Staying engaged and curious: Hugo’s life at Footscray
Every morning at Doutta Galla’s Footscray Home, Hugo starts his day by making the rounds. He delivers the daily newspaper to residents who subscribe, then returns later to collect finished copies and place them in the home’s newspaper nook for others to enjoy. It is a small routine, but one that reflects Hugo’s approach to […]
Supporting the Journey: Palliative Care at Doutta Galla
For many, the words “palliative care” evoke a sense of finality. But for Kristine, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Palliative and End-of-Life Care at Doutta Galla, it is actually about the time that remains. It is about dignity, comfort, and the profound beauty of living well until the very end. This National Palliative Care […]
Koula: Still Herself in Aged Care
Koula turned 85 in January, and she has earned every one of those years. Born in Greece, raised in Melbourne, married to an Egyptian man she met on a dance floor, and still, after all of it, entirely herself. “I was always a little bit outspoken,” she says. “My mother told me it might get […]
Bonnie Still Saying Yes to Life
Lola ‘Bonnie’ Smith sits in her room at Doutta Galla’s Avondale Heights home surrounded by photographs. Children grin from school portraits, grandchildren pose in football jumpers, and great-grandchildren beam from holiday snapshots. The images line the walls like a living scrapbook, each frame a reminder that family remains at the centre of her life. At […]
Compassion in Action: Carol at Avondale Heights
Before the interview began, Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator Carol Fletcher stood quietly in the corridor at Avondale Heights, speaking with the son of a resident in palliative care. Together, they navigated a difficult moment, with Carol offering gentle reassurance as they both focused on supporting his mother with compassion and calm. The exchange, though emotional, […]
“I find myself pleased to be home”: A New Chapter for Wendy
When Wendy Hill talks about Lynch’s Bridge, she does so with certainty and calm. For her, moving into residential aged care was not the result of a sudden crisis, but a deliberate and carefully considered decision. Born in Melbourne, Wendy grew up initially in Glenhuntly then Croydon. Over the years, she lived in 15 different […]
Finding Comfort and Choice: John’s Move to our Premium Suites
When John made the move from his much-loved California bungalow in Maribyrnong into Doutta Galla’s Premium Suites in Footscray, he wasn’t sure what to expect. After 44 years in the same home, change was no small step. But what he discovered was a new chapter filled with comfort and exceptional care. “I didn’t think I’d […]
Where Every Day Begins With A Smile
In the fast-paced world of aged care, a simple thank you can make all the difference. While we strive to provide the highest quality of care every day, it’s particularly heartening to receive acknowledgment as special as this. Letters like the one below from Therese Johnstone remind us of the profound impact our work has […]
“It Gladdens My Heart”: Volunteering at Harmony Village
For the past four years, Denise Naish has been a familiar face at Doutta Galla Harmony Village, volunteering her time each week to brighten the days of residents. She initially began visiting when her own mother moved into the aged care community, and even after her mother’s passing, Denise felt drawn back to continue helping. […]
John’s Magical Digital Tour: Queens Park Gets Connected with Digital Living
In today’s world, technology connects us, informs us and generally makes daily life easier. But for many residents in aged care, the digital world can feel overwhelming. At Doutta Galla’s Queens Park Residential Home, that experience is being transformed thanks to a thoughtful initiative called the Digital Living Project. Designed and delivered by social work […]