Students re-imagine the life stories of our elders
20th August 2024 | 4 min read
Storytelling has connected people for millennia, and residents at Perth’s Melville Parkside Care Community and Melville Senior High School students are nurturing this very human tradition.
Intergenerational relationships benefit everyone. Younger people learn from the experiences of their elders, and gain a deeper understanding into the history and dynamics that have built the world they will inherit. Older people benefit from the curiosity, new perspectives and skills of young people.
Assignment accepted!
It began with a challenge for students in Gifted and Talented English program at Melville Senior High School. They were charged with meeting some of our residents and writing a short tale based on a significant event in their lives.
The students took to the task with gusto, visiting our Care Community and listening intently to the life experiences of our residents before starting to craft their stories on paper.
And there was a twist: students could write the story as biography or truth-based fiction.
The students found a rich well of material to draw from, like resident Nancy, who bravely toured Australia in a four-seater Cessna plane with her husband.
Once the stories were complete, residents and their young friends shared afternoon tea, and the students presented their stories.
“I’m turning 100 this year so I’ve had a full life,” says Nancy, with some understatement.
“I told the students about one memorable lunchtime in my country school where, sitting under a wattle tree, I bit down into my sandwich and spat out half a cockroach! It was so awful. One girl wrote a fictional story that ended in me turning from the blackboard to the class, with cockroach legs between my teeth!”
Joan has also lived an extraordinary life, beginning in the small West Australian town of Wiluna, shifting to the mines in Fiji before returning west, to Kalgoorlie. Joan recalled working sometimes seven days a week from the age of 14 in Fiji, and enjoying bareback horse riding as a special treat.
“They’re such good kids,” says Joan. “They were so happy, listened so well and opened up about themselves. They did a wonderful job and worked so hard to tell our stories.”
This is just Chapter One
The program with Melville Senior High School will continue throughout 2024 and beyond. Each fortnight, residents from Melville Parkside Care Community visit Melville Senior High School, with a range of activities scheduled.
Ideas include baking, gardening, theatrical performances and - just to prove ageing really is living - students will teach residents how to ‘roast’ an audience before a rap battle!
Importantly, while our residents have been energised by their new friendships, the students have also - gaining new perspectives on ageing and the value of older people in society.
“I’ve been profoundly inspired by the intergenerational connections formed between our students and the residents,” says Christina, English teacher and Gifted and Talented Coordinator at Melville Senior High School.
“This initiative has fostered connection, understanding and has enriched our school’s community. Our students are gaining valuable skills and compassion, while the residents are experiencing renewed vitality and joy. It’s the highlight of our week when the residents visit us and the students and I are very grateful to have their presence and conversations.”
Care Community stories
Support groups for families and carersWe established Dementia Connections Cafes to offer support groups for families and carers and foster connection and community for those families of residents who are living with de…
4th June 2026 | 4 min read
Care Community stories
Human connections at Blacktown TerraceAt Care Communities across Australia, you’ll find wonderful stories of human connection that unite us. At Blacktown Terrace Care Community in western Sydney, a beautiful friendship…
28th May 2026 | 4 min read
Care Community stories
Acknowledging National Sorry Day at Hamlyn TerraceResidents, team, and visitors at Hamlyn Terrace Care Community on the Central Coast of NSW gathered to acknowledge National Sorry Day, also known as the National Day of Healing, on…
26th May 2026 | 3 min read
Care Community stories
Stay safe from recruitment scamsAt Opal HealthCare, the safety and trust of people who want to join our team is important to us.Recruitment scams are unfortunately becoming more common. These scams may involve in…
21st May 2026 | 4 min read
Care Community stories
Wellbeing support for Tony at Kawana WatersMotorcross champion. Barefoot water-skier. Endurance athlete. World traveller. With highlights like these, it’s easy to see why former resident Tony swears by the motto: “Live life…
13th May 2026 | 4 min read
Care Community stories
Recycling strengthens community bonds at Wallarah PointFor decades, people have flocked to the Central Coast of NSW for the sea, the sun, and the fresh air. At Wallarah Point Care Community, recycling is one way our residents and team …
28th April 2026 | 4 min read
Care Community stories
Our second family at Geraldton ShoreIf you’re lucky enough to visit Geraldton Shore Care Community in Western Australia’s Mid West region, you’ll easily spot mother-and-son duo Peta and Edge. Just follow the laughter…
13th April 2026 | 4 min read
Care Community stories
Knitting with purpose: Building connection at Narraweena GroveFor people living with dementia, creative pursuits stimulate the mind and help maintain their dexterity for longer. And often the benefits extend beyond the individual. Being activ…
9th April 2026 | 4 min read
Care Community stories
Marsden Park aged care residents feed camelsSometimes the best adventures are the ones you never see coming. Recently, a chance discovery by one of our dedicated volunteers at Marsden Park Care Community in Sydney’s north-we…
24th March 2026 | 4 min read