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She celebrated her 100^th birthday with a sky dive, becoming the oldest South Australian to do so.

Now, 12 months on, Irene O’Shea is set to enter the history books again.

The Athelstone great grandmother hopes to become the oldest person in the world to jump from a plane by jumping 15,000 feet in a tandem parachute next week, accelerating to speeds of more than 200kph.

The record was last set by UK war veteran Verdun Hayes in May this year.

“I’m really enjoyed it last time,” Irene says. “I wasn’t a bit scared and I won’t lose any sleep over it this time either.”

Irene’s son-in-law Mike FitzHenry says to set a new world record, she must be more than 38 days past the age of 101.

Verdun has vowed to jump again if his record is broken. Irene says if that happens, she won’t rule out jumping again.

“It all depends on my health – if my brain is still working, and I’m keeping well, there’s a possibility I might give it another go.

“I’ve had too hard a life to give up easily. I’ve had to raise two kids without my husband from the age of 37.”

As well as fulfilling a personal ambition, Irene’s jumps are to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research. Tragically, Irene lost her daughter Shelagh to Motor Neurone Disease in 2008.

Last year, to celebrate her 100^th birthday, Irene successfully jumped as 11 great-grandchildren watched on.

Mike says while the family felt apprehensive before last year’s sky dive, they were all very proud of her achievements.

“When she wants to do something, there’s no stopping her, really,” he says. “She’s always been adventurous.”

Her story has caught the attention of the mainstream media. She appeared on ABC TV’s ‘You Can’t Ask That’, New Idea, Channel 9 news, Hit 107.1 and The Adelaide Advertiser.

Irene admits to being a ‘bit of a daredevil’ – she enjoyed a ride as a pillion passenger on a Harley Davidson motorbike at 92 years young in the UK.

She’s travelled the world by herself to over 22 countries across Europe, the US, Asia and the UK, many of them in the last three decades. That includes a world tour, taking in Germany, France, Finland and Russia, on her own, at 84.

She drove herself and companions to most parts of Australia including Uluru, which she climbed at 64, and Perth at the age of 70 with two friends, followed by Coffs Harbor, Alice Springs and Sydney.

Irene still drives, despite having a mild stroke a couple of years ago, and still reads without glasses.

“Her license was suspended, but as soon as she could apply for it again, six weeks later, she went for it,” Mike says.

Her story is all the more remarkable given that she broke her hip in a fall earlier this year.

Irene lives at home independently with support from ACH Group including shopping, domestic help and gardening. She enjoys going to social clubs every week and to celebrate her 101^st birthday, went to see Disney’s Frozen on Ice.

Irene has been a customer with ACH Group since September 2014.

To date, she has raised over $7,000 for the charity.

Donations to Irene’s MND fund can be made here.

Photo courtesy SA Skydiving.

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A group of keen shoppers snapped up a few bargains and shared a laugh or two during a tour of Adelaide’s western suburbs op shops last week.

Organised as part of ACH Group’s Social Links program, the ‘Urban Upcyclers’ group started the day with a coffee at Liquid Espresso on Grange Road, before heading to Vinnies, Red Cross Super Store and the Salvos at Kidman Park. After lunch at The Watermark, Glenelg, the group headed to the Savers Superstore at Kilburn.

“It’s been a great day,” said Rhonda Abrahart, who enjoyed her first op shopping trip with a social group. “It’s something I don’t normally do but it’s been fun – and I found a brand new designer bag for under $20.”

Lynette Howard has enjoyed several shopping trips with the Wynn Vale Social Links group.

“I like to look for jigsaw puzzles, books and interesting jewellery,” she said. “It’s always great fun. You never know what you’re going to find; there’s always something different.”

Lesley Barber enjoys spending time with friends and looks for quality clothes for her granddaughter and material or offcuts for quilting. “I love it – you don’t need to spend a lot of money to shop.”

ACH Group Community East Assistant Coordinator Tash Burczyk said it was the fourth op shop tour following successful tours of the South, North and East.

“People love it,” she said. “We have a lot of laughs. There’s always something to talk about; things you remember and when you find a bargain it’s a good feeling.”

Would you like to join an Urban Upcycling Tour? Click here or phone 1300 22 44 77 to find a group near you today.

They are generations apart, but primary school students and members of ACH Group’s Sing For Joy choir share a love of music.

Two northern primary schools, Wynn Vale and Ridgehaven, are in rehearsals with Sing for Joy’s Wynn Vale and Payneham choirs ahead of an intergenerational concert to be held in October.

Songs on the set list include Ruby Hunter’s ‘Welcome to All People’, ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay, ‘Why We Sing’ (Greg Gilpin) and the traditional ‘Irish Blessing’.

The concert is supported by the ACH Group Foundation for Older Australians, Bodysong, and a $1000 grant from the City of Tea Tree Gully.

Council Community Engagement Officer Donna Mijatovic says the Council is happy to to support the project which promotes connections between the generations.

“This concert will bring many wellbeing benefits to all involved, including the broader community who will have an opportunity to attend and enjoy the event.”

Choir member and organiser Bea Plush says the concert, in its second year, offers many rewards for both the students and choir members.

“The kids really love it and that’s always a plus, to see them enjoying it so much,” she says. “There’s a stigma attached to old age, and young people from public schools and from the northern suburbs are much maligned, too. But this is a good news story.

“You can see it on the faces of the choir, and the kids – they just light up with happiness.”

Joint rehearsals will be held on July 4 and August 8 before the planned concert on 22 October.

WHAT: Uniting Generations Through Music concert

WHO: Sing for Joy Wynn Vale and Payneham choirs, Ridgehaven and Wynn Vale Primary schools

WHEN: Sunday 22 October, time TBC

WHERE: Golden Grove Arts Centre

Would you like to join a choir? Call us on 1300 224 477, or find out more here.

Congratulations to ACH Group’s Samantha Manoel who last night took out the Aged and Community Services SA & NT Trainee Award, presented at the Gala Award dinner at the National Wine Centre.

The Trainee Award celebrates the outstanding achievements of an employee who is studying and working towards a qualification in the aged care sector.

Samantha was rewarded for her commitment to ongoing study that will culminate in her graduation with a Bachelor of a Dementia later this year.

Samantha has worked for ACH Group for more than 10 years in a variety of roles, commencing as a volunteer in residential care. She secured her first paid role with the organisation as a cleaner; soon moved into a care worker role and then completed studies in enrolled nursing.

She currently works across all ACH Group’s residential care homes in the dual role of Healthy Ageing Coordinator, facilitating training and support for staff; and as a Student Liaison, supporting staff to deliver high quality student placements to prepare the aged care workforce of the future.

It appears Samantha’s thirst for learning has not yet been quenched, with plans to conduct further studies in research.

Congratulations Samantha on your well deserved recognition as winner of the ACSA Trainee Award!

Congratulations also to the other ACH Group finalists; Ann Bain in the Volunteer category, and programs shortlisted for the Cultural Diversity in Aged Care and Innovation in Service awards, who just missed out.

Lloyd Millar is not one to let gender stereotypes get in the way of a hobby. The former draughtsman and woodwork teacher is also a keen embroiderer.

Evidence of his handiwork is everywhere throughout his Magill unit, from exquisite needlepoint embroidery to a large tapestry, all framed by his own hand.

Lloyd, 86, learnt the craft from a group of women who were learning to make their own frames at his Hoad Woodcarving Academy at Fullarton.

“I thought I’d like to have a go at that [embroidery],” he says. “I decided if they can do it, so can I. I wasn’t about to let them beat me.”

Some of his pieces have a nautical theme, including a portrait of Shackleton’s journey to the Antarctic, and of Horatio Nelson and the battle of Trafalgar.

“I love the way the details come out before your eyes, like the folds of a dress or the petals of a rose,” he says. “You start with a graph and you have no idea what it will look like when it’s finished. I get a lot of satisfaction from it.”

Lloyd bought the woodworking school with a friend after his first ‘retirement’ at the age of 56 and ran the school for 20 years.

He has furnished his unit with his own ornately carved chairs and tables, pedestals, bedheads and mirror frames. He also carved four bespoke chairs for the Burnside City Church.

Lloyd has lived in his ACH Group unit for 15 years and is an avid rose gardener.

“I’m very happy here. I have nice neighbours and it’s a great place to live.”

Did you know? ACH Group has a range of retirement living options across Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula and East Melbourne. Find out more here.

ACH Group’s world class health, ageing and Veterans’ precinct at the Repatriation General Hospital will start to take shape later this year, after contract negotiations for the sale of the site were concluded this week.

“This is a very exciting time for ACH Group, with plans to develop the site into a health and wellbeing precinct that will incorporate health facilities and residential living complexes surrounded by gardens and cafes, with the combination of services and activities providing a unique living experience,” ACH Group Chief Executive Officer Ray Creen said.

“All this will occur while retaining the heritage buildings and preserving the spirit of the site which we know many in the community have a very strong connection to.”

Latest media coverage – VIEW HERE >

A colourful mosaic created by a group of residents, staff and volunteers has been unveiled at Highercombe Residential Living.

The 2m high mural, which depicts an archway and galahs at a bird bath, has been installed in the Heysen courtyard of the Hope Valley home.

The mosaic project took nine months to complete and was led by artist-in-residence Luna Parrish. It was created in three pieces and mounted on a frame constructed by the ACH Group maintenance team.

A group of residents, most of whom have never tried mosaics before, spent several hours a week on the project. They were consulted right from the beginning of the process to help decide on the final design, and worked together to choose the mosaic’s colours and shapes, cut out pieces and glue them into place.

“It’s quite different to traditional art classes, such as painting or drawing, but for people who enjoy it, it can be very relaxing,” Luna says. “The group enjoys sitting and chatting together. There’s a collaborative, constructive aspect that is unique to this project.”

Joy Brangwin had never tried mosaics before her first class with Luna and says she has enjoyed learning something new. “I used to decorate wedding cakes, I knit and crochet, and spin wool, but I’ve never done this,” she says. “It’s a bit like painting, only you’re doing it with tiles. I really enjoy it – it’s very easy to sit here for a few hours and get stuck in.”

ACH Group is embarking on an organisational wide review of how we involve our customers in improving and designing services, to ensure that we are able to deliver on our vision of good lives for older people.

The review will inform the development and implementation of an engagement approach that includes customers from across the whole organisation. This will support our aim of providing the best experience for all our customers, no matter which service they receive.

We are seeking Expressions of Interest from customers, family members and/or carers who are interested in participating in all or part of this project to help us understand our customers’ needs, to test options and workshop solutions.

To register your interest please complete the form below or for further information, please contact Lyn Flaherty – [email protected]

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Volunteer Bill Hosszu has a very special reason to help make doll’s beds at ACH Group residential home Perry Park – his grand-daughter, Poppy.

Mr Hosszu is one of the dedicated volunteers who spend many hours each week at the Port Noarlunga site’s Men’s Shed.

They work with residents who combine their skills in woodwork and sewing to make beds, which are carved, sanded and lacquered, then decorated with lacework, rails and curtains, tiny mattresses, quilts and pillows.

Mr Hosszu says the beds are in demand.

“We’ve sold three and we have orders for more,” he says. “One of the beds is going to my grand-daughter Poppy.”

The Perry Park Men’s Shed was recently upgraded thanks to a grant from Onkaparinga Council and the ACH Group Foundation for Older Australians. As well as beds, the group makes rocking horses, wall clocks, Christmas decorations and more.

“I enjoy the work and I enjoy spending time with everyone here,” Mr Hosszu says. “These fellas are so happy to be here; it’s a wonderful place.”

ACH Group Volunteer Team Leader Tay Parker says the role of volunteers at ACH Group is evolving.

“We’re moving away from what has been quite a passive role to something more dynamic,” she says. “In our social links programs in particular, we try to match volunteers with customers who both love doing the same thing. It’s about doing things with people instead of doing things for them.”

Ms Parker says ACH Group relies on volunteers to deliver its promise of creating Good Lives for Older people.

“Our Good Lives framework is about connection and engagement,” she says. “Our volunteers provide an extra dimension of support that is vital to our organisation; it underpins everything that we do.”

There are 380 volunteers across the organisation who contribute 77,300 hours a year. They work in a broad range of roles, including support for specialist programs in dementia, respite and disability, help with programs including choirs, health and activities, social support, transport, garden maintenance, administration support, teaching, fundraising and events. As well as retirees, our volunteers include part time and full time workers and students.

Find out how you can get involved here.

National Volunteer Week runs from 8-14 May.

Kapara Residential Living, a historic landmark in Glenelg South, played an important role as a centre of care during the war years.

Originally a 14-room homestead built in 1895 and set on five acres of grounds, the home was used as a nursing hostel during World War I and World War II.

Taking its name from the aboriginal word Kapara meaning ‘by the sea’, the building was designed by architect George Soward, who also designed the Adelaide Oval Grandstand and Beehive Corner.

It was first home to George and Elizabeth Jury and their two sons and three daughters. When Mrs Jury sold the property to the Repatriation Department in 1921, it was converted into a hostel for returned Anzacs, known as the Anzac Hostel.

Edward the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII, visited Kapara in July 1920 as part of a week-long tour of South Australia. He was in Australia from May to August on behalf of his father King George V to thank the nations of the British Empire for their sacrifice during the Great War.

In 1939 the building was leased to the Red Cross at a nominal rent of one pound a month. The public helped to fund the cost of altering, renovating and fitting out a 50-bed hospital for servicemen that opened in 1940 and was known as the Red Cross Convalescent Home.

Later another wing was added to provide care and permanent accomodation to aged ex-servicemen. When Red Cross bought Kapara in 1959, it became The Kapara Red Cross Home, providing accommodation and services for convalescent ex-servicemen and women, Legacy widows and civilian nurses, as well as 36 beds for infirm ex-servicemen.

ACH Group has owned the home since 1974 and today provides care to 137 residents.

Frank Weist – ACH Group’s CEO said: “ACH Group has a special affinity with the Veteran community, as our organisation was founded to provide accommodation for War Widows. We are proud to continue this association by providing services to members of the Veteran community.”

Photo courtesy State Library of South Australia.