SENIORS
A meaningful life : Intergenerational program a success
The intergenerational program between Moran Kellyville and Discover My World Early Learning Centre is a hit with many residents of the Aged Care Home and children of the centre alike .
The program brings together the
Moran residents painting with the children at the centre .
youngest and oldest generations in shared experiences such as gardening , cooking , art and craft , story time and singing .
After experiencing the program , some Moran residents are keen to be more regular volunteers at the centre , to read and paint with the children . None more so than Malcolm , who loves interacting with the children and enjoys the program immensely . As a father to four children , grandfather to 12 grandchildren and great grandfather to six great grandchildren , Malcolm has all the qualifications for the job !
“ I thoroughly enjoy the experience of interacting with the children . It makes me feel like I ’ m doing something meaningful with my time and takes me back to my teaching days ,” Malcolm said .
He was very touched when one of the toddlers came to him when he was leaving recently after some story telling . The youngster gestured that he wanted Malcolm to pick him up , something that had never happened to him before .
As an industrial chemist by profession , Malcolm worked for ICI and Dulux Companies . He and his wife Jeanette relocated their
Malcolm with Luca .
young family to Papua New Guinea to live for a time . Coming from a generation of teachers , Malcolm later worked as a head teacher at TAFE until retiring at age 72 .
Jeanette was a music teacher and he helped her with music concerts and events . She was the president of the Hawkesbury Eisteddfod and Malcolm assisted with technical aspects of the event . After retiring , he supported Jeanette at Sunday School and the Church Kid ’ s Club , skills he is now finding very handy .
Said General Manager Moran Kellyville , Nelly Banag , “ the joy and fulfilment our residents get out of the intergenerational programme is second to none and it seems it is a very interesting and happy experience for the children too .”
Moran Kellyville Community Engagement & Wellness Manager , Kiana Gohar , regularly brings her son to visit the residents .
“ My son Luca has a great time interacting with many residents , having lunch and enjoying real life experiences !
Malcolm reading to the children at Discover My World .
It gives me so much happiness to see him enjoying himself with the residents who are so much a part of my life . He receives lots of love from them .”
Moran Kellyville is located adjacent to Discover My World on Goodison Street . The teams at Moran Kellyville and Discover My World work together to create a combined intergenerational program to enrich the lives of the seniors and introduce them to the youngsters .
To find out more about how you can join the friendly community at Moran Kellyville , call 02 9881 4222 or visit www . morangroup . com . au .
22 ISSUE 100 // OCTOBER 2023 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT