Come to the Vincent Court Resident Open Day!

Vincent Court is welcoming new residents with our refurbishment almost complete. Come to our Resident Open Day to meet our team, tour a new-look private suite and find out about permanent and respite aged care.

Prospective residents and their families will have the opportunity to talk to:

  • Kylie Bonney – Residential Service Manager
  • Paige Bellenger – Clinical Nurse
  • Members of our Lifestyle & Administrations Teams

You can also enjoy a freshly baked morning or afternoon tea and see our resident craft stall.

Join us on Thurs 8 Dec, 9.30 – 11.00am & 4.00 – 5.30pm

Email to register your interest and preferred timeslot. Please spread the word to others who might be interested. 

Specialised support for Kempsey locals living with dementia

Vincent Court is offers specialist dementia care in their secure household, supporting aged care residents with advanced memory support needs.

Residential Service Manager, Kylie Bonney, says this specialised care is an important service for the local community.

“The number of older Australians living with dementia is continuing to rise. This means more families are being challenged by the demands of caring for their loved one affected by dementia,” said Kylie.

“At Vincent Court, our staff are specially trained to offer expert, around-the-clock support for residents with moderate to severe memory loss.

“Our Nurses, Carers and Lifestyle teams are equipped with the experience and tools to help these residents remain comfortable, active and enjoying life as much as possible.”

The secure dementia household includes an outdoor courtyard with raised garden beds, chickens, a sensory garden and fruit trees.

Lifestyle Officer, Michelle Douglas, says that careful consideration goes into developing a lifestyle program specifically for dementia residents.

“Residents with dementia often find that sensory experiences involving hearing, smell and touch are calming and enjoyable. We offer many music therapy and cooking activities, art therapy and a range of outdoor activities utilising our outdoor spaces and courtyards,” said Michelle.

Vincent Court’s dementia household comprises private rooms with private ensuites. Residents are welcomed on a permanent or short-term respite basis.

The community also cares for residents living with dementia who have lower-care memory support needs.

Vincent Court is part of the Apollo Care Alliance, an innovative national aged care provider preserving the unique purpose of regional not-for-profit providers that play a valuable role in their local community. Learn more about Vincent Court at vincentcourt.org.au or by calling the Admissions Team on (02) 6562 6062

Meet Margaret – whose handmade crafts are helping others in need

Margaret is a much-loved Kempsey local, moving here from Port Macquarie when she was nine years old. She has a long history of serving her community, spending more than 40 years proudly working at the iconic variety store, Fosseys.

Margaret’s crocheted dolls, rugs and cushions are legendary at Vincent Court. She was taught to crochet by her grandmother and finds this pastime to be very fulfilling.

“It’s a wonderful thing to be able to crochet – I think everyone should learn! It’s so good for my mental stimulation so I crochet all the time.”

Margaret donates the rugs she makes to the Vincent Court raffles and has won many prizes for her beautiful crafts at the annual Kempsey Show.

But the positive impact of Margaret’s crocheting has a far wider reach. She also donates her creations to Wrap with Love – an amazing not-for-profit organisation that distributes hand-knitted or crocheted rugs to people in need around Australia and overseas.

“I find it so rewarding that something I’ve made can help someone less fortunate. To think that my rugs are being used to keep people in need warm makes me so happy.

“I’m very grateful that the staff at Vincent Court are so supportive of my hobby. They really take an interest and encourage me to do what I love.”

Margaret has been a resident at Vincent Court since 2017 and says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“My Mother, Mother-in-Law and husband, Lyle, all lived at Vincent Court for a time, so I knew how good this community was. If anyone asks me what it’s like living here, I tell them I wouldn’t go anywhere else. It’s as good as you can get and I have everything I need right here. Everyone is so friendly. I recommend it to anyone – I’d be lonely if I didn’t live here.”

At Vincent Court, we love supporting residents like Margaret remain engaged in the activities that bring them joy and purpose.

Community spirit alive and well at Vincent Court

Anyone connected with Vincent Court would know how community minded the residents are. From cooking stalls and choir performances at the annual Kempsey Fete, through to the amazing array of handmade craft items donated as raffle prizes, the residents love using their talents to make a positive contribution.

Any money raised from the stalls and raffles is saved in a special bank account and the residents vote on how it will be spent. There’s one golden rule of thumb when deciding, though. Whatever is purchased must be used and enjoyed by ALL the residents.

Just some of the items that these funds have purchased include outdoor tables and chairs, a Jack and Jill chair, and even the snooker table in the Recreation Centre! What a great commitment to making our community an even better place to live.

Next time you visit, take a look at the items for sale in our display cabinets. You’ll find beanies, rugs, gloves, coat hangers and Christmas decorations all available for purchase.

Celebrating 100 years of All Saints Church

More than 600 people were on hand to greet the Bishop of Lismore, Greg Homeming, Parish Priest, James Foster and special guest, author Tom Keneally as they honoured the early priests who travelled throughout the Macleay by arriving on a horse and sulky. Bishop Greg led the priests who celebrated the Anniversary Mass on 17 July. Celebrating with Bishop Greg were Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett (Bishop Emeritus of Lismore), Fr Paul Gooley (former Parish Priest of Kempsey) and the current Parish Priest, Fr James Foster.

The idea of a horse and sulky came from some parish pastoral council members and the organising committee loved the idea. 100 years ago, people got around on horseback or horse and sulky. The parish is blessed to have the incredible Sharon and Bill Clarke residing in Kempsey who have won national titles in carriage driving. They have a real passion for their beautiful horses and the carriages and sulkies they have lovingly restored. It was a special way to start off a magnificent day of celebrations.

The large crowd present highlighted the love that people have for All Saints Church is truly inspirational! It is a place of belonging precious to our community, a home and an oasis where memories are made, joy is shared and tears are shed, and above all where love is felt and lived. A number of people returned to Kempsey for the occasion including legendary Australian author Tom Keneally, as well as relatives of some of the church’s earliest priests, religious and lay people. Mayor Leo Hauville and Author Tom Keneally addressed the more than 600 parishioners and guests at the conclusion of Mass.

During the gourmet morning tea, Sr Cabrini cut the cake and was presented with a papal blessing in recognition of her exemplary service to Macleay Valley Parish.

After drought, fires, floods, covid and so many challenges in recent years- it was lovely for everyone to gather together and enjoy themselves. The Organising Committee wanted to do something special and memorable for all to enjoy.

Article by Fr James Foster

Celebrating our Coffee Shop ‘Queen’ Bea

Bea symbolises everything that makes our volunteers so wonderful.

Originally from Sydney, Bea moved to the Macleay Valley region in 1985 where she began volunteering with the Catholic Church and St Vincent de Paul. Even when she worked full-time at Telstra for 17 years, she still made time to continue her volunteering work and has been helping our Vincent Court community for the past nine years.

What do you do here? 

I come four days a week and run the Coffee Shop in the mornings and some afternoons I take residents out on shopping trips. I’m also part of the Pastoral Care team so I offer emotional support to residents and bring Mass to them if they’re unable to come to our Chapel.

How would you describe the Coffee Shop? 

It’s the pulse of Vincent Court! All of us have so much fun at the Coffee Shop – the residents, their families and the staff, too. We play music and people get up and dance, and it’s become a favourite place to connect. So many residents enjoy their morning ritual of stopping by and having a coffee or a milkshake and something delicious from the kitchen. The Coffee Shop is part of their day and part of their home.

What do you love most about Vincent Court? 

I’d have to say it’s the genuine connection and bond between the residents and the people who work here. I can’t speak highly enough of our team – they go out of their way to make sure each and every resident feels safe, happy and comfortable, just like they would at home.

Why is this role so important to you? 

The people here are like family to me. I always feel so appreciated, but I view myself as the lucky one. Just being able to help them and spend time with them is so special. 

The CWA’s famous Scone Recipe

At Vincent Court, we think there’s nothing better than a freshly baked, fluffy scone enjoyed still warm from the oven with strawberry jam and whipped cream. This treat makes a regular appearance at morning tea time here and it’s easy to see why.

Our wonderful Chef, Jackie, has perfected her scone-making skills using the Country Women’s Association’s famous Scone Recipe. It’s so good, we’re sharing so that you can try it at home! The big question is do you put the jam or cream on first?

A few tips:

  • Follow the recipe precisely
  • Always sift the flour
  • Be gentle with the dough
  • Don’t be tempted to make scones too large

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Self Raising Flour   
  • 300ml of cream
  • 300 ml milk                              
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees
  2. Sift the flour and add other dry ingredients
  3. Add cream and milk to the dry ingredients and mix to make a soft dough using a knife not a spoon.
  4. Place dough on a lightly floured board and gently pat out to a thickness of about 2.5cm.
  5. Cut with a floured scone cutter. Do not twist the cutter when removing, straight up and down is the go!
  6. Gather the leftover dough together, lightly knead and repeat the cutting process until all dough is used.
  7. Place on a lined baking tray and bake for about 12-15 minutes until they are golden on the bottom and top.
  8. Serve with your favourite jam and whipped cream