cooking. The sausage rolls freeze well, cooked or uncooked in airtight containers or bags, for up to 3 months.
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Meet the Resident Can you tell us a little about where you grew up? Nulla Mamma near Inverell, N.S.W. Salisbury, Qld. Strathpine & 36 years at Lake Macdonald, Qld. What are some of your fondest childhood memories? Spending time with my relatives on various farms. Playing sport. What kinds of work or hobbies have you enjoyed throughout your life? I loved book keeping so I was always involved with a lot of figures. I played sport and followed my 4 sons when they played. I also loved Ballroom dancing. Helen
Do you have any favourite pastimes or hobbies you still enjoy today? I love the outdoors, doing puzzles, watching T.V. programmes mysteries, crime documentaries, worldly places and anything musical. What is something you’ve learned that you’d like to share with others? Stay close to your family and love them. Look after your health. Above all look after your fellow man, you always have many friends. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Don’t ever be too proud to ask for help if you need it. What is a book, movie, or song that has made a big impact on you? The movie “The Full Monty.” It was so funny but had feeling with it. What do you think has been the biggest change in the world during your lifetime? End of the war!!! Computerisation and the media input. Unfortunately, at my age I am finding it too hard to keep up. I still like the old ways. Do you have a favourite place you’ve travelled to or lived in? Bribie Island, Cairns Botanical Gardens, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Severn River N.S.W, Margaret River gardens & wineries. Who has influenced your life the most? My parents and my family. Is there a skill or talent you’re known for? I’m a “chatterbox” What is something that always makes you smile? Listening to jokes and sharing funny experiences with my family and friends.
What has been your proudest achievement? Bringing four beautiful boys into this crazy world.
Quality Corner
Janet
Influenza Vaccines Influenza (flu) is a common viral illness that affects people of all ages. While symptoms may be mild for some, influenza can cause serious illness and may lead to hospitalisation—even in otherwise healthy people.
The safest and most effective way to protect yourself and others is to receive an influenza vaccination each year from a health professional. The flu virus changes regularly, so the vaccine is updated annually, which is why yearly vaccination is important. The type of vaccine recommended depends on your age and health needs, and your GP can advise which option is right for you. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six months and over. Receiving a vaccination not only helps protect you—it also helps protect your family, friends, and the wider community. For more information on vaccinations, please see a friendly member of the care team. Do you know about PainChek? Within our homes, we use the PainChek system, a clinically validated digital pain assessment tool. Using AI technology to support a modern pain assessment framework PainChek will identify the presence of pain even when it’s not obvious. PainChek is fast and easy to use. Using a smart device, the device’s camera looks at the person’s face then analyses the images using AI driven facial recognition. PainChek analyses facial expressions and facial muscle movements in real time and combines this information with observations of behaviour, body movements, and vocalisations to generate an objective pain score. This information calculates an overall pain score and stores the result. This outcome forms the evidence base supporting the implementation of pain management interventions, and for the ongoing monitoring of their effectiveness over time. This approach supports the early identification of pain, more consistent assessments, and improved pain management. By enabling accurate and timely pain recognition, PainChek helps care teams deliver safer, more consistent, and person‑centred care. All assessments are stored securely, allowing for trend monitoring and shared clinical insights to support ongoing care planning. Kind regards, Janet State Quality Manager
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Summer Highlights
December 2025
December was a month full of festive fun and cherished moments together. We decorated, celebrated, and soaked up every bit of the Christmas spirit as a community. Our families joined us for special Christmas activities and we were treated to the most wonderful live music that really brought the season to life. Songs like “Dreaming of a White Christmas” and “You Are My Sunshine” had us singing along and smiling from ear to ear. It was a full and joyful month, and the perfect way to close out the year.
Summer Highlights
January 2026
We kicked off 2026 feeling happy and full of energy! After ringing in the new year together, we wasted no time getting back into the swing of things. Live music continued to be a big part of our days, with some truly moving performances that had us up and dancing. We enjoyed our weekly activities, shared laughs over games, and took time to simply enjoy each other’s company. January had a lovely relaxed summer feel to it, and we made the most of every day.
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Summer Highlights February 2026 February was an absolute cracker of a month and there was never a dull moment! We celebrated Australia Day in style with friendly races, cheering each other on and laughing the whole way through. Our continental breakfasts on the verandah became a firm favourite, with gorgeous food and great conversation to match. We got moving with Sue’s body and movement classes, enjoyed balloon tennis and crafts, and tested ourselves with some fun new games. Valentine’s Day brought a lovely warmth to the home, and National Love Your Pet Day turned into one of the most memorable days of the whole summer, with beautiful stories shared and special animal visitors dropping in to see us. February really did have it all.
Noticeboard
In Memoriam We offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of our late residents. Every cherished member of our community who leaves us, is sadly missed and fondly remembered.
Walking group is held in the afternoons and is supported by our physio aide Don’t forget our continental breakfast once a month Physiotherapy Tuesday and Friday from 9:00am to 9:30am, followed by a small Strength and Balance class from 9:30am to 10:00am Health and fitness Sunflower Café from 9:00am to 10:00am on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
A very warm welcome to our new residents. This Summer we have had the pleasure of welcoming new faces to our community and what a wonderful addition you’ve all been! From sharing laughs at mealtimes to joining in activities and making new friendships, you’ve already brought fresh energy and joy to our home. We’re so glad you’re here. If you have any questions or need assistance settling in, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We are here for you If you’d like more information on the aboveservices, please contact the lifestyle team: lifestyle@narangbaagedcare.com.au
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Games Corner 1
Games Corner 2
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Games Corner Answers 1
Games Corner Answers 2
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Stay tuned for Autumn
Thank you We would like to issue a heartfelt thank you to relatives and volunteers who support us day in and day out. You make such a difference and we very much appreciate your time and energy. Can you contribute? Contributions to our newsletter are encouaged and appreciated. Articles, photos, reports on community outings, staff news, trivia, poems and stories relating to residents and staff are most welcome. Please hand in your submission to reception.
23 Young Road, Narangba QLD 4504 07 3053 3700 narangbaagedcare.com.au
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