25th anniversary of St. Dominic’s Hostel NSW 1988 - 2013
SUMMER 2013 A publication of St Dominic’s Hostel, 171 Walters Road, Blacktown, NSW 2148 Telephone : 9831 2054
From the Administrator’s Desk
Dear Residents, Staff, Relatives and Friends, I would like to thank all the Staff, Sisters & Board members for your cooperation and assistance during my unexpected absence of three months. I had to attend to urgent family matters, which has now been settled. Sadly we have to say goodbye to Rose Vassallo, who decided to retire this year! Rose has been with us for some 21years! Thank you ROSE for your dedicated service at St. Dominic’s. We sincerely wish you many years of
‘Happy Retirement’ indeed! We
congratulate Jayann Montemayor on her success in finishing her
studies. Jayann is now an RN. We thank you Jayann for your loyal service and wish you the very best for your future.
Well done!! to all as we have acquired an A from the NSW Food Authority, as well as having a success following the last audit by the Aged Care Standards. My best wishes to you all for this holy season to enjoy a Safe, Happy & Holy Christmas & may the new year be full of blessings.!
May God Bless you all. With love and prayers Sr. Georgina Sultana St. Dominic’s Hostel – News & Views Summer 2013 |
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Work in Progress Upon entering St. Dominic’s Hostel, one can notice workmen everywhere! We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation. Few years ago St. Dominic’s Hostel installed a Fire Sprinkler System in the Residential Areas. Since September 2013 we proceeded with installing the system throughout the whole complex. We will now comply with the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulations, which requires a Fire System to be installed in this facility by 1st March 2016. Throughout the new year, we will continue to be rather busy, as extensions to the building will commence. We thank you for your co-operation as we again apologise for any inconvenience. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Residents’’ Satisfaction Survey 2013 Following our recent survey, it was a pleasure to hear about our “friendly staff, cleanliness and problems dealt with without delay”. Where food is involved, it is not easy to satisfy everybody, but we are always ready for new ventures! Here are some comments ………………
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Resident’s Profile THE STORY OF JANE DEMARCO Jane Grech was born on 19th August 1926. It was13 years before the start of World War ll. Her parents, Lukarda and Carmelo lived in multi-tenanted lodgings in their much-loved Valletta, where Jane grew up with her 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Being the fourth born in the family, Jane always strived to assist in her mother’s daily chores – but especially attended to the needs of her younger siblings. From 1939 to 1945, Jane witnessed the horrific devastation of the Maltese Islands when all hell broke loose in Europe, especially around her beloved Valletta. But being of immense courage, she shied away from the gloomy shelters and spent much time gazing towards the skies – watching aerial “dog-fights”.
Jane Demarco – at St Dominic’s Hostel
Around the age of 18, Jane met a handsome and suave gentleman by the name of John Demarco, who also hailed from Valletta and operated his own taxi business. A courtship between the two developed and Jane experienced her first taste of speed around the Island of Malta on John’s motorcycle. She explains that she was quite frightened at first, but soon came to enjoy the thrill of the ride. In mid 1946, at the age of 20, Jane and John became husband and wife and travelled extensively between Malta and England seeking good work opportunities. It was in London England that their first daughter – Sonia – was born in March 1948. The then the Demarco trio went back to Malta where they settled in Msida.
Jane (age 40) and John Demarco at the wedding of their daughter Sonia in 1966
In May 1950, Jane gave birth to her second baby – a son – whom they named Eric, born at the famous Guardamangia Hospital. By the time Sonia was 6 and Eric was 4, another female member – Irene – was born into the Demarco family.
Times in Malta were tough in that period, especially for a family of five; so a decision was made for husband John to migrate to Australia where he established himself in Paddington, Sydney. After a short settlement period, John arranged for Jane and the children to follow suit and they arrived in Sydney in April 1955 when daughter Irene was only months old.
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The Demarco family grew in harmony with the Australian culture. Jane ensured that all three children received suitable education and, to assist in rearing them satisfactorily, worked for some years at the Hardy Rubber plant, whilst husband John secured long time employment at the Mascot BMC complex. It was a devastating time for the family, however, when some years later John Demarco passed away at the young age of 67. In an effort to temporarily reunite with her siblings, Jane visited Malta and at one stage considered re-settling there. However, the strong bond with her three children in Australia prevented her from proceeding. Jane lived most of her latter life in Blacktown and established friendships with a large number of friends (mostly Maltese), whom she met on occasions at the Blacktown Workers Club or at Westpoint Blacktown Shopping Complex. She exhibited her love of social activity to everyone she met. Her affection to dancing – in particular the Tango – is present to this very day and will boast about the elegant couple she and John had been on the dance floor in their younger days. Jane Demarco (age 29) with her 3 children on her passport, bound for Australia in April 1955
In mid 2010, Jane (who had lived on her own for some years) was invited by her daughter Sonia to move with her and her husband on the Gold Coast, Queensland. She did not need much convincing and arranged for the sale of her Blacktown house without delay. However, she soon started to miss the Blacktown friends and activities to which she had become accustomed for so long. Unfortunately, by this time (at age 85) her memory had started to fail her and was in no condition to live alone in Blacktown. So, arrangements were made by the 3 siblings for Jane to have a couple of months respite with the Dominican Nuns of St Dominic’s Hostel, Blacktown. Those two months passed quickly and, thanks to the efforts of Sister Georgina, a permanent residency was found for her in December 2012. It has now been a year since Jane Demarco obtained her permanency and, although it was with some hesitation initially, she has settled in very well. Jane celebrated her 87th birthday in August. She takes great pride in acknowledging her 6 grand children and 7 great grand children.
Jane, with daughter Sonia on the right, Irene at rear, son Eric and his wife Avril on the left.
We, her children and our partners make every effort to visit her as much as possible. Son Eric and his wife Avril are weekly visitors, whist daughters Sonia and Irene, who both live on the Gold Coast, see her at least 4 to 5 times a year. We pray that God will give her happiness and harmony in living
her remaining years with the beautiful Sisters. St. Dominic’s Hostel – News & Views Summer 2013 |
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Remember - Safety First!
NO Double Adaptors
May Use Power Pack
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IMPORTANT TO NOTE: FURNITURE - It is recommended that all furniture brought in by relatives for residents’ rooms, fitted with lockable wheels or moveable casts. This ensures safety and ease for workers when cleaning and needing to move furniture. It also will protect which new floorings that are being laid. It would be appreciated if under the beds is kept as clear as possible. EXIT DOORS - We remind all residents and relatives that as a ‘low-care’ level Aged Care facility we are not equipped with a dementia specific unit. All EXIT doors, including doors in residents’ rooms are not to be locked on the inside for obvious Fire Safety reasons. MEDICATION - Please take note of the new policy in regards to Medication Management recently updated in the Residents’ Handbook (available in the Administration office).
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Happy Birthday to: December
January
2nd.......... Stella Buttigieg
6th ......... Carmen Formosa
6th .......... Teresa Xerri
6th ......... Josephine Vassallo
6th ......... Dora Aloi
9th ......... Pauline Scicluna
16th ............ Mary Bartolo
14th........ Emmanuel Micallef
19th ....... Connie Busuttil
15th........ Margaret Radford
21st ........ Emanuel Attard
28th ....... Christine Grixti 30th ....... Norma Jaslan
February 1st .......... Rita Sciberras 9th .......... Amy Pereira 10th ........ Joan Mangion 13th ........ Doreen Marchant 27th ....... Fr Claude Borg mssp 27th ........ Angelo Coleiro
NEW RESIDENTS: Mrs. Angelina Buttigieg (permanent) Mr. Domenico Casuscelli (respite) Mrs. Jean Schembri (respite)
† We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Jessie Gafa & Connie Valletta who went to their eternal reward. Jessie has been with us over the past twenty years & Connie Valletta joined us at the beginning of this year. Both ladies had a lovely personality and were loved by everyone young and old. We all miss them both. May they rest in peace. St. Dominic’s Hostel – News & Views Summer 2013 |
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ACTIVITIES AT ST. DOMINIC’S HOSTEL
Rev. Fr. Noel Bianco MSSP administered the Anointing of the sick to our residents at which they all participated.
For the convenience of our residents, Polling Day was held at St Dominic’s Hostel. This made it easy for our residents who didn’t have to queue up at a polling station. A few others voted by Postal vote.
Olaf Herber a favourite among our residents brought back many nostalgic memories with his old time hits.
Documentaries on Assyria / Sri Lanka / and Malta were viewed by our residents on a big screen. A number of residents participated in this activity and were thrilled to see pictures of their respective countries. One could sense the nostalgia they experienced on seeing their beloved homeland.
The Twentieth Anniversary of the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day was held on the 2nd October. The Maltese residents look forward to this reunion each year when they can catch up with old friends and acquaintances and enjoy each others company. This year was a special celebration being the 20th Anniversary since the Inauguration. Sr Mary Anne Grima founded the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day and chose the olive tree as the METD committee emblem because the olive tree is the symbol of Peace, Dialogue and Heritage.
Our residents watched the Military Tattoo via a big screen in the Activities Hall which they enjoyed immensely.
The annual Arts & Craft Show at Cardinal Stepinac Village was attended by some of our residents whose craft talents were displayed and certificates awarded. This boosts their morale a great deal.
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Jennifer a young Maltese lady who specialises in Maltese History presented a very interesting talk on the History of Malta. She showed us pictures of Malta in the olden days and how it looks today. The residents as well as their family members were invited to attend. There was a good turnout and everyone enjoyed learning about the History of Malta.
A bus outing was organized to Mittagong. Two busloads consisting of twenty one residents and two staff enjoyed this lovely day out sitting on the banks of Lake Alexandra and enjoying a delicious hot meal of Fish & Chips which is a great favourite among our residents.
Melbourne Cup Day as usual brought feverish excitement to our residents. They were eager to bet on the horses and look forward to winning. It was a fun filled afternoon as they watched the race on the big screen in the Activities hall. Some staff and family members too joined in the excitement of the day. A Hat Parade was held before the race and prizes were awarded to the residents who had the best hats.
Thirty of our residents attended the Annual Christmas party at Bowman Hall Blacktown which is hosted by the Blacktown Council. Residents from various nursing homes and hostels in the area were all invited. Entertainment was provided by Leather & Lace, Kids from schools in the area gave items. School children acted as volunteers to assist the elderly as needed, hand out meals and serve drinks. Christmas gifts were handed out to all present.
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Christmas Program 2013 Date Time 2nd 9:15a.m. 2nd 10:15a.m.
Activity Advent Wreath – Keep Awake Olaf Herber’s Happy Sound – Entertainment
3rd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 9th 10th 10th 11th 12th 13th 15th 16th 17th 18th 18th 19th 19th 21st 21st 22nd 23nd 23rd 24th 24th 25th 26th 31st
J.C.Choir – Entertainment MCA Choir - Entertainment Christian Meeting Shopping Spree Marlene & Maureen - Entertainment Philippino youth – Entertainment Joe Apap - Entertainment Advent Wreath – Every Valley Shall Be Lifted Joe Grima - Entertainment The Beale Family – Entertainment Residents’ Christmas lunch Good Shepherd Kindergarten Phillipino Carol Singing Group Advent Wreath – The Spirit Is Upon Me Bus Trip to Wollongong Service at Anglican Christ Church The Mifsud Brothers & Ashley - Entertainment Shopping Spree Carols by Candle light Country & Western Music Brian’s Children’s Orchestra Carol Singing – Church of Latter Saints Advent Wreath – Mary Is The Faithful One Christmas Holidays – Andre Rieu The Story of Silent Night -Movie Christmas Vigil Mass Christmas Mass A Christmas Visitor - Movie Thanksgiving in Chapel followed by Toast heralding the New Year
10:15a.m. 6:30p.m. 3:45p.m. 9:15a.m. 10:15a.m. 9:45a.m. 10:15a.m. 9:15a.m. 6.30p.m 10:15a.m. 11:30a.m. 6:30p.m. 1:30p.m. 9:15a.m. 9:15a.m 9:30a.m 6:30p.m. 9:00a.m. 6:30p.m. 9:30a.m. 1:30p.m 2.30p.m 9:15a.m. 10:00a.m. 10.15a.m. 4.00p.m. 9.00a.m. 9.30a.m. 6:00p.m.
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St Dominic’s Hostel Management, cordially thanks Mr Charles Said-Vassallo for supporting St. Dominic’s Hostel throughout the years.
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