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Village Art Mural Project April - August 2017
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Thanks to Lotterywest October 2016
We are delighted to report that a generous donation from Lotterywest has enabled us to purchase:
Residents will have access to the world at the touch of a fingertip. Equally important, residents will be able to choose music to listen to, videos to watch and photos to view. The large screens will be placed where the need is greatest at any given time, and the smaller ones will be set up on trolleys and used throughout the facility. The smaller All-In-One PCs will be particularly useful for residents to be able to make Skype calls from the privacy of their own room. We are confident that this equipment will not just assist MYVISTA and the community as a whole but will touch the individual residents, volunteers and staff within the organisation and the residents’ families and friends who live in the wider community. Our sincere thanks goes to Lotterywest for making this possible. ________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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An Individual of Distinction... August 2016
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Stanka was nominated for the Hesta Aged Care Awards in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the lives of residents at MYVISTA. Stanka's role of Activity Coordinator is enhanced through her fluency in four languages along with a deep understanding and respect for the cultural sensitivities of residents and families. Ask Stanka on any day how she is and her reply of “almost excellent” represents a genuine love for her work and compassion for those she supports and cares for.
MYVISTA CEO Irene Mooney, and Board Chairman Mr Tony Vallelonga, together with Stanka and her husband, travelled to Canberra for the 4th August Award presentations (pictured above). MYVISTA Board Chairman – Mr Tony Vallelonga: “Not only is Stanka a winner but so too is MYVISTA for having her as a loyal and committed staff member”. Mr Vallelonga expressed that: “Stanka’s ability to treat all residents and families at MYVISTA as an extension of her family is a wonderful way to respect and care for our older community members”. _________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Opera Comes to the Vasto Club …. June 2016
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MYVISTA residents, volunteers and staff were invited to join the chorus for a hilarious production of Georges Bizet’s opera ‘Don Procopio’.
With the support of the Department of Culture and the Arts and Lotterywest, the Lost and Found Opera Company presented ‘Don Procopio’ at the Vasto Club in Balcatta. The story focused on a mismatched union between a wealthy old man and an attractive young woman in love with a charismatic young man. Along the road to a happy ending there were more than a few sighs and loads of laughs. The Vasto Club was a fitting place to stage this comic opera as it has seen many weddings over the years and is in the heart of a thriving Italian community. The chorus offered a backdrop of Italian nonne, dressed in black and knitting while they watched and gossiped as the events of the wedding day unfolded. The songs revealed their delight in the romance coupled with their mock horror at the behaviour of the young people who planned and plotted to persuade Don Procopio that this marriage was not in his best interests. The larger part of the chorus was made up of members of the University of Western Australian Choral Society, people of various cultural backgrounds who could sing. Hidden amongst these talented singers was a contingent of residents, volunteers and staff from MYVISTA most of whom were more qualified to be Italian nonne than choristers. MYVISTA’s journey into stardom began with Production Director, Thomas de Mallet Burgess, and Musical Director, Chris van Tuinen visiting MYVISTA every Tuesday for six weeks to teach us the songs and give us tips on how to present ourselves to the audience. Our first rehearsal was at His Majesty's Theatre where we had the privilege of meeting the professional performers. Then followed a second rehearsal at Hale School. After three more dress rehearsals at the Vasto Club we were ready for the real thing. ‘Don Procopio’ ran over four evenings at the Vasto Club; each time to a full house. The opera was a huge success and we were stars! It’s hard to put into words the excitement and joy we felt from participating in this professional production, meeting the real stars and sharing the acclaim from the audience and reviews but let’s try with quotes from a few of the knitting nonne: |
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Gioia:
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Very, very good. Fantastic. I couldn’t believe I learnt four pages of songs by heart. I’ve only been on stage twice. Once when I was nine years old and now when I’m 92 years old.
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Filomena:
Adua: |
I enjoyed the opera very much. I haven’t knitted for a long time so it was a good thing to do. I used to knit clothes for my children. The music was beautiful. My favourite part of the opera was when Bettina did somersaults.
When I was first asked to be in the chorus I was very nervous. After a while I relaxed and enjoyed it very much. It was a beautiful performance. People see my photo on Facebook and still ring me from everywhere in the world. Some want tickets and I have to tell them they’re too late. |
With thanks to Chris and Thomas
for an unforgettable experience
for an unforgettable experience
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