Nicola Di Lullo and Alison Kleinschmidt with Amaroo resident Laura Arbuckle.
Teachers, students, residents of Amaroo Aged Care, family and friends gathered in the Multi-Purpose room at Finley High School recently to celebrate the culmination of the Intergenerational Life Program.
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The program, instigated by Catherine Healy of Capable Minds, began back in May.
It brought together a group of Finley High School’s Year 10 students and seven residents of Berrigan’s Amaroo Aged Care.
Over a 10 week period they gathered on a weekly basis to record the residents’ audio life stories, using a mobile app and questions developed by A Lasting Tale - a local IT business owned by Dimity and Shaun Brassil.
The program was funded by Berrigan Shire Council and supported weekly by Finley High School teachers, as well as volunteers from the community.
The recent get-together was organised to present the students with certificates, recognising their participation and thanks to the mentors for their support.
There was also an official video by Dimity and a personal presentation by Keeley Peters, one of the students
Finley High School principal Jeff Ward expressed how proud he is of the students and thanked all who assisted in any way.
He especially thanked teacher Jacqui O’Bryan, who brought the program to fruition.
Intergenerational program mentors Shaun and Dimity Brassil, Sue Beck, Catherine Healy, Ros Rowe, Anne Nevins, Jacqui O’Bryan and Finley High principal Jeff Ward.
A lovely morning tea prepared by domestic science students was enjoyed at the conclusion of the celebrations.
The general consensus was that the program proved there is an unexpected connection between the generations, regardless of the age gap.
When questioned about how the program affected her, Keeley Peters said “I found the exercise a bit awkward to start with, but the more we talked the easier it became”.
Amaroo resident Laura Arbuckle said she has formed a close bond with Alison Kleinschmidt during the program, and other residents reported similar bonds with their partners.
That bond was evident in the way the students welcomed and assisted the visitors from Amaroo on their arrival at the school.
Finley librarian Ros Rowe said she was pleased to be a program mentor.
“It was a privilege and an honour to work with the students, and watch the respect and connection grow between the youngsters and the residents”.
Fellow mentor Sue Beck, from Amaroo Aged Care, said it was a highlight of the week.
“The residents involved looked forward to and were excited about the weekly visits,” she said.
The final audio of the life stories has been given to the residents and their families.
Public stories will also be stored on the Berrigan Library archives.
Finley High principal Jeff Ward (fourth from left) and teacher Jacqui O’Bryan (far right) with intergenerational program participants (from left) Keeley Peters, Brock Elgin, Josie Coombs, , Sienna Burke, Jasmine Burke, Sarah Bauer, Nicola Di Lullo, Alison Kleinschmidt.
