Celebrating community, capturing stories and keeping connected
The Seabrae Sentinel
Celebrating community, capturing stories and keeping connected.
Summer
Contents
Message from Facility Manager, Esther
3
Message from Lifestyle Coordinator, Skye
4 - 5
Community Happenings
6 - 10
Message from Clinical Care Coordinator, Angie
11
Meet the Team, Kevin Chefs Corner, Nirosh Meet the Resident, Geoff
12 13 14 15
Quality Corner, Janet
Summer Highlights
16 - 18
Noticeboard
19
Games Corner
20 - 21
Games Corner answers
22 - 23
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Esther
Facility Manager
Dear Residents, families and friends, It’s my privilege to open this newsletter as the Facility Manager of Seabrae Manor Aged Care. I was reminded this morning of just how special Seabrae is, with a resident referring to Seabrae as her home and that staff are like family to her.
Moving into Aged Care can be challenging and my role as a manager is of course to balance operational requirements, safety, the budget, staffing – but always with the resident at the heart of what we do. It must be where care goes beyond clinical needs, and our primary goal and focus to create a place that feels like home, and every resident is valued. Home isn’t defined by a building, but having great facilities and a pleasant environment does help us to feel safe and comfortable. Over the past 15 months we have seen the new wing of our facility come into being.
And in the next couple of weeks, we will see it fully functional as an extension to our home.
I trust that as you enjoy the content of this newsletter, the photos and words will reflect the culture of Seabrae where kindness, respect, dignity and independence are not just ideals but a daily reality. At Seabrae Manor, we care about our environment and our buildings but we especially care and value our residents and want it to feel like home. Esther Facility Manager
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Message from Lifestyle Skye Well its hard to believe that I have been here 4 months already. I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome at Seabrae. December Festivities We wrapped up the year with a festive spirit,
hosting our very own Christmas markets. Residents, families, and staff enjoyed browsing stalls, sharing treats, and soaking up the festive atmosphere. Our Resident Christmas Party was also a huge success, filled with music, celebration, and plenty of holiday cheer. It was a wonderful way to bring everyone together and celebrate the season. January – Australia Day Celebrations In January, we embraced the Aussie spirit with a lively Australia Day celebration. Residents took part in damper making, tried their hand at thong throwing, and enjoyed a range of classic Australian games. The day was full of laughter, friendly competition, and pride in celebrating our culture together. February Celebrations February brought more special occasions to enjoy. For Valentine’s Day, we hosted ahigh tea where residents shared sweet treats and had a cello player for the beautiful music We also celebrated Chinese New Year with vibrant performances from Chinese dancers, bringing colour, music, and cultural richness into our home. We also held a baby shower for Emily one of our wonderful lifestyle assistants. Since the baby shower Emily has given birth to a beautiful little boy.
We have been introducing some new activities which you all have been enjoying, such as Art therapy sessions with Heather once a fortnight, weekly quiz which has been very popular. Our Bus trips are back and into full swing so please make sure you let the lifestyle team know if you would like to attend so you don’t miss out.
Message from Lifestyle
Autumn is a great time to go and enjoy the perfect Autumn weather. We’re excited to continue building on the wonderful momentum of the past few months, with several special events and programs coming up for our residents to enjoy. Anzac Day We will be holding our Anzac service on the 24th April at 10.30am. Robert Pye a Navy veteran will be attending the service from Deception Bay RSL Sub branch. Mother’s Day Celebrations Mother’s Day will be a heartfelt occasion in our home, as we honour and celebrate the incredible mothers and mother figures in our community. Residents and families will come together to share a special day filled with appreciation, connection, and a few lovely surprises. Biggest Morning Tea We’re also looking forward to hosting the Biggest Morning Tea—an opportunity to come together over delicious treats while supporting a meaningful cause. It’s always a popular event, bringing residents, staff, and families together for a morning of conversation, generosity, and community spirit. Chicken Hatching Program One of the most anticipated upcoming activities is our chicken hatching program. Residents will have the unique opportunity to watch eggs hatch and observe the early stages of life up close. This hands-on experience brings a great sense of joy and wonder to everyone involved. Skye, Lifestyle Coordinator
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Community Happenings Summer
A Christmas to Remember The festive season at Seabrae Manor was one to truly savour. We came together for our beloved annual Christmas market, browsing a wonderful array of wares, catching up with loved ones, and soaking in the joyful atmosphere that only this time of year brings. It was a lovely reminder of how much these shared moments mean to all of us. The celebrations were far from over, with our annual Christmas lunch bringing residents, families, and staff together around the table for a meal filled with warmth, laughter, and plenty of Christmas cheer. These are the kinds of gatherings that stay with us long after the day is done, and this year’s lunch was no exception. To round out a truly memorable festive season, the Pine Rivers Municipal Brass Band graced us with a magical evening of Christmas carols. We were absolutely delighted, and the band sounded fantastic from the very first note. There is something very special about live music filling a room, and on this night it filled our hearts too.
Bling My Wheels Just before Christmas, we got into the festive spirit in the most creative way possible, decking out our wheels with tinsel, baubles, and all manner of Christmas flair. The “Bling My Wheels” activity had everyone laughing and showing off their handiwork, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. It was playful, fun, and very Seabrae. Ringing in the New Year We saw out 2025 in style with a New Year’s Eve Happy Hour, complete with a few well-deserved bubbles. It was a wonderful moment to pause, reflect on the year that was, and raise a glass to all the good things ahead. Wishing every one of our residents, families, and staff a happy and healthy 2026 was the perfect way to close out the year together.
Community Happenings Summer
Pancakes and Memories Shrove Tuesday brought out the chefs in all of us, with residents getting busy in the kitchen cooking up a delicious batch of pancakes. More than just a tasty treat, it was a wonderful opportunity to socialise and share stories about cooking pancakes for our own families over the years. Simple activities like this one have a beautiful way of bringing people together and sparking the warmest of memories. Brush Strokes and Blue Water The new year kicked off on a beautifully creative note when local artist Heather visited us to lead a watercolour painting session. Our group were thoroughly engaged from the very first brushstroke, with many of us tapping into skills we hadn’t used in years. It turns out the talent was always there, just waiting for a reason to come back out. A couple of weeks later, we headed out for a well-deserved lunch by the water at Cafe 63 in Redcliffe. There is something about waterfront dining that lifts the spirits, and this outing had exactly that effect. Good food, beautiful surroundings, and great company made for an afternoon that none of us wanted to see end. The smiles said everything. G’day, Australia In the lead-up to Australia Day, Seabrae Manor buzzed with activity and a real sense of national pride. We rolled up our sleeves to make damper from scratch, filling the home with warmth and the wonderful smell of fresh cooking. We also got creative with brushes and paint, bringing Uluru to life on canvas in a meaningful nod to our country’s deep and extraordinary history. When Australia Day itself arrived, the celebrations continued in full swing with games, happy hour, Australian bingo, and trivia. It was a fun-filled weekend that had everyone joining in, and a heartfelt way to celebrate together as a community.
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Community Happenings Summer
A Walk Through History We took a meaningful step back in time with a visit to Caboolture Historical Village. The outing proved to be a rich and deeply reminiscing experience, sparking conversations, stories, and smiles as familiar sights and artefacts brought back a flood of cherished memories. Outings like this one are so much more than a day trip. They connect us to our own stories in a way that is genuinely moving, and we returned home with plenty to talk about.
Love in the Air February brought a touch of romance and elegance to our home. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we gathered for a beautiful High Tea set to the enchanting sound of the harp. The soothing melodies filled the room and created the most wonderful atmosphere, turning a morning tea into something truly memorable. It was one of those events where everything came together just right. When Valentine’s Day itself arrived, the love continued to flow throughout Seabrae Manor. We embraced the occasion with warmth and sweetness, sharing kind moments with friends, staff, and family. The day had a gentle magic to it that perfectly captured the spirit of the occasion.
Community Happenings Summer
A Baby Shower for Emily One of February’s most heartwarming moments was the afternoon tea baby shower we hosted for our mum-to-be Emily. We played all the classic games, including measuring the bump, counting the jelly babies, and guessing the gender. A special congratulations to Ina, who measured the bump exactly, and to Valerie who guessed 425 jelly babies when there were 422. As for the gender, well, we will just have to wait and see! What a lovely way to celebrate new life and share in such a joyful milestone together.
The Seabrae Winter Olympics With the Winter Olympic Games drawing to a close around the world, we decided to hold our very own version right here at Seabrae Manor. First up was a very competitive game of curling that had everyone on the edge of their seats, followed by our own take on skiing that brought out some serious competitive spirit. Janice took home the gold in the skiing event and absolutely deserved it. It was a brilliant couple of days filled with laughter, friendly rivalry, and plenty of team spirit. Our Kindy Friends Are Back One of the highlights of late February was the return of our intergenerational visits from our kindy friends for 2026. These visits bring so much joy, energy, and laughter to Seabrae Manor, and it is fair to say the feeling is entirely mutual. We are already looking forward to the next visit and all the wonderful moments these little ones bring with them.
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Community Happenings Summer
Welcoming the Lunar New Year We wrapped up February in vibrant and colourful style, welcoming the Lunar New Year with a wonderful celebration. We were treated to a spectacular performance by talented Chinese dancers, enjoyed a delicious Yum Cha spread, and took part in beautiful Chinese art activities. It was a rich and joyful cultural experience, and a wonderful reminder of the diverse stories and backgrounds that make our community so special.
Message from Clinical Care Angie
Over the past quarter, our clinical team has continued to prioritise resident safety, wellbeing, and quality care through consistent monitoring, review, and improvement of key clinical indicators. Falls, pressure injuries, wound care, medication safety, and infection control have remained core areas of focus.
As we transition into Autumn, our clinical focus turns to proactive seasonal care. Cooler weather often brings increased risks such as skin dryness, reduced mobility, and changes in appetite, so our teams will be placing additional emphasis on hydration support, skin integrity monitoring, and early identification of respiratory illnesses. We will continue strengthening falls prevention strategies across all units, ensuring regular safety checks, clear pathways, and tailored mobility support for residents who need it. Influenza vaccination readiness remains a priority, with high uptake anticipated again this year as part of our seasonal wellness planning. We appreciate the teamwork across our nursing, lifestyle, and Physio, who all work together every day to support safe, person centred clinical care. As always, we remain committed to continuous improvement and ensuring every resident experiences comfort, dignity, and quality outcomes throughout the Autumn months ahead. Angie Clinical Care Co-Ordinator
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Kevin
Meet the Team
What do you enjoy most about working here? I enjoy helping the residents here. The most amazing thing is that I learn from them. I love getting to know them and striking up a good conversation with them talking about many different things in life as they have walked before any of us working here . Though it sometimes takes more than an ear to hear them out, it gives me a sense of responsibility knowing I do have my parents in which I’ve lost one (My Dad) and still have my mum left, The importance of ensuring I turn up to I enjoy my good golden oldie music from the 70s, 80s,90s and early 2000 as well as reading books. At times I love doing photography and playing sports like touch footy, basketball and a game of pool. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? I’d love to visit Philippines one day apart from Fiji which I’ve travelled to, already. work every single day to be here for them. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
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. Nirosh
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 Where did you grow up? I grew up in Adelaide then moved to Broken hill. While my dad was in Army. Geoff
Childhood Memories . I had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. We use to play cricket and football in the street with the other kids in the street. Work : My first job was a telegram delivery boy at 14. I then went on to become a carpenter’s apprentice where I worked for a builder and by myself. Later I joined the police force for 18years until I got injured while doing traffic control and had to retire. Something I have learned that I would like to share with others is: Live and be happy for what you have. Songs that have made a impact on you? My wife and I use to dance so a lot of songs mean a lot to me. What has been the biggest change in the world in your lifetime? Technology would have to have been the biggest change as I use to deliver the Telegram when I was a kid now they are all online. My favourite place that I have travelled is the Northern Territory. I really love the Territory. What is something that always makes you Smile? Being around Happy people. What is your proudest achievement? I represented Australia in Rifle shooting. I travelled to New Zealand, Scotland, Canada and America to represent Australia.
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 We hosted our annual Christmas market with an array of wares for us and our families to browse and purchase. The market made Christmas preparations exciting whilst supporting local crafters and our talented residents. The Pine Rivers Municipal Brass Band graced us with an evening of Christmas carols and entertainment. We were very appreciative, and the band sounded fantastic! We had a great time “blinging” our wheels in the spirit of Christmas! Decorating our mobility aids, wheelchairs, and walking frames with Christmas decorations, tinsel, and festive flair brought out everyone’s creativity. Our annual Christmas lunch brought us together with our families. We enjoyed sharing food and merriment with loved ones and staff. New Year’s Eve arrived with Happy Hour and a few bubbles, wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2026.
Summer Highlights
January 2026
We made damper and painted Uluru for Australia Day. The celebrations continued over the weekend with games, Happy Hour, Australian bingo, and trivia. Local artist Heather taught us watercolour painting. Many of us hadn’t touched a paintbrush in years, but the skills came back. We went out for lunch by the water at Cafe63 in Redcliffe. The smiles said it all.
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Summer Highlights
February 2026
Our intergenerational kindy visits started back for 2026, bringing energy and laughter. We welcomed the Lunar New Year with talented Chinese dancers, delicious Yum Cha, and Chinese art activities. Shrove Tuesday meant Pancake Day, cooking and eating pancakes whilst reminiscing about how we used to cook them for our families. We celebrated a baby shower for mum-to-be Emily with games: measuring the bump, counting jelly babies, and guessing the gender. Ina measured the bump exactly, and Valerie guessed 425 jelly babies when there were 426. We held our own Winter Olympics! Curling got competitive, and then came skiing where Janice clearly got the gold! Our visit to Caboolture Historical Village brought back memories. Valentine’s Day brought an early High Tea with enchanting harp music.
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.
Mens group Run by Volunteer Colin Pyle at 9:30am every Friday in Kabi back lounge
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! If you have any questions or need assistance settling in, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Physiotherapy Exercise Group We have an excellent physiotherapy team on site. Come along to the exercise group 9:45am Monday and Wednesday, balance beam 10:30am Fridays
Intergenerational program Fortnightly Wednesdays 10.30am
Music Therapy Fortnightly Wednesdays 10.30am
Residents Meeting 4th Tuesday Monthly
Lifestyle Exercises Tuesday and Thursday’s 10:30am
We are here for you If you’d like more information on the above services, please contact the lifestyle team: lifestylecoordinator@seabraemanor.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.
21 Buchanan Street, Rothwell QLD 4022 07 3053 3333 seabraemanor.com.au
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