April 2023 edition

bene news.

in this issue What’s Happening in April Pastoral Care by Margaret Movie Madness ANZAC Poem

bene news.

a note from

Alison Moss | CEO Hello to all residents and your families. March was yet again a tough month due to the pressures and restrictions that came with COVID-19. Rockhampton is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases especially in schools and day care centres. As a result, we have introduced further visitor restrictions to ensure the continued safety of residents and staff. Unfortunately, three of our houses experienced outbreaks last month, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, and the cooperation of your families and visitors, we were able to get a handle on the outbreaks within good time. We have introduced mandatory Rapid Antigen Testing – which is a quick and effective test to check if you may have COVID-19 and provides a result within 15 to 30 minutes – to all staff and visitors who come onsite. This additional layer of protection has meant we have been able to catch asymptomatic COVID-19 cases before they come into our community.

I would like to take the opportunity to remind all residents and visitors of the importance of being vigilant especially coming into the cooler months. If residents are going out we recommend you take a mask with you, which we provide at reception. For visitors, please ensure you do not visit if you have any symptoms in line with COVID-19. I know that these measures seem tough, but this is the only way to keep COVID-19 out of our community. I would like to once again recognise the team in regards to their excellent COVID-19 management over the last couple months. Our management team and staff have worked tirelessly, some on call most weekends and working overtime to ensure resident safety and care. We also thank all residents and visitors for your continued understanding of the restrictions we have in place to ensure everyone’s safety.

Alison

we welcome + we farewell Last month we welcomed Gordon Lorroway, Amy Stone, Alan and Harriet Hoare to our community. Sadly, we said goodbye to Chris Tollner who moved to Orange NSW to be closer to family.

2

April 2023

what’s happening in April 2023 Thursday 6th 10am Easter Eggscitement! Let’s celebrate the coming of Easter with a fun activity.

Monday 18th 10am Barb and Ray Agius Concert Come dance and sing-a-long to some of your favourite tunes!

Saturday 11th 10am St Joeys x ANZAC Day Activity Let’s welcome back the lovely kids from St Joeys and enjoy some ANZAC Day activities.

Tuesday 25th 10am ANZAC Day Service Join our service to honour and remember our fellow Australian and New Zealander soldiers.

3

bene news.

a note from

Jess & Eleanor | Lifestyle Team With that cursed COVID-19 putting the kybosh on most of our marvellous March plans, we are hoping the good guys can strike back with an action-packed April! There are some big-ticket items in April and first up we have everybody’s foil-covered chocolate favourite – Easter! We will be rolling out the cute craft and gearing up to celebrate this significant Christian tradition in style (there may even be an egg hunt on the cards so brace your baskets!). Look out for our luscious Easter Hamper at Reception and buy yourself a ticket or two (or maybe many more) for your chance to win a Bene-bounty. All proceeds go towards our Art Gift Fund and getting us that bit closer to commissioning a bronze sculpture for the courtyard fountain. Anzac Day is of course also in April and this year, we are responding to your request to

commemorate the occasion on the actual day with a morning service in the Kevin Hogan Town Hall. Scheduled for 10.00am on the 25th. Now that the movement restrictions have lifted make sure you check out our latest Long Gallery exhibition, CQ’s People Watcher by Angela Heffer. Angela really has a knack of capturing quintessential Rockhampton and Central Queensland locations and scenes with kindness and gentle humour. And see if you can spot Ange’s feathered friend “Little Plover” hiding amongst each of the artworks and making an appearance as part of our Easter themed scavenger hunt. Find the six Little Plovers scattered throughout the Long Gallery, Foyer and Café. See Deb at Reception for a wee reward! Happy Easter everyone.

Jess and Eleanor

visit The Long Gallery Angela Heffer: CQ’s People Watcher The Long Gallery Exhibition date:

11 - 30

Mar Apr 4

April 2023

a note from

Kevin Hogan | Chairman Dear all valued residents, After the AGM, I was re-elected as Chair of the Board of Directors of Benevolent Living for another 12 months, a role I am truly blessed to have and I thank my fellow board members for their support. I welcome the new Deputy Chair, Mr. Tom Moore and thank him for accepting this position. I also wish to thank Mr. Rod Green, who has been deputy chair for some years now and has done a wonderful job in supporting me in my role as well as the entire board.

Other board members for 2023 are as follows: Dr Jeff Clark, Paul Murphy, Rod Green, Robert Sims, Tracey Duke, and David Frost. I am very proud to have a board of directors who provide leadership and strategic guidance to Benevolent living and who uphold the mission, values and vision of Benevolent Living. May I also take this opportunity to wish you all a very holy, safe and happy Easter period.

Kevin

family & friends forum We will be holding our next Family and Friends Forum in May. These forums were introduced last year and provide a perfect opportunity for our partners in care (the families and representatives of our residents) to engage with management and the Board, about the development and delivery of the care and services we provide. We hold a similar forum on a monthly basis for our residents called the Resident Forum. Our next forum will be held in the Kevin Hogan Town Hall will provide updates on a number of items including:

• • • •

Our new kitchen and laundry facilities New green spaces Opening of building B - our new vertical Retirement Village Update on the Aged Care Reform Agenda including Star Ratings and the introduction of 2 new Advisory Bodies.

We really do value the feedback received at these forums, so it is important that as many families and representatives attend. Expressions of interest will be sent mid April 2023. It is important that you respond to this invitation if you would like to attend as we will require numbers for catering. Have a wonderful day,

Natalie

5

bene news.

Pastoral Care

Margaret Hallinan Cultivating Wellbeing in Benevolent Living - Kindness Kindness makes Benevolent Living a better place. Acts of kindness can uplift the spirit of the residents in so many ways, as does being compassionate, generous and considerate. Being kind is all about genuine intentions to help all residents feel safe, comfortable, and understood. It’s about giving without expecting anything in return.

• Get alongside the residents – be the

presence, an unhurried presence, just stop and listen and converse with residents.

• Being there to help out in any way. • Being there for a resident with dementia. • Being in the moment and telling the resident what she/he needed to hear.

• Treating all with care, respect and love makes a huge difference.

It doesn’t take much to live a life full of kindness within Benevolent Living. The art of kindness can start with an easy smile to light up a resident’s day. One vital ingredient about being kind is that one notices the needs of others. It may be as small and inconsequential as listening when a resident speaks.

• Gratitude for the extraordinary kindness

Being kind is good for all – research has found kindness benefits our mental wellbeing – and that we are hardwired for kindness.

Kindness is every day, every moment, every second of the day. It’s something we need to be intentional about doing.

How could all involved at Benevolent Living cultivate a culture of kindness?

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind” - Henry James (Mental Health Institute)

• Modelling: Show others how to be kind by being kind to people around you.

• Telling stories that show kindness in action.

shown by many.

• Accepting all in a non-judgmental way. In conclusion, I believe if all involved at Benevolent Living are kind to ourselves – our cup will be full and kindness overflows to all.

Margaret

Happy Easter! May this joyful season of Easter fill your heart with renewed hope, love and peace

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April 2023

ACROSS 1. Royal residence 5. Spiders’ trape 7. Dodge (fare) 8. Hopping insect 9. Membership Fee 10. Freezing over 11. Hinder 13. Fleur-de-lis 14. Merriment 18. Hire (employee) 21. Voucher 22. Turkish snacks, doner... 24. Pakistan currency 25. Festival 26. Fronded plant 27. Cancel (marriage) 28. In case (we forget) 28. Bun seed

DOWN 1. Panting 2. Wise saying 3. Strange 4. Tire 5. Jamming 6. Making (beer) 12. Speckle 15 Attain (objective) 16. Implore 17. Barking shrilly 19. Born as 20. Perfume concentrate 22. Ships’ spines 23. Polishes

Answers on page 10

7

bene news.

movie madness Monday 3rd 2:00pm – ‘Edward Scissorhands’- Wintergarden Once upon a time, a kindly inventor created a charming young man named Edward. But the inventor died before he finished Edward, who had sharp metal shears for hands. Edward was sad and alone until a kind Avon lady invited him to live with her and her family in the fantastical land of Suburbia.

Wednesday 5th 9:30am – ‘High Heels and Low Life’s’- Wintergarden Minnie Driver and Mary McCormack star as best friends who take on low-life thieves in this hilarious high-energy action-comedy. It all starts when Shannon, a nurse at a London emergency room, and Frances, a struggling American actress, overhear bank robbers on a radio scanner making off with a fortune. They make contact and demand a cut of the loot. But when the stubborn felons refuse to hand over a penny and threaten their lives in return, the girls decide to raise their stakes and give the thugs a run for their money!

Wednesday 12th 9:30am – ‘Jack’ - Wintergarden Comedy favourite Robin Williams stars as a mischievous 10 year old who acts like any other boy his age… Except he’s in a grown-up’s body. It’s nonstop laughs as Jack Embarks on the greatest adventure of his young life… the fifth grade. In his wildest role ever, Williams takes you on a hilarious ride as Jack explores the ups and downs of life from a kid’s point of view.

Friday 14th 1:30pm – ‘Bachelor Party’– Wintergarden This outrageously funny look at one man’s final moments of bachelorhood stars Tom Hanks as Rick, reluctant recipient of a bachelor bash given by a group of friends who view partying as their full-time religion. Ricks worried Fiancée, Debbie (Tawny Kitaen), dresses up in a disguise and crashes the party to spy on her future husband. To complicate the night further, Debbie’s father hires her ex-boyfriend to win back his daughter. It turns out to be an evening the soon-to-be-bride and groom will never forget. 8

April 2023

Monday 17th 2:00pm – ‘The Help’- Wintergarden In 1960’s Mississippi, Southern society girl Skeeter turns her small town on its ear when she interviews the black women who have spent their lives taking care of the prominent white families. Only Aibileen, the housekeeper of Skeeter’s best friend, will talk at first. But as the pair continue their collaboration, more women decide to come forward and, as Skeeter finds out, they have quite a lot to say.

Wednesday 19th 9:30am – ‘Newsies’- Wintergarden In 1899, a courageous group of New York City newsboys become unlikely heroes when they team up to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon. Determined to make their dreams come true, they find the courage to challenge the powerful in this live-action musical.

Friday 21st 1:30pm – ‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’- Wintergarden To show support for his neighbourhood friends serving in Vietnam, Chickie Donohue (Zac Efron) decides to do something totally outrageous: travel to the frontline by himself to bring the soldiers a little piece of home- their favourite can of beer. However, what started as a well-meaning journey quickly turns into the adventure of a lifetime as Chickie confronts the reality of this controversial war and his reunions with his childhood buddies thrust him into the complexities and responsibilities of adulthood. Based on a true story.

Monday 24th 2:00pm – ‘Gallipoli’- Wintergarden Gallipoli is Australian director Peter Weir’s (The Truman Show, Witness) story of how the irresistible lure of adventure and the unknown, combined with national pride, bring two young men (Mel Gibson and Mark Lee) together in the Australian army in 1915. They cross continents and great oceans, climb pyramids, and walk through the ancient sands of Egypt to join their regiment at the fateful battle of Gallipoli. The echoes of history blend with the friends’ compelling destiny as they become part of a legendary World War 1 confrontation between Australia and the German allied Turks- a battle that is to Australians what the Alamo is to Americans.

Wednesday 26th 9:30am – ‘Three Men and a Little Lady’- Wintergarden The comic high jinks of three carefree bachelors turned doting dads (Tom Sellek, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson) delighted audiences in Three Men and a Baby. This handsome threesome is back and bringing up Mary, now an adorably curious 5-yearold. All is well until Mary’s mother Sylvia accepts a marriage proposal and permanently relocates to England, taking Mary with her. It’s not long until the ex-dads realise how empty life is without their little lady, and go to England- and to outrageous lengths- in their efforts to win back both Mary and Sylvia.

Friday 28th 1:30pm – ‘The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin’- Wintergarden Boston proper meets the wild west as Roddy McDowall, Suzanne Pleshette and Karl Malden star in this fish out of water comedy. To restore his family’s lost wealth, a young Boston lad named Jack stows away on a ship bound for the California Gold Rush. When the family’s very proper butler gives chase and reunites with Jack in San Francisco, all roads lead to non-stop adventure, wild and woolly characters and a lucky punch that leads to a bonanza of belly laughs. 9

colour your world

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what’s on 3- 9 Apr 2023

Apr 2023 week 1

week 1 activities

mon 03

9:00 am – Jack Fleming Exercise Group – Jack Fleming 10:00 am – Cards with Lenny – Level 1 Terraces 10:00 am – Craft with Margaret and Cheryl – Jim McRae 2:00 pm – Afternoon Movie ‘Edward Scissorhands’ – Wintergarden

tue 04 wed 05 thu 06 fri 07 sat 08

9:00 am – Terraces Exercise Group – KH Town Hall 10:00 am – Cards with Margaret, Mary and Cheryl – Jack Fleming 10:00 am – Scrabble with Lenny – Level 1 Terraces 2:30 pm – Individual Visits – Mardy McKean 2:30 pm – Individual Visits – Jack Fleming 9:30 am – Morning Movie ‘High Heels and Low Lifes’ – Wintergarden 10:00 am – BINGO – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 10:00 am – Dog Visits with Janice – Facility 2:00 pm – Social Happy Hour – Town Square 9:00 am – Level 2 Exercise Group – Jim McRae Dining Room 9:30 am – Communion with Margaret – Chapel 10:00 am – EASTER EGGSCITEMENT! 2:30 pm – Craft with Cheryl and Stacey – Jack Fleming 2:30 pm – Music Memories and Afternoon Tea – Mardy Good Friday

sun 09

what’s on

10- 16 Apr 2023 Apr 2023 week 2

mon 10 tue 11 wed 12 thu 13 fri 14 sat 15

week 2 activities Easter Monday

9:00 am – Terraces Exercise Group – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 10:00 am – Cards with Margaret, Mary and Cheryl – Jack Fleming 10:00 am – Resident Forum – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 12:00 pm – Gentlemen’s Club – Lionleigh 2:30 pm – Individual Visits – Mardy 9:30 am – Morning Movie ‘Jack’ – Wintergarden 10:00 am – BINGO – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 10:00 am – Dog Visits with Janice– Facility 2:00 pm – Social Happy Hour – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 9:00 am – Level 2 Exercise Group – Jim McRae Dining Room 10:00 am – Indoor Bowls – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 2:30 pm – Craft with Cheryl and Stacey – Jack Fleming 2:30 pm – Music, Memories and Afternoon Tea – Mardy 9:00 am – Level 1 Exercise Group – Level 1 Dining Room 9:30 am – Communion with Margaret – Chapel 10:00 am – Birthday Club – Coffee Shop 1:30 pm – Afternoon Gentlemen’s Movie ‘Bachelor Party’ – Wintergarden 3:00 pm – Gardening Group – Jean May Balcony

sun 16

Greek Orthodox Easter

what’s on

17 - 23 Apr 2023

Apr 2023 week 3

week 3 activities

mon 17

9:00 am – Jack Fleming Exercise Group – Jack Fleming 10:00 am – Cards with Lenny – Level 1 Terraces 10:00 am – Craft with Margaret and Cheryl – Jim McRae 2:00 pm – Afternoon Movie ‘The Help’ – Wintergarden

tue 18

9:00 am – Terraces Exercise Group – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 10:00 am – Cards with Margaret, Mary and Cheryl – Jack Fleming 10:00 am – Barb and Ray Agius Concert – KH Town Hall 2:30 pm – Individual Visits – Mardy 2:30 pm – Individual Visits – Jack Fleming

wed 19

9:30 am – Morning Movie ‘Newsies’ – Wintergarden 10:00 am – BINGO – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 10:00 am – Dog Visits with Janice – Facility 2:00 pm – Social Happy Hour – Kevin Hogan Town Hall

thu 20

9:00 am – Level 2 Exercise Group – Jim McRae Dining 9:30 am – Bene Bike Rides – Scenic Ride 10:00 am – Indoor Bowls – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 2:30 pm – Craft with Cheryl and Stacey – Jack Fleming 2:30 pm – Music, Memories and Afternoon Tea – Mardy McKean

fri 21 sat 22

9:00 am – Level 1 Exercise Group – Level 1 Dining 9:30 am – Communion with Margaret – Chapel 10:00 am – Get Crafty with QCWA – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 1:30 pm – Afternoon Gentlemen’s Movie ‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’ – Wintergarden 3:00 pm – Gardening Group – Jean May Balcony

sun 23

what’s on

24 - 30 Apr 2023 Apr 2023 week 4

mon 24 tue 25 wed 26

week 4 activities 9:00 am – Jack Fleming Exercise Group – Jack Fleming 10:00 am – St Joey’s x ANZAC Day Activity – Level 1 Terraces 10:00 am – Cards with Lenny – Level 1 Terraces 2:00 pm – Afternoon Movie ‘Gallipoli’ – Wintergarden ANZAC Day 10:00 am – ANZAC Day Service– Kevin Hogan Town Hall 9:30 am – Morning Movie ‘Three Men and a Little Lady’ – Wintergarden 10:00 am – BINGO – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 10:00 am – Dog Visits with Janice – Facility 2:00 pm – Social Happy Hour– Kevin Hogan Town Hall

thu 27

9:00 am – Level 2 Exercise Group – Jim McRae Dining Room 10:00 am – U3A Ukelele Concert – Kevin Hogan Town Hall 2:30 pm – Craft with Cheryl and Stacey – Jack Fleming 2:30 pm – Music, Memories and Afternoon Tea – Mardy McKean

fri 28

9:00 am – Level 1 Exercise Group – Level 1 Dining 9:30 am – Bene Bike Rides – Scenic Ride 9:30 am – Communion with Margaret – Chapel 1:30 pm – Afternoon Gentlemen’s Movie ‘The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin’ – Wintergarden 2:00 pm – Cooking Class with Jess – Mardy

sat 29

sun 30

easter word search

April

Flowers

Basket

Holiday

Blooming

Jellybeans

Bonnet

March

Bunny

Marshmallows

Candy

Pastel

Chick

Spring

Chocolate

Sunday

Easter

Sunshine

Eggs

Tulips

Answers on page 17

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bene news.

health bites with Dietitian:

Michaela Eating for a Healthy Heart Has your doctor told you that you need to change your diet because your cholesterol is too high? Dietary changes are one way to help manage high cholesterol. High cholesterol (specifically LDL cholesterol) can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Top tips to help manage high cholesterol with diet:

• Incorporate plenty of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables in your day.

• Eat a lean source of protein including fish

and seafood, beans/legumes, chicken, and eggs. Aim to have lean red meat 1-3x per week.

• Use healthy sources of fats including

polyunsaturated and monounsaturated. Foods that contain healthy fats include nuts and seeds, fish and seafood, avocado, olive oil and vegetable oils (canola, safflower, or sunflower oil).

• Limit saturated fats. These include butter,

creams, oils, coconut oil, fatty cuts of meat, and processed meat (eg: bacon, salami, and ham).

16

Plant sterols Plant sterols can help block the absorption and reabsorption of cholesterol. Plant sterols can be found in fruits and vegetables and certain products where they fortified. These include some brands of margarine (eg: Flora ProActiv, Woolworths Cholesterol Lowering Spread and Nuttelex Pulse), cholesterol-lowering Weetbix and heart-smart milk. Be sure to look at the labels as the recommended dose is 2-3g of plant sterols.

Michaela Johnston Dietitian, APD (BHSc, MDiet)

April 2023

ANZAC poem The Prayer of the ANZAC Barry Anderson

Beneath the hoisted Aussie flag, The solider boy lays wait, In a trench of strewn bodies, His arm around his mate. Together they must face their fate, And from the trenches rise, To a hail of whistling bullets, There is fear in their eyes. They pause to say one final prayer, And ask for God to care For loved ones, they have left behind In their homeland, far from there. They ask that he look after that,

They ask not for their mercy,

And give them strength to cope,

They know their fate is sealed,

Should they get the dreaded news,

Instead, they ask for lasting peace,

That destroys a Mother’s hope.

And their nation’s loss be healed.

They ask for God to end this war,

They finally ask for courage,

And the dreadful loss of life,

To rise and face their foe,

That tears a family’s heart apart,

As they stand and take their ANZAC pride

And makes a widow of a wife.

With them as they go. - Supplied by John Rogers (Resident)

17

bene news.

quality update Natalie | Benevolent Living Quality Improvement Officer During February, we received a total of 20 Quality Improvement Logs (known affectionately as Pinky’s). This is slightly more than the 17 Pinky’s we received the month before. 12 of these Pinky’s were lodged by residents or their families, with the remaining lodged by staff. It is important that if you have a suggestion, a complaint, or you would like to recognise the work of one of our staff members that you complete a Pinky. If you have trouble completing the form you can ask any staff member to help you, or you can ask them to contact me and I will come and see you. These forms are readily available throughout the facility, or you can lodge it online through our website www.benevolent.com.au under the Contact Us section.

quality improvement logs Bouquet Care Food Operations Workforce Resident Rights Other Total 18

Comment

1

2 1

2 4 1

Complaint

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4

2 1 1

2 6 4 2 2

7

20

2 4

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April 2023

what’s been happening at benevolent Fire Station Visit Last month we had the privilege of visiting the Southside Rockhampton Fire Station. We unfortunately had a little incident during our baking morning (no one was hurt!) but a burnt cake did mean the firies paid us a visit. To thank the gents for being so nice to our bakers, they got together to bake them a thank you cake (with no burnt bits)! We also got a tour through the station and even into the Communications Room which the ladies loved.

St Patrick’s Day Last month we celebrated the luck of the Irish with St Patty’s Day. Unfortunately, a few of our houses were in lockdown and we had to cancel our morning tea. But our lovely ladies in The Terraces got together to make gift bags with some ‘gold’ at the end of the rainbow. Such a great activity to give to their neighbours and our wonderful staff. We hope everyone enjoyed their small treat!

Maureen 19

bene news.

TCC Trivia Visit Last month we had a fantastic afternoon with a lovely group of TCC Students who came for a friendly game of trivia! The Cathedral College students are visiting as a part of their after-school program to connect with their local community and the seniors who live with us. This program will kick back off next term to continue to foster the connections made between students and residents.

Trish

The CQ People Watcher exhibition opening Thank you to everyone who came to the first solo exhibition for Angela Heffer from CQ People Watcher! Ange and her amazing works will be at Benevolent Living for the next 6 weeks. We are organising an opening for residents to meet Ange and see her works on display.

Tess

Alan & Merv

Alan 20

Alison & Angela

April 2023

Get crafty with QCWA Our first Get Crafty with the lovely Margaret and Belinda from QCWA Capricornia Division was a hit! Our ladies ‘got crafty’ and made their own individual floral wall hanging. This initiative is in partnership with QCWA Capricornia and will be a monthly activity with our residents. Please check the calendar for the next Get Crafty!

Marietta & Jan

Tess

Beryl

International Women’s Day On the 8th of March we celebrated the diverse range of women we have at Benevolent Living whether they live, work or visit us. We celebrated with a morning tea with residents and their families. Strong women, may we know them, may we raise them and may we be them!

Grace

Dallas

Marietta

Glenys

Gloria and Dallas

Beth

Jen 21

bene news.

resident spotlight June Dingle

June was born in Innisfail on the 14th of June 1930 and like many of her era, her early years were greatly characterised by the Second World War. When war broke out, June was nine years old. The threat of the Japanese invading saw June’s family leave Innisfail for the relative safety of Mackay and later to Cairns. While the war also ensured June’s childhood was neither extended nor carefree, it did allow the opportunity for some entrepreneurial creativity! An eleven-year-old June and her friends would organise weekend concerts and charge the kids at school a penny to attend with proceeds going towards the war effort. June’s star turn was as a hula dancer and singer and they got good crowds as there was little else to do on account to most amusements being closed. Similarly, June’s schooling was also a reflection of the reality of the times. Like most children prior to the 1950s, June left school after completing her scholarship year, as the post-war years made

June’s son 22

studying beyond secondary a luxury that not many could afford. June worked doing whatever she could get at the time in retail and then at a factory making custom badges for different brands. June met her husband James “Lachy” Dingle, an exsoldier, while working out west and the two married in Rockhampton. A construction welder, Lachy’s job required the family to move between Barcaldine and Rockhampton for several years before eventually settling in June’s North Rockhampton home of fifty-years. A long-term coordinator for the Catholic Church’s Rockhampton Diocese, June was a committed member of their Charismatic Renewal Program. This vocation led June to undertaking evangelistic missionary work, including a trip accompanying Father Jack Salsby to Africa. June cites music as an enduring love and influence and that it has always been a part of family life for her, beginning with her father James, who was an untrained but naturally gifted pianist.

April 2023

June had six of her own children: Susanne, Jennifer, Louise, Mary-Anne, John and Marcia. Mary-Anne died when she was only very small, and she lost John when he became unwell at 40. John was a concert pianist, conductor and composer and a prominent member of national opera companies. From lessons with a Mercy Sister as a child at St Mary’s School, John went on to study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and at the time of his passing, John was Chorus Master with Opera Queensland. In recognition of his standing, the Company dedicated its October 2006 season of Lucia di Lammermoor to his memory.

holidays. June has a foster daughter named Helen and while she lost contact with her for many years, they were able to reconnect in more recent years. June also enjoys regular contact and receives great support from her remaining children. June was always outdoorsy and athletic and enjoyed playing many sports. June played cricket as an all-rounder for the Charters Towers women’s team in 1947 and loved to swim. While June has dedicated much of her life to helping others, as a self-proclaimed people person, June loves nothing more than being surrounded by the company of others.

In addition to raising her own children, June, like many Rockhampton Catholics at the time, fostered children from Neerkol Orphanage during school

June’s husband

June

June and her two eldest daughters

23

Loraine

Smile

April 2023.