TESTIMONIALS

Testimonial from friend, family and church

Dear Team

I came to visit my friend today at Glengollan. I have been there to pick her up but never been to see her at home. I have been a social worker and case manager for over forty years so have been to many nursing homes.

I have not seen any nursing home as exceptional as Glengollan!

Whilst the decor and building is lovely, we all know that it is the people that make it. During my hour visit over five staff popped into chat and check on my friend.  The tea lady insisted I have a cuppa and some delicious afternoon tea. My friend used to be a DON (Director of Nursing) and she said she appreciated the way she was always treated with respect and deference.  She has led a very busy successful life and it must be so challenging to accept help. But to see her so happy and cherished was quite moving.

So a big thank you from me, her family and church for loving Fay as much as we do!

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A written reflection by Patron Jean Kitson and committee member Kylie Draper
(extract from Nurses Australia Palliative Care Newsletter)

Mum’s increased care needs, coupled with dad’s declining health, meant that an admission to an aged care facility was needed so that mum could receive the 24-hour care that she required. During this time, I was managing the nursing and medical team of one the largest community palliative care services in the country. This afforded me local knowledge of the aged care facilities in my community. I had a short list of facilities and felt fortunate to secure a bed for my mum at Glengollan Village right before Christmas in 2022.

In March of 2024, mum deteriorated significantly quite suddenly over the course of a week. Mum was unconscious and in the terminal phase of her illness. The palliative care nurse in me liaised with the very supportive GP, who I had liaised with on behalf of other patients in my professional life. All the anticipatory medications that may be required during my mum’s dying process were in place. The staff, once again, managed my mums care and end of life beautifully. On the evening that mum died two lovely nurses, Will and Jot were in attendance. What these nurses did was partner with us in the care of our mum. They cared about what we thought and responsively fulfilled our requests at that critical time. They also let us do what we felt we had to do as nurse daughters, nurse our mum, it was our privilege and as mum would have wanted it. It was evident that mum had all the signs of being hours away from death and could have been more comfortable, which we swiftly, in concert with the staff facilitated, I felt particularly empowered about knowing exactly how to look after mum at this stage of life.

My mum died a few hours later, Willie Nelson playing, my sister and I holding her hands, and the sun going down on her face, it was a beautiful death and we will always be grateful for the care mum received from the beautiful staff at Glengollan Village and her lovely compassionate GP.”

Congratulations to all our wonderful nurses, you do amazing work and seeing the impact through the experience of family reinforces the value we bring to end of life care.

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A thank you from Boronia Bowls Club Committee

To our valued sponsors, thank you.

Because of your ongoing support, the Boronia Bowls Club was once again proud to host a truly special community event.

On Sunday 4th May, we welcomed over 130 guests to the annual Mother’s Day Op Shop Fundraiser, an afternoon of fashion, food, and fundraising and a whole lot of fun.

With your help, we were able to provide the perfect venue for the event, supporting a local Op Shop in raising an incredible $ amount for their family violence community programs and emergency accommodation centre.

Thanks to your generosity:

• Our greens were transformed into a vibrant runway, where volunteer models strutted their stuff in fabulous pre-loved outfits.
• Guests enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, lovingly prepared by Debbie and Clyde (our behind-the-scenes culinary heroes).
• Our community came together in laughter and celebration, thanks in no small part to our ever-entertaining MC, Anita.

This kind of event does more than raise funds. It lifts spirits. It builds connection. And it reminds us all of the power of local support.

And it’s only possible because of you.

Your sponsorship ensures our club remains not just a sporting venue, but a true community hub, a place where people come together to give, laugh, connect, and make a difference.

We are proud to have hosted this event, and prouder still to have sponsors who believe in what we do.

From all of us at the Boronia Bowls Club, thank you for helping us open our doors to moments like these.

With gratitude,
The Committee.