Artists get hen-spired

Four new chooks at Kapara, Glenelg South, are the inspiration behind a hen-themed exhibition in this month’s South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.

ACH Group is the first aged care provider in South Australia and the second in Australia to introduce HenPower, a creative ageing program based around creative activities, arts, social connections and keeping chooks.

Henny Penny, Chooky Looky, Chicken Licken and Priscilla have inspired residents, staff and volunteers to create a range of artworks including paintings, knitted hens, tea cosy and egg warmers, and more.

As part of the project, Adelaide artist Rebecca Campbrell (pictured) volunteered to paint a chooks scene, before residents painted and created their own works.

The hen exhibition, on display at ACH Group’s head office at 22 Henley Beach Road, Mile End, ties in with this year’s SALA theme: ‘Reconnecting with nature – people, places and plants’.

ACH Group SALA Curator Gianna Miller says SALA acknowledges the value of artistic expression as an integral part of everyday life.

“It brings art to the community and fosters the community through art,” she says. “Our long-standing involvement with SALA is just one way in which ACH Group has been able to demonstrate its Healthy Ageing Approach to support people in our residential living homes to ‘choose to be active, remain connected and engage in what they love to do’.”

Kapara’s hens were welcomed to the Memory Support Unit, Rose Cottage, in May, with thanks to the Hart family and their business PetStock who donated the hens, coop, feed and accessories.

HenPower was launched in the UK by creative ageing charity Equal Arts in 2011 with the aim of using hen-keeping to tackle social isolation, reduce depression and improve people’s wellbeing. It has since been rolled out to more than 40 care homes in the UK, bringing hens to older people in care settings.

Port Noarlunga artist Brian Hibben has used his skills in printmaking to contribute to a New York art exhibition.

Brian created a series of moths to contribute to artist Hillary Lorenz’ Moth Migration Project, a crowd sourced art installation to highlight the importance of moths as pollinators.

They’ve joined 40,000 moths collected from around the world – representing the number of moths eaten each day by a grizzly bear before hibernation.

The moths will ‘fly out’ from Brooklyn, New York, then ‘fly’ from city to state to country, tracing the migration of people’s participation.

Brian has become an active and accomplished artist since joining ACH Group’s Riverside Artists two years ago.

He’s mastered acrylic painting, lino cut and Japanese wood block printmaking and is learning watercolour painting, mixed media and clay.

Brian’s works are on display as part of ACH Group’s South Australian Living Artists (SALA) exhibitions at various locations.

You can watch Brian paint live at King William Road  on Saturday August 12 from 12pm to 3pm as part of a community day. Painters from our Riverside Artists group at Port Noarlunga will join artists from 15 other locations on King William Road, including body painter Emma Hack, to meet members of the community and talk about their hard. Look for Brian near The Pot by Emma McCaskill.

Having lived with depression for many years, Brian says art has changed his life.

“I’m a qualified boat builder, but I never thought I had an artistic bone in my body,” he says. “Now I can’t imagine life without it – it’s been brilliant for me. What I enjoy most is the art, but also the companionship with others.”

Find out more about the Moth Migration Project here.

Find out more about what’s happening on King William Road here.

“Keep going. Keep doing.”

That’s what our ‘cover girl’ Helen Vincent thinks is the secret to living and ageing well.

And, judging from the cover photo of her traversing Morialta Falls in South Australia’s foothills, we think she’s on to something.
This particular walk was a veritable stroll compared to the worldwide walks she’s participated in since she turned 60 – she’s done parts of Everest and Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail and treks in Patagonia, just to name a few. Helen’s passion for walking – all sorts of walking in all sorts of places – came in more than handy when, as a volunteer at ACH Group Residential Care Home Highercombe, she designed a ‘Walking Around Australia’ initiative with residents.

More than 90 residents ‘virtually’ walked around Australia and recorded their progress on a large map – clocking up more than 8,500 kilometres. It’s just one of many initiatives Helen has poured her heart and soul into since commencing in a volunteer role in 2010, when seeking a career change.

Now Helen is in paid employment with ACH Group, currently working part time on a Customer Experience Project which sees her contact current and former customers to uncover just what they think of ACH Group. Having volunteered in a variety of roles with ACH Group, Helen says she has been able to amass a range of knowledge that has helped her to connect with customers and ‘join the dots’.

At 68 she is in no hurry to leave the workforce. “Working is important to me – whether in a volunteer or paid capacity, because it’s really important that we feel connected, and part of a team. I wanted to continue working, but in a new direction, and I made some other subtle changes as I began looking for worthwhile volunteering/work – learning to play contract bridge and mahjong – because I just knew the danger of leaving work and not having something else to stimulate me.”

Helen says she has been really lucky in her journey with ACH Group so far, and feels privileged to work with others who are passionate about what they do. “I’m surrounded by positive, kind and caring individuals who respect and want the best for their customers, and I’m also blessed to have customers share their stories so generously – frequently mind blowing!”

Good food with Callum Hann

Sprout Cooking School and Health Studio co-founders Callum Hann and Dietitian Themis Chryssidis share five tips to staying healthy and feeling great.

Variety

Variety is the spice of life but also the key to good health. Eating a wide, varied diet ensures your body receives all the nutrients it requires to function healthily without overdoing any particular nutrient. Variety ensures you meet your needs while reducing the health complications associated with over consuming specific foods. Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, meats and dairy daily.

Eat colourful fruits and vegetables

The colour in fruits and vegetables translates to nutrition. Each colour contains unique health-promoting phytochemicals, including antioxidants. Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables helps ensure you consume a range of phytonutrients daily, which are important for immune function, heart health, eye health and disease prevention.

Seasonality

Seasonality is nature’s way of keeping us healthy and ensuring our bodies receive the nutrients we need, when we need them. This time of year, firm, hearty root vegetables are readily available and these lend themselves well to braises, slow cooks, roasts and stews. Oranges, kiwi fruit, grape fruit and apples are full of vitamin C which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system. It’s also a powerful antioxidant and is important for efficient metabolism, the absorption of plant-based iron and healthy wound healing.

Healthy fats

Don’t be afraid of fat, just choose the right type. Fat adds flavour to food but it also helps keep us feeling full and satisfied for longer. Try to eat small amounts of healthy fats from plant and seafood sources such as olive oil, nuts, avocado and oily fish. Healthy fats are important for healthy cardiovascular function and a healthy and functioning immune system.

Keep moving

Exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, strong heart, healthy immune system and strong bones. It’s also a great stress release and important for mental health. Ask, “am I getting my 30–45 minutes of moderate intensity exercise daily?” If not, you need to tie up those laces, put an extra jumper on and get outside or hit the gym or indoor exercise equipment. No matter what you choose, you have to keep moving.

Lamb tagine with pearl cous cous

(serves 4)

Ingredients

500g piece lamb shoulder, cut into 3cm–4cm cubes

2 tablespoons wholemeal plain flour

2 tablespoons ground cumin

2 tablespoons paprika (smoked or sweet)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 red onion

6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

700g jar tomato passata

Thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled, finely grated or chopped

2 cinnamon quills (or substitute 1 tsp ground cinnamon)

1 cup low salt chicken stock

½ butternut pumpkin, diced

50g pitted fresh dates, chopped

²/³ cup pearl cous cous,

Zest and juice of an orange

1 bunch flat leaf parsley, leaves picked

2 cups baby spinach

¼ cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped, to serve

Method

1. Preheat oven to 140˚C. Place lamb pieces in a clean disposable sandwich bag. Add flour, cumin, and paprika to the bag. Twist bag closed and shake to cover the lamb in the spices and flour.
2. Heat a large oven-proof crock pot or other suitable pot over high heat. Add 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, then the lamb. Cook, for 1–2 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn and cook until the other side is golden. Remove lamb from pan and set aside. Slice half the onion and add to the pan the lamb was cooked in. Add remaining ½ tablespoon olive oil and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until translucent. Dice remaining onion and set aside.
3. Return lamb to the pot, along with tomato passata, ginger, cinnamon and stock. Stir briefly to evenly distribute ingredients. Cover with the lid, transfer to the oven and cook for 3–4 hours or until lamb is very tender.
4. Carefully remove lid, then stir in pumpkin and dates. Return to the oven and cook without the lid for a further 20–30 minutes or until pumpkin is tender.
5. Cook pearl cous cous in plenty of boiling water for 8–10 minutes or until just tender. Drain, transfer cous cous to a bowl and stir through orange zest and juice, parsley, spinach and diced red onion. Spoon onto a large serving platter, top with the tagine and roasted almonds then serve.

ACH Group is pleased to welcome Jane Reilly OAM as its ambassador.

Jane is one of South Australia’s most recognised and loved media presenters. She is passionate about South Australia and all South Australians.

Jane has enjoyed a distinguished media career spanning four decades, including 17 years as a news and weather presenter for Adelaide’s Network Ten.

She won a TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular Female Personality in 1984 and is involved in numerous charities including Variety SA, The Children’s Charity, St John Ambulance and Royal Society for the Blind.

Jane’s media career was launched in 1974 after winning the Miss Australian Beach Girl Title.

In August 2015 she received an Order of Australia Medal for services to the broadcast media and charitable groups.

Currently a valued contributor of the FIVEaa Radio Breakfast Team, Jane is the program’s roving reporter, travelling far and wide searching for quirky and fun stories.

Jane has a six-year-old Golden Retriever, a lovely partner and two great sons.

She loves to grasp life with both hands and make the best of what life dishes up.

Her personal mantra is “Get on with it, this is not a dress rehearsal!”.

Jane says she is looking forward to raising awareness of ACH Group’s commitment to supporting ‘Good Lives for Older People’.

“What I love is that ACH Group really shines a light on the wisdom of older people in our community,” she says. “They challenge the stereotypes of ageing and with their support, you can do as little or as much as you like, whether it’s help with the shopping, maybe getting to those appointments, helping with the gardening, or looking at an alternative style of accommodation.”

Welcome, Jane!

This year ACH Group commemorates its 65^th year since its foundation as a not-for-profit organisation in 1952.

It may be the traditional age of retirement, but we’re far from retiring – in fact in some ways 2017 has been a year of new beginnings.

We’re thrilled to welcome our new ambassador Jane Reilly who is looking forward to spreading the word about who we are, what we do and our vision for the future.

ACH Group: How did it all begin?

In the early 1950s, Federal Liberal Senator Sir Keith Wilson saw a dire need for jobs and housing growth in SA. He also observed the homelessness being experienced by Veterans and War Widows, and saw an opportunity to bring the two causes together. Wilson invited the then Prime Minister Bob Menzies to SA, and more than a thousand people came together to create a movement that brought to life the ‘four to one’ housing policy, under which the Federal government would build four houses to welfare agencies’ one. This approach addressed both the homelessness and job shortage predicaments in one fell swoop.

And so ACH Group was born – as Aged Cottage Homes. Within 12 months the organisation’s first three independent living units were built on Wear Avenue in Payneham.

A track record for service innovation

During the past three decades ACH Group has been a pioneer in developing new models of care, including Community Options, the forerunner to today’s Commonwealth Home Support Program, a Nursing Home Options Program (now known as Home Care packages) and, in partnership with Ashford Hospital, one of the first Hospital Substitution Programs in Australia (now known as Transition Care).

Using research from UniSA and Flinders University, we designed the first CDC trial in Australia, and we engaged an external evaluator to share our learning with the Australian Government to inform a national trial that is now a cornerstone of aged care reform.

In 2014, in collaboration with SA Health and Flinders University, we established internationally innovative concept ViTA in a purpose built facility at Daw Park. Under this model, we put people at the centre of their own health; bringing wellbeing, aged health and innovation together.

Our Exchange membership network offers opportunities for people aged 50+ to reinvent, rediscover and find their voice through newsletters, bulletins and invitations to courses and events.

The future is bright

Fast forward 65 years and we have evolved from humble beginnings to become known as one of Australia’s leading aged care organisations, employing more than 1,700 staff and supporting more than 20,000 older people in South Australia and Victoria to live a good life at home, in the community, in residential care and in independent living units.

We are joined by approximately 400 volunteers who along with our staff, share a passion, commitment and desire to make a difference to the lives of older people.

ACH Group Chief Executive Officer Ray Creen says this year will be an exciting one for ACH Group as it continues to build on its position as a leading, trusted provider of health and wellbeing services in South Australia and Victoria.

“There are a number of major projects on the horizon this year, including the redevelopment of the Repat site at Daw Park and the creation of a new health and wellness precinct, Healthia, adjoining the Lyell McEwin Hospital in the City of Playford,” he said. “We’re proud to reach this important milestone in our history and look forward to continuing to build on our vision of creating good lives for older people.”

READ THE WHOLE MAGAZINE HERE

A love of the natural world is the inspiration behind ACH Group’s South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival works this year.

This year artists have submitted pieces that relate to the theme: ‘Reconnecting with nature – people, places and plants’.

Artist Francine Jacques’ oil painting ‘Storm at Port Noarlunga’ has been chosen for the 2017 poster and artwork used to promote ACH Group’s SALA venues.

Francine, who is a resident of Perry Park at Port Noarlunga, has been a regular exhibitor since ACH Group first became involved in the festival seven years ago. A committed artist, Francine continued to paint after a stroke by switching from her right hand to her left, andis looking forward to being involved again this year. “I always look at the skies around me – whether it’s raining, cloudy, blue, a sunset or sunrise. I like looking at the sky. I think that’s why they feature so much in the landscapes that I like to do.”

Francine will join a group of other artists at the official opening of SALA at the Art Gallery of South Australia on Friday 28 July.

ACH Group SALA Curator Gianna Miller says the festival acknowledges the value of artistic expression as an integral part of everyday life.

“It brings art to the community and fosters the community through art,” she says. “Our long-standing involvement with SALA i just one way in which ACH Group has been able to demonstrate its Healthy Ageing Approach to support people in our residential living homes to ‘choose to be active, remain connected and engage in what they love to do’.”

Festival Chair John Hill, who is also ACH Group Board Director, says in its 20th year, the month-long open access festival has become an important celebration of artists and the arts community.

“This is the time of year when we shine a light on the creativity and visions of South Australian artists,” he says. “This festival provides a platform for visual artists of every type, working in every medium at every level of skill and experience in every part of our state.”

SALA Festival Director Penny Griggs says being part of SALA provides many advantages for emerging and established artists.

“The event offers emerging artists a platform to exhibit outside of their training institution, and established local gallery spaces make an annual commitment to South Australian artists.”

ACH Group’s SALA venues are: Toop & Toop, 84 King William Road, Goodwood; Plato’s Philosopher’s Kitchen, 164 King William Road, Hyde Park; The Ark Clothing Co. 124 King William Road, Hyde Park; Woodcroft Community Arts Centre, 175 Bairns Road, Morphett Vale; and Milpara Residential Living, 147 St Bernards Rd, Rostrevor.

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.

READ THE WHOLE MAGAZINE HERE

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.