Month: May 2017

Volunteers span the state for our seniors

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 9, 2017

As the demand for aged care services continues to grow, Juniper is working to double its capacity to respond to help meet the needs of older Western Australians.

Juniper, a Uniting Church WA agency, has one of the largest aged care footprints in the country with much-needed services delivered as far north as the Kimberley, as well as the Mid-West throughout metropolitan Perth, the Wheatbelt and right through to Albany in the Great Southern.

More than 450 dedicated volunteers span this vast area, brightening the lives of Juniper’s residents, home care clients and their families in many different ways.

Volunteer co-ordinator, Tim Law, said volunteers make a big difference to the lives of people in Juniper’s care undertaking a diversity of interesting roles and tasks.

“Our volunteers help with all sorts of things from companionship, activity groups, bus and buggy driving, administration, pastoral care and even a bit of acting!” he said.

Tags Ageing and Community

Stories & Feature Articles

Intergenerational bonding in Busselton

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 6, 2017

Finding common ground and activities for people of different ages is not always easy, but when you do, it can be a beautiful thing. The ‘blokes’ of Busselton Uniting Church semi-regularly get together for a meal at a local pub, but their February gathering was different. They were looking for something they could invite younger people to that would help foster relationships and connection across the generations, so decided on lawn bowling.

On a balmy summer’s evening, 29 of us gathered to compete and eat pizza. Players ranged in age from 7 to 89 with everyone placed in an intergenerational team. There was plenty of banter and no hamstring tears to report.

The best part of the gathering was seeing the interaction between the different ages; common ground was found and relationships formed that will no doubt cross over to Sunday morning and beyond.

Andy Broadbent

Tags Ageing and Community, Church and Community, Youth

News & Announcements

From the Archives: KUCA

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 2, 2017

In 1978, the year after union of the Uniting Church in Australia, the South Australian synod started planning a children’s rally, KUCA (Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia). Their first rally was held in 1979, the International Year of the Child.

In 1984, the Uniting Church WA launched a KUCA rally of its own, and by 1985 there were 52 Sunday Schools and other children’s groups affiliated with it, with around 500 children involved. The first overnight camp took place in Parkerville in October 1985, giving rural groups the opportunity to stay overnight.

A newsletter, YAK (You and KUCA), was produced by the Uniting Church SA, in conjunction with other synods, filled with puzzles, activities, poems and stories. For many years, the organisers of KUCA produced a t-shirt transfer, which was widely recognised and worn by many people around the Uniting Church WA. The KUCA costume, a kookaburra body suit, was also a hit for many campers.

KUCA camp is now known as KCO (Kids’ Camp Out) and still attracts congregation groups from all over the Uniting Church WA. It has evolved a lot over the years, now incorporating junior leaders and a synod wide event on the Saturday evening. Turn to page 13 for pictures from the most recent KCO, held in March. This year, KCO held a birthday party for the Uniting Church’s 40th Anniversary.

Tags Youth