Celebrating community, capturing stories and keeping connected
Celebrating community, capturing stories and keeping connected. The Holmwood Happenings
Spring
Contents
Message from Facility Manager, Brenda Message from the Lifestyle Team, Stacey
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4
Community Happenings
5 - 7
Message from the Clinical Team, Suleman
8 9
Meet the Team, Shannon Cooks Corner, Shannon Meet the Resident, George
10 - 11
12 - 13
Quality Corner, Lee
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Spring Highlights
15 - 17
Noticeboard
18 19
Games Corner
Games Corner answer
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Brenda
Facility Manager
Dear Residents, Families, and Friends, It’s a pleasure to welcome you to our Spring
Newsletter. This is always a beautiful time of year in our beautiful Yarra Valley, and in our home. As the days grow warmer I for one have been enjoying watching the bursts of colour appear in our many garden beds, and our residents harvesting the fresh strawberries they have been cultivating and enjoying time in our alfresco areas! We also are on the approach to the festive season, and we are already beginning to feel that familiar sense of anticipation. Our much-loved Christmas event is on track to be bigger and better than ever, and the team has been busy planning a wonderful calendar of activities to carry us through the coming months. Thank you to our residents for your resilience, good humour, and the many moments of joy you bring to our days. And to our families—thank you for your ongoing support and trust. It is a privilege to work here and to be entrusted with the care of your loved ones. We have welcomed new members of staff, and are happy to have them aboard across the departments. Clinically we continue to kick goals and continue to strive for excellence across all of our care and services I for one was very excited by the purchase of our new snooker table, and though I haven’t had the chance to play yet, it is on my agenda! And I relished the opportunity to take part in the Virtual Reality Dementia Training on site here, and see how the team embraced the opportunity to take part in it, their insight and their willingness to learn, was heartwarming and inspiring as a manager. I was privileged to host an event for our long-standing team members at our 10+ years of service event, acknowledging, celebrating and honouring our dedicated team members who have been a part of the home for such inspiring time. We love that they have chosen to not only be a part of our community, but to stay as part of it for such periods of time. Here’s to more celebrations of more long-standing team members. My favourite part of the last few months would be our Halloween Party! An absolute blast of an evening with so many residents, staff and families taking part in the night!
To sign off I would also like to express my gratitude to our dedicated staff, who continue to demonstrate exceptional care and compassion every day. Their commitment ensures that our community remains a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place to live. Wishing you all a bright and cheerful spring, and an early season’s blessing as we look forward to Christmas together. Warm regards, Brenda Hand Aged Care Facility Manager
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Message from the Lifestyle Team Stacey As we come to the end of another busy season, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past few months and share some of the exciting things ahead.
In September, We finished out August with our terrific trivia night and we welcomed September with kinder kid visits, some swing and ballroom dancers, brand new afternoon exercise programs, and our AFL Grand Final Party!! October brought vibrant colours and festive fun. Our themed celebrations included Oktoberfest, filled with laughter and celebration. Our outings continued and we got heavily into our craft sessions, and warmer weather meant our walks could include much more time outside in the morning sun! My favourite was of course, Halloween- my most favourite event of the year and it was such a thrill to have so much involvement from our Holmwood Community- so thank you.We also had a new face join our special Lifestyle team- Ovarn, who was a member of housekeeping, now has the dual role here as part of the lifestyle team as well and it is a pleasure to have him on board! In November, Spring Carnival kicked off the month with Cup day craziness and our ladies day luncheon being a big hit! A moving event is always our Remembrance Day Services here at Holmwood Aged Care and it is a pleasure and privilege to deliver them with and on behalf of our residents. Our bus trips out and about are continuing and we had a special visit from Riley and Horace- two horses- to the delight of residents and staff alike. Looking Ahead December is already upon us and as we move further and further into the festive season- our decorations are up with the help of the residents and the team. We can’t wait till our Christmas party where we are having a wonderful resident and staff lunch (Thanks Brenda) We’ve started our Christmas decorating, games, and arts, and crafts. We’re looking forward to the kids coming in to sing some Christmas carols, along with our usual entertainers putting a swing on the usual Friday happy hours with Christmas tunes for everyone to enjoy. Later in the month a visit from baby chickens and their clucky mum is on the calendar. How cute! January brings some fun with the celebrations of the Australian open and Australia Day. February there is already whispers of a Casino Night! Let the planning and fun begin! Watch this space! We’re excited to bring you a fresh calendar of activities, outings, and events, you can look forward to new hobby groups (including snooker), guest entertainers, and plenty of opportunities to stay active, connected,
and engaged. Warm regards, On behalf of the Lifestyle Team, Stacey.
Community Happenings Spring
What a spectacular spring it’s been at Holmwood! As the weather warmed and our beautiful gardens came alive with colour, we filled our days with music, laughter, celebrations and cherished moments together. From AFL Grand Final excitement to elegant ballroom dancing, heartwarming animal visits to milestone achievements, this season has been packed with joy, connection and unforgettable experiences. Let’s take a look back at the wonderful memories we’ve created together over the past few months. Music, Movement and Entertainment Spring brought an incredible variety of entertainment to our home. We were treated to Steph’s ever-popular Musical Melodies sessions, elegant ballroom and Latin dancing performances featuring spectacular rhumba and jive for Fancy Dance Friday, and a wonderful performance from the Healesville U3A Ukulele group. Friday Happy Hour with live music from Anthony helped us celebrate Father’s Day in style, whilst our talented staff entertained us on our two pianolas—Sarah’s impressive skills particularly delighting everyone between our busy activity schedules. Our new afternoon exercise programme launched in September and became an instant hit, with all of us joining our awesome care team daily at 3:30pm in the gym for movement, laughter and fitness.
Spring Racing and Sporting Spirit The excitement of spring racing carnival swept through Holmwood with our Cup Day celebrations featuring our own resident races, delicious spring treats and sweeps that had everyone cheering. Despite the weather not cooperating, the smiles were abundant! AFL fever gripped our home as we proudly wore our team colours for footy-themed celebrations including trivia, goal kicking and staff games leading up to the Grand Final. The atmosphere was electric, and the friendly competition brought out everyone’s team spirit.
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Community Happenings Spring
Spooky Celebrations and Festive Fun October’s Halloween preparations created wonderful excitement throughout our home. Creepy, kooky and downright spooky decorations appeared in preparation for our spectacular Halloween Party 2025 a celebration that brought out everyone’s playful side with costumes, A true highlight of our spring season was the spectacular visit from Riley and Horace, two magnificent horses from Le Pine, along with their handlers Dean and Ben, and Rebecca and Jenny. We absolutely loved being up close with these gentle giants, feeding them carrots, giving pats and sharing memories of times gone by—some of us even reminiscing about delivering milk by horse and cart. What an extraordinary experience! decorations and plenty of treats. Gentle Giants and Special Visitors We also welcomed our adorable friends from Nurture One, Steel Street for a heartwarming intergenerational morning filled with bubbles, cuddles, stories and smiles. These connections across generations bring such joy to our community. Outdoor Adventures and Beautiful Spaces As the weather warmed, we made the most of our stunning outdoor areas and the beautiful part of the world we call home. Spring flowers bloomed, sunny days beckoned, and garden walks became a favourite pastime. We enjoyed increased outings including trips to bakeries, restaurants, parks and scenic drives through the countryside; each adventure bringing new experiences and happy memories. We also transformed another courtyard space with beautiful pot plants generously donated by Debbie, creating even more lovely areas for us to enjoy the outdoors.
Community Happenings Spring
New Additions and Ongoing Projects Exciting additions arrived this spring, including our brand new pool table! Our pool and snooker enthusiasts were thrilled, immediately swapping stories, taking practice turns and arranging in-house competitions. There’s already talk of a staff tournament brewing in our new Pool Hall! Our dedicated group of animal-loving residents continued their important work on the Animal Rescue Project, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to caring for animals in need. Culinary Delights Our awesome catering department continued to impress us with delicious offerings throughout spring. We enjoyed hearty soups, loaded rissoles with scalloped potatoes, delicious beef massaman curry, and light fluffy citrus cake with custard. As if that wasn’t enough, our chefs delighted us with chocolate ice creams, waffle cones and chocolate milkshakes. Bon appétit! As we farewell spring and welcome summer, we carry with us the warmth of shared laughter, the joy of new experiences and the treasure of precious memories made together. Thank you to everyone who made this season so special.
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Message from the Clinical Team Suleman As we move toward the end of the year, Holmwood has been alive with activity, learning, celebration, and community spirit. It has been a wonderful reminder of how much joy, connection, and resilience our residents, families and staff bring to our home each day.
Our festive preparations are well underway, with our Christmas raffle supporting resident activities and our annual donation appeal for non- perishable food items for St Vincent de Paul. This initiative helps ease the burden for local families experiencing financial or emotional stress during the holiday season. We are grateful for the kindness already shown- your generosity helps us extend care beyond our walls at a time when it is needed most. From 1 November, the new Aged Care Standards came into effect, bringing meaningful improvements to residents daily experiences. These Standards place residents at the heart of all decisions, offering greater choice, stronger clinical support and more consistent safety and quality. They reinforce our commitment to providing care that is respectful, safe and individually tailored. This quarter also saw our care and nursing teams take part in an immersive virtual reality Dementia Experience. The session offered profound insight into what daily life may feel like for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s and it has already enriched our approach to person-centred care. We look forward to offering additional sessions soon. Spring has brought renewed energy and our residents have been enjoying garden walks, sunshine, and a variety of outings- from country drives to cafe trips as the warmer weather opens more opportunities for engagement. We also welcomed visits from friendly horses, celebrated our residents special birthdays and even installed a new pool table, which has quickly become a favourite spot for friendly competition. A highlight this season was recognising more than a dozen staff members who have reached over ten years of service. Their dedication, compassion, and loyalty form the heart of Holmwood and we are proud to acknowledge the impact they have on our Holmwood community each day. We also extend our congratulations to each of our employees of the Month, recognised for the kindness and compassion they show every day. As always, thank you to all families and our dedicated staff for your ongoing support and involvement. Your commitment, compassion, and daily contributions enrich life at Holmwood in countless ways. We look forward to a season of celebration, connection, and continued commitment to exceptional care. Wishing you all a safe and joyful Christmas season. Suleman, Clinical Care Co-Ordinator (CCC)
Meet the Team Shannon Tells us a bit about your background and current day experiences. My name is Shannon. I am quite new to Holmwood, starting just this year but loving it. I am a busy mum, and I have had a variety of different jobs- cook (pubs and cafes) a nursery manager, amongst other things. I have had many jobs. Many of which have been around food, so I have continued to be around food, but now I am more around people as well which I love- getting to chat to people every day and learn about them and their stories. It’s so much fun, so inspiring and I am glad I came to work in this field. What do enjoy doing in your spare time? Here at Holmwood I am part of the catering team. What do you enjoy most about working here? I love the outdoors- camping and spending time outdoors with my boys! That is a favourite. I do enjoy cooking in my spare time so there is usually a time I am busy in the kitchen every day. What do you enjoy most about working at Holmwood Aged Care? I love the residents’ stories and personalities- a big part of my role is serving meals in the different dining rooms, and I have got to know so many of them- their personalities and their senses of humour. It’s nice to have that rapport with them and be able to laugh with them, joke with them, and then have them tell you that you make their cuppa just right. It’s nice to have that time and contact with them. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Canada! For my love of the outdoors, I have always envisioned Canada as being the peak destination for hikes, wilderness, wildlife and adventure.
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Shannon
Cooks Corner
We held another menu tasting session this Spring, thank you to the residents for your valuable feedback. We’ve introduced a few new kitchen processes to ensure meals are served hotter and faster. We’d also like to acknowledge our wonderful kitchen staff, whose dedication ensures every plate is served with care.
Eccles cakes This recipe is an oldie but a goldie, and a favourite of a resident from their home country of Wales! Similar to a Mince pie; in fact it might have you asking, “what’s the difference?” That secret is in the dough! Where Mince pies are made with a short crust pastry and can be topped with more pastry, marzipan, or a crumble topping, Eccles cakes on the other hand, are made with a flaky rough-puff dough and can be a little fiddly to properly seal for baking, but are well-worth the effort!
Ingredients For the pastry 250g block cold butter 350g plain flour juice ½ lemon For the filling 25g butter 200g currants 50g mixed chopped peel 100g light muscovado sugar 1 tsp each of cinnamon ginger and ground allspice zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange, plus a few tbsp of orange juice To glaze 1 egg white lightly beaten 3 tsp sugar
Cooks Corner
Eccles cakes - continued
Method 1. To make the pastry, dice the butter and put it in the freezer to go really hard. Tip flour into the bowl of a food processor with half the butter and pulse to the texture of breadcrumbs. Pour in the lemon juice and 100ml iced water, and pulse to a dough. Tip in the rest of the butter and pulse a few times until the dough is heavily flecked with butter. It is important that you don’t overdo this as the flecks of butter are what makes the pastry flaky. 2. On a floured surface roll the pastry out to a neat rectangle about 20 x 30cm. Fold the two ends of the pastry into the middle, then fold in half. Roll the pastry out again and refold the same way 3 more times rest- ing the pastry for at least 15 mins each time between roll and fold, then leave to rest in the fridge for at least 30 mins before using. 3. To make the filling, melt the butter in a large saucepan. Take it off the heat and stir in all the other ingredients until completely mixed, then set aside. 4. To make the cakes, roll the pastry out until it’s just a little thicker than a £1 coin and cut out 8 rounds about 12cm across. Re-roll the trimming if needed. Place a good heaped tablespoon of mixture in the middle of each round, brush the edges of the rounds with water, then gather the pastry around the filling and squeeze it together. Flip them over so the smooth top is upwards and pat them into a smooth round. Flat- ten each round with a rolling pin to an oval until the fruit just starts to poke through, then place on a baking tray. Cut 2 little slits in each Eccles cakes, brush generously with egg white and sprinkle with the sugar. 5. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 8. Bake the Eccles cakes for 15-20 mins until just past golden brown and sticky. Leave to cool on a rack and enjoy while still warm or cold with a cup of tea. For a traditional British approach, Eccles cakes also go really well served with a wedge of hard, tangy British cheese such as Lancashire or cheddar.
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Meet the Resident If you are a visitor to our Townsend House, then you have likely seen and spoken with George. George can ofttimes be found in his favourite sunny corner in the Social Heart Café laughing and talking with friends, enjoying a coffee, speaking to staff, and watching the people as they come and go. George is unofficially a meet-&-greeter for many of our prospective residents and families who come for a tour. George is quick to provide an insider’s view from life inside Holmwood Aged Care “Best Place to live” he tells them, “Best place to live, it’s home away from home here. Best decision I made was coming here.” George was born in the heart of South
George
Melbourne, but it was Preston—right on Plenty Road—that truly shaped him. That’s where he grew up, where he learned the about life, and where he spent many good years surrounded by familiar faces and places that he knew and loved well. Some of his fondest childhood memories take him back to early mornings and cool evenings, walking the greyhounds. Those dogs were a big part of his life. He didn’t just walk them—he travelled all over the country to race them. Those trips were full of excitement, long drives, and the simple joy of doing something the family loved together. When it came to work, nothing beat the time he spent in the boot factory in North Fitzroy. It was honest, hands-on work, and he took pride in doing every step—from the beginning of the boot to the finished product. Over the years, his hobbies never strayed far from the greyhounds. They kept him busy, kept him moving, and gave him a sense of purpose.Life later took him to workin in schools, where he worked as a cleaner and loved seeing the kids every day, laughing and telling stories and jokes with them. Retirement saw him keeping busy as an active member of the bowls club- also volunteering in the kitchen. These days his pastimes are a little quieter. He enjoys listening to the radio and going for walks—simple things that keep the mind clear and the body moving. And even though it took him a while to settle in, he has grown to love living at Holmwood Aged Care. Sometimes change takes time, but it can turn out for the better. “This is the best place for me” he says “Best place to live. I tell everyone that. I can’t fault it.” If there’s one piece of advice he has carried with him, it’s this: enjoy life and take it as it comes. And that’s exactly what he’s tried to do.
Meet the Resident
continued
Music has always been a companion to him—especially good old country songs, the kind with real feeling and solid sound. A little bit of Charley Pryde will have him smiling and singing along in seconds! In his lifetime, he has seen the world change in many ways, but sports… well, that’s been one of the biggest shifts. As a sports fanatic, he can say there’s a lot more to watch and listen to now than ever before. He has travelled to many places, but Phillip Island will always stand out. There was a little unit on the beach, and he loved spending a week or so down there. The sound of the waves, the cool air, and the freedom of the open coastline—those are memories that stay with him. When he thinks about who shaped him most, the answer is easy: his dad. His father taught him everything he knows—how to work, how to laugh, and how to take life in stride. People say he’s known for his sense of humour; he can laugh at just about anything, and he considers that a gift passed down from his dad. Nothing makes him smile quite like seeing his grandkids. They’re good kids, and they brighten any day. He’s thinking about joining the snooker club, maybe picking up a few new tricks and having some fun along the way. One of his proudest achievements was buying his first car—a black Holden EH. He loved that car. He kept it spotless and washed it all the time. There was something special about that freedom, that pride of ownership. If there’s anything he’d share with the community, it might be simply this—his whole story. His life has been full of good moments, hard work, family, laughter, and change. And through it all, he’s learned that the simple things often mean the most.
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Quality Corner
Lee
From the 1st of November 2025, the New Aged Care ACT and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards commenced across all residential and home care services. The Strengthened Quality Standards are a set of requirements which Providers need to meet to ensure that Resident care is safe and of a high quality. The 7 Strengthened Quality Standards are: Standard 1. The Individual Standard 2. The Organisation Standard 3. The Care and Services Standard 4. The Environment Standard 5. Clinical Care Standard 6. Food and Nutrition Standard 7. The Residential Community
The Strengthened Quality Standards have been introduced by the teams within the homes. Education has been completed and is ongoing on the Strengthened Quality Standards and on the new policies and procedures which accompany them. The Resident and Relative meetings are a good opportunity seek further information regarding the Strengthened Standards, and more information may also be found at https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/
As the weather warms up and we enjoy more time outdoors, it is important to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Sunscreen is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin damage. Sunscreen dispensers have been fitted within areas of the home for everyone to access, the teams are also here to help apply sunscreen before outdoor activities. Please also remember to pair sunscreen with a wide-brimmed hat , sunglasses , light clothing for extra protection and seek some shade . During the warmer weather please also remember to remain hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
Spring Highlights
September 2025
September was filled with music, celebrations and footy fever at Holmwood! We kicked off the month celebrating our dedicated lifestyle coordinator Stacey as our August Employee of the Month, followed by the launch of our popular new afternoon exercise programme at 3:30pm daily in the gym, led by our amazing care team. The spring racing carnival brought excitement with Cup Day celebrations featuring our own resident races, delicious spring treats, sweeps and plenty of smiles despite the weather not cooperating. Father’s Day was celebrated in style with live music from Anthony during Friday Happy Hour, whilst we wore our team colours with pride for footy- themed activities including trivia, goal kicking and staff games leading up to the AFL Grand Final. Musical entertainment delighted us all with Steph’s Musical Melodies session, and we welcomed our adorable friends from Nurture One, Steel Street for a heartwarming intergenerational morning filled with bubbles, cuddles, stories and smiles. The month concluded with Kaylene receiving our September Employee of the Month award, recognising her wonderful work as a night duty personal carer.
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Spring Highlights October 2025 October brought spooky celebrations, new additions and wonderful outdoor adventures to Holmwood. Our catering department continued to impress us with hearty meals including loaded rissoles, beef massaman curry and citrus cake with custard, topped off with chocolate ice creams, waffle cones and milkshakes. Halloween preparations created excitement throughout our home with creepy, kooky and downright spooky decorations appearing, leading to our spectacular Halloween Party 2025 celebration. Our animal-loving residents continued their dedicated work on the Animal Rescue Project, whilst we transformed another courtyard space with beautiful pot plants donated by Debbie. We enjoyed ball games and welcomed Ovarn from housekeeping to the lifestyle team on his first day. A major highlight was the arrival of our brand new pool table, which thrilled our pool and snooker enthusiasts who immediately began swapping stories, taking practice turns and arranging in-house competitions; with talk of a staff tournament already brewing! We recognised Fiona as our October Employee of the Month, celebrating this beloved care team member who is cherished by all of us.
Spring Highlights
November 2025
November concluded our spring season with spectacular ballroom and Latin dancing performances for Fancy Dance Friday, featuring rhumba and jive that delighted us all. Our talented staff entertained us on our two pianolas, with Sarah showcasing her impressive piano skills between our busy activity schedule. As the weather warmed, our outings increased with trips to bakeries, restaurants, parks and scenic country drives. A spectacular highlight was the visit from Riley and Horace, two gentle giant horses from Le Pine. We loved being up close with these beautiful animals, feeding them carrots, giving pats and reminiscing about delivering milk by horse and cart. The Healesville U3A Ukulele group provided a wonderful performance, whilst we celebrated our long-term team members with a special recognition event for those with 10+ years of service, 12 amazing individuals, some with more than 15 years! Noku received our November Employee of the Month award, recognised for her endless kindness to all. Our care and nursing teams participated in a Virtual Reality Dementia Experience workshop, gaining valuable insights into what life looks like through the eyes of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s enhancing our team’s knowledge and skills.
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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.
A very warm welcome to our new residents. Lois Bryan
Salon with Karen Our Salon is open every second Monday from 9am for our residents to have their hair done.
Margaret C Margaret R Edward Ernest Gail Shirley
Daily Health and fitness Join us daily for a dose of gentle exercise and seated games.
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 to our friendly team.
Buffet Breakfast Townsend dining room every Tuesday 8:00 am. Whether you like your breakfast sweet or salty, there is something for everyone!
We are here for you If you’d like more information on the above services, please contact the lifestyle team: lifestyle@holmwood.com.au
Games Corner
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Games Corner Answers
Stay tuned for Summer
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.
(03) 5962 4321 17-19 Lalors Rd, Healesville VIC 3777 holmwood.com.au
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