Morning Tea at “Walkers Place” growAbility Nursery
A morning of friendship and information sharing at Walkers Place growAbility Nursery.
Twenty four participants in the GreenConnect Dementia Respite Project, one care friend and the Respite Care Coordinator recently enjoyed the first gathering for 2025 at “Walkers Place” growAbility Nursery, Cureton Avenue Mildura.
Four new participants were welcomed to the group and all were able to connect, share some of their experiences during the recent Christmas/ New Year break and relax in a safe, informal and friendly environment. Lots of catching up, conversations and laughter paired with a morning tea of plump sandwiches, a carrot, sultana and macadamia nut cake and fresh sultana grapes gifted from a local grower.
Dementia Australia’s Bertilla Campbell presenting the upcoming Brain Hub event
Dementia Australia Support Specialist Ms Bertilla Campbell was warmly welcomed to the gathering and kindly provided those in attendance with the details of the upcoming Dementia Australia “Brain Hub” event, scheduled 20 March 2025 at the riverfront Powerhouse Precinct, Hugh King Drive Mildura. This event will connect attendees with information, education and support related to a dementia diagnosis. Visit http://dementia.org.au/mildura for more information on this event and other free Brain Hub sessions.
Participants shared some of their thoughts of the morning gathering:
“It is our first time coming to this group and we were made feel so welcome by all”
“We love coming along to these events and very grateful to another participant for transporting us”
“Our communal table has just about snaked outside the double doors, with all these people, but we make it work and thankful for the friendship”
“When we all get talking, it makes it a bit hard to hear, but with the milder weather on the way, it is easy enough to take our cuppa outside if we need to”
“The morning tea is always delicious and I am really looking forward to the new venue next month and the mobile coffee van person to make our drinks”
“I got bitten by a mosquito. They love my blood”
As GreenConnect Dementia respite participant numbers continue to grow, the February 2025 gathering is the last to be held at “Walkers Place” growAbility Nursery.
Moving forward, gatherings will be conducted at “The Cottage” located within the Mildura Station Homestead area, 278 Cureton Avenue Mildura on the fourth Tuesday of each month 10am to 12 noon.
The Cottage is slightly larger and more acoustically sensitive with its timber floors and Murray Pine lined ceilings and should be softer for those with a hearing deficit or dementia-related noise sensitivities.
Set amongst large gum trees and sprawling green lawns and right on the banks of the Murray River, it should be a welcoming, appropriate and nurturing space for all.
GreenConnect would like to acknowledge and thank the amazing staff and clients of the Christie Centre Mildura, for making their beautiful “Walkers Place” venue available.
In particular, our thanks and gratitude to Business Development Manager Joe Simonetta for his ongoing support of the project and always going above and beyond to ensure a comfortable space was made available for our participants.
GreenConnect: Building Community and Connection
GreenConnect is dedicated to providing meaningful, enjoyable experiences for individuals living with early to mid-stage dementia. The recent Walkers Place morning tea was a perfect example of how activities like these offer participants a chance to relax, foster friendships, and enjoy a sense of belonging in a safe and supportive environment.
Get Involved with GreenConnect
GreenConnect is always looking for new business partners, accommodation providers, and care organisations to join the network. If you’re interested in supporting the project and helping provide vital services to individuals with dementia, reach out today to learn more about how you can contribute.