Fair feathered friends - Masonic Villages Trust · Fair feathered friends We couldn’t have asked...
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1 Masonic Court News, Autumn 2017 IN THIS ISSUE Page 1 From Our Nurse Manager AUTUMN 2017 FROM OUR NURSE MANAGER Barbara Mouat Dear Residents, Families and Staff The fact that our summer has been very non-descript was quickly forgotten after a brief period of clear, still sunny days. With daylight saving finished, dewy mornings and evenings drawing in earlier, there can be no doubting that autumn is here. Fair feathered friends We couldn’t have asked for a better day weather wise for our bus trip to Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa on Friday 24 February. Our group, made up of 30 residents, wives, staff, and Villa residents had a ‘birds-eye’ view (no pun intended!) from on high, through the Manawatu Gorge and lush green farmland. Following a delicious lunch, we made our way through the bush to visit the Kiwi House, and past native birds in aviaries, to watch huge eels being fed. With hindsight, this was possibly a bit ambitious, but the residents coped extremely well. Without a doubt, seeing Manukura, the white kiwi, was the highlight for most people. Once your eyes adjusted to the darkness, it was really amusing to watch her antics. It was lovely to see different groups chatting and the repeated singing of ‘Sylvia’s Mother’ on the bus trip home created much hilarity. The event was a real team effort, and extensive planning by Victoria and Carol made for an enjoyable day – night staff reported they had no bells that night! There are still funds remaining from donations and the gala day. The suggestion of a visit to Southwards Car Museum in the future has been well received.
Transcript of Fair feathered friends - Masonic Villages Trust · Fair feathered friends We couldn’t have asked...
1Masonic Court News, Autumn 2017
IN THIS ISSUEPage 1 From Our Nurse Manager
AUTUMN 2017
from oUr NUrSE maNagEr
Barbara Mouat
Dear Residents, Families and StaffThe fact that our summer has been very non-descript was quickly forgotten after a brief period of clear, still sunny days. With daylight saving finished, dewy mornings and evenings drawing in earlier, there can be no doubting that autumn is here.
Fair feathered friendsWe couldn’t have asked for a better day weather wise for our bus trip to Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa on Friday 24 February. Our group, made up of 30 residents, wives, staff, and Villa residents had a ‘birds-eye’ view (no pun intended!) from on high, through the Manawatu Gorge and lush green farmland.
Following a delicious lunch, we made our way through the bush to visit the Kiwi House, and past native birds in aviaries, to watch huge eels being fed. With hindsight, this was possibly a bit ambitious, but the residents coped extremely well.
Without a doubt, seeing Manukura, the white kiwi, was the highlight for most people. Once your eyes adjusted to the darkness, it was really amusing to watch her antics.
It was lovely to see different groups chatting and the repeated singing of ‘Sylvia’s Mother’ on the bus trip home created much hilarity.
The event was a real team effort, and extensive planning by Victoria and Carol made for an enjoyable day – night staff reported they had no bells that night!
There are still funds remaining from donations and the gala day. The suggestion of a visit to Southwards Car Museum in the future has been well received.
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To be sure, to be sure…Friday 17 March provided the opportunity for staff and residents to show their creative side and have some light hearted fun for Saint Patricks Day. Participation was high, in spite of the fact that most people responded “But I don’t have anything green!!”.
from oUr NUrSE maNagEr
Four-legged friendsThanks to a generous donation from the Sutton family, residents were able to meet and interact with the animals at Manley Park in Milson and got ‘up close and personal’ with ponies, llamas, goats and a donkey. Nine week old ostrich chicks were particularly appealing. The photos endorse the pleasure this visit brought.
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Gauri Jodie Mary Rainika
the role of relief cook. While initially employed as a cleaner, Gauri Khadaka has recently learnt the kitchen hand role.
Clearly Senate Agency face the same shortages as we do, as they are not always able to provide cover for us – possibly because three of their staff – Rainika Dutt, Mary Gudivada and Jodie Moodie – are now members of our team!! We also welcome back RN Josie Gawith.
Across the board, I am really grateful to our staff who have put their own interests aside to ensure that services and cares are maintained.
Staff changes Those of you who are able to visit regularly will have observed that we have quite a few new faces amongst our staff. Staff retention is something we have historically been proud of, but these changes are for a real variety of reasons, namely change of circumstances or health.
Dewan and Lorna have both been accepted to do their nursing training and as a result now work reduced hours.
Carol Pitcher has been employed as an afternoon kitchen hand, and Amy is currently up-skilling to learn
from oUr NUrSE maNagEr
BouquetsI would like to acknowledge the considerable efforts of our volunteer, Graham Harrison, to upgrade the grounds – removing old, unused furniture, water-blasting paths and the building, and re-staining chairs – resulting in a much needed facelift for the facility.
A big thank you to Grant Weavers who took our recent compulsory Fire Training session to another level with hands on use of a fire hose and extinguisher. Sick and annual leave aside, attendance was 100%. Recently dust from the leaf sucker machine activated the fire alarm –staff and residents coped extremely well and evacuated the area in a calm and efficient manner, earning praise from the Fire Service.
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from oUr NUrSE maNagEr
RequestAs long as I have been at Masonic (17 years!) keeping track of clothing has been an eternal challenge. While there is always the risk of human error when putting clothing away, printed name tags, sewn on, really are the best preventative. These can be ordered at Gillespies in Terrace End, and if sewing is not your forte, we can make arrangements for this.
Anzac DayAttending a Dawn Parade service presents considerable challenges for most of our residents, so in recent years we have had a service here – resident participation has made this a moving experience. We welcome the involvement of family and friends and will advise you closer to the date.
