Coorparoo Aged Care

Strong family connections are important in our lives, and as we grow older, having a close-knit family becomes even more special. Coorparoo resident, Joyce Stubbings, shares with us what life was like growing up with her family in rural Queensland to owning a dairy farm with her husband, and the bond she shares with her five sons.

Joyce was born in the small town of Allora, Queensland. Growing up on a farm, her early memories involved playing with her five younger brothers and sisters in a creek they had within the property. ‘We were allowed to go and paddle in the shallow water, but we had to stay away from a waterhole that was very deep,’ she recalls.

Joyce lived in a farming community and remembers helping her father from a young age. ‘My chores were to gather the eggs, wash them, and polish them,’ she says. Joyce’s mum worked as a nurse at Allora Hospital, and despite her busy job, Joyce said she always found time to make the school uniforms for her and her siblings. Joyce went to school in Toowoomba, and she remembers how important the uniforms were for them. ‘At inter school athletics days all students were judged on their uniforms, and additional uniform points were given to each student,’ she says. ‘The school with the most points would be the overall winner. I remember my mum making all our school uniforms.’

As a child, Joyce said she enjoyed skipping and playing Chinese Checkers with her family in the evenings. She also recalled the important life lessons her parents instilled in her and her siblings. ‘They taught us right from wrong, and to respect others and their belongings,’ she says.

After finishing school, Joyce became a teacher and worked in schools within small country towns. It is around this time that she met her husband Aaron, at a dance in Dayboro. They married, moved to a dairy farm in Lamington, and had five sons together. Joyce recalls that life wasn’t easy after she tragically lost her husband to a farming accident when the boys were young. The insurance allowed her to keep the farm, and they all worked hard to keep it going.

Joyce’s sons are now all grown up with families of their own. She has 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, with another on the way, due May 2024. ‘I have watched my sons grow up, get married, and have their own families,’ Joyce says. ‘My sons have all brought lovely daughters-in-law into my life. They all keep in touch with me and support me, which I cherish. Family is important.’

At Coorparoo, Joyce continues to celebrate milestone events with her family such as her 90^th birthday pictured on the side, along with fellow residents and staff. ‘I am very happy and feel very safe and very well cared for here,’ says Joyce. ‘I appreciate the care and attention I receive and enjoy the interactions I have with other residents and staff.’

On ANZAC Day, we take this time to remember all who have served for our country. This year, we share the story of Coorparoo Aged Care resident, Les, who reflected on his experience with the army.

In January 1955, at the age of 18, Les was conscripted to the Australian Army in a ballot and completed three months training in preparation to be sent to Malaya. The overseas post never eventuated and instead, he completed service training in Gunnedah in the Transport Unit where he learnt to drive lorries and jeeps. Les recalls that his time in the army reserve took precedence over work and was required to work on certain days or weekends. He would also attend fortnightly camps at Gunnedah where he would stay in a marquee with 20 other soldiers while others would stay in huts. Les recalls that training was strict and says that if you did not fold your sheets, blankets and mattress away correctly, it was then tipped onto the floor, and you had to start again.

During one of his training camps, Les met fellow serviceman, Carl. They became lifelong friends and would catch up frequently at trainings and ongoing camps. Carl was Les’ best man at his wedding and said that their families were always close. Sadly, Carl passed away three years ago; however, Les still remains in contact with Carl’s family.

Les said that overall, he enjoyed national service. A distinct memory he recalls was one training session during the hot summer months. The training involved bayonet drills where Les had to walk a mile in the heat between two soldiers, remembering to lift his rifle above his shoulder, so that no one got stabbed. Les forgot and said the sergeant made him run to the other side of the training field as punishment, and then made all the troops do it again with him. On returning to camp, Les said he did not feel like eating the meal provided and made do with a milkshake instead. Later he endured terrible cramps through his body and legs, which took most of the night to alleviate. He said he never made that mistake again.

Les says that being in the army taught him to follow orders which prompted him to lead a disciplined lifestyle and always do the right thing. Since moving into Coorparoo Aged Care, Les has maintained his self-discipline and still hangs his clothes up in the wardrobe and puts his shoes away neatly every day.

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Bob and Lyn Reading first met at the Wharf Street ANZ branch where they both worked for a number of years. They later resigned from working in the bank, then owned and ran three news agencies over 25 years. ‘We worked long hours and hard but worked together’ they said. ‘We created a stable loving family and make a good team.’

Bob and Lyn are very family oriented and spoke very fondly of their family. When asked who the greatest loves of their lives were, Bob said his grandchildren, whilst Lyn said that Bob is the greatest love of her life. ‘Thanks to my wife, I have a lovely family,’ said Bob. The couple will celebrate their 57^th wedding anniversary in March 2023.

When asked how they shape who each other are today, they replied, ‘We have always had mutual ambitions, qualities and way of life. We communicate with, respect, and support each other. These have been the things that have built our marriage and family. We have a great family support network.’ Lyn and Bob have one son who lives in Brisbane with his family, and their other son lives in London with his family but will come out to Australia to visit them soon.

Bob and Lyn are both residents at Coorparoo. Lyn lives at The Village and Bob lives at Coorparoo Aged Care which allows them to spend lots of time together.

‘We have been lucky enough to have lots of nice trips and been able to travel. But the best thing we did was move to The Village at Coorparoo.’

Kevin and Kathleen King are residents at our beautiful home here at Coorparoo. This Valentine’s Day, they share with us their special love story from the time they met to where they are now.

How long have you been together and how did you meet?

Kathleen: We will celebrate 71 years of marriage this March and met seven months before we got married.

We met at an old-time dance at the Blind Institute in South Brisbane.  Kevin was down from Maryborough staying with his two cousins who I already knew. Kevin’s cousins took him to this dance and that’s where we were introduced. My first thought was, ‘gee, he’s cute’ even though all the girls I was with were chasing after the two cousins. I had no interest in the cousins, and Kevin and I have been together since that day.

What is your most memorable moment together?

Kathleen: Having our six children together (five girls and one boy).

Kevin: Going to the Publican Ball in Rockhampton, where I had to man the pub, so I was late to pick up Kathleen after her ballet dancing. She was all dressed up by her friends in all her finery but when I didn’t arrive in time, she had already changed into her usual dress. We ended up having such a lovely time anyway.

Describe a tough time you’ve been through together.

Kathleen: We’ve been through many tough years together. Kevin worked 12-hour days for a furniture making company, Trittons, as an upholsterer. He would come home and together we would make garden settings, sewing and put them together at night. This was to support our family.

Kevin: Kathleen controlled the finances and handled all the money.  She was the best family finance accountant. Even through all the tough years, we always made sure we had a holiday and gifts for our children.

What do you love most about each other?

Kevin: I love everything about Kathleen.

Kathleen: I love that Kevin was always a good husband who cared a lot for our children and myself.

What’s your secret to a long and happy marriage?

Kevin and Kathleen: Doing and sharing everything together.