Australian NEWS FROM RATHDOWNE PLACE ISU tt) US Tee) On Wednesday March 20, Rathdowne celebrated its annual Cultural Diversity Festival in recognition of Cultural Diversity Week celebrated across the way celebrated the Mewar Spring Festival. A festival traditional to the Indian region Rajasthan that marks the commencement of Spring. The festival is especially meant for women and offers the fj best time when they dress in their finest clothes and join the celebrations of the festival. The Wednesday upon which we celebrated marked the holy day of the festival. To conduct the ceremony, women assemble to dress the TRaPPINRAI images of Isar (Lord Shiva) ify and Gangaur (Goddess Parvati). After dressing the idols, they carry them in a traditional procession passing through different parts of the city. In the last part, the procession makes its move towards Gangaur Ghat at Pichola Lake. At which point, the images are transported into special boats and immersed in the deep waters of the iii lake. When this : religious part is over, people engage in various dances songs and other cultural events revealing the culture of Rajasthan For Rathdowne Place, we commenced the celebrations by welcoming guests to the festival, acknowledging the traditional owners of the land. We took some time to recognise and reflect on the lives lost in the recent terrorist attack in a Christchurch guests to donate what § they can to the families and friends affected. Together we raised $105 generosity and willingness to contribute, Lunch started with a beautiful spread of traditional Indian cuisine specially made by the kitchen team and Kalpana Tandon. At 1.00pm we were joined by the talented Sapphire Dance trio for some traditional Bollywood dancing with ® elements of the Rajasthan folk BB dancing. At 1.30pm guests were officially introduced to Sarah Mcinemey, Victorian State General Manager for Residential Communities. Sarah spoke a little bit about, her professional experience, personal life and what cultural diversity means to her. To conclude the event. residents were treated to a bit of fun with the staff parading their cultural dress. All who participated were worthy participants who all ; brought something different to the runway, however, only four could take home a prize. In fourth place was Robert Paculan, third place was Takdeer Takdeer, second place was Prabha Pandya and in first place was Ashwani Tandon. Although Ashwani’s beautiful wife, Kalpana, was an integral support to making this event happen, Ashwani most definitely took out first place on his own merits Overall the day was a wonderful success and enjoyed by all, with an abundance of colourful holi paint making the rounds and some henna tattooing. A very big thank you to all who made it possible, in particular, Kalpana Tandon for her organisation, enthusiasm, generosity and most importantly for } making it happen.Are You a Library Member? Did you know that if you are a member of Yarra Libraries you have access to not only borrowing hard copy books but also e-books and audiobooks? What is an e-book? ‘An e-book is a digital representation of a printed book Which you can be read through a device such as phone, tablet or computer. This makes it easily accessible to library members who can't always get to and from the library easily. What is an audiobook? ‘An audiobook is a sound recording of a book. It may be in a CD or MP3 format. Audiobooks are a fabulous way of listening to a book on the go or for those who are unable to read, How to | become a Yarra Libraries member? Come down to the ground floor and see a member of the Community Development team who can support you in becoming a member and downloading your audiobook or e- book. Alternatively, contact Deanna directly on 9240 7050 for support. Upcoming Resident & Family ‘With April upon us, itis time for the quarterly level based Resident & Family Information Mornings to commence. Level one's information morning was scheduled for Tuesday 30 April at 10.30am, however, as this coincides with the April Falls Expo, the information morning will instead take place on Wednesday 8 May at 10.30am. Please see below for, the schedule. All residents and NOK will expect to receive a letter one week prior inviting you to the morning. Resident & Family Information Morning Rot: Level Two Tuesday 7 May at 10.30am Level One Wednesday 8 May at 10.30am Level Three Tuesday 14 May at 10.30am. Level Four Tuesday 21 May at 10.30am Level Five Tuesday 28 May at 10.30am. These mornings are an opportunity for Rathdowne Place to update you on key news, changes and events. It is also a forum whereby residents and family can offer their feedback, suggestions and recommendations. Please note that each meeting will take place in the ‘communal space of the respective floor. National Volunteer Week ‘Making a world of difference National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Volunteering Australia has announced the new theme for National Volunteer Week 2019 - “Making a world of difference’, From 20-26 May 2019, thousands of events will be held across the country to say thank you to the 6 nillion Australians who volunteer their time. On Wednesday 22 May at 10.30am on level five, Rathdowne Place will be celebrating our dedicated volunteers with a morning tea. The morning tea invites all volunteers past, present and prospective. If you have a Rathdowne Place volunteer in your life that has made the world of difference to you, make . sure you take some extra Nass « worl of sufference time to let them know how 20:26 Moy 2019 much it means to you. April Falls Falls Prevention Awareness This month is April Falls, a Rathdowne Place initiative focused on raising fells prevention awareness. Over the past month we have seen our wheelchair walker wash take place, Shoe Go Go stall selling shoes specifically for falls prevention and various information sessions for staff, residents and their family surrounding falls prevention strategies Residents, family and staff can access the presentation delivered from the National Ageing Research Institution by emailing Lloyd Grant on ligrant@australianunity.com.au or calling him on 9240 7012. On Tuesday 30 April, we will be hosting our final, large event surrounding falls prevention—The April Falls Expo. The expo will take place on the ground floor from 10.00am with various stalls, engagement activities and a BBQ lunch, Allergen & Diabetic Notice Attention family, friends and volunteers Thank you to frequent visiting family members, friends and volunteers who help by supporting residents by getting them a drink or a snack when they would like one. A reminder that if you are unsure of a particular resident and their needs, please make sure to consult a staff member to confirm if the resident is diabetic, Australian Unity has particular food allergies or requires thickened fluids.Rathdowne Place Editorial Written by Jade McGaw, Acting Facility Manager We have had an eventful start to the year here at Rathdowne Place with our Cultural Diversity Festival celebrations taking place in the month of March. It was fantastic to see all of our residents and staff involved to celebrate the Mewer Spring Festival. We also had our Wheelchair and Walker wash which was a great success out in the courtyard of the ground floor. Coming in to April our focus this month is on Falls prevention, we have our “April Falls Expo” which will be a fantastic opportunity for all of our residents, families and staff to get involved. Team updates: We have undergone some structural changes to some of our teams with the departure of Sarah Churchwood from Administration. In Sarah's replacement we have Rhiannan Quan who has accepted the permanent position of Receptionist Monday to Friday. On the Second floor we have Nicola Elgood who has accepted the permanent role of Senior Care PartnerEnrolled Nurse. Nicola has been ‘an experienced member of our Clinical team for the National Reconciliation Week NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2019 zr may 3 sve GROUNDED «TRUTH past 2 years and will provide additional Clinical support in leading the second floor team. | would also like to welcome two new members to the Community Development team, Esther Parris and Annette Brown, Esther will be responsible for taking all resident outings and Annette will be responsible for managing the volunteer program. Lastly, | am currently covering as Acting Facility Manager while Gavin is assisting one of our other sites, in the interim Roxanne Cadiente is covering as Clinical Operations Manager. Clinical updates: As we are now entering the colder months of the year approaching winter, we are also entering what is otherwise known as Flu season. Communication has been sent out to all Families/NOK requesting consent for the Influenza vaccination to be given to our residents. I would like to welcome the following residents who have newly arrived at Rathdowne place from January 2019, please join me in extending a warm welcoming to Noel Alford, Elia Bartone, Lina Di Manno Jean Nicoll, Kay Dyson, Rosalie Baldrey, Barbara Janaszewska, and Malle Nogeste. Australian Unity has made good progress in playing its part in providing practical support in ‘supporting reconciliation across its WALK TOGETHER ‘WITH COURAGE workforce, custémers and communities'in Which it operates. In 2016, we launched our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to affirm our commitment to building strong and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and businesses. The RAP outlined key actions across the business that will provide practical support in progressing reconciliation in Australian Unity and the broader community. These key actions are underpinned by the guiding principles of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities We believe that success isn't about ticking boxes but rather the strong and respectful relationships that can be forged between communities. Relationships provide a strong foundation to better inform the way Australian Unity engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, customers, employees and communities to enable them to thrive. National Reconciliation Week is coming up starting from May 27—June 3. The theme for National Reconciliation Week is Grounded in Truth Walk Together with Courage Tell Us About It Forms At Rathdowne Place, we value your feedback and your voice. If you have a compliment, suggestion or complaint please fill in a Tell Us About It form which can be found next to the elevators on each level and on the lower ground floor. We E Flu Season Winter is almost upon us as we start to feel that crisp icy air outside. A reminder to all residents, staff and family to make sure you are doing what you can to protect yourself against the flu. Ensure to wear Suitable clothing whilst on outings outside. Details will be emerging soon from the administration team as to when the flu vaccinations will take place at Rathdowne Place. Flu vaccinations are not compulsory for staff and volunteers, however, strongly encouraged. thank you for continuing to support us in developing and bettering our services for you, AadStaff Monthly Awards January 2019 Better Together Award Eryn Moore For “her contagious and bubbly energy at the Drummond Place Christmas party. Her approach to serving meals made the evening that much more fun.” Moments That Matter Award Nissara Canning For “her competent, caring and professional manner as acknowledged by a level one resident's family member.” OWOBS Ambassador Mait De /esi For “intervening when a staff member was going to perform incorrect manual handling technique in the main kitchen while trying to grab an item from a shelf.” February 2019 Better Together Award Zeynab Tavasoli Nik For “her fantastic care she provides to her level three residents as identified by one of the visiting doctors.” Moments That Matter Award Carlo Montalban For “going above and beyond in his role in the Colgan Respite Centre. In particular for his thoughtfulness in celebrating one of the respite clients’ birthdays, preserving this client in the difficult time that she has Federal Election Voting Options On April 11, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the date of the federal election for Saturday May 18, 2019. With the pending federal election, there are a number of easily accessible ways for you to vote as an alternative for voting in person. Voting Before Election Day Early voting for the federal election commences Monday 29 April 2019 Ifyou can't get to a polling place on election day you can vote at an early voting centre in Australia, A list of early voting centres will be available shortly. Postal Vote You can apply for a postal vote through the Australian Electoral Commission. Australian Electoral Commission Mobile Voting ‘AEC mobile polling teams visit many voters who are not able to get to a polling place. Mobile polling facilities are set up in some hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and remote areas of Australia. Mobile polling been having and his coordination of the Italian Social Club luncheon.” OWOBS Ambassador Keisha Jayasekera For “organising and coordinating the sewage leak at Drummond Place. This included making sure staff and residents were safe, informed and making sure infection control procedures were followed.” March 2019 Better Together Award Carmela Fortez For *her personalised and thoughtful care for the residents of level four, in particular for singing to residents and going above and beyond to get toiletries from the shops for a level four resident.” Moments That Matter Award Colgan Respite Centre For “always making the respite space a welcoming and inviting atmosphere as recognised by a respite client's son.” OWOBS Ambassador Ashwani Tandon & Deanna ‘Simmons For “the way they handled a Colgan Respite client who had been mistakenly brought up to level four and doing a thorough investigation to find out what had happened is carried out around Australia during the election period. The Administration team is presently ‘endeavouring to have a mobile voting station set up at Rathdowne Place. Information regarding dates will be available shortly. Telephone Voting If you are blind or have low vision, you can cast your vote through the AEC’s telephone voting service. More information on this service will be made available shortly. For information regarding voting options available to you and how to access them, please ask a staff member for support. Alternatively, if you have access to a computer please visit hitos:/www.aec.qov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/ Australian’ Unity