Aged care residents reading the Warrina Residents Life Stories book, for the first time.
Sacred Heart College students have immortalised the memories of Warrina Aged Care residents in a collection of personalised storybooks.
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The intergenerational project between the school and Yarrawonga Health gave 10 VCE vocational major students the opportunity to connect, listen and document life stories of the elderly.
Throughout two terms, they conducted a series of interviews, conversations, and activities and got to know residents at Warrina, discovering their memories, stories and life experiences.
Student Steph Robinson having a chat with Warrina resident Nola Todd.
Yarrawonga Health hosted a morning tea last week to celebrate the Connecting Generations through Stories project.
Students received certificates for their efforts while the elderly got to read a hard copy of the stories they helped create, for the first time.
Year 12 student Nicolette Lazar said the experience had influenced her to live life more freely and enjoy every moment.
“Being able to do this project and listen to the life stories of the Warrina residents has changed my perspective,” Nicolette said.
“I am grateful for how lucky we are in the ways we are able to live today, and how different life was for residents back then, compared to now.”
Yarrawonga Health diversional therapist Candi Hammond said both lives were enriched when a young person hears a story from an elder.
“Where generations can feel separated by technology trends or even time, storytelling slows us down; it brings us back to each other, teaches us empathy and invites reflection,” Candi said.
“These stories carry humour, pain and hope, but perhaps most importantly, they carry connection when memories are shared.”
Luca Moretto and Alani Peterson chatting with Toni Hart about the book they made together.
On behalf of the students, Luca Moretto told residents how wonderful the experience had been.
“We have all enjoyed visiting you in the past few months,” Luca said.
“Hearing your stories and learning about the way things used to be has been a wonderful experience for all of us to have.”
VCE vocational major teacher Claire Trewarne said this year’s cohort brought a unique energy to the project.
“It was something so far out of their comfort zone, and they embraced it with so much positivity,” she said.
Right to left: Lenny Lonergan and Nicolette Lazar receiving their program certificate from Yarrawonga Health diversional therapist Candi Hammond.
Yarrawonga Health volunteer coordinator Renate Buckmaster wants the program to continue each year.
“The group this year was really committed to the residents, they were the ones who wanted to do the wheelchair training so they could take them out to get a coffee,” Renata said.
“This is our third year of the partnership, and it’s been a pleasure to see the smiles on both the students’ and residents’ faces throughout the program.”
From left to right: Sacred Heart Principal Lew Nagle, (students) Steph Robinson, Luca Moretto, (Yarrawonga Health) Candi Hammond, (students) Alani Peterson, Nicolette Lazar, Leah Appleton pictured with Warrina aged care residents Dot Donaldson, Toni Hart, Shadrick Wall, Nola Todd at last week's morning tea
The intergenerational project will return in 2026, with students from this year’s Connecting Generations through Stories, expected to return next year.
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