Brian Hibben is a volunteer with Riverside Artists, a group run by ACH Group that meets every Friday morning at Port Noarlunga Arts Centre.
When Brian joined the group three years ago, he had never tried art before.
“Now I work across all kinds of mediums – painting, printmaking, clay, mixed media. I volunteer for the group because I’m passionate about the benefits of art. I enjoy the process of making art, but also the companionship. We’re all good friends here.”
Brian is looking forward to getting involved in South Australia’s Living Artists Festival (SALA) again this year and will be working to submit art based on ACH Group’s theme ‘Around the World.’
“I just love coming to the Riverside Art Group. Everyone is so welcome and supportive of each other.”
Les Middleton enjoys the social aspect of volunteering with ACH Group’s ‘Just Blokes’ group.
Based in the east and north, these groups have grown in popularity and offer men aged 60 and over the chance to make new connections and enjoy fortnightly bus trips to locations around South Australia.
Les has been a volunteer driver with the group for four years. Highlights include Captain Proud cruises on the Murray River and trips to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood.
“It’s been good spending time with the older generation and I enjoy helping people,” Les says. “They really appreciate you being there, and it’s good to know you’re making a difference.”
Les says he’s been surprised by how much he enjoys spending time with “the fellas”.
“There’s always banter on the bus, it’s good to see the guys having fun and that’s what it’s all about, really. I think everyone should get out and socialise. If you’re stuck at home every day, what’s the use of that? You’ve got to have a laugh every now and then.”
ACH Group is pleased to announce it has selected Sarah Constructions as the preferred builder for ViTA at Healthia, a new health and wellness precinct to be developed adjacent to the Lyell McEwin Hospital in the City of Playford.
The first stage of excavation work on the unique development, a 12,000 square metre state-of-the-art health, aged care, teaching and research facility, is set to commence in coming weeks.
ACH Group Chief Executive Officer Frank Weits said: “We are looking forward to working alongside an experienced, award-winning South Australian builder. This is another step forward in bringing this exciting project to reality.”
Sarah is a well respected, award-winning South Australian building company whose notable projects include the d’Arenberg Cube and Monarto Zoo Lions 360 Experience and Adelaide Oval Roof Climb.
The CSIRO are seeking healthy individuals aged 80 and over, who live in Adelaide, to participate in a study to determine whether specific molecular changes in saliva, cheek cells and blood samples could be used for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
More than 200 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in Australia every day. Alzheimer’s disease not only affects the quality of life, health and wellbeing of those affected but also leads to a significant financial burden at an individual level as well as for our wider community. However, to date, there is no conclusive diagnostic test available. It is important, therefore, to try and identify potential early biomarkers that may help us to design preventative measures.
To accurately assess changes in people with neurodegenerative disease, a group of healthy, age and gender-matched volunteers (‘control volunteers’) are needed to compare results. As a control volunteer you would be required to attend the CSIRO Clinic at SAHMRI on North Terrace, Adelaide for a single 45 minute visit.
The clinic visit will involve:
• a non-fasted blood sample will be collected by trained and experienced staff
• a cheek cell sample will be collected using a small toothbrush that will be rotated against the inside of the cheeks
• a saliva sample will be collected
• completion of a questionnaire plus a ‘mini mental state examination’ (MMSE)
• on completion of the study, participants will receive a Coles/Myer gift card valued at $50 to acknowledge their valuable contribution to scientific research.
Study criteria
You will need to meet the following criteria to participate in this study:
• are healthy and aged 80 years and above
• not clinically diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
• no family history of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
• not undergoing chemotherapy/radiation treatment for cancer
• not supplementing your diet with Vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D
Consistent with its long history of supporting South Australian women through affordable housing options, ACH Group is continuing to innovate with new service delivery models to meet the needs of vulnerable older women with the announcement a new housing development in the heart of Adelaide.
Spence on Light was officially launched ahead of International Women’s Day in Light Square this week as a result of a partnership between ACH Group, Housing Choices South Australia and SA Housing Authority.
The $25 million development will include 75 apartments to support older people with limited housing options to access new homes that will allow them to comfortably age in place, in a location that is central to work and social opportunities.
ACH Group CEO Frank Weits said: “ACH Group was founded 65 years ago by parliamentarian Sir Keith Wilson who set out to support pensioners, post-war migrants, war veterans and their widows by pioneering new housing models for older people, in particular those who were disadvantaged.”
In addition to this new initiative, ACH Group’s long history with the War Widows Guild of South Australia provides long term, secure and affordable accommodation services to war widows.
More recently, a partnership with Catherine House, an organisation that supports older women at risk of or experiencing homelessness, has been forged to provide affordable housing and tailored services.
Mr Weits said today there was a lack of affordable housing for older people, particularly women, in the inner-Adelaide area. In South Australia, over 800 people experience homelessness on any given night, and more than half (60 per cent) of the older homeless population are women. Across a 12-month period in 2016-17, there was a 44 per cent increase in older people accessing specialised South Australian homelessness services.
“We are delighted to take this opportunity to support older women as we continue ACH Group’s tradition of challenging traditional service models and finding new ways to support people to live well as they age.”
ACH Group also shows its support for women via strong representation across the workforce, including its executive and board, chaired by Mary Patetsos. ACH Group’s workforce comprises 81 per cent women and 56 per cent who are culturally diverse.
“For me, the diversification of our workforce brings balance, perspective and long term vision. As we enter an exciting period in history, where the world rightly expects balance, we are certainly leading from the front in the unified direction to galvanise continuous collective action to achieve a better world through equality.”
ACH Group continues to innovate with new service delivery models to meet the needs of vulnerable older South Australians with the announcement a new housing development in the heart of Adelaide.
Spence on Light was officially launched in Light Square today as a result of a partnership between ACH Group, Housing Choices South Australia and SA Housing Authority.
The $25 million development will include 75 apartments to support older people with limited housing options to access new homes that will allow them to comfortably age in place, in a location that is central to work and social opportunities.
Speaking at the launch, ACH Group Chief Executive Frank Weits said: “ACH Group was founded 65 years ago by parliamentarian Sir Keith Wilson who set out to support pensioners, post-war migrants, war veterans and their widows by pioneering new housing models for older people, in particular those who were disadvantaged.”
In addition to this new initiative, ACH Group’s long history with the War Widows Guild of South Australia provides long term, secure and affordable accommodation services to war widows.
More recently, a partnership with Catherine House, an organisation that supports older women at risk of or experiencing homelessness, has been forged to provide affordable housing and tailored services.
Mr Weits said there was a lack of affordable housing for older people, particularly women, in the inner-Adelaide area. In South Australia, over 800 people experience homelessness on any given night, and more than half (60 per cent) of the older homeless population are women. Across a 12-month period in 2016-17, there was a 44 per cent increase in older people accessing specialised South Australian homelessness services.
“We are delighted to take this opportunity to support older South Australians as we continue ACH Group’s tradition of challenging traditional service models and finding new ways to support people to live well as they age.”
Photo: Housing Choices Australia Managing Director Michael Lennon, Minister for Human Services Hon Michelle Lensink MLC , Hindmarsh Construction Chief Executive Rowan Hindmarsh, Chief Executive, SA Housing Authority Chief Executive Michael Buchan, Member of Adelaide Rachel Sanderson MP, SA Housing Authority Chair Gary Storkey and ACH Group Chief Executive Frank Weits.
ACH Group has welcomed the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) action plan announced by Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, and Minister for Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt in Adelaide today.
Speaking at the launch, ACH Group CEO Frank Weits said ACH Group had been supporting older South Australians from culturally and spiritually diverse communities for over 65 years.
“At ACH Group, we celebrate diversity and acknowledge and respect cultural backgrounds, religious and spiritual beliefs and practices.”
Mr Weits said for the past five years, ACH Group had enjoyed a successful relationship with the Muslim community.
“Over this time, our partnership has helped us to build an understanding of the Muslim community and assisted in respectful and meaningful interactions with older members of that community.
“This partnership is part of our commitment to ensure access to high quality, culturally appropriate aged care for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“We look forward to continuing to partner with CALD communities throughout South Australia and continuing to realise the Federal Government’s commitment to deliver more inclusive and culturally appropriate aged care services.”
As part of its Muslim partnership, ACH Group has developed an online Diversity Training Module, compiled three Muslim Aged Care handbooks, produced three educational videos and trained more than 700 staff.
Other CALD initiatives supported by ACH Group include the Cambodian Community Program, founded in 2008, and the Free to Be Project, an award-winning LGBTI awareness training initiative launched in 2012.
The action plan is part of the Aged Care Diversity Framework and is one of three action plans with a focus on CALD, LGBTI and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
If you’re under the age of 12 and you live in Maslin Beach, on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, chances are you’re friends with Evelyn Roth.
And if you’ve seen the parade of costumes that winds its way through WOMADelaide, Adelaide’s four-day music festival at Botanic Park, then you’ll know her work.
Evelyn is the creator of the ‘Nylon Zoo’, a collection of giant inflatable storytelling tents and animal-themed costumes that capture imaginations, inspire creativity and foster a love of the environment among legions of young fans.
Her inflatable structures and mazes made from recycled nylon are in demand at events, exhibits and festivals worldwide, providing a platform for raising awareness of environmental issues and a portable venue for storytelling theatre.
Last year she inflated ‘Shamrock’ and ‘Clover’, her newly created giant Southern Right Whale and calf on her front lawn, and put the call-out on Facebook for kids to come and try them out.
After nearly five decades, the 83-year-old artist is as passionate about her work as ever and remains heavily involved in her local community – especially with the younger generation.
“There are a lot of four to five-year-olds in the neighbourhood these days,” she says. “They’re so talkative and imaginative – I love watching them. Their joy is inspiring.”
Evelyn’s love of sewing started early. Born in a small rural town in Alberta, in the US, she remembers making clothes for her dolls, and herself, from the age of 10.
In the 1970s, Evelyn was a pioneer of recycled fashion and wearable art, using her knitting and sewing skills to create sculptures from a range of materials.
Her first inflatable storytelling work appeared in Vancouver, Canada, in 1977, where she worked alongside indigenous communities to create a giant salmon and interactive dance for children in eagle, raven, bear and frog costumes.
Her work caught the attention of the Adelaide Festival curator and she was invited to install an interactive display at the Adelaide Festival Centre Foyer in 1981 which she created out of discarded TV programs (titled Video Jungle).
She returned to South Australia to work with Pitjitjanjara communities and held workshops in rabbit knit and painted leather garments, as well as crocheting shade canopy from discarded video tape and play ‘web’ from nylon.
During these trips Evelyn became friends with local artists who invited her to visit Maslin Beach, then a tiny coastal hamlet.
“I said to myself I’m going to live here one day. I bought a plot of land and I kept sending in my cheques to pay it off – and here I am.”
Today her two-storey house doubles as a studio and is filled with colourful works of art, many painted by her husband, artist John Davis.
From her seat behind the sewing machine at the head of the table, she overlooks a long stretch of sand and water.
Evelyn has never let age dictate who she is or how she should live.
She wears a vivid range of colours and draws from an impressive collection of locally curated jewellery, scarves and hair pieces.
“I’m always disappointed that so many people choose to wear black. It’s always black, black, and grey. Why not colour?”
“The act of doing art, whether it’s painting, sewing or dancing, is vital. Our kids will lose their communication skills, their storytelling, if their fingers and minds are only on the iPads.”
An avid follower of yoga, Evelyn eats well, and swims often. Her morning routine often includes a run or ‘forest bath’ (walk) in the trees near the creek, yoga stretches and some time spent hanging upside down on her bar, before finding a quiet spot to write in her journal. She enjoys a daily fresh juice, often with beetroot, apple and a few extra goodies like broccoli and radish.
“I’m not afraid of getting older. I do everything I can to be fit and alert,” she says. “I’m in good health. I’m happy. Being near the ocean is important to me, hearing the sound of the water.”
Evelyn hopes that someone – “a sewer, a storyteller” – will one day take over and carry on her work, but for now she is happy to continue. At the time of interview, she had just finished a residency at Mercedes College, Springfield, and was looking forward to heading to Hawaii for her annual residency with the Storybook Theatre Company.
Evelyn believes that art has an important role to play in preventing and treating depression, especially among young people. “I believe that parents need to let their children explore and create, to get them out into nature and let them do activities that use their bodies and expand their minds.” She’s just finished creating a series of dinosaur costumes – a pterodactyl, stegosaurus and T-Rex – to the delight of her five-year-old friend Elliott .
“He put one of these on and he was really pleased,” she says, a twinkle in her eye. “He didn’t want to take it off – he wanted to wear it home.”
Evelyn will be part of the Adelaide fringe this year, setting up giant inflatables along the River Torrens, and will bring her coral reef-themed maze to her 24th WOMAD Festival in March.
Adelaide Fringe is Australia’s largest open-access arts festivals celebrating art, culture and creativity throughout February and March.
It brings world-famous acts, venues and events to all corners of South Australia and in 2018 generated a record $90.6 million in gross economic expenditure. Find out what to do, what to see and where to celebrate in South Australia and at adelaidefringe.com.au
ACH Group is a proud partner of the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019 – creating opportunities for an inclusive and vibrant ageing community.
JOIN US ON A FRINGE NIGHT OUT TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019
Garden of Unearthly Delights and Yabarra Gathering of Light Show Tour
From: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Wander through the Garden of Unearthly Delights bursting with an array of world foods, market stalls and unexpected sideshow surprises. Then be immersed in the interactive light and sound show and hear stories of the Kaurna country along Tarndaparri (the River Torrens).
OUR FRINGE TOP PICKS
Ever wanted to catch a Fringe Show and soak up the festival atmosphere but don’t know where to start? Check out our hand-picked favourites!
Cirque Africa (Stage and Theatre)
Where: Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide
One of the top selling shows, Cirque Africa is back with a new show that is even fresher, funkier, bolder and more fun. 100% African, 100% fun.
Tales from a Comedian (Comedy)
Where: Gilles Room at Astor Hotel, Adelaide
Local comedian Ross Voss’ best stories from over 15 years in arts and 34 years of life! He’ll reminisce on how he crashed two cars in one day and the time he was head-butted in Hahndorf!
Broadway – Up In Lights (Music) Where: Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
After sell-out Fringe shows in 2017 and 2018, ACH Group’s Sing for Joy choir is out to prove that they won’t stop singing now with a brand-new show.
Gone are the days when you need to travel halfway round the world or even interstate to join a cruise.
Adelaide is Australia’s hot new destination on the radar of many cruise operators, with South Australian ports including Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island and now Wallaroo finally getting some recognition on the world stage.
Never before has there been as great a selection of cruise lines and itineraries to and from Adelaide, as there is now.
South Australians keen to pick up a cruise from their home port can start packing their bags as a record number of cruise ships are set to sail into or out of Adelaide over the next few years.
Whether you’re after a short and local 3 or 4-night cruise or would prefer a more leisurely cruise travelling further afield, there are options for short cruises or longer ones now available to suit every taste and budget.
Adelaide’s main cruising season is from November to May with ships docking at the Port Adelaide Cruise Terminal at Outer Harbour.
A cruise is a great option for a nervous flyer who would still like to see the world but would also like to minimise their flying time as much as possible.
With some great itineraries that are part of round-the-world voyages, you can cruise directly out of Adelaide travelling as far as Central America, South Africa, Dubai or the UK, or stay local and cruise to Melbourne or Sydney and back to Adelaide.
Whatever your budget, you’re sure to find a cruise that’s suitable for you.
