Over four Tuesdays throughout the school term period, six Year 10 Emmanuel College students, with accompanying teachers, visited Seachange Emerald Lakes Aged Care home to interview three Seachange Emerald Lakes Senior residents in pairs.
On Thursday 25th August, it concluded with all participants, Emmanuel College Senior Staff, Seachange Emerald Lakes Management, friends, and families coming together to present the findings of the interviews of each starred resident’s “Golden Life”. Each pair of students presented a PowerPoint presentation for their ‘star’ resident.
This PowerPoint presentation were printed by Seachange Emerald Lakes Community Manager and were then presented to the three residents and everyone celebrated the event with a morning tea.
The project was viewed positively by all involved; it created a happy occasion to reflect and to celebrate what they had learnt and their new friendships.
The very insightful, emotional, respectful, genuine, and life-changing comments from Seachange residents and the Emmanuel College students were a true reflection of the need for and power of intergenerational practice in our community to support future generation. There is much to be gained by the students who are on their way to being confident, caring, helpful and knowledgeable citizens of the world. This Golden Life Stories trial fulfilled all the learning benefits and participants reflected on their authentic feelings of fulfilment for having taken part in this worthwhile project.
A second successful Golden Life Stories Project trial between Emmanuel College and Seachange Emerald Lakes residents has just been completed. Both State Minister Meaghan Scanlon and Division 8 Councillor Bob La Castra attended the Golden Life Stories Celebration on 18th October.
– By Gwen Rayner (Seachange Emerald Lakes Lifestyle Resort Resident) – GOLDEN LIFE STORIES PROJECT FACILITATOR